I Love you, Mr. Moon

"STAR MAGAZINE INCORPORATED"

I am now standing in front of the company I always dreamt of joining. This 40-story building, owned by the one and only, MR. HARRY MOON, a very famous multi-billionaire in this generation because of his intelligence and ruthlessness in the business industry. And because of his good looks, he has become the most eligible bachelor available today.

At the age of twenty-eight, he already owns his own company. Star Magazine Incorporated is now one of his famous businesses. SMI is a Men's Magazine that showcases undergarments, lingerie, and swimsuits.

Before I forget, I am Ashtrella Rodriguez, but they called me Ashley. I am twenty-three years old, with a degree in Mass Communication. I came to SMI for an interview as Editor-in-Chief. You read it correctly... Editor-in-Chief. I graduated college with flying colors at the age of eighteen, and I already have a ton of experience under my belt. I've been working as an Editor-in-Chief in my previous company, but I wanted to get this job because it's been my dream. He... is my dream.

Ever since high school, I have dreamt of being with him, and now I am closer to my goal. I will make sure that he will fall for me this time. "Harry Moon, you are mine." (evil grin)

"Uhmm... Miss... Hello?!" I was brought back to reality when the guard called my attention. Or should I say yelled at me?

"Can you minimize your voice a little? My eardrums almost broke. I'm not deaf, you know?" I scratched my ears because the level of tone he used on me was too loud.

"I'm sorry, I've been talking to you for a while, and you were not paying any attention." The guard fixed his uniform. "As I was saying, I was asking why are you here? What is your purpose in being here today? But you did not even bother answering my question... And you were daydreaming. I even caught you laughing at yourself like crazy..." He twisted his lips and put his fingers on his chin. "You know what? If you were not wearing decent clothes and if you were not beautiful, I would think that you are crazy."

I scoffed at what he had said. "Wow..." I said sarcastically. "Should I say thank you for the compliment? Ha-ha," I said cheekily.

"By the way, I'm here for an interview," I said and smiled at him.

"Oh... Is that so. Just go to the reception area and leave your ID. They'll tell you what floor you need to go to for your interview." He said.

I mouthed my thanks and headed to the reception area.

"Excuse me, miss." I smiled at the girl in front of me. "I'm here for an interview as Editor-in-Chief. Where should I meet Mrs. Gonzaga?" I politely asked. The receptionist smiled.

"She's not here yet, but you may go to the 39th floor. Just leave a valid ID here so I can give you a visitors' pass." I handed her my ID.

In this building, one cannot go directly to the elevator. You have to go through the reception to give you a pass because you have to tap it on the machine that blocks the way through the elevator. To make sure interlopers can't easily pass through.

The lobby is elegant, designed in colors of gold and black. Two large chandeliers were hanging side by side in the vast ceiling that seemed to keep on going upwards, its receiving area is spacious, showcasing a grand piano in the corner and several couches strategically positioned to direct the flow of visitors.

When I got the pass, I immediately headed for the elevator. Even this contraption looked expensive, it was very shiny and golden in color, the music provided was so relaxing. After hitting my floor, thirty-nine, I closed my eyes and let the music lull me. I did not notice that there was someone inside with me until I heard someone groan.

"Miss, will you shut your mouth?" My eyes widened in surprise at the derisive tone coming from a baritone voice. He had his back to me, so I couldn't see his face much. I frowned and stared at him intently.

The nerve of this guy to tell me to shut up. "Are we close?! Argh...Whoever you are, I will break your bones. You look tall and distinguished from back here, but I'm sure my Harry is more handsome-" I stopped hissing and cursing him in my mind when he turned around. My eyes widened when I realized who it was. I grabbed my mouth when my jaw dropped. The person I've loved since I set my eyes on him. The person I want to see every day of my waking hours. He was the only man who made my heart beat this fast. My Moon... My Harry Moon.

"I know I'm handsome, miss, but staring is rude, you know." He smirked.

I winced at what he said.

Yes, we all know that! I muttered a curse in my mind. The nerve of this guy! I know that Harry's handsome. But he doesn't seem to remember me?! I was the one who helped with his assignments, gave him notes, and even bought him food! My goodness!

I know, maybe he just didn't recognize me at all, but maybe if he knows who I am, then maybe... just maybe he will remember. You're not the only one who has changed! Hah! I hissed.

I figured he would be just as kind as he was before. Years have gone by, and we just met again. I looked down when the realization hit me, that he wouldn't know me anymore... But I do. I still remember him. How can I even forget my night and shining armor?

