Chapter 1

“What’s with the sulking face, Levi?” her friend Tessa asked, raising a brow.

“It’s Mr. Montenegro again,” Levi muttered, arms crossed. “Early in the morning and he’s already in a foul mood. Sometimes I think our boss has… well, monthly issues.”

Tessa chuckled. “Again? What’s bothering him this time?” She settled into her chair and turned on her computer.

“How should I know?” Levi huffed. “Ever since that woman walked into his office earlier, he’s been acting like a storm cloud.”

“Maybe they broke up,” Tessa mused. “Or had a misunderstanding. Or… maybe she’s his girlfriend?”

Levi rolled her eyes. “Whatever. If it’s just their problem, fine. But dragging us employees into his tantrums? That’s not fair. Where’s the justice in that?”

Right on cue, the office door swung open.

“What did you just say?” Mike’s voice cut through the room, sharp and cold. His brows furrowed as he stared at Levi.

Levi stammered, caught off guard. She turned to face him with a nervous smile. “Yes, sir? Do you need something?”

“I said, what did you say?” Mike snapped. “Don’t insult my intelligence, Ms. Velez. I know exactly who you’re talking about.”

Tessa pretended to focus on her screen but her ears were perked, relishing the tension.

Levi straightened her back, heat rising in her cheeks. “Fine! I admit it. Every time a woman comes out of your office, you take it out on me. You yell, you scold—when in fact, I’m not even your secretary! Tell me, how is that fair?”

Mike’s jaw tightened. “Fair? The truth is, you’ve done nothing in this company but mess things up. I don’t even know why Dad brought you here. You’re useless.”

The words pierced her like a blade. Levi forced herself not to flinch, not to let him see the pain.

“Damn you, woman!” Mike snarled before storming out of the office.

Only then did Levi’s tears escape, rolling silently down her cheeks. She refused to break in front of him. Not Mike.

Her mother had been the Montenegro's’ housekeeper until her passing. With no relatives left, the kind-hearted Montenegro couple took Levi in, raised her, and treated her as their own daughter. They loved her dearly—unlike their son, who seemed to have inherited none of their kindness.

“Levi, let it go,” Tessa whispered, rubbing her friend’s back and handing her a tissue. “You should be used to him by now. He’s always like that. Gorgeous, but insufferable.”

Levi sniffled, managing a faint smile. “Thank you.”

“Anytime. Now, come on. Let’s get back to work before he storms back in and yells at us both. Honestly, if he weren’t so damn handsome, I would’ve resigned ages ago.”

Levi rolled her eyes. “Crazy.”

---

Later that evening, Levi stood before her mirror, brushing her long hair, when a knock came at her door.

“Levi, can I bother you for a bit?” Mike’s younger sister, Micah, peeked in. “I need help choosing my dress for prom tomorrow.”

“Of course.” Levi smiled and followed her to her room.

Helping Micah was easy—everything looked good on the pretty girl. But soon Micah frowned. “Where are the sandals Dad bought me?”

“Where did you put them?” Levi asked.

“They should be here… Oh!” Micah smacked her forehead. “I left them in Mike’s room. Levi, could you please get them for me? I still need to text my friends.”

Levi hesitated but nodded. “Alright.” She could never say no to Micah’s sweet requests. If only Mike were half as kind as his sister, she thought.

On her way, she asked a maid, “Sita, have you seen Mike?”

“I think he’s in the garden with Zero,” the maid replied.

Relieved, Levi made her way to his room. The door was slightly open. She knocked softly, then pushed it.

Zero, the family’s dog, padded toward her with a wagging tail. “Hey, boy. Are you alone?” she whispered, stroking his fur while scanning for the box.

She spotted nothing on the bedside table and sighed, scratching her head in frustration.

“What the hell are you doing in my room?” Mike’s voice thundered behind her.

Levi jumped, shrieking.

“For God’s sake, stop overreacting!” he barked, stepping forward.

Levi’s breath caught. Mike stood there in nothing but athletic shorts, a towel slung over his shoulder, sweat glistening on his chest. Her eyes betrayed her, flicking down to his sculpted abs.

“Your drool is showing,” he drawled.

She snapped out of her trance, cheeks burning. “Excuse me? I’ve seen better! I’m only here to find Micah’s sandals, so don’t flatter yourself.” She shot him a glare.

“They’re under my bed,” he muttered.

“Thank you,” she replied curtly, crouching to retrieve the box. She banged her head against the frame on the way up. “Ouch!”

Mike chuckled under his breath before disappearing into his bathroom, the sound of running water following.

Levi shook her head and clutched the box. Just then, Micah appeared at the door, smiling as she snatched it. “Thanks, Levi!” She dashed away before Levi could respond.

Levi exhaled, exhausted. Saturdays were supposed to be for rest, yet dealing with Mike never failed to drain her. She longed for the day she could move out and live on her own—but convincing Mr. and Mrs. Montenegro wouldn’t be easy.

She stepped into the garden, letting the cool air brush her face. Dropping onto a bench, she buried her face in her hands. How do I even begin? she thought, releasing a heavy sigh that carried both weariness and unspoken longing.

Levi sat quietly in the garden, her thoughts swirling like restless waves. The cool evening breeze brushed against her skin, but it did little to soothe the heaviness in her chest. Life inside the Montenegro household had always been complicated—caught between gratitude for the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Montenegro and the unrelenting hostility of their only son.

She traced the rim of the table with her fingertip, debating silently. Should I really ask them if I can move out? Will they understand?

Her reflection was cut short when a familiar deep voice intruded.

“So, this is where you hide when you’re not busy complaining about me,” Mike drawled, his arms crossed as he leaned against the doorway that led to the garden.

Levi stiffened, her jaw tightening before she dared glance his way. “I wasn’t hiding. I just needed fresh air.”

“Fresh air,” he repeated mockingly, stepping closer. “Or running away?”

She shot him a sharp glare. “You think too highly of yourself if you believe my world revolves around you, Sir Mike.”

For a moment, silence hung between them, broken only by the chirping of crickets. Mike studied her, his expression unreadable. But there was a flicker—something softer—that quickly vanished behind his usual mask of disdain.

“You should toughen up,” he muttered finally, almost to himself. “If a few harsh words already make you cry, the world outside this house will eat you alive.”

Levi’s chest tightened. His words struck a nerve, but she refused to let him see her falter. “Maybe,” she whispered, standing from her seat, “but at least outside, I wouldn’t have to endure you every single day.”

Before he could reply, she brushed past him, her heart pounding in both defiance and fear. For reasons she couldn’t explain, her emotions tangled in ways she didn’t want to name—anger, confusion… and something dangerously close to curiosity about the man she claimed to despise.