"You're such an ass, Seb," I told him after he confessed that he might have offended Melissa when he didn't stay with her last weekend after taking her home.

"Dude! Post-procedure care is just as important as the procedure itself," Val said tiredly as if she had been drilling the matter into us for the hundredth time.

"There wasn't any procedure, mother," Snarky Seb replied. "I simply took her home, and we talked about Ace and Kendra, and before she got any idea, I left."

"Why the hell would you be talking about Kendra and me?" my eyebrow rose, annoyance piqued.

"None of your business. Get back to work, or else I'll call the slave driver," he threatened.

He and Val invaded the office early this morning. It was raining cats and dogs, and Val decided she didn't want to work, afraid she might get stuck in the rising flood. Seb thought it was a smart excuse since he didn't want to work either. 

They both ended up in my office for the lack of anything better to do. They talked loudly, like they always do, bickering and laughing, while I sat there sniggering, having a difficult time concentrating because they were hilarious and very much distracting.

"Join us, boss. Join the dark side. You know you want to," Val wiggled her eyebrows.

"You didn't go to work because you might get stuck in the flood, but then here you are in my office, pestering me. Why don't you guys go home for real?" I said, rolling my eyes at them. I returned to sending and answering emails, though half of my mind was still hung up on Jacob and Sharon, and the other one-fourth was listening to the two.

"I was going to ask you to drive us back to El Valle," Seb said, grabbing my attention again.

"You drive a Prado. I have a WRX sedan," I pointed out.

"I can't drive in the rain, and I don't have a driver."

"You might as well not have a dick and balls too if you can't drive in a little bit of rain," I snorted.

"Touché!" he laughed. "But come on. Stop working and have fun with us. Let's visit Cara. Piss her off instead."

"I can't leave the office, dude."

"You're the CEO, not some lowly employee! What's the point of owning a company? Why are you even here in this weather? Do what I did: I delegated the shit to someone else," he said, revolted, making Val and me laugh. That guy says the most tactless things sometimes. Scratch that, most of the time.

"Okay, how bout this: Let's stay in your wonderful office. Let's order pizza or food from that Korean take-out at the ground floor, stay in the Green Room, and have a Sherlock marathon until the floodwaters get so high we'll be stuck here for the next five days," he suggested.

"Jaxx will find us," I told him simply while browsing social media on my phone. People were already posting about the rising floodwaters and the stalled cars.

"Ugh, that Grinch. Then let him join us. What's the worst he can do? Make us watch Countdown or QI, or what's that other dorky shit he likes to watch?"

"Would I lie to you?"

He looked at me strangely. "I don't know, most probably. Actually, yes, you definitely would."

"No, that's the name of that other British comedy show he likes to watch, stupid!" I laughed.

"Speaking of British, how is that sexy computer guy of yours, Ace?" Val's eyes immediately lit up.

"Still employed, much to my displeasure," I sighed.

"Why? What happened?" she asked.

"Computer boy snuck out with some hot manager while he was busy friend-zoning Kendra," Seb said mischievously.

"Seb, can you please stop making up stories? You're not in kindergarten anymore," I glared at him, but he just laughed.

"I didn't friend zone Kendra. It was a mutual decision just to stay friends. And I don't care if my employee was making out with someone. That's none of my business."

"I didn't say he made out with someone; I just said he snuck out," he taunted. "Now, I'm not saying you're jealous either."

"I'm not jealous! Why would I be jealous? I'm not interested in Sharon, much more in Jacob!" I said defensively. Maybe a tad bit too defensively.

"But what about Jacob, your computer engineer. Was he jealous of you and Kendra?" Val added fuel to the flame.

"I have no idea. Now stop it with my computer engineer."

"Your engineer? Oh, I didn't know you were the possessive kind, daddy," Val winked.

"For the love of God, Val, what is wrong with you? You're slowly becoming like Seb!" I covered my face with my hands. I was stuck with real-life Angelica Pickles and a male Regina George in my office having a go at me.

"Am not!" she screamed and threw a pen at me, hitting me squarely on the head.

"Ow!"

"Hey, what's wrong with becoming like me?"

