“If you don’t have any further questions, shall we?” inquired Miss Levanier, who I only now realized was speaking to me. Wait! What’s happening? Is it like I am being abducted here? I came here for Safira, and they want me to go to the office at LMC immediately?
I’m confused!
I took another look at Miss Sapphire, Miss Ayu, Mill, Erl, Zedee, and Caylie. They both smiled as they shoved me aside. What’s this? Will they push someone who is naive? With no orientation at all? What shall I do?
“She’ll explain it to you on your way.” Miss Sapphire waved goodbye to me.
I did nothing but follow Miss Levanier, who was meant to interview me at LMC when I applied. I couldn’t believe she was the marketing manager for the Loeisal Malmdan Company, and I’m glad I didn’t go to them because I might not have prepared my response any better if I had to confront her. Maybe I won’t pass either, especially because I still remember seeing her with Ismael.
My heart feels heavy. Honestly, if it weren’t for work, I wouldn’t accompany her. I couldn’t help but feel envious because I suspected she was Ismael’s fiance. I felt belittled. She is incredibly attractive, and her walk and words are very sophisticated. Compared to someone like myself, I said nothing valuable.
“I heard you turned down our company,” replied Miss Levanier, surprising me. I paused walking to look at her. She paused and glanced at me while I was still deep in thoughts. “Our CEO wants to know why.”
I was stunned. So, was I correct? They are interested in the collaboration because of me. “And why would your CEO be?” I couldn’t keep my mouth shut anymore. “I mean, it’s just me. Why would you do that? Why would LMC waste time on this?” I frowned. This is ridiculous. Who on earth would want to work with another company because one of their applicants turned them down for a tiny business?
“I think it would be best if you spoke with him. He’s going nuts.”
She continued going, leaving me astonished by what she said. Did she mock her boss?
I simply scratched my neck and followed her. I was already inside the corporate van, and Miss Levanier was sitting in the backseat with me. Honestly, I can’t believe I’m here with her today. Awkward it is that she is next to me.
Also, I smell the familiar perfume on her-just like Ismael’s. I can’t stop thinking. That perfume confirms that she is close to Ismael, and possibly not just near.
I was astonished when her phone rang unexpectedly. At first, I assumed it was from my phone who was calling. Miss Levanier answered the phone as if nothing was wrong, despite the fact that I could overhear their chat.
“Yes, babe?” I gazed at Miss Levanier. It was only for a moment, since I couldn’t bear to hear their chat. If there had been a switch to turn off my hearing, I would have pressed it to stop hearing her. “Yes, I am with her. We’re coming back. Yeah, see you… I know. I love you.”
I sighed as I opted to peek out the window. Is she conversing with Ismael? Is she purposely making me hear this just to crush me? I caught my breath again, fighting back tears. I have to contain myself. Ismael is no longer with me. I have to realize that he just loves to make me feel like he’s around and that I will never see him again. Also, like Atacia mentioned, he is about to marry the girl next to me.
I bit my lip as I noticed the Loeisal Malmdan Company building. I don’t feel as happy now that I see it. How can I find happiness? So I can only be with the lady Ismael exchanged me for. If only fate could be denied, yet it appears to me that we are not truly intended for each other. Ismael and I cannot be with each other, no matter what I do.
The car came to a stop owing to traffic, so I had time to glance at the building’s logo as well as the name inscribed there.
Loeisal Malmdan.
It resembles a person’s name. Is that the company owner’s name? Is he the one I can speak with later? That’s why they brought me here? Why? Due to the collaboration? Why? To ask me why I chose Safira above them? It’s funny. Do they need validation from me?
But I stopped laughing when I noticed something when glancing at the building’s logo.
Loeisal Malmdan.
I gasped as I glanced at each letter in the logo. I took them one by one.
I… S… M… A… E… L…
I bit my lip when I noticed an O. My suspicions were proven correct.
MONDALLA…
“Ismael Mondalla,” I whispered sternly as I noticed a man emerge out of a black sedan, the same one I saw the last time I applied to LMC.
