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Chapter 20

Penulis: Freddie Medrano
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-21 14:30:49

The days following the conversation with Akihiro felt heavier for Paula than any of the intense moments leading up to it. The walls she'd built—so carefully constructed around her emotions and her mission—were now cracked, and the cracks deepened with every passing hour. She could no longer escape the gnawing feeling that everything was slipping away, her carefully devised plan unraveling in ways she hadn’t expected. She had gone into this with a singular goal: stop the wedding and take control of Akihiro’s heart and business for her own reasons. Now, it seemed, her heart was being pulled into the very web she had spun.

Her handler, on the other side of her mission, had called that morning. Paula hadn’t answered, even though the call was important—more important than anything else. But what could she say? The mission was spiraling out of her control. She couldn’t bring herself to do it anymore. The lines had blurred, and she couldn’t distinguish between who she was working for and who
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  • SEDUCING THE CEO   Chapter 1

    Sa loob ng apartment ni Amara, nakaupo si Paula habang isa-isang sinusuri ang mga papeles na kakailanganin niya para sa paghahanap ng trabaho. Isang independent woman si Paula Louise Ocampo, tatlong buwan na siyang nakatira pansamantala sa apartment ng kaibigan ngunit hanggang ngayon, palamunin pa rin siya nito. Bagaman bihira lang umuwi si Amara, siya ang tumutustos sa lahat ng pangangailangan ni Paula.Hiniling lang naman ni Paula na magkaroon ng pagkakataong makapagsimula ulit. Dating pangarap niya ang maging accountant, ngunit hindi siya sinuportahan ng kanyang mga magulang kaya’t naglayas siya noong 21 years old siya. Nagtrabaho siya bilang call center agent sa gabi habang nag-aaral sa umaga. Kahit anong sikap, tila hindi umayon ang kapalaran.Nasa ikalawang taon na siya sa kursong Accountancy nang masangkot siya sa isang gulo sa paaralan—hindi naman siya kasali, pero nadamay siya. Ang insidenteng iyon ay nagresulta sa kanyang pagka-dropout at pagkawala ng scholarship. Napilitan

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-17
  • SEDUCING THE CEO   Chapter 2

    Lumabas si Paula mula sa HR office na may malaking ngiti sa mukha. Hindi siya makapaniwala—sa wakas, mukhang nagbubunga na ang lahat ng pinaghirapan niya. Hawak-hawak niya ang schedule at budget na nakuha niya, at ramdam na ramdam niya ang excitement sa buong katawan. Parang ang sarap na magtagumpay, at parang ang lahat ay papunta na sa tamang direksyon. Ang mga plano nila ay may patutunguhan.She hurriedly waved down a taxi, her heart racing with the thoughts of the upcoming days. The wind ruffled her hair as she stared out the window, thinking of the steps ahead. She would make sure Akihiro Conjuangco fell for her, and Amara’s life would change. In the end, everything would fall into place. All it took was a little charm and a lot of careful planning.Pagdating sa apartment ni Amara, hindi na siya nag-abala pang kumatok—diretso siyang pumasok at agad niyang niyakap si Amara, na nagulat sa biglaang pagdating ng kaibigan.“Paula! Oh my gosh!” masayang sigaw ni Amara, tapos bigla siyan

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-18
  • SEDUCING THE CEO   Chapter 3

    Kinaumagahan, maagang nagising si Paula, punong-puno ng excitement at kaba. Ito na ang simula ng kanyang plano. Una niyang araw bilang secretary ni Akihiro Conjuangco—ang lalaki na kailangang maakit niya para mapigilan ang kasal nito kay Amara. Determinado si Paula, at alam niyang bawat kilos niya ay kailangang kalkulado.Pagkatapos niyang maligo, mabilis siyang bumalik sa kwarto, kung saan naghihintay si Amara na may dalang tray ng kape.“Good morning, futurer charmer,” biro ni Amara habang inaabot ang kape. “Handa ka na bang akitin ang boss mo?”Tumawa si Paula. “Bakit parang ang bastos ng tunog?” sagot niya, pero bakas sa mukha niya ang confidence. “I’m ready. Ano, tulungan mo na ako sa pagaayos.”“Of course! Eto na ang glam squad mo, girl,” sagot ni Amara sabay abot ng isang sleek black pencil dress na may slit sa gilid. Pinili nila ito kagabi—isang damit na sapat ang pagka-professional pero may halong subtle seduction.Habang tinutulungan siya ni Amara, naglagay si Paula ng makeu

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-18
  • SEDUCING THE CEO   Chapter 4

