It's been two weeks since Marcelo dropped Theressa at home, two weeks since Theressa's mum got discharged, two weeks since Theressa moved to the sales unit, two weeks since Theressa made a new friend, two weeks since Marcelo and Theressa spoke.
On some days, they would see eye to eye like the meeting they had a week ago, Theressa was made the speaker to give the report and the advanced plans made for the sales of the company's automobiles.
It was hard to pull herself together, given Marcelo was there, seated with his gaze on her.
In two weeks, a lot had happened. Theressa managed to look at the good side but a part wanted to slam Marcelo's door open and ask him what he wanted, the contract had been pushed aside neither of the two brought up anything about the contract.
Marcelo's fiancée would come visit Marcelo at times. Theressa couldn't help but get annoyed by her show off. Their engagement party is a week away. Everyone knows, everyone in the company knows.
"I don't like her" Anne, a new friend Theressa had made during those two weeks of torture.
Anne's delicate features contorted with disdain, her lips curled in a sneer of contempt. The lines of her face hardened, her brows knitting together in a furrow of disapproval.
The two friends both watched Pillar greet the higher members of the company before getting inside the elevator and heading to Marcelo's office.
Theressa had recalled the day, Pillar had come out from Marcelo's office, her features displaying the evidence that they had sex. Her hair was disheveled, her dress almost out of place, makeup ruined. Theressa almost gagged in disgust, how could she not check herself before heading out.
"Hey Anne" Theressa called for her attention as they both filled their cup with black coffee.
The two females had gotten close over the past two weeks but Theressa had not brought herself to tell Anne her past relationship with the CEO of their company.
"Yes" Anne responded as she sipped on her black coffee, eyes on Theressa waiting for her to continue.
"Let's say you have something with the team leader" Theressa began, holding her breath as if she was scared to spill everything out.
"Pause" Anne cut in brows knitted "what's the something exactly?" Anne questioned, her lips paused in a thin line as she watched Theressa keenly.
"Like a relationship…a sexual relationship" Theressa stammered as if she was unsure of her own experience.
Anne's eyes squinted in suspicion her lips curved downward "okay, go on"
"And sudddenly, you find out he's about be engaged. But then, it seems odd" Theressa eyes narrowed, scared of Anne's response. She swallowed.
"What's odd about not checking if she's a side chick or the actual woman for him?" Anne clearly seemed judgy and Theressa felt it was best to dismiss the conversation but Anne spoke up, interrupting her slow coming words.
"But then, if he's from a prestigious family then maybe…" Anne paused smacking her lips before she continued.
"Maybe, it's a contract marriage, or an arranged marriage, he could be forced to get married for an alliance to enhance the both sides business, it happens a lot in novels and the CEO seems like one that could do such" Anne shrugged, unknowingly to her, she had hit a ball. One that finally hit something she had been missing. Their last conversation and Marcelo's question, it never left her mind, no matter how she tried to shove it down. That means they never had a love life, Marcelo had zero feelings for Pillar and there's a high possibility it could be a contract marriage, and maybe, just maybe Marcelo felt nothing for Pillar.
Theressa recalled the awkward dinner she had with their family and Marcelo seemed to be so cold, she had thought it was her presence that had made Marcelo that way but that wasn't the only reason.
Even as Pillar tried feeding him from time, from her little short time glances she could see irritation in his eyes not for herself but for Pillar.
"That's why you need to fight your way to get him back Theressa" Anne nudged her arm, a knowing smile on her face as she sipped on her coffee.
Theressa blushed, her cheeks tinted with a shade of pink as she tried to act confused.
"What do you mean?" She turned away from Anne as she drank the whole coffee in the little disposable cups.
Anne bent her head, letting out a soft and low laughter.
"Everyone, to be specific, every secretary of the CEO had something sexual with Sir Tolomeo and they were always treated the same, they either fell for him and disappeared or they just disappeared mysteriously for no reason" Anne stated.
Theressa became more curious she knew what happened to the others that disappeared mysteriously but she was shocked, discovering Anne noticed the patterns. Anne had been working in the sales unit in the company for three years now, but there were others that had been here for up to ten years… does this mean, they also know about Marcelo?
"I am proud to say I'm the only one noticing such nice tragic romance story going on in this company, y'all are blind" Anne stated, proud of her smart ass. And Theressa let out a laugh of relief.
"But you're different Theressa" Anne regained her composure, her eyes narrowed as she spoke with seriousness "I've seen the way looks at you dining meetings, his eyes never sparkles with proudness and admiration, neither did his lips curve into a silent smile for any on in this company, but you…"
"How long will it take to be out of there?" One of their colleagues, Daniel asked.
Theressa watched from the side of her eyes as Anne rolled her eyes on Daniel before walking out of the break room.
Everything Anne had said to her was carved in her mind she needed to get Marcelo to herself but in what way.
Days had passed as the engagement party was getting closer and still Theressa had no plan.
"Hey mum" Theressa had returned from work to find her mum preparing dinner. Mary beamed seeing her daughter as she hugged Theressa.
"Help me set up the table" Mary said to Theressa who quickly nods in agreement. Her mother's health had improved and that was the spark and light that caused her to smile during the past two weeks.
"Mum" Theressa began as stabbed the lettuce with her fork.
"I think I'm in love with my boss" Theressa blurted, guilt painted her face as her eyes was fixed on the vegetables on her plate, afraid to look into her mother's eyes.
She was surprised to hear a laugh from her mother which caused her to lift her gaze.
"So what? just because he's your boss doesn't mean you can't go for him, class doesn't decide to love rather your heart does and so if you love him go for him sweatheart" Mary adviced giving her daughter a warm and encouraging smile.
Theressa smiled, tears threatening to escape her eyes. She wasn't just thanking her mum for the advice but also for being alive for choosing to stay back in this cruel world with her daughter.
After their meal, Theressa resigned to her room thinking of how to get Marcelo.
Her phone dinged from her side, a notification from Anne displaying she tapped on her message as her eyes took in the words, statements, sentences… answers from Anne.
"You owe me big me time, scan my card and attend the party with him, contact him immediately, he's always almost booked" The message went.
Theressa's eyes sparkled as she beamed with excitement, Anne is really an Angel sent from the heavens.
This is it, Theressa was taking this way. The rough way that would get Marcelo worked up.