We became classmates in high school, from the second year to the fourth year, I may be younger, but I was accelerated because I am smart, my IQ is equivalent to 150, like Andrew Wiles. So, we both graduated from high school at the same time, even though he was older than I am

I admit I was not that beautiful back then. Not only that, I wore thick glasses, that hid my eyes, and then my face was covered with pimples. Thanks to the dermatologist, who has been taking care of my face. Now with my pimples gone, I have clearer skin, as white as a snow, and my face is glowing. I wear contact lenses now so I can read clearly.

"TSK!" I heard him say at the same time the elevator door opened, and he walked out. When I looked up to see what floor I was on, I realized that I was already on the 40th floor?! What the... I immediately hit the 39th floor again. What was I thinking? Have I gone in my head that long?!

When I got to the 39th floor, I saw a woman in her mid-20s sitting in the reception area that looked bored. I compared her to the receptionist in the lobby. She had a lot of make-up on her face, wearing a dark shade of lipstick, and even though she already had thick eyebrows, she still managed to darken them. Her cheeks were so red it made her look like a clown. "Excuse me, miss," She raised her eyebrow, disinterest showing on her face.

"I'm here for an interview as Editor-in-Chief, and I'm looking for... Mrs. Gonzaga." I said and smiled at her.

"Okay. Give me your CV." I handed her the paper and she motioned me to sit on the couch, so I did.

I looked at the area. This lobby is quite huge. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows encased the whole floor, there were three rooms with heavily tinted glass, so you don't see much inside. I saw people coming and out of the room, so perhaps these are staff of the editorial team since I knew that this floor was for them. On the right side of this floor, I saw a door that had the sign, 'EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.' That will be my office, strategically placed right beside the reception, which was right in the center. On the left side of the floor, opposite the EIC's office, is the 'CONFERENCE ROOM.' The other room had no sign. I wonder what it is because more people were passing through the doors as well. Maybe it's another staff room?

I approached the receptionist again.

"Miss, can you direct me to the restroom?" She nodded and pointed to where it was. I immediately made my way there because as soon as I sat down on the couch, I felt my bladder was full. I retouched my make-up while I was in there, and tied my waist-length hair into a ponytail. It has a natural curl at the end, so there was no need for a curling iron. I winked at my reflection. When I was satisfied with my look, I went back to their receiving area.

I was just about to sit down when the receptionist called me.

"Ms. Ashley Rodriguez, Mrs. Gonzaga called, and she can't make it today. The CEO will interview you on her behalf. You may now proceed to the 40th floor. Bring your CV with you." She said. I mouthed my thanks to her.

I felt nervous, and my heart started pounding so fast. Maybe because this time Harry might recognize me. Second, we had an encounter earlier, and it wasn't good.

Even though I was nervous, I still went to the 40th floor.

When the elevator opened, the large and spacious area welcomed me. There were only two rooms on this floor which are located on each side of the receptionist.

I immediately approached the receptionist to get this interview over with. "Miss, Good morning. I'm here for an interview as Editor-in-Chief." The woman nodded, and just like the other lady, she asked for my CV. A few minutes later, someone called her on the intercom, and a man came out of a smaller room that was unnoticeable. There were three rooms on this floor, and the latter looked smaller. The design of the door matched the wall which made it invisible."

The man immediately approached me, and I noticed that though he may be good-looking, my Harry was still more handsome.

"Are you Ms. Rodriguez?" He asked.

I got up immediately. "Yes. I am Ashley Rodriguez." He smiled. I noticed his even and white teeth. This guy could easily be a model for a toothpaste commercial. I smiled.

"I'm Luke Tuazon, secretary of the CEO." He held out his hand, and I immediately took it in mine.

"Please follow me." He said politely. I mouthed my thanks to the receptionist, who just nodded in response.

The office was enormous, the design was minimalist, and with the grey, white, and black color scheme it felt very manly. There were couches in the middle to receive larger groups, but the thing that commanded your attention was the large mahogany table at the end of the room. It was big and ominous, and it showed who was in command, but the bookshelf behind the table, lined with several issues of the magazine and hardbound books, made it look more approachable.

I saw CEO Harry Moon facing the glass window, and his hands were placed in both pockets, his white long sleeves neatly folded up to his elbows. Luke approached him and whispered something I couldn't hear. I just stood there and watched the two of them as they talked. Harry stared at me over his shoulder.

"Ms. Rodriguez, you may take a seat here," Luke guided me to the coffee table.

"Thank you," I smiled at him.

"You're welcome. Do you want tea, coffee, or juice?" He asked.

