Satisfaction was an understatement to what Darryl felt after his conversation with Vanessa. He had been hitting jackpots before, but this one was his best hit so far. He could not believe it would be so easy to make Vanessa his secretary. The high and mighty Vanessa will be working for him now. A wild grin etched on his lips.
His meeting with the accounts department was in a few minutes. He left his desk and walked to Vanessa’s office to see what she was doing. Vanessa was really going through the files on the cabinet, her lips moved as her fingers moved from one file to another.
The sight made Darryl’s heart skip for a moment. He felt a flicker of something in his heart, but he could not explain what he was feeling. He closed the office door quietly, not to distract Vanessa. With a satisfactory grin, he walked out of the office, heading to the department of finance.
The continuous chirping of Darryl’s phone halted his journey to the accounting department. He fumbled for his phone in his suit pocket, he sighed in relief as he finally retrieved it.
Tania. Her name was displayed on the screen of Darryl’s phone. Darryl totally forgot about Tania since he was occupied with Vanessa.
His phone vibrated in his hands as Tania called him again. He picked it up immediately because he didn’t want her to whine about him ignoring her calls.
“I got your coffee. I will be waiting at our regular spot.” Tania’s voice sounded high-pitched over the phone. “Don’t be late.”
Tania was the one getting Darryl’s coffee since his former secretary went on maternity leave. He didn’t ask her to do it. Tania volunteered to do it, so she could see Darryl at work. He had no choice than to accept her offer, but it was like a secret rendezvous outside the company.
“Tania, I have a meeting in the next five minutes. I can’t meet you now.” Darryl declined, his voice sounded firm as he declined her offer.
Disappointment settled on Tania’s gut as she heard Darryl’s excuse. “Can you make it after the meeting? She asked him.
“I don’t think so.” He replied. “Tania, I really appreciate you, but you don’t have to get my coffee anymore.”
“Why? What did I do wrong?” Tania interrupted him. She was disappointed and confused at the same time.
When it came to Darryl, she was a wreck. She knew he was a player, but she was in love with him and there was no going back for her. She had to do everything to show him that she was the only one that could be with him.
“You didn’t do anything wrong. I have a new secretary. She will be in charge of my coffee. You don’t have to worry about it anymore.” Darryl explained frankly.
The revelation hit Tania like a wave of cold water. How can he reject her kind gesture because he got a new secretary? She wondered. With Darryl, whenever she takes a step forward, Darryl takes five steps backward. She knew Darryl was doing everything in his power to create boundaries between them, but she wouldn’t allow it. Darryl is for her alone, she won’t allow anyone to get him.
“What if I want to be in charge of your coffee? I know how you like your coffee, so why don’t I continue with it? To save your secretary stress.” Tania knew it was a lame excuse, but she didn’t have a choice when it came to Darryl.
“Tania, I’m trying to save you stress.” Darryl told her. “You are a project manager, not a coffee bearer. You should focus on your job. My secretary will handle my coffee. It is just coffee.”
Darryl was already tired of how Tania prolonged simple conversations. How would it sound if people heard that a project manager was making coffee for the CEO. Despite the relationship he has with her, he still wants to set boundaries between them. He had already told her that they were not dating and he would never date her. Why won’t she leave him alone?
“Are you mad at me? Tania’s voice changed into a sad tone. “I don’t like it when you are mad at me, Darryl.”
Darryl rolled his eyes as he heard her voice over the phone. Now, she wants to use emotional blackmail on him, he told himself.
“I’m not mad, Tania”, he ignored her fake-glummed voice. “I’m just doing what’s right for you and for me.”
“Fine.” Tania finally gave in. ” Your wish is my command. I won’t be getting you coffee anymore.” Immediately she noticed her sad tone didn’t change Darryl’s mind. She agreed to stop getting his coffee, but she would never agree to stop seeing him.
“We will talk later. I’m late for my meeting.” Darryl didn’t wait to hear Tania’s reply before he ended the call. He knew if he gave her a chance to talk throughout the day, she wouldn’t miss the opportunity.
Quickly, he walked to the elevator as he glanced at his expensive Armani wristwatch. He was five minutes late for the meeting. Tania had distracted him with her selfish interest.
If he wanted a clean job with Vanessa, he would have to get rid of Tania, but how was he going to do it? Tania was a close friend of his family. His mother really liked her. It won’t be easy for him to get rid of her.
If Tania finds out about his plan with Vanessa, she will do everything in her power to destroy his plans. He knew Tania wanted him for herself, but he had already made it clear to her that he was for no one and, at the same time, for everyone.
He will never commit himself to a serious relationship, not after his horrible experience with Vera. This moved his head slowly as he remembered Vera, his first love and ex-girlfriend.
“I should not be thinking about Vera. I’ve moved on from her. She doesn’t matter to me anymore.” He recites those lines as she stared at his reflection in the elevator. How long would his words of confirmation work?