7

It was only four in the morning, but Nicole was already awake and busy preparing breakfast for the blue-blooded children of her Aunt Norma, whom she served. She still had many household chores to do, but she decided to save some for later. After cooking and waiting for the beloved princesses and the esteemed queen to wake up, she also had to prepare for her first day of work as the executive assistant of the rude CEO.

Nicole was overjoyed yesterday when she got home from that company. She was so excited to tell her Aunt Norma that she had landed a job, even greeting her with a big smile while showing off the ID she received from Sir Luis. However, instead of congratulating her, her aunt belittled her, saying that all those years of studying engineering in college were wasted, only for her to end up as an executive assistant.

She didn’t even bother explaining that the company's salary offer was quite high. Besides, Nicole thought it was better if her aunt and cousins believed she was earning a small amount—it would help her save money faster.

“Well, well, isn’t it nice that our beloved princess woke up early?”

Nicole closed her eyes briefly when she heard the voice of one of the devilish sisters. Judging by the high-pitched tone, she guessed it was Luciferia.

Taking a deep breath, Nicole forced a smile before turning to face her cousin, who was already frowning so early in the morning.

‘She’s already ugly, and she frowns all the time—ugh, life!’

Nicole muttered to herself, careful not to let her cousin hear it. She’d be in big trouble if she did—she might even show up at the office with a black eye. Instead of saying anything, Nicole shook off the bad vibes her cousin brought.

“Good morning! Would you like some coffee?”

Nicole asked cheerfully, still wearing a plastic smile. Her cousin just rolled her eyes at her. For the second time, Nicole wanted to complain. Was it so hard to answer a simple question properly? A simple “yes” or “no” would have been enough.

With a sigh, Nicole turned away and headed to the sink to prepare coffee for her cousin anyway.

A few minutes later, her Aunt Norma appeared, followed by her two other devilish daughters.

As they took their seats at the dining table, Lucille, the eldest of her aunt’s children, shot Nicole a dirty look. She hadn’t even realized Lucille had arrived.

Nicole sighed again as she placed rice onto the plates of these so-called "royalties." They had complete sets of limbs, yet they couldn’t even do the simplest things for themselves.

“Hurry up! You’re so slow!”

Nicole flinched at Aunt Norma’s loud yell. She quickly doubled her pace, choosing not to respond.

“Oh, so your cousin here is now an EA at a company, and today is her first day at work,” Aunt Norma started, prompting laughter from her three wicked daughters.

“What’s the point of your aeronautical engineering degree and summa cum laude honors if you still ended up as an assistant?” Lucille said sarcastically, smirking.

Nicole forced a smile and replied, “It’s just my first job, Ate. Don’t worry, I’ll still be an engineer once I’ve saved enou—”

“Blah, blah, blah. Stop dreaming about something you’ll never achieve. If I were you, I’d just accept that you’re destined to be a servant, a helper, a maid, and whatever else. Psh, orphan!”

Luciferia cut her off. Nicole could only lower her head and stay silent. She simply sped up her movements and patiently waited for them to finish eating.

By almost seven o’clock, Nicole was finally done with her chores. She should have been finished earlier, but her witch-like cousins deliberately kept giving her more tasks.

Hurriedly, Nicole took a bath and changed into one of the nicest and most decent outfits she owned. Once she ensured she looked at least presentable, she quickly left. Fortunately, as soon as she stepped out onto the street, a jeepney passed by, and she was able to catch a ride immediately.

A few minutes before eight, Nicole arrived at the company. The people at the front desk pointed her to Sir Luis Montefalco’s office. Since she had been there yesterday, she no longer needed assistance finding it.

“Good morning, sir. I’m sorry I’m late,” Nicole greeted the CEO’s brother, who had been with them the previous day. He smiled upon seeing her.

“You are just in time, Miss Lorenzo. Please give these papers to your boss—you know his office,” he said, handing her several folders whose contents she didn’t know. Nicole nodded quickly and proceeded to her boss's office.

Since she had only been to this enormous company once, Nicole wasn’t sure if she was going the right way. She wandered around for a moment, searching for the elevator.

What kind of company was this? There wasn’t a single person in sight—she had no one to ask for directions.

She kept walking until, at last, she spotted an elevator. She hurried toward it, pressed the button, and the doors immediately opened, allowing her to step inside.

It was just a few minutes before eight when Nicole finally arrived at the company. The front desk personnel immediately directed her to Sir Luis Montefalco's office, but since she had been there yesterday, she no longer needed any guidance.

