Becoming His Woman

Chapter 13: Stiletto Mishaps

Three days had already passed since that day where my boss just witnessed how a sleepy head I am. We are currently finishing everything up with all the clients who have a previous appointment this week prior to next week business trip to the opposite side of the Pacific- Australia.

Yeah! You heard it right. We are going to Australia firsthand to negotiate with the unruly Mr. Chilagan whom I once heard Mr. Dexigrous getting stressed from. He is sure a complex businessman to deal with, that Dexigrous Empire’s. CEO need to travel all the way from here to there.

Calix was negotiating with the last client for today, and I take down of the important details of the conversation, while organizing the papers to hand him if he needs some proof or visual samples. I am sitting just beside him opposite where the client was seated.

“The shipment of the items would be tomorrow morning Mr. Arcanghel Montegue. It would be expected by then that you already wired the money this dawn.” Mr. Dexigrous asserted with a professional smug look in his face.

“No worries Calix. A Montegue heir always keeps his words and pays bill on time,” the VIP client assured.

“Better be.” Calix said as he slowly close the black folder in his hand, containing the signature affirmation of the client. “I believe this must be the end of our transaction. Have a good day!”

With that said, Mr. Dexigrous stands up and storms off the door. I practically tailed after him with all the folders on my hand. This Arcanghel Montegue man is sure not the best client you would want to deal with due to his self-conceited attitude…all proud and mighty…air-headed to be exact! I believe Mr. Dexigrous is as much as irritated as I am. Maybe way more.

“Don’t bother! A Montegue’s day has never been as good as anyone else! Nonetheless, thank you!” The air-headed wealthy heir last said which undoubtedly doubles my irritation!

‘Stop it! Can you?’ I wanted to say it loud into him, but I know that would definitely put everything down including the restraint of leaving Mr. Dexigrous had to endure for at least half an hour just to deal with a vainglorious man. Worst! I can get fired for unethical misconduct towards clients…VIP clients to be specific. And obviously I’m ain’t looking forward leaving my current job.

I literally run, not just walk, in following my boss. His every stride is long, setting more distance between us, making it harder for me to follow. If he could at least slow down for a while right? In response, I tried improving my pace by extending the limit of my legs. I step long pace and I do it faster than I normally do. Mr. Dexigrous is quite the long-legged ostrich bird when he isn’t in a good mood, that I can’t hardly catch up.

“Ah!” I slightly shriek as I felt the bottom heels of my stiletto almost bended like it’s going to give up very soon.

Mr. Dexigrous finally stops on his track and turns around to check me out, still in his smug looked in annoyance. He is throwing me a ‘what-the-hell-is-wrong' look with his bended eyebrows to express confusion.

“Hmmm…” I naturally bit on my lower lip as I shake my head. I’m caught off guard, and I’m still organizing my response.

“Hmm…Nothing Mr. Dexigrous. Everything is fine.” I lied. Talking to him about girls problem including but not limited to things like the near bending of my stiletto would definitely just adds to his annoyance. He’s not a girl to with. He’s a man!

I saw how Mr. Dexigrous unconsciously raises his one eyebrow at first expressing his dissatisfaction of my lie, before turning back to the front where the elevator booth awaits, pushing whatever doubts in his mind.

He presses something on the side part of the bronze coated elevator to open it up and finally enters.

As usual, I followed behind him. I fasten on the folders between my arms as I take steps towards the elevator where Mr. Dexigrous his already standing. His hands were in his pocket, making him appear cooler than ever despite the air-headed client encounter.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to step forward properly…

The heel of my right stiletto has reached its capacity! It breaks down…taking me down as well as I lose my balance.

The slight shriek I did earlier transitioned from being slight into loud!

“Ahhhh!” I couldn’t help but to scream as I felt like I’m going to lose my balance and fallbinto the marble ground together with the folders containing important documents on my hand.

Closing my eyes in pain anticipation, I waited to feel the shocking impact of falling to the ground!

One…

Two…

Three…

Four…

Five..

Five seconds has passed but still I feel no single stung of pain in my bottom. Instead, I felt like floating in someone else’s arms. Déjà vu…

This scenario seems so familiar and cliché to my memory as if this happens once.

“Ms. Fernatto, is it your hobby to fall every time on my arms?” a super familiar voice of my boss echoed in my ear, returning me back to reality. Even without looking, I know who it was. Besides, he was the only person I am with. And it just made me feel as much as embarrassed as I am now with his remarks!

Did he just indirectly confirmed that he was the one who caught me in arms that night on Tamara’s birthday? I bet my cheeks are getting hotter than usual.

Slowly, I opened my eyes…

To my surprise, I found myself looking eye to eye with the man I had eight years ago and ought to have again this time.

I felt his well-toned muscular arms wrapped around my teeny waist, giving me support not to proceed in falling to the ground. Eyes locked on each other like magnetic poles having something that pulls as together…pulls us to look in each others' eye…

“Ca-Calix…” Word of his name unconsciously skips my lips. Looking at his deep blue eyes, memories of the forgotten past started to play on my mind like an old DVD player.

