Office Diaries - Chapter 101

Ria felt a little sad. It’s not that a subordinate and boss relationship was frowned upon. Society had long since become understanding of that – most especially since she could say she was not entirely useless with how much projects she was able to take. The thing was, accepted by society or not, the gap between their statuses was still miles apart.

Also, Michael Chen might have softened his treatment towards her as they had been working on a project together, but his aloofness still remained. There were still so many facets in his personality that was hidden by shadows.

In short…

In your dreams Ria Davis. In your dreams…she muttered under her breath as she brought the plates to the sink and marched outside the house towards the waiting car. Inside the car was her schedule for the day— or the person ȧssigned to take care of her schedule. She went over her activities for the week as she was only told the days of the week instead of the complete date.

It’s totally a weird practice for a company, but by now, Ria already got used to it. Also, she felt it’s nice as she was free to focus on her projects and didn’t worry about her schedule much. Days passed and she got used to her work and her boss.

Today, as soon as she reached the office, she immediately took out her file and started working. She was so focused that she hadn’t realized the time that passed or that she was no longer alone in the office.

“You look…blooming.”

The comment made her pause from her work at her table, look up, and grin. Dylan Ng stood by the doorway eyeing her thoughtfully and her grin widened.

“Am I?” she challenged as she raised her hand to beckon him closer, feeling excited like a child eager to show her new toy.

“What’s this?” Dylan asked as he saw the new designs she was working on and his eyes widened. “You got Aqua again?” he asked and when she nodded and smiled wider, he grinned like silly too. “That’s so cool. Congratulations!”

“Thanks!” Ria felt like bursting with happiness.

Aqua was known to be very picky when it came to people working on its projects and so securing its contract was such a huge achievement for her.

“So that’s why you look so blooming lately,” he commented again. “And here I was thinking that it was because you finally found a boyfriend,” he added which earned him a slap on the arm as the two of them laughed, unaware that they were no longer alone.

“Who’s got a boyfriend?”

Ria and Dylan turned towards the door to see Charles standing there. Based on the huge teasing smile on his face, he must have heard their conversation.

To Ria, Charles hearing it was okay. Then again, Michael Chen was behind him with his brow raised, a habit which she noticed that the man always did whenever there’s something not to his liking.

Clearly, he heard everything that was said and she felt like wishing for the floor to open up and swallow her whole. What could he be thinking now?

“Good afternoon!” both she and Dylan greeted the newcomers.

“Ria’s working on the Aqua ad!” Dylan announced cheerfully and Ria felt thankful for his quick thinking— well, not really quick thinking since Dy was a bit dense, but she’s grateful to him anyway for deviating the topic.

“We already know that Ng. Who do you think was with her when Aqua signed the contract?” Charles retorted as he and Michael walked inside the room towards her desk.

The young CEO remained unspeaking as he peeked at Ria’s monitor where she was working on the design. Miachael Chen’s almond eyes were focused on the screen but she knew that he was listening to them.

“Hey, don’t change the topic. Who’s got a boyfriend?” Charles Wong asked again and Ria gritted her teeth. Her immediate boss really was an ȧsshole.

“No one,” she answered hurriedly as she nervously glanced at Michael who seemed to be engrossed on her computer. “Dylan just mentioned it.”

“Ah, too bad,” Charles’ said as he turned to Dylan. “I thought cupid was really on the loose. I heard you hit it off with Ruzzel’s Director?”

Ruzzel’s was a chain of department stores whose director, the one who was mentioned, specifically asked for Dylan to design their spring advertisement.

Ria never got to ask her friend about that project, but looking at Dylan now, with his face being bashful, turning red to the tips of his ears, she thought she should have.

“H-Hazel and I w-were c-classmates back in h-high school,” Dylan stammered and Charles gave him his disbelieving gaze which subsequently made him spill his guts out. “Okay, we’re going out,” he confessed and Charles smiled sweetly.

“Thanks for clarifying that one,” their immediate boss said as he slumped on one of the chairs.

“But how about you? You said Cupid was on the loose, so you must have someone too,” Dylan countered, his lips pursed sulkily and Charles chuckled.

“Of course I have someone.”

“Really?” Ria and Dylan chorused as they stared at their immediate boss as if he was from another planet.

“Hey stop looking at me like that!” Charles protested. “That’s rude you know. It’s like you’re surprised that someone had fallen in love with me.”

“Actually we are!” she and Dylan chorused once more and suddenly, they heard something they’d never heard before.

A chuckle on her right made Ria turn to Michael and found the CEO’s shoulder shaking as he controlled his laughter. “B-Boss?”

Michael lifted his face to look at Charles. “Maybe that’s because you’re such a ċȯċky bastard that they’re surprised,” he said jokingly which stupefied her and Dylan more. Not only did the CEO laughed, but he was teasing their immediate boss too!

“Ha! Look who’s talking. You’re a ċȯċky bastard yourself,” Charles retorted and Michael chuckled louder as he turned to Ria.

“That design was good. But I want you to make it less vibrant. Too much will hurt the eyes,” he said with his smile still in place that Ria wasn’t able to do anything but nod as she stared, mesmerized at the boss.

“Hey Mr. CEO you’re not getting off,” Charles pursued the issue menacingly. Honestly, he’s like a dog with a bone to pick.

“Getting off what?” Michael challenged. “Don’t include me in your nonsense Wong. Why don’t you go back to your office and get back to work? You too Ng.”

“You’re no fun.” Charles scowled as he stood up and faced Ria. “Congrats on Aqua princess,” he said, and Ria had a great time seeing the young CEO roll his eyes heavenwards and she smiled.

She didn’t know why, but she felt that Michael Chen seemed to be happy these days, and she felt happy too.

“You owe me,” Charles added as he went out of the room with Dylan in tow.

Alone together with the CEO, Ria felt a bit shy when there was a momentary silence between them before he glanced at her casually.

“If you can, please finish that today,” he said as he looked at the wall clock hanging from the far wall. It was already half past five in the afternoon.

“I will,” Ria answered almost eagerly and Michael smiled and nodded.

“Do that and I’ll take you to dinner,” the CEO answered as he walked towards the door. “I’ll pick you up in an hour and a half,” he added as he left.

As he watched the door close, Ria bit her lip to prevent herself from smiling like a fool. Ever since she had secured a good long-term contract with Aqua, Michael had been treating her to meals. She knew she shouldn’t think too much of it, but being with him, she somewhat felt special.

Like a lover would.

Realizing this, Ria’s smile widened as she went to tackle her task, eager to finish everything and definitely looking forward to having dinner with her boss.

It’s a date!

She went over the corrections that the CEO pointed out earlier and revised her work. Aqua was one of their biggest clients so she had to really give her hundred percent effort. It’s also very rare for the mentioned company to form a long-term contract with advertising companies so she wanted to make sure that the client wouldn’t think that she was taking them for granted.

After adjusting the colors, she went through the copies the copy writer passed to her earlier and selected a few that she would present and discuss with the team the next day. In reality, she might be the head of this project, but she had a team working with her. After all, in each project there were more than a few functions that need to get together. Those were CM planning which involved in the campaign, the art direction for the graphics, and the copy which would serve as the slogan or the tag line of the ad.

Ria loved her work. But now that the man she liked gave her an incentive to dine with him tonight, she was more energetic.