3. Trinity

"How many damn times do I have to call the front desk just to get you into my office?"

The air immediately shifted. Our lighthearted chatter was cut short, replaced by a thick silence, tension crawling through the room as all eyes turned to our boss.

"And now you've got the nerve to ignore me?"

I kept my head down, choosing to take the verbal hit instead of reacting. I could feel the heat of his glare like a laser against my skin.

"Follow me."

...

As the elevator ascended toward the 54th floor, it suddenly jolted to a stop mid-level, catching both of us off guard. A moment later, the lights went out completely.

"I... can't breathe," Leo muttered weakly, clutching his chest.

Panic instantly took over. I rushed to him and started fanning him desperately with a rolled-up magazine.

"Help!" I banged on the steel doors, praying someone would hear.

"Deep breaths, sir! Please!" My voice was trembling now.

"I can't-breathe-damn it!" His breathing was ragged, sweat glistening on his forehead. I was already drenched in my own anxiety.

I yanked out my phone and tried calling for help-no signal. Of course.

"P-press the alarm..." he rasped, trying to point it out. But he nearly collapsed, and I caught him just in time.

"I think I'm gonna pass out..."

I grabbed the magazine again, fanning him nonstop. Then finally, after what felt like hours, the lights flickered back on, and the elevator doors opened.

The first faces we saw were Sir Sky and Sir Khiro. Khiro rushed in to support Leo while Sky helped me up.

...

I don't even know where they took Leo-whether it was a hospital or somewhere else-because the elevator mechanics stopped me for questioning. But the moment I was told Leo regained consciousness and was asking for me, I didn't waste another second.

"Sir, I heard you were asking for me?"

"Yeah. I just wanted to thank you for what you did back there... Oh, and-packed lunch?" He tried to hide the grin pulling at his lips. Failed miserably.

**"How about we eat it together again?"** This time he didn't even bother hiding the smile.

"I... I did bring lunch today, Sir. But..."

"But?" His brows furrowed.

I sighed, the disappointment still fresh. "I was the one who took your trash out this morning. A few hours after I left the lunch on your desk. Found it in the bin."

His face darkened.

"Trinity, I would never. I was in a conference all morning. I didn't even touch the food." His fist tightened.

"Shit-must've been the janitor. I told him to clean the place. I swear-"

I quickly cut him off. "It's fine, Sir. Really. I should go now, I still need to finalize your schedule for Thursday's meeting."

The atmosphere was thick and awkward, so I used the excuse to leave.

"Let's have lunch together. I'm not asking-thirty minutes. That's all." His voice was low and firm.

"I've already eaten." I said flatly, and left the room.

***

Weeks passed, and I kept bringing him a packed lunch-but I no longer joined him. A part of me was still offended. And yes, I was purposely ignoring him.

He dialed Line 1, knowing that was where I usually spent my break.

I'm not clueless-I could see how he was trying to get my attention.

Like now.

I slowly opened the door to his office. He was sitting in his chair, quietly eating the food I made him.

"I want you to announce to the team that in two weeks, we're kicking off the Palawan tour. I want everything prepped. I want the investors to see what we're capable of."

I froze. Two weeks?

We had just agreed to do it at the end of the month. Now he wants everything moved up?

"But Sir, we can't prep everything that quickly. We'll need at least three to five weeks to-"

"I don't know. Pull some strings. Tap into my connections. That's your job. Use that pretty little head of yours."

...

His words hit hard.

I rushed to the restroom, locked myself in a stall, and cried quietly. I was overwhelmed. Everything was piling up.

I wiped my tears and stepped out, only to find him waiting right outside.

"Are you okay? I heard you crying." Leo's voice was soft, concerned.

Do I look okay?

He didn't wait for me to answer. Instead, he stepped in and gently dabbed at my face with a handkerchief.

"You know I hate it when you cry," he said, voice deep and soft enough to send a chill down my spine.

"Why are you crying?"

So I told him. About the pressure, the sudden changes, how everything felt too much. Weird, right? I'm just his secretary. I shouldn't be complaining. But there he was--listening.

"I'm sorry. I'll help you get things ready. You're not doing this alone."

...

"One moment, Sir."

"Take your time, I'll wait."

And somehow... here we are at my tiny apartment. He said he wanted to "get to know his secretary better." Formalities, he claimed. Still weird as hell.

"Nicole? Nicole?" I called outside the gate.

She let us in, and to my horror, he said he wanted to eat here. In my cramped little kitchen.

As I fried rice, I saw him and Nicole laughing together. Something sharp tugged at my chest.

"Food's ready. Sir, please join us."

I served the plates with the mechado I cooked. As they sat down, they were still chatting and laughing.

"Trinity, remember Joshua?" Nicole asked.

I turned to her, then slowly looked at Leo. "You mean my elementary and high school crush?"

"Yeah! He's still hot. Still rich. Still has those abs!"

I laughed and nodded, keeping my eyes on Leo. He had slowed down his eating. Listening. Watching.

"Last time we talked, he kept asking about you-"

Nicole was cut off when Leo suddenly stood and said:

"Trinity and I are running late."

...

His car still stuns me. A damn Bugatti. One broken part and it would take a month to get a replacement.

I held my breath as he drove like a madman. When he hit the brakes hard, I slammed into the seatbelt.

"We're here."

He stepped out. I hesitated, unsure if we were really done flying at full speed.

Then the passenger door opened.

He reached in, unbuckled me, and scooped me into his arms.

"Put me down!" I clutched my head, dizzy.

"Is this how you say thank you now?" he muttered while stepping into the elevator. I didn't even realize we were already at the rooftop.

He gently put me down. The view was breathtaking. Fresh air. Sunset on the horizon.

"Is my helicopter ready?"

"Yes, sir."

"Let's go." He grabbed my hand again, and again, that jolt of electricity ran through me.

I yanked my hand back.

"What the hell? Queste mani sono solo mie, a nessuno è permesso di tenerlo," he growled.

He took my hand again.

"Sir, don't speak Chinese or Korean. I can't understand a word."

"Someday you will."

"Why do you act like you own everything and everyone bends to you?"

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

He chuckled. Soft. Amused.

He let go of my hand.

"Should I kiss you?" he teased.

I froze. Red-faced. Blank.

"Just kidding. Let's go-we're wasting time." He reached for my hand again and helped me into the chopper.

He handed me a headset before takeoff.

"Seni seviyorum."

"The view's beautiful, isn't it?" I said, eyes locked on the scenery outside.

"Yeah. Truly beautiful."

When I turned to smile at him... I realized he wasn't looking at the view.

He was looking at me.

And time, for him, slowed to a crawl-as if the world, the sky, the sunset... none of it mattered but me.

He leaned in closer... and closer...

Our lips almost touching.

||R.A||

RAENAALMEDA