C10 Chapter 4 (Part 2)

I didn't notice that I was smiling ear to ear as I stare at the photo for a long time. And as time pass by, I noticed details that I failed to see the first time I laid my eyes on it. I wanted to slap myself for pouring my entire attention to the little boy whose grown up version is causing me so much confusion since the day that I became his secretary.

I sighed. What now?

I shouldn't be stressing myself too much about it. It's none of my business. I should be focusing on my job instead. To improve; to be better in any angle that my boss has the ability to see.

Hell, why am I even confused?

Why am I even upset?

I'm receiving the type of treatment that is just right and meant for me. His formality shouldn't confuse me or complicate things that bothers me. He's my boss for pete's sake! What else do I expect from him? It's work. It's all about professionalism and formalism. There's nothing wrong about him being formal. That is how it should be in the first place. It was my mistake that I attempted to climb the high walls that are surrounding him, that I attempted to witness a side of him that I'm not worthy of.

"You shouldn't be holding that photo album. If I were you, I would put that back in the shelf before Conrad finds out that I'm looking at his childhood pictures."

Startled, I look at the person that owns the gravelly voice that I just heard. My eyes settled on the man that was once a shy little boy in a photograph with Conrad.

It was Záviš.

He's standing behind the sofa that's facing the one I'm sitting on.

"Sir—"

"You don't need to address me that way. I'm fine with just Záviš." He said, sounding like someone I'm friends with for a very long time now. And I liked that, honestly. He makes me feel welcomed. His attitude feels like you don't have to hesitate when it comes to him.

I smiled at him, "Okay. So, it's just Záviš then."

He giggled that eventually led to a smile similar to mine. That made me notice that he has a dimple on each of the corner of his mouth.

"Yeah, just Záviš. How about you? Can I call you with just Genevieve?"

I eagerly nodded at him, not discarding the smile that I'm showing him. "Of course. It's also just Genevieve for you too." After a few seconds, I noticed that he was looking deep in my eyes like he was searching for something; something that he's expecting to find in the depths of my eyes. I pushed away the thoughts in my head that he somehow knows me that he had forgotten for a long time.

The way he looks at me says it all. I don't need him to explain. And even if he would explain, I wouldn't believe him at all. I'm a believer of what's hidden underneath, is still visible through eye contact and can be perfectly seen.

I sighed and shook my head, "Spill it."

"What?" His eyebrows raised.

"Spill it, Záviš. Spill the beans."

"Wha... I can't understand you."

I chuckled, "Oh, come on. You look like you have something to tell me. Don't hesitate, please."

Záviš looked away before biting his lower lip and deciding to finally spill the beans.

"Hmm, I just wanted to ask you about Conrad's actions towards you." He grinned, "I'm curious like a cat." I rolled my eyes at him, and he just laughs as he walked towards me. He took the photo album from my hands and I let him put it back from the shelf that I took it from. "Conrad doesn't like to share his childhood pictures with anybody else. So, I think it's better to put it back here before he scolds both of us."

He shook his head, "He doesn't even know that I kept all of our childhood pictures in a photo album. That scumbag will beat the hell out of me once he finds out." Záviš, then laugh and returned to the place where he first appeared when he startled me. But this time, he sat down on the sofa that's facing me with his legs crossed.

"Why is sir Conrad so confusing and complicated?"

Záviš actually laughed at my question. I wondered where I got the confidence to ask him concerning his very close friend. Maybe I just had enough, and that I need something that will serve as an answer to my questions. Even if it's just made up, in my perspective, I guess I'm still to accept it anyway. Rather than settling in a situation that makes me question everything that revolves around Conrad.

"He's not complicated. He's an asshole himself."

For a moment there, my mind captured the whole situation like a talkshow and Záviš is my special guest. I can't help but to admire him the more that I look at his face; that more that I observe his behavior and his attitude. I can't tell if he's being true. I can't tell if he's trying to be nice just because I'm his close friend's secretary. But something inside me, says that he's pure and that he's everything that I haven't encountered yet.

Specifically, the kind of male specie he is.

Honestly, throughout my whole life, I haven't been associated with innumerable men. I can even count using my fingers the men that I met back then that eventually became parts of who I am. Each of them gave me a lesson. Lessons that made me not to want to let another man enter my life.

I don't want to say any hasty generalization. But majority of men are trash, and just up for flings; for games. When the time comes that you will ask them into committing, they'll give on you like you're a bad drug.

That's what they taught me.

"But it's just a matter of time before you figure out what's gotten into him. Give him space, Genevieve. If you feel like bursting out whenever that you're with him, well, I'm pretty sure that he's on the very verge of it. He will be the first one to burst, and I can even bet my whole life on it. Even my net worth."

What Záviš said made me laugh. Real hard. And it felt like it's been a while since I laughed like this. Since I became Mr. Easton's secretary, I started feeling like time is always chasing me, or running after and sometimes, ahead of me. I only feel like that when I'm running late for work, but now? It's everyday that I'm in that situation. I'm never vacant anymore to talk to Feliza. Not even after working hours. Mr. Easton would email me a lot about work.

Work, work, work.

I think my situation is worse now than before.

"I don't think that you can bet your net worth for it." I scoffed, causing for him to show me his dimples again.

Out of context I said, "You're cute." And I wanted to slap myself because he grinned on that with his eyebrows moving up and down repeatedly. It only took a second for the feeling of being embarrassed to inhabit every fiber of my being.

"Oh, Genevieve. We just met. You have a crush on me already?" He made me laugh endlessly because of what he said with his eyes filled with amusement and joy.

"Hey, I'm just being honest, Záviš." I'm starting to feel the struggle to breathe because of too much laughter that he's making me do. It feels like I would like to stay here a little longer. He feels fun to be with.

"You're really cute—"

"No, he's not."

Záviš and I looked at each other when we heard that familiar voice.

It was Conrad. And I can't understand why my heart just suddenly started to beat fast. I can feel it pounding, and it almost feels like I'm nervous; like I'm afraid of him.

"Conrad, you're done drinking?"

"Are you both done flirting?"

I immediately stood up and looked at Conrad. His sea green eyes in ablaze, piercing stares, and emotionless face.

"What are you talking about, sir?"

"Let's leave now, Genevieve."

"Sir, we're not—"

"Now, Genevieve."

His voice is very audible, and from where I'm standing, I can feel and hear the strong emotion in every word. He walked away and he's probably heading to the elevator now.

"Záviš, I'm really sorry." I quickly apologized before starting to walk. Záviš just smiled at me, "He's just a bit tipsy. He's fine. I'm used to him being like that. Go now." I had one last glimpse of his face before running to the direction that sir Conrad took. I was right, he's by the elevator with his arms crossed.

"S-Sir."

He was burning before me. I can feel to the bone that he's angry. He's mad as a bear with a sore head, and it's making me shiver.

"Next time, don't flirt with my peers."

His eyes looking angrily in mine.

"And fuck it, Genevieve! Are you really going to pretend that you don't know me?" He shouted, and it echoed throughout the whole place.

I didn't notice it, but tears already streamed down to both of my cheeks as I silently sob while looking at him.