THE WITCH'S FIRST DAY

I have coffee in my left hand with small paper bag nipped between my fingers, my purse on my right hand with my car keys clung on my thumb and I'm running towards the elevator.

"Wait!" I yelled to the people inside the elevator as the door was near to close. There is one good Samaritan who saw me and he stopped the door from closing until I finally reached it. "Thank you." I smiled at him between my panting.

"Why do girls not use bags to put their things inside?" The man asked while looking at my hands.

"I'm in a rush, don't have time to fix my things." I chuckled and looked away.

"You're working here?" He asked again and to be honest. I don't want to engage in any conversation with anyone since I'm still pissed off about my boss's wife. But this guy seems not to notice it and I can't blame him. I'm good at handling my emotions, at least to the people I don't know.

"Yeah." I replied.

"Really? Then why haven't I seen you around?"

I looked at him through the reflection of the metal door and creased my forehead. "I don't know."

"Or maybe because you're new?" He asked and this time, I raised my left eyebrow. "Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with being a new employee, it's just that I really haven't seen you around. I've been working here for two years now and—." He didn't finish his words when the elevator door opened and the guy standing outside was surprised to see me as well as I am seeing him.

What is he doing here?

His gaze shifted to the guy next to me with his creased forehead. "Who are you?" He asked.

"I'm Luis, the head manager of the accounting department, Sir."

"And why are you talking to her?" Timothy asked.

"Uh, I'm sorry. I was just telling her that I haven't seen her around."

"Then you're blind." Timothy scoffed, then his gaze shifted to me. "You're late." He said and looked around the people inside the elevator.

"Got stuck in a traffic jam." I reasoned and moved to the side. Everyone inside the elevator stepped out and they bowed at the CEO. Even the guy who's talking with me earlier. He looked at me confused as to why I'm not leaving the elevator. Timothy stepped in and Bobby curt a nod at me when he saw me.

"I haven't had my morning coffee, Lisa." Timothy said after he got inside and stood next to me.

"You can have this." I said as I handed him my coffee and he smiled as he took it from my hand. Then Bobby pressed the button to the top of the building where the office of the CEO is designated. The guy named Luis was still looking at me confused until the elevator door closed.

"Who is that guy?" Timothy said after a while.

"I don't know to be honest." I shrugged.

"He's ugly, why are you talking to him?" He asked and I almost snorted. He really have a childish side.

"I'm not talking to him, he's talking to me."

"Whatever." He scoffed and I saw that he rolled his eyes and sipped on my coffee.

"What did you do at the sales department?" I asked.

"Nothing, I just made a visit." He said then after that, no one talked again.

____

The whole afternoon was neutral, the CEO attended two meetings in the conference room. When five o'clock arrived, he dismissed me and told me that he needed to visit his friend's house.

And so I left the company and went straight home. I parked my car, opened the door, tossed my key on the center table, removed my heels and ran straight to my room, took off my clothes and threw them in the laundry basket, grabbed a pair of loose Tee and shorts. I ran to the kitchen to make myself cereal and went back to the living room.

I turned on my TV and flicked through some channels, looking for some good movies to watch. When I saw my favourite TV series, Modern family season 5, I put my feet on the center table and watched peacefully while eating my cereal.

I was in the half of the cereal when my door swung open and I dropped the bowl on the floor upon seeing Jaoquin, entering the house. He's removing his shoes and putting his coat at the coat rack.

"I'm home." He said.

"What the hell." I mumbled.

"What happened?" He asked when he saw the spilled cereal on the floor.

"Oh uhm it slipped on my hand." I said as I stood up and ran to the kitchen. "Damn, how did I forget that he's living here now?" I asked myself as I stood in front of the sink, gripping the edge of the countertop.

"Babe? Are you okay?" Jaoquin asked, standing at the doorway with worry in his eyes.

I heaved a deep breath and exhaled before turning around to look at him.

"Yeah, everything's fine." I smiled and grabbed a rag on the side and walked back to the living room, but before I walked past him, I learned to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Are you hungry? Do you want me to cook something for you?"

"You don't cook, remember?" He chuckled and wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to him. "How's work?" He asked.

"Nothing's new." I replied as I snuggled in. "As of this moment, I don't know next week."

"What do you mean?"

"My boss will leave the country for one month next week." I said as I turned around and throw my arms on her name and pouted. "And he's leaving me here."

"Isn't it good news?"

"Yes it was, until his wife replaced him for one month." I groaned and removed his hands from my waist and I walked to the living room to clean the cereals on the floor.

"Let me guess, she's strict?"

"Not just strict, she's a whole ass bitch."

"How can you say that? Have you already met her? You said that she's in New Zealand."

"I met her this morning when I picked her up at the airport and I'm telling you, that was the worst 4 hours of my life." I growled.

"Don't worry, I know that you can handle her. You're Lisa Mcphee!" He said cheerfully, maybe he's trying to lift me up but it didn't help me even a bit.

One, because I knew that whatever I do, Mrs. Kim will still be my new boss. Second, Jaoquin is here and certain to live with me even if I haven't agreed to it yet. But I don't want him to feel bad either if I tell him that I don't want to.

"Thanks." I replied and smiled at him. The kind of smile that barely reaches my eyes.

______

I woke up earlier than the sound of my alarm. My eyes were wide open while staring at the ceiling. I can't believe that I have someone in my room, sleeping next to me with his hand on my tummy. I guess, I have no choice but to get used to it.

So nevertheless, I start my morning like I used to start it. I took a bath, got dressed up, grabbed my keys and drove off to Seulrene's coffee shop.

As I got inside, Seu greeted me with a warm smile. "Good morning, Lisa."

