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Chapter 19: Ruthless CEO
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2025-04-21 18:53:33
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Chasing Athena (ENGLISH)Â Â Â Chapter 20: Important File
I'm already standing in front of the boss's office. But I donât have the courage to knock. Iâm nervousâwhat if he ends up yelling at me too? I really donât like that. I hate being yelled at.Before coming here, my supervisor talked to me. She told me to do everything I can to retrieve the file Paula deleted. I suddenly felt pressured when she said that. What if I canât do it? I might end up getting fired too."You can do this, Athena," I told myself as I knocked three times on the door before entering.I saw him standing while talking on the phone. His back was turned to me, so I couldnât see his expression. But I was sure he was still angry because of what my coworker did.I let out a deep sigh before approaching his table. I didnât want to call out to himâI might interrupt and make him angrier. But now, I started feeling anger toward him again."Athena, not now," I told myself and sighed once more.I need to set aside my personal feelings for now because I donât want him to notice t
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-22Chasing Athena (ENGLISH)Â Â Â Chapter 21: Interactions
Wait! Iâm confused. I didnât expect her to say that.So that meansâĶ the file he asked me to find earlier wasnât the one Paula accidentally deleted?Then what about the file I found earlier? Was it just nothing? Did it not matter at all?Was he messing with me? Or was he just trying to test my patience and see how far Iâd go for this company of his?âMarriage Proposal?! Does that mean Sir Zach is getting married?â Maurice blurted out, clearly shocked.Paula quickly covered her mouth. She said it a little too loudâbut thankfully, none of our other coworkers heard, since most of them were already starting to head out for lunch."Shh! Keep your voice down, someone from the other department might hear us. But Iâm not even sure if that file was really for him,â Paula said.I stopped listening to their conversation after that. I was still stuck thinking about the file he had me look for earlier.I still couldnât wrap my head around it.Why would my boss do that? Why would he lie about a file
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-22Chasing Athena (ENGLISH)Â Â Â Chapter 22: Stuck
I thought he had already gone home, but apparently not. Maybe he's still doing something in his office. But why should I care?Now I finally have a reason to head home.I donât want to talk to him or be around him anymore. I've seen and talked to him all day. And honestly, Iâm getting really annoyed."Just about to go home, Sir," I said as I quickly stood up to pack my things on the desk.I thought he was going to leave, but he didnât. He was still outside the office, leaning against the door, watching me.What, is he planning to just watch me? Is he not planning to leave?"S-Sir, do you need something from me?" I asked without looking at him.I couldnât concentrate on organizing my things because of his presenceâespecially now that he was watching my every move.I really donât get this guy. Heâs acting weird today, and Iâve been wondering about his behavior since this morning.âNothing, uhm... take care,â he said when I looked up at him. Then he finally walked away.Take care?Ugh, I
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-23Chasing Athena (ENGLISH)Â Â Â Chapter 23: Alexander Esquivel
I lay down on the table after finishing what my supervisor asked me to do. It was perfect timing, just before lunch. I didnât want to rush eating, especially when there are tasks on my mind that need to be finished before the deadline. Now that Iâve completed it, I wonât have to think about anything while eating.Two days have passed, and Iâm still doing the same tasks at work. Preparing reports, organizing the computer network, retrieving deleted files, and so on. Itâs tiring, but Iâll manage because of the job Iâm holding on toâand for my family.Itâs been two days since I last saw Sir Zach, ever since we got stuck in the elevator. Heâs probably just busy with work. Maurice told me earlier that a lot of investors, media, and business associates arrived yesterday. Heâs also called several meetings with the finance and marketing departments since this morning.Iâm actually relieved heâs been busy, so I donât have to see or talk to him, because Iâm still scared of him. I donât know why
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-23Chasing Athena (ENGLISH)Â Â Â Chapter 24: Care
