CHAPTER FIVE - OFFICE GOSSIP.

" Wait! Hold the elevator!" Mateo knew that voice. Rafael. He sent a prayer to the heavens that he wouldn't make it. Rafael was just what he needed to blow his mystery cover. The moment he was seen with Rafael, everyone - who was smart actually - would be able to tell that he was the new Managing Director. The elevator tinged close just as Rafael appeared in front of it, Mateo and Rafael's gaze meeting just momentarily before it did. Mateo snorted, satisfied. He adjusted his posture, tucking his hands into the pocket of his pants with his legs wide apart. He noticed from the corner of his eyes, the two girls standing just slightly behind him were outright staring at him and giggling to each other. He almost rolled his eyes at their antics, his right hand coming up as he glanced quickly at his wrist watch. " He's so buff!" Mateo heard a girl whisper yell from behind him. He couldn't see her. " And drop dead gorgeous, too," another chipped in. He heard giggles. A older voice spoke. " Stop it, silly girls. Shouldn't you girls be worried about keeping your jobs? I heard the new Managing Director is super strict." There was a gasp. " En Serio?!" " Sí, Mi amigo que trabajaba con él en Italia me dijo que es una persona muy trabajadora y no duda en despedir a cualquiera que descuide su trabajo," the cautioning voice from before said again. Aren't you a hub of information, Mateo thought, inching to turn and see who was speaking. He could tell it was a woman, and someone older. Her voice didn't have the girly or chirpy quality of the other two. " Your friend worked with him?" The older woman nodded. " What does he look like? Is he handsome?" " Or buff like him?" Mateo felt the gaze on him once again. " According to my friend's description, he's just average looking!" There was sighs. " Too bad, I wouldn't be late to work everytime if they would just make a eye candy our Managing Director," one of the girls standing just slightly behind him confessed. "Just the thought of getting a glimpse of him would serve as my alarm." She giggled. Mateo turned slightly, and their eyes met. She smiled sweetly and Mateo just gave a nod in her direction, turning to stare straight ahead once again. The girl made a swooning gesture and others in the elevator chuckled. The fact that they had even considered if they were making him uncomfortable annoyed Mateo. Not that he cared. Hell, they were just senseless bimbos. But considering the fact that he could have been a potential client or an investor or a shareholder. Or the new Managing Director! Mateo sighed, moving to the side as the elevator stopped at a floor and some of the staffs stepped off. The girls standing beside him were one of them, and the girl that had made the stupid remark smiled and winked at him as she got off. Mateo ignored her, moving back to his position and posture as the elevator door began to close. " Stupid girl," the woman, who had a friend that had supposedly worked with Mateo in Italy said, and practically everyone chuckled. " My apologies if she made you uncomfortable in any way, Mister." Mateo turned, knowing fully well that she was talking to him and also wanting to see her face. She was a older woman just as he had thought. Her hair was blonde with specs of white hair here and there. She was most likely in her late forties or early fifties. Mateo nodded at her. " Gracias." And then he turned right back. More people alighted from the elevator the further they went, until funny enough, it was just Mateo and the older woman. She stepped forward, coming to stand in beside him. " I'm assuming you are the new Managing Director." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. Mateo turned to her, impressed. He tilted his head slightly to the side, watching the woman. She smiled. " Nice. At least Giselle would make it to work on time from now henceforth," she pointed out. Mateo could tell who the Giselle was; the bimbo who had made the remark about not being late to work if only the company would have a handsome man as Managing Director. " You are not planning to hold that against her, are you? She's quite good at her job," the woman pointed out further. " I never confirmed that I was the Managing Director," Mateo pointed out to the woman instead. " You didn't deny it either. Silence gives consent the great philosopher, Cicero said, didn't he?" She shot right back, a kind smile on her lips. She had those Duchene smiles that reached the eye and caused tiny wrinkles around them. It was warm. Mateo smiled, unable to stop himself. The elevator tinged open to the last floor of the building. " And I'm assuming you are My Secretary," Mateo pointed out as well as they both stepped out of the elevator. That could explain how the woman knew so much and how she spoke. Others Listened to and humored her, too. One glance at his Secretary's desk in front of his office told Mateo that he was spot-on; the table was still vacant. The woman's smile widened. " Forgive my manners, Mr. Garcia; I'm Alba, Alba Lopez." She stretched forth a hand in greeting. " Very nice to finally meet you, Mr. Garcia." Mateo took the outstretched hand with two of his, already liking his Secretary. God bless whoever appointed her to that position. " Nice to meet you, too, Mrs. Lopez. You have a very nice first impression I must say." Alba smiled wider, glad that she was starting on the right foot with her new boss. " Mucho Gracias. I'm impressed as well," She said as if she had been asked. "Forgive my words in the elevator." Mateo raised an eyebrow at her. " Where I called you average looking, I was just trying to tease the girls," Alba divulged. Mateo scoffed. " Tease? Or rather save them from embarrassing themselves further, you mean." He smirked. "That means you knew who I was the moment I walked into that elevator." He stated. " The moment you stood in front of the elevator with us." Alba had a proud smile on her face. " Ah, I see." Mateo turned towards his office. " I will allow you to settle in, then." " Coffee?" Alba called towards his retreating back. " Yes, please," Mateo answered without bothering to stop or turn. Alba watched him open the door to his office, stopped for a moment to take it in before he closed the door behind him. She smiled. " I like him. I feel like things are about to change around here. Very interesting." She said to herself, turning towards her desk. She placed her handbag on the table and made her way to the refreshment room. As she stopped in front of the coffee machine, she began to hum a song to herself. Let's see if I get the coffee just right.