Want

“You have to come with me” she exclaimed as Philip rolled his eyes — closing the book he’s reading.

“Where?” annoyed with her loud voice he just asked to quiet her down. Philip is a timid person that never likes company especially the loud one’s but then Justine came. She was his ‘high school friend' as what Justine kept on insisting.

“The game show” she said as she stares at him with shining eyes

Hearing that Philip opened the book he’s reading and didn’t answer her, he crossed his legs and let out a big sigh and continued reading. ‘That game show' Philip knows about it and it was Justine that was bugging him to join her at that show. She badly wants to join that, but she is single and one of the games ruled 'the contestants should be a couple'. She’s not into a relationship but with the prize, a trip for two to Japan — all expense paid with pocket money for a week. ‘Who wouldn’t want that' she thought when she first saw the premiere of the game show. That’s what he knows.

That was the said reason why she keeps on asking Philip with her, with no luck.

Seeing his reaction she knows she would never make him yes with just that, then and there she thought about something.

“Then is I’ll just call Josh” she said bringing out her phone and dialed Josh’s number… It was ringing already when at her peripheral vision, Philip was intently staring at her.

“Hey Jus… why’d you call?” Josh sounded from the phone, and before she replies Philip immediately grabbed the phone and cancelled the call. He stood there dumbfounded by what he just did.

Justine on the other hand was also shocked, she wasn’t expecting that from HIM.

“So—”

“Fine. I’ll go.” He stopped her and walk fast away, back to their office.

Justine froze, she doesn’t know what to react. Is he mad because it was Josh or just jealous?

Josh had been their friend from high school but then when he got into a band all his personality changed. He thinks all the girls would run to him like chicks to their mother with a worm on their beak. A woman magnet as they say he is, and he really is, he can woo a girl from all ages. Once a girl from their high school alma mater and it happened to be Philip’s sister that eventually Josh dumped out of boredom. Philip was furious when he learned about it but her sister just kept saying to let Josh go.

…

“And now Justine… that crazy bastard” he kept murmuring as he walks down the stairs from the rooftop. Clenching his fist as well as the thin poor book he’d been reading was crumpled like a piece of paper. His steps were heavy while he walks the aisle to his office, Justine at his back was feeling guilty. She just followed him like a puppy, her head bowed down.

He reached his room and slumped down to his swivel chair and heavily dropped the crumpled book on his table. Looking at the light of his office he heard a weak knock on the door, he didn’t respond still it opened and slowly a head pop in. It was Justine, looking guilty at him. For a second he looked at her and again stared at the light.

“I’m sorry” she murmured looking at the tiles.

“Come in, I can’t hear you.” He ordered, he’s voice was heavy. He is mad she thought.

“If you want to go to Japan I can let you. I’ll give you a week to have a trip.” He said not removing his eyes from the light,

“No” she replied, feeling antsy because she can’t read his facial reaction like what she always tried to do. He is the type of guy that can’t be read, keeping his emotionless face every day is a routine for him.

“As far as I know you can afford going to Japan anytime you want. So what’s all this?” he looked at her, but all he sees was not her face but a black dot. He stared too long at the light, so he closed his eyes and rest his head.

“I want to go to Japan with that. I want to try it. I... I---”

“Want” he again stopped her

Her eyes went to him and again, she doesn’t know what he was thinking at the moment. He was the coldest person he ever known.

“If you don’t need it. Never mind. You should focus on the things you should do. Your priorities not that effin game show.” He continues as he still keeps his eyes shut, wanting to take a rest. “And now you want that guy to act as your boyfriend? Are you serious?” his tone was low but heavy.

Justine didn’t answer she just stood there looking down the floor,

“Not going to say anything?” he added

She looked at the guy, he is now looking at her. “I’m sorry for interrupting your precious time. It won’t happen again” she bowed and went to the door.

She was about to reach the door when Philip calmly lean at the door crossing his arms on his chest. “You know I hate it when people walk away from me.” He said with an authoritative voice.

She stops and stared directly at his eyes, “Sorry, again as I said. It won’t happen again.”

“I don’t care, just tell me why do you want it that bad. And with Josh. Really.” He stared back at her with a smudging look.

That’s it she said to herself, “If you don’t then don’t ask. Get away from that door!” she exclaimed.

“Girls, why do you always get mad easily?” he said calmly while Justine was getting furious.

“You don’t have to know. Get away!” She repeated.

“No I won’t unless you tell me why you keep on bugging me to act with their — on that game just to go Japan. Now that I’m giving you your chance you don’t want to accept it. Care to explain?” getting back to his poker face he looked at his watch like timing her to answer.

Infuriated she sighed and raised her brow as she looked at him, “Because I’m thinking that your cold heart might get a little softer if we tried that game!” explaining loudly not caring if the other workers might hear her.

“But you said it was the prize you’re after?” Clueless was written all over his face as he asked… that made her more mad.

“Ugh! You numb idiot!” there she pushed him with all her strength and rushed to open the door and left banging the door behind her, leaving Philip steps away from the door. From the glass part she can see Justine stomping her way to the elevator.

“Numb eh?” he said as he smirked and rubbed his chin before he went back to his chair and opened the book he’d been reading.

A day passed and Justine rushed inside his office with heavy breathing and knotted brows.

“What’s with that look?” he asked after giving her a look.

She opened her purse and slammed an envelope on his table, “what is this?”

“You look good with that dress” he said ignoring her question.

“Shut up. Answer me.” She said with grave look on her face.

Philip looked at it and touched it, “As what I can see, it’s an envelope.” Sarcastically he grinned and leaned back to his seat,

“And a letter—”

“From that game show giving us the prize even though we haven’t played yet. I know.” He again stopped her.

“Will you first make me finish what I’m saying?!” irritated still she answered

“Oh, yeah. Then go ahead” a smirked showed up his face as he looked at her.

“I really hate you” she raised her hands as if giving up to him and bowed her head exhaling heavily. “You bought it. Did you?”

“Hmmm” looking back at his laptop, he didn’t say anything.

Silence… . And Justine stood there waiting for his answer.

“You got me.” He said while still busy typing on his laptop. “So don’t ever call that guy again or even saying his name.” he gave her a shot and stands putting his palm on the table and giving her a look. “Now as my hardheaded secretary get those papers done before next week so you’ll be able to go to Japan with me.” Pointing at the pile of papers on her table from the other corner of his office.

She followed his hand and instantly her eyes flew open wide, “but. What the heck?! What happened?! These are TONS of paper how could I possibly finish this in less than a week?!” she exclaimed as she one by one checking the folders of files.

“Oh that’s because you’re absent yesterday.” He said as he again started typing to his laptop.

“Half day sir. Half day. And that wouldn’t give me this much!” she got to her seat and started working.

“Now you have” he replied