Chapter 3 A Girl In His Heart

"I think I have seen you from somewhere," Miguel said.

Leena's heart started to beat erratically from his words and actions. 'Does it mean that he remembers me?' She was a junior student that time, and she lived in the house next door to Miguel's. Leena always had a secret crush on him. While, he treated her more like his little sister.

On the Valentine's Day in her senior year, he asked her to go shopping with him. She assumed that they were going with other friends, but when she followed, they were the only two there. There were lots of lovers holding flowers in their hand as they walked pass the street. She tried to guess his intention during those times, but he only took her to the HD Hot Pot she'd always wanted to eat in ever since it opened.

She remembered being so confused that night. Leena had invited him to this place multiple times, but why did he only choose to invite her on Valentine's Day? Why didn't he accompany his girlfriend? "You do know that today's Valentine's Day, right?" she questioned.

Miguel nodded. "Then, why aren't you with your girlfriend now?" As if in shock, Miguel laughed. Till now, Leena still remembered the bright smile plastered on his face. It was as warm as spring. "I don't have one." His eyes glinted. Leena begged to differ. 'You have plenty of friends who are girls.' However, a part of her was delighted to hear that. Maybe after all these years, she actually had a chance.

Suddenly, Miguel took out a box of chocolates. "Here are your chocolates. It's a gift for your Valentine's Day."

The tension between them was insane. Leena's heart started to beat so fast that she thought it would explode at any minute. Her fingers trembled as she accepted the box. Later, Miguel ran his fingers down her hair. "Good," he commented. Without another word, he turned around and left.

When she got home, Leena immediately checked the box to see if there were any notes attached to it, frowning when she saw none. However, the chocolates were enough for her to start to think if he was interested in her too. That night, hundreds of thoughts rushed into her mind. Did he like her too? 'What if he does? What if he doesn't?'

Unfortunately, something tragic had happened to her family that she wasn't able to figure out the answer. From then on, everything was different. She moved houses and never saw him again. Until now, the question she had remained suspended up in the air for nine years.

"It's very kind of you, Mr. Miguel, but how could you have met me?" She smiled easily. "It's an honor to have such an esteemed guest in our hotel."

Leena might as well let him forget her. It was as embarrassing as it was already! Working in a hotel like this, she was already embarrassed to have him to look at her.

Disappointed, Miguel withdrew his hand as if he were stuck in his own hurtful thoughts.

After Leena and Mr. Lu finally settled the conflict, a waiter walked towards her. From the looks of his clothes, it seemed that someone had thrown up on him. Excusing herself, she cleaned the matter up.

Mr. Lu called her back right after. He informed her that Miguel had been looking for her, emphasizing that she looked a lot like someone he knew.

At his words, her heart skipped a beat. Did he still remember her? Did he really recognize her? "There's a girl in Mr. Miguel's heart. He'd been looking for her for years! It seems that no one can replace her," he stated.

Leena clenched her fists, a smile threatening to burst into her lips. "Who is he waiting for?"

He heaved a sigh. "He's looking for his beloved. In fact, he has already gone through great lengths trying to find her."

When they walked into the room together, Miguel had already fallen asleep on the sofa. No matter how rowdy it got, he still wouldn't wake up. He must've drunk a lot. Standing by his side, Leena's hands trembled. 'Are you really looking for me? Are you? Do you like me? On Valentine's Day, when you gave me that chocolate box, did you do it because you love me?'

However even then, her feelings could only be suppressed in her heart and mind no matter how much she wanted to ask him. They were in two different worlds now. They couldn't be together.

Before Carlson checked out of the hotel, he asked Leena to see him off. She hurried towards him, bowing her head. "We hope to see you again, Mr. Carlson!"

Carlson was incredibly handsome, especially when he was tipsy. Although the way he looked would have made other women go crazy, it did nothing to Leena. "Will you really not go out with me, Miss Yang?" he insisted.

She laughed in reply. "You're flattering me too much, Mr. Carlson. I don't deserve you."

"You'll be willing one day," he said.

The smile on Leena's face froze as Carlson stepped closer. "Don't play hard to get next time, all right?" he whispered before walking off.

From her gut feeling, the man wasn't joking around. Although he was smiling, Leena knew the threat lying underneath his gaze. However, she held herself. As she was working for the hotel, she needed to deal with these types of situations.

It was a very dangerous job, especially at the Heaven Hotel, where she met a variety of guests. If she was being targeted, terrible consequences would lie ahead. Leena thought she was very smooth with all the touchy guests. She kept a healthy balance between buttering them up and keeping their distance. However, Carlson just wouldn't quit it!

Even as she got off work, she couldn't help but think on what he was planning to do. As she walked out of the hotel, she returned back to her haggard state. She wore a pair of casual sneakers as she held her bag tightly in her arms. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and her beautiful face was hidden by black rimmed glasses. Anyone who glanced at her wouldn't recognize her as Director Yang, but even then, she felt as if someone was following her.

From the man's actions and footsteps, she could tell that he was an expert at hiding himself. Many people would've fallen for his tricks, but Leena wasn't anyone. She had been in the hotel business for too long, that she was always vigilant with her surroundings.

At the entrance of the restroom, Leena quickly dialed her best friend – her college classmate, Rena, who would be picking her up. Rena's family was rich, so she had her own car. Besides, she was also the only one who knew her secret. Every time Leena got herself into trouble, Rena was the first one she'd call.

As she headed inside the washroom, she bumped into someone. Leena was about to apologize, but she stopped herself when she saw who the man was. It was Miguel. He stopped as well, gazing at her as if he was looking at a long lost friend. And, maybe she was.