The Observation

Amelia

For the next two days, I tried to disappear.

Every time someone mentioned that meeting, my stomach twisted like hell. Apparently, balita sa buong office na may “bagong paralegal na nag-correct kay Adrian Blackwood in front of his entire executive board.” Overnight, naging urban legend ako.

Half ng office looked at me like I’d just ruined my career. Yung kalahati naman, parang tingin nila hero move ‘yung ginawa ko.

Honestly, hindi ko alam kung alin dun ang mas masama.

So I kept my head down, buried in paperwork, pretending I was invisible. Maybe, if I was lucky, the CEO of Blackwood Corporation would just forget I existed. Surely, he had better things to do — mergers, deals, millions of dollars, actual important people.

Except… hindi pala.

Kasi exactly 11:13 a.m. that Thursday, may pumasok na email.

From: Executive Office — Blackwood Corporation

Subject: Summons.

Summons. As in, sino ba gumagamit ng ganung word sa totoong buhay?

> Miss Cruz,

Mr. Blackwood requests your presence in his private office. 12:00 sharp.

Do not be late.

Binasa ko twice, convinced na prank lang ‘to. Pero nung tinawagan ko yung number sa baba, isang formal na boses ang sumagot,

> “Blackwood’s office. Is this Amelia Cruz? You’re expected.”

Ayun. Hindi na ako nakahinga nang maayos for the next forty-five minutes.

Pagdating ko sa top floor, basa na ‘yung palad ko sa kaba. The elevator opened to this sleek, quiet space — puro glass, steel, and power.

Yung assistant niya, mukhang kaya magpatakbo ng buong bansa. “Go right in.” she said.

Pagkasara ng pinto, tahimik.

Nakatayo si Adrian Blackwood sa may bintana, hands in his pockets, staring at the skyline like he owned it — which, honestly, baka totoo naman.

He didn’t even look at me when he spoke. “You’re late.”

“It’s 11:59.” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

He glanced over his shoulder, a tiny flicker of amusement in his cold eyes. “Precise. I like that.”

“Sit.”

Umupo ako, trying to look calm kahit feeling ko maririnig niya tibok ng puso ko.

Tahimik siya for a few seconds. Pero hindi ‘yung awkward silence — ‘yung tipong siya pa rin ang may control kahit walang sinasabi.

Then finally: “You have an interesting habit, Miss Cruz.”

My throat tightened. “A habit, sir?”

“Speaking without permission.”

Nag-straight ako sa upuan. “If you’d prefer, I can—”

He raised a hand. “Don’t. I like it.”

Napatigil ako. “You… like it.”

His lips twitched, halos smile pero hindi talaga. “You’re not afraid to think. Most people in that meeting were. You saw a mistake, and you fixed it. I appreciate that.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I just kept quiet.

He moved closer, leaning on the desk, eyes locked on mine. “Tell me, Miss Cruz — do you always correct people who outrank you?”

“Only when they’re wrong.” I said before my brain could stop me.

His brow lifted. “Sharp tongue.”

“Bad habit.” I muttered.

“Not necessarily.” His voice dropped, low and calm. “A sharp tongue backed by intelligence is a weapon. Dangerous. Effective.”

He circled behind me, then leaned against the desk again. “You handled yourself well in that meeting. Calm. Analytical. Direct. Most interns would’ve panicked.”

“I wasn’t trying to impress anyone.” I said softly.

“I know.” His gaze softened — just a little. “That’s what impressed me.”

Bigla akong nahirapang huminga. The air felt heavier.

“Why am I here, Mr. Blackwood?”

“Because I notice talent. And I don’t waste it.”

He pushed a folder toward me. “You’ll assist on the Westbridge account. Report directly to my team. Occasionally, to me.”

“Sir, that’s… an executive-level case. I’m just—”

“Not just anything,” he cut in, firm. “You’re capable. And I need capable people.”

“Why me?”

His eyes didn’t waver. “Because you see things others don’t. And because I want to see what you’ll do when you’re given a real chance.”

My chest tightened. “Thank you, sir. I won’t let you down.”

“I know.” He straightened. “Now go before I change my mind.”

I stood, clutching the folder like it was the only thing keeping me standing. “Understood.”

As I reached the door, his voice stopped me.

“Miss Cruz.”

I turned.

His gaze was steady, unreadable. “I like people who think. But I like people who challenge me even more. Don’t lose that.”

I nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Do.”

The elevator doors closed behind me, and I finally exhaled. My reflection looked like someone who’d just survived a lion’s den. Barely.

I didn’t know what Adrian Blackwood wanted from me. But whatever this was — it felt like the start of something big.

Something dangerous.

Something I might not be able to walk away from.

---

Adrian

I didn’t summon Amelia Cruz because I had to.

I did it because I wanted to.

From the moment she opened her mouth in that meeting, I knew she was different.

Sharp. Fearless. Strategic. Every word she spoke had purpose. Hindi siya reckless — she was calculated. Precise.

Most people in that room wanted to please me.

She just wanted to be right.

That intrigued me.

Watching her sit across from me, trying to hide the nerves behind that calm facade, I saw something else — discipline. Hunger. The same hunger I saw in myself years ago.

She thought I noticed her because she corrected me once.

She didn’t realize she’d caught my interest.

A rare thing.

And a dangerous one.

Because in my world, curiosity isn’t harmless. It’s a spark. And sparks — if left unchecked — burn everything.

Still, as she walked out of my office, one thought stayed with me:

This woman might just set my empire on fire.

And God help me —

part of me wanted to watch it burn.