Kapag hindi natin kilala ang isang tao, ginagawan natin sila ng kwento. Based on how they dress, sa expressions ng mukha nila, sa hitsura nila... Binibigyan natin sila ng personality at backstory, just to satisfy this itch in our heads brought by their mystery.

That was what happened with Jasper Matthews.

Hindi pa man ito pumapasok sa kumpanya ay may kumalat na kaagad na balita tungkol dito. They said that Jasper might be the son of the company owner, Philip Matthews, because they share the same last name.

Of course, it was quickly debunked when he actually came to work.

"Guys! Can I have your attention please?"

Katelyn raised her head to take a peek from behind the huge monitor in front of her. She could see their team lead from afar. May nakatayong lalaki sa tabi nito. He was wearing all black, from what she could see from her desk.

Naka-mask ito na itim, may suot na salamin sa mata na itim din ang frame. Itim ang backpack na nakasukbit sa balikat nito. May headphones na nakalagay sa leeg, itim din. He was wearing an oversized black hoodie and black pants.

"This is Jasper Matthews Alberto. He will be joining our team as our new website developer. Please give him a warm welcome."

Nagkatinginan sila ng katabi niyang si Nina.

"Jasper... Matthews?" pabulong nitong tanong.

Nagkibit-balikat siya at saka nakipalakpak sa mga kasama.

Nina leaned closer and asked, "Di ba Matthews daw yung bago natin? Tapos sabi ng ibang departments anak sya ni Sir Philip?"

"Ah... oo nga 'no."

It turned out that Jasper Matthews was only his first name and not his full name.

"Kate."

"Po?"

Nang muli siyang tumunghay ay nasa tapat na ng cubicles nila si Mr. Frederick kasama si Jasper. "Ikaw na muna ang bahala sa bago ha." Bumaling ito sa bago nilang empleyado. "Dito ka sa tabi ni Kate. Mabait yan. Wag kang mahihiyang magtanong."

She felt a nudge from behind her. Muntik na siyang mapasigaw nang naging kurot iyon. Jasper only nodded before sitting down in front of the computer. Inilapag ni Mr. Frederick ang makapal na trainee manual sa desk ni Jasper bago nito iyon iniwan sa kanila.

"Hi!" bati niya.

Tumingin ito sa kanya at tumango.

Isa na namang kurot ang nakuha niya mula kay Nina. Ninlingon niya ito at pinandilatan.

Ano ba! Masakit ah! She seemed to say.

Ang pogi teh! Mukhang Koreano!

Of course, no words were exchanged between them. But they have been friends for 4 years and seatmates for two. She wanted to believe they could communicate telapathically.

Nina got up from her seat and approached Jasper. Kate watched the interaction unfold. Nina had always been the assertive type. She could walk up to guys and introduce herself to them without any qualms. Takot ang anxiety kay Nina.

"Hello! Ako nga pala si Nina," pakilala nito sa bagong dati. "I'm the graphic designer for our brand. "And this is Kate. Content writer naman natin. Kapag may questions ka, huwag kang mahihiyang magtanong ha. Tatlo lang naman tayo dito sa likod."

Jasper was just looking up while she was doing her spiel. And then, he nodded after. Tapos binuksan na nito ang computer nito. Nina turned around and went back to her seat.

'Ganda ng mata!' she mouthed. "Kaso mukhang suplado," mahina nitong dugtong.

"Baka naman nahihiya lang. Tinakot mo naman kasi agad," pabulong niyang sagot.

Nang tumingin siyang muli sa gawi ni Jasper, nakataas na sa lamesa ang backpack nito. Malaki iyon. Mukhang lalagyanan ng laptop. And it was like he purposely put it there so he would have some sort of barrier between him and then. Which kinda bothered Kate. Because how would he get along with the team with that attitude?

Pero ipinagkibit-balikat na lamang niya. Unang araw pa lang naman. Baka nahihiya lang ito.