Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

“Baby, Sir?”

I secretly crushed the folder in my hand. My smile was completely fake.

“The one you were carrying six years ago. You said it was mine.” 

I keep smiling. 

“I got rid of it, Sir.” I ignored the flash of surprise on his face. “You were right. That child wouldn’t have brought anything good into my life.”

That was the biggest lie I’ve ever told. Sevi was the single greatest thing that ever happened to me. My son gave my life direction when I had none. He gave me pure, unconditional love. 

And Sebastian would never get to experience any of it. Sevi was mine alone.

"I'll move your Friday office appointments to next week. Also, the hiring process for your secretary starts tomorrow. I can assist with evaluating applicants if you'd like." I quickly changed the subject when I felt myself almost tearing up. 

"You'll resign after that," he said with a smug look on his face.

"I'll be returning to the marketing department." I was absolutely leaving, but I couldn't say that out loud. 

"Nesh, let's eat. It's lunch."

I blinked. It's almost noon already. I'd been so buried in work I didn't even notice.

"I'll catch up with you in the cafeteria."

"Not the cafeteria. The pantry. Sir Sebastian had food delivered." Arnaiz flashed a grin and disappeared before I could respond.

I typed out a quick text to Sevi's school adviser asking if my boy had eaten lunch. A minute later, my phone rang.

"I already ate lunch, Mommy." His little voice was so warm it made the whole morning feel worth surviving.

"How was school?"

"I practiced violin today."

"Did you finish all your food?"

"Yep. Thank you for yummy food."

"You're welcome. I love you."

"Love you more."

I was still on the phone with Sevi's adviser, talking about the upcoming school event, when Sebastian's office door swung open.

His eyes went straight to the phone pressed against my ear.

I quickly said goodbye and turned to face him.

"Yes, Sir?"

"Why are you still here? It's twelve."

“I was just about to head to the pantry.”

"Hurry up." Dead serious. Then he turned and walked away.

I was about to sit back down for one second when he looked over his shoulder. Eyebrows knitting together again.

“I said hurry up, Mijares. You’d really rather chat on the phone than eat? I don’t tolerate tardiness in my office. I don’t want you eating during work hours.”

"Coming, Sir."

I grabbed my phone off the desk and jogged after him.

I caught up to him at the pantry door. He shot a glare at my phone before walking in.

Arnaiz drifted over to me while Sebastian was addressing everyone from the center of the room.

"Hey, thanks for the cake this morning."

"You're welcome. I was actually gonna treat you to lunch too—"

"Hold on," he whispered. "Actually, I wasn't the one who carried you to the clinic."

"Let's eat!"

My head snapped back to Sebastian who was glaring at my direction. His voice had gone sharp and loud.

"Should we go grab food, Nesh?"

"S-Sure." I rolled my eyes at Sebastian when he wasn't looking and started to walk past him.

"Mijares."

"Y-Yes?"

"Get me food."

"I can do it, Sir," Arnaiz offered, stepping up beside me.

I watched Sebastian loosen his own necktie like he was pissed on something. "I clearly said Neshara Mijares will get my food. Not you, Purisima."

I squeezed Arnaiz's arm and gave him a small nod. "I got it."

Sebastian smirked arrogantly at us before walking away.

[SEBASTIAN POINT OF VIEW] 

My brows furrowed when I got a call from my secretary asking if I was still coming to the office. She wanted to know if she could take a half day. 

What the hell was she planning to do this afternoon? Go on a date with the guy I saw her with when I took her to the clinic?

I should've kicked Arnaiz out the moment he followed me to the clinic. All I did was step away to call a doctor. When I came back, she was holding his hand. And then this morning, first thing, she's at his workstation handing him cake.

Are they together? Dating?

How many guys was she seeing right now? I'd heard her on the phone earlier telling someone I love you.

Shit. I hadn’t even made a move yet and there was already a damn line.

Neshara Fil Mijares was driving me insane. Fucking crazier than before.

“You’re not leaving. Double-check the estimated finances for lab reconstruction.” 

She let out a deep breath on the other line. Damn it! She sounded perfectly calm while I sat fuming behind the wheel of my car, 

“That’s the Financial Department’s job, Sir.” 

"I said double-check. You're my secretary. I'm ordering you to double-check that damn money."

"Sir, I have an important errand this afternoon,” she answered firmly.

“Resign then.”

"So you can fire everyone?" Now she was talking back.

"Exactly."

I heard her swearing under her breath but I ignored it. The second she hung up, I dialed my contact inside the MedBrain. 

“Report to me if Arnaiz Purisima leaves his workstation.” 

The heat outside wasn’t helping my mood. Traffic was brutal in the city, damn it!

It wasn’t like this before. When my parents shipped me off from Capital to this city for college, roads were always clear. Now it was almost one thirty in the afternoon and I was still stuck on the highway. 

I was going to be late. 

I should’ve told the principal at King Royale Academy to find another guest speaker if I’d known I’d get trapped in traffic like this. 

King Royale was one of the private schools sponsored by Rocc Corporation. Skipping wasn’t an option since my mother had personally asked me to be there. 

My arrival was announced and the King Royale School Foundation Day program officially began. 

‘Purisima went to your secretary’s table, Sir.’

I angrily dialed my contact even as the program started. I stood up and signaled the principal that I needed to step away for the call.

“Give him a memo. Ban him from the company for six months.” 

“Sir, he could file a complaint with the labor board.” 

“I don’t care. I’ll shove enough money in his mouth to keep it shut.” 

The person on the other line obeyed the second I raised my voice. 

“Teacher, can I borrow your phone? Can you record me?”

I tuned to the small voice. A boy was holding a violin, tugging at his teacher’s sleeve. 

“I don’t see my Mommy yet. Maybe she’s busy with work. It’s okay, Teacher. She can just watch the video.” 

“Oh, Sevi. Sorry, I left my phone in my office.” 

The kid’s small mouth curved down and his head dropped. “My Mommy wanted to watch me play violin.”