I'm not the only IT in his company, but I'm the one he keeps giving tasks to. Ugh. Oh right, Mrs. Montero asked me a favorâthat I'd be the one to help her son if he had any problems in her office. So I guess there's really no escape for me, and I can't avoid him.I really thought I wouldn't see him anymore, but turns out I still will and now I'm even walking with him toward his office. I'm behind him, silently following."What does Alexander do in your department?" he asked, catching me off guard.Why is he asking that? Even that, he needs to know?"Nothing, sir... he just stayed there and talked to us," I replied while watching his body.I donât know, I just suddenly found myself staring. Heâs changed so much now. Heâs gotten taller, and even his physique has changed. Just like what Maurice saidâheâs now got that âhot and daddy figureâ vibe. Thatâs exactly how he is now.Well-defined physique, broad shoulders that give him a strong aura and commanding presence. A chiseled jawline tha
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-24Chasing Athena (ENGLISH)Â Â Â Chapter 25: Crush
Why did he suddenly ask that? And how did he know? I hadnât said anything to Dr. Matteo for him to ask me something like that.Could it be that Dr. Matteo noticed I was scared?"Sirâ""N-Nevermind, just go now and take some rest," he said, turning away. "I'll just tell my secretary to bring the food to your office," he added, walking back to his desk.I didnât answer, just turned around and left his office.Once I had escorted Dr. Matteo to the ground floor, I headed back to my department and resumed the work I had left behind. The food Sir Zach ordered had arrived in the office, and there was enough for all of us."What's going on? Why did Sir Zach send food to the office?" Maurice asked, confused. Paula just shrugged because she didnât know the answer."Maybe he's in a good mood, so he decided to give us food," Paula replied.We were all in the restroom, getting ourselves ready since it was almost time to go home. They didnât know about what happened earlier because I didnât tell th
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-24Chasing Athena (ENGLISH)Â Â Â Chapter 26: Unexpected Parent
Itâs Friday today, and the meeting at Aaronâs school is also happening today. Thatâs why I woke up early and got ready for it. Good thing itâs my day off, so I donât have to worry or think about the work I left behind at the office. And I wonât be seeing my boss the entire day.It feels so good. I just hope the Lord gives me this day without having to see him. I just want to avoid him and not think about himâjust for today.I need to focus on the meeting because this is for my sonâs happiness. And I donât want to ruin it just because I keep thinking about that guy.âMommy, is it okay if I play with my classmates while youâre in the meeting?â Aaron asked while we were walking toward his classroom.We had just arrived at the school, and it seems like weâre early. I think I might be the only parent here for now, but thatâs fine. Better that than having the teacher wait for us."Of course, sweetheart, just donât go too far and donât talk to strangers, okay?" I replied, and he nodded in re
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-24Chasing Athena (ENGLISH)Â Â Â Chapter 27: Father and Son Interaction
I suddenly faced Sir Zach, who was now looking at me, but I couldnât see any emotion on his face. My heart was gripped with anxiety when he glanced at Aaron, who was also looking at him now.I quickly grabbed Aaron by the arm and pulled him behind me before he could notice how much they looked alike.âS-Sir Zach, I didnât realize you were there,â I stammered nervously. âW-We wonât be staying long, I still have some things to take care of at home andâââBut your son still wants to play with his friends,â he cut me off. I fell silent and looked at Aaron, who was now frowning as he stared at Sir Zach.Dear God! Heâs starting to notice something, and Iâm sure later heâll have a lot to say or ask me."Mommy, who is he?" Aaron asked curiously as he walked over to my side and held onto my arm. But his eyes remained fixed on Sir Zach."Umm... sweetheart, heâs my bossâ""Your grumpy boss, Mommy?" he cut me off, turning his gaze away from Sir Zach.They really are father and sonâalways interrup
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-25
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Chasing Athena (ENGLISH)Â Â Â Chapter 32: Drunk
