Chapter 3: Late Arrival, Lasting Impact

I could tell he was furious just by the way he looked at me. His glare alone made it clear that I had tested his patience. This was my first time being late, but I already knew I wouldn’t let it happen again.

"How many months have you been working here?" he asked, his tone sharp and unyielding.

I was confused by what he asked, but before I could process it, he stood up, leaned against his desk, and crossed his arms.

"S-Seven months … sir," I stammered, feeling nervous. I instinctively took a step back as he moved closer to me.

His face was unreadable, but I was sure he was angry. He was undeniably handsome, but his strictness at work was terrifying.

"Then why aren’t you doing your job properly?! The rules were explained to you, but you keep forgetting them! Just because you're my cousin’s friend doesn’t mean I won’t scold you or that you can do whatever you want," he snapped, his voice laced with frustration.

His words caught me off guard.

I couldn't bring myself to respond. Instead, I silently prayed that he wouldn’t fire me.

"I-It's not like that, sir. I didn’t forget, I just ran into some unexpected trouble on the way. B-But I promise it won’t happen again. I’m really sorry… for what happened," I said, avoiding his gaze.

I owed this job to Faye. She had convinced her cousin, Boss Yuki, to hire me even though I hadn’t submitted all the required documents. He was hesitant at first, but because of Faye, he gave me a chance. That’s why I was deeply grateful to my best friend—without her, I wouldn’t have this job at all.

"Just make sure it never happens again, or I might have to fire you for real."

"Yes! I promise! I’m really, really sorry, Boss Yuki," I said, bowing slightly in apology.

"Alright, enough with the apologies. Just don't be late next time. And can you at least act like a proper lady? You look like a kid—you didn’t even bother to wipe your face and hair," he scolded.

It was only then that I realized he was right. I had rushed here as soon as Rome called me, completely forgetting to wipe my face and hair.

"Hehe, sorry! It won’t happen again," I said sheepishly.

Great. Now I got scolded even more.

"Go on, get to work," he said, sitting back down.

I quickly excused myself and left his office.

Boss Yuki had started to feel like an older brother to me. He was only a year older, but I saw him as a big brother figure. His words reminded me of my own brother... but never mind.

"Oh, how did it go? Did you get scolded?" Lean greeted me as soon as I entered the working area.

"It’s fine. He was mad and gave me a little lecture, but he let it slide," I replied while putting on my cap and apron.

"That’s a warning. Next time, don’t let it happen again."

"Of course! I can’t afford to lose my job just because I was late."

"Didn't your brother come here last week? He wanted you to work at your family’s company. Why didn’t you accept? At least there, you wouldn’t get scolded like this."

Carla, one of my coworkers, suddenly brought up something I had been trying to avoid thinking about.

She was right. My brother did come here for that exact reason. But I refused. I didn’t go back home with him. I didn’t want to accept his help, and I especially didn’t want to return to that house where all I’d get was another round of lectures from my dad.

I’d rather live alone than stay in a house where I’m not accepted—where they only see me as a burden.

"Let’s get to work, okay? Gossip later," Lean suddenly cut in, breaking the silence. She patted my shoulder, and I could only respond with a small smile.

"One iced coffee, please."

I immediately put down the pen I was holding upon hearing a male customer’s voice. I had been writing down notes Faye sent me because I planned to enroll tomorrow. I was determined to continue my studies.

"Dine-in or takeout, sir?" I asked before looking up. But the moment my eyes landed on the customer, I was completely caught off guard.

"Derick! It’s you! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?" I exclaimed in surprise, smiling at him.

Rhoderick Mendoza—a well-known engineer in the country. He was a friend of my brother’s, but I had known him since high school. Eventually, we became friends too.

"I just wanted to surprise you. How have you been? I'm sorry, it took me this long to visit—I’ve been busy with work."

"That's okay, come on. I'm fine, and I might enroll tomorrow. I plan to continue my studies, but don't tell my brother."

"Wow! That's great! I won't tell him, I promise," he said before raising his right hand. It's a good thing because I don't want my brother to know what’s going on in my life.

He knows everything that happens to me—from the moment I left home to how I struggled to find a job just to have food to eat every day and a place to stay. He acted like a big brother to me during those times, and I’m really thankful to him because he never left me, no matter how busy he was with his studies back then.

"Here's your order," I said after finishing the iced coffee and handing it to him.

"Thank you, Isabel," he said with gratitude, and I just smiled.

He's the only one who calls me by that name. I just let it be since it’s not a big deal to me, and no one else has ever called me by my second name except him.

"You're welcome. But why are you here? Isn't it Wednesday today? Don't you have work?" I asked while tidying up the utensils I used to make his iced coffee.

"Yes, I do, but it’s later today. So, I thought of dropping by to see you before heading to work," he replied, and I felt happy. But my smile quickly faded when my eyes landed on the entrance, where I saw the person I least wanted to see right now.

"Does he know you're here?" I asked, but I wasn't looking at Derick.

"What do you mean? W-Who?" he asked in confusion before turning to look at what I was staring at.

"Him..."

My brother—the person I was referring to.