Chapter 9

ALAS’ stomach grumbled, and when he glanced at his wristwatch, he realized it was already past noon. He stood up and looked over to see Yna still at her desk—scrolling through her phone instead of memorizing the documents he’d given her.

“Let’s go get lunch,” he offered. He didn’t want her going hungry, and he’d feel guilty if he let her skip a meal.

Yna lifted her head to glare at him. “Go ahead. I can eat perfectly well without you,” she replied sarcastically, turning her attention right back to her screen.

Alas just shook his head and said nothing more. He’d learned he needed to keep his temper in check every time he was around her. She really was as stubborn as they came.

He went to the company canteen alone. He was never picky about food, so he ate what was available without complaint.

When he returned to the office, Yna was still glued to her seat. “Hey, go have your lunch now,” he said firmly, settling into his swivel chair and sorting through the pile of papers on his desk. There was still so much left to go through, but this was the last batch.

“Can I go home now?” she asked quietly.

“Why? You haven’t finished your work. Your shift ends exactly at four o’clock,” he answered seriously, meeting her gaze. “If you want to grab lunch, fine—but you have to come straight back here. Is that clear?”

“Fine.” She slung her bag over her shoulder, then picked up the folders from her desk.

“Why are you taking those with you? Are you planning to sneak off after you eat?”

She faced him, clearly annoyed, and rolled her eyes.

“None of your business. I’m bringing them along—maybe I’ll have time to study them after lunch. I can’t possibly memorize anything on an empty stomach.” She turned on her heel and walked out.

“Sure you will,” Alas replied. 

“In your dreams,” she muttered to herself with a triumphant smirk. She had absolutely no intention of coming back.

She hated the stifling atmosphere of Alas’ office, and she hated even more the thought of memorizing every single detail in those two booklets. Everything about this job felt like a hassle, and she was already fed up.

Yna headed straight for the parking lot and drove home. She didn’t care if Alas got angry—she’d snuck out from under her father’s nose her whole life, so why would she stop now just because of him?

Back at the office, an hour had already passed. Alas kept checking his watch, his patience thinning. “She really did sneak out. That girl is something else—so incredibly stubborn.”

He picked up the intercom to call Lydia. He’d finished reviewing all the documents and needed to hand them over for revisions.

“Yes, Sir?”

“Come in. I’ve gone through everything. These need some adjustments. You can take them now.”

“Noted, Sir.” She was already at the door when he spoke again. “And don’t forget—tomorrow you’ll start training the new secretary.”

She nodded and stepped out.

Alas let out a long breath, his mind drifting back to Yna. He stood up, planning to visits Yna’s house later to check on her father Jonathan. 

But just as he got into his car, his phone rang—one of his closest friends invited him to his birthday party. He couldn’t bring himself to decline, so he changed his plans and headed to the venue instead.

When he arrived, Melchior greeted him warmly. He was not only his best friend but also his business partner.

“Hey, bro! How’ve you been?” Melchior asked, grinning widely as he walked over.

“I’m good, bro. Happy birthday.”

“Thanks! It’s been ages. How’s your love life treating you?”

Alas smiled faintly. “Non-existent. I’ve been swamped with work.”

Melchior laughed out loud. “C’mon! A guy as handsome as you with no girlfriend? That’s impossible. Speaking of which, Brenda is here—she’s still single, just like you. You should ask her out sometime.”

“Really? Where is she? I miss everyone, but I really don’t have time for dates right now. I’m way too busy.”

“Whatever you say. C’mon, let’s have a drink first,” Melchior said, leading him toward the bar counter.

YNA was already home when Jonathan arrived from work early.

“How was your first day?” he asked.

She shrugged indifferently. “It felt like nothing. I’m tired and hungry.”

“What? Why are you home already? Did you finish all your tasks?”

“Not even close. I was just so bored. Who on earth is expected to memorize two booklets with over ten pages each in a single day?”

“Well, that’s how it works,” Jonathan said gently. “Now you know what it’s like to hold down a job. Working for yourself and for your family takes real effort—that’s why you need to be more diligent.”

Yna just shrugged again and headed for the kitchen, her stomach growling. She found a tray of lasagna and immediately served herself a generous portion, eating hungrily.

Jonathan watched her from the doorway, shaking his head quietly. “I hope you finally grow up, Yna… and I hope Alas doesn’t give up on you too soon.”

Meanwhile, Alas had a little bit tipsy from drinking. He excused himself from the party—he still had plenty of work waiting for him the next day.

He was about to get into his car when a tall, elegant woman stepped into his blurry sight. She was wearing shorts and a fitted top, looking effortlessly poised.

“Hey, Alas—are you leaving already? It’s so early. Please stay a little longer,” she said, blocking his path.

He smiled as he recognized her. “Brenda? Is that you?”

“Of course it’s me! It’s so good to see you again. It’s been a while since we were together.”

“Good to see you too. I’m sorry, but I really have to go. Though you’re welcome to visit my office anytime.”

Brenda smiled sweetly. She’d been one of his closest friends back when he lived in the US, and she too came from a prominent family. “Alright. But are you sure you’re fit to drive? I can smell the alcohol on you,” she teased, leaning in to breathe in the scent of his cologne.

“I’m fine. I really have to go. See you soon.”

She stepped aside to let him pass. Alas got into his car, waved goodbye, and drove off. Brenda watched until his car disappeared from her view before turning back inside Melchior’s house.

 BACK in her room, Yna lay on her bed, completely unmotivated to open the booklet listing the profiles of Dela Merzcid Real Estate’s staff. Her eyes landed first on Alas’ photo, and she immediately felt her temper flare up.

“You’re not even that handsome, even if you are my boss,” she muttered, glaring at the picture like it was personally offending her. “I’d give you a good pinch if you were here.”

She shook her head and forced herself to flip through the pages. She came across another woman’s photo. “That must be Lydia,” she said to herself. “She’s pretty… but she looks like she’s already married. And pregnant, too,” she added, and she was right.

She kept turning pages, seeing face after face. She knew she’d never be able to memorize all of them, though she tried to focus for a moment.

She picked up the other booklet, but her patience ran out almost instantly. “Work Ethics,” she read aloud. How on earth was she supposed to memorize all this? She told herself she’d at least try to get through one page of the ten, but she couldn’t keep her focus.

Instead, she put the book down and started browsing online. Before long, she saw Alas’ name and face trending in the news—his company was officially merging with the Domingo Group. Her eyes lit up with sudden excitement. “Wait a minute… does this mean he knows Janus?”

This was exactly the opportunity she’d been waiting for—her chance to see Janus again.

“Perfect,” she whispered to herself. “I’ll stick around this job, Alas—not because I want to, but because this is my way back to him. I’ll find you again, Janus. I miss you so much.”

She sighed, all motivation to study completely gone. She stacked the documents neatly on her small table, already daydreaming about the reunion she hoped was coming.