"Did you say something, Athena?"I immediately looked at Paula, who was now looking at me with confusion. She was a little tipsy, and I wasnât sure if she also saw our boss."Sir Zach... I sawâ"But he was gone when I looked back."... there..."Where did he go?It was really him I saw. Iâm not hallucinating or imagining that he was here. And Iâm not even drunk yet."What did you say, Athena?" Paula asked while leaning her ear toward me.I just shook my head in response and took a shot of gin. They had ordered another round of drinks that I didnât notice. Our drinks were a mix of everything, but I just hope weâre not crawling home later."Another shot, Athena. Letâs make the most of it while we still can," Trixie said while handing me another shot of gin."Is this what you meant when you said we werenât going to get drunk, Paula?" I teased, looking at Paula, who was now quietly sitting on the side, holding her head.She was drunk."Itâs just this once, I swear it wonât happen again,"
Chasing Athena (ENGLISH)Â Â Â Chapter 31: Midnight Bar
I slammed into the chair after finishing what Miss Lina asked me to do. Thankfully, I finished it before lunch so I can rest later.Itâs Monday, but I can already feel the intense exhaustion. Yesterday, I didnât do anything except rest the whole day and take care of my child. But when I get to work, all the energy I saved up gets drained. And now, only ten percent is left."Thena, thereâs a girl's night out later, are you joining us?" Paula asked as she approached me, with Maurice following behind her, carrying his bag and ready to head down to the cafeteria for lunch."Girlâs night out? But itâs Monday today," I said as I put my scattered things into my bag on the table."Itâs just to relieve the tiredness. Donât worry, weâre not going to get drunk, and itâs just the girls from our department joining later. No boys, only girls," Paula replied, which made Maurice laugh."That's why it's a girl's night out, right? Because there are no boys, you're not thinking straight," Maurice said w
Chasing Athena (ENGLISH)Â Â Â Chapter 30: Lunch With Him
I thought that once I finished fixing his internet, Iâd be able to leave, but I was wrong. He still had me sort his files on his laptop by year. This wasnât part of my job; it was supposed to be the work of his secretary. But since heâs my boss and Iâm just his employee, I did what he asked.His friends were still here in the office. Theyâd been here for about an hour and a half already. They didnât do anything else but talk about business.I realized that Sir Zachâs friends were also wealthy and well-known figures. The three of them were CEOs and heirs to their familyâs companies. I couldnât believe the life they were living. I thought they were just ordinary citizens of the Philippines, but I was wrong."Sh*t! Whatâs that?" I muttered when I suddenly felt my stomach growl. "Tsk! I havenât eaten yet," I said as I realized that Sir Zach had given me tasks right when I was supposed to be eating.What should I do?Should I ask permission to eat?OrShould I ask to step out for a while?
Chasing Athena (ENGLISH)Â Â Â Chapter 29: Friends
I let out a deep sigh as I once again thought about what happened yesterday â my meeting with Sir Lim and the things we talked about that left me with so many questions.I'm still wondering, still confused about what he said. I still can't believe what he told me about Zachariah â that he suddenly stopped showing up to him.Why? Why did he suddenly disappear?I know I shouldnât be thinking about it anymore, but... I want to understand why it happened. But how could I find out when even now, I'm still too scared and unwilling to tell him about what happened between us in the past and about our child?"Tsk! Stop thinking about it, Athena. Just stop," I suddenly told myself as I threw myself back against the chair.I'm already here at the office, working on the task assigned to me by Miss Lina, my supervisor. It's not really that difficult since itâs just about the new software for our department. But I still havenât finished it because I kept thinking about the conversation I had with S
Chasing Athena (ENGLISH)Â Â Â Chapter 28: Encounter
"Didn't he find it strange when he saw Aaron?" Vanessa asked as she placed a glass of juice on the table."Thanks, Van. Umm, I donât know, but he seemed interested in getting to know Aaron," I replied.We had arrived at Vanessaâs house, and I had already told her about what happened earlier at the school. It was just the two of us in the living room now, while Aaron was in his room watching cartoons. Vanessa had asked him to stay there so we could talk freely without him overhearing."That's a bad omen, Athena. What if he became interested in getting to know Aaron because he noticed they look alike? He even noticed it about your son. So, itâs really possible he saw that. You know what they say about a blood connection? Maybe that's why your son is confused and questioning things."I fell silent and placed my hand on my head. Iâve been thinking and worrying about my sonâs situation for a while now. Now that the two of them have met, Aaron wonât be able to get Sir Zachâs face out of his
