My father told me that my mother died when she gave birth to me. Sadly, I grew up without a mother. Dad didn't fail; he stood up like my father and mother. So even if I tripped once in school, I was able to overcome all of that. I don't want Papa to see that I'm weak; he says I'm his strength, so if I become weak, he will lose his strength too. That's why I keep getting stronger.
We are going out of Manila on mom's death anniversary. Manila is where my mother was born, where she grew up, and where she was laid to rest. We only visit her because she has no relatives living in Manila; that's what mom told dad. It was surprising and confusing that I didn't ask Dad anymore; visiting her at least once a year was enough. But this time I wasn't with Dad; he was left at the hacienda because he needed to fix the problem. So, my cousins Red, Theo, and Lucas are with me; the three are currently living in Manila, and another one is also working here.
That's good because I only visit the cemetery when I go out; that's why I can say that I haven't memorized the place. I don't even know where I'm going or where I'm going; only Papa knows about Manila, so if he's with me, there won't be any problem. I'm so thankful to have a cousin here; I won't be afraid any longer.
I looked at the flowers I knew had been there for a few minutes: white roses. This isn't the first time I've seen the flowers; it's strange because the day I went was also the day the owner of the flowers went. I looked in the hallway, where the person who placed the flower might have exited, but all I noticed was the man who was currently walking with the phone in his ear.
"Are you okay?" Theo.
"Huh?" "It's fine," I said, returning my gaze to the hallway where the man had been earlier. "I think I saw a familiar face."
"Maybe one of your ardent lovers," Lucas commented. I just shook my head and smiled slightly, and I put down the flower I was carrying. Also, a white rose; I want to know the person who is visiting her because it's surprising that he knows mom's favorite flower. If my memories are not tricking me, Papa mentioned to me that he was the only one who knew Mama's favorite flower. It's impossible for Papa because we're always together when we visit, and I'm pretty sure it's at the hacienda now.
We didn't stay long at the cemetery; we were staying at the hotel where Dad stayed if he wanted us both. But now that I'm not with him today, I decided to spend the night at Lucas's condo. There is a restaurant near Lucas's condo; we talked about having lunch there. I quietly observed the place; if not casual, I saw people wearing formal clothes.
"Uncle said you wanted to work in Manila," Red began the discussion. I nodded to him in response. "You don't want to handle the hacienda?" "What did Grandpa say?" he added.
"They know I have no interest in the hacienda; what I want is to work in an office."
"You have an office at the hacienda." "Which company do you intend to work for then?"
"The view I want is an office with work; I don't know where yet." "Because I don't have a well-known company here."
"What do you take me for?" "I'll take care of it; my friend just mentioned the other day that their boss is looking for a secretary!" My eyes immediately lit up, and my ears perked up when I heard it.
“Really? If so, I can apply, but... did you ask the reason why the position is vacant? The two also looked at Lucas when I asked him that question.
"The boss is said to be grumpy, like a dragon. If you don't want to, I can ask my acquaintances."
"Or you'll just manage Grandpa's company." Theo grinned at me.
"I don't want to," I immediately answered. "That's why I can't apply because, like Red and Lucas, I also want to try something else." I smiled at him, and he looked me in the eye.
"Then my hope is gone!" he complained, so the three of us laughed.
"Why, are you tired of being the big boss?" Red teased.
"I'm not tired of being the big boss; I'm tired of correcting my new secretary every day!"
"New?" "Where is your former secretary?” Lucas covered his mouth and sneered at Theo.
"Don't say you're pregnant?!" I rolled my eyes at what Lucas said and immediately turned to Theo.
"Did you?" I breathed. But he immediately took the tissue that was on the table and threw it at Lucas.
"I'm not like that!" "What the fuck?”
"Maybe it's just the new secretary!" Red laughed out loud. I winced because of his speech; he was sure that it would happen to Theo. Another thing is that Lucas also supports him. He laughed and nodded beside him.
