I stare at Kevin, my face frozen in a blank mask of disbelief.
"Mia, are you okay?" Jella's voice cuts through the heavy fog clouding my brain.
"Huh?" I blink rapidly, trying to shake off the shock.
"You look pale," she says, concern etched into her features.
"Are you alright, Mia?" Jay adds, his brows knitting together.
I force out a shaky laugh.
"Oh, yeah, yeah. Sorry," I stumble, trying—and failing—to pull myself together.
Ben smirks from his desk.
"You look like you just saw a ghost."
Honestly? Seeing Kevin Garcia again is like seeing a ghost from my messy past.
"Sorry, guys. I'm really okay," I say, forcing a tight smile that feels more like a grimace.
But inside, panic is clawing at my chest, wild and desperate.
What the hell is he doing here? Why him? Out of all the people in the world... why Kevin Garcia?
Before the tension can thicken any further, Mr. Diaz claps his hands, snapping everyone's attention back to him.
"Alright, everyone. I need someone to give Mr. Garcia a quick tour of our humble office. Any volunteers?"
Dead silence. Not even a cough.
Mr. Diaz smiles knowingly.
"No volunteers? Alright then, I'll pick someone at random..."
His eyes sweep across the room—and land directly on me.
"Ms. Dela Cruz?"
I freeze.
"Sir?" My voice cracks.
"Could you please show Mr. Garcia around?" Mr. Diaz asks, way too politely.
Do I really have to? I want to scream.
Instead, Jella elbows me discreetly, silently urging me to say yes.
Mr. Diaz's voice grows firmer.
"Ms. Dela Cruz?"
I swallow hard, feeling like I'm being sentenced.
"Yes, sir. Sure," I manage, my heart sinking into my stomach.
"Great," Mr. Diaz says brightly.
"Please come forward and introduce yourself to your new team leader."
Perfect.
As if having my ex-fling become my boss isn't bad enough, now I have to be his personal tour guide too.
Dragging my feet, I approach Kevin, pasting on the most professional smile I can manage.
"Good morning, Mr. Garcia. I'm—"
"Mia?" Kevin interrupts, his face lighting up with surprise and unmistakable excitement.
"I can't believe you work here! How many years has it been? It's so good to see you again!"
Oh no. No, no, no. Please don't say anything stupid.
Mr. Diaz raises a curious eyebrow.
"Oh? You two know each other?"
Kevin grins wide.
"Yes, we do! How can I explain this... we're—"
"FRIENDS!" I blurt out, way louder than necessary.
Everyone blinks at my outburst.
I laugh awkwardly, waving a hand like I can brush away the awkwardness.
"We're... old friends. It's been a while, so I didn't recognize him at first."
Inside, I am absolutely screaming.
Is he seriously about to announce our situationship to the entire office?!
The headlines are already flashing in my mind:
"Employee's Ex-Flirt Now Her Boss!"
"Office Love Drama Unfolds: Mia's Past Returns!"
No. Absolutely not. I refuse to become the company's next walking scandal.
But quitting isn't an option.
I need this job—desperately.
My rent, my bills, my cat's vet visits, my family's monthly expenses — they're all counting on me.
Adulting really is the worst.
Mr. Diaz pats Kevin on the back, completely unaware of the nuclear meltdown happening inside me.
"Great! It's good that you already know each other. That should make things much easier," Mr. Diaz says brightly.
"Enjoy the tour, Mr. Garcia," he adds, then walks away.
I force a tight smile, accepting my fate.
Kevin Garcia—the man I dated—is now my boss.
And I am about to spend the next hour giving him a personal tour of the office.
Kill me now.