twenty-three

Kao

I was biting my nails as I sat fidgeting on the couch at six thirty.

I had no idea what time I slept that night after Pete left my room with just that statement.

All I know was that I woke up at four am all groggy and light headed and I was not able to go back to sleep that I ended up cleaning off the stick seeds, and arranged my room.

At around five, I finally decided to hit the shower as there was no sigh of my eyes wanting to go back to sleep.

But really, I was scared that I might wake up late if I tried to go back to sleep and ended to really sleeping and miss my appointment.

I had no idea what Pete wanted.

Apparently, the curiosity was driving me off the edge that I just had to know what he was up to.

"Here's a cup of coffee, Kao. Also, breakfast is ready if you feel like finally eating."

I looked up to Len holding the tray with the coffee.

They had been asking me what I wanted since earlier at five thirty when I got down and went straight to the living room already showered and dressed.

I didn't want them coming over to check on me every five seconds but at least they're calling me with my name now instead of addressing me with the cringe worthy young master and so I let them be and politely declined their offers.

"Or would you like for me to bring you breakfast here?"

I blinked at her.

I thought she left for the kitchen already.

"Uhm, no, Len, if fine, I'm just, yeah, coffee, I'll just have coffee. Thanks for this by the way. And really, you don't have to worry about me. I'm fine. I'll just call you if ever I would need something."

I didn't know why I was feeling all fidgety at the moment as I waited for the Pete Gregorio to finally come down.

All I know was that I'm feeling a little happy despite what he did to me with his stick seeds trick, and after leaving me in his office for days without anything to do, he's finally bringing me to work with them and I could not just be anymore happy at the moment.

I was too excited I could not almost drink the freshly brewed coffee Len prepared for me which tasted so heavenly.

I checked on my battered phone.

The time says it was five minutes before seven so I quickly finished my coffee off and and readied myself for when Pete finally showed himself at the stairs.

Maybe it was all the experiences from my past jobs and the praises and good words from my supervisor every time I do good and perform well that made me want to impress Pete-my boss.

I was so excited about these whole thing and maybe combined with the exhaustion of taking off all those stick seeds from my clothes that I slept so soundly the night before that I had no time to process all those past memories with Pete that resurfaced on my mind not until I saw him strode down the stairs with his hair brushed up and white tshirt on a black pants and white chuck Taylor's.

And he looked just like the old days which almost made me smile only if he didn't open his mouth when he was finally in front of me.

"You're wearing that!?!"

His question didn't register quickly as I looked at him take a swept at me from my head down.

I was wearing the most formal outfit I could pick from the random things I was able to stuff in my bag the night I left home-powdered blue long sleeved shirt on a light khaki jagger pants-which Lyn had to iron for me because she would not let me iron it myself when I asked her about it- and my worn out vans.

I flicked a look at Pete after I checked my own and looking at us now face to face, I thought, I looked more like the boss now with how formal I was clothed compare to his casual get up.

"What's wrong with my clothes?"

I furrowed my brows at Pete.

I was about to ask him about his but he beat me to it.

"Nothing. But, I just thought, you looked rather formal for a day out shopping."

My face wrinkled when I heard what Pete said.

"Shopping!?!"

I asked hoping that I just didn't hear him right.

"Yeah."

He nodded at me.

"You always complained about being bored here and that you didn't have enough clothes to wear that's why I'm taking you out shopping, how's that?"

Pete wiggled his eyebrows at me looking so proud of himself while I tried to process everything.

Did he just say he'll take me shopping!?!

"Wait. Did you say, you'll take me shopping?"

He nodded animatedly as if it wasn't a little over seven in the morning.

"So you mean to tell me, I woke up at five and starved myself waiting for you down here and you just tell me we're going shopping!?!"

The most I imagined was Pete bringing me to one of his meetings and I'd get the chance to be an official and productive secretary.

But now what?

"Let's go? Let's just go grab some breakfast on the way. Because a little later and we would be stuck in traffic."

Pete calmly said as I stood there frozen trying to make out of the information he had just given me.

"Did I get excited over nothing?"

I muttered under my breath as I examined myself.

Goodness!

My eyes still feel itchy due to the lack of sleep and then Pete tells me this!!!

"So you're not working today?"

I followed Pete when he motioned me outside and I didn't even know why I was quick to do so.

"Didn't I just say that I'll take you shopping?"

The jerk even winked at me the same time his silver Volvo stopped just right before us standing on the drive way.

Gum then came out of the car and carefully made way for Pete.

Wait, so he's driving?

"Thanks, Gum!"

I heard Pete said and saw Gum beamed at him as the latter nodded at me in acknowledgment before he disappeared inside the house.

"Get in."

Pete motioned the seat next to him after he positioned himself on the driver's seat.

And there were three things that ran through my mind in the span of seconds after he told me to get inside the car.

One, I am his secretary, I should be with him at work doing all the secretary stuff.

Two, I was disappointed that it seemed to not be the case now.

Three, I'm not freaking riding with Pete inside his car!

Alone!

"Where's Kaleb?"

I asked when Pete looked as if he was going to call me into the car again.

"Still asleep, I think."

I blinked.

"He's not coming with us?"

Pete, with his fresh face rolled his eyes and heaved a sigh before he regarded me.

"Not unless he sleep walks. I think no."

Jerk!

"But why? You never go anywhere without him-as I've observed in the weeks that I am here."

And basically in all of his waking hours that I knew off.

"Kao! Hey!"

Pete snapped his fingers at me when I spaced out at him a little.

"Are you awake already!?! Did you even listen to what I said earlier? We're going shopping today. I'm taking you to get more clothes and maybe drive you around the city so you won't be bored anymore."

Wait.

What!?!

"Okay. Wait. I'm sorry but I'm a little bit confused here. I'm your secretary right? I'm supposed to be with you wherever you go-for work that is. I don't know how taking me to shop is part of my job."

Needless to say, I'm here because Pete and I agreed that I work for him.

Considering what Kaleb mentioned about learning to accept help from people, I really did want to give that chance to Pete who was very vocal about wanting to help me.

And even if I didn't really consider it as a good idea, and even if I'm torn between accepting it and turning it down, I ended up agreeing with him and decided to take his offer.

But solely for professional reasons, nothing more.

"And, so what if I'm bored? Keeping me entertained is never on you. I'm here as your employee, nothing more."

I was sure I didn't need to emphasize that fact to a billionaire businessman but I ended up doing so anyway.

"You talk too much, Kao! Can you just get in so we can get going already!?!"

But instead of answering, Pete just coaxed me some more but I knew I should stand my ground.

I shook my head at him.

"No. Not unless we can establish the connection between my employment as your secretary and you taking me to shop, I don't think I'm coming with you."

Pete should really learn when to stop.

And I thought I was right.

"Tsk! Here we go again!"

I heard him scoffed before he snickered at me.

"What?"

I glared at him as I refused to get inside the car.

"I don't know, you tell me. One time you complain about being bored and now that I'm actually taking you out to the city and you have so much to say and you even disagree. You complain about not having enough clothes to wear and now I'm taking you shopping and you refuse yet again. So what really is it, huh, Kao!?!"

This is an entirely different situation.

Yes I did complain about all those, but it didn't mean he needed to address those issues for me.

"This is not.--you're not supposed to do this."

I ended up saying as I could not find the right words to say for myself.

"I know. But I want to."

I blinked at Pete's answer before I whispered.

"Why?"

I was not sure if he heard my question but he looked up at me and stared straight into my eyes before I heard him say.

"Because I'm trying to meet you halfway."