His Lovely Obsession (English)

(Next morning)

Stacey went to the kitchen to grab breakfast. Unfortunately, Heather is there. She is stirring something in a pot. She turned to her. "Hey chubi!" Her evil half-sister greeted her.

She raised a brow at her and sarcastically said, "Wow! I didn't know witches do their potion early in the morning. It's barely 7 AM."

Amy, who is clearing the mess Heather did, giggled and her half-sister glowered at their help.

Stacey just shook her head. She is not usually bitchy but she didn't sleep a wink because she was thinking about Nick and she refuses to put up with Heather's snark which she is sure will be coming.

Nick said that he will pick her up at 7 AM. Strange as it may sound, she wants to be with him today eve if she said a lot of things to him last night. She has to use concealer to hide the dark circles under her eyes.

"Hmmmm..I guess you are the queen of the witches because you look as if you were tossing and turning last night. Too busy doing tons of love potion for Nick?" Heather jibed in return. But before she can retort, Amy chimed in.

"I don't think Miss Pretty has to make such potions Miss Heather. She doesn't need to. Mr. Nick aka Mr. Handsome likes her so much. They are a perfect match!" their help said giddily.

"Shut up! My mom should really fire you! You always butt in which is so damn rude and annoying! Make yourself useful! Go wash my car!" Heather angrily said.

"Look Miss Heather! Mrs. Sofia, your mom, won't fire me because you can't get any other help! You are such a difficult person and no one wants to work for you except me!" She said with confidence, but when Heather was about to scold her more, she walked out while saying, "Okay, I will wash your car now."

The moment Amy left the kitchen, Heather didn't waste time. She turned off the stove and faced her. "Didn't I tell you not to flirt with Nick? What was that last night?!"

Stacey drank her juice first before answering. "Didn't you hear that I apologized to him?I wasn't flirting with him. I left the office early without informing him. "

She knows that her half-sister won't stop pestering her so she has to tell white lies even if she doesn't have to explain anything.

"You had to talk about that on the street? And why did he have to bring you home? And why were you wearing his jacket?"

She was saved from answering when their mother came.

"What's with the two of you? Why are you bickering again?" She looked at Stacey. "Honey? What is your sister saying?" she asked her.

"Maybe you better ask her. As usual she is making a mountain out of a molehill. Anyway, my explanation is useless." she said sounding a bit bitter. "Miss Pretty!!" came Amy's shrill voice which she is thankful.

She doesn't want to have this kind of conversation with her mother and sister. Explaining her side is just going to be a waste of time.

"Someone is out there to pick you up." Amy said.

She felt her heart beat faster. She is nervous and at the same time excited to see Nick.

"Why is someone picking you up? What happened to your car?" her mother asked.

She grabbed her bag on the table without looking at Heather. She kissed her mom on the cheek. "At Eve's. I will get it later. " she said before walking out of the kitchen hurriedly. She doesn't want Nick to wait long.

"Geez Miss Pretty! That car out there is top-of-the-range! And there is even a chauffeur." Amy said before opening the gate.

She said thank you to her and headed to the vehicle. The uniformed driver is standing next to it. It's a different car.

"Good morning Miss Stacey." he greeted her.

"Norman, please drop the miss. I told you before to just call me Stacey, didn't I?" she reminded him in a friendly voice.

He just nodded then opened the door.

"Thank you for remembering my name Stacey. " he said with a smile.

She smiled back before getting in. She was bitterly disappointed when she realized that Nick is not in the car. She expected him to pick her up. She wonders where he is.

She had no choice but to ask Norman. "Is sir Nick going to the office today?" she asked in a casual tone.

"Sorry Stacey I have no idea. I didn't see him this morning. One of the helps just told me that he wants me to drive you to work and get your car before lunch time to bring it to the office. " She just murmured a sad thank you.

***

(Nick)

He is still in bed. He had been drinking the whole night after he and Stacey talked on the phone. He is not happy with their conversation but he still had her picked up by his chauffuer. "Mate! Aren't you going to join the meeting? You're running late already! Jim asked me to call you. He is still sulking because you transferred him to another branch. " Billy said. "I'll call my secretary to re-schedule the meeting. I'll put you on hold, don't hang up." he told his friend.

"Is there a problem? I will make a guess...it's your beautiful graphic designer. Am I right?" Billy asked after he talked to his secretary.

