Office Diaries - Chapter 74

“Big Sis, can you get a grip of yourself?” Jay stated as he eyed his senior disapprovingly though he was actually worried.

He was holding an improvised ice pack against Marian’s forehead since she just ran against the glass partition of their respective working areas.

“I know you’re a little broken-hearted but I think that’s not an excuse to ram yourself against walls. That’s your third time today.”

“Who the heck’s broken-hearted?” Marian retorted grumpily as she reached out and punched Jay’s gut, making him grunt but the latter continued to hold the icepack.

“See? You’re in the denial stage,” he interjected and this time, she raised a foot and aimed a kick at her colleague’s leg, making the latter step back. “Well, violence is a form of emotional release too though I’m not happy it’s aimed at me.”

“Jay Co, I’m not violent!” she hissed as she grabbed the icepack and held it against her forehead herself. “Go back to your table. The boss might come out at any time and see us together. I don’t want to get punished again because of his jealousy,” she said with a scowl marring her beautiful face, and Jay sighed.

“You know what Big Sis, until now I don’t see the basis for your ‘conclusion’,” the young man said wearily.

Jay had long since given up trying to reason to his senior but he couldn’t help but do that now since it was really idiotic. Where Marian got the impression that their boss was gay and in love with him, the secretary had no idea.

The first time he heard about it, he’d been so shocked that the food he was holding fell on the floor. He felt bad about that the whole day. It was such a waste. Of course, he didn’t believe what his big sister said. In fact, the secretary had a hunch that if the president had someone he liked among the two of them romantically, it would be her, the idiotic Marian.

Upon hearing her supposition, Jay started to think about it too. Remembering events; the president always breaking up their conversation, suddenly giving them errands to run when they get too close, the president’s impromptu trip to France with Marian in tow, and the lavish shopping for clothes, the secretary had to agree that the president must indeed like one of them.

It wasn’t Jay though and only a stupid person wouldn’t realize it after considering all the facts he had enumerated.

Too bad his big sister was one big idiot and he’d been forever trying to tell her that, but the latter was adamant that Jay was the one Liam liked. Marian got it into her head too that she’d be somehow punished if she was chummy with the secretary in front of the president. To keep world peace, he agreed not to talk to her much when their boss was around.

“Just quit it junior. I don’t want to talk about it okay?” Marian said as she pouted.

She was trying hard to autopilot since she’d never been heartbroken before, she had no idea how to cope with her feelings. She was able to do all her errands and other things, but it seemed sidestepping walls wasn’t part of the Autobot program.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” she repeated, this time softer as her eyes saddened. She didn’t know why but she felt like wanting to cry.

“Hey, are you okay?” Jay asked apprehensively. He really thought his big sis was out of it. “I think you should go home and rest,” he commented as he took in Marian’s tried and defeated expression. “I’m sure boss wouldn’t mind letting you go for the day,” he added just as the door to the inner office opened.

“Oh, I wouldn’t mind it at all just as long as somebody would tell me what’s going on,” the familiar baritone spoke and the two of them turned to see their boss standing just a few feet away with the executive director standing behind him.

“Nothing serious sir. Ms. Jame’s just not feeling well,” Jay said and his eyes narrowed on the president as Liam’s face filled with alarm as he walked towards his PA. “Hmmmmnnnn…” the secretary thought as he observed how the earlier stern president became fussy over his employee. The bump on Marian’s head was nowhere serious but the way the young boss acted one would think his PA was gravely injured.

Interesting…

“What happened?” Liam asked in concern as reached for the ice pack on Marian’s head.

Marian, on the other hand, removed the thing and her eyes widened when Liam suddenly held her chin to tilt her face so he could examine her bump closer. Their eyes locking, the two of them suddenly became aware of their proximity and the secretary had a great time watching the president and his big sis turned beet red.

“I-I…” Marian stammered as she turned away while the president slowly removed his hands on his PA and stepped back with an embarrassed smile.

“It doesn’t seem too bad,” the boss commented after clearing his throat.