Knock on wood, Theo; it's not bad, to be sure! I exclaimed.
"Azeria!" he grunted. We stopped fiddling when the waiter came to us; he put down the menu, so I took it. But I was surprised when I looked at Theo without anything; he bent down like you were hiding.
"Because you were told that you should only bring one woman here at a time." Lucas teased. Theo just hissed at him; he tried to peek, so I followed the direction where his eyes were.
"Good," I commented, so Theo looked at me. "But the guy next to him looks familiar; I just don't remember where I saw it."I shook my head when I saw my cousin's fist clenched; it looks like Theo doesn't need to knock on wood.
When we got to Lucas's condo, Theo was still not in the mood, so he got all the teasing from the two of them.
"Get pregnant now." Lucas
"Tie him up so that no dog can get around him." The other one is cheering.
"Stop it, you two; it's not like Theo wants that girl," the cousin says. I asked even though what I saw earlier was clear.
"Of course! "I don't like an employee!" He tsked.
"Aren't you convincing yourself?" He immediately laughed at what I said and pointed to himself.
"Why do I deny Azeria?" I don't have a feeling for her... "I mean, she's not my type."
"The girl is pretty, right, Lucas?" I smiled and got what I wanted.
"Of course! It's nice to visit the company once in a while. "How about I introduce you, Theo?"Lucas was beaming.
"What?!" Theo shouted and stood still, so we burst out laughing. Look at this person's own words and actions; they are already badass.
"Chill, it's like you're going to kill yourself."
"I will!" "If you dare to step on my company!”
"Wow! You still have my company!” Lucas made me shake my head and take them off. They are getting together and might even fight.
We immediately ordered, and I reopened the topic regarding the company Lucas was talking about.
"When I was in high school, the company was just starting." "But I know he's stronger than others; his boss is another well-known engineer."
"Do I know you?" is Red's question. By the way, one of them is an engineer.
"De Ferrer is the last name; I don't remember a De Ferrer getting top marks in the bar exam." But they say that one is well known, and I'm not even familiar with the last name if I've heard it from afar. But here in Manila, particularly here in San Juan, I don't remember anything. You Theo? "Familiar to you?” Theo held his chin, thinking.
"Hmm. I'm not sure. But I've heard that surname somewhere, and it seems Tanda also mentioned it once.
"You mean Uncle Theodore?" I croaked, and it nodded. When he hears his father's call, these crazy jerks might stone him.
"Well, I'm going to talk to Papa first to find out what his opinion is, and then I'll make a decision." "But if I'm allowed, I might go there if that's the case."
"Okay, update me then so I can tell my friend."
"Why don't you just stay here and say goodbye when you call, Aze?" Theo's suggestion, which I immediately asked for
"I'm not going to do that, sir; I don't want the father to have a heart attack in no time."
"Maybe you won't be reprimanded; weren't you allowed not to touch the hacienda?" "I know Uncle Cessair will support you, Azeria."
"Still, it would be better if I said goodbye in person."
"Well, the decision is yours; if you are not permitted to work poorly at your so-called true office view, that is your decision." Then you don't have a choice but to take my position!” Theo woke up.
"Why would I take your position?" "I could be your employee."
“Bingo!” Lucas laughed, so Theo looked at him evilly. Why does it want to be replaced? How rude is his new secretary?
Will my belongings be ready tomorrow, or will they be identified by the purse I'm carrying? It was obvious that I only meant to be a guest, yet the three of them took me to the airport. I want to stay longer, but even if I wanted to, I couldn't, let alone after I said goodbye to Papa.
"If you come back early, Azeria, you'll call me, and you can't count on these two." He pointed to Lucas and Theo at the same time.
"Noted, Red, I will update you only when Papa agrees." I turned to Lucas.
"Even if you don't agree, I will talk to you and continue with your plan." Theo.
"Which plan?" "Make me the big boss or something?” he tsked.
"You will work for the company if the company does not want you to join."
