Ella stared at the article about Danson Tang on her web browser. “Danson Tang...” she thought. She read through the article on her computer. It talks about him being one of the most eligible bachelor in Taiwan. The article talks about his achievement while studying in UCLA. She shook her head, not satisfied with what she is reading. She typed in the address of Google on the address bar, and then searched for another article about Danson. 

 

“Danson Tang was spotted at the party, with his date, singer, Selina Ren. When asked if the two are already dating, both of them denied the rumor.” the article said. She clicked on the back button, and then click on another article about him. “At the ball last night, Danson Tang, son of publishing queen, Louise Tang, was seen with his date, Cyndi Wang. From the way they looked at each other, many have speculated that the two have a relationship.” the article said. Ella shook her head again as she read through it. She clicked on the close button, and then leaned on her chair. “It's not giving me the answer I needed...” she thought.

 

She is somewhat intrigued by her new boss. All girls in the office seems to go gaga over him. Who wouldn't anyway? He have a handsome face, a warm smile that can make one girl faint. His body is not too muscular, and not to thin, and when he opens up his arms, one could be comfortable in it. But, she is somewhat suspicious of him. For Pete's sake, they are working for a woman's magazine, and him taking the post as its editor-in-chief is somewhat suspicious. 

 

“Whatever you are researching about him, I tell you, stop it.” she heard Angela said. Ella looked up at him, and saw her place a folder on her table. “I know what's inside that mind of yours, Ella Chen.” Angela said. “Don't you find our new boss... weird? Look. We are not the only magazine in this publication. Why did he chose to be our editor-in-chief?” she asked. “Louise Tang became an editor-in-chief of a men's magazine a few years back, remember?” Angela said. “It's weird!” Ella said. “Maybe, because Glam is the top-selling magazine of Papers and Pen Publications, and not to mention, the biggest. Maybe his mom put him here as a training ground for him, in case he handles the publication on his own.” Angela said. “I still find it weird.” Ella said. Angela just let out a sigh, and shook her head. “I don't know about you, Ella...” she said. 

 

Angela left her alone, and Ella turned her attention back to her work. She was busy editing the pictures she took a few days ago, when she saw someone put a cup of grande Starbucks on her table. She looked up, and saw her new boss smiling at him. “Caramel Macchiato is your favorite, right? I hope I did get it right.” he said. Ella was surprised at what he said. She looked at the cup on her table, then looked up at him again. “S-sir?” she asked. “Don't worry, I treated everyone for Starbucks. I do hope I got your favorite drink right. You seem to be the Caramel Macchiato type of girl.” he said. He let out that y smile at her before taking his leave. Ella somehow felt that he's trying to seduce her or something. “Playboy...” she thought. She let out a sigh, and shook her head. 

 

--

 

“I guess the reason why he chose Glam, is because of the girls.” Ariel, Ella's best friend, said as they were having dinner at their favorite restaurant. “Weird, isn't he supposed to be in a men's magazine if he wanted to be with beautiful and y girls?” George, another friend of Ella's, commented. Ariel munched on her bread stick as she shook her head. “Come on... that Danson Tang seems to go for pretty and sophisticated girls. Not the ones who looks like a !” she exclaimed. “But if I were that guy, it would be the men's magazine. He should be the editor-in-chief of 'Him', not 'Glam'.” George said. “I have a crazy thought...” Mike, Ariel's boyfriend said. Ariel and George looked at him. “I think he's gay.” Mike said. 

 

Ella could hear Ariel and George's protest at what Mike said. “Oh, come on! Gay? That guy had a lot of girls being linked to him by the media almost everyday! How can he be gay?” George said. Mike just shrugged his shoulder. “Yeah... and besides, he is to die for, Mikey. He can't be gay!” Ariel said. Ella stopped typing on her laptop, and turned to her friends. “For one second, I wanted to agree with what Mike said...” she said. Mike could only give the two a proud look. “But... I've been doing my research on him. He is always seen with different girls. And when he smiled at me back at the office this afternoon, it's as if he is seducing me. I think I'll go with Ariel's theory.” Ella said. “I still think he's gay.” Mike said. “If you see him in person, Mikey, you might be the one who'll turn gay.” Ariel said. 