Chasing Athena (ENGLISH)Â Â Â Chapter 27: Father and Son Interaction
I suddenly faced Sir Zach, who was now looking at me, but I couldnât see any emotion on his face. My heart was gripped with anxiety when he glanced at Aaron, who was also looking at him now.I quickly grabbed Aaron by the arm and pulled him behind me before he could notice how much they looked alike.âS-Sir Zach, I didnât realize you were there,â I stammered nervously. âW-We wonât be staying long, I still have some things to take care of at home andâââBut your son still wants to play with his friends,â he cut me off. I fell silent and looked at Aaron, who was now frowning as he stared at Sir Zach.Dear God! Heâs starting to notice something, and Iâm sure later heâll have a lot to say or ask me."Mommy, who is he?" Aaron asked curiously as he walked over to my side and held onto my arm. But his eyes remained fixed on Sir Zach."Umm... sweetheart, heâs my bossâ""Your grumpy boss, Mommy?" he cut me off, turning his gaze away from Sir Zach.They really are father and sonâalways interrup
Chasing Athena (ENGLISH)Â Â Â Chapter 26: Unexpected Parent
Itâs Friday today, and the meeting at Aaronâs school is also happening today. Thatâs why I woke up early and got ready for it. Good thing itâs my day off, so I donât have to worry or think about the work I left behind at the office. And I wonât be seeing my boss the entire day.It feels so good. I just hope the Lord gives me this day without having to see him. I just want to avoid him and not think about himâjust for today.I need to focus on the meeting because this is for my sonâs happiness. And I donât want to ruin it just because I keep thinking about that guy.âMommy, is it okay if I play with my classmates while youâre in the meeting?â Aaron asked while we were walking toward his classroom.We had just arrived at the school, and it seems like weâre early. I think I might be the only parent here for now, but thatâs fine. Better that than having the teacher wait for us."Of course, sweetheart, just donât go too far and donât talk to strangers, okay?" I replied, and he nodded in re
Chasing Athena (ENGLISH)Â Â Â Chapter 25: Crush
Why did he suddenly ask that? And how did he know? I hadnât said anything to Dr. Matteo for him to ask me something like that.Could it be that Dr. Matteo noticed I was scared?"Sirâ""N-Nevermind, just go now and take some rest," he said, turning away. "I'll just tell my secretary to bring the food to your office," he added, walking back to his desk.I didnât answer, just turned around and left his office.Once I had escorted Dr. Matteo to the ground floor, I headed back to my department and resumed the work I had left behind. The food Sir Zach ordered had arrived in the office, and there was enough for all of us."What's going on? Why did Sir Zach send food to the office?" Maurice asked, confused. Paula just shrugged because she didnât know the answer."Maybe he's in a good mood, so he decided to give us food," Paula replied.We were all in the restroom, getting ourselves ready since it was almost time to go home. They didnât know about what happened earlier because I didnât tell th
Chasing Athena (ENGLISH)Â Â Â Chapter 24: Care
I'm not the only IT in his company, but I'm the one he keeps giving tasks to. Ugh. Oh right, Mrs. Montero asked me a favorâthat I'd be the one to help her son if he had any problems in her office. So I guess there's really no escape for me, and I can't avoid him.I really thought I wouldn't see him anymore, but turns out I still will and now I'm even walking with him toward his office. I'm behind him, silently following."What does Alexander do in your department?" he asked, catching me off guard.Why is he asking that? Even that, he needs to know?"Nothing, sir... he just stayed there and talked to us," I replied while watching his body.I donât know, I just suddenly found myself staring. Heâs changed so much now. Heâs gotten taller, and even his physique has changed. Just like what Maurice saidâheâs now got that âhot and daddy figureâ vibe. Thatâs exactly how he is now.Well-defined physique, broad shoulders that give him a strong aura and commanding presence. A chiseled jawline tha
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