"You're a horrible asshole without bedside manners, and that is so wrong in all levels!" she laughed.

"I told you, nothing happened!" he chuckled and threw his shoe at her, which she deflected using his bag.

I mentally took a ten-minute break because it was useless to work with the clowns in my room. I moved to sit on the couch with Seb while Val took my seat behind the desk. However, five minutes into the break, Noelle informed me that Mr. Kingston was coming to discuss the new project. When he arrived, Val beat me to the greeting.

"Well, hello there, my computer engineer," she beamed at him from behind my desk. "What can I do for you?"

He was slightly taken aback. It was just the second time they met, the first being at my house on my birthday, where they had little chance to talk.

He didn't speak. Instead, his eyes roamed the room. When he found me, his eyes darted between Val and me. The deranged female laughed flirtatiously, and this time, Jacob smiled a little. At that moment, I wanted to strangle her; I have no idea why.

"So, I wanted to talk to you, Ace, if I'm not disturbing," he said cautiously, his wary eyes still on Val.

"Ooh, first-name basis. Close," she smirked.

"You remember Val, my friend? She was at my birthday. Val, my computer engineer, Jacob," I re-introduced them. The realization flashed briefly in Jacob's eyes.

"Of course, I do. Forgive me, Val. I didn't mean to be rude," he laughed lightly as he lied smoothly. "I was just gobsmacked that suddenly my CEO was a woman."

"Your CEO, of course," Val repeated. I don't know what has gotten to her, why she was heckling me. She shook his hand and waved at the seat.

"So, you wanted to talk to Ace. Is that private? Are we allowed to stay?" Val asked, turning from Jacob to me.

"Why don't you guys go to the Green Room? I'll follow after this," I told them. Val pouted while Seb exchanged civilities with Jacob before leaving.

"Yeah, so what about the new deal?" I asked him as the door closed. I sat on my chair and he took the seat across the table. We talked about the new project for ten minutes, mostly ideas and clarifications. It was not the time to brainstorm but getting inputs were always welcome.

Half of my mind was still wandering at The Englishman even as we spoke. In fact, the more he talked, the harder I had to focus my eyes on anything else but his lips.

For the love of God, heaven, please help me!

Why was I even thinking about last weekend? It was none of my business if he snuck out, made out, or did the nasty with Sharon. I can't understand why it's bothering me so much!

"That's doable, but don't you think you should discuss these with the client first? I recall them saying something about not wanting to revamp the whole system," I said thoughtfully, glad that half my brain was still with me.

"Yeah. I checked their system. It's quite outdated. It might not work with ours," he said.

"Then inform them about it too before moving forward. You might be wasting your efforts," I concluded our conversation. We stood up and walked out. I was heading to the Green Room and I assumed he was heading back to his department. However, he walked with me to the Green Room.

"Aren't you going to your floor? Is there anything else you need to talk about?" I asked as we stood outside the green door. My hand was already at the knob.

"I was wondering if you... wanted to go to The Englishman tonight?" he rubbed the back of his neck. 

I froze and blinked at him. What?

"With your friends, of course. If you want," he added quickly. 

When I only stared in response, he cocked his head. "Uhm, Ace?"

I snapped out of my trance and cleared my throat. "I don't know, man, it's raining pretty hard. The reason why those two are here is that they didn't want to get stuck in the floods."

"Does it get that bad?" he was suddenly worried. He has never been to Manila during the typhoon season, and he probably had no idea how bad the floods could get.

"Oh yeah. Like thigh-deep or worse," I chuckled. "We're just waiting for the advisory in case we need to send people home by lunchtime."

"Shoot. I can't go home on a bike with waters that high," he said, his eyes not leaving mine.

"Hitch a ride with Jaxx. I know I will," I suggested, looking away briefly. He was still staring at me when I looked back. He looked like he wanted to say something but could not, the hesitation evident in his face. I cocked my head. When he opened his mouth, someone interrupted us.

"Oy, what's this secret rendezvous going on here?" Seb arrived with two bags of take-out. He was followed by Jaxx, who had another bag in one hand and while pressing his phone to his ear with the other.

