CHAPTER 2: THE CEO'S PERSONAL NIGHTMARE

Elaria's POV

"Welcome to my world."

Paulit-ulit na umalingawngaw sa isip ko ang sinabi ni Mr. Azriel Thorne bago siya tuluyang pumasok sa kaniyang opisina.

I stared at the glass door for several seconds.

Then I slowly turned toward Sebastian.

"Please tell me you're joking."

He blinked. "About what, Miss Virelli?"

"About me being his personal assistant."

Sebastian smiled awkwardly.

"I'm afraid I'm not."

I closed my eyes.

Lord, alam kong humingi ako ng trabaho, pero bakit naman yata sa demonyo pa ako napunta?

"Is there a problem?" tanong niya.

I forced a smile.

"None. Absolutely none. I'm just mentally preparing myself."

He chuckled.

"Good luck, Miss Virelli. You'll need it."

Wait.

Why did that sound like a warning?

---

7:30 A.M. — THORNE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS

Maaga akong dumating kinabukasan.

Hindi dahil excited akong makita ang boss kong parang laging galit sa buong mundo.

Kundi dahil ayokong magkaroon ng dahilan para tanggalin niya ako sa trabaho.

I wore a dusty pink blouse, black slacks, and comfortable heels. Inayos ko rin ang buhok ko bago pumasok sa building.

"Good morning!" bati ko sa receptionist.

"Good morning, Miss Virelli!"

I smiled and headed toward the executive floor.

Pagdating ko sa office area, nakita ko si Sebastian na may hawak na dalawang folders.

"You're early," sabi niya.

"Of course. I value my job."

He laughed.

"That's good. Mr. Thorne is already here."

I stopped walking.

"Already?"

Sebastian nodded.

"He's been here since six."

I stared at him.

"SIX IN THE MORNING?"

"Yes."

I shook my head.

"Does that man even sleep?"

"Not much."

"Does he smile?"

Sebastian looked at me.

I looked at him.

Then we both laughed.

"Be careful, Miss Virelli. Baka marinig ka niya."

I immediately covered my mouth.

Oops.

---

AZRIEL'S POV

I was reviewing the financial reports when someone knocked on my office door.

"Come in."

The door opened.

There she was.

Elaria Solenne Virelli.

She entered carrying a notebook, a tablet, and a cup of coffee.

"Good morning, Mr. Thorne!"

I glanced at the clock.

7:45 A.M.

"You're fifteen minutes early."

She smiled.

"I believe punctuality is important, sir."

"Then make sure it remains that way."

Her smile weakened.

"Of course."

She placed the coffee on my desk.

I looked at it.

"What's this?"

"Coffee, sir."

"I can see that."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Why is it here?"

She blinked.

"Because... you're supposed to drink it?"

I stared at her.

She stared back.

For a moment, I wondered whether hiring her had been a mistake.

"Miss Virelli."

"Yes, sir?"

"Do you always answer questions with unnecessary explanations?"

She smiled nervously.

"Only when I'm nervous."

I returned my attention to the documents.

"Then try not to be nervous."

Easier said than done, Mr. Iceberg.

---

ELARIA'S POV

My first assignment?

Organize his schedule.

Simple, right?

Wrong.

His schedule looked like a puzzle created by someone who hated humanity.

Meetings, phone calls, business lunches, presentations, and several appointments scheduled at almost the same time.

I stared at the tablet.

"How is one person supposed to attend five meetings in one hour?"

"Miss Virelli."

I nearly dropped the tablet.

"Yes, sir?"

"Why are you talking to yourself?"

I smiled.

"Just having a productive conversation with my brain."

He slowly looked up.

"Your brain?"

"Yes, sir. It's my most reliable coworker."

His expression remained blank.

Okay. Tough audience.

I returned to my work.

After almost thirty minutes, I finally finished organizing his schedule.

"Sir, I've arranged your meetings and moved the Singapore investors' call to eleven-thirty. Your lunch appointment is also confirmed."

He checked the tablet.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then he nodded.

"Acceptable."

I smiled proudly.

"Thank you, sir!"

"Don't celebrate yet. There's still a lot to do."

My smile disappeared.

Of course.

Why did I expect a compliment from this man?

---

10:15 A.M.

"Miss Virelli!"

I immediately stood up.

"Yes, sir?"

"Where is the acquisition report?"

I looked at the folders on my desk.

"Which acquisition report, sir?"

He stared at me.

"The report I asked for twenty minutes ago."

I checked the documents.

Then my eyes widened.

Oh, no.

I had forgotten to print it.

"One moment, sir!"

I rushed toward the printer.

Unfortunately, the printer decided to betray me.

Paper jam.

Of course.

I opened the tray and tried to remove the stuck paper.

"Come on..."

I pulled gently.

Nothing.

I pulled harder.

Still nothing.

"Please. I have bills to pay. Don't do this to me."

"Are you negotiating with the printer?"

I froze.

Slowly, I turned around.

Azriel was standing behind me.

Oh, wonderful.

My boss had witnessed me begging an office machine.

"Good morning again, sir."

He glanced at the printer.

"Is there a problem?"

"No, sir. We're just having a disagreement."

He looked at me.

"With the printer?"

"Yes. It's being unreasonable."

He sighed and stepped closer.

"Move."

I immediately stepped aside.

He opened the printer tray, removed the jammed paper, and pressed a few buttons.

Within seconds, the printer started working again.

I stared.

"Wow."

He handed me the printed pages.

