Chapter 2

Rosetta's POV

It's been weeks since I was hospitalized. It's also been a week since I last saw Nicholas Rivas.

I don't know why his name and the features of his face keep coming back to my mind. Is it because he helped me? Or maybe because he's the one who paid my hospital bills?

After that day, Nicholas left me at the hospital. He didn't come back, not even when I was discharged. I was waiting for him to come back, but he didn't. Well, who am I to him that he would? I mean, I'm just a stranger to him.

I shook my head and gave a bitter smile.

I arranged my papers because I'm going to apply as a secretary at a famous company. I hope I get accepted because I desperately need to save money. I already sold my luxurious things and used the money to pay off some of the debt, but it's still not enough.

I have a remaining balance of two million to be paid.

"Rosetta Morgan..."

I looked up at the person who called me. A woman holding a paper seemed to be looking for me.

"Is there a Rosetta Morgan here?"

I stood up to get her attention, and I succeeded. She looked at me from head to toe before signaling for me to follow her.

I was silent as I walked down the hall and entered a room, which I assumed was the CEO's office.

"Sir..." The woman said to get the attention of the man who was bent over, reading some papers. He looked up at us, and I was rooted to my spot when I saw who it was.

It was him.

Nicholas Rivas.

"Leave us alone, Maika," Nicholas said.

The woman he called Maika nodded. She faced me and raised an eyebrow before she finally left the office.

I quietly stared at Nicholas. I don't know what to say to him. Like I'm here, applying for a job.

"Take a seat, Miss Morgan," he said, his tone authoritative.

I took a deep breath before walking toward him and sitting down. I handed him my application papers, and he immediately took them. He looked at my papers, his brow furrowed as he read, but the expression disappeared as soon as he finished.

"I... I." I cleared my throat because something seemed to be stuck in it, and I couldn't get my words out.

"Why should I hire you?" he asked.

Why should he hire me? The simple reason is that I need a job and a salary to pay off my dad's debt. But of course, I won't say that.

I was about to answer his question when he spoke again, causing me to fall silent.

"I want an honest answer, Miss Morgan. I don't like memorized answers."

What should I answer? He should hire me because I have a debt to pay? I need to survive?

"I... I need this job because I have a debt to pay. I don't want to die of starvation," I uttered, almost a whisper. I don't know if he heard what I said, but I think he did because he nodded a few times.

"I've read your resume, and you're a model. Why are you choosing to become a secretary when you can be a model?" he asked.

I am a model, and I had a lot of projects before. But everything disappeared as soon as the issue about my dad came out and when he died. Everything I had vanished into thin air. My dad's death was also the death of my dreams.

I shook my head. "I just... I just want to have other experiences," I replied.

"My staff will just call you," he said, which made my shoulders droop.

I already know this. I'm not accepted. This is what every company I've applied to has said, that they'll just call. But the truth is, you're not really hired.

"Thank you, Sir." I stood up and, with slumped shoulders, left Mr. Rivas's office.

I even ran into Maika at the door on my way out. I smiled at her, but she just raised an eyebrow at me.

I shook my head and moved to the side to let her pass. When she was inside, I finally walked out.

People in the hallway were staring at me, but I ignored them. I was silent as I made my way to the elevator.

I need to look for another job to apply for. I can't rest because I don't have time. I really need to find a job because if not... my dad's creditor will kill me.

I sighed and got into the elevator. I leaned against the wall while looking at the floor number.

To be honest, I'm so tired of life. But I can't give up.

Oh, life, what a life.

"Rosetta, you can do this. You've been through a lot, so you can handle this," I softly said to myself, holding my chest.

When the elevator opened, I immediately got out and walked out of Mr. Rivas's company. I stood on the side to wait for a taxi.

I'm still so extravagant even without money; I'm still taking a taxi. It's just so hot to ride a jeepney, and I don't know how to commute on one.

When a taxi stopped in front of me, I was about to get in when a guard suddenly called me. I looked at the guard with a frown.

"Yes?" I asked him.

He walked toward me. "Ah, Ma'am, Sir said for you to wait for him."

Which "Sir"? Why should I wait?

"Huh? Who am I supposed to wait for? Sir, I still need to look for a job," I said.

The guard scratched his head. "Sir Nicholas said to wait for him, Ma'am."

"So, Miss, are you getting in?" the taxi driver asked from inside.

I sighed and shook my head. I moved to the side and faced the driver. "I'm sorry, Sir, but... I'm being called back inside."

"Fine, then don't hail a taxi if you're not going to get in." After the driver said that, he immediately drove away.

I was left with the guard.

"Why is he making me wait?" I asked the guard.

"I don't know, Ma'am. It's better if you just wait for him in the lobby," the guard said.

I just nodded and walked back inside.

Why would he make me wait? What does he need? I've already accepted that I didn't get the job. But what is this? Special treatment?

I sat on a couch and crossed my legs while waiting for Mr. Rivas. I had no choice but to wait for him; who knows, maybe he has an offer—just kidding.

I only waited for a few minutes before he arrived. He was still wearing his glasses, which made him look strict, but he was so hot. He was holding a black briefcase.

"Let's go."

Huh? What "let's go"? Where?

He turned his back on me and walked out of the building. I scrambled to follow him, holding the envelope I'd been holding all this time.

"Wait! Where are we going?" I asked him when I caught up.

He didn't answer. I didn't get a single word from him. He just kept walking until we reached a black car. He opened the passenger seat door before looking back at me.

He gestured for me to get inside, so I just followed him. He immediately closed the passenger door. A minute later, the other door opened, and he got in.

"Fasten your seatbelt, Rosetta."

Did he just call me by my name? What the!

"Where are we going?" I asked him for the second time.

"My house."

"Your house? What are we going to do at your house? Your wife might be there and say something about me," I snapped.

He shook his head and smirked. "I don't have a wife. Yes, I have a daughter, but I don't have a wife. I have a soon-to-be wife, though."

"I don't want to. I'm getting out. I don't want to ruin a relationship," I said. I was about to open the door when he suddenly locked it and started the car.

"Oops, too late."

"Oh my God! Stop the car, Nicholas! I want to go home and find another job."

"No. From now on, you will work under me. Under my roof, under my control, Rosetta."