NOSTALGIA

“Hello, we meet again, you might want to close your mouth, don’t want you having a slack jaw” He said, making fun of her reaction.

“SAM!!! What are you doing here?” she said, completely surprised. “Well, I take it you two know each other? Devon, he’s the new head in the Human Resource Department.” Her boss said. “So you’re part of the company now? Wow! It’s been so long since we saw each other.” Devon exclaimed while hugging Sam. “Yeah, last time we saw each other was our graduation party. I’m happy to know that we’re on the same company, we can catch up too!” They heard a ‘ahem’ from the other occupant of the room, totally oblivious that they forgot they’re still in Jun’s office. “Since the introduction is done, I need to speak to Devon now, Sam got to 16th floor and someone will help you and acquaint you to your colleagues.” He left after saying goodbye to him and to Devon. “Okay, so I’m guessing you already have set a decision to the proposal?”

“Yes, and I decided that I will accept it.” “That’s good to know, I hope you do a great job for this one and if you need any advice please feel free to approach me and I’ll be willing to help.” He offered his hand and shook hers. She felt like that the deal is now already sealed and there’s no turning back now. She mentally sigh. ”Expect to have everything that you will need for this project in your desk before lunch and if you need more just ask.” She nodded and left the room, she sigh and mentally pat herself in the back. ‘This is going to be hell, great, more work!’ She thought sarcastically and went to her office to prepare for the project.

It was now after work, the girls decided to have dinner with Sam in the nearby restaurant. Devon introduced them to each other and they somehow get along, which she is grateful for. She knew Sam during her college days, they don’t have the same course but they have some similar subjects that they attend to. He’s more of an acquaintance than a friend because they only see each other twice a week and just having a casual conversation regarding the subject and sometimes the current events.

“Hey, do you remember Ivan?” Sam asked Devon, while her friends are all looking at her waiting for her reply.

“Um, Ivan? Isn’t he your friend? Yeah I remember him, why’d you ask?”

“He’s actually working nearby, we could ask him then we can all hang out together. That would be fun!”

‘Is it just me or all my friends are so friendly towards the guys that they just met.’ She just shook her head and mentally took note about the sudden friendliness of her friends towards strangers. They move to a nearby coffee shop to wait for Ivan. The conversation that they have is more like an interrogation, because her friends keeps asking him about her life during those days, things such as boys, boys, and boys, thanks to Fretzie the ever gossip girl of the group. They probably didn’t realize that there’s a guy standing in front of their table, when they heard a guy called Sam’s name. He immediately shook his hand and introduced them to the group.

“Guys, this is Ivan, Ivan, this is Fretzie, Yen and Shey, Devon’s friends, and this is Devon, you already know her but you might not recognized her.” He finished and took a seat and also ushered Ivan to his seat. Meanwhile, Ivan was left staring at Devon trying to see the difference from the last time he saw her, he thinks that she became more beautiful than what he remembered her to be, she looks mature and professional yet approachable. He thought that she already achieved her dreams and has accomplished a lot. He never said anything to anyone that she used to like her during their college days, he often steal glances whenever he got a chance, in short, he basically followed her every time he laid eyes on her. He didn’t confess his feelings to her because he knew that she doesn’t have time for a relationship because she’s so into her study and helping her mother. He always watched her from afar, but after graduation he didn’t know what happen to her until today. He’s so happy that his friend Sam actually works under the same company as Devon. Maybe now he can pursue her.

“How are you Devon? It’s been a long time since we last saw each other. You look great by the way, I guess your job suits you.”
“I’m doing good, but it’s not the job that makes me look great, I’ll be starting my new project tomorrow so you can’t say that I will look great on the next couple of months.” She laughed on her own joke, and he can’t help but laugh as well. One thing he noticed is that she still has the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.

“Then, I’ll be willing to see the changes with my own eyes.”He tried to give a hint to see her more, not just tonight but for the coming days as well.

“Alright, but don’t say that I didn’t warn you.”
“It’s a deal then.” He said feeling triumphant.

They exchanged stories and didn’t notice that it’s getting late, so they decided to call it a night and if they ever want to hang out again after work they agreed to let them know. They all part ways, going in different directions towards their home. But Ivan’s eyes never left to a particular person, it lingers till she’s out of his sight. He thought that it really is nice seeing her again and his heart swell with the growing affection he has for her.

