All Chapters of My Strict Boss (SPG): Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

I sat beside his mother, feeling their heavy gaze on me as if any small mistake on my part would blow our cover.“Tell us, Irene,” his mother added, smiling but with probing eyes. “How did you and my son meet? We’ve never heard about you before.”I pressed my cold palms together and looked at Tirso. Our eyes met in a way that signaled it was my turn.“Go ahead,” he whispered, barely moving his lips. “This is where you prove yourself.”I took a deep breath, forcing a smile even though my lips were trembling. “Ah… we… we met at work,” I said almost in a whisper. “I was new at the office, and then he was my boss.”His father looked up immediately, a brow raised. “Your boss?”“Yes, Dad,” Tirso answered, calm and controlled. “I noticed her right away. She was hardworking… different. Not like the others,” he continued, glancing at my side, that smirk tugging at his lips. “She caught my attention.”I kept my smile fixed, pretending to be shy even though I wanted the ground to swallow me whol

As we approached the corner of our street, I felt the tension growing heavier. Aside from worrying about facing the debt collectors later, my boss’s aura was just so cold.But can I really face them all on my own? Surely they won’t hurt me? What if I just ask Tirso to come with me? I don’t know anymore!I could feel the cool breeze passing through the small crack in the window, but even though that was supposed to be relaxing, for me it was the opposite, it was still so tense being in the car with him, just like whenever we're in the elevator at the company.Tirso pulled up in front of the apartment. There was no sound except for the low, steady hum of the engine. He just stared straight ahead, but the grip of his hands on the steering wheel made it obvious that he wasn’t entirely calm.As for me, I couldn't sit still. I kept pulling the zipper of the bag back and forth, hoping that the movement would make the nervousness go away.I wanted to get out immediately to end the tension ins

“T-Tirso…” I uttered softly, my lips trembling.His eyes were fixed directly on mine, as if peering into my very soul. He didn’t release my hand right away, as if making me feel that I was safe, that no one could hurt me. But the truth, I grew even more afraid. Because if he really was the one who paid my rent, if he was also the reason why it felt like my every move was being monitored… what was his motive, really?I had fully assumed earlier that he had already gone home. It turns out he came back to follow me.“Why are you here?” I forced myself to ask.He didn’t answer immediately. He just looked in the direction where the van had gone, then brought his gaze back to me. “I followed you.”“Huh?” I almost stepped back, but his grip on my hand prevented me from moving away. “Why?”He stared at me intently. “You think I’d let you walk into danger alone? You think I didn’t know? You think I wouldn't remember? Irene, you’re not safe. It’s not just money they’re after. If I didn’t step i

Silence prevailed after he said that. I felt the tension between us grow heavier. I couldn't even look at the mirror properly anymore, so I just walked away.Sometimes, I just don't get him. If math is hard to solve, he's even harder to understand. I’d rather he just scold me than suddenly get serious and say things he can't even explain properly.A mixed signal enjoyer? Maybe. I actually don't understand what he was trying to say a while ago. Power over him? Is he going crazy? He’s the one controlling me, and now, it's me who controlling him?I took a deep breath and approached the glass wall where the expanse of the city was visible. For a moment, the weight in my chest vanished when I saw the city lights. It’s actually beautiful from up here.I didn't move when I felt his presence behind me."I've already ordered food," he said gently. "Eat. If you want to shower and sleep, use my room. I'll sleep here."I didn't respond. I just ignored him. I don't feel like talking to him. I’m st

The entire condo was silent. Unlike last night when I could hardly breathe from the heavy tension, it was calmer now. The only thing I could hear at the moment was the soft flipping of pages coming from the sofa where I was leaning.Tirso was sitting comfortably on the sofa, relaxed. With his simple gray shirt and dark pants, wearing glasses and holding a book, he looked so damn hot and smart. He looked so absorbed in what he was reading to the point that he wasn't even paying attention to me. But who cares? I was busy, too!I was sitting on the floor, my laptop set up, wearing my glasses because my eyes were sleepy, but I had to finish these slides for tomorrow. It was a presentation for clients, and I knew I couldn’t provide a half-baked output, especially since these were major clients.Focus, Irene, I whispered to myself while typing. I was multitasking, when I got tired, I’d switch browsers to watch random videos, then go back again to the work that seemed never-ending. I’d told