“Do you want some coffee? I'll make it for you if you still want to work at this hour,” Randell offered.
Martina slightly nodded her head. “Does Nanay Remmy tell you that coffee is the only thing that I can't resist?”
“Yes, that's why I got this confidence to ask you,” Randell chuckled.
“Okay. It would be better, and maybe you can help me with this accounting matter since the deadline is approaching. I'm about to get stressed again,” Martina said while typing on her keyboard.
“Wait, are you into jazz music too? Do you know George Benson? Because he's my favorite,” Randell curiously asked because the music in Martina's computer is still currently playing.
“Yes I do, but I think Al Jarreau's music is better,” Martina said.
“Wait, George and Al already collaborated!” Randell exclaimed. His enthusiasm in terms of music approaches again. He's fascinated that Martina was fond of music too.
“Yes, I'm listening to their album and I like their rendition of ‘Summer Breeze’”. Martina smiled.
“That's good. By the way, I'm going to make a coffee for us,” Randell excused himself for a while.
Martina chuckled just as when Randell went outside. She was amazed by Randell's interest in music. She never met a man who talks about music with his eyes shining.
“I'm sure he knows a lot more than music. He's an intellectual.”
She shrugged that thought. She's afraid that it's the first step to get fond of Randell. She will never let that happen because she didn't want to fall in love with anyone. Instead, she focused on her work.
After ten minutes, Randell came back and handed a tray with two cups of coffee. Martina stopped and was thrilled by the smell of it.
“Careful, because it's still hot,” Randell recalled as he put the coffee on Martina's desk.
“Thanks,” Martina uttered, she took a glimpse of Randell. The smile on his face was too consistent and she might fall for him whenever he smiles like that.
“Wait, aren't you afraid that your jaws might get hurt if you keep on smiling like an obedient dog?” she commented with a blank expression.
“No, but aren't you afraid that you might turn into a real witch because you're consistent in frowning?” Randell jokingly asked as he sipped his coffee.
“That's my normal face and everyone in this house has no problem with that,” Martina confidently admitted.
“Okay. Your frowning fascinates me, and I can tell that you're still frowning whenever you smile,” Randell commented with honesty. That's what he noticed in Martina everytime he took a glance at her. She's like carrying the world's problems in general.
“Do I look like the antagonists you see on television?” Martina asked. She stopped typing on her keyboard and sipped her coffee for a while. She noticed that some keys are not working properly.
“I'm not watching television anymore but I'm sure that you're prettier than them,” Randell answered.
Martina raised her brows. “Is that a compliment?”
“No, that's the truth.” Randell smirked and noticed that Martina was trying to hide a smile on her face but he just ignored that.
Martina bit her tongue and accidentally dropped her cup of coffee and it spilled over the table. She doesn't know why suddenly she lost her presence of mind. Randell immediately came to help her in cleaning the table. “I told you that you should be careful by drinking that.”
“I'm sorry. Your coffee tastes bitter and I was just surprised by the taste of it,” Martina lied. Her heart suddenly thumps when she feels Randell touch her hand and lift it up. “Look, you already got burns on your hand. Wash it immediately,” he advised.
****
“Thank you, it's already late at night. You should sleep,” Martina grinned as she was about to close the lights inside the office.
Randell nodded. “Wait, you told me earlier that you're about to meet the upcoming deadline because it stresses you.”
“Yes. But my keyboard isn't working properly because I smashed it,” Martina admitted while her face turned red.
“Why? Is it because of me? Because you got mad when I passed your challenge?” Randell asked.
“Definitely,” Martina shrugged.
“I know how to fix that. How about you go to your bedroom and let me check your keyboard?” Randell suggested.
“But it's already late. I'm afraid that you might be late tomorrow,” Martina explained.
“Nothing to worry about. The office is only located beside the mansion, I can come to work without taking a bath if ever I run out of time,” Randell jokes.
“Really? You're going to work without taking a bath? That's gross.” Martina's face frowned again.
“I'm only kidding. By the way goodnight and have a good sleep. I'll take care of your keyboard,” Randell assured.
****
A week had passed since Randell started to work and today is his first day going outside to accompany Martina with her meeting with an important client. They're in a rush.
“Randell, did you find my file bag? Please double your time because we're in a hurry!” Martina screeched as she was waiting for Randell beside her car. Three minutes later, Randell ran and he handed the file bag to Martina. “I got it!”
“We're going to Makati to meet Ms. Gwendolyn,” Martina nervously uttered while starting her car's engine. “There are some unfinished forms, I have to fill them up if I still have time.”
“I'll drive a car and you take care of those forms,” Randell insisted and Martina had no choice but to agree with his gofer's suggestions.
She gave Randell her car keys and Randell immediately drove the car. He drove faster and it made Martina scared and lose her focus while filling up the forms. “Could you please take it slow? Are we going on a race?” Martina yelled while tightly holding a pen in her hand.
Randell followed his boss' request. But this time, he drove the car slowly like they were going to a funeral. Martina squinted her eyes and threw a hateful glare towards Randell. “Hey! What are you doing?” she irritatedly asked.
Randell shook his head and took a short glimpse of Martina, beside him. “You told me to drive slowly.”
“But not like this!” Martina yelled. She shook her head and just focused on filling up those unfinished forms at the top of the car's dashboard. They were all jumbled because of the wind.
Within thirty minutes, they already arrived at the main building of the office somewhere in an exclusive property in Makati. Martina and Randell immediately look for their client. Good thing, they arrived five minutes before the scheduled time of the meeting and Martina finally felt relieved. Thanks to Randell.
“Hi Ms. Gwedolyn!” Martina wore a smile to her client.
“Oh hi, you just came on time Ms. Martina, finally you've changed. Is it because you already found another ‘boy toy’ to keep you inspired with your work?” Gwendolyn showed a meaningful smile with her insensitive question.
“Yes I've already changed. And that guy behind me is my assistant because my partner went abroad for a business trip,” Martina clarified while taking a glimpse of Randell who looked annoyed with Gwendolyn's words.
“But from what I've heard, some of your employees turned out to be your boyfriends too because you liked to be pleasured by them? Tell me, are you still going to the bar to meet some guys?” Gwendolyn asked while laughing.
Randell finally meddled with the two women. “Wait, aren't we going to start a meeting about work instead of personal matters?”
“Who are you to talk without permission?” Gwendolyn rolled her eyes.
“And who are you to freely talk and insult other people? Is that what professionals do while hiding in their corporate attires?” Randell asked with his chin up.
“I'm sorry for my assistant's behaviour. Anyway, let's start the meeting,” Martina apologized.