Chapter 4

With a calming breath, Jia stepped out of the car, her eyes widening at the sight of Luke Castillo's imposing mansion. After weeks of her father's recovery, she braced herself for the unknown twists her life might take.

The butler ushered her into a grand foyer, and with a polite nod, he disappeared, leaving Jia to marvel at the opulence surrounding her. The towering ceilings and lavish decor made her feel like an intruder in a world far removed from her humble beginnings. What could a man of wealth like Luke possibly want with a simple village girl?

As she ventured further into the mansion, each step seemed to echo the beating of her heart. The silence was broken only by the soft rustle of her clothes, emphasizing her solitude in this grandeur. The air carried a mix of unfamiliar scents, the fragrance of exotic flowers and polished mahogany, making her senses dance in confusion.

Footsteps resonated on the marble stairs, a rhythmic prelude to Luke's descent. He appeared with an enigmatic expression, his emotions hidden beneath a veneer of composure. "Please," he gestured gracefully, "come have tea with me in the garden." The invitation hung in the air, laden with the promise of a conversation that might unravel the mysteries concealed behind his composed facade.

Navigating through the blooming rose bushes, Jia and Luke discovered a serene alcove bathed in the warmth of the sun. As they settled into this tranquil haven, Luke's probing questions delicately unwound the threads of Jia's life—her upbringing with only her father, the challenges they confronted. Yet, she artfully sidestepped any mention of her father's recent ailment.

"You've confronted considerable hardships," Luke remarked, his words draped in gentleness. "Yet, I discern a resilient and compassionate spirit within you."

A subtle blush painted Jia's cheeks at the unexpected commendation. "I am genuinely grateful for your timely intervention. I am now at your service." Jia's expression conveyed sincerity, but Luke brushed away her words with a casual wave. "There is no debt between us. I simply desired to assist in your time of need."

The exchange lingered in the air, leaving behind an unspoken understanding—an intricate dance between gratitude and benevolence beneath the blooming roses.

Luke's benevolence puzzled Jia. In her expectations and perspective, wealthy men who acquired village girls expected them as servants or worse. Yet, Luke treated her as an equal. Over tea, they discovered shared interests, finding common ground in literature and current affairs. Slowly, Jia began to ease into his company.

As they conversed, Luke's gaze lingered on Jia, stirring a flutter in her pulse. He was unlike any man she had encountered-polished, yet down-to-earth; authoritative, yet gentle. Jia pushed away her wayward thoughts; Luke belonged to a realm far above hers.

Before parting ways, Luke extended an unexpected offer. "Your mind and work ethic are wasted in factories. I hope you will consider a position here as my secretary." Stunned, Jia stammered, "But sir, I am uneducated-" Luke silenced her with a raised hand. "I have faith in your abilities. The role is yours, if you want it."

In the ensuing weeks, Jia immersed herself in learning her new responsibilities, eager to prove herself. She organized Luke's schedule, contributed in meetings, and assisted in various projects. To her surprise, she excelled at the tasks, finding joy in the intellectual challenges.

Beyond the professional growth, she discovered a sense of belonging among Luke's staff, who embraced her like family. For the first time, Jia felt she had found a place where her mind and spirit could flourish. Each day, her admiration for Luke deepened as she witnessed his compassion.

One fateful afternoon, while reviewing documents in Luke's study, their hands brushed, and a sudden electric spark jolted through them. Jia gasped at the palpable intensity, Luke's gaze locking onto her with a fervor that set her heart racing. The unexpected connection between them promised a future laden with intrigue and unexplored emotions.

LUKE'S POV

"Jia, let's go to the company together!" I exclaimed from outside Jia's room, electrified by her stellar performance. There was a charge of tension between us since our hands brushed accidentally.

 

"Ah, you can go ahead, Luke; I've got something to handle," she hollered from inside, a thin excuse to avoid joining me.

 

Undeterred, I descended and waited for her in the living room, defying her insistence that I go ahead.

 

She descended the stairs with a captivating grace, looking absolutely stunning. If I didn't know better, I'd have pegged her at 22 with the elegance of her attire. Jia exuded maturity, and her intelligence was nothing short of spellbinding; she excelled effortlessly.

 

"Let's go," I said.

 

"Oh, frog! Why do you always catch me off guard?" I laughed but kept it under wraps, thoroughly charmed by her cuteness. She remained oblivious to my presence on the side of the stairs.

 

"I'm a handsome frog," I declared with a smirk, causing her eyes to widen as if I'd dropped a bomb. She approached and casually touched my forehead, almost like checking for a fever.

 

"I didn't know you had a smile in your arsenal," she said, dissolving my faux frown. I scrutinized her face, and she took a step back. "I thought you'd gone ahead; I did say you should," she teased.

 

"I wanted to keep pace with you," I admitted, earning a curious glance from her.

 

Off we went.

 

"By the way, Jia, I was thinking... would you and your papa fancy dinner this weekend? It's a small thank-you for all your hard work."

