CHAPTER 2

MINLYN VERMOSA

After the last customer today at 10:30, I immediately left the counter and put my stuff away. I already said goodbye to Ma'am Eliza earlier that I'm leaving.

I'm really glad that so many customers came earlier. The entire coffee shop is almost full. Others chose to take out rather than dine in.

I don't know why but after the man in the tuxedo earlier, I think it was office attire, the number of customers immediately increased. He is like the shop's lucky charm, so our customers increased immediately.

I admit he is handsome. His face is well shaped, his nose is sharp, his eyebrows are thick, his jet black hair is neatly combed. His blue eyes, his dark complexion and his height are also eye-catching. He looks like a billionaire.

He was acting a little weird earlier because he was stunned. Maybe he is sick that's why.

I was arranging my things in the staff room when Thraia suddenly entered with raised eyebrows and looking straight at me.

"You're going home already?" she asked, crossing her arms across her chest.

I hesitate to nod. "Y-yes, why?"

She sharply rolled her eyes. "Are you coming back later for the afternoon shift?"

"No." I shook my head. "I'm going home at 7 P.M. today, I won't make it by the time the shop closes."

She smirked as she sighed in relief. "Thank Universe, you answered my prayers," se said with a smirk. She looked up for a moment as if she was really grateful.

I bit my lower lip. "I-is there a problem?" I asked lowly.

She raised an eyebrow. "Yes. I have a problem. The problem with you is that you're too much of an attention seeker! You want to be praised all the time! You're a grabber!" she shouted angrily. She spat every word like a poison.

I just bowed and kept quiet. It won't help if I punish her. I know she was just being carried away by her emotions so she could say those words.

"What now? Why are you silent? You want to be saved by Yhael again?! Do you expect him to come here to help you?!"

I bit my lower lip hard when my eyes started to well in tears. It is unlikely that the outside will hear it because it is a soundproof staff room. I don't know why but Ma'am Eliza has already informed that it is soundproof.

"I-I don't want that, Thraia..." I calmly answered her, controlling my emotion.

She scoffed. "What do you want, then?! Yhael's attention?!" She gritted her teeth, it felt like a vein was about to pop out of her neck.

I shook my head. "I don't want someone's attention, Thraia. I'm fine with my own."

"I hate you! I hate you so much, bitch! Why are you so modest?! Why don't you show your true colors?! You're annoying!"

I was surprised when she suddenly pulled my hair violently. I choked with pain.

"O-oh my, Thraia! It h-hurts!" I struggled.

"I don't care, bitch! Accept all my anger! Show your true colors!" she shouted as she continued to pull my hair.

I was crying in pain because I felt like my scalp was bleeding. My hair seems to be falling out.

"You're nothing but a piece of garbage! You don't deserve in this place! You belong in the trash!"

"Thraia..." I cried in so much pain. I tried to hold her hand to stop her but she avoided it.

"Don't ever come back here!"

She was about to push me out when suddenly someone grabbed me. I closed my eyes when his hand grabbed my waist.

My eyes widened when I heard a man's deep familiar voice.

"Who the fuck are you to push her?"

I gulped. I slowly looked up at him and felt a strange emotion that I had just now felt. And it's just because of a male customer that I was thinking about a while ago.

"Are you okay, miss?" he asked gently and made me stand properly. My hair is still a mess from Thraia pulling me out.

"I-uh...I-I'm fine, s-sir..." I answered, breathing heavily.

He just stared at me intently until he looked at Thraia. I don't know if I'm just imagining it but I can see the burning anger in his eyes.

"Why did you fucking push her?" he asked emphatically. I could feel the strange voice in his voice.

Thraia immediately shuddered in fear. Even I was afraid of this man's voice. I don't even know him. He is just a customer of this shop.

"A-ah...I d-didn't...I-I was just—" Tharia bit her lower lip to stop her from stammering. His lower lip trembled.

The man clenched his jaw. "I don't fucking care about your explanation. Just don't ever hurt this girl again."

I gulped. The words he spoke had a strong impact on me.

Thraia nodded one after the other and hurried out of the staff room. Ma'am Eliza faced me with concern in her eyes.

"Are you okay, dear?" she asked worriedly. "I'm sorry it happened again."