"Just water, please," I said, and he nodded.

I turned to the man who faked a cough in front of me and stood up, alerted.

"Sir, I'm Ashley Rodriguez, applying for Editor-in-chief," I said. Harry did not speak, but instead, he sat in front of me. Not knowing what to do I did the same. I immediately felt nervous when Luke gave my CV to him because he frowned as soon as he read it.

Oh! No! He might recognize me. I felt mortified.

He looks at me and my CV alternately.

"Ashtrella Rodriguez... Also known as Ashley," He said with a frown.

"You're hired." My jaw dropped literally at his announcement.

"Uhm. Aren't you going to interview me first? Did I hear it right? You just hired me right away?" I looked at him in disbelief.

He smirked. "Why? Aren't you happy? Besides, there was no need for a long interview. We've met before." My eyes widened.

Luke led me to the floor of the Editorial Department. He mentioned they called them E-team. In this department, there are 23 members, including the Editor-in-Chief, which is me.

But only 10 of them were here in front of me now. The Assistant editor-in-chief, managing director, creative director, art director, head photographer, senior editor, head writer, photo editor, copy chief, and research chief are here.

"Everyone, this is Ms. Ashley Rodriguez, your new Editor-in-chief." Luke introduced me to my colleagues. I immediately fixed myself and stood up properly. I should look intimidating to them, so they would take me seriously, but the real thing is... I felt really shaken. I feel so nervous! Most of them are in their mid-thirties or forties, and here I am 23, and I'll be commanding them what to do. They might not like that I am younger.

"This is Ms. Abby De Guzman. She is the Assistant Editor-in-Chief. She will assist you." I nodded and mouthed my thanks. He turned his gaze to Abby.

"Ms. De Guzman, kindly introduce Ms. Rodriguez to the team and also take her on a tour around the building..." Abby nodded and grinned widely at Luke.

"I shall go now, Ms. Ashley. Enjoy the rest of your day." He excused himself and left.

"Hi, Ma'am," Abby greeted happily. She looks approachable, and I hope we will get along.

Abby introduced the E-Team.

"This is Mr. Daniel Buenaventura, the managing director." She pointed to a man in his late 20s. He is tall and masculine. He looks handsome too. But Mr. Harry Moon is much more handsome than him. I smirked at that thought.

"This is Meriam Arguelles, the Creative Director." she pointed out to the woman, wearing a maroon off-shoulder bodycon dress, with her hair tied into a high ponytail, a light make-up that compliments her natural beauty makes her gorgeous. She looked like Selena Gomez! She was looking at me with a smile on her face. 'Arghh... Why is she so gorgeous? I envied her...' I thought.

"This is Joshua Lopez, our Art Director." She pointed to the tall man I think is in his late 20s."

"Steven Lao is the Head Photographer." An old man wearing a blue knitted sweater, underneath was a white long sleeve with a black bow tie on his neck. He even wore a black Breton hat. His face had wrinkles on his forehead and has a mustache peppered with streaks. He looks like he was in his 40s,

"Mr. Robert Dela Cruz, our senior editor." He is a big guy with eyeglasses. He gives the impression that he is brusque, but he looks kind.

"Mrs. Amara Jackson, the Head Writer." She pointed out to the woman, whom I think is pregnant, but I don't want to assume, just in case she just ate too much.

"Jordan Fuentes photo editor." He looks seriously handsome and has a bad boy look. "And these are the twins Michael Sanchez, the Copy Chief, and Mikaela Sanchez, Research Chief." Michael, I think, is gay, but the twin looks bubbly.

"Good morning. My real name is Ashtrella Rodriguez, but you can call me Ashley. I am looking forward to working with you!" I gave them my sweetest smile. As Abby introduced them, they nodded and greeted me one by one. After getting to know my team, Abby took me on a tour around the building. Our first stop was room B.

"The 38th and 39th floors are the floors dedicated to the Editorial Department. Here on the 39th floor, we have the conference room for our department and your office." my forehead furrowed.

"Wait... There are three rooms here. What about the conference room we came from a while ago?" she smiled and shook his head.

"We call it Room B. It's called a brainstorming room, and we are the only ones who can enter that room, together with the people you've met... So if you notice, it was a bit chaotic there. Subordinates or other staff are not allowed to enter that room, only the heads of the department are." I nodded. That makes sense.

"Shall we go to the 38th floor first?" We entered the elevator and immediately went to the said floor. The occupied staff immediately greeted us. This floor is full of cubicles and E-Team staff.

