Chapter 21 WHEN SHT HITS THE FAN

“You like her, don’t you?”

People started to occupy the coffee shop as the sun began to set. Rays of orange and yellow hues reflected through the glass windows of the shop making the entire place cozy and warm. The hush of conversations can be heard along with the serious conversation that is about to unfold.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean Betty. You like her, I can tell. Why don’t you tell her?”

James is silent for the longest time playing with the rim of his coffee mug. Deep in thoughts, probably reminiscing how they first met or how their simple conversation turned into memories.

“What are you talking about. Me? No. No.” James the once serious guy, tried to convince himself.

“Oh come on. I have been working in the company for five years now, and the man you are whipped. Like literally.”

“Am I that obvious?”

“Yeah. I’m afraid Betty knows all your secret crush on her. So, when did it started?”

“I remember the first time we met. Selsun blue on her hair and her infamous blank stare. She is quite unpredictable. She began rolling her eyes when she saw her boss calling her. She is funny without even trying.”

“Sounds much like Betty.” She interjected agreeing to his description to their friend. It seems like Elizabeth is listening to some radio love story.

“There are things that should be left in the dark, Liz. And I don’t know if she will see me the way she does right now if I’ll tell her about it. Yes, I like her. I really do. I hope you will keep this as our secret, Liz.” James added while lost in the trance once again.

“Okay. Let’s keep that as a secret.”

“Thank you.”

“But let me tell you this, James. You better hurry. Because in my observation, Mr. Dawson is getting way too close to her. As in real close.”

James can totally understand the undeniable closeness of the two. They’re in the same age bracket and always together. Will he be able to tell Betty about his feelings and sacrifice whatever friendship they have or just let everything slide away.

“I am aware of that.” His only response with a little sour on his expression. He had already told Tom to stay away from Betty. If you’re going, to sum up everything, she wouldn’t be in this position if it’s not because of this freaking narcissist, Tom Dawson.

On the other note, Betty is standing at the center of the office with Mr. Dawson and their two visitors sitting adjacent to him. What is he up to now? Earlier, he was trying to send her off away from this monster in a gray suit but now he called him to what? To confront him? To cry in front of him?

Mr. Dawson must be up to something for sure.

“Mr. Sullivan, your family, and my company have been friends since I built this empire. Running this company alone had been a burden to me these past seven years. This is also the main reason why I brought Ms. Hernandez here. She is playing a huge role in this office.”

Tom has something up his sleeve this entire time. His focus is on Betty who is now staring at them with confusion on her face. Meanwhile, Patrick’s attention is also fixated on Betty awkwardly standing in front of them.

“I will let Ms. Hernandez to decide whether to accept your proposal.”

Everything fell silent can’t believe what this moody boss just said. Who on earth would let his assistant decide the most plausible thing for the company’s future plans?

“Excuse me. No offense Betty, but what we are talking about here is the forty percent of my company’s asset, Mr. Dawson. We both know we can’t just let it go to waste. How about my other investments? It will ultimately affect my other investments here.”

Patrick being in charge of his father’s company for large-scale investment, his old self of always wanting to be right and in control kicked in. Putting up the defensive stance, Patrick must be all red in embarrassment and madness why such commoner assistant/ex-girlfriend is assigned to decide whether to pass their proposal. It’s like a punch on his gut.

“I hate to say this Mr. Sullivan, but if I’m going to see what we are really up to here, Ms. Hernandez majored in Economics. I bet she has all the knowledge for amounts and figures. Sad to say, I’m not really in the mood to review your proposal, to be honest. You came unannounced and I already have a lot in my hands. So, let Ms. Hernandez takes it from here.”

Tom stood while buttoning his suit, stealing a glance at Betty that is now mouth wide open while listening to the two bickers. She is in utter shock that she can’t move her feet or try to convince them she has no idea what investments they are talking about.

However, Patrick is livid. Only he has the audacity to smile at the woman he once broke and happens to be the answer to his concerns.

Tom and Betty are now exchanging looks silently conversing what to say to Patrick who is now giving them a suspicious look.

“Okay, if you will let me, Mr. Sullivan, I’ll review your proposal once again. Give me until next week, I’ll personally contact you.”

Tom’s head snapped in Betty’s direction can’t believe what she just said. Will she meet him and probably talk about their past and will finally move on? Or is it just a pure business transaction?

Patrick’s face lit up in amusement as a smile crept on his face with her proposition.

“I’ll look forward to that day, Betty. Okay, let’s discuss this next week.” Patrick’s attention is now fixated on Betty with a sly smile on his face. He can’t forget those days when Betty was still his toy and gets easily under his fingers. He is certain that with just his usual tactics and flowery words, Betty would say yes, just like the old times. The fact that they once best friends, is no longer on his agenda. He will be good to only those he can benefit from. And Betty is his prospect, once again.

“I’ll see you

”See you next week, Betty.” There Patrick winked at her, but butterflies were already dead. Disgust and hatred rose in Betty’s system. She made it to the point of questioning how did she end up befriending this jerk and even had a relationship with him.

Sometimes life surprises you with unwanted decisions in life. So far, Patrick is her biggest mistake she ever made in her entire life.

“Yeah, sure.” Uncertainty. She is still uncertain about her proposition. Well, she can always take Tom with her, since it’s a business meeting and she needs someone to support her decision.

Patrick strutted out of the office. She heaved a big sigh making Tom look up at her with his famous poker face.

