Chapter 3
Philip: [Babe, did you see me? Where are you?]
Philip: [Babe, do you think I'm not good-looking? Or did I do something to upset you? Why did you suddenly say we should break up?]
He sent two messages in a row, and when I didn't reply, he started calling me the very next second.
He must've been really freaking out—he used to always ask if it was a good time before calling me.
I just couldn't bring myself to pick up, so I kept declining the call.
Finally, he gave up on calling and switched to bombarding me with messages.
Philip: [Babe, take a look at me. I'm actually pretty good-looking.]
He then sent me a photo of himself.
When I saw Philip's selfie, my mouth couldn't help but twitch.
I regretted opening that picture. I seriously wished I could gouge my eyes out.
Philip: [Babe, if you're worried I'm some kind of creep, I can show you my employee ID!]
Philip: [Do I look intimidating? But you know I'm a total softie with you. Don't ignore me, please! I'm begging you.]
His messages were a mess of explanations and desperate begging, and the image of my online boyfriend acting all cutesy mashed together with my advisor's frosty poker face in my head. I almost gagged.
I couldn't just block him outright. I was worried he'd get suspicious. So, I had to come up with an excuse.
Teresa: [You're not really my type.]
Philip: [Then what's your type, Babe? I can change. Just tell me. Give me a chance.]
I rubbed my temples. Honestly, if it were just about looks, Philip would totally be my type.
But I still typed: [I'm into the hip-hop bad boy vibe, and you just look way too old for me.]
Finally, the chat went quiet. He didn't say another word.
I finally let out a sigh of relief and started thinking about how I ended up in an online romance with my own advisor.
Of all the people in the department, why did it have to be him?
How did we even start chatting, and how did he end up falling for me?
Was he some kind of player? Did he use his talent to sweet-talk college girls?
The more I thought about it, the more I felt he might actually be a total freak. I kind of regretted not doing a deeper background check before picking him as my advisor.
But then I realized if I'd asked him for advice on picking an advisor, he would've just told me to choose him.
There was really no way out of this mess.
Just as I was lost in my own wild thoughts, my WhatsApp suddenly lit up with a message.
I nearly blacked out. It was Philip.
Philip: [This drawing is trash. Do it over.]
My head was about to explode. What could possibly be wrong with this drawing?
Maybe he was pissed because I dumped him, and now he was taking it out on me.
What a jerk!
I was cursing him in my head as I made my way back to the studio.
I'd been in such a rush to get to my date earlier that I barely glanced at the design requirements.
Now that my nerves had finally settled, my lovesick brain could finally focus on work again.
That was when I realized the drawing I'd sent was a total mess, and it was 100% on me.
Alright, my bad.
I tossed my heels aside and slumped over my keyboard, totally drained.
The elevator doors opened.
Those familiar footsteps approached, and Philip was back.
I didn't know why he came back.
I quickly straightened up and pretended to be hard at work.
I snuck a glance at him. He looked totally lost in his own world, not even noticing me.
He was about to head into his office.
Then I heard a grumble and felt like my heart stopped.
Philip stopped in his tracks and turned to look at me.
I hadn't eaten dinner yet, and now my stupid stomach decided to growl at the worst possible moment.
The place was dead silent, and the air felt like it was about to freeze. I wished I could disappear.
"You haven't eaten either? I ordered delivery. Let's eat together," Philip said.
"Okay," I replied.
I just couldn't say no to Philip. I was so used to automatically agreeing to whatever he suggested.
But the moment I said yes, I instantly regretted it and gave myself a little smack on the forehead.
Maybe he just started looking for his next victim the second our date ended.
Was he actually after me now?
I was still lost in my wild thoughts when Philip suddenly walked up to my desk.
"Open the drawing. I'll tell you what's wrong," he said.
My hands were trembling as I opened the file, sitting rigidly in my chair.
He stood behind me, leaned in, and held my mouse. I could literally feel his breath on the top of my head, making my scalp tingle.
He started pointing out problems with the drawing, but I was shaking the whole time, not hearing a single word he said.
Two questions echoed in my mind.
Why was he standing so close to me? Was he trying to do something to me?
Wild office drama scenes started flashing through my mind, and I was already plotting how to escape without getting caught if he tried anything.
Maybe I could just grab the keyboard and smack him over the head.
"Did you get that?" Philip asked again when I didn't respond.
I nodded stiffly.
He let out a sigh. "Whatever. Let's eat first. I'll explain it to you later."
Luckily, all those nightmare scenarios I'd been freaking out about didn't happen. After dinner, Philip went over the drawing with me step by step.
This time, I paid close attention. His personality flaws aside, the guy knew how to teach. Concepts I'd been stuck on forever suddenly clicked after just a few words from him.
"Try tweaking it with this idea in mind," Philip said.
I nodded, thinking he'd go back to his office.
But instead, he sat right next to me, not saying a word. I snuck a peek at him. He was frowning, looking like he had something on his mind but couldn't spit it out.
I kept my mouth shut, too nervous to say anything.
After hesitating for ages, Philip finally broke the silence.
"Uh... Teresa, what exactly is the hip-hop bad boy vibe you girls are into? What is it like?" he asked.
I was holding my cup and almost did a spit-take on my screen.
Philip might be a jerk, but seeing him get all serious about something so ridiculous was just surreal.
My brain just short-circuited.