"Good morning, one milk coffee please." I ordered politely as I leaned at the counter. "Where's Renee?" I asked.

"She's at the back, baking some cakes." She replied while making my order. Another cashier took her position and I had to move on the side so the man behind me can take his order.

I was just scrolling through my phone when the man poke my shoulder. "Lisa?" My gaze darted up to see who called my name, but I furrowed my eyebrows when I saw him. "Luis, remember me?"

"Oh, the head of accounting." I nodded my head at him then looked back to my phone.

"I didn't know that I would see you here."

"Yeah me too." I replied but this time, I didn't look up to him.

"I love their coffee here, so I always give some time to drop by to get a cup." He said, trying to start another conversation. And since I don't want to be rude, I shoved back my phone in my coat pocket and looked up to him.

"I do too, they're the best coffee shop in this town." I said. "You should try their cake too."

"Here's your coffee, Lisa." Seu said as she handed me my coffee.

"So Lisa is your name." Luis said.

"Yeah. Actually, I'm confused because you haven't seen me around the company. I've been working there for a year now as an exclusive secretary to the CEO."

"Guess I'm not really observant." He chuckled.

"Yeah you're not blind, just not observant." I said and smiled at him. "I'll get going." I bid and nod at Seu. "Say good morning to Renee for me, Seu." I said before walking to the door.

"Lisa, wait!" Luis called and he ran after me to the door after he grabbed his cup of coffee from Seu. "Do you have a ride? You can—." His words were cut off when a car blew its horn so loud in front of us that I almost spilled my coffee. Good thing I got quick reflexes to catch it immediately.

"Damn it!" I hissed and glared at the car. "You've got to be kidding me!" I said when I saw Timothy, head popping out the window of the car. He's looking at me and at Luis back and forth then he frowned.

"You better be in my office before I arrive there." He said before going back in and he signalled Bobby to continue to drive. Bobby opened the door on his left and waved at me.

"Good morning, Lisa!" He greeted me.

"Morning Bob." I greets back and rolls my eyes at Timothy, who's still looking at the guy next to me. "I should go ahead." I said to Luis and ran to my car.

Every move I make was too rushed, it's not like I'm afraid of my boss, it's just that I don't want to argue with him. So I made sure that I arrived first at his company.

I'm already at the entrance of the lobby when his car approached. Bobby opened the door for him and when he stepped out, he laughed when he saw me panting.

"You never cease to complete my day, you hate to disappoint me because you like me that much." He said and tapped my head. I mentally rolled my eyes but I smiled at him in return. "Let's start this morning with good vibes."

"Yeah sure." I said and the three of us walked inside. As usual, every employee greeted him but he never complied until we reached the top floor. He headed to his office while I went to my table to start my job.

He intercoms me to make him a cup of coffee at the pantry, and so I did comply immediately. I was busy preparing his coffee when the HR manager called me outside the glass door.

"Ma'am, the applicants are ready, is the CEO ready for an interview?"

"What interview? And why are there applicants? Do we have a vacancy?" I asked confusedly as I put the cup of coffee in the tray next to a plate of cookies and then walked out of the pantry.

"Uh actually, this is an urgent hiring for a new accounting head." She said and my forehead furrowed.

"What?" I asked and she handed me the folder she was holding. I gave her the tray and took the folder. When I read what's written on it, I let out a guttural groan and stomped my way to the CEO's office, followed by the HR manager.

I knocked three times before pushing the door open. Timothy looked up from his laptop and his eyebrows furrowed when he saw the folder, not a tray of his breakfast.

"You fired Luis?" I asked as I approached his table.

"Did I?" He asked then chuckled. "Where's my coffee?" I looked over my shoulder to signal the HR manager to get in and she put down the tray on the table. "Tell the applicants that we'll start the interview." He said to dismiss the HR. We waited for the latter to shut the door before Timothy shifted his gaze to me. "I did." He said.

"Why?"

"I don't want a dumb employee, that's all."

That didn't even make any sense. As far as I remember, Luis was working at his company for two years and suddenly, he got fired? For being dumb? How is that even possible?

"Sir."

"Look, I know you're thinking that I fired him because I saw him talking to you yesterday and this morning."

"Exactly." I scoffed. "You're not gonna fire him for that unreasonable reason."

"But I did." He shrugged his shoulders before sipping on his coffee. "I really love your coffee." He said before he stood up and walked around the table to get closer to me. "I told you, let's start our day with good vibes." He said as he tapped my shoulder and picked up his coffee and made his way to the door. "Let's go, we still have an interview to make."

I groaned and shook my head before following him outside. I was looking at the floor when I suddenly bumped into my boss's back, he suddenly stopped so I didn't notice him. He almost spilled his coffee but luckily didn't.

"What the—." I brought my head up and my eyes widened when I saw the woman in front of the CEO.

"Mrs. Kim." Timothy mumbled. Well, that is not how you called your wife, but I guess, is it their kind of marriage? It's allowed. "What are you doing here?" He asked in surprise.

Mrs. Kim's gaze shifted to me but I immediately looked away and smiled at Rosie behind her.

"I'm here to start my job to replace you." Mrs. Kim said. I still can feel her unwavering gaze at me.

"Good, now you can start by doing the interview for the applicants." Timothy said and he turned his heels. "Lisa, you can guide her to the conference room, I'll be in my office." He said before walking back to his office.

"Wait Sir—."

"Let's go, I hate wasting my time." Mrs. Kim said and she walked back towards the elevator, Rosie in her heels. I don't know where I should follow. If it's my boss or my new boss.

At the end, I heaved a deep sigh and exhaled before continuing my steps towards the elevator.

_______