Licah's POV
I am staring at my resume. You will get this job, Licah John Ruiz. You will do well.
I kept hesitating if I am going to apply or not as a personal assistant. The offer is great but I will work for a Jongcheveevat member. I never imagined that it will come to a point when I will apply to their company.
Axl loathes me. After that Valentine's day way back in high school, Axl changed his treatment to me which I already expected. Who wouldn't? I called him names with the whole MSU listening. I feel bad that time. I was trying to apologize all the time but I stopped when he called me a bitch. It was the first time someone called me that.
How could he say that? I know it's wrong of me to call him self-centered. It's true though. He embarrassed his friends who just wanted to give him gifts, but when I did it to him, he never accepted my apology.
You can do this, LJ. It's not like I can meet Axl there too.
I was already waiting in the interview room. A fine woman entered.
"Mr. Ruiz, right?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Okay, let's just wait for Mr. Nigel and Mr. Riley. They'll be conducting the final interview." She said.
Wait, what?
I know them both. I am not sure which is Axl's mom, though.
They entered the room smiling. Wow! They look equally gorgeous.
"Hello! Just be relaxed. This is not a formal interview. I don't know how to do that." This is Riley, one of the richest men in Thailand. My boyfriend and I love hanging out in the Luminary section before. It is the most famous club in Bangkok. We only go there when we were celebrating monthsaries.
Speaking of boyfriend. I don't know what we are now. He just left without a word. I love Trent so much. He was with me through the up and downs. He always supported me. Without him, I think I would never survive college especially when my parents died. Trent has always been the sweetest to me. We planned to have an intimate wedding two years ago as what I am always dreaming of. I really wanted to marry Trent. I don't know what happened though. I have no idea. I know how Trent loves me so I don't get why he did that. I know, that I will still accept him when he apologizes.
I am nervous. "Good morning, sir."
"Good morning." It was Sir Nigel who spoke. We are a fan of Serranos too. Their cake at that cafe was super delicious. Their cake has been part of my life. Trent loves their brownies so much.
I hate when everyone and everything reminds me of Trent. I never tell this to our friends, but I so missed him so much.
This job will help me forget about him too. I quit my previous job because every part of that office reminds me of my sweet moments with Trent. We were in the same section from grade school up to college. We graduated together and seek jobs together.
"Can you tell me about yourself?" Sir Nigel asked.
"I am Licah John, sir. It was a combined name of my father John and my mother Linda. I took up Marketing administration at MSU. Not everyone knows this, but I am Sir Miracle's scholar during college. "
Sir Riley cut me off. "That means you are smart. Mommy Ira is strict with his foundation's scholars. I was a scholar way back too."
"You are?" Sir Nigel asked him with doubt.
"It means you are smart too, sir."
Sir Riley laughed expensively. He really is gorgeous. "My husband granted my scholarship. He married me while we were in college. So to answer that, I am not smart. You can now continue telling us about yourself."
I became comfortable with the interview because of them. I thank I have said a lot.
"Anyway, I will also submit your document to my son. I want him to personally pick his personal assistant. You will go with him every day. You should know all his schedules too. The most important task is you have to find a suitable wife for my son. I need you to filter all the possible applicants according to my son's liking. Do you think you can do that?" Sir Nigel asked.
"Yes, sir." I answered.
"Tell Axl that we already have filtered the applicants." Sir Riley told Sir Nigel.
Wait, what?
Axl?
The Axl Jongcheveevat?
He is my first crush.
Flashback 14 years ago.
"Oh, LJ. Look at Axl. He is so perfect." Alicia exclaimed. She is our org president. I am the vice.
"Yeah."
"Crushable indeed. What do you think?" She asked.
I think he is someone who will never notice us. We are well-off but not as rich as their family. He is known to be the cold prince of the clan.
"He looks okay."
"Just okay? I can't believe you." Alicia hissed.
He has been my crush since we were in grade 7. I mean I just admired his looks, but I don't know about his personality.
"LJ." Someone handed me a chocolate bar. It was Michael Trent Rivera.
"Uhm? Yes? Are you giving this to me?"
"Yes, anyway I already submitted the floor plan. We are going to organize the hall tomorrow. Can you please tell me if you are okay with it?"
Michael is really responsible as one of the officers of org.
"I'll message you once I check it. Thanks for the hard work, Michael."
"I told you to call me Trent." He said.
Our classmates call him Michael. Lately, we are becoming close because of the organization. He has been my classmate since grade school but we were never close.
"Alright, Trent." I always forget it. I am used to calling him Michael.
"I need to go. I'll get the paints in the art room. Tell Alicia that they can start the meeting without me. Thank you."
This organization helped me regain my confidence again. I am a shy person but because of org, I gain friends.
I was searching in the art room when Axl entered.
He is not that bad I guess. He even gives me my favorite drink.
The following days, I don't want to assume, but I think he is following me. I don't usually see him before, but it's different now. He is everywhere.
Axl is too handsome. I know someone like him wouldn't notice me. I don't what he is plotting, though. Why would he suddenly approach me after years that we've been schoolmates?
A day before the valentines, Alicia and I fought because of organizing the event. I cried so hard on my way home and unfortunately, Axl saw me again in that embarrassing situation. It felt so good to see him concerned for me.
Is it safe to consider that we are friends now?
I don't think it's possible, though.
I fell asleep because of too much crying because of my fight with Alicia while customizing the stickers for today's event.
