CLAIRE arrived early for work to avoid being scolded by her boss, Zekiel. She had already spoken to her family last night, including her mother Lucing and Quinn, reminding the young woman once again to look after things while she was away from home. When she reached her desk, she found a pile of papers waiting for her. With no choice, she began organizing them, even though she wasn’t familiar with some of the documents. All she knew was that they were for Zekiel’s signatures. Sure, she wasn’t officially a secretary yet, but she understood some of what she was reading—stocks and the like. She busied herself for half an hour before deciding to take a break, leaning back in her chair. “Ms. Venice.” She froze mid-stretch upon hearing someone call her. Her eyes darted around, searching for the source, but to her confusion, no one was there. She dismissed it as her imagination and settled back into her seat. “Excuse me.” This time, she shot up from her chair. Claire was easi
“I’m the new secretary of Mr. Gray for now since Hero is on leave,” The woman raised an eyebrow at her words. “Listen to me, poor girl. Don’t try to get the attention of my boyfriend. I’m Camille Hernandez, daughter of Philip Hernandez—one of the biggest shareholders in this company. So don’t you dare mess with me. Got it?” Claire exhaled sharply at the woman’s words and was about to retort when Zayne suddenly grabbed her hand, making her glance at him. She saw the worry in his eyes as he shook his head. Left with no choice, she composed herself and forced a smile at the woman. “Don’t worry, Ms. Hernandez. Flirting with your arrogant boyfriend isn’t part of my plan. That’s the door—go inside and wait for Mr. Gray.” Claire even pointed at Zekiel’s office door for her. “Wait, what did you call him? Arrogant? What kind of poor language is that?” Claire was this close to slapping the woman because of her pretentiousness. She didn’t even know basic Tagalog. “It’s a poor lan
CLAIRE was left alone at her desk, and it had already been an hour. Zayne had gone inside earlier because he said he needed to talk to his dad. Claire agreed since she still had a lot of work to do. “Next time you come here acting all high and mighty, bring an assistant! Who do you think you are, the richest person in the world?” Claire looked up when she heard the irritated voice of her friend Bea. Meanwhile, Camille was stomping out of Zekiel’s office with a scowl on her face. Claire immediately understood why Bea was so annoyed—she must have forced the door open. Claire just stared at Camille until the girl stopped in front of her. “You! You’ll pay for what you did to me earlier!” Camille said tearfully, making Claire want to laugh. “Sure, how much? I’ll pay,” Claire smirked, which only made Camille’s expression darker. “I’ll tell Dad what you did to me!” With that, Camille stormed off, leaving Claire laughing. “Daddy’s girl!” Claire couldn’t help but chuckle, and
“HELLO? Yes, this is Venice Sanchez—oh, the lights?—yes, of course!—please make sure they’re in good condition—yes, I’ll tell Bea—thank you.” Claire leaned back in her chair, exhausted. Ever since Zekiel told her to prepare for tomorrow’s party, she had been scrambling to get everything in order. She knew organizing an event was a lot of work, so she had to start immediately. She was startled when her phone alarm suddenly rang. She checked the time—it was time for Zekiel’s next meeting. She stood up, knocked lightly on his office door, and stepped inside. Inside, she saw Zekiel and Zayne playing together. She paused for a moment, surprised. Despite spending almost the entire day together on her first day, this was the first time she had seen father and son laughing and playing like this. She noticed how much they resembled each other and how genuinely happy they seemed. Shaking her head at the thought, she continued walking toward them. This was Zekiel’s last meeting for the d
They set off on their journey while she stayed at the back with Zayne, while Zekiel was the one driving. As Claire and Zayne were playing, the little boy yawned, so she immediately leaned him against her. “Go to sleep, Zayne. I know you’re tired.” Her words seemed to signal him to close his eyes, and he quickly fell asleep. So the kid was already sleepy but didn’t say anything. The car fell silent after that. Claire didn’t want to disturb her son’s sleep, so she just guided Zekiel on the road until they arrived. “Thank you for the ride, Mr. Gray. You should head home now so Zayne can sleep properly,” she said with a smile. The man only nodded in response before immediately driving off. “Seriously, no manners at all,” Claire muttered in annoyance at how he just left without a word. She let it go and went inside the house, freshened up, and then called her daughter. Zoey happily chatted with her, but like Zayne, she was also tired, so their call didn’t last long before Zoe
I was startled awake by loud banging on the door of the room I was staying in. I had been dreaming and could still feel the bed pulling me back to sleep, but I couldn’t do anything about it because the noise at my door had grown too loud.I was confused as to why it was so dark, so I immediately turned on the light and hurried toward the door, which was still being pounded by whoever was outside.“Yes, I’m coming!”I shouted, hoping it would make the banging stop, but it didn’t—as if the person outside couldn’t hear me.“Who the—”“Auntie!”“Ninang!”I was shocked when two children suddenly screamed and hugged me. That’s when I saw my son, Zayne, and Bianca, both dressed in formal attire.Zayne was wearing a tuxedo, while Bianca had on a fitted dress.“What are you two doing here?”“They are with me.”I turned to the speaker and was stunned to see a handsome figure standing there. It was Zekiel, also wearing a tuxedo that matched our son’s perfectly.They looked so much alike, and wit