 

She beamed. "Sure! Papa would love that, and so would I."

 

Upon arriving at the company, we sauntered in together, setting the employees abuzz with gossip.

 

As we hit the elevator, I snagged her petite bag. It was a small gesture, but I wanted to do it. She looked puzzled, but let it slide.

 

"Ah, Luke, I've noticed my workload here is a tad light. Mind if I make a request?" she asked as we entered my office.

 

"Absolutely, anything," I declared, ready to hand over the moon and stars if she so desired. I was ready to give her everything she deserved, even if she hadn't vocalized it yet.

 

"Can I dip my toes into designing clothes? I've got some samples or can whip up one now," she inquired, leaving me flabbergasted. She knew how to design.

 

"Do you have a sample, or can you whip one up now?" I asked, prompting an enthusiastic sparkle in her eyes. "Absolutely," she said with a grin, so I promptly dialed downstairs to dispatch sketch paper and a pencil.

 

After her artistic escapade, I swiftly assessed her work. Her designs eclipsed those of my seasoned designers.

 

But how could I greenlight this when she was  my secretary? Plus, I had a strong aversion to male secretaries.

 

"I can juggle designer and secretary duties, Luke," she assured, as if she could read my mind, which was downright impressive. The girl was a dynamo.

 

"Alright, if that's your fancy, I'll double your pay, and you can kick off right away. Get ready; I'm introducing you to the squad," I declared.

 

"I'm ready, Luke," she said with a grin, already at the door of my office.

JIA'S POV

I caught a lot of eyes when Luke introduced me to my new colleagues. As we agreed back in his office, I continued working on designs because, after all, I still had my secretary duties to fulfill.

 

"Here," he said, suddenly handing me coffee, breaking my concentration.

 

"Thanks, Luke!" I grinned, avoiding calling him "sir" since he insisted I treat him casually. I mean, he said I wasn't any different from him, especially since I knew him as Luke before joining his company.

 

He sat beside me, examining my designs. "Perfect! I can't decide which one is better; they're all fantastic, and I think they'll look even better if you model them."

 

He moved in front of me, and I felt his gaze on me again.

 

"Uh, Luke, I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable." I couldn't hold back, so he stood up, returned to his office chair, and I couldn't see what he was doing as he was now behind me.

 

Soon, I was surprised when he placed food in front of me. "Don't forget to eat, no matter how busy you are," he said. I suddenly felt a rush of excitement. "Come on, let's eat."

 

After a while, I was taken aback when he wiped my lips with his thumb. "You're messy when you eat," he remarked. I couldn't help myself, so I took a sip of water, pretending, "I'm already full," trying to conceal the overwhelming feeling of joy.

 

"WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE?" Luke shouted as he approached us.

 

"Jia stole my design, sir," said Arra, Luke's long-time designer. Luke looked at me, maintaining his expression. I couldn't figure out what it meant. He scrutinized me, almost making me cry because no one believed me. All the employees facing me now were judging me. They said I was just a newbie but already stealing designs.

 

"You're fired!" he declared, leaving me devastated. It was just the beginning of my job, and this was the immediate outcome. "What I despise the most are liars, thieves, and deceivers," he continued, and I left, not wanting to hear anything more.

 

"Where are you going, Jia?" he asked, making me stop and wonder. I faced him, now facing Arra. "You may leave now, Arra, and I'll make sure no company will accept you anymore," he said. Did I hear it right?

 

"Luke," I said, breaking the silence when we entered his office. "Hmm?" He looked at me with raised eyebrows, seemingly waiting for what I had to say.

 

"I thought I was going to lose my job again," I said, tears streaming down my face.

 

"Shhh, I trusted you. I knew you wouldn't do that, so I didn't wait for you to explain." Touchingly, he was the only person who trusted me even without an explanation.

 

"Thank you, Luke!" I was almost in tears of joy. He approached me and held my face. "I won't let you go, Jia. I'll choose you every day."

 

I COULDN'T SLEEP AFTER WHAT LUKE SAID TO ME IN HIS OFFICE. What did he mean? I couldn't sleep thinking about what he wanted to convey.

 

"Why are you still awake?" I jumped when someone suddenly spoke in the living room after I descended the stairs.

 

"I can't sleep," I said.

 

"Come here," he said, so I approached slowly. My heart couldn't settle; it was pounding so hard, as if mice were racing inside me.

 

I went in front of him, and he held my hand, pulling me to sit on his lap. "L-Luke." I tried to break free, but his embrace was tight.

 

"I love you, Jia," he said.

 

"W-wait, are you drunk?" I asked when I smelled the alcohol.

 

"I've been denying my feelings for so long, thinking it was nothing. But as the years passed, I realized it wasn't normal because I wanted to be with you. I didn't believe in love at first sight, but it's true. Please, marry me," he said, leaving me stunned. Was he serious, or was it just the effect of alcohol?