I think this is the first Valentine's day that I have received too many stickers. This is the benefit of being an officer now.
I was on my way to our quick meeting when I heard Axl yelling at someone. He clearly said to don't give him hearts and gifts. I actually prepared a sticker and a bookmark for him. I need to respect his decision if he doesn't want to receive it. Maybe he has reasons.
Am I assuming or he followed again?
I looked at his uniform. He is the only one without a heart. He put a sticker on mine near my chest. Dug...dug...dug...
I want to put a sticker on him since I consider him a new friend, but I don't think he will like it. The last thing I would want is for him to yell at me and embarrass me with some of the officers around.
I just smiled at him and ran to my friends.
"Your hand is shaking," Kara told me.
I was sticking a heart to them one by one and I don't understand why I am so nervous.
"Did Axl say mean things to you?" She added.
"Axl didn't. He is kind."
They all laughed.
What is funny though?
Axl became our topic on the way to our meeting. Each of them shared a different bad experience meeting Axl.
Was he that mean? I don't think so. He has always been kind to me.
It was an hour before lunch. I really can't think straight. Sleeping soundly would be hard for me if I didn't do this.
I went to the locker area. I saw a group of girls. Atasha was one of my closest friends in grade school. Things changed during high school because of her new circle of friends.
"Atasha, where is Axl's locker?"
I saw Axl talking to her earlier in their classroom.
She just pointed to the one on the corner.
I placed my customized heart sticker on his locker and slid the bookmark I made inside.
"Licah, he is approaching." She helped me hide.
I was quiet the whole time. I just want to give him too but I am scared that he will embarrass me if I do that.
"You really don't understand, do you? I thought you are smart? What in 'I don't want a fucking stupid sticker', that you don't get? What if he misunderstood? This is yours, right?"
"I didn't do that." Atasha answered nervously. I can see her from where I am hiding. "Maybe that person likes you."
"Then keep her feelings for herself because I will never like that person. This is my last warning. You won't like it when this happens again. Keep this fucking ugly heart." His voice is so cold.
This hurts and embarrassing at the same time. Atasha's friends saw it too.
"Are you okay?" She asked me.
I know she is worried about me.
"I am."
"Now that you know him, stop your delusions." One of her friends said and they all laughed except for Atasha.
What I hate the most is being a laughing stock.
I saw the heart and the bookmark I made especially for him on the floor.
I thought he consider me as a friend genuinely. I was wrong. Did he even read the letter I wrote on the other side of the bookmark? I feel so crying.
I returned to the organization room when one of the committee teased me. How did they know about the gifts?
I feel like crying again. I can't focus.
Michael Trent pulled me to the sound control room.
"Why are you crying?" He handed me a hanky.
"I am not."
"Don't cry, please. Whatever it is I'm sure there's a reason behind it." Trent said. He is always quiet ever since but I love his warmth. His voice when singing will sweep you off your feet.
He is standing so close to me so I stepped backward.
"Are you close with that Jongcheveevat?" He asked.
"No. How can we be close? He is Axl for heaven's sake. He doesn't like people being close to him."
He hates gifts. He can just accept it. He doesn't need to be mean.
"I saw you earlier with him. I thought he is courting you. But now that it's clear, then can I be your boyfriend?"
Huh? Michael Trent courting me? It's unbelievable.
"Huh? Do you like me, Michael? Can I think about it first?" I want to be sure if he is serious. I didn't even know that he is not straight.
"I told you to just call me, Trent. Or maybe you like Axl instead?"
I don't want to lie to myself. He is damn attractive. But that's just it.
"Axl? No way. I would never like Axl. I don't like a self-centered guy. He thinks the world revolves around him. Those are the kind of guys I hate the most. He is insensitive too."
"I am different. Please be my boyfriend, Licah." He reached for my hand.
I am checking his eyes if he is sincere. I really wanted to have a boyfriend. It's on my checklist to experience it.
If it didn't work, things would be fine.
"Okay, Trent. I'll be your boyfriend."
Naomi entered the room hastily just when we are about to kiss and pressed the button from the console panel.
"You just announced your love life in the whole MSU. Everyone heard you two being the newest couple."
Everyone is congratulating us. Trent is well respected here since he is friends with everyone.
I was already on my way home when I realized that I also announced Axl as a self-centered person. It's really my impression of him but I should have just kept it.
I kept apologizing to him but he is ignoring me. He said he doesn't even want to see my face.
My relationship with Trent is becoming steady. He is a guy with goals and I am happy that he is including me in his plans.
We were hugging near the stairs when Axl passed. "Bitch." He uttered.
"Hey, Axl. Who?"
"You. Bitch." Now he said it while staring at me.
"How could..." Trent just pulled me. "His opinion doesn't matter. He is not important." Trent told me.
Flashback ends.
I am now chosen as Axl's personal assistant. His grandmother, Reese Jongcheveevat, currently the wife of the richest man in Thailand, briefed me first. He asked me to report to him any people closed to Axl and all he is meeting.
I am currently in the office standing in front of Axl Jongcheveevat.
I will be working under him. I hope to stay with this job longer since the pay is great. I still have debts that I need to pay.
I smiled at the guy in front of me.
Is it better that he forgot about me? Maybe he can't remember since I really look weird during my high school days.
If he really forgot who I am, then why is he giving me death glares?
Can I last here?
Focus, LJ. Your goal is to find a suitable wife for him. Should I find a grumpy one too? Or maybe he needs someone who can tame his angry soul?