“Good morning, sir! I’m sorry I’m late.”

Nicole greeted Sir Montefalco’s younger brother, who had been with them the previous day. The man smiled upon seeing her.

“You are just in time, Miss Lorenzo. Please give these papers to your boss—you know his office.”

He handed her several folders whose contents she didn’t know. Nicole quickly nodded and headed toward the office of the man who was supposedly her boss.

Since it was only her second time in this massive company, Nicole wasn’t sure if she was on the right path. She glanced around, searching for an elevator.

"What kind of company is this? I can't even see a single person to ask for directions!"

Nicole kept walking until, finally, she spotted an elevator. She hurriedly approached and pressed the button. The doors opened instantly, allowing her to step inside.

"Wait, what floor was that bastard’s office on again?"

Nicole asked herself, trying to recall the details. She wanted to smack herself against the wall because no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t remember.

“Hi, are you new here?”

“OH, LIZARD!”

Nicole jumped in shock, letting out a loud scream upon hearing a male voice from the corner of the elevator. She hadn’t noticed him when she entered, as he was standing by the door’s side.

The man chuckled at her reaction.

Nicole took the chance to observe him. Fair skin, smooth complexion, tall, and handsome. He was dressed impeccably—a clean white long-sleeved shirt tucked neatly into black slacks, with polished black shoes.

Nicole frowned. It seemed like everyone in this company dressed so elegantly. Meanwhile, she felt like a rag—the kind that janitors used to wipe bathroom floors.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m Domenic, by the way,” the man introduced himself with a warm smile, extending his hand.

Nicole hesitated. Should she shake his hand? His hands looked too clean to be touched.

“Uhm, I’m Nicole. I’m new here, and I’m looking for Sir Alexander’s office,” she replied, finally shaking his hand. She didn’t want to seem rude. What if this man was also a boss?

“I see. You’ll be working for him? Haha, so Shawn is the ‘bastard’ you were talking about?”

Nicole’s eyes widened in horror. She immediately turned to him, looking him straight in the eyes.

“Please forget you heard that! Just pretend I didn’t say anything! Please don’t tell the CEO!”

She pleaded desperately. It was her first day at work, and she didn’t want to ruin it—no matter how annoying her new boss was.

Domenic laughed at her reaction.

“Don’t worry, I won’t. Coincidentally, I’m heading to his office too,” he assured her.

Nicole nodded, resisting the urge to ask what his business was with the CEO. She didn’t want to blabber too much and risk getting into more trouble.

A few minutes later, the elevator dinged, signaling that they had arrived. Nicole took a deep breath before following Domenic out.

She couldn’t help but be amazed at the Garden of Eden-like design of the CEO’s floor.

Domenic knocked briefly, then entered without waiting for a response. He motioned for Nicole to go in first.

“What the—what are YOU doing here?!”

The CEO immediately snapped as soon as he lifted his gaze and saw Nicole.

Nicole rolled her eyes at his reaction. Did he just hear bad news or something?

“Sir, I’m Nicole Lorenzo. We met yesterday. I’m your new executive assistant,” she said, forcing a wide grin.

“No way! I did NOT hire you!”

Nicole smiled even wider.

“No, you didn’t, sir. But Sir Luis did. So whether you like it or like it, I’m your new EA. By the way, Sir Luis asked me to give these to you.”

She quickly approached the CEO’s desk and carefully placed the folders in front of him.

The CEO shot her a glare, but Nicole ignored it and simply smiled even more.

He continued to stare at her intensely, making Nicole feel slightly uneasy.

“Sir, I know I’m beautiful, but you don’t have to stare at me like that,” she teased.

The CEO grimaced at her words, about to retort, but Domenic cut in, drawing his attention away.

“Alexander, glad to see you. I see you have a very interesting EA,” Domenic said, flashing Nicole a warm smile.

Nicole smiled back but was soon distracted by a slightly open door. Peeking inside, she saw what appeared to be a kitchen and grinned.

“Sirs, would you like some coffee?”

Nicole offered, interrupting the conversation between the two men. As expected, the CEO shot her another glare.

“Sure, Miss EA! Thank you!”

Domenic replied with a bright smile.

Nicole smiled back, nodding.

“At least Sir Domenic starts his mornings happy. That’s why he looks so handsome—unlike someone else here who always looks like he woke up on the wrong side of the bed.”

She muttered just loud enough for them to hear. Domenic chuckled.

Ignoring the CEO’s piercing glare, Nicole happily walked toward the office kitchen.