“Meet him personally? Just be sure it’s all business-related, Ms. Hernandez.”

She is dumbfounded by how Tom judged her for her decision.

“Don’t worry, sir. You’re coming with me.” There she got the final laugh making her boss speechless. What made him think she has other intentions aside from talking about business?

Betty used the remaining time of the day to review the proposal. It was indeed surprising that a guy like Patrick who used to cut classes during college days can make such an amazing strategy. I shouldn’t underestimate him then. The feeling of nostalgia is eating her away. Her head is pounding from thinking too much and what she wanted to do is go home and sleep the stress away.

“Don’t pressure yourself, Ms. Hernandez. Mr. Sullivan is one of my biggest investors but the least I would want to be in the group. You know him too well, that’s why I’m giving you that task. Whatever your decision, I’m okay with it.”

“Why does it sound like I’m on a test, Mr. Dawson. Do you honestly think I will let my emotions get the best of me? Business is business.”

“No, I have no intention of doing that. I trust you, Ms. Hernandez. But, would it be fun if we’ll let him taste his own medicine? What do you think?”

No matter how hard Mr. Dawson tries to be cool at his age. There’s still this certain episode of his childishness despite how serious the situation is.

“What are you? A grade school?”

She instantly clamped a hand on her mouth for talking informally to his boss. But Tom is already smiling holding back laughter.

“Mr. Dawson, I am not really in the mood for jokes right now. If you don’t mind, I’ll bring this proposal home and I’ll review it there.”

“Sure thing. I’ll come with you.”

Just by staring at him, he does look dead serious. With his chin up high, he started to pack his things leaving her speechless and immobile.

“What are you doing, sir?”

“Packing my things. I can help you review that.”

“What? Uh—you’re coming home with me, sir?”

“Yeah. I’ll help you with the proposal. Take it as free training from me. You should be honored, Ms. Hernandez. Large institutions in LA downtown pay a million bucks for an hour-long lecture from me.”

Here we go again. The cocky side of Tom. Betty couldn’t believe her boss could be this chatty yet calm after the awkward encounter with Patrick. It doesn’t seem to affect him at all. Like she wasn’t in a very awkward position because of him.

“It’s okay sir. I’ll call you if I have questions.”

“I insist. It’s better for us to review the papers in person.”

“No. I mean, there’s no need for you to come with me to my apartment. I’m okay.”

Tom is silent staring her down. Staring her down not to threaten her but to insist that he wanted to go to her apartment whatever may be the reason.

“Okay, fine. Let’s go.”

She is left with no choice. Her only time for herself will be ruined once again. And this time s different, her boss will be in her apartment no one knows until what time. Betty can’t deny the fact that Tom’s presence is bothering her to the bones and okay, let’s spoil the entire story. Betty likes her boss. She likes him not because of his undeniable good-looking appearance but the way he takes care of her as a person and not just his secretary. Is she asking for more? More than what a mere employer-employee relationship? As of now, we can never tell. Something is igniting between them but there’s still a huge blurry image affecting not to see each other clearly. And it’s time for them to figure it out.

“Nice apartment.”

He must’ve been lost for words that he is spewing nonsense comments. Betty giving him a weird look for his remarks wherein it was him who chose this apartment.

“Yeah, it is. Thanks to you.” She mumbled turning on all the lights, throwing her bag on the couch.

“I’ll make us dinner. What do you want to have, sir?”

Actually, this is the main reason why she doesn’t want to invite him in. She has to cook something, her least favorite chore.

“Anything but with rice. Thank you.”

Tom is awkwardly standing at the center of the apartment, inspecting every nook and crannies with his observing eyes. His eyes landing on one of the picture frames, one that is toppled over intentionally. Turning to Betty that is now starting to move around the kitchen, he silently stared at the picture. A picture of Betty and Patrick looking so happy together.

“Why is she still keeping this one?” He mumbled circling the other part of the room.

The apartment is neat, cozy, and warm. Enough for the cold temperature outside. She is moving gracefully from pantry to pantry as if the kitchen is her safe haven. Tom settled his coat, laptop bag on the couch and decided to help her.

“What are we making?” He murmured surprising Betty in the process, almost dropping the knife to the sink.

“Sorry.” He apologizes, taking over the kitchen completely.

“You set up the documents and my laptop, and get started to review the proposal.” He added turning around to look through her refrigerator for ingredients.

“No, I’ll cook.”

“Why are you always saying ‘NO’ to me this past few days Ms. Hernandez? Am I making you uncomfortable?”

“Uncomfortable? Of course not. Why would I?”

“I don’t know. You’ve been so uptight with me, these past few days.”

“I’m not, Mr. Dawson. You’re just overthinking.”

There Betty left the kitchen and started to set up his laptop in the living room. While Tom just smiled at how embarrassed she is. Her ears began to look red making him giggle silently.

"What uptight are you talking about," she mumbled stomping her feet to the living room.

Staying in her apartment is the last thing he would do. Hell, he is nervous right now. His palms are sweaty and his hands are trembling while cutting veggies. This is the first time he ever felt something like this. Something that affects entirely his whole being. Just like something hits his head, he began to question what he is doing in his assistant’s apartment. His eyes traveled to Betty who is now busy flicking pages of the documents, now he understood the reason. He wants to spend more time with this woman. The reason? Unknown. He can’t say it, no words form in his mouth, but he knows what it is. Foreign feeling, yet it feels so right.