chapter 9

                                    

                                          
"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul; that makes us reach for more, that plants the fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. That's what I hope to give you forever." -THE NOTEBOOK 

                          
CARINA'S P.O.V.

                          
The next morning, I arrived in front of the building at 8:45 am. I was rushing to get into the elevator when I bumped into someone. My bag fell down because of the impact. 
                          
"Sorry. I wasn't paying attention" The person apologized. I was about to pick up my bag when my head bumped into his head because he was about to pick up my bag too at the same time as me. 
                          
"Ouch!" I touched my forehead and looked at the person in front of me. A handsome guy was smiling at me. He was wearing a black t-shirt that has a tribal designs. His hand was touching the side of his head, in pain. I noticed that he had 2 ear piercings. He grinned when he noticed me staring at him and handed me my bag.
                          
"I'm sorry again. Whoah! That hurt" he said laughingly. I blushed and didn't know what to say. He looks like an actor who came out of the television. He combed his brown hair with his hand and stared at me. 
                          
"Do you work here? I think I've never seen you here before. What's your name?" he said smiling, flashing his white teeth. 
                          
"Ahm, yes. I just started yesterday. My name is Carina" I said awkwardly to him. He seemed like a nice and cool guy though. 
                          
"I see. I am Zandro. Nice to meet you Ms. Carina. I think I'll see you soon. It's a shame I need to go now. I'm in a bit of a hurry. See yah" he winked at me playfully and went out of the building. I was curious who he was. What was he doing here early in the morning anyway? 
                          
I gasped when I realized that it was already 9:00 and I was still at the ground floor. I got nervous. It was just my second day and I was already late. I scurried to the elevator like a criminal who was being chased by the police. When I arrived at the 25th floor, I was already silently praying. Hoping that our boss hasn't arrived yet. 
                          
I quickly went out of the elevator when it opened, rushing to my office. I had just put down my bag on my office table when the door opened. I flinched when the door banged to the wall. 
                          
"Where the hell have you been?! I've been calling you for a couple of times already on the intercom!" his thunderous voice was echoing inside the office and my body trembled of fear. His eyes were blazing towards me. 
                          
"I-I'm sorry sir. I-....something happened at the ground floor a while ago that's why I was a little bit late" I apologized, didn't know how to react. 
                          
"Hmp! Really? So Are you telling me that flirting with someone was more important than your work that instead of going straight here, you were held back there just to flirt with him?" my browse furrowed of what I've heard. 
                          
"I don't know what you are talking about sir" my voice barely came out of my mouth. 
                          
"Tell me Ms. Westbay. Are you really serious about your job? It is just your second day and you are already late. Just tell me if you are not interested anymore so that I can find a replacement for you" I began to panic. I tried to brush off my fear and met his eyes. 
                          
"I am serious about this job sir. I assure you that it will never happen again" i assured him, trying to be bravely. 
                          
He stared at me for a few seconds and then began stepping closer to me. I got more nervous when I felt him nearer so I stepped backwards, trying to get away from him. He continued to approach me, until I felt the edge of my office table on my butt. I couldn't take my eyes away of him. He stopped when he was just a few inches away from me. He was so tall that he was towering my small frame. I saw his jaw moved when he gritted his teeth. His nearness made me weak on my knees. I swallowed the lump in my throat.