"Really, will you do that for me?" I was tempted, but it made me suffer, which made me laugh in the end.
"Be careful on your way home!" They have been together for a long time, he said. They nodded and smiled, and I hugged them one by one.
"You too, be careful when you go home." My flight was announced, so I walked over, looked at them again, and waved to them; they waved back.
Theo took care of my flight, so I said that I probably took the first class. But it's too late; it's over, so my appeal can't do anything. It's not my first, but it's fine with me if it's not in first class, but as I said, it's useless now because it's done.
"Drinks, ma'am?” the flight attendant offered me. So, I took the juice that was on the tray; I saw some wine, but it was too early for that kind of drink.
"Mr. De Ferrer, what drinks do you want, sir?” I heard the flight attendant behind me ask.
"I'm good. "Is my cousin there yet?" I blinked at the feeling. Why am I having goosebumps about that voice?
"Yes, sir, Captain Hillarca is currently in his perspective position." The flight attendant said politely, "Doesn't the airline own the man it's talking to?" I was suddenly nervous at the thought of this being behind me. What's wrong with you, Azeria? It's like your first time riding a plane! I patted my cheek, but when a passenger saw me, I sighed and hid out of embarrassment. But I was even more nervous when the man the flight attendant was talking to earlier called me.
“Miss your purse.”
I did not realize that my purse had fallen, and just as I was about to reach for it, another hand went first. I was still staring at his arm; the bulging veins on his arm were obvious. I was stunned and returned to my senses when I tasted it. I immediately reached for my purse in his hand and looked at him to thank him. "Thank you." That's all he stuttered. He stuttered because of that. That's one reason, but I stuttered because of the way he was staring. It's not because I'm in awe of his cloud-like eyes; they stare at me intently like a storm coming in the dark. As far as I remember, I just saw him, but the way he was staring at me would make you so nervous that you would think you had sinned against him. Yes, that's how it feels in his gaze! So, I bowed before I thanked him. I immediately turned my back on him and sat down. That's why I could tell the nervousness in the flight attendant's voice earlier because the person behind me was very nervous. Even though I observed and star
As my mother, Roda, said, she did not let me travel. That's why I traveled in the afternoon; it was already dark when I arrived in Manila. Visitor hours are over, so calling my cousins was the only update I got from the hospital. If that's the case, I'll be able to see my dad tomorrow. Lucas was watching over dad when he was on the trip, and he told me to go straight to his unit. He also told me the password for his unit, so I was able to get in easily while my two cousins just visited the hospital. They are also busy, so it's a good thing, and even though Lucas is also busy like them, he decided to stay with the papa, so somehow my fear was alleviated. "I'm not sure why the hospital didn't call you, which is understandable because you're far away in an emergency like this, they'd look for someone relatively close by," I inquired. "They say that Uncle's companion has a couple; that's why I'm wondering." The woman said that she should call me because her son is not in Manila. which i
I rolled my eyes—how stupid of you, Azeria! You should only come here at night; for what it's worth, you won't encounter any jumpier people! "Are you killing me in your mind?" I gulped, not because I was trying to be cute with him. Yes! I admit he's handsome, but I swallowed because he hasn't come down yet. He's sitting in front of you with his arms folded; just one wrong move and he'll fall! "Can you come down so we can talk properly?" "Why did you think I wanted to talk to you?" he asked, his eyebrows raised. My mouth fell open at what he said, and I gasped. I've only just met this person, Azeria, who breathes deeply. Inhale, exhale If you don't extend your patience with this man, he might disappear from the list of people living in this world! I stopped in the inhale and exhale session when I realized something, and I stared at him. His face is very relaxed, as if there are no worries or problems. And he had been insisting that he wouldn't kill himself, so when I convinced myse
