Chapter 7

The boarding house smelled like garlic and oil when Shaina placed the last plate of tapa on the table. She added fried egg and garlic rice, and that made her smile. She woke up early just to cook breakfast for her and her sister. It had been a long time since they ate home-cooked breakfast. Most days, they just ate at the eatery. Worse, she always ate alone because her sister woke up late.

She was about to leave the kitchen when RJ showed up at the door, wearing colorful oversized shades like he was going to a party later. She didn’t bother to greet her gay best friend and just kept doing her task.

“What is this!” RJ shouted, almost dropping his shades. “Who are you and what did you do to Shaina Dela Cruz? You cooked?!” He looked at her in shock. Even he wasn’t used to seeing her cook. In their group, RJ was the one who liked cooking. Shaina was just the eater.

She rolled her eyes and wiped her hands on her apron. “What drama again? If you want to eat, sit down.”

RJ ran to the table, still staring at her like she was a ghost. “Girl, seriously, do you know this is a historic event? You really cooked? Not your baby girl Regine who sleeps all the time? What do I call this—Miracle of tapa and egg?”

Shaina just laughed at her friend’s nonsense, but before she could answer, RJ turned to their room. “Wait, where’s your sister?”

“Still sleeping,” she answered casually while putting rice on her plate. Of course, she wanted to eat first before chatting. She might be late for work.

That’s when RJ exploded. He stood up, hands on his waist, voice high. “What?! It’s past eight! She’s still asleep? My God, she’s not in high school or elementary anymore to act like a princess in bed. She’s in second year college, with a boyfriend! And she still sleeps all day? That’s irritating!”

Shaina just smirked and took a spoonful of rice. “Leave her. She’s still young.”

“Young?!” RJ almost hit the wall in frustration. “If she’s young, then she should act like Dora, not a queen with a boyfriend! At least your sister has a love life. And you, the older sister, still single.”

Just then, Regine came out of the room, hair tied, eyes still sleepy. “RJ, you’re so noisy. Don’t you have anything better to do than talk about my life?”

“Oh, the queen of the bed speaks!” RJ said, raising an eyebrow. “You walk like a half-awake goddess. Eat now before I get high blood.”

Shaina shook her head at their banter. “Let’s just eat. Before the food gets cold.”

But of course, RJ couldn’t stop gossiping. While scooping tapa, he peeked at her like a nosy news reporter.

“So, how was your first day as madam secretary yesterday? Don’t tell me you have no story. Girl, that’s not allowed.” He kept piling rice on his plate. “Is your boss really handsome? Does he have abs? The type that even if he only orders coffee, I can already use him as my wallpaper?”

Her eyes went wide. She remembered everything from yesterday—the dictation, her typing mistake (“He smells good”), and Lukas’s cold but warm voice saying, “I love your coffee.”

She bit her lip, cheeks heating again.

That stupid man. Why is he still in my head?

“Oh my God, you’re blushing! Kilig attack!” RJ shouted like he won a raffle. “Shai, please, just give me a picture! Even just his back, so I can imagine him while drinking coffee. Don’t make me picture your boss as Tito Boy!”

“Picture, picture, stop that,” she snapped, rushing to finish her food. “My boss is not a celebrity.”

“Then make him the leading man in your heart!” RJ squealed.

But instead of laughing, her mood only turned worse.

Argh, Shaina! Don’t stare at your stupid boss! Yes, he’s handsome. Yes, he smells good. But don’t fall, girl. He’s trouble.

And in her mind, she knew facing Lukas Vergara today wouldn’t be easy.

Shaina stepped into the elevator fast when she saw it was empty. Perfect. She wanted some quiet time before going to war again. On her way to the building, she had been thinking of all the possible problems waiting for her today.

She was fine until the elevator opened again. And there he was—the last person she wanted to see. Her boss.

Relax, girl. This is normal. Of course you’ll meet him here. It’s his company.

“Good morning, Sir Lukas,” she greeted, but he didn’t reply or even smile.

Rude.

She straightened up, hugged the folders close to her chest, and stayed quiet. She couldn’t help but notice his outfit—a dark blue suit that made him look taller and even more handsome. But most of all, she smelled his perfume again. The kind that turned the whole elevator into a perfume ad.

She held her nose, pretending to fix her hair, but really trying to block the smell.

God, why does his perfume fill the whole place? Doesn’t he ever run out?

She told herself it wasn’t that good, but deep inside she knew—it was addicting. She could smell him all day.

She looked forward, but her eyes kept sneaking glances at him. And every time she peeked, she only got more annoyed—because he really did smell so good.

Stop it, Shaina! Don’t get addicted to his scent! Did you forget what he did to you before?

Until—

“Caught you.” His cold but amused voice broke the silence. He was looking straight at her. And worse—smiling.

Her neck turned cold. She tried to act normal. “What is it, sir?”

Lukas leaned closer, like he was smelling her back. “You’ve been peeking at me. Do I smell that good, Miss Dela Cruz?”

She gasped, almost dropping the folders. She bit her lip, and before she could answer, the elevator opened. She escaped quickly.

But as she walked to the office, only one thought stayed in her head—

Yes, Lukas Vergara. You smell good. And damn you, because you know it.