 

Mike rolled his eyes at his girlfriend, then he turned to Ella. “Look, Ella, if you want to find out why he chose to be the editor-in-chief of Glam, why don't you ask him yourself?” Mike suggested. Ella gave him a bewildered look. “Are you freakingly kidding me, Mike He?” she exclaimed. “Instead of you working up on different theories why Danson Tang, the demigod of handsomeness, chose to work for a women's magazine.” he said. Ella threw an are-you-kidding-me look at him. “Come on, it's just simple. Just ask him, 'Boss, why are you working for Glam? Are you gay? Or are you fishing on some pretty girls that will be on the cover?' Easy as that.” Mike said. Ella put her hands in resignation. “You know what, I'll stop bothering with that. It's his decision, so I'll just give him the benefit of the doubt.” she said. Then, she looked at Mike again. “Do you really think he's gay?” she asked. 

 

--

 

Ella was busy editing her pictures, when Danson got out of the office, and called everyone. “Meeting at the conference room. Now.” he said coolly. Ella looked up at him, and watched him as he walked towards the conference room. Everyone immediately stood up on their seats, and followed their new boss. Ella took her laptop, and went to the conference room as well. 

 

“It came into my attention that our competitor will also be doing the same theme for their issue next month.” Danson began as soon as everyone settled in. “I don't want us to do the very same thing they are going to do.” he added. Ella could hear groan of frustration from her colleagues. They were almost through with next month's issue, but their boss is not satisfied it. And it means only one thing. “I want us to start from scratch and redo the whole issue.” he said. Ella could only sigh. “Just as I thought...” she said to herself silently. 

 

“Look, guys... I know this is hard for you, and I know we have a little time left to re-do everything. But I know that as long as we work hard, we can beat the deadline, and we can offer our reader something new, all right” he said. He heard everyone in the room let out a groan. “So, what will be our theme for next month's issue. Aside from that, do we have to change models for the cover, or leave it as is?” Ella asked. Danson looked at her, and let out a smile. “Good question, Ella. Since the competitor is doing something about spring, how about we do something Japanese? I'm thinking, since Maki Horikita will be here next week, we can make her our cover girl. Also, be ready with the interview with her.” he said. Ella narrowed her eyes as he looked at him. “But, isn't it hard to book her for the shoot? I mean, I know she will only be here for a few days for some promotion...” she said. “I've talked to her, and to her agent. Everything is set. All you have to do is take pictures of her. And Hebe, formulate the questions you will be asking her, all right?” he said. 

 

He continued to talk with the rest of the staff with what needed to be on the magazine. He listened to every suggestions, and approved some of it. Still, Ella could not believe how this guy could even pull it all off. Seems like he planned everything before he met them. “He sure is good... I never thought Maki could easily agree to him...” he thought. She just shrugged his shoulder as she continued to watch her boss. He sure knows what he wants, and he sure knows how to run, and most of all, he sure knows how he could make everyone agree to what he wants. 

 

--

 

It was the day of the photoshoot. 

 

Ella have set up the studio to have a small sakura tree. The other staffs were helping out with the petals, that they will blow through a fan during the shoot. Meanwhile, Ella was setting up her camera, when Danson and Maki came in. “Everyone set?” he asked. Everyone got on their feet, including Ella. As she looked at him, he saw him and Maki together. “All set, boss.” one of the staff said. Ella approached the two, and after Danson introduced Maki to her, she asked Maki to change her clothes. 

 

The photoshoot began, and as professional as she is, Maki was able to give Ella the right poses she is asking her. Ella didn't have a hard time working with Maki, and before they knew it, the photoshoot have ended. “Maki, you may take a rest for a while before having your interview.” Ella said. Maki nodded her head, and headed to her makeup artist. Meanwhile, Ella began her work to look for the right pictures that they could use for the cover. She turned her laptop on, and transferred all the pictures from her SLR to it. 