"What are you doing here?" We both promised at the same time. "Is he your cousin?" "Is she your new secretary?" we asked the person who was just watching us at the same time. Instead of answering, the way it stared at me sharply when I went back to what happened earlier I winced. "One hundred percent sure, huh?" he tsk. I fiddled with my fingers; it was just the first time I was going to get kicked out. "Which bro? What is one hundred percent sure? Sure, you want to give me your raptor?" woke up the person with a jump that I met on the rooftop. "What are you doing here?" "Have your twins come out yet?” immediately return to signing. "Yes, he's out of jail." My eyes widened at the knowledge that he has a twin and is still an ex-convict. No wonder their behavior is like that; it's not like they have a mafia race. My eyes widened at the thought. "Oh, what's going on in your head, your majesty?" I looked at him intently. "Is that the person you're talking about on the rooftop?" I w
When the clock struck exactly seven in the evening, I immediately got up from bed and went to the bathroom to take a shower. The meeting with the client is at eight p.m., so I'm going to get ready. He even threatened me when I entered the room; maybe he thought that I would be terrified by his threats. Just try to kiss me again, and I'll stomp on his manhood! Lucas called me earlier when he found out I was in Cebu; he even asked why I didn't come home to get things. I just said that it's so urgent that I can't come home; I can't say that I also have no idea, and I'm shocked. Maybe the company would force me to work, so I didn't talk to him anymore. As for my boss, I will try to be professional. According to him, the client who will make money from it is important. And our first meeting wasn't really good either; imagine if I mistook him for someone else. Then he kissed me, and yes, I will forget all that for now for the sake of this important meeting. Because, as he stated, gaining t
I did nothing but go completely crazy with what he was doing. His tongue was now busy pleasuring, he was enjoying himself. It never crossed my mind that I would give my virginity to a mere stranger. And on the first day alone we have done this thing, how about in the following days? I'm shocked, I'm worried about the next one, maybe this will be the last one because everything that's happening is wrong! What if he has a girlfriend? Does that mean it will only be one-night stands? If the outcome is the same, I will give my preference. Maybe tomorrow I'll regret it, then I'll just think about the tee the next day. I was already at the peak of my second release when he suddenly stopped. My nail sank in as soon as it was his willingness to insert, I cried in so much pain. He sweetly kissed my tears, then my lips. He tried to walk away but I bit his shoulder. "It still hurts?" this is a sweet question. Kissing her chest was my answer so she didn't move for a few minutes. When I moved vol
I know it's not allowed. I know it's wrong. However, the forbidden is delicious. When we were in the company, you wouldn't think there was such a difference of opinion between the two of us. The second I set foot in his company, I knew everything would be new to me. I thought I would have a hard time facing him, but we did it in just a bit. If the employees find out that I hooked up with the boss on my first day, it will be embarrassing. I know they will look at me in a demeaning way, even though I can't believe how easily I gave in. Maybe because I'm new to this, it's hard to turn away from sin. But anyway, I'm aware of my actions. I'm not young anymore; I have my own decisions. I won't give up if I don't like it; the right thing to do is find out if I don't have someone to step on. He also stated categorically that there were none. However, the man who stole my virginity was a businessman and a bachelor. So, now that I've patched up what happened to us, all I need to do is distanc
"Do you fucking know that woman?" he asked after he yelled at me to enter his office. I raised my eyebrows and answered his question without a smile. "Yes, sir, probably one of your girls." "My girls? Miss Tacata, are you sure about that?" He screamed angrily. I'm going to make a fool of myself. What do you call what happened earlier? What? Are they playing mini my ni mo shrugged, and I responded with my gaze fixed on the nameplate. "Or perhaps not." "If you're insisting that she's not one of your girls, then, sir, I don't have a say in that," I said emphatically, and I knew that it was obvious that I was emphasizing the words I was saying to him. "You don't need to provoke her, Miss Tacata; you know how I am loyal, right?" Jerk! "I know. I have also read about many one-night stands in books, sir; I just didn't think I would be able to experience them. But don't worry; I'm also an expert on how to live with someone like you. At this point, I looked him in the eye. I was irritate