The next morning was hectic for Devon, she’s all over the place trying to come up a plan for the project, she’s also busy calling some departments for some much needed information when suddenly, Fretzie came in her office telling her that Jun wants her in his office. She didn’t know why would he be needing her for, and her friend also didn’t know what’s it about. She went to his office and saw Jun talking in the phone but he ushered her to take a seat before he hung up the phone. She waited until he’s done with writing something, and then he finally looked up at her. “I know your already busy right now but this is important, and I’ll make it real quick.” She just sat there quietly, waiting for him to finish. “You will be working with someone, different company, same project, same goal.” He finished. She tried to sink in every detail to her brain, or the lack of thereof. “Ok, so we’re gonna be a team then for this project?” “Basically, yes, and I’m expecting that both of you will do good in this project, knowing that you both have the same situation right now, I meant about the promotion.” “Oh!” That’s what she just said, finally realizing the pros and the cons, she thought that two minds is better than one. “Actually, you’re about to meet him right know, we were informed that he will be here so that the two of you can meet up and start from there.” He gave her an impish smile and then told her to wait so that he can let the reception know to let him in.

She doesn’t need to wait long enough when she heard a knock on the door. Her eyes still on her lap with her hand folded on top, when he heard a man talked and thought that it sounded familiar. She then looked up to see the man who entered the room and was surprised to see a familiar face. Then their eyes met, she was suddenly mesmerized with his eyes again, she doesn’t when can she stop doing it every time she see him. Jun noticed the stare that they’ve been given each other the moment the guy went in, he started talking, breaking the unknown spell that they were currently in under. “So, I take it that you two know each other?” he said and then turned to look at Devon “again?” She tried so hard to not show the rising blush that’s probably shown in her face right now, she cleared her throat and stand to shook his hands. “Hi James, we meet again, and now a team for a project.” James shook her hand firmly and nods his head. “Likewise” that’s all he said to her. “I think both of you can discuss about the project in Devon’s office, Devon why don’t you let him in you r office?” He said, giving her a look that he want them out of his office now and she willingly obliged, not wanting him to think any further things about men she’s associated with.

They walk silently until they got into her office, she closed the door and told him to have a seat. She was staring at him, again, he was checking her office room. “You have a nice office, a little bigger than mine” he ended his sentence with a smirk that she secretly liked. “I really can’t believe that we will be working together in this project, is that why you guys are celebrating the other night?” He looked at her, seeing her smile that lit up her eyes before he respond to her. “Yeah me too, it was totally unexpected, I guess we’ll be seeing each other quite often now.” Then she finally saw his smile, not just a smirk, but a full blown smile, she find it fascinating that only one smile from him yet her heart can’t stop beating so fast. “You smiled! It’s beautiful.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she silently berated herself from having it said out loud, and now sporting a blush all over her face. “I’m sorry, it’s just that, um...I...I haven’t seen you smile, well it’s not like we often see each other but-“ Her blabbering stops when James cut her off. “It’s okay, I understand, but it’s really easy to smile when I’m around you.” He then let out a small laugh, he somewhat find something funny on her reaction and her blush was pretty cute. He doesn’t know the effect of the words he just said to her, a while ago her heart beats faster when he smile, and now she thinks it’s an understatement. The moment she heard him say those words with a small laugh made her heart went crazy, it feels like it’s coming out of her ribcage from the pounding it’s making. She tried to compose herself, clearing her throat to say something to redeem her composure.

They went immediately into planning the project, exchange ideas, having side comments every now and then. James couldn’t help but admire her intellect; she’s really organized and plans a head of time, and can’t help but smile with her when she says something out of the ordinary.

They fell into a deep conversation without noticing the time; it was now close to the end of the office hour. They exchange business cards to get in touch, which they probably would due to this project. “Would you like to have coffee with me? Just to forget about this whole project so that we can unwind and talk.” He asked, he’s so into their conversation that he wanted more of her time to get to know her better, she really fascinates him and he was somewhat drawn to her smile. Devon was caught off guard of what he said, trying to think if it’s a good idea, because all throughout their conversation she was trying really hard to tame her heart from pounding out of her ribcage. It took all her will not to breaking a sweat during the time that their together in the office, what will happen when she spend more time with him? But she really know deep down inside that she wants to spend more time with him, she just need not to blush every time he smiles or smirk or manage a small laugh at her. She thought that this will be a good practice knowing that they will meet more and it will help her heart from being immune with his smiles. “Um, s sure I really don’t have anything to do anyways.” She said finally but inwardly winced when she stutter. “Great!” he exclaimed, and smile a boyish smile. Her heart flutter again with that, she was now having doubts if she’ll ever get used to it. Her last thoughts before they went out the building, was if she’ll survive this night. But she knows she will, she’s just being dramatic and she loved it!


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