 

“Great work.” she heard Danson tell her. She looked back, and saw him walking with two cups of coffee on his hand. He placed a cup on her table, and let out a smile at her. “Thanks. For the coffee and the compliment.” she said. He leaned behind her, and then looked closely at the pictures. “So, which picture shoud we put on the cover?” she asked him. Danson glanced at the pictures on her laptop. “Hmmm... honestly... those pictures are all cover-worthy.” he said. Then, he looked at her and smiled at her once again. “It's your call. I trust you.” he said. Ella couldn't help but smile at him. “OK, then I'll choose this one, all right?” she said. She pointed at a picture of Maki leaning by the tree and smiling. Danosn nodded his head. “Just perfect.” he said. 

 

Just then, Maki came and held on to Danson's arm. “Danson-kun, can we go out for a snack for a while?” she said sweetly to him. Danson looked at her, and reciprocated her sweet smile. “Sure, Maki-chan. My treat.” he said. Then, he turned to Ella. “We'll be going out for a while. Tell everyone to wait for us, all right?” he said. Ella just nodded her head. The two went on their way, and Ella followed them with their eyes. Then, she had an instinct to grab her camera, and take pictures of them as they happily chatted along the way. After she took the pictures, she looked at it closely. “He can't be gay... Mike is so wrong...” she thought.

 

--

 

“I heard Maki is his new girlfriend.” Angela said as they were having their dinner that night. “No way!” Hebe said in a surprised expression. “Yes way, dear. Don't you get it? Why would he change the next issue's theme all of a sudden? It's because he knew that his girlfriend is coming here.” Angela said. “Do you think he came to work for 'Glam' just to date all the cover girls?” Ella asked. Angela shrugged her shoulder. “Maybe he have good intentions... maybe not...” she said. “So, if Maki is his new girlfriend, what happened to Selina, and Cyndi, and Charlene, and Gillian, and Rainie and the rest of the girls?” Hebe asked. “He probably dumped them.” she said. Hebe pouted at them, and then leaned her chin on the table. “Guess, I lose my chance with him...” she said sadly. Ella let out a laugh as she shook her head. “Wei, dream on! Before you could have your chance with him, Ella will have hers first.” Angela said. 

 

Ella was shocked and confused at what her friend said. “What?” she asked. Angela looked at her and smiled. “He seems to be trying to get close to you...” she said, smiling at him. Ella snorted, and shook her head. “No way. He's just... a hand-on kind of boss.” she said. “Yeah, I can see that. And I can see he want to put his hands on you.” Angela said, letting out a playful smile. Ella let out a sigh. Why would her friend assume thins? “Look, we are all professional here, OK?” she said in annoyed tone. “But you look good together.” Angela said. “No, we don't, all right? And besides... I guess he's just curious with my job, all right? Stop it.” she said. Angela and Hebe looked at each other, and giggled. “All right, we'll stop.” Angela said. 

 

As Ella turned her attention to the door, he saw Danson walking inside the restaurant, alone. “Speaking of the devil, the boss is here.” Ella said. The two girls looked at his direction, and Ella could see the two being giddy again. She still don't get it, why are they so in love with this Danson Tang. Well, he is handsome and rich, but he seems like the guy who can't even carry a crate of fruit. Ella let out a sigh, and shook her head. “Hello girls. Having dinner?” she heard their boss said. He leaned to Ella, and she was surprised to see him behind her. “Yes, sir.” Angela said, smiling at them. Danson looked down at Ella, and smiled. “Well, then... enjoy your dinner girls.” he said. 

 

The three watched as he took his seat on the next table. “I think he's interested in Ella.” Hebe said. Ella gave her dagger looks. “I think so.” Angela nodded in agreement. Ella groaned at them. “Please, stop the nonsense.” she said. “If he could, he would have kissed you at your cheek.” Angela said. Hebe clapsed her hand, and had this dreamy look on her face. “Awww... Ella... you're so lucky!” she said. Ella rolled her eyes at the two, and shook her head. “Stop it, or the boss might hear you.”