A few minutes later, I had already changed and fixed myself up. I cried for five minutes, then immediately composed myself. I only did quick makeup.My outfit was white with glitter, making it shimmer.The only thing I didn’t like about it was that it was a crop top. I was surprised seeing this because this was my design! My own design—I couldn’t believe I’d be wearing something like this. The sleeves were long, a full-length sleeve, making me feel like a Hollywood star in this outfit, paired with my tall white heels.I sprayed net on my hair to keep it sleek, combed back—truly a Hollywood star look.Good thing my puffy eyes weren’t noticeable. As for the outfit, I had no choice because Tita insisted I wear it. It was beautiful, but I never wear crop tops—this was my first time.Yes, I design crop tops because they’re trendy, but I don’t wear them myself.I looked like a model for my own clothes. I shook my head at the full-body mirror—I was already late, so I had to hurry.“Zayne? Bi
”I’m back again, so sorry for that. By the way, I just received news that this new couple on stage, along with Mr. Gray’s son, has an interesting video. Let’s watch this.”I immediately felt alarmed. What video?!I glanced at Zekiel, and his reaction mirrored mine—shock. Even my son, Zayne, looked stunned.”What is that?!” I demanded, but no one answered. Instead, a video began playing on the large projector in front, silencing the entire room.I shot to my feet at what I saw—it was a video from yesterday when we were on a call with the venue designer while the three of us were arguing over the arrangements.The room erupted in noise. I heard some positive comments, but far more were negative—because I was just a secretary.”Yes! She’s Mr. Gray’s btch secretary!”I scanned the room, trying to see who had shouted that, but I couldn’t pinpoint the source. The murmurs only grew louder.I turned to Zekiel, who remained seated, unfazed.”Do something!” I hissed at him, but he just looked a
”We can go back to the palace after we rescue the twins,” Timothy said to Claire, who was fixing herself up after changing clothes. She couldn’t wear that dress anymore because it would hinder their plan to infiltrate Louise’s hideout. At first, she couldn’t believe that Louise was the one who kidnapped her children—especially since she had trusted her—but she was wrong. “I won’t leave until the twins are safe, Kuya,” After saying that, Claire walked out to head to the hideout, where they would plan their assault on Louise’s lair. Timothy could only sigh at his friend’s words—he knew her well. When someone she loved was in danger, she would do everything to save them. “Wait, why did you disappear earlier, Kuya Timothy? And Aunt Kaithy was gone too,” The man looked at her and smiled. “I still have a duty to fulfill, Princess.” “And what is that?” Claire asked curiously. “To report on your brother. As for Mom, she went back home. She said she’d only return to the Philipp
After Claire ordered the twins to be taken to their room, the bodyguards immediately covered their mouths with handkerchiefs laced with sedatives, causing Zayne’s eyes to widen in shock as the twins desperately tried to call for their parents. But it was too late—they had already inhaled the sedative. The bodyguards acted swiftly, slipping out through the back of the kitchen and into a waiting car outside. Since they were recognized as the Gray family’s guards, they were let through without issue. Their journey was smooth, and soon they were greeted by their employer. “Very good, boys,” the woman said with a smile. “Thank you, ma’am. Where should we take the twins?” they asked, addressing none other than Camille. “Take them to my beloved’s room. He’ll reward you for this,” she replied, grinning. The men smiled widely and immediately carried the twins upstairs. Camille watched them go, her gaze lingering as they carried the unconscious children. “Now I’ll finally get my rev
“I-I just wanted to know something before you leave.” They froze at Zekiel’s words and turned to look at him. “W-When will you come back for me and the kids?” Claire felt as if she’d been struck by an arrow at the man’s question, biting her tongue as she struggled to answer. “I-I don’t know… The moment I wore the crown, I could no longer turn away from my duty.” The women cried even harder at Claire’s words, and even Zekiel’s mother began to sob. In the short time they had spent with the young woman, they had seen how kind-hearted she was and how deeply she loved their son. So when she needed help, they didn’t hesitate to support her. “R-Right… Okay, thank you for answering.” Zekiel could no longer hold back his tears and nearly collapsed where he stood—luckily, his father acted quickly and steadied him. “I-I’m okay, Dad… I’m fine,” he told his father, though it was obvious he wasn’t, as he still clung tightly to his arm. Claire didn’t miss his tears and quickly wiped her
Note: -Kuya (Tagalog for “older brother ”) ____ “WHAT? W-What else are you hiding from me in my life that I don’t know about?” Claire let out a sigh at the man’s words. “Guards!” Everyone was startled when Claire shouted loudly—loud enough for the twins’ bodyguards to hear. Moments later, the bodyguards rushed in from outside and bowed before her. “Yes, Your Highness,” the leader of the guards said respectfully. “Take my children and bring them to their room.” “W-What? Mommy, no! Please, no!” Zayne screamed as one of the bodyguards approached and immediately carried him away, while Zoey only snapped out of her daze when another guard lifted her. “M-Mommy!” Claire forced herself to ignore her children’s pleas because she also didn’t want them to hear the truth. “B-Bad guys...” Zoey whispered weakly, but no one heard her as the door was already closing. “Why did you have to send the twins away?” Quinn asked, making Claire glare at her. The young woman swallowed
REMINDER!I didn’t add the monarchy to the plot to make it unique or to play around with the royal family of Spain. THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION, guys! Whatever I wrote about Claire being a princess is purely my own creation, especially the way they rule in Spain! DON’T CANCEL ME, PLEASE! THIS IS NOT BASED ON A TRUE STORY!
