Suddenly

CHAPTER ONE

Noah sighs. He stares at the woman standing in front of him. He'll admit life as a CEO won't be this easy for him without this woman. She really needs to be treated special, because she is special. His Tito Ramon was right. He can't find a better EA than this woman. Six years ago, his father decided to leave DVGC to his own supervision. He was just twenty five that time. But he managed to survive. The company is still as prestigious and as stable as when it was still on his father's administration. Or it is even better now. Thanks to his Tito Ramon, his father's brother. The man's always there for him. And thanks to this woman. Six years ago, Tito Ramon hired her for him, to be his EA. He remembered his poor uncle complained how hard it was to find the perfect EA for him. Though the woman isn't perfect, she did her job as his EA perfectly. He won't forget the first time they were introduced. Shock was all over her face. He watched her turned red, then became pale, and turned red again. He can't explain but the woman never failed to amuse him just by merely watching her facial expressions transform. When they were first introduced, that wasn't the first time they saw each other. A day before that, he shared with her table in a fast food. That cute young girl in the Jollibee, who loves chicken joy, as she calls it, is May Pineda. From a young, innocent girl, May transformed into a grown-up, beautiful woman...

"Sir?" She finished reading his schedule for the whole day. For a moment he tried to recall details. Pero wala yata siyang maalala. He smiled at her. Remembering how he met his EA totally takes his mind away from the present out of this office.

"You weren't listening, were you? Would you like me to repeat what I've just read?" She really is a grown-up, smart woman but still so innocent. Napailing siya with the thought.

"Sir?"

"Cancel all my business appointments today."

"But Sir, you can't withdraw that of Mr. Tan." Paalala nito sa mahalagang meeting niya sa Chinese investor nila.

"You heard me Ms. Pineda." He's eyes never leave her face. He saw her frown, but that just for a second because all of a sudden she's grinning now.

"You're the boss." Nakangiti pa rin ito. "Anything more, Sir?"

"Please call Tito Ramon and remind him about our meeting today." his meeting with his uncle isn't a business.

"I already did, Sir. He'll be here at exactly nine." Her smile is still there on her face. She looks good with it. He can't imagine her not smiling.

"Today's the day you'll send Georgina a bunch of roses."

"Done, Sir." The smile becomes sweeter.

"When will you get tired smiling like that?" she frown.

"Sir?" napakunot-noo ito. It's his time to smile. Nahawa yata siya dito. "Hindi ba nakakangawit ngumiti buong maghapon?"

"No, Sir. Not when you are really happy."

"It's obvious you're happy today."

"I am, Sir."

"I'll make a guess why." Of course he knows the reason why. He heard her giggle. She usually laughs like that when he tries to start an informal conversation just like what he's doing right now. "Chicken joy ang breakfast mo."

"You're teasing me, Sir." He saw her blushed. He knew it very well. The words "chicken joy" are the only words that could turned her red as if she's standing in front of her crush.

"Okay, so hindi chicken joy ang breakfast mo. Siguro napanaginipan mo sina Brad Pitt, John Cusack, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Sandler, Ben Affleck, Hugh Grant at Tobby McGuire..." he teased her more. At last the woman knew what an ideal man is now. She likes Hollywood actors so much. Kasalanan ng Tito Ramon niya. The old man is very fond of his EA. He can't blame him. May is affectionate plus the fact na walang anak na babae ang Tito niya. Just like her father, isang lalaki rin lang ang naging anak ni Tito Ramon. He's Bernard. His only cousin is also busy with his own company.