“Yes sir, but that’s his third time hitting his head today,” the secretary interjected making the PA glare at his direction.

“I’m okay,” she announced but Liam shook his head. “I don’t think so,” he answered, and when she looked like she was about to protest, Ken decided to join the little comedy. He’d had enough silently laughing at a distance that he’d do his flustered friend a favor.

“Liam, why don’t I take Marian home since I’ll be going to the other branch anyway? I can drop her off near her apartment,” he offered. He knew where the PA lived since he’d been with Liam when the president took her home after a long meeting some time ago.

“But I’m really okay,” Marian protested but her remonstrations were cut off when Liam ordered her to go home. In a few minutes, her bag was ready and Ken ushered her out of the office.

“Will she be okay?” Liam asked and Jay who was still observing the president smiled knowingly.

“Oh, she’ll be alright. She’s just a little bit heartbroken but she’ll be alright,” he commented casually and he had a great time watching the president’s eyes widen.

“Heartbroken?” Liam almost choked the words out. He looked as if he wanted to ask ‘What the heck is this?’ as he stared at his secretary.

“Yeah, but don’t let our personal problems bother you, sir,” the younger man chirped and Liam’s jaw tensed.

“But it won’t be a bother,” the president countered as he searched his employee’s face. “Why is she heartbroken?” he insisted and Jay shrugged.

“It’s just the usual ‘the one she loves is in love with someone else’ kind of heartbroken sir,” Jay added purposely as he watched the tumultuous thoughts ravaged their employer’s brain.

On the other hand, the one whose brain was being attacked felt the beginning of a headache as he sorted out the information dished out to him.

The one she loved was in love with someone else? There’s someone Marian’s in love with?

Liam felt like screaming but he stopped himself as he forced a smile. He wanted to know who the hell the guy was so he could get him out of the way!

“Is that the reason why you guys have been acting strange for days?” he asked lightly and the secretary shrugged nonchalantly.

“Don’t worry about it sir. I know Ms. James. She wouldn’t let this little problem affect her work,” Jay told his boss but Liam didn’t care about that. He wanted to know more.

“So, who’s the guy?” he asked again as if he was just merely curious and Jay’s eyes widened in pretend surprise.

“Sir, how did you know it’s a guy?” the secretary countered and it was Liam’s turn to look shocked.

“Well… she’s a girl, isn’t she? I just ȧssumed it she’d like a guy,” he said in a daze as he realized that there might be something wrong with that statement. If Marian indeed liked girls, he’d have a huge problem.

Jay saw the expression on the president’s face and decided to push a little bit more.

“It’s a guy sir. Of course, Marian, sis likes guys. He’s just a dude here at the office. But she’ll get over it,” Jay stated and he almost laughed seeing the controlled anger in the president’s eyes.

Yep, that’ jealousy alright.

“I’m sure you’ll understand as I think – forgive me for being personal too – but I think you also like someone here in the office and would understand how she feels.”

EH? Liam blinked several times as he really looked at his secretary up close. “H-how did you…”

“How did I know?” Jay finished the president’s question and the other nodded. “Well, I’ve never seen anyone who’d treat an employee as you do. If I may say so sir, you’re such a sweet guy, buying her things like that and worrying about her,” he continued making his boss cough.

“What did you say? What b-buying things and worrying are you talking about?” Liam sputtered, totally shocked that his secretary would know so much.

“But aren’t you in love with Big Sis Marian?” Jay asked point blank and Liam was more than shocked this time. “Well, aren’t you sir?” his secretary pressed on and the president sighed as he closed his eyes. There was no point in hiding it when he was this obvious with his reactions.

“Yes,” he answered making the younger man smile smugly.

“Good,” Jay stated as he placed his arms across his ċhėst. “So please Mr. President, tell that to your lovesick PA.”

“To Marian?” Liam asked and his secretary nodded.

“You see sir, she likes you too. But that dense big sis of mine thought you’re in love with me,” he announced in disgust making Liam stare at him as if he’d grown mad.

“WHAT?”