"What do you mean?" The man suddenly interrupted, creasing his eyebrows. "Does this always happen to her?"

My boss immediately shook his head. "N-no, sir. I-it's not what you think...but there is a silent conflict between the two of them. Thraia's impression of Minlyn is a bit bad here. But I don't think it will reach the physical level," she explained. She even swallowed in the end.

I don't know why they reacted like this in front of this man. They seem scared and nervous.

The man coldly looked at me, but there was an unknown emotion in his eyes. "Are you okay?"

I gulped. I nodded at him and looked away again. His gaze was too intense in my eyes, I couldn't stand it.

Ma'am Eliza heaved a sigh. "D-do you need anything, s-sir? Coffee? Desserts?" she offered, diverting the topic. I know that even if she doesn't say it, she's nervous.

Really anyone would be nervous because of this man. His appearance is intimidating and his aura is cold. He's like the CEO of a company that doesn't want mistakes. It's like what I see on TV always firing employees.

The man shook his head, declining the offer. "No, thanks. I just passed by. I'm leaving now." He gave me another strange look before leaving and exiting the shop. Ma'am Eliza and I were silent.

"U-uh..." I faked a cough.

"I'm sorry for what happened, Lyn. I'll just tell Thraia to stop what she's doing to you." Ma'am Eliza asked for a dispensation.

I pursed my lips and simply nodded. I'm used to it. It's always like that. She'll just talk to Thraia eventually, hopefully everything will be fine when she does that. I can't do anything because I'm just an employee here. Maybe if I object, she will remove me from the shop.

She smiled and patted my shoulder before leaving in front of me. I sighed heavily. I held my head and grunted because of the pain. I think my head is still swollen.

I just shook my head and went back to the staff room to get my things. That's when I realized I was about to be late. I hurriedly packed my things and left the staff room. I even met Yhael who was looking at me worriedly.

"Lyn! Are you okay? I heard what happened," he said worriedly.

I just shook my head, hurrying. "I'm fine, Yhael. I'll go ahead of you. Please just tell the boss that I'm leaving. Bye!"

He gasped when he saw me pass him. I quickly left the shop. There was a car right away and I immediately got on it.

I bit my lip because the class started in ten minutes. I still have to go by the house because my things are there, as well as my school works!

I'm just thankful because there is no traffic today. I got home quickly. Gosh, only six minutes.

I dressed in our uniform and took my school works from the room. I even met Mom with a basket full of clothes, I think she was going to wash them.

"Oh, sweetie, why are you in such a hurry?" Mom asked curiously.

I winced. "I had a problem at the shop, Mom, I got home late. My class starts in a few minutes.'

Mom's face immediately became in a panic. "Oh! Are your things in order? Do you have your food? Your research?" she asked one after the other out of panic.

I quickly nodded. "I'm leaving, Mom. Be careful here."

"A-alright, sweetie. Be careful too."

I just kissed Mom's cheek before rushing out of the house. I immediately got on a jeepney. I looked at the watch I was wearing and winced because I only had three minutes left to catch up with class. I can't be late because the deadline for research papers is now. My professor will surely scold me.

We were in the middle of the trip when the jeepney suddenly stopped. I looked out the window and almost fainted when I saw the traffic.

What the fuck? Why is it necessary to keep up? I'm gonna be late!

I tapped my shoes to calm myself down. I looked at my watch and was even more panicked to see that there was only one minute left.

I couldn't help asking the driver. "Sir, how long?"

The driver looked at me in the rearview mirror. "It's traffic, miss. Maybe we can move on later."

I shook my head. Come what may. It's now or never. I have to take the risk because I will surely be scolded.

"I'll just walk, Sir. This is my payment."

I handed the fare to the driver which surprised him, as well as the other passengers.

I quickly got out of the jeep and squeezed into the cars around. I ran while constantly looking for a way to get through. Many people see me but I ignore them. The only thing on my mind right now is to get to the university right away.

"Well, what is that girl doing?"

"What she's doing is dangerous! Isn't she afraid?"

"My God, Jesus!"

That's what I hear while crossing the heavy traffic. I don't care if I smell like smoke.

I was about to cross when suddenly a motorbike blocked me. I swerved and fell on the road. The other passengers screamed in shock.

