Chapter 1- Target locked

Eloisa is known for her friendly and modest image deep inside hindi alam ng lahat ang kanyang mumunting sikreto. Only bitc**s know who who is a bit** kaya unang tingin pa lang nya kay Andrea alam na nya ring katulad nya ito.

Alam ng lahat na papalit palit ito ng bf at pati mga higher up alam nilang may kaugnayan sa babae. Di maintindihan ni Eloisa but she found herself hating that woman. Oo wala silang karapatang manghusga but it seems unfair na parati itong napapaboran kahit na mas senior pa sila sa babaeng iyon. She actually hated her guts.

It was during lunch nauulingan nya ang mga kasama na pinag uusapan ang ugnayan ni Andrea with their manager. But Eloisa is nothing different than Andrea. Patago nga lang ang mga galawan nya. Hindi nya gustong pagpyestahan ng iba ang pribadong buhay nya.

Katulad nalang mamaya lalabas uli sila ni Josh secretly. Alam nya na may girlfriend ito but he constantly chat, text or even call her. As in every night ang pag update nila sa isat isa.. Every night din ay iba iba kausap ni Eloisa. She does this so it is less likely na maisip nya ang ex nya. She'd be busy. And besides hindi naman sila all the way. Hanggang touching and fooling around lang. Kain lang sa labas then sabay liko.

She's been trying hard to cover that side of her. Simula ng makipag break sya sa manloloko nyang ex, she found herself not wanting to commit again in a relationship. Ginawa nya yun para tuluyang maging busy at maka move on.

It is until a drop dead gorgeous boss came to their office. Ito na raw ang papalit kay Don Ignacio. He seemed liked by all though nobody could acfually talk to him casually. There must be a wall around him. She started getting interested in him. One day she'll get a chance to talk to him.

Fortunately, isinama siya ng kanyang boss sa isang business trip sa Cebu dahil siya ang inirekomenda ng kanilang manager.

Inggit na inggit sa kanya ang mga katrabaho dahil makakasama niya sa trip na iyon ang Prince charming ng lahat na si Mr. Andrew Alvarez. He's sinfully gorgeous. Para syang regalo sa mga Eba.

"You'll be my next willing victim, boss." she greedily told herself.

Humanga agad sa kanya ang kanyang bagong boss dahil napa oo agad niya ang kanilang kausap because of her presention and charm. In short, with their teamwork, they got the deal sealed.

She looked at her new boss. He's really handsome, he's tall and looks younger than his age. Also just as expected, magaling din ito makipag negotiate. Kaya pala tila may celebrity sa office nila nang dumating ito. Right there and there napagdesisyunan nya na ito na ang next target nya. Target locked!

At kapag gusto nya, sinisigurado nyang makukuha nya. Behind her good image, she is hiding a dirty little secret.

Tuluyan na nilang na-close ang deal. Muli ay nakatanggap ng mga papuri si Eloisa.

"You've got an asset with you, Mr. Alvarez. I would say, I'm impressed with the designs."

"Thank so much for the trust Mr. Ang." tugon ni Andrew.

Nagpaalam na ang kanilang ka deal at naiwan sila sa opisina para magpack up.

"This calls for a celebration sir!" Eloisa smiled sweetly at her boss.

"Sure."

Nag high five pa silang dalawa na tila close na agad. Sandaling nagtama ang tingin nila. Tila nakaramdam ng awkwardnesss ang boss nya kaya tuluyang bumitaw sa pagkakahawak ng kamay nila at umiwas ng tingin.

"Good job Miss Avedillo. C'mon, let's have dinner. It's on me."

After nila magdinner she made sure they'll have wine. Nagprisinta pa syang magbayad ng wine para hindi na ito makatanggi.

Napansin ng boss na marami na syang naiinom. He tried to stop her from consuming more but she wouldn't listen.

" You are beyond your limit. Tama na iyan."puna ng boss nya na pilit inaagaw ang baso nya.

"You're no fun." anya ngumiti at tila namumungay na ang mata. "How should I call you boss? Can I call you Drew?"

Tila nabigla ang boss nya. " Okay, you can call me Drew."

"But I want to call you mine." she said while gigling.

"Are you single, Drew?"

"You must be drunk Miss Avedillo."

"Loisa, you can call me Loisa. You should call me Loisa and maybe we could talk casually coz we're of the same age."

"How did you..."

"How did I know your age? That's a piece of cake."

"Maybe we should head back to the hotel."

"Not until you call me Loisa."

"Fine, Loisa. Let's head back." ani Drew para mapagbigyan lamang ang gusto ng babae.

Drew has a feeling na nagkukunwari lang ang babae na lasing but he just played along. Inalalayan pa nya si Loisa.

When they got to their hotel, to his surprise and disappointment, nalaman nyang isang room lang pala ang naka book.

