Lahat ng Kabanata ng UNDER HIS COMMAND : Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

New York was supposed to be a fresh start.I had left everything behind—familiarity, comfort, fear, and the life that had slowly begun to feel too small for me. All I carried with me was a worn suitcase, an architecture degree, a few clothes, and a stubborn conviction that my life was finally about to change.At twenty-four, I was ready to take on the city.New York was nothing like the quiet life I had known. Towering skyscrapers stretched endlessly toward the sky, traffic filled the streets from morning until night, and thousands of strangers rushed past each other without a second glance. It was overwhelming, loud, and intimidating.But I didn't come here expecting things to be easy.I came because I needed an opportunity.One chance to prove myself.One job that could change everything.Most importantly, I needed to earn enough money to help my father. His medical bills had been piling up, and every day that passed made the weight on my shoulders heavier. I couldn't afford to fail

I'd been in New York for a week - a long, exhausting week that felt like an eternity. I'd managed to scrounge up a small, moderately decent apartment, but it had almost wiped out my savings. Those first three days in a hotel after arriving had been a costly mistake, and now my job hunt had turned desperate. I'd spent yesterday trekking from office to office, résumé in hand, and the responses had all been the same: "We'll notify you later." Later felt like a lie, a gentle letdown that didn't soften the blow.So today, I'd gone grocery shopping, my fingers numb from the bags cutting into them as I trudged back to my apartment. I made myself a quick sandwich - I hadn't eaten all day - and collapsed onto the couch, scrolling mindlessly through social media reels. That's all I ever did on my phone, really. I didn't have friends, just my dad's number and a few neighbors back home saved in my contacts. I'd always been an introvert, content to keep to myself.But it wasn't always that way. I

I woke up ridiculously early, my body buzzing with excitement like a live wire. Today was my first day at Reed's Global, and sleep had been a lost cause. I couldn't shake the feeling that this was it, the start of something big.I jumped out of bed and got ready in record time, smoothing my long, wavy brown hair into a neat bun. A quick glance in the mirror and I nodded, satisfied - I looked the part. My outfit was simple, yet professional: a knee-length brown pencil skirt, a cream silk blouse tucked in, brown pointed flats, and a matching brown bag. Safe, but not boring.As I locked my door, I caught Mary, my elderly neighbor, outside with her fluffy brown cat curled up in her arms. She smiled and wished me luck, and that small gesture warmed my heart. I headed down the long staircase and straight into a waiting taxi.The drive took an eternity - almost an hour and a half. But I was glad I'd woken up early; showing up late on my first day would've been a disaster. When the taxi final

I'd been at Reed's Global for a week, and it felt like an eternity. Exhaustion clung to me like a damp shroud, and tension simmered just below the surface, waiting to boil over. That morning, I woke up feeling drained, my stomach twisted into knots. We were presenting to the CEO today, and the thought alone made my nerves skitter.I'd stayed up past midnight, pouring my heart into the project, and had sent it to Jenna, our team lead, as instructed. But when she replied hours later, telling me to submit my final design, I was taken aback - I could've sworn I'd already done that. A nagging doubt crept in, but I pushed it aside.I dressed with care, opting for my usual professional look: a grey knee-length skirt, a sky-blue blouse, and one-inch heels that clicked on the floor. My hair was neatly brushed and packed into a low bun, a simple yet polished finish. As I arrived at the office, I dropped my bag at my desk and followed my teammates to the conference room, the air thick with tensi

I trudged into the cafeteria, my appetite having vanished by the time I arrived. The smell of food - fried chicken, rice, coffee - turned my stomach, making it roil with a queasy unease that had nothing to do with hunger. My mind was still stuck in Liam Reed's office, the memory of his cold voice echoing in my head like a mantra. I scanned the room, my eyes locking onto Chris and Riele at their usual table near the windows. Chris caught my gaze first."Whoa," he said, half rising from his seat, his brow furrowed with concern. "You look like you've seen a ghost.""Worse," I muttered, dropping my bag and sinking into the seat beside them, feeling like I'd been punched in the gut.Riele leaned forward, worry etched on her face. "What happened? Why did the assistant call you like that?" Her voice was low and gentle, but it was laced with a concern that made my heart sink.I hesitated, unsure how to put into words the sense of unease that had settled over me. Saying it out loud made it fee