    Pagbalik ni Paula sa desk niya, huminga siya nang malalim at sinubukang kumalma. Kahit ramdam niya ang adrenaline sa katawan, pinilit niyang bumalik sa professional na disposition. Isa ito sa mga araw na kailangang panatilihin niyang kontrolado ang sarili—lalo na’t ngayon pa lang nagsisimula ang laban.Kinuha niya ang planner mula sa bag at sinimulang i-organize ang araw niya. Habang nagsusulat ng to-do list, sinuri rin niya ang initial observation niya kay Akihiro: may pagka-intimidating, tahimik, pero alerto sa lahat ng nangyayari sa paligid. Ibang klase ang presence nito—matapang, seryoso, at parang laging may binabantayan. Pero sa likod ng matalim na tingin na ‘yon, alam ni Paula na may pagkatao rin ito na maaaring mabuksan. Kailangan lang ng tamang susi.Hindi pa man siya tapos magplano, biglang lumabas mula sa opisina si Akihiro, hawak ang isang file folder. “Miss Paula,” tawag nito. Agad siyang tumayo.“Yes, sir?”“I need these filed and scanned. Make sure they’re labeled prope

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-21
  • SEDUCING THE CEO   Chapter 5

    Sa sumunod na araw, maagang dumating si Paula sa opisina—mas maaga pa sa mga janitor. Nagpakita siya ng sipag at dedikasyon, hindi lang para kay Akihiro kundi para mas lalong mapalalim ang tiwala nito sa kanya. Naka-neutral makeup siya, naka-sleek ponytail, at suot ang puting blouse na may light lavender na detail—professional pero may konting personality.Pagpasok ni Akihiro bandang 8:45 AM, nadatnan niya si Paula na abala sa pag-aayos ng mga papeles sa desk.“Good morning, sir,” bati ni Paula na may mahinhing ngiti.“Morning,” tipid na sagot nito, pero muling sumulyap sa kanya bago pumasok sa opisina.Napansin ‘yon ni Paula. Mabilis, subtle—but it happened. Isa na namang maliit na piraso ng puzzle.Ilang oras ang lumipas, tumawag si Bela mula sa marketing department.“Paula! May pitch presentation kami kay Mr. Conjuangco later. Pwede ka ba samahan to coordinate tech stuff? Nasa conference room 3 kami mamaya.”“Copy. I’ll be there,” sagot ni Paula habang binubuksan na ang internal sc

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-21
  • SEDUCING THE CEO   Chapter 6

    Pagpasok ni Paula sa unit niya nang gabing ‘yon, hindi agad siya nakagalaw. Nakatayo lang siya sa may pintuan, hawak pa rin ang handbag, habang umiikot sa isip niya ang huling sinabi ni Akihiro.“Don’t assume it’s just about the drink.”Hindi siya sanay malito. Laging klaro sa kanya ang plano, ang galaw, ang objective. Pero ngayon, may kalituhan—hindi dahil sa hindi niya naiintindihan ang mga nangyayari, kundi dahil ayaw niya agad aminin na naiintindihan niya.Ano nga bang laro ‘to, Conjuangco?Napalunok siya habang ibinaba ang bag at nagsimulang magbihis. Naka-tank top at lounge shorts na siya nang maupo sa sofa, bitbit ang phone, pero hindi nagbubukas ng kahit anong app. Gusto niyang i-message si Bela, magbiro tungkol sa impromptu coffee run… pero may pumipigil. Parang ayaw niyang gawing biro ‘yung gabing ‘yon.Dahil alam niyang hindi na lang ‘to tungkol sa trabaho.Kinabukasan, bumalik si Paula sa dating rhythm—professional, calm, sharp. Walang kahit anong traces ng personal moment

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-21
  • SEDUCING THE CEO   Chapter 7

    Kinabukasan, mas tahimik si Paula kaysa sa dati. Maaga pa rin siyang dumating sa opisina, tulad ng nakasanayan, pero this time, habang inaayos niya ang mga dokumento ni Akihiro at nire-review ang calendar ng araw, may ibang bigat sa kanyang dibdib.“Next time I say I want coffee, don’t assume it’s just about the drink.”Paulit-ulit na umuukit sa isipan niya ang sinabi ni Akihiro. Hindi niya ma-decipher nang buo kung biro ba iyon, babala, o paanyaya. Pero isa lang ang sigurado—may shift na naganap kagabi. At iyon ang klaseng shift na hindi mo basta-basta iniiwasan.“Gising ka pa sa mundo?” tanong ni Bela na kararating lang, may dalang takeout cup.Paula blinked and offered a small smile. “Barely.”Umupo si Bela sa desk malapit sa kanya, tahimik saglit habang inoobserbahan siya. “Hey… You okay?”Tumango si Paula, pero hindi nagdetalye. “Just processing some things.”Hindi na rin siya kinulit ni Bela. Sanay na itong hindi sumiksik sa personal na bagay kung hindi pa handang ikwento. Pero

