First Love's Secret

chapter 5

This is it! I'm in my best smart, corporate looking self, my long wavy copper brown hair sleeked, decent make-up, and royal blue blazer paired with long soft black slacks and balancing all way down using Kath's Prada suede pumps, who's the devil who wears Prada now?

      "You looked stunning!" Kath checked on me while finishing myself and rushing to my car, "thanks, got to go don't want to be late for my first ever big break!" I kissed Kath's cheeks goodbye and went on with my SUV.

      Just in time, thanked God, the traffic's smooth and my condo is just two blocks away from this hotel, I walk in intelligently to the reception area. "I'm here for an interview with Live Life Real Estate CEO?" with pride I told the lady receptionist, that's why I love dress-up when I was small so I'm a veteran when it comes with pretending, I smile sheepishly thinking about that and was caught by the receptionist with an odd look on her face.

      "Mr. Denwell Martin is waiting at the exclusive coffee area Ms. Santos." the lady led the way, "I'm sorry but Ms. Santos can't come and I was told to do the interview instead." The lady eyed me from head to foot, too bad she's taller than me, and "I'm Carina Lee, Junior editor of Glam Magazine." I tried to smile politely but she's just too hard to read. "Very well then Ms. Lee, could you please take a seat for a minute I'll go tell Mr. Martin of this sudden change" I know she doesn't like me but hey that's way too obvious Ms. receptionist, was I too much of a disappointment? Better check.

      After retouching myself a little, the lady receptionist came back, "He's waiting for you, please follow me." As I walk closer to that Big time CEO, I can see from a far that he can be as old as our CEO, but as I came in closer to him, maybe if he faces me I don't need to guess.

      "Mr. Martin, she's here." and the lady receptionist left after the CEO waved his beautiful hand? I don't see any age spots from that hand. "Uhm, hi Mr. Martin? I'm—" but to my big surprise, "Hi Ms. Carina Lee, we meet again."

      Those tantalizing eyes, sexy god-like smirk and facial features, it's Andrew Philips! I am in total shock and I can't even move my mouth from dropping, "You looked so shocked Ms. Lee?" there could be a misunderstanding here, "I was supposed to meet Mr. Denwell Martin, and I think this could be a big mistake." again I said that word, how many mistakes will I get with this man?

      "There is no misunderstanding Ms. Lee, you are now talking with the right person." but still I was not convinced. I assessed him, he really looked like someone who could be a CEO but young enough to be one and goddamn it! way too handsome!

      We went on with the interview, I was a little bit nervous but thanked God I mastered confidence in just a matter of time. "So tell me, Mr. Philips, I mean Martin" ok I need to figure this out, "why do you have to change your name?" I ask informally because it was not stated in the list of the questions Susie gave me.

      He tried to hide his laugh; I could see that he's thinking that I could be some kind of a joke. "I just remembered someone, who also change her name which I think is the new trend nowadays." ok fine, I'm convincing myself that this big thing for me was a joke! And I want to end up this interview as soon as possible.

      I am a professional confident career woman, I keep on reminding myself like a mantra, and I know I can handle this, especially him. The interview run smoothly as what Susie instructed me to do, to just follow the corresponding questions listed, but I can't help but be distracted by his blue eyes darting directly at me.

      We ended the interview exactly on time, "thank you so much Mr. Martin," still not convinced with his answer about his new name, "it was indeed a pleasure to meet you." I extend my hand for a handshake, he looked at it first, please don't make me wait, he held it finally "it was always a pleasure Ms. Lee" and then flashbacks came into my mind, and an electric current suddenly pass through our hands still held, I immediately backed away.

      "Is there something wrong Carrie?" oh now were being unprofessional addressing informal names. "No, there's nothing wrong, Drew." I bit my lower lip, did I just called him with his name? I caught him staring at my lips. "I'd better go" I blurted, but "Carrie..." I listened. "That night, uhm... I know it's just..." he stopped then I continued, "Just it."

      I went on outside the café; I'm having hard time to breath every time I am near him or with him, just like the old days. To my surprise, he followed me. "Carrie wait!" now what dumbass, "I'm sorry." I was bewildered, sorry for what? Suddenly, oh I remembered. "That case was already closed, Mr. Martin—" again with that name, "call me Drew" he smile wryly. "Ok, Drew, forget about it, that was just a—" he cuts my sentence, "a mistake" he continued, ok another mistake from him.

      I had enough of this talk, I rolled my eyes and continued walking, but he caught my hand, "Carrie, I know that was nothing for you, but it was everything for me." I stopped and looked at him shocked. "I thought that was nothing but, I kept on thinking about it, about you." I can see sincerity in his eyes, oh my, Carrie talk, stop him, this is not the way it should be. "Everywhere you are there, I don't know what's happening with me, all I can see is you." he continued softly that sweeps me off my feet, too bad I never felt that way when Jazz told me so. "I want to figure this out, Carrie." he run his fingers on his hair, damn that was too sexy, are you for real?

      Then my mind demanded my mouth to move and speak, "I...I can't figure this out." he stopped and looked down, "I know, I was too pushy, I never considered you could be with someone else now." Yah and I had a hard time recovering after making me think that guys are monsters.

      I looked at him, and our eyes met. I felt that burning feeling again inside me, I must admit to myself that he was all I ever wanted all these days, and I also can't help myself to think about it.