A Collision of Hearts and Heroes

Chapter 9

Clarissa's POV

Dinner

"How do I look? Do I look okay? My outfit? Is it okay?" I asked Zedi while we were still inside the elevator.

Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. She just gave me a thumbs up, but I'm not satisfied with it, so I asked her again. She tiredly answered, but she looked so done with me. Sorry naman. I just want to make sure that I look presentable and classy in front of him.

Zedi and I parted ways when we went to the right floor. I checked my face once more when I went inside the office. Naunahan kong dumating si Gasper dahil nag-commute lang siya at traffic pa. Inayos ko ang bangs gamit ang daliri ko habang nakaupo sa swivel chair sa harap ng irregular vanity mirror na nasa table. I was doing it when someone knocked on the door.

"Come in!" I yelled as I sat up properly.

I ran my index finger on my bangs again as Gasper went in. He was wearing a white button-down long-sleeve polo, tucked in nude trousers, and complemented by white shoes.

One of the factors that contributes to my attraction to him is his fashion sense. Our preferences for coordinating colors in our attire are quite the same.

"Good morning, ma'am," he formally greeted me.

Hindi ko alam pero para akong nakiliti sa pormal niyang pagbati. I wasn't prepared for such an encounter like this. Like, girl, pormal na nakakakilig.

"Good morning, Mr. Trizon," I greeted back as I calmly gestured for the seat in front of me.

God knows how I tried so hard to pull my shits together just to act formally—to remain my poise in front of him. He subtly took a seat, and a deafening silence occurred for seconds. Hiningi ko ang documents niya at isa-isa 'yong tiningnan.

"Will you be the one to interview me?" He asked me, and his tone remained formal.

"Uh, no. It's not part of my work," I answered as I was reading his school records.

I was impressed by everything inside his documents. His grades were outstanding. Halatang hindi lang siya basta-bastang nag-aaral lang. Mas matataas pa ang mga marking nakuha niya kaysa sa akin.

"It could be my mom or my brother," I said as I put the documents back in the brown envelope. I looked at him. "Your school records were astonishing. I'm amazed."

He smiled while looking at me as if there was something on my face that amazed him. Kanina ko pa siya naramdaman na nakatitig sa akin habang nag-uusap kami. Hindi ko naman mapuna 'yon dahil naka-on ang formal mode namin ngayon.

"Sakto lang po," he answered, staring at me still.

"And you're humble," I commented as I gave him a sweet smile. "That's exactly the intern we are looking for."

Let's change it into, 'That's exactly the intern I was looking for.'

"Thank you for the heartfelt compliment, ma'am," he paused for a while.

Hindi ako nakasagot kaagad at napatitig sa kanya pabalik. If I haven't mentioned, he appears exceptionally good-looking today. His hair was neatly styled, and it gave him a polished and tidy look.

Fresh na fresh ang gago.

Umabot ng ilang segundo ang titigan namin kaya nag-iwas ako ng tingin at kunyari inayos ang envelope na binigay niya. I could still feel his stare despite me not being attentive to him. Sa sobrang tense ay halos magkanda-lukot lukot na 'yong mga papeles niya.

"Ang ganda mo," halos pabulong niyang saad.

Natigil ako sa pag-aayos ng documents niya saglit. My cheeks instantly flushed at his sudden, heartwarming compliment. To make it seem casual, I resumed organizing the papers inside, but my damn hands betrayed me. Nanginig ang mga ito kaya halos masuntok ko ang sarili sa hiya.