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-21
  • SEDUCING THE CEO   Chapter 8

    Pagkapasok ni Paula sa kanyang unit, agad niyang isinara ang pinto at sumandal dito. Tahimik. Masyadong tahimik. Ang tipo ng katahimikan na hindi nakakapagpahinga kundi nagpapalakas ng tunog ng sariling isip.She dropped her bag, kicked off her heels, at dumiretso sa kusina para magbuhos ng malamig na tubig. Pero kahit gaano kababa ng temperature ng baso sa palad niya, hindi nito mapalamig ang kung anong kumukulo sa loob niya—ang gulo ng isip, ang hindi mapangalanang nararamdaman.This wasn’t supposed to happen.Muling pumasok sa isip niya ang tingin ni Akihiro kanina, ‘yung subtle pero matalim, as if he was seeing past her exterior. At ang huling sinabi nito bago bumukas ang elevator doors:“Next time I say I want coffee, don’t assume it’s just about the drink.”She replayed it in her mind, over and over, searching for the cracks—what did he mean? Was it interest? Was it a test? Or worse—was it a trap?“Damn it,” bulong niya, hawak pa rin ang baso pero hindi iniinom. “You’re not supp

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-21

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  • SEDUCING THE CEO   Chapter 20

    The days following the conversation with Akihiro felt heavier for Paula than any of the intense moments leading up to it. The walls she'd built—so carefully constructed around her emotions and her mission—were now cracked, and the cracks deepened with every passing hour. She could no longer escape the gnawing feeling that everything was slipping away, her carefully devised plan unraveling in ways she hadn’t expected. She had gone into this with a singular goal: stop the wedding and take control of Akihiro’s heart and business for her own reasons. Now, it seemed, her heart was being pulled into the very web she had spun.Her handler, on the other side of her mission, had called that morning. Paula hadn’t answered, even though the call was important—more important than anything else. But what could she say? The mission was spiraling out of her control. She couldn’t bring herself to do it anymore. The lines had blurred, and she couldn’t distinguish between who she was working for and who

  • SEDUCING THE CEO   Chapter 19

    The days after the conversation with Akihiro felt like a blur, a haze of numbness that Paula could neither shake nor make sense of. Each morning, she forced herself to get out of bed, to put on the facade of composure, to walk into the office and act as if everything was fine, when in reality, everything had crumbled around her. Akihiro’s words kept playing on a loop in her mind: “I can’t keep pretending.” They cut through her like a blade, each repetition stripping away the last remnants of her confidence.She had left his office that day with a vague sense of resolve, as though the conversation had somehow marked a closing chapter. But even as she closed the door behind her, a part of her was unsure—was this truly the end? Or had it merely been a painful pause?Paula threw herself into work, pouring her energy into managing the tasks at hand. If she could just stay busy enough, maybe the ache in her chest would lessen. But as the hours passed and the days turned into weeks, the ache

  • SEDUCING THE CEO   Chapter 18

    The days that followed her conversation with Akihiro were marked by a strange kind of quiet. The weight of what had happened settled heavily in the pit of Paula’s stomach. She had made a choice, and though she knew it was the right one, there was no denying the hollow emptiness that accompanied it. The truth was, she had hoped for more than just a chance to rebuild trust. She had hoped for a resolution, for Akihiro to say he could forgive her, to tell her that everything would be okay. But instead, he had asked for time—and that alone was a constant reminder of the precariousness of her situation.Paula’s life was divided into two worlds now. One was the office, where she went through the motions of her job with the same precision and focus she had always had. Her work was a constant, a routine that grounded her, even as it felt increasingly hollow. But there was no escaping the ghosts of the past that haunted her. Every email she sent, every meeting she attended, was tainted by the k

  • SEDUCING THE CEO   Chapter 17

    The days after Paula’s decision were an uncharted territory she never thought she would enter. The first few hours were a blur of conflicting emotions: relief, fear, and an overwhelming sense of the unknown. She had chosen to sever her ties with the mission, to let go of everything she had built in the name of family, ambition, and survival. But in doing so, she felt as though she was standing at the edge of a cliff, gazing into an abyss with no clear way down.Her phone had remained silent for a few days after her conversation with her handler. It was almost eerily quiet, as though the world was waiting for the storm to hit. It was only when she received a message from Akihiro that the gravity of her decision truly settled in.Akihiro: We need to talk. Can you meet me?The words hit her like a wave crashing against the shore. She hadn’t expected him to reach out so soon, but there it was—an invitation to face the consequences of her actions head-on. She had no idea what to expect, bu