"Here you can find the office for the head of each department. That room at the end is the office of the Head Photographer, where they also edit their shoots. We also have our own studio on the 37th floor if they shoot the photos indoors. We will go there later."

"On your left, the room next to the photographers' office, are storerooms... Props for the photoshoot are in that room. Here are the photocopying machines." She pointed to a large room on the right where we were standing. There are no more receptionists here. Everyone is busy, but they work quietly, and all that we could hear are their movements. I turned my gaze to Abby when she led the way to the elevator again.

"Let us go to the 37th floor," she said. When we got to the said floor, she was right about this photoshoot studio. There is a room that I think was the dressing room. We headed back to our office, which is on the 39th floor, while she was still talking.

"On the 36th floor is the function hall where all staff gathers for events like the Christmas party or the company's anniversary. On the 35th and 34th floor is the accounting department, 33rd is the HR department, 32nd is the storeroom where magazines are kept. Previous issues there as well, so if you want to see the older editions of the magazines, you can check on the 32nd floor. The 31st floor is the office of the admin department.

30th and 29th the printing department, where we print the magazine.

28th pantry area, 27th is the canteen.

26th, 25th, and 24th commercial studios with coffee shops, milk tea shops, and restaurants. The 23rd floor is the office of the COO, Ms. Madelaine Moon... Ms. M is what we usually call her. She is the sister of the CEO. On the 22nd is the security department, 21st is the clinic, 20th floor is SMI merchandise." My forehead creased. "A what?"

"SMI merchandise store. Our company has its own merchants." She said coolly. When we reached the 39th floor, we headed to my office immediately, and she opened the door for me as she continued talking.

I mouthed my thanks, and we both sat on the couch. Abby continued talking.

"On the 19th floor is another function room. The 18th to 15th floor is the office of other staff and secretaries of the board of directors, the 14th floor is the Board Of Director's room where the BODs work when they visit here. The 13th floor is what we called the paper room. Where you can find the paper to be used in the magazine. That was set aside for security purposes.

The CCTV office is on the 12th floor, where you can find CCTV monitors, and only security personnel is allowed. The 11th floor was the office of the CEO's parents. On the 10th, the floor is a gaming room for any staff who are tired and want to unwind. They can play any kind of game there. The 9th floor is a gym, the 8th floor, and the 7th floor are the rooms where the staff can rest or sleep when they must do overtime. There are rooms and beds there." She chuckled.

"The maintenance department is on the 6th floor, the 5th floor to 3rd floor is another pantry and canteen. The 2nd floor is the screening room, where they are interviewing applicants who want to apply to join the company or for the models. We are often there for testing models, and of course, the 1st floor is the lobby. Basement 1-4 is the car park, since we have a lot of employees here, so we are expecting a lot of cars..." she shrugged. She looked around at my office.

"This is your office, Miss Ashley. Mine is the room connected to yours." She pointed to the door on the left side of my office. I looked around, and the color scheme was mostly a mix of cream, white, and a touch of brown. My desk was an ordinary desk, and I had a swivel chair. There were four chairs laid out in front of it. There were two bookshelves and three other doors that I wondered where they led to.

Abby pointed out the door that led to her office, which was located on the left. On the right side, the door led to my restroom/powder room, and the last door led to the mini-pantry. Where there is a mini-refrigerator, an electric stove, and a coffeemaker. There is also a magazine stand next to my desk. I also have a coffee table placed near the floor-to-ceiling glass window, just like the office-of-the-CEO, and there is a couch where we are sitting. Compared to my previous work, my office here is way bigger and grander.

I turned to Abby as she spoke, I raised a brow. "Miss Ashley, are you going to start work today?" I shook my head.

"Not yet. Tomorrow is my first day." I smiled, and she just nodded.

"Thank you for giving me the tour," I said sincerely.

"No need to thank me. It is my job to assist you." She smiled cheekily. She cocked her head to the side. "I hope you don't mind, but how old are you, Ms. Ashley?"

"Oh! I'm 23 years old." She was taken aback.

"It means I'm a year older than you?! I'm 24." She gasped. "But you are too young to be our new EC. Ma'am Arlene, the former Editor-in-Chief. She was in her late 40s. She got fired because Sir Harry is so strict. He always has high expectations when it comes to our department." She was suddenly sad.

"I graduated at a very young age because I was accelerated. And I already have experience as an EC." She nodded.

I heaved a sigh before I stood up.

"So... It's nice to meet you, Abby, and I hope we'll get along together." I smiled and raised my hand to give her a handshake. She grabs my hand enthusiastically. "I'm looking forward to working with you, Ms. Ashley."