untouchable

27

Jill arrived at work just on time, greeting her coworkers with a polite smile. It's finally Friday, and Jill can't wait to spend her day offs resting on bed. This has been an exhausting first week for her. She deserves lazy weekends, to muster up courage and strength for another week.

"Good morning, everyone!" She chirpily greeted her workmates who sits near her.

"Wow, ang ganda naman ng gising niyan! Blooming ha!" Danica praised while twirling around on her office chair. "Epekto ng shabu, me thinks." Danica jokes. "Anyway, drop the skincare, bestie!"

Jill grins as she boots up her computer. "Sure, I'll list it down for you later."

"Yie, naks! Thankies! Gusto ko rin ma-achieve ang porcelain skin ni Jillian Robredo." Danica said and then repeats herself, "Porcelain? Kimi!" Then chuckles to herself.

The newbie also giggles at Dani's playful personality. She can feel someone staring again so she finally addresses the culprit, "Hi, Ethan."

Ethan was startled at the acknowledgement and his whole face blushes pink. And when Jill slightly chuckles at the sight, Ethan only blushes harder. "Hi, Jillian! Sorry. Uhm, good morning!"

"Ugh, here comes the weirdo again!" Dani commented.

Ethan groans in protest, not really appreciating his best frienemy picking on him this early. "Danica!"

"Makatitig ka na naman kasi, kyah! Gandang-ganda lang? Maganda naman talaga 'yang si Jill pero don't stare naman! That's rude kaya. Basic manners!" Dani scolds.

The boyish man only scratches the back of his head as he realizes she's right. He apologetically smiles at Jill as he sheepishly says, "Sorry, Jill. I didn't mean to creep you out or something."

Jill kindly smiles to reassure him. "It's all good, Ethan. Don't sweat it."

Ethan just can't help it. He can't help but admire Jill's radiance this morning. It sounds cliche but when she walked inside the room, the world turned slowly for him and the only subject clear in his vision is Jillian. How can he not appreciate Jill's beauty? Call him a simp, but it's true. Going to work has become something he looks forward to everyday. The idea of seeing Jill at work is what keeps him going.

It's just... He's been crushing on the young woman since around 2017 or 2018. It started when he once came across her cover video with a friend who's also a singer. He fell in love with her voice, and since followed her on her socials. The fact that she's a daughter of prominent servant leaders also exposed her to the limelight and is considered a public figure. So, Ethan could catch up on updates about her and their family on the regular. It was merely a crush, that's why he never acted on it. It's not like he had a chance. He was content with having Jillian as an inspiration or whatever. He was already fine with that.

But now that his muse is within reach, Ethan feels like floating. His chances of getting noticed by her is still slim, but the odds are definitely better than before. He might have a better shot now.

That's why when she arrived at their workplace only this Monday, Ethan was pleasantly surprised. It's Jillian Robredo in the flesh. Maybe his manifestations are coming to fruition. Maybe this is Heaven's way of smiling down on him.

He's always thought that Jill is a cool person, totally his type. She's someone he'd love to have as a friend. As a girlfriend, even better. Maybe he should start slow and get to know her first while also letting her learn about him in the process. Establishing friendship has always been a proven-and-tested method of getting a partner.

Perhaps he could start by inviting her to lunch again today.

"Uhm, excuse me, Jill..." He trails off, nervous. It's just lunch, for heaven's sake!