  • SEDUCING THE CEO   Chapter 16

    The door to Akihiro’s office clicked shut behind her, but Paula remained frozen in the hallway. She could still feel the weight of his words, lingering like a shadow over her. It’s over. Those words kept echoing in her head, and they felt like the death knell of everything she had worked toward. The mission, the plan, the quiet manipulations—it all seemed meaningless now. She had lost him, and in doing so, had lost her purpose.Her fingers clutched at the fabric of her blouse, as though it could anchor her to something, anything, other than the sense of devastation that was settling in. It wasn’t just the failure of the mission that hurt—it was the realization that she had genuinely begun to care for him. That somewhere along the way, amidst the lies and the half-truths, she had developed feelings that she never intended to have. And now, she had ruined it all.Paula’s knees felt weak. She couldn’t stay here. She couldn’t go back to her apartment and face the emptiness of her decision

  • SEDUCING THE CEO   Chapter 15

    Paula sat at her desk, staring at the blinking cursor on the screen, feeling like time had stopped. The minutes, the hours—it all blurred together. She had just come from the meeting with Akihiro, a meeting that felt like it shattered the walls she had so carefully constructed. Everything she had worked for, every calculated move she had made to slowly infiltrate his trust, now felt meaningless.Her phone buzzed, breaking the silence, and her heart skipped a beat. It was from her handler.Handler: You know what to do. Don’t let personal feelings cloud the mission.She stared at the message, the words reading like a cold reminder of why she was there in the first place. But it no longer felt like just a mission. It wasn’t just about preventing the wedding anymore, about using Akihiro to her advantage. Somewhere along the way, she had started to feel something real for him, and now it was eating her from the inside out.She leaned back in her chair, letting the weight of it all settle i

  • SEDUCING THE CEO   Chapter 14

    Days had passed since that intense phone call with Akihiro. He had been kind, understanding, but something still lingered in the air between them—an unspoken distance that neither of them could quite close. Paula hadn’t expected the world to immediately shift just because she had confessed her turmoil, but it didn’t make the weight of the silence any easier to bear. It seemed that every step she took toward a future with him only brought her closer to the past she was trying to outrun.She was starting to feel like a walking contradiction. A woman who wanted something real, something honest, but who had also spent years manipulating her circumstances, hiding behind the walls she had built for protection. Now those walls were crumbling, and the pieces were scattered all around her. And no matter how much she tried to gather them up, she knew some things could never be put back together again.Every conversation with Akihiro—every touch, every fleeting moment of tenderness—reminded her

  • SEDUCING THE CEO   Chaper 13

    Paula stood motionless as Akihiro’s words echoed in her mind, their weight settling into her chest. She had known that what she was doing would be difficult. It would test her every boundary, every assumption about herself. But hearing him speak those words—the words that offered her a chance, a glimpse of something real—stirred something deep inside her. Something she hadn’t allowed herself to feel for a long time. Hope.She took a deep breath, steadying herself before speaking.“If this is your way of forgiving me, I don’t know if I’m ready for it,” she said quietly, her voice betraying the vulnerability she had worked so hard to suppress. “But I’m willing to try. I’m willing to fight, too.”Akihiro’s eyes softened, though there was a flicker of uncertainty still dancing in his gaze. “You don’t have to fight alone,” he said, his voice rough, almost as if he was admitting something he hadn’t planned to. “I’ll fight with you. But I need to know you’re all in, Paula. I need to know you

  • SEDUCING THE CEO   Chapter 12

    The days after her confrontation with the handler left Paula in a state of numbness, like she was walking through a fog that clung to her every step. It felt like everything she had built—her carefully constructed world, her mission—was now slipping away, piece by piece. But it wasn’t just the loss of her former self that consumed her thoughts. It was the guilt that gnawed at her, the constant reminder that what she had done to Akihiro was a betrayal, even if her feelings for him had become genuine.As she sat at her desk late one evening, the office empty except for a few scattered workers, Paula couldn’t shake the feeling that time was running out. She had made her choice, but she wasn’t sure if the road she had chosen would lead her to redemption—or ruin.A knock at her door pulled her from her spiraling thoughts. She turned to see Akihiro standing in the doorway, his silhouette framed by the dim lights of the hallway.“I thought you’d be gone by now,” Paula said, her voice betrayi

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