Chapter 18

He left the company with a smirk on his face as if I had won a lottery. I hate him! He’s annoying!

“Congrats to us!” our boss said, and we’re still in the board meeting room. He looks so happy. I can't believe he did it; they’re earnest about that matter.

“I’m not happy,” I said as a matter of fact.

“I’m sorry, but I need to do that. Don't worry; you’ll be in good hands. Ken’s company is fast growing, and Ken pays his employees a high salary. I heard a lot of benefits to his company. You're lucky you wouldn't need to pass their interviews just to get hired. The wants you to be theirs!” as if! If he knows

“That’s not right!” Jake seriously said.

“She’s not a toy to be the replacement or to close a deal. That's inhuman!” jake protested.

“Why are you not happy? As I promise I'll raise your salary and promotion as well. Shielyn, I’m planning to be a top manager in marketing. You have hidden skills. You had been in my company for years, but I need to let you go,” he said sincerely.

I don't want to work in Ken's company; I won't get comfortable.

“I’m happy with my position, Sir; I don't want any pressure and stress. I’m okay with my position:” Yeah, just like me, Jake refuses many promotions as we like our job, less stress, and we’re free of heavy responsibilities. He doesn’t like advertising as he said he wants to enjoy his life without stress and serious commitment.

“I never get disappointed in either of you. I’m still wondering why you keep rejecting the promotion wherein you have incredible skills.”

“If you accept your promotion, I’m scared we will be the next CEO,” I seriously said. My boss laughed

“I’m good to my salary,” Jake, “and promotion makes the work heavy, but the salary is just minimal; it's not satisfying though,” jake.

“Let's talk some other time. I still have a meeting,” Ken bid together with his secretary.

“Are you okay?” Jake asked me.

“I’ll resign if he gives me to someone like a toy; I’ll apply for the other company,” I determined.

“Are you related to Mr. Saltzman? He suddenly asked out of curiosity; I stilled.

“You two have the same surnames he’s gaze never leaves you, he’s looking the whole time, and his attention is only; the way Mr. Saltzman was looking at you is different,” Jake wondered.

“It doesn't mean we have the surnames we’re related” I simply said.

“Hm.. you’re right, but there’s something on his look” he holds his chin and thinks.

“You’re thinking too much” I fix our things and am ready to leave.

“Are you his wife? That's why you’re working for a clothing company, and that's another reason why you don't like promotion too?” I stop moving.

“And your marriage is not in good status, or you are his ex-lover, or he wants to make his mine again, or are both blood-related? Like a cousin?”

I laugh at him.

“Are you reading novel books?” I asked out of curiosity.

“Ah, yeah.” he giggled. “stop assuming; fiction is fiction stop hoping that they'll happen in real life,” I bitterly answered.

“Why are you so bitter? Does your ex have cheated on you?” he widely smiled.

I laugh hard at his imagination.

“ I have an ex-girlfriend; I'm scared to get hurt.”

He laughed.

“You’re cute, don't you mind if I'll be your boyfriend? I won't hurt you,” he joked.

“Try me so you can have experience, and I won’t hurt. I'm loyal” Jake raised his hands as if he promised something.

"Hey! Aren't you done flirting?!" We saw the head of hiring, her head peering out of the door. "This is a working place, not a place for flirting!" She added.

I can't blame her for being bitter. She is an old lady, she watches over everyone and loves to roam the company, so everyone who works here knows her.

“I said that we will leave Ms. tina," Jake answered and helped me with our things. There's a playful smile on his lips, and I am too.

“Thank you for making me happy; you lighten my mood,” I said as we stormed the place, and Ms. Tina looked at us suspiciously and glared at us too.

“Ms. Tina doesn't look at us that way," Jake returned and told her, "If you want to have a love life, don't look at us that way, okay?” Jake joked with her, and Ms. Tina's face became irritated, and she left.

“You always tease her; that’s why her blood is boiling whenever she sees you,” I told him, and we’re now heading into the elevator.

He pressed the floor number, and when it opened, there were many employees.

“ Do you want to eat dinner outside? It's my treat since this is my first time to talk to you” he started to have a conversation with me.

I smiled shyly. “Uhm.”

“I notice you’re not socializing too much and are always alone.”

“Uhmm,” someone noticed me. “ I just like being alone. It gives me peace of mind, and I'm really into social groups, but I have good friends,” I told him.

I miss my friends.

“Uhmm,” he nodded, “ nice. How about my offer?” we came into the elevator “are you going to reject me? I rarely treat. He concise me.

I nodded at him as my answer. The elevator opened.

“Okay, see you later. Jake smiled widely at me before he entered his office. He's a jolly person; my instinct never fails me.

There's nothing if I take his invitations and we’re just friends and a coworker. Also, I am shy to refuse.

Time passed faster, and I finished my work peacefully and at ease. He waited for me outside the company, and we rode in his car. Even though it was just in front of the company, we were going to eat.

“I like their food here. And I'm sorry if I just brought you here to be near.”

We’re now heading to the restaurant. I already ate here. The foods are all delicious but expensive.

“It’s okay. I rarely eat here; The delicious food and the excellent customer service. This food is the most delicious and go-tot restaurant here in the north,”

He opened the door for me.

“yes, it’s too 90’s vibes. The customer service is thumbs up,” he agreed too.

“I often order their beef here. It’s like a combination of Filipino and Korean dishes,” he told me without me asking him.

“I’ll just go with you,”

I saw our workmate here.

The restaurant wouldn't get rid of people.

It's always full of customers here. I haven’t eaten here before with such a small crowd.

“Good evening Ma'am and Sir. What are your orders?” the woman asked about our orders, and Jake told her.

“Do you want anything?” Jake asked me.

“That’s all” I shyly smiled at him.

He ordered something, “okay; I’ll just repeat it, Sir, one order of dessert de dessert and two orders of beef roll ala sauce and juice.”

Jake nodded to her.

“Please wait 15 minutes to serve your orders, Ma’am and Sir,” the waitress politely said before she stormed our table.

“So, what did we talk about?” Jake asked me.

“You’re a shy type?” he asked, and I nodded.

“I am right! I notice, too, you rarely socialized, and I never saw you talking to our block mate.”

I answered his questions, and I asked about him too. We also talked about our personal lives; he told me he was in a band group, and that group split because one of the members left.

He's also an entrepreneur working and earning to expand his business. I am right that he's a bit rich, I can say, the way he talks and acts.

We had fun, and we talked about a lot of things. I enjoyed his company. He is not dull and talkative; he knows how to get his listener's attention.

"Let me take you a ride. Where is your way?" We're not heading to the exit of this restaurant.

I learn a lot of things.

“I’m in the south,” I told him.

“Where is your way?” I asked.

“I'm in the North."

"We're not in the same way,” I said.

We're finally outside the restaurant.

"No, I insist since I invited you for dinner and your safety, of course. You can't find a cab at this hour," I nodded at Jake.

I don't want to be hard on myself.

I don't want to wait hours and am so tired. I tried to rest. My back is aching.