"What do you mean na isa lang ang kwarto?" He inquired to the receptionist. "Will you try checking one more time?"

"You are Mr. and Mrs. Alvarez right?You booked the Romantic Elite Suite."

"This woman is really getting to my nerves." inis na bulong ni Drew sa sarili while scowling at Loisa.

"This must be a mistake. We're not a couple. She is my subordinate. Can you just give us a separate room?"

"I'm so sorry sir. It's a holiday season plus weekend so we're fully booked."

Eloisa was the one who booked their room kaya sinigurado nyang isang room lang ang kanilang tutulugan. The place is now fully booked so no choice ang boss nya kundi matulog sila sa iisang suite. She started imagining how they'll spend the night while her boss is still arguing with the receptionist.

Ang tagal nakipagtalo ni Andrew sa receptionist to give them another room but to no avail.

He knows where this is going. He should just play along.

Dinala na nya sa suite ang nagtutulog tulugang babae.

He carried her like a sack of rice and tossed her on the bed.

"Open your eyes and will you stop pretending like you're drunk?" ani Andrew sa iritableng tono.

Dahan dahang bumangon ang dalaga. Her cover was busted.

" C'mon Drew, we have the night for ourselves."

She said hugging him from the back.

Nabigla si Loisa nang alisin ni Andrew ang pagkakayakap niya at tinitigan sya. She was literally lost in his eyes. She could see the frustration and rage.

"You know what, I hate women like you. So can you now explain bakit isang room lang ang binook mo?"

Doon na nahimasmasan si Eloisa. Parang may tarak na sumaksak sa dibdib nya. This guy is obviously immuned to her charms. Whatever she does, it won't affect him.It's the first time a guy utterly rejected her when she was openly offering herself.

"W-why?" she asked in almost teary eyed expression. She was about to burst into tears when she realized she has no effect on him.

He didn't succumb to her charms. What's with this guy? This just mean he is not just a regular guy. Tila mas nachachallenge si Loisa to tease him pero tinatalo na sya ng hiya ngayon.

"I don't sleep with just random women. I don't also fool around in a relationship. I date with the intention of marrying someone one day."

Ibinaba na ni Eloisa ang tingin. Hindi na nya alam paano sasalubungin ang tingin ng lalaki. She now felt so embarassed and disappointed with herself. This is definitely not what she expected.

"It's the first time someone rejected me when I literally offered you myself."

"Do you even like me?" seryosong tanong ni Andrew kay Eloisa.

Eloisa nodded her head. She knows he is her type. There's no point denying when she blew her cover.

"It's not like I'm not interested but I want a real relationship. A man should be the one to pursue. Do you do this to other guys?"

Tumango na lang din si Eloisa bilang tugon.

"If you want to date me, stop fooling around. and date me for real."

"H-how?" akmang lilingkis na si Eloisa sa braso ng lalaki. Pero maagap na umiwas ang lalaki and signaled her to stop.

"Don't! You can't touch me or any other men. Make me fall for you without using your body or touching me."

Napakurap si Eloisa sa tinuran ng boss nya. Hinahamon ba sya ng lalaki na paibigin ito? She knows she doesn't stand the chance bukod sa magkalayo ang estado nila dahil ubod ito ng yaman ito ay saksakan din ang lakas ng appeal nito. Pero hindi sya uurong.

Makes her more piqued to chase after him. She wanted to know him more.

"Are you up for it? When you reach 100 points, will start dating."

"Just 100? Fine. I'll make you fall for me." anyang umirap with her cheeks looking flushed.

"Now, you are being true to yourself. You're not wearing that good girl mask." he seemed amused though.

"I must warn you that I'm persistent so you can't just discourage me." ani Eloisa. She tagged his shirt. " We could share the bed. Malaki naman 'to."

"Minus 10 for invjting me to sleep with you and minus five for touching me."

"W-what?! I was just concerned." she pouted.

They slept separately. Sa kama natulog si Eloisa while her boss stayed in the couch. She was disappointed but at the same time, thrilled. She then realizes not all men are just after sex. Meron pang katulad ni Andrew who'd be a perfect gentleman or he was just disguising and painting himself good. Who knows?

She tried to close her eyes but she cant sleep a wink. Napatingin sya sa gawi ng boss nya. Base sa pagbaba taas ng dibdib nito ay mahimbing na natutulog na ito. He sleeps like a baby. She can freely observed how he looked. Pinagsawa nya ang mata nya at hindi pa sya nakuntento at lumapit sa kinahihigaan ng boss. She wondered if her boss is comfortable since he must be used to soft mattresses. Kinuha ni Loisa ang kumot at nilagay sa natutulog na lalaki.

"I should take care of you boss. You shouldn't catch colds."

