Gianna's POV
I was so grateful that the throbbing in my foot had finally subsided. It was still a little tender, but the sharp, stabbing pain was gone. I was currently holed up in Mr. Locan's office, tasked with cleaning the place and sorting through the mountains of paperwork that had been languishing in his drawers for who knows how long. I swear, the sheer volume of junk he'd accumulated was astounding. Random documents were scattered everywhere, threatening to take flight at any moment. It looked more like a landfill than an office. I was in the midst of sorting through two boxes overflowing with rusty fasteners when Mr. Locan's phone, which he'd apparently left on his desk, started to vibrate.
I paused, setting down the handful of fasteners I was holding, and glanced at the phone to see who was calling.
"Stupid," I read aloud, my eyebrows shooting up. Who on earth was named "Stupid"? Seriously, what was with Francis and his questionable choices in contacts? Naming someone "Stupid" was just plain mean. The call ended, but less than a minute later, the phone vibrated again, the same name flashing across the screen. I hesitated for a moment, then sighed and picked up the phone. I had no choice but to answer it.
"Hey... I'm already wet," a smooth, sultry voice purred on the other end of the line, and my eyes widened in shock. Whoa. My mind immediately jumped to the gutter. Get your head out of the clouds, Gianna! But the voice was definitely male. I gasped, a horrifying realization dawning on me. Could it be...?
Was Francis gay? My eyes widened even further. Oh my God. And the caller was his boyfriend?!
"So, are you coming to get me or what?" the man on the phone continued, his voice impatient, almost pleading. He sounded like he was in distress. What had I stumbled into? I was eavesdropping on someone else's relationship. This was so wrong. "U-uh..." I stammered, completely flustered. There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. "Who's this?" he asked, his voice suddenly sharp, suspicious. I didn't know why, but a wave of anxiety washed over me. "Hey, I'm asking you--" Before he could finish his sentence, I slammed the phone shut, severing the connection. I bit my lip, my heart pounding in my chest as I stared at Mr. Locan's now-silent phone.
What was I going to do? What if his boyfriend got jealous and thought I was having an affair with Francis? No! Get a grip, Gianna! This was getting ridiculous.
My breath caught in my throat as I heard the telltale click of the door opening behind me. Slowly, cautiously, I turned to face the man who was now staring at me with a serious, unreadable expression. I was so dead.
"What are you doing?" Francis asked, his voice low and controlled. "Oh... um... the phone... it rang," I stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence. Why was I so nervous? This was ridiculous. He immediately understood what I was trying to say, striding over to the desk and snatching up his phone. Without a word, he turned and strode out of the office, leaving me standing there, paralyzed with anxiety.
So, I was right. He was gay. This was a disaster. What if they had a fight because of me? What if his boyfriend thought I was trying to steal him? Ugh, this was all a huge mess!
Francis's POV
I was walking down the hallway, mentally preparing for the lecture I was about to receive, when my phone rang again.
"I'll be there," I said curtly before ending the call. The rain was coming down in sheets as I made my way to the front of the building. It didn't take long to spot my cousin, looking thoroughly miserable, his face a mask of exasperation.
"What took you so long? I'm soaked!" he complained, his voice dripping with annoyance. "Why did you take the bus in the first place?" I retorted, grabbing the two bags he was carrying. "Because my car is still in the shop, duh! What's with you?" I handed him a handkerchief, which he gratefully used to mop his wet hair.
"What happened? Why are you so wet?" I asked as we stepped into the elevator, the doors sliding shut behind us. "The bus stop was miles away, so I had to run all the way here. And you know what? I've been calling you non-stop, but some woman kept answering," he said, giving me a knowing look. "What?" I asked, my tone sharp. "Who was she? She had a really nice voice... a woman," he whispered, his tone suggestive, and I immediately felt my temper flare. I flicked him on the forehead.
"That's my secretary, stupid!"
"Oh, is that the girl you showed me a picture of a while back?" he asked, rubbing his forehead and backing away from me. Why was this elevator taking so long? I couldn't wait to get rid of this idiot. "Yes," I replied curtly, and he grinned knowingly. "She's pretty hot... I might have to make a move," he teased, earning a glare that could kill.
"Tsk. Same game? I don't think so," I muttered under my breath. I was startled when he suddenly appeared at my side, looping his arm through mine, his grip surprisingly strong. "I have someone I want you to meet, Insan. She's beautiful, and she's loaded," he said, his voice low and suggestive, and I immediately understood what he was getting at. My expression hardened.
"I don't have time for that crap."
He leaned closer, his grip tightening on my arm.
"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice laced with annoyance.
"Come on, Insan. She paid me to get you to go on a date with her... just one date," he pleaded, his eyes wide and pleading.
"Let go of me!" I tried to pry his arm off mine, but he clung to me like a leech. He was like a snake, coiling around me, refusing to release his grip.
"Please..."
"No."
"Please, Locan..."
"I said no, Carl. And stop acting like a child!"
"Please..."
We both froze, realizing that the elevator doors had finally opened. But the sight that greeted me was far from welcome. My secretary was standing just outside the elevator, her eyes wide with shock, her jaw practically on the floor. She quickly clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes darting between Carl and me, who were practically embracing. I could practically see the wheels turning in her head, the gears of her imagination spinning wildly. What the hell was she thinking? I quickly disentangled myself from Carl, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me.
"O-oh... I'm so sorry, Sir," she stammered, her face flushed, before disappearing from view. What was that all about? I was brought back to reality by the sound of Carl's booming laughter. "Seeing her reaction was priceless! Damn, did she think we were... like... hahaha!" He was clutching his stomach, tears streaming down his face, clearly finding the whole situation hilarious.
"Shut up, Mr. Silvena!" I snapped, my voice tight with annoyance, and followed him out of the elevator. "Okay, sorry. I just can't get over the look on her face... it was epic! Is she a BL fan? Should I ask her?--" He trailed off, suddenly falling silent under my withering glare. He simply whistled innocently, pretending to admire the scenery. We continued walking until I spotted a familiar face in the distance.
"Is that Jake?" Carl asked suddenly, pointing towards a man standing near the reception desk. We quickly approached him, and sure enough, it was Jake. He was one of my brother's best friends and also Akeshia's older brother.
"Mr. Monsato, long time no see!" Carl boomed, his voice echoing through the lobby, drawing the attention of everyone in the vicinity. I just shook my head, inwardly groaning. Why was he my cousin again?
"Hi," Jake replied, offering a polite smile, which I returned with a nod. "What are you doing here?" Carl asked, his voice loud and boisterous. Jake was about to answer when another voice spoke from behind us.
"I asked him to come here," I turned to see my brother, Asher, approaching us, a warm smile on his face. "Kuya, what are you doing here?" I asked, surprised by his sudden appearance. "I just wanted to visit the company. Besides, it's been a while since we hung out, so... I was thinking tonight? Are you free, L?" he asked, his eyes searching mine. I glanced at Carl, who was also waiting for my answer. "Sure, why not," I replied, shrugging nonchalantly.
"Great! I miss you, bro." Jake clapped me on the back, his smile genuine.
"Let's go to his office! He has a really hot secretary," Carl suggested, winking suggestively. I just sighed and rolled my eyes before following them towards the elevators.