"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul; that makes us reach for more, that plants the fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. That's what I hope to give you forever." -THE NOTEBOOK 

CARINA'S P.O.V.

The next morning, I arrived in front of the building at 8:45 am. I was rushing to get into the elevator when I bumped into someone. My bag fell down because of the impact.

"Sorry. I wasn't paying attention" The person apologized. I was about to pick up my bag when my head bumped into his head because he was about to pick up my bag too at the same time as me.

"Ouch!" I touched my forehead and looked at the person in front of me. A handsome guy was smiling at me. He was wearing a black t-shirt that has a tribal designs. His hand was touching the side of his head, in pain. I noticed that he had 2 ear piercings. He grinned when he noticed me staring at him and handed me my bag.

"I'm sorry again. Whoah! That hurt" he said laughingly. I blushed and didn't know what to say. He looks like an actor who came out of the television. He combed his brown hair with his hand and stared at me.

"Do you work here? I think I've never seen you here before. What's your name?" he said smiling, flashing his white teeth.

"Ahm, yes. I just started yesterday. My name is Carina" I said awkwardly to him. He seemed like a nice and cool guy though.

"I see. I am Zandro. Nice to meet you Ms. Carina. I think I'll see you soon. It's a shame I need to go now. I'm in a bit of a hurry. See yah" he winked at me playfully and went out of the building. I was curious who he was. What was he doing here early in the morning anyway?

I gasped when I realized that it was already 9:00 and I was still at the ground floor. I got nervous. It was just my second day and I was already late. I scurried to the elevator like a criminal who was being chased by the police. When I arrived at the 25th floor, I was already silently praying. Hoping that our boss hasn't arrived yet.

I quickly went out of the elevator when it opened, rushing to my office. I had just put down my bag on my office table when the door opened. I flinched when the door banged to the wall.

"Where the hell have you been?! I've been calling you for a couple of times already on the intercom!" his thunderous voice was echoing inside the office and my body trembled of fear. His eyes were blazing towards me.

"I-I'm sorry sir. I-....something happened at the ground floor a while ago that's why I was a little bit late" I apologized, didn't know how to react.

"Hmp! Really? So Are you telling me that flirting with someone was more important than your work that instead of going straight here, you were held back there just to flirt with him?" my browse furrowed of what I've heard.

"I don't know what you are talking about sir" my voice barely came out of my mouth.

"Tell me Ms. Westbay. Are you really serious about your job? It is just your second day and you are already late. Just tell me if you are not interested anymore so that I can find a replacement for you" I began to panic. I tried to brush off my fear and met his eyes.

"I am serious about this job sir. I assure you that it will never happen again" i assured him, trying to be bravely. 

He stared at me for a few seconds and then began stepping closer to me. I got more nervous when I felt him nearer so I stepped backwards, trying to get away from him. He continued to approach me, until I felt the edge of my office table on my butt. I couldn't take my eyes away of him. He stopped when he was just a few inches away from me. He was so tall that he was towering my small frame. I saw his jaw moved when he gritted his teeth. His nearness made me weak on my knees. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Just make sure about that, Ms. Westbay". He whispered sternly and then stood straight. I just nodded, couldn't find the words to say as my throat became dry.

"Tell me about my schedule for today" he said, as if nothing happened. His voice was already calm. He fixed his necktie.

"Hmm. You have a meeting with Mr. Smith from Jameson Corp. at 10 am, then another meeting with the people from GQ Company at 11:30 am, at 2 pm, you have also a meeting with the president of the Sterling holdings" he just nodded and then he put a paper bag, which I haven't notice until now, on my table.

"This is for you. You will need that for your work". He was about to leave when he stopped

"Make sure that the things needed at the meeting were all prepared. I also sent you some paper works you need to work at today on your email. And, call my lawyer attorney Santiago. Tell him that I need to see him today in my office at 4 pm. I already registered his number there" he said pointing at the paper bag and went out of my office.

REGAN'S P.O.V

I heard a blaring sound and I opened my eyes irritably. I reached for my alarm and stopped it then continued sleeping. I was about to doze off again when I remembered that my cousin Zandro will be coming at the office at 8:30 am. He insisted to meet me there for a reason I don't know. He just got back from his world tour concert.

I got up from my bed swiftly and went to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and took a quick shower. It was already 8:40 am. After I got dressed, I took my brief case and car keys, then went out of the house without eating. Zandro was an impatient man. He never wait for late people.