She literally stared at his face closely. Right there and then she knew she was definitely attracted to this guy. She was urged to touch him hair and face but she seems tempted by his lips. Those lips look soft and supple. Now she is imagining how those lips would feel on hers. She is tempted to kiss him right now but she wouldn't.

"Just the fingertips. Maybe he wouldn't mind." she decided.

She was about to touch his lips when he suddenly opened his eyes at pinigilan ang kamay nya. She was so close to his face that if she moved an inch closer, their lips might touch.

"What do you think you're doing? Didn't I tell you not to touch me?"

"I didn't." she said without power habang nagpupumiliglas to his tight grip.

Eloisa panicked and wanted to break free from his grip kaya naman na- off balance sya and almost hurt herself buti nlng mabilis ang reflexes ni Andrew and pulled her. She ended up landing in his arms which she enjoyed so much. She loved his musky scent and how it felt to be in his arms. She was definitely taking her time to get up. Ang tigas ng muscles ng boss nya. He sure is ripped. He must be a regular in gym.

She diverted her gaze. Hindi nya gustong masalubong ang tingin ni Andrew.

"Are you okay?"

He seemed genuinely concerned. Dali daling bumangon si Eloisa dahil hindi nya nais na mas maging obvious sya sa pagtake advantage sa natutulog na boss.

"I-I didn't touch you. Nilagay ko lang sayo yung kumot. You seemed uncomfortable." defensive na sagot niya sa lalaki.

"Fine, so go back to sleep maaga pa. We will leave in a few hours."

Tumalima naman si Eloisa at dali daling bumalik sa lugar nito.

"You must be crazy Eloisa. Your magic doesn't work on this guy kaya kumalma ka." she muttered to herself. "Baka nga kahit maghubad ka sa harap nya, he won't even react."

She went back to bed and tried closing her eyes. Mission failed talaga sya ngayong araw with her crush.

When she opened her eyes, nakita nyang nagpapack na si Andrew. He is ready to go. Napabalikwas sya ng bangon. He is not interested in her and would probably leave her.

"Oh you're awake sleeping beauty. Get up now and have breakfast with me." kaswal na yaya nito.

Pupungas pungas at napakurap lang si Eloisa.

"You wouldn't fire me?"

"Why would I fire an asset like you?"

Now that was consoling. Kahit di sya bet ng crush nya at least it's a relief na kailangan pa sya nito.

"Start moving if you don't was us to be late in our flight."

Doon sya nahimasmasan at hindi naman pala sya iiwan doon sa Cebu. Dali dali na syang tumakbo sa banyo para maligo.

After taking a bath ay nagbihis na sya at nag ayos ng itsura. Dumerecho sila sa dining hall for the breakfast. Dahil alam na ng lalaki ang pagkatao nya, she didn't have to wear a fake smile which is a relief and besides walang ni katiting na interest sa kanya ang lalaki. For now. She is confident he'll soon succumb to her charms.

She's really not a morning person plus masakit ang ulo nya dahil sa pag inom nila last night.

" Are you usually this grumpy in the morning?"

"Probably not if we had a night to remember."

His laughter seemed like music to her ears. "Here have some coffee para nerbyosin ka ng konti."

She added cream to her coffee which added froth kaya nang inumin ni Loisa ay nagkalat sa pisngi nya ang stain. He was watching her kaya sinenyasan nya ang babae na punasan but she kept wiping the wrong place. Hindi nakatiis si Drew, he grabbed a napkin at sya ang nagpunas sa bibig ng babae. He accidentally touched her soft lips.

"T-thanks." ani Loisa na namumula na at umiwas ng tingin.

He was still watching her. Is she still doing it on purpose?

"You seemed uncomfortable with me around. Do you want me to leave already?We can leave separately if you're uncomfortable."

Umiling si Eloisa.

"Are you sure?"

Tango naman ang tinugon ng dalaga.

"What happened to your tongue? Just last night you were telling me that you'll make me fall for..." he started teasing her.

He noticed that she was glued to her phone. She was trying not make any contact with his eyes. She is probably ashamed of what she did.

"I'm telling you I haven't given up but can you also stop looking at me with those judging eyes? I already know that you don't like me."

" I didn't say I didn't like you... but well you need to feel comfortable with having me around. I have seen your designs and I think we will be working more together."

He continued, " Yesterday, what you did with the presentation was amazing except that you only booked one room for the two of us. Do not do it again especially with other men."

She was again on her phone not paying attention to what he says.

"If you are really interested in me, you should stop fooling around with other men. Pay attention to me, not to your phone."

Napatingin si Eloisa sa boss nya. She met his gaze and puts her phone in her bag.

"Tell me how else can I gain points and make you fall for me."

"It's for you to find out." he playfully smiled and stood up. "If you're done then let's go."

" I swear I'll make it to 100. Let's exchange numbers."