Of Kings and Aces

23| High-Strung

"Where's Jacob." It was a statement I greeted Jaxx with the first time I saw him at noon on Monday. I hadn't seen him last Saturday, and Jaxx just brushed it off, saying he wasn't feeling too well for another alcohol-filled party.

"You suddenly care about the guy?" he smirked as we walked towards his office.

"I care about my company especially when I have to make excuses to a client because a key employee has been missing the entire morning. He hasn't updated me on our projects, and I'm meeting with the client this afternoon," I angrily said in one breath.

"Have you tried calling him?"

"Oh, now why didn't I think of that?" I gasped. "Of course I have! What do you take me for?"

"Guess that didn't work. How about Bart? Have you --?"

"I already did," I cut him off.

"And? Still no good?"

"Would I still be looking for that bloody idiot if Bart was of any help? He could not give me anything because Jacob encrypted the damn file, and only Jacob knows the password! Goddamn irresponsible little shit!" I was so pissed steam was practically piping out of my ears.

"Hey, chill! I'll get that file for you, and I'll kick him in the balls for you," he laughed, more amused than concerned.

"I'd feel better if I did the kicking myself," I scowled.

"You don't even know how to kick one ball. But sure, be my guest," he chuckled and dialed his phone.

I left his office and went down to IT to see how Bart was doing. This was one of my faults: I did a lot of micromanaging, and it was stressing me out. But if I didn't, not knowing how things are going also would stress me out. I'd rather be stressed out knowing what's happening than being blind to it.

Twenty minutes later, the coveted file was on my desk and in my email, and everything went smoothly with the client, with Bart filling in for Jacob during the discussion.

"Thank you so much for your time and for patiently discussing everything with us," Mrs. Villaleon shook our hands. She was around sixty years old, but she was very hands-on. One of her daughters had approached us to digitalize their business, and Mrs. Villaleon wanted to understand and be briefed on the computerization process.

"Forgive me for being rude, Mr. Kingston. I didn't think you'd be so Filipino-looking with a surname like that," she said in a tone that was a little confused.

"Oh, that's because I'm not Mr. Kingston, Ma'am. I'm Bartholomew Quing, Mr. Kingston's more handsome colleague," Bart explained.

"Oh, pardon me," her eyebrows rose, but she chuckled.

"It's all right. Our CEO here sometimes forgets to introduce me properly," he joked.

"Unfortunately, Mr. Kingston is on sick leave today," I interrupted. "But he will be informed of our discourse and the changes we've agreed upon."

"Thank you, Mr. Acebedo," she smiled. We chatted a little more as we walked her to the elevator, after which we said our goodbyes.

"Good job, boss." Bart patted my back. "I think I have an opening for a software engineer in my department. Would you like to apply? Because I really would love to be promoted to CEO."

"I'm not a software engineer, Bart, but I agree. You might need another one soon," I said, the smile on my face immediately dropping the moment the elevator doors closed. The thought of Jacob almost ruining the deal was back, making my blood simmer.