He sat on the edge of his bed. He combed his hair with his hand. He is not used to confiding his problems with women to his friends but he is still very much confused and annoyed. "DAMMIT! I can't understand her. One minute we're okay next minute, she's having second thoughts! She is so fickle!"

Billy chuckled. "Dang mate! I was right all along! You fell hard this time but unfortunately she is not making it easy for you!" "SHUT UP!" he rasped.

"Chill mate! Welcome to the real world! It is common for men to be turned down by women! Just consider it your firs time if Stacey decides to say no to you! " Billy laughed.

"So you think all this is funny?" He asked through gritted teeth.

Billy stopped laughing and cleared his throat. He must know that he is more pissed now.

"Sorry mate. I am just making it lighter for you. You take things so seriously. Just be patient and continue pursuing her. She can afford to keep you dangling. She is gorgeous and her kind should be wooed. Don't give up easily! I know you are not used to this kind of situation but no worries, I will give you some tips so she will say yes in no time!"

***

(STACEY)

She chose to work outside Nick's office because she will miss him more if she stays inside. She looked up when the phone on Cherry's table rang. Her heart started thumping. She hopes Nick is the caller. She waited for Cherry to pick it up. She pretended to be busy sketching while she listens to what she is saying. She is unsure whether she was talking to Nick or not. She just heard her say, yes sir a few times. When their conversation ended, Cherry called several people to inform them about the sudden changes in the meeting's schedule. She stopped herself from asking the secretary questions when finally she put the receiver back to the cradle.

"I wonder what happened to sir Nick. He never cancels meetings. I hope he's not sick." Cherry said with a slight frown which made her worried.

"Really? How did he sound? Was his voice hoarse? Did he say anything about going to work today? Is he sometimes absent or late?" She regretted asking so many questions when a smile appeared on the secretary's lips.

"Whoaa! Hold on Stacey! I can't answer all those questions at once. " she joked with a giggle.

She lowered her eyes to the table and started to sketch something. She should have held her tongue. Now she knows Cherry will definitely tease her.

"Hmm... why are your so worried about our boss? Is there something you are not telling me Stacey? Spill the beans because I am all ears!"

Stacey looked at her with a small smile. She has no intention of telling her how she misses Nick and how worried-sick she is.

"Anyway! Don't upset yourself! I will answer all your questions because I don't want you fretting." she teased again.

Stacey sighed then said, "Please Cherry, don't magnify things. I was just curious since I am new here. I asked such questions so I can adjust faster. " she tried to make up an excuse.

"Duh! What do you mean by adjusting faster? Nonsense! I know that you are keeping something from me but let's play it your way for the meantime. You can't blame me if I overthink. Sir Nick had your table moved to his private office which is really very surprising! If I made a mistake before when I thought that you are his girlfriend pretending to be his secretary to watch over us, this time, I am positive that sooner or later you will be a couple! I bet my three months salary on that!"

Stacey sighed heavily while shaking her head. She is afraid that every one in the office will talk about her and Nick. Cherry is nice but a real gossip.

"Cherry, I told you that I have a boyfriend and besides, I am not Mr. Alcantara's type. He just wants to make sure that I do my job right that's why he had my table moved.." she tried to make the secretary believe her. The last thing she wants is people gossiping about her and Nick.

"Okay! I will pretend I believe you!" the other woman said with a beam which made her sigh heavily.

"So to answer your questions, yes this is the first time sir Nick cancelled a meeting in the morning. He didn't say if he's coming today or not. He is never late and he has never been absent that's why this is all new to me." Cherry said with a slight frown.

She just pouted but didn't say anything.

(A few hours later)

"Are you okay Stacey? You have been glancing at your watch repeatedly." Cherry asked.

She chewed the bottom of her lip. It's already 11 AM and there is no sign of Nick. He didn't call back either. She wants to give him a call but she won't.

"If you are hungry, you can go ahead and eat lunch. I will just finish replying to this email then I will have lunch too. "Cherry said while tapping away at her keyboard.

"No, I'm fine. I am not hungry." she said in a small voice.

She doesn't want to leave the office in case Nick decided to come. Cherry just shrugged her shoulders and said okay. After that, they just continued doing their tasks.

The door suddenly opened and Cherry looked up. Stacey frowned when she saw the secretary's mouth formed an O sound with her eyes wide. She turned around to see who arrived. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the newcomers.

Heather has her arms snaked around Nick's left one. She has a malicious smile on her pretty face while Nick is poker-faced.