"Learn how to operate the equipment properly."

I accepted them.

"Thank you, sir."

He turned to leave.

"You're welcome."

I blinked.

Wait.

Did he just say you're welcome?

A tiny victory!

---

LUNCHTIME

Pagod na pagod akong bumagsak sa upuan sa pantry.

"Girl, you're alive!"

I looked up and saw Zephira waving at me.

"Barely."

She sat beside me.

"So, how's your first day?"

I took a deep breath.

"Your friend is suffering."

She laughed.

"Is the CEO that terrible?"

I nodded dramatically.

"Terrible? He's the final boss of all bosses!"

Zephira nearly choked on her drink.

"Seriously?"

"Girl, he doesn't smile. He doesn't joke. He doesn't even know how to appreciate a simple cup of coffee!"

"Maybe he's just strict."

"Strict? No. He's a walking thunderstorm wearing an expensive suit."

We laughed.

Then Zephira leaned closer.

"But honestly, is he handsome?"

I paused.

I remembered his sharp jawline, dark eyes, and perfectly styled hair.

Unfortunately, my brain decided to replay the image in high definition.

"Well..."

Zephira grinned.

"Well, what?"

"He's... acceptable."

She burst out laughing.

"ACCEPTABLE?"

"Okay, fine! He's handsome. Very handsome. Happy?"

"Extremely."

I pointed my fork at her.

"But that's irrelevant. He's still annoying."

"Sure, bestie. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

---

2:30 P.M.

I was arranging some documents when Sebastian approached my desk.

"Miss Virelli, Mr. Thorne wants you in his office."

I immediately straightened.

"Did I do something wrong?"

He smiled.

"Not that I know of."

"That's not reassuring."

I knocked twice before entering.

"Come in."

Azriel was standing near the window, holding his phone.

"Sir?"

He ended the call.

"Prepare for the charity gala tomorrow evening."

I nodded and opened my notebook.

"Of course. What time should I put it on your schedule?"

"Seven in the evening."

I wrote it down.

"Anything else?"

He turned toward me.

"You're coming with me."

My pen stopped moving.

"I'm sorry?"

"You're accompanying me to the event."

I blinked.

"Me?"

"Is there another Miss Virelli working in my office?"

I shook my head.

"No, sir."

"Then prepare an appropriate outfit."

I looked down at my blouse.

"Is there something wrong with my clothes?"

His eyes briefly moved over my outfit.

"You're attending a formal business gala. Dress accordingly."

I nodded.

"Understood."

But before I could leave, I heard him speak again.

"And Miss Virelli?"

I turned around.

"Yes?"

"Don't be late."

I smiled.

"I won't, sir."

"And please..."

He paused.

"Try not to create another incident."

I gasped.

"Sir! That happened because the hallway floor was slippery!"

For the first time, I noticed something different.

The corner of his lips moved.

Was that a smile?

No.

Impossible.

He quickly returned to his serious expression.

"Get back to work."

I walked out, trying to hide my own smile.

---

6:45 P.M.

Finally, the workday was over.

I packed my things and checked my phone.

There was a message from Zephira.

BESTIE! DON'T FORGET TO TELL ME EVERYTHING ABOUT TOMORROW'S GALA!

I laughed and typed a reply.

There's nothing to tell. I'm just accompanying Mr. Iceberg.

I placed my phone inside my handbag.

But just as I was about to leave, I heard my name.

"Miss Virelli."

I turned.

Azriel was standing outside his office.

"Yes, sir?"

He looked at the documents in my hand.

"Are you leaving?"

"Yes, sir. My shift is over."

He checked his watch.

"Tomorrow, be here by six."

I frowned.

"Six in the evening?"

"Six in the morning."

My jaw dropped.

"IN THE MORNING?"

His expression didn't change.

"We have preparations to make."

I stared at him.

"Sir, may I ask something?"

"What?"

"Do you have a personal issue with sleep?"

He looked at me for several seconds.

Then he shook his head.

"Good night, Miss Virelli."

He walked away.

I stood there, completely speechless.

"Good night too, Mr. Thorne," I muttered.

Then I sighed.

Tomorrow was going to be a very long day.

Little did I know, it would become the beginning of something I never expected.

---

AZRIEL'S POV

I entered my private elevator with Sebastian.

"Sir, may I ask you something?"

I glanced at him.

"What?"

"How's Miss Virelli doing?"

"She's disorganized."

Sebastian smiled.

"But?"

I frowned.

"There's no but."

He nodded slowly.

"Of course, sir."

I looked at the elevator doors.

For some reason, I remembered her earlier expression when she was negotiating with the printer.

Ridiculous.

She was unlike anyone I'd ever worked with.

Most employees were afraid to speak freely around me.

But Elaria?

She talked as if she had forgotten I was her boss.

And strangely enough, I didn't find it entirely unpleasant.

"Sebastian."

"Yes, sir?"

"Make sure Miss Virelli has everything she needs for tomorrow's gala."

"Of course."

"And arrange a dress fitting for her."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow.

"Would you like me to inform her?"

"Obviously."

He smiled.

"Understood, sir."

I returned my attention to my phone.

But before the elevator doors closed, Sebastian spoke again.

"By the way, sir..."

"What?"

"I think you smiled today."

I looked at him coldly.

"You're imagining things."

He chuckled.

"Perhaps."

I said nothing.

But deep inside, I knew one thing.

That woman was going to be trouble.

And for some reason...

I was beginning to get curious about her.

END OF CHAPTER 2.