Chapter 1

"So this is what it came down to?" Anthony remarked and looked at Faith with disgust. As if she was a piece of trash.

I guess I deserve it, Faith thought. It was never meant to be like this. She was never meant to stoop so low as to offer her body to this well-respected and powerful man that was standing in front of her. She was supposed to come to the office, work hard, and leave. The only interaction she was supposed to have with him was at the office when she occasionally brought him coffee and paperwork for him to sign.

But that's not how things turned out to be. Here she was, standing in front of him, asking him to spare her life.

She felt beaten and humiliated by her boss, but she couldn't blame anyone but herself if she hadn't done what she did. If she hadn't stolen, things would've been much different.

Faith was the oldest of her two sisters and the breadwinner. Her middle sister Jody went out of state for an internship, and her younger sister was still in high school. In addition, their father was suffering from a chronic illness that rendered him paralyzed. She had no choice but to take responsibility and support her family.

She was grateful to find a job as an office clerk at the DeMarco corporation. The pay wasn't outstanding, but it was good enough to feed her family, so she didn't complain.

She didn't meet Anthony DeMarco, the CEO of the company, right away. She only saw glimpses of him which were enough for her to feel flustered.

He was six foot 3 with broad shoulders and a muscular physique. His eyes were an intense shade of blue. So blue, it reminded her of the ocean. He had an incredibly handsome face, but he never smiled. She wondered if he ever smiled for the woman he loved if he had someone like that. The women in the office whispered about his good looks and serious demeanor, but Faith never participated in their gossip.

What was the point anyway? She wouldn't get a guy like that in a million years. Her features were ordinary. Anthony DeMarco was way out of her league. He must like those glamorous model-type women—the ones you see in magazines.

His personal assistant Diana called for her one day. Diana was usually friendly with Faith, and they occasionally had lunch together.

"Hey, what's going on?" Faith wanted to know.

"So..this is awkward, but I need a huge favor from you," Diana said.

"From me? What can I do?" Faith asked.

"Well...the thing is, I have a family emergency, so I have to go to Florida for three months. I was supposed to find a temporary replacement for Mr. DeMarco, but things had been so hectic that I couldn't interview anyone properly," Diana said.

"And?" Faith urged her.

"I was thinking. Maybe you can do it?" Diana looked at her expectantly.

"Me?" Faith was shocked at her proposal. This would mean she had to be close to Anthony, and the thought itself was intimidating. Was she even qualified for the job?

"Yes. Please, Faith? I don't trust anyone else, and Sir is very particular about everything. I know how efficient and organized you are, so you'll catch up in no time," Diana said. "Besides, you'll be getting extra money on your check for three whole months! I already had Sir approve it. He doesn't know it's you yet, but he trusted my judgment on finding my own replacement!" she chirped.

I suppose extra money sounds nice, Faith thought to herself. She needed the money badly. Her family depended on her for bills and food, and they were hardly getting by with her paycheck.

"I will do it," Faith announced.

"Thank you, thank you! I will forever be grateful to you!" Diana hugged her.

~-~

On the day after Diana's departure, Faith stood in front of Anthony for the first time. She had never seen him up close as he mostly stayed on his floor and merely glanced in her direction when he passed by her cubicle. Standing in front of him like this made her nervous.

"You are Diana's replacement?" Anthony asked. He narrowed his eyes.

"Y..yes sir," Faith mumbled.

"Speak up. I can't hear you," Anthony said sternly.

"I am sorry, Sir. Yes, I am Diana's temporary replacement," Faith said quickly.

Anthony stared at the woman in front of him intently. She was completely opposite to Diana. Diana was a beautiful, assertive woman who was quick on her feet. This woman seemed timid, and her appearance was plain. What was Diana thinking, using this woman as the replacement?

"Get me a cup of coffee. Two sugar, no cream," he ordered.

This was her first task? Faith hoped he wasn't trying to make her into his personal maid or something.

Anthony's lips twisted into a grin. It was as if he had read her mind. "Don't worry, I won't make you run errands for me all day and every day. But Diana brings me coffee around this time and I've gotten used to the routin. I hope it won't be a problem for you?" He peered through his dark eyelashes as he waited for her answer.

"No, Sir. Of course, not. I will bring it to you right now." Faith hurried off. She quickly grabbed a coffee mug, poured black coffee, and then stirred in two spoons full of sugar.

"So you're replacing Diana?"

Faith turned around as she heard Mary Jean's voice behind her. "Oh, no, it's not like that. I'm temporarily standing in until she gets back," she said quickly.

"I see. Gosh, you're so lucky," Mary Jean cooed.

"I am?"

"Are you seriously asking? I mean, have you seen that man? He is so handsome. Everyone is so intimidated by him, but I bet you will be able to get close to him." Mary Jean gushed.

Getting close to her boss was the last thing Faith wanted. She was too busy busting her butt to get through the day. "I am just here to work," she smiled timidly.

She hurried back to the office.

"Go ahead and set it on the table," Anthony ordered.

Faith did as she was told. Perhaps a little too hastily. Her hand shook as she tried to put the mug down, and the hot coffee spilled on her arm. She gasped. Not because the liquid burnt her skin, but because some of it splashed on a file on the table. She looked at Anthony right away to see how pissed he was.

God...she was so screwed.