Why is everyone looking at me? Do I have something on my face? Or maybe my lipstick isn't on fleek? I quickly covered my mouth and headed straight to the restroom to fix it. I was irritated while looking in the mirror—my lipstick wasn't even! I wiped off the parts that went beyond my lip line. I thought they were staring because I looked good. Turns out, my lipstick was all over the place!

Feeling more confident, I stepped out of the restroom and smiled at the people I passed by on my way to the elevator. I've been working at Stratify Aetheris for quite some time now, but I've never met my boss. They say she's beautiful, but also strict. I really hope we get along.

Ting!

I reached my floor. I walked straight to my desk and started organizing some papers. But why does it feel so quiet today? Everyone's busy with their work, as if they're rushing to meet a deadline. What's happening? Did I miss something? Or was I too focused on my lipstick earlier?

"Ms. Jung, what's going on?" I asked my co-worker, who seemed to be moving at lightning speed. She stopped and gawked at me.

"Why?" I asked, concerned.

"Don't you know? Your boss is arriving today!" she said, shaking her head. "It's surprising that you prioritized your lipstick over getting the papers done."

She left me standing there, dumbfounded. Oh, crap! I'm finally meeting my boss?!

Where are those damned folders?! I've been looking for those important documents for a while, but they seem to have disappeared. Why is it that when I need them, they vanish, but when I don't, they show up? Where's the justice in that?

I frantically searched my desk. I've been rushing all morning; how did I not know my boss was arriving today?! I'm a terrible secretary! I bent down, and finally, I found the folder I'd been looking for all along. It was just under the desk!

I grabbed the folder in relief, but I froze when a pair of red heels stopped in front of me. Pale skin, tall—my gaze followed upwards, and our eyes met. I swallowed hard. She's gorgeous! Like an angel who just descended from heaven.

Her face, her button nose, and her perfectly red lips... Did I just check her out?!

"Are you done staring at me?" she said coldly, crossing her arms. Oh no, even her voice is stunning.

"Miss, you must be Summer San Beda, correct?" I nodded instinctively.

"Then, Ms. San Beda... YOU'RE FIRED."

"W-what?" I barely uttered, unable to believe what I just heard.

"Wait a minute, who are you?" I asked, growing a bit annoyed. She was so quick to fire me—like she owned the company or... Is she my boss?

"You work here, yet you don't know your own boss?" she asked, clearly unimpressed.

"Oh my gosh! Good thing you reminded me," I quickly put the folder down and scrambled to stand. "Ma'am, my boss isn't here yet. I'm still waiting for her to arrive. And if you're a guest of my boss, could you maybe not tell her about this?" I was about to beg, but her eyebrows arched even higher. What's wrong with her?

"Please, ma'am, I'm helping my sibling through school. And I swear, I didn't mean to stare—it's just that you're so beautiful, like an angel." Why did I say that?!

"Excuse me?" she asked, irritated.

"Uh, I am sorry, ma'am, just head on inside her office," I said, forcing a smile. "Do you want coffee or any snacks?" But she still seemed in disbelief at my offer. Out of sheer nervousness, I grabbed her hand. Wow, her hand is so soft! "Come on, ma'am, I'll just let the boss know you're here." I pulled her toward the office of my boss. Yet, before I could open the door for her, I head her icy voice.

"Miss, who do you think you are?" I turned to see her tiger-like stare. "You really don't know who I am, am I right?" she asked as I nervously nodded. "You must be new here," she said, slowly approaching until our faces were almost level. It was only then that I noticed how long her eyelashes were, and her eyebrows—naturally on fleek. "I'm Alexis Fontaine. Your boss."

I gulped. It's really her!

"Don't you ever repeat what you did today. I'll let this humiliation slide, but if it happens again..." she moved closer, her face just inches away from mine, "you'll have no job left to come back to."

I immediately nodded. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I was just really nervous—" I couldn't even finish my sentence as she placed a finger on my lips to stop me.

"I don't need your excuses. Next time, know your place." She pulled her finger away. I swear, it felt like I kissed it.

She turned around and walked over to her desk, sitting in her swivel chair as if nothing had happened. I stood there, still frozen in place. "Get out. I don't need your presence," she commanded coldly.

I swallowed again before rushing out of her office. I walked back to my desk, clutching my chest. Why is my heart beating so fast? Her eyes were mesmerizing, but even more so were her red lips... What would they taste like if I kissed her? My eyes widened at the thought. I touched my cheek. "When did I become a lesbian?"

xx

"Ms. Jung!" I called out to the woman who seemed to do nothing but make copies all day. "Why didn't you tell me that Ms. Alexis is our boss?" I was getting irritated with Ms. Jung; I thought we were practically BFFs.

"And how is that my fault?" she answered snappily. "Besides, isn't it your responsibility to know who your boss is?" she added, clearly annoyed.

"Ms. Jung, I was so embarrassed! I thought she was some kind of angel that fell from heaven." I recalled again just how stunning Ms. Alexis was. "Why is she so beautiful? Is she a celebrity or something?"

"She's not, but she's engaged," she replied, smiling slyly.

I frowned. Why would I care about her relationship status? That answer had nothing to do with my question. "Come on, just admit it, do you have a crush on Ms. Alexis?"

"Hey, get a grip, Ms. Jung! I don't have a crush on her, I just think she's gorgeous. Besides, I have a boyfriend, and I'm straight," I answered confidently. I would never bend that way! Plus, I'm so lucky because my boyfriend is none other than Evan Reyes.

"Fine, I'll leave you to it," I said, irritated by her smirk. She doesn't believe me.

I focused back on my typing. I'd been working on the document that Ms. Victoria had assigned to me, and Ms. Alexis needed the copy too. I had no choice but to hurry up. It's strange, I thought. I used to be the one asking Ms. Jung for help, but now it feels like I have no time because of all the orders my boss is giving me.

Ring!

I stopped typing as the phone rang. I quickly answered it. "Hello, this is Ms. Fontaine's secretary."

"Summer," said the voice on the other end. I blinked. Why is my heart racing? I put a hand on my chest.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Come to my office. Immediately." Then she hung up.

I took a deep breath and exhaled, slapping myself lightly. Am I going crazy? I slowly opened the door and peeked inside. She gestured for me to come in. I entered and closed the door behind me.

"Ma'am, do you need anything?" I asked. It was only now that I noticed how many papers were piled up on her desk. She looked extremely busy—and it's only her first day, but she's already swamped with work.

"Why have our patient satisfaction scores dropped this month? Based on the reports, the decline in the quality of care and our overall ratings doesn't make sense."

"Ma'am, it's because of the issue last week. Ms. Louie had a conflict with the medical equipment supplier," I explained cautiously as our eyes met.

"And what does that argument have to do with our performance?" she asked, irritation evident in her voice.

"The delivery of the new batch of equipment was delayed. It was needed for surgeries and diagnostic procedures, but because of the delay, there were backlogs in appointments and treatments. A lot of patients complained about the slow service." I explained or try to reason out the outcome of the hospital performance.

Her face showed clear frustration. If I am not mistaken, Ms. Louie was her cousin. "You may go," she said coldly. I excused myself and quickly left the office.

I exhaled deeply, feeling like I'd been holding my breath the whole time. Aish! I'm so confused right now.