That Girl On a Motorcycle

T h r e e

“I heard he’s coming today,” her office buddy whispered conspiringly behind her, and if she did not know better, he would have received a black eye just for trying to scare her. Growing up surrounded by her brothers and male cousins, she learned firsthand how boys love to get a rise out of unsuspecting girls.

Maude’s favorite strategy was going all berserk and violent. Where that tactic does not apply, like now, she had to resort to her womanly charms.

"Hmm?"

"Don't hmm me, woman. I know you know that he is coming today. Why didn't you tell me?"

“Who?” she said in feigned innocence, despite knowing exactly who he meant.

“Who else? Of course, your real boss.”

Maude made a disgusted face. "Ugh."

"I thought so." Caesar handed her a cup of instant coffee, aware that she needed her fix without even asking. The man could read her like the back of his hand it was downright creepy.

They were hired at the same time and worked side by side in the International Affairs division for the past three weeks. It was disconcerting how they immediately hit off despite their polar opposite personalities.

With his easy smiles and infectious laugh, not to mention his sexy as hell swag, the six-footer Caesar Ropali was born to be a people magnet. He was a ball of energy bouncing from one corner to corner, an easygoing conversationalist who could easily wrap his finger on any living thing within a mile radius. He was a nice companion to have, especially for someone like her who can easily scare people with nothing but a facial expression.  

The glitch in his system, however, was that most of the time he was downright nosy and too bubbly for her taste.

“Thanks for the caffeine.”

“Ah, ah, ah. Don’t change the subject.”

"Did not."

"Did too."

She shot him a venomous glare, one that made a lot of people freeze from head to toe, before taking careful sips of the steaming brown liquid.

"So?"

"Hmm?"

 “Are you listening to me, Maddy?”

“Am not,” she said simply before taking another sip. She moaned appreciatively, enjoying the fuzzy warmth travelling through her body. “And stop calling me Maddy.”

“Your real boss, Maddy,” he made sure to emphasize his pet name, “He’s finally showing up. It’s a real big deal. You’re going to transfer to the top floor! Who’s going to join me to lunch?”

“Why,” she offered him her most innocent smile, “you have a line-up of women waiting for you. Just give them your magical wink.”

His brow twitched, and she knew he was starting to get annoyed. “Don’t remind me.”

Too bad to all the willing girls in their company, Caesar doesn’t swing their way. He was keeping it all hush-hush for now though, because he refused to deal with their homophobic supervisor Charlie Duwit.

Maude emptied her cup with a flourish. “Then stop bothering me.”

“Am not,” he mocked. “I’m just stating a fact.”

Of all bad luck, why was it she needed to personally work with some spoiled brat from the overseas? She had never met him because she was sick during his welcome party, but from the feedback she gathered from her co-workers, the man was a total douche.

Why was a business graduate like her not handling normal foreign relation transactions like Caesar?

“I can’t imagine myself working for an irresponsible toff who comes to work one week late. Director or not, who applies for a paid leave on his first day of work?”

“Exactly why I assigned you to be his secretary, Ms. Zamora.”

The two turned to face Harold Perez, a balding man in his fifties and one of the highest-ranking officers in their division. Also the shortest, stature-wise.

The older man sighed. “I can’t deal with him, sorry, but given your performance so far, I know you can manage him. He’s all yours.”

“The contract I signed is for a relations officer position, not as a personal assistant.”

“Consider this part of your job description. Besides, Director Sebastian won’t be staying here for long.”

She wanted to scream.

This is so unfair!

Maude had always wondered why she was accepted despite the demands she had during the final applicant interview. Not to mention, she also managed to piss off one snooty officer in the three-man panel.

Sure, she had praiseworthy curriculum vitae and she came from a renowned university. Still, that was not enough reason given the hundreds of applicants for the job.

“Don’t give me that frown, Ms. Zamora,” her manager reprimanded him. He anxiously wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.

“What frown?” She raised a brow.

“That frown.” Caesar laughed. He held her shoulders and pushed her out of their office, casting one look over his shoulder. “She’s just hungry, sir. Don’t worry. I’ll feed her before she meets the new director.”

Maude started to protest, but Caesar’s grip on her was firm. She could not get away. “Cut it out!”

Her friend merely chuckled, continuing as if he did not hear her. “Excuse us, sir. I’m bringing her now to the cafeteria. ”

The last thing she heard before disappearing was a plea from the older man.

“Just try to make him appear on the meetings and make sure he signs the papers on time.”

Wow. What a great way to motivate an employee. After taking a sick leave for a few days, this was how things turn out?