“K-Kuya, I can’t accept this because we’re leaving soon, right? You’re here now because you’ve come to take me back, aren’t you?” I pulled away from his embrace and looked into his sorrowful eyes. “I-I’m sorry, Claire,” I shook my head at him. “You don’t have to apologize, Kuya Timothy. I know my duty. I know what I must do.” After saying that, I went to my room, walking lifelessly from the pain I felt. As much as I wanted to say yes to Zekiel earlier, there were still things I needed to finish. When I entered the room, I saw a box inside, so I approached it and opened it. “That’s what you’ll wear, Claire. When you return to the palace, you must be ready and show them all that you are their princess.” I heard Kuya Timothy’s words and saw a princess dress and a royal princess cloak—something I had only ever seen in shows before, but now, I was the one who would wear it. Both were pink—a soft baby pink—while the main dress was long-sleeved with beads on the front and a r
We also walked for several minutes until we reached the circle at the very center of the mall, where you could see all four floors rising to the top of the circular space. “Where’s your dad? Isn’t this the circle?” I asked the twins, who just shrugged and let go of my hand. “He’s probably here somewhere, Mommy. We’ll find him soon,” Zoey said, glancing around. I did the same, but even after scanning the area, I still couldn’t spot him. “He’s not—Zoey? Zayne?!” I shouted when I realized the twins were no longer behind me. Strangely, even our bodyguards were gone. What was even weirder was that the crowd around us had disappeared. “Ah!” I shrieked when something suddenly burst above me. I looked up and was stunned to see rose petals raining down, filling the air with their sweet scent. What was happening? Another burst followed, startling me again. I instinctively closed my eyes, but when I opened them, I gasped at the sight of a small, flying object emitting blue and pink smo
She bowed her head to me and hugged me tightly. “I know this is hard for you, but you have to face it. You can’t stay and fight here. You’re the Princess of Spain, Claire. Your brother’s future—our country’s future—depends on you.” My arms tightened around her, and I couldn’t hold back my tears. I really need to do this. Days passed, and Zekiel finally returned home. Several days had also gone by since I last spoke to my brother Timothy and since I last saw him. After our conversation that night, he suddenly vanished without a trace. Even Quinn was worried about him, so I just told her that he texted me, saying he had something important to do and went back home—especially since Aunt Kaithy had also disappeared. As more days went by, I started to worry too. Zekiel had recovered, and Timothy had promised he’d be with me when we returned to Spain. But until now, he still hadn’t shown up. Am I going back alone? “You’re spacing out again.” I flinched when someone hugged me from behi
CLAIRE We’re here at the hospital where I brought the three of them, and their families are also here. I’ve already met Hero’s wife and their one-year-old child. Bea is furious about what happened, especially since she had no idea her husband was in danger. Meanwhile, Zekiel’s parents are relieved because we’ve finally dealt with the person responsible for nearly killing our son. If it were up to me, I would have killed Camille myself—she showed no mercy toward my child, even though he was just a kid. As for Kuya Timothy and Nanay Lucing, they stayed at home because I didn’t bring the twins. Even though Camille is gone, there’s still a threat against our lives—or mine. The Spanish Mafia… I really want to tell Zekiel about them, but I know he’ll just worry, especially since he’s covered in wounds. “Bea, Quinn, I’ll leave you for a bit. I just need to buy something outside.” Zekiel was asleep, and only Dylan and Hero were awake, so I left them in their care. The two nodded, an