"Oh, is the girl alright?"

"It looks like she fell to the ground badly."

I winced in pain but forced myself to get up. I looked at my knee and saw that it was bleeding. I just wiped it with my handkerchief and stood up to pick up the scattered papers. Then I wiped some dirt on my uniform.

I started to walk again even though I was on pain because of my wound. I also try to run sometimes to get to the university faster. Even though I was crying, I tried to get to school.

And I succeeded!

I exhaled violently when I entered the university. I wiped the sweat dripping from my face before entering. I go straight to my class even though I meet others who are looking at me while laughing. I ignored them and just continued inside. I opened the door and they all looked at me.

"Miss Vermosa!" My professor exclaimed. "Why are you late?!"

I took a deep breath before answering her question. "I-I'm sorry, M-miss...I-I was stuck in a traffic."

Her forehead creased. "You should've traveled earlier so you didn't get stuck in traffic!" she scolded.

I just bowed down in shame because the eyes of the students here were staring at me.

"I-I'm sorry again, miss. It won't happen again," I said, bowing my head.

"Take your seat!"

I quickly obeyed and sat in my seat. I met Nathalie's sharp gaze. Like Thraia, she doesn't want me either. Her reason is because I'm always superior to everyone. She can't get over me.

I just shake my head every time I hear her reason. It's not because she can't get over me that's how she treats me. Either way, I don't care about that. I'm just trying to be academically excellent.

"Eww, you smell so bad." I heard her complaint.

I just ignored her and focused my attention on the professor. I'm late so I must have missed a topic.

She was also quiet because I ignored her. Normally, I answer her from time to time. But when I'm quiet, she's quiet too. She just doesn't like me reciting all the time.

A few minutes passed and my first class ended. I have five classes to attend today so I can get home by 7PM.

I also passed on the research I did to Miss Abandon. Later at two o'clock we have a class to attend and he is the professor again, we will definitely make the report. There is news that is spreading here at the university that there is a famous CEO and three board members who are going here today to watch the freshmen's reporting later. And unfortunately we will be the first.

"Okay, class, come here later for reporting. They say the CEO and board members are coming here." Our professor reminded us.

We all looked at Nathalie when she raised her hand while smirking.

"Miss, I have a question."

"Go ahead, Miss Valencia."

Nathalie smirked. "Mr. Thompson is our guest today, am I correct?"

Our professor was suddenly surprised. "How did you know, Miss Valencia?"

Her smirk grew wider, as if she's proud of what she's gonna say. "Just so you know, I'm his future wife," she proudly announced.

My mouth gaped in shock. Even my blockmates were silent.

"W-what? C-could you repeat what you just said?" The professor was still in shock.

Nathalie rolled her eyes. "Duh! I said, I'm his future wife. I am soon-to-be Mrs. Thompson!"

I just gaped because I had no idea what she was talking about. I don't know of any famous CEOs whose last name is Thompson. Or maybe I'm just not updated?

Our professor swallowed. "So...what do you want to interpret?" she asked Nathalie.

"I want the whole university to make me feel special later. You know, my future husband is coming. And of course as her future wife, I want a grand welcome, too."

Instead of being impressed, I just winced at what he said. Guess who, it's just the future wife. How can she be sure that they are really going to get married?

I looked at her fingers, trying to find an engagement ring. If it's true what she says she's the CEO's 'future wife', she should have a nice ring on her finger.

But I didn't see any ring. I looked for it on the other hand but it wasn't there either. The only jewelry she was wearing was her hoop earrings and a necklace with the letter 'N' engraved as a pendant.

I laughed secretly when I saw Ark, one of my blockmates grimacing. Maybe he thinks the same about Nathalie.

"O-okay...W-we'll see about that." Miss Abandon replied.

Finally we left the room. Nathalie was immediately surrounded by her friends because of her announcement.

I just shook my head while watching them. Nathalie is one of the famous children of famous business men. His father is one of the stockholders of this T. University. It is said that they have a large share here so they also own it.

I just don't pay attention to what she says. Sometimes, she goes too far in telling stories. All I'm worried about now is the report later. Nathalie will be my opponent, and she is the future wife of the CEO, it is not unlikely that I will lose later.

I sighed. Life is indeed unfair.