MICHAELMy eyes shifted to the person who dropped a folder on my desk and were met by his suspicious glare."There's the file you're asking for," Aaron uttered bitterly as he crossed his arms, feet apart, standing in front of me like a bully soldier. "Can I at least hear a payment of gratitude? I flew ten thousand miles just to deliver that to you since you wanted it 'personally'.""Thank you," I monotonously replied what he wants to hear and took the file, depositing it inside the last drawer."That's very kind of you," he probably ate sarcasm for lunch. "So, from what I see, you look all positive and bright aside from your rude behavior. I'm assuming you got what you wanted."And he's assuming right.A triumphant grin spread across my face that I can't stifle."Let's just say that she's intrigued," I replied, obviously showing him the gold ring I'm wearing on my finger."You're a jerk," he chuckled and dragged his bottom to sit on the chair adjacent to me. "How did she react when sh
NATASHA"Really? At the first interview?" Ricky exclaimed with his cheerful voice. "Wow, that was amazing."Only if he knew.Michael Montero, he's going to be my boss. What has gone through my mind and signed the contract that fast?I should've thought it through. But it was too late to regret it. I'm going to have to endure the next days being his slave, or in a formal manner of working, his secretary."The interview went well," I replied and took a spoonful of cake."So..." he sang. "Are you considering this as your goodbye to me because you're going to be busy for the rest of the years or this is you being a nice friend to me?""Maybe both?" I replied that sparked a bit of hope in his eyes.He was about to say something when a car parked by the window with its headlights on."Holy shit!" He exclaimed like a fanboy and leaned close to the table. "Do you see that man?" He asked me.I followed his gaze and I stiffened in my place as I saw a familiar face hopping out of his car like a
MICHAELMy fingers played with my bottom lip as I watched Natasha step out of the fitting room, smoothing her shirt with her hands.I expected her confusion when we arrived at the boutique. I thought she would ask many questions and start chattering away, but instead, she obediently followed my every order like a speechless robot.She stood there just a few feet away from me, resembling a statue after trying on the gown.Apart from spelling boredom, her face was like a book written in a language I couldn't decipher.I initiated a game, but she seemed like a pro countering my amateur attack.Fuck, should I be more cautious, or perhaps not?Both of her hands were clasped behind her, shooting me a fiery side glance.After the morning interview, she must have stayed outside. She still wore the same suit, but her hair was tied in a high ponytail, and her face was free of makeup.The way she stood highlighted the curves of her body, making them more pronounced.Her chest appeared fuller, an
NATASHA"What an gentleman," I scoffed and shook my head as I remembered how Michael left abruptly and drove off last night.How could he?Was it because he's already married?He's married. That's a fact. Why am I even hoping that he would still look at me the same way he used to?A lot of things changed, indeed, including him.Ricky had the mouth to chatter about everything he knows about Michael, and I listened to every word, even though I am fully aware of everything that happened in his life, aside from his marital status.The media never mentioned anything about his marriage. His "wife" was never seen with him. The only thing everyone knows is that he's been wearing that gold ring since last year.Is that girl lucky or not?"Give me coffee, now." Addressing me by my name as the day being his secretary started, and I began suffering under his orders.Pushing myself off the chair, I headed to the bar just a few steps away from his office and ordered what he usually takes.Espresso
NATASHAFirst five days of working for Michael, and I feel like my hair is turning white. The jerk seems to forget that he's got a company to run."Tasha, Mr. Montero has to sign this. This is part of the upcoming event this week. Is he there?""Tasha, the advertising department is asking for the layout Sir Montero approved last week.""Tasha, has Sir Montero approved Mr. McLiam's lot transfer? He's asking for a copy of the print.""Tasha, did Sir Montero comment about the presentation from the marketing department? Did he have any negative thoughts about it?""Tasha, here's the report from accounting. Is Sir Montero present? I heard from our manager that the deadline is coming by the