The Things I Love About Him

Chapter 2

Trisha

"What took you so long?" Alexa asked as I slid into the seat beside her. She was already halfway through her iced tea and had ordered our food. "I was starving, so I didn’t wait."

"Ethan wanted to talk to me," I said, setting down my bag. "He’s still offering me the Senior Project Manager position."

"And?" she probed, raising a brow.

I hesitated, playing with my napkin. Alexa never misses a beat.

"Well..." I gave a small smile. "I didn’t get to answer. His girlfriend showed up out of nowhere. I just excused myself and told him I was going to eat. But he said he’ll still wait for my decision."

Before she could press more, the food arrived—rescuing me from further questioning. She’d ordered all my favorites: spicy beef galbi jjim, stir-fried pork in hot sauce, mixed veggies, and kimchi. She knew me too well. For herself, she had bulgogi bibimbap and spicy monkfish stew.

“Yum! This looks amazing,” she said, eyes lighting up.

But even with all the food in front of me, my mind was elsewhere—still stuck on Ethan. The scent of his cologne lingered in my memory. It was warm, clean, and somehow... comforting. Being that close to him earlier made my chest flutter. I never expected to fall for him like this. He’s my boss. I’m just an employee. He probably sees me as nothing more than a valuable asset to the company.

So why does my heart feel like it’s spiraling?

No. This can’t happen. I’m only setting myself up for heartbreak.

"Trish to Earth, Earth to Trish," Alexa said, waving a hand in front of my face. "Were you zoning out again? What is going on with you lately?"

I blinked, startled. "Sorry, I just... I can’t stop thinking about Ethan."

Her expression softened. "I figured."

"No, I mean I think I really like him," I admitted, voice barely above a whisper. "I can’t sleep properly. I keep thinking—should I tell him? Should I not? It’s been three years. Maybe it’s time."

To my horror, Alexa burst out laughing, loud enough to turn heads in the restaurant. I immediately covered my face, mortified.

"Are you out of your mind?" she asked once she stopped laughing, her tone serious now. "Trish, this is Ethan Clyde Alvarez we’re talking about. The CEO of A Tech Group. A multimillionaire. And you—you’re just an employee. He doesn’t see you as a woman. He sees you as a tool, a damn good one, but still... a tool for his empire."

The sting of her words settled deep. Alexa had never spoken to me like that before. But maybe I needed it.

Besides, she was right.

Ethan has Isabelle. Eight years together. She’s the daughter of one of the most powerful food industry CEOs in the country. And me? My mother’s a teacher, and my father’s a liaison officer. I’m nobody compared to her.

"I know," I said quietly, pushing my food around. "I just... I needed to say it out loud."

When we finished, I asked, “Ready to go?” and Alexa nodded silently, grabbing her bag. We walked out into the crisp air, the heaviness between us slowly lifting.

We had just stepped out of the restaurant when a familiar voice called my name.

"Trish?"

I froze. Alexa did too.

Standing in front of us, as if summoned by fate itself, was him.

"Markus?" I breathed, my voice trembling.

He looked just as stunned—maybe more. His face held a mix of surprise and... guilt?

"T-Trish," he stammered.

"What are you doing here? It’s been a long time." I tried to smile, though my heart raced. The past rushed back too quickly.

Markus Javier Morgante. My ex. The man who turned love into a wound. The reason I built walls I still can’t tear down. He didn’t just leave—he shattered me.

"I came to see you," he said, stepping closer, reaching for my hand. "I missed you, babe."

The words felt foreign coming from him now. Babe. A name I used to love. Now it just stung.

I didn’t speak. I couldn’t. He had left without warning, chasing dreams that didn’t include me. And now he’s back, just like that?

Alexa stepped forward and slapped his hand away.

"You have got to be kidding me," she said, eyes blazing. "Get lost, Markus. You don’t get to come back and act like nothing happened. You left her. You broke her. So do her a favor—walk away. She’s not that girl anymore."

I swallowed hard. Alexa’s voice was shaking, but firm. She was right.

I wasn’t that girl anymore.