 

Just then, a tall man walked inside the restaurant. “Another cute guy...” Hebe said, eying on the man. Ella looked back, and saw him have this handsome smirk on his face. He eyed on Danson, and walked up to his direction. “Must be the boss' friend...” Angela said. “Aww... if I can't have the boss, can I have his best friend instead?” Hebe said. The man sat opposite Danson's seat. She looked closely at them, observing them. There was something about the man and her boss, something seems not right in the picture. There was a kind of closeness about the two that she could not understand. When Danson smiles at him, there was something in that smile that she could not explain. The way he touched the man's hand, it was somehow malicious.

 

She shook her head to erase any malicious thoughts in her mind. She turned at her friends, and saw them still giggling and being giddy over their boss and his friend. Good thing her phone rang, and it diverted her attention. She took it from her pocket, and read the message. “Girls, I have to go. George is here.” she said. “Do you, and George have a thing?” Angela asked. Ella let out a mysterious smile, and winked at them. She got her bag, and stood up from her seat. 

 

As she walked towards the restaurant's exit, Danson saw her. “Excuse me.” he said to his friend. He stood up from his seat, and followed her. “Ella...” he called as soon as they were outside the restaurant. Ella paused, and looked back at him. “Oh, hi, Mr. Tang.” she said. Danson smiled at her as he put his hands inside his pocket. “Danson. Please call me Danson. Don't be too formal, all right?” he said. “OK... Danson...” she said shyly. “So, you're going home?” he asked. Ella nodded her head. “You need a ride? If you want, I can take you home...” he said. Ella smiled, and shook her head. “Don't worry, boss. My friend is picking me up here.” she said. “Are you sure?” he asked. Ella nodded her head. “He sent me a message saying he's on his way.” she said. “Then, can I keep you company till he arrives?”

“I don't mind... but your friend?”

“Oh, we just finished dinner.”

 

Then, there was an awkward silence. 

 

“So, the guy picking you up is your boyfriend?” he asked to break the silence. Ella smiled, and nodded her head. “Actually, he is a boy space friend. A friend who is a boy. Not a lover.” she explained. Danson smiled as he nodded his head in understanding. “So, you don't have a boyfriend or lover right now?” he asked. “I'm single.” 

“That's great then.”

“How about you, where's your girlfriend?”

Danson just answered her with a smile. “I'm hearing rumors about you and Maki... so is it true? If you don't want to answer it, you don't have to...” she said hesitantly. “Maki and I are good friends. I don't have a girlfriend right now.” Danson said with a smile. “But it's obvious that Maki likes you... I mean, like you like you.” Ella said. “I don't like her like her.” he answered. Ella gave him a confused look. “So, you like another girl?” she asked. Danson simply answered her with a smile. 

 

Just then, George's car pulled in, interrupting the two. “Ella, come on!” he shouted from the window. Ella turned to Danosn and smiled. “My boy space friend is here. I have to go.” she said. Danson nodded his head. “See you tomorrow at work.” he said. He watched her as she got inside the car, and as soon as she settled in, he went back inside the restaurant. “Is that your boss?” George asked as soon as Ella got inside the car. “Yeah. The one and only Danson Tang.” she said. “Is he hitting on you?” he asked, giving her a playful smile. Ella gave her best friend a glare. “Shut up.” she said. “I think he is.” George said as he started the engine of his car. 

 

--

 

“So, who is she?”

“Just one of the girls at work...”

“You seem to be too close to her...”

“I'm just curious about her and her work.”

“Should I start getting jealous of her?”

 

Silence.

 

“You followed her. You seem interested in her. When you smile at her...”

“She's just a colleague.”

“But you seem to be close to her.”

“She's an interesting girl. If you get to know her, I'm sure you'll agree.”

 

Silence. 

 

“I'm jealous.”

 

A stare.

 

“I'm jealous of every girl you're with.... you know that...”

 

A smile.

 

“You know that you're the only man I love.”

 

Silence.

 

“Are you sure?”

“I'm sure.”

“I love you too, Danson...”