Upon parking my car, I quickly got my things and went straight to the lobby. It was already 8:55 and I doubt if Zandro was still waiting for me. I was about to enter in the elevator when the other elevator opened. I caught the glimpse of my cousin Zandro and was about to call his name when I saw him collide against someone, and that someone was Carina Westbay. Their heads bumped into each other when they bend-over to get the bag.

My brows creased when I noticed that she was blushing shyly. Zandro was staring at her and she was doing the same. I felt a sudden rush of an unfamiliar feeling inside my body. I got irritated at her for a reason I couldn't pin point. I stared at them for a moment and noticed that they looked good together. My heart was beating rapidly and at the same time, it felt like someone was crushing it. I heard the elevator opened again and I stepped inside. For a reason, I was angry at her. I felt like something was eating my heart out and I didn't like it. When I arrived in my office, I quickly sat down. My head suddenly hurts. I massaged my temple to ease the pain. I checked my wristwatch, it was already 9:07. I pressed the intercom to call her but there was no response. I tried it twice more and nothing. I grew more irritated and went out of my office.

When I saw her almost running to her office, I followed her.

I could see the surprise look on her face when I scolded her. I was so angry at her for a reason I couldn't accept. My body has this strange reaction towards this girl that I refuse to acknowledge. When I noticed her frightened reaction, I was taken aback a little and my voice suddenly mellowed. I wanted to comfort her. I knew she was trying hard not to cry in front of me.

CARINA'S P.O.V.

I held onto the edge of the table for support because I still felt like my knees were about to give in. I reached for the paper bag curiously and saw a rectangular box inside it. I opened it and gasped when I realized that it was an iPhone 7. I quickly turned it on and searched the name of the lawyer. Attorney Santiago? Don't tell me....Nah...

When I saw the name of Mr. Santiago, I dialed it. There were 3 rings before he picked up the phone. My body turned rigid when I heard his voice.

"Hello. Attorney Santiago speaking, may I know who this is?" His voice sounded like Attorney John Santiago whom I met before.

"Yes attorney, this is Carnina Westbay, Mr. Novell's EA. He just wants to inform you that he needs you to come to his office at 4 pm" I explained it to him.

"What? Ms. Westbay? I didn't know that you were Mr. Novell's EA" he answered, sounded astounded.

"I just started yesterday. Hmm..Attorney, is he your client? I mean the one whom my stepfather owed money?" I asked hesitantly.

"I am sorry Ms. Westbay but I am afraid I cannot comment about that. I hope you understand"

"I understand Attorney Santiago. Anyway, can you make it to my boss' office at 4pm?"

"Yes. I will be there" he confirmed and said goodbye before he cut off the call. I was a little bit confuse now. Attorney Santiago was the Lawyer of my boss so it's also possible that he was the one who loaned my stepfather money. I didn't know what to think about it so I just started with my work before going to the meeting with my boss.

The meeting with the Jameson Corp and GQ Company was a little bit boring for me. After I prepared the meeting room, I was just there to take note of the important things in the meeting. After the meeting, it was already lunch time. I went to the cafeteria alone because Mrs. Miller has brought her own food so she will eat at her office.

When I finished ordering my meal, I searched for a vacant table and I saw Francine and Pauline at the corner of the cafeteria. They were laughing loudly.

"Hey, can I join you guys?" I asked them and their laughter died down and looked at me.

"Sure. Join us." Pauline answered and motioned me to seat beside her.

We were in the middle of eating when Pauline asked my something.

"So, tell me Carina, how is Mr. N as a boss so far?" she said nonchalantly.

My eyes averted her gaze. I didn't want to tell them about what happened this morning. It was my fault that the boss got mad at me so I didn't want them to get the wrong idea. They already had the wrong impression on him and I don't want to add something to worsen it.

"I have nothing to say. He is very serious and a bit grumpy but I think he is just doing what he knows best for the company" I continued eating, pretending everything's fine.

"That's odd. All his past EA's were already complaining if not crying on their 2nd day at work. Well, maybe he was just in a good mood today." hey laughed as if that was a funny thing to say to your boss. I shook my head lightly to their expressions.

"So tell me, have you seen the boss mad or scold his employees?" I asked them. I was curious if they already had a bad experience with Mr. Novell.

"Well, not really. But I can say that he is a total snob. Marie, his last EA was always telling me that he kept on giving her mountains of work. If she didn't finish it on time, he would bark at her, something like that"

"Well, maybe I will just do my job properly so that I won't receive that kind of treatment" I said full of determination and they just chuckled. 

*****OMG! Chapter 9 already. I hope you like this update though.*****

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