When he removed his sunglasses to meet the guards, I passed out entirely. I saw Ismael’s face and couldn’t stop crying.
Ismael Mondalla is the owner of LMC.
*****
I feel stupid. I was here outside Ismael’s office a time ago. Miss Levanier left me here, but I couldn’t move forward. I would like to withdraw. Fear and trepidation filled my chest. I was brought to tears, as if I longed to see Ismael. I cannot believe it. I can see Ismael now, but I cannot move my feet to approach him. His workplace is sure to be flooded with tears and sobs.
How did this occur?
Why am I in this situation?
I feel so far away from him. I couldn’t get close. I am gripped with fear. What if he officially states and makes it obvious that we have nothing like what Professor Sybill did to me previously? What if he tells me he is getting married, but to someone else?
I attempted to brush away my tears, praying that they would stop, but it was only a trickle; they would not stop. Will I keep crying for him? Will I always be hurt? Can’t I actually be happy?
I wiped away my tears and attempted to collect myself. I touched the doorknob, and the coldness of it sent shivers down my spine. I just kept losing strength as I attempted to open the door.
I closed my eyes and worked up the confidence to open the door to greet someone who had previously abandoned me. How ironic. He abandoned me, but now I’m opening the door, as if I were the one who should be returning.
I quickly noticed a man with his back to me. He was facing the glass wall that surrounded his office. Various structures are clearly visible from there. It was gorgeous and breathtaking, but it was much more spectacular to see the person I had been waiting for just a few meters away. I prayed to God many times to see him again, but now that he is in front of me, I don’t know what to do. I was just marvelling at his broad back, which I initially saw when he rescued me from the bar before. That is not the back I want turned on me.
I closed the door. I bowed because I didn’t know what to say to him. I feel feeble. I can’t think clearly. Should I congratulate him?
That is correct; I am not here for ourselves but for our firms’ collaboration.
He gently turned to face me, and when our eyes met, my tears began to pour again. My lips trembled as I subdued him. I couldn’t stop it. I felt like I was crying in front of him, but instead of asking, he simply stretched out his two hands, as if waiting for me to embrace him.
I walked closer to him without saying anything, holding his gaze. Everything from our first meeting and the times we spent together came back to me. But rather than hugging him tightly, I slapped him hard.
“You are so bad,” I replied to him shakily, tears streaming down my cheeks.
Despite the fact that he was obviously surprised by what I did, he seemed to have anticipated it. “After what you did to me, do you expect me to hug you? How dare you?!” I inquired with a frown. I don’t feel cheerful. It was a mix of frustration, rage, and excitement that he was finally here in front of me. He looked at me as if I were forgiving him when I shouldn’t have. Not yet, Jothea. You deserve to know everything about him.
“That slap is not enough for the extreme pain you caused me, Ismael,” I told him sternly.
He simply gave me a look that suggested he was ecstatic about my behavior rather than annoyed. “Then let me make it up for you, my love.”
I stiffened when he said that. I can no longer make an appeal. He grasped both of my cheeks and kissed them. My tears spilt more and more. I did not expect it. Once again, an Ismael tamed me. And he was correct; with a scorching kiss, I tend to forget everything. Even though he hadn’t described everything yet, I didn’t feel the need to hear everything. I just noticed myself kissing him back.
I can sense his eagerness in the depths of his lips for me, and I can’t stop myself. God, I truly missed him. I miss his kisses, touches, and scent. I can’t seem to control myself.
My hands moved up his chest and around his neck, pulling me even closer to his body. I felt him sit on the table, causing some objects to tumble. I was astonished when something cracked, and I was ready to look when Ismael refused to let go of my lips.
“I’m here now. Don’t look away from me,” he said between his aggressive kisses. I lose myself again.
His hands shifted to my hips. He was caressing it, and I couldn’t help but give a little groan. And I had no idea my hand was holding what was between his thighs. Shit. What’m I doing?
I quickly pulled away from him, glancing at my hand. “Why?” he inquired.
I wiped my lips and tried to meet his eyes, which were filled with concern over what I had done.
“This is wrong, Ismael.”