"So that's why you're not picking up," he grumbled as he walked to Jacob and hit him on the shoulder with his phone. Jacob flinched and apologized, saying he left his phone on his desk.

"We're having an early lunch. Why don't you join us?" Seb invited him.

"Oh no, I'm fine. Thank you," he declined, but Jaxx insisted, blocking his path and pushing him to the door until he just sighed and walked into the room.

Val was behind the counter making cocktails. Her eyes widened when she saw him walk in, and I had to restrain myself from rolling my eyes. I scolded myself immediately after. She was my friend and I had no right to be feeling this, whatever this is if she was interested in Jacob. After all, she called dibs when she did say she wanted to shag Jacob. 

But she also said she wouldn't because of bro code. Whatever was she even saying?

God, why am I even thinking of this?

Seb bought food from the Korean restaurant, and though I'm sure it would have gone well with Val's cocktail, I had a strict rule of no alcohol on working hours, so Jaxx, Jacob, and I didn't have a drop of it.

Seb and Val were continued to bicker and joke about each other. While they entertained us, the atmosphere was a little awkward, with Jacob always looking at me, and the three of them also stealing glances at us. Seb would nudge Val and vice versa when he caught every little awkward glance shared between the guy and me.

That was all interrupted when Chino called us a little past twelve informing us that the state weather bureau has already issued a red rainfall warning. The rains and strong winds were expected for the next two days with the typhoon landfall tomorrow morning. This meant no work for the rest of the day, tomorrow, and maybe the day after.

"Hooray! Let's go guys, let's go home to El Valle," Seb said excitedly.

"El Valle it is! I hope Justin is home. I can't wait to bite those chubby cheeks!" Val squealed and picked her things up as Seb and I exchanged looks. Jaxx pretended not to hear anything and continued to scroll on his phone while Jacob and I cleared the boxes.

"So, Jaxx, you going to Valle? I need to hitch a ride," I said.

"Yeah, sure. Mamá would probably want me there anyway," he replied before looking over at Jacob, who was now tying the garbage bag. "What are you doing?"

"Taking out the garbage. You don't want to leave this here for the next two days, do you?" he replied.

"Of course not. Thanks. But I meant, what will you be doing for the next two days?" Jaxx clarified.

"I don't know. What do you guys usually do during times like these? Can I at least go to the supermarket? Haven't gotten the chance since last week."

"We usually stay home and couch surf or sleep. But since we're neighbors, we could always visit each other if we're bored," Val said.

"I see. Seeing that my neighbor will be going away, I'll need to get my own food. Otherwise, I'll starve," he said, dusting his hands.

"How? The streets are flooded. You can't walk to the grocery and back unless you want to catch some ghastly disease. Besides, the malls would probably close soon," Seb pointed out.

"Well, that's a bloody dilemma," he mumbled. "Do you have supermarket delivery services here?

"Why don't you come over to El Valle? You can stay at Jaxx's," Seb offered, grinning at the Jaxx. "Otherwise, you'll be bored out of your wits watching Netflix for the next two days. Or die of starvation, whichever comes first."

"That's actually not a bad idea," Jaxx's eyes lit up. Jacob attempted to protest, not wanting to impose, but Jaxx reassured him that he would most likely starve to death if he did not go. That got him to agree easily.

"Welcome to Lake Manila, mate," Jaxx slapped his shoulder and dragged him out of the room.

While in the lift, I decided to join Seb and Val instead since he wanted me to drive anyway. But before I could step out of their floor, Seb stopped me.

"You can't ride with us," he shoved me back in a little too hard I bumped into Jacob.

"What the hell? Just a few hours ago, you wanted me to drive because your pussy ass couldn't take a little rain," I complained.

"And in those few hours, I grew some balls."

"Come on," I chuckled and stepped forward, only for his hand to land in the middle of my chest.

"Ace, I was just too lazy to drive. But now, I'm fine after that delicious lunch," he pushed me back inside. "See you in El Valle!"

"What a dick," I chuckled. "Sorry," I apologized for stepping on his foot.

"S'all right," he said.

And in the following two days, I understood the reason why a red typhoon warning meant run for your dear life. 

♤  ♡  ♧  ♢