***

“Hey!”

“My name is Herena.”

“Calix…”

…

“Herena, it’s not working for us.”

“This is mafia…and we are still very young to handle that. I hope you understand…”

“I guess this is goodbye…”

“I love you...goodbye…”

***

The ghost of the past reminds me of how we met and how we depart in a bittersweet way…

Then, I realized…a bead of liquid is forming in my eye. Not long after, it falls, cascading from my cheeks to my jawline. I am tearing up for Pete’s sake…

“Bliss?” I heard Calix address my phony name with even more furrowed eyebrows. He is more confused by now. Like who wouldn’t be? Seeing a woman randomly crying naturally intrigues a person.

Damn! I cuss on myself for being such a nostalgic person…and for being such a crybaby…

‘Not again Herena, don’t be weak. Burry your weakness and showcase your strength!’

I immediately wipe off the tear on my face using the back of my palm as I regain composure. Realizing I’m standing too close with him, I took a side step to set at least a breathing space. We are already inside the elevator. And I can’t seem to internalize what just had happened?! What kind of screw drama did I just pulled in front of him?!

‘Come on Herena! You can do better than that!’ I motivated myself despite my first show of weakness to my boss.

“Ahem…” Mr. Dexigrous was slyly trying to get my attention that are starting to be lost on my own thoughts.

“Hmmm…” I hummed back. I don’t know how to put things to words.

“Stretch out your leg,” he said pointing to my right who just had a stiletto mishaps.

Puzzled, I just do what he says…

Oh my gosh!

The next thing he did really shocks me into the highest points of heaven…

Mr. Dexigrous just did the famous romantic scene in the Korean Drama entitled Descendants of the Sun where the leading man kneels in front of his leading woman to fix the loosened up shoe laces. The main differences are, it’s not rubber shoes, we’re not dealing with shoe laces, and more importantly, I’m still not sure if I am the leading lady in the story of his life.

How I wish I am…

“I really wonder why women love wearing six-inches high shoes when biologically speaking women are designed to be shorter than men?” I heard him ask as he removes the broken stiletto off my feet.

I couldn’t seem to formulate a long justified answer as I am so distracted by the fact that my boss, the CEO of the topmost ranking company in the world is right here on bended knee in front of me!

“Err…You know fashion and style to compliment our outfits…” I simply said without further thinking. My gaze are lock on the very picture of him smashing the broken stiletto on the floor until it got separated.

“The other one…” He said afterwards making my eyes widen a bit bigger than usual.

“You don’t mean to…” I asked, affirming whether or not we share the same thought.

He just smirks at me and smash the other good stiletto to balance it with the broken one.

Damn! He’s being hotter with that kind of playful expression on his face.

After getting it done, he helps me wear it again back in place. It got a bit awkward feeling on me upon loosing the heel…but I guess I’m going to get use to it later on.

“T-Thanks.” I shortly expresses my gratitude while still looking at my newly styled and refashion footwear. It’s not bad. It just look like a normal flat doll shoes. Well, except for the rear end of course...

I couldn’t help myself smiling from ear to ear. Calix just did me some damsel in distress romantic scene, which I found very thoughtful! I felt something in my core…butterflies in my stomach and racing horses in my heart. I think today, I find the answer to my question back then…if am I only doing this (operation to get back Calix) for the sake of doing it or for the sake of love?

Today, I’m positive that I’m doing it for the latter…not just for the sake of just doing it to give meaning and purpose to my trainings throughout these years, but more importantly for the sake of my heart’s yearning!

...for love!

The spark and burning feeling I have for him may have faded a bit throughout these years, but I do believe that remnants of it was still there…waiting to be once again lighten up…

My nostalgic and dramatic monologue was cut short with Mr. Dexigrous less romantic reasoning.

“I wouldn’t want walking with a tiptoeing secretary, would I?”

Oh! Calix can you just be less defensive just for one time? You’re killing my hopes for romantic comeback. Don’t be so snappy!

Ting!

Just then, the elevator swung open reminding both of us that we just had reached the topmost floor. I waited for Mr. Dexigrous step outside and follows on his behind.

I silently rejoice on my mind upon looking at the position of the hand of the wall clock placed just in front the elevator booth. It says here, it was already five o’clock PM, meaning it’s the official end of working time for today. God knows how I’m yeaning for my comfy bed! I’m tired for the whole day client servicing.

“Keep your schedule clear for the coming week. We’ll be flying to Australia for a business trip on Saturday.” Mr. Dexigrous reminded me as I scoop my things off my table.

Great! I’ll be with him all throughout this trip! Maybe, Australia would be the best place for me to flaunt my body to him in two piece without any further excuses. I heard we are going to stay in a beach hotel. Calix would not be a normal person if ever he wouldn’t, even for once, be tempted to party on the beach.

I am so excited! I wish Friday can be skip so that Saturday will come!