Chapter 2: The CEO Doesn’t Trust Anyone

Hindi normal ang katahimikan sa loob ng CEO’s office. Ito yung klase ng silence na parang may nakabantay na panganib sa bawat sulok.

Si Adrian Velez ay nakaupo sa likod ng desk niya, fingers tapping slowly against the polished wood. Sa harap niya, nakatayo ang bagong Executive Assistant.

Straight posture. Perfect suit. Calm expression. Too calm.

Adrian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“So… Eli Santiago.”

“Yes, sir,” sagot ni Eli agad.

Adrian leaned back. “You were hired quickly.”

Eli didn’t flinch. “The board needed someone efficient.”

Adrian smirked faintly. “No. The board needed someone they could control.”

Tumigil ang hangin. For a second, Eli’s jaw tightened, pero agad din siyang bumalik sa professional smile.

“I’m here to work, sir.”

Adrian stared at him. “You don’t talk like an assistant.”

“And you don’t talk like someone who trusts people,” sagot ni Eli.

Nawala ang smirk ni Adrian. Interesting.

Sa labas ng office, halos hindi makahinga si Aira Monteverde. Nakatayo siya malapit sa reception area, hawak ang clipboard na hindi naman niya binabasa.

Ang utak niya, nasa loob ng office. Kasama si Eli. Kasama ang CEO. Kasama ang sikreto na puwedeng sumabog anumang oras.

“Hindi niya malalaman…” bulong niya sa sarili, kahit siya mismo hindi sigurado.

Bumukas ang pinto at lumabas si Eli, expression unreadable. Sumunod si Adrian, coat in hand.

“Aira Monteverde.”

Napalingon si Aira agad. “Y-Yes, Mr. Velez?”

“You’ll be assisting Eli for the next two weeks.”

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Aira. “Ako po?”

“Yes.” Walang paliwanag si Adrian. “Both of you, executive meeting room. Ten minutes.”

And just like that, he walked away.

Pagkasara ng elevator doors, agad lumingon si Aira kay Eli.

“What are you doing?!”

“Lower your voice,” malamig na sagot ni Eli.

“He’s putting me beside you!”

Eli stepped closer. “I told you… stay quiet.”

Aira’s hands trembled. “You can’t pretend forever.”

Eli’s smile was bitter. “You think I want this?”

Napatahimik si Aira.

“If I reveal myself,” mahina nitong sabi, “they’ll send me back.”

“Back where?” bulong ni Aira.

Eli’s eyes darkened. “To the life I escaped.”

Ten minutes later, nasa meeting room na sila. Glass walls, city skyline view, executives whispering habang pumapasok si Eli.

“Ang pogi talaga…”

“CEO’s assistant? Grabe.”

Then Adrian entered. Instant silence.

He placed a folder on the table. “We have a problem. Huxley Corp is planning to buy out one of our subsidiaries.”

Murmurs spread.

Adrian turned to Eli. “Your first assignment. 

Find out how.”

Eli nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“And you have 48 hours.”

Aira’s breath caught. Impossible iyon. Pero si Eli, kalmado pa rin.

Adrian leaned closer, voice quiet but deadly.

“I don’t tolerate lies in my company.”

The room chilled.

“If you lie to me… I will destroy you.”

After the meeting, executives filed out quickly. 

LOnly Aira and Eli remained, gathering documents.

Aira whispered, “He knows something.”

Eli didn’t answer. Instead, he muttered, “I need you.”

Aira blinked. “What?”

“I need you to cover for me,” Eli said, eyes intense.

“You’re asking too much.”

“Please.”

That one word sounded real. Not corporate. Not fake. Just a girl trapped in a suit, begging for survival.

Aira swallowed hard. “This will ruin me.”

“It will ruin me first,” Eli whispered.

Silence.

Then Aira sighed. “…Fine.”

Eli’s eyes widened. “You’ll help?”

“Only until you find a way out,” sagot ni Aira.

Before Eli could speak, the door opened.

Adrian stood there, watching.

His gaze moved between them, too sharp, too knowing.

“Interesting…” he said slowly.

“You two seem… close already.”

Aira’s blood ran cold.

Adrian smiled faintly.

“This should be fun.”

End of Chapter 2

Sa Velmont Corporation, secrets don’t stay buried.

And Adrian Velez… was already digging.