CHAPTER 04

GREG P.O.V.

I honestly couldn't understand what was going on inside my cousin's head. Why would he waste his time on the woman who punched me? He even bought her a pair of sandals as a gift, as if he had somehow predicted that the heel of her shoes would break in the hallway today. What's even stranger is that he's been smiling nonstop since yesterday. It feels so unlike him.

"Do you like that girl?" I asked while watching the CCTV monitor. We were both keeping an eye on her every move.

"Kind of."

"You're weird. You just need someone to knock some sense into you," I laughed.

"Gregorio! Watch your mouth, man. Don't compare me to yourself. You're still getting treated for an STD because you can't stay away from prostitutes."

"Hahaha... Come on, that's harsh. As if you're any better," I replied with a laugh, but he shot me a cold glare.

"Fine. At least I'm not the one sleeping around. Unlike you, I've only ever wanted one woman—the one I still haven't found."

He once told me about a woman he met at a bar. They were both drunk, and they ended up spending the night together. The next morning, she disappeared without a word, leaving behind nothing but a photo with her name written on it. He refused to show it to me or even tell me her name. He always wanted to keep women to himself. Then again, she was the first woman he had ever been with, so I guess that night meant a lot to him.

"She's almost here. You handle her. I'll be in my office," he said before walking away without another word.

Knock. Knock.

The two women entered, each trying to outshine the other with their beauty. Allison was undeniably attractive, but she wasn't my type. She looked like the kind of woman who argued over everything. I already pitied the poor guy who'd marry her someday.

"Good morning, Mr. Greg," Mary greeted politely.

I nodded and gestured for her to leave. She immediately walked out, leaving Allison and me alone in the office.

"So, Ms. Allison..."

She remained standing near the door, showing no intention of taking the seat across from my desk. I walked over to her and looked her up and down. Beads of sweat covered her forehead, and her hands were trembling. She was obviously nervous.

"Why do you want this job?" I asked in a stern voice.

"Because I don't have a job."

Her answer caught me completely off guard.

"A-Ah... S-Sorry, sir! I mean... I really want to work for this company and help you, of course," she corrected herself awkwardly.

"Then why did you say yesterday that you didn't want to work here?" I asked with a grin.

She swallowed hard.

"First of all, I'm sorry for punching you yesterday. I was just startled. Second, I genuinely want to work here because your company offers fair salaries, and that would help my family with our financial problems. Lastly... thank you for the sandals, even after what I did."

She lowered her head in embarrassment.

So she did know how to feel guilty.

I had to admit... she was actually kind of cute.

"As if those came from me," I muttered under my breath.

"H-Huh, sir?"

"Nothing."

I returned to my chair.

"You're hired."

Her face instantly lit up with excitement.

"Really, sir? Oh my gosh! Ahhh!"

I quickly covered my ears as she squealed in delight.

"Quiet," I said, laughing.

"S-Sorry! Sorry! Hehe..." She flashed me a peace sign.

"Have a seat."

I pointed to the chair beside my desk.

"Your office desk is over there."

I pointed to the workstation near the side of the room.

That jerk had always insisted he didn't want anyone sharing his office, yet somehow this woman was the exception.

"Really? Yay!"

She looked genuinely thrilled.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!"

She kept thanking me endlessly, completely unaware of the nightmare waiting for her once she met her real boss.

"Please sign the contract. You can start today."

Without even reading it, she eagerly signed the papers.

Once I signed them as well, I gathered the documents and stood up to leave.

"I'll be going now. Just wait for your boss."

Just as I reached the door, she stopped me.

"Wait! You're not my boss? Then who is?"

Her eyes widened in shock.

I simply shook my head.

"Me."

A deep voice came from the doorway.

I patted Allison lightly on the shoulder and was about to leave when she suddenly screamed again.

"Y-You!"

She looked as though she'd just seen a ghost.

"You two know each other, Dwayne?" I asked.

He completely ignored me.

"You can leave now. I'll handle everything from here."

His expression remained serious, but I could clearly see the mischief in his eyes.

"Suit yourself. You picked her, after all."

With that, I walked out of the office and quietly closed the door behind me.

---

DWAYNE P.O.V.

I'm Dwayne Sandoval, twenty-six years old, CEO of Sandoval Corporation.

The shock on her face was unmistakable.

She was the woman I'd been searching for all this time.

After looking everywhere for her, fate had brought her right into my company.

She stood frozen the moment she saw me.

"Y-You!" she shouted, pointing at me.

"Yes, none other than me." I smiled as I slowly walked toward her. "Why? Didn't you miss me?"

The tension on her face was obvious.

When I finally stood in front of her, our eyes met.

Without realizing it, my gaze wandered over her figure.

I immediately felt desire stir within me.

*Damn.*

She had beautiful curves, a graceful figure, long fair legs, and a subtle, captivating fragrance.

Heat surged through my body—a feeling I hadn't experienced in a long time.

I forced myself to stay in control.

She nervously tugged at the hem of her skirt, trying to pull it lower over her knees, snapping me back to reality.

She tried to shove me away, but because of our size difference, she lost her balance instead.

She stumbled forward and fell against me.

Her body collided with mine, her chest pressed firmly against my own.

I could clearly feel her racing heartbeat.

Our eyes locked.

For a brief moment, I lost myself in her gaze.

Acting on impulse, I gently backed her against the desk, trapping her between my arms.

She closed her eyes tightly, as though waiting for something to happen.

Without thinking, my hands drifted to her thighs.

She flinched at my touch.

Unable to resist any longer, I leaned in and captured her lips in a deep, passionate kiss.

To my surprise...

She kissed me back.