The New Boss

Regor’s POV

“Mr. President, we already have the perfect candidate for my replacement. You may read all the information about her as well as pertinent documents in this folder.” Gino, my outgoing chief executive assistant, informed me before he handed me an inch-thick folder.

I began to get alarmed.

“Her?” I asked before I straightened my body to my office chair.

He nodded, and I frowned.

“I thought I told you to get me a man for the job?” I reminded Gino, miffed at the idea that for the first time, he did not follow my orders. 

    

Gino did not answer, and my frown deepened. He had been my chief EA since I started in my political career ten years ago, where I served as the Mayor of the country's capital city for three consecutive terms.  

At that time, I needed someone whom I can trust, and there has been nobody that would fit that description to a ‘T’ except Gino.

Gino and I belong to the 1 percent that comprised the country's elite society. Both our families came from the most influential clans.

Our families were neighbors in Oriental Parks Subdivision, an exclusive residential estate for the mega-rich, and often referred to as the ‘Beverly Hills of the country’. We grew up together. We are best friends. 

“Why did you not insist on getting me a man for a chief EA? You know my preference.” All the while, my head whirred. What could the political party want this time?

Gino was of no help. He only smiled before he asked slyly, 

“Afraid someone might succeed this time in trapping you into marriage?” He asked me archly.

“Of course not, I am no fool. I just wanted to avoid them right now.”     

Gino looked at me, startled. “I thought you loved women? You have been caught countless times with a bunch of them before.” 

I laced my fingers together and leaned my elbows to my desk before I answered. “I do. But I do not want a replay of the Mendiola scandal.” I admitted.

“Well, I don’t think anybody can barge into the palace and accuse you of fathering her child.” I shuddered in the recollection of a social influencer who claimed I got her pregnant. I threw a wadded paper at Gino, and he laughed harder.

“What can I say? Maybe they think, at forty, you had been a bachelor long enough. And of course, you possess the right amount of power, money, and good looks. Who would not want a piece of you?” 

I could bitterly agree on that one. In the past years, women -models, actresses, and even heiresses had become so blatant in inviting me to their beds in the hopes of trapping me into marriage. I know that the media dubbed me as one of the most eligible bachelors in the Metro. But I chose my playmates well. I only go for women who knew the score.

“I still believe marriage is not for me.” 

“But the party frowned upon your carefree relationships with women. They said that it is not good for the Presidency. They had already made plans to marry you off while in office. Said it was time for you to get serious.”

“What? I just had taken my oath, and they are now rolling the wheels for me for a re-election bid? Isn’t it a bit early for that?” I could not hide the panic from my voice. I feel cornered.

“Besides, who told them I am not serious with my life? Enjoying my bachelorhood does not mean that I have to be perceived less seriously. Those old hypocrites.”

I do not understand all these people. They claim that I needed to show the public that I am dependable by being married. 

Gino just gave me a sardonic smile. One that says I have to endure this.

“Anyway, let’s go back to your new chief EA.” Gino deftly changed our conversation.

“I do not think you have anything to worry about this one. Mrs. Dimalanta told the team that she has no designs on any men. She has already sworn off men.” Gino told me smugly before he reclined on the couch in my office and straightened his feet on its matching footrest.

My interest got piqued. “Why?”  

“Well, you can find everything about her in her portfolio, but to give you a heads up, your new executive assistant married at 18 and went through divorce at 20. She got married for a second time at 23 and widowed at 30. She said that she had enough grief to last her a lifetime. She just wanted to spend her life working and caring for her kids.”  

“Well, I can say that nobody could blame her. With her experience, it would make any woman throw in the towel. Maybe she has had enough heartaches to last her a lifetime.” I said thoughtfully, looking at her profile. It says there that she was thirty-six.

I looked at the photos attached to the folder. There were close-up, half body, and whole-body shots.

I took the close-up photo and held it up for inspection.

The woman has interestingly striking facial features with a round-shaped face, but It was on her lips that my eyes lingered. Surprisingly I found it to be full and lush as if begging to be kissed. And her eyes, she had almond-shaped eyes that were upturned at the corners giving it a seductive appearance.

My breath hitched when I felt the instant tightening of my pants.  

I was startled. Katarina Dimalanta was not a classic beauty like the women I usually go out with, but she got my body on alert. The feeling is quite unusual. I have never been this strongly attracted to anyone with just a picture.

The idea is quite ridiculous!

I made calculations in my head and realized that it was already two weeks since I had a lay. At the rate my libido performs in the past, any good-looking woman could easily earn a reaction from me in my current state.

I mentally shook my head in an attempt to distract myself. Yet, my stubborn mind already made an imprint of her photograph before it teased me with wild images of her I conjured in my head - her sprawled on the couch while I do delicious things to her delectable body.

“You said she was thirty when her second husband died. That is too young to be a widow,” I observed. 

“Yes, and she has two children from both relationships.” 

“Anyway, how was she shortlisted for the job?” I asked while ruffling some papers on the desk.  

“Your political party endorsed her. She worked with Rep. Buenavidez for years..”  

I nodded my head in understanding. Rep. Buenavidez, a lawyer, has served his last term in office and is now back in private practice. Since his congressional team was co-terminus to his office, they were all displaced.

Then a question nudged me to ask. “They never had a thing?  

“Huh?”Gino looked at me, puzzled.

“I remember Rep. Buenavidez filed for divorce two years ago, right? Don’t tell me their relationship did not go beyond that of the boardroom.’

Gino smiled teasingly.

“Why being nosy with a hireling?”  He asked puzzled.

And then he squinted at me and gave me an exacting gaze. It made me squirm in my seat. 

“Are you interested?”  He asked pointblank.

Flustered, I leveled him with “the look” - the one that says that I do not find his question remotely funny.

But because Gino is not only my Chief EA but my best friend, “the look” in question did not even faze him.

He continued to pierce me with his stare. “Are you attracted to her?” he finally managed after scrutiny of my face.

I just shrugged my shoulders in answer.

“Anyway, she is scheduled to see you this morning for the final interview.” I looked up at Gino and saw him smile leeringly at me.

I do not know why. Suddenly, I got excited about this meeting.