Chapter 1

It’s still early, but I feel completely exhausted. I don’t know if it’s because I haven’t eaten breakfast or because I know I’m about to face another battle with a client.

I took a deep breath and looked at Pia as she passed by me.

I had just come from the bathroom because I’d been dying to pee, and I’d also changed my clothes for the meeting later.

“What are you doing there?” Pia, my seatmate on the creative team, asked with a raised eyebrow.

I looked at her, confused. “Huh? Why?”

“They’re already in the conference room. They said it’s already started.”

My eyes widened slightly, leaving me speechless.

Once I recovered, I nearly slipped in my haste to grab the flash drive from my desk. It was a good thing I finished the captions for the client's campaign early, or I’d be in trouble again with my perfectionist boss.

I rubbed my face to psych myself up. This is it. Client presentation. And the one presenting? None other than me. To make matters worse, I’m late. I’m definitely going to get scold for this.

My breathing grew heavy as I made my way to the conference room. I forced myself to straighten my back even though my heart was thrashing in my chest from sheer nervousness. One wrong slide, one poor word choice, and it’s all over with Sir Tirso.

When I entered, the first thing that greeted me was Tirso’s cold stare. Always. When has he ever smiled? When has his face ever looked pleasant? Never.

God. I hope I can save this, just for today. The pressure is overwhelming.

Tirso was standing by the screen, arms crossed, wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and slacks. There wasn't a trace of fatigue on his face even though he was clearly growing impatient. Everyone was silent. Everyone was alert. Everyone seemed afraid to breathe.

I swallowed hard as his gaze grew heavy on me. I didn’t know the clients would arrive so soon. I thought it would be later.

“You’re late,” he began. His voice alone made me want to retreat and hand in a resignation letter just to end this, but then I think about how high the salary is, the kind rarely offered by a company. “You were supposed to present ten minutes ago.”

I nodded, fighting the churning in my stomach. “I’m sorry, sir. I’m ready now.”

The clients, who had been chatting moments ago, sat down, three women and one man who also looked bored of waiting for me. Corporate types. The kind who have already attended twenty meetings this week. I need to wake them up. I need to make up for the wasted time.

Without further ado, I pressed the remote, and the first slide appeared. “Good morning. I’m Irene, from the creative team. Today, I’ll be presenting a 360 campaign titled ‘Lifetime: A Legacy in Motion’ for your brand’s 18th anniversary.”

It was quiet at first until someone cleared their throat. Before five seconds had even passed, my eyes caught Tirso slowly opening his laptop. And even though he remained silent, I could feel it, his judgment. His disapproval. That feeling that he's just waiting for you to mess up. At that point, my courage to continue began to fail. My hands started to go cold and tremble.

I could feel the disappointment.

“…the campaign centers around three pillars, memory, tradition, and forward movement. Each content asset will highlight a generational story while introducing the rebranded product line...”

I forced myself to follow the script in my head, but I could already see it in his face, something was wrong.

Why is the font like that? Why aren't the boxes aligned on slide three? Why are there no subtitles on the teaser video? Before I knew it, my pitch was over.

A deafening silence filled the room. And then, he stood up.

Tirso’s voice sliced through the silence. “Is this the best you can do?”

I lowered my head. I immediately felt the heavy tension in the room. No one wanted to speak, not even the clients.

“Sir?” I asked in a trembling voice.

“The layout’s a mess. The tone of the caption doesn’t match the brand’s voice. The video was… average at best. Honestly, I’ve seen better work from interns.”

That hit me hard. It was an insult to my work, and he was probably right.

I bowed my head even further. I didn't show that I was hurt. I smiled, the kind of smile where my lips nearly tore just to keep from crying.

“The timeline was tight,” I answered. “I had to revise the copy three times—”

“I don’t care about your excuses, Miss Irene,” he cut me off without hesitation. “You were given time. You were given feedback. This should’ve been better. If this is the quality of work you continue to deliver, maybe we should rethink your position in the team.”

Pia tried to look away when I looked at her. I saw how the others avoided my gaze, shaking their heads slightly. I felt crushed.

But the most painful part? He might transfer me, which I don't want to happen because I love what I do.

I turned to the client and forced a smile. “We’re open to feedback. I’ll revise and realign everything. I'm sorry."

The man just nodded, clearly pitying me, pitying how I looked like I was about to burst into tears.

After the presentation, I walked out of the room feeling dazed. I walked silently back to my desk, but I stopped at the pantry.

That’s where I finally couldn't hold it back. I held on to the edge of the counter, closed my eyes, and tried to stop the tears that wanted to break free.

Sometimes I wonder, why do I even stay? Tirso has been my tormentor since day one. He isn't the type of boss who knows how to be sensitive. He doesn't care about the feelings of others.

He pushes you to the edge, then watches if you’ll fall or fly. In my case? I always crash.

I don’t know if he’s just angry at someone like me who isn't a top-school graduate. Or because I’m a woman. Or because I’m not outspoken. Or maybe… I just genuinely suck at this.

I hated how much power he had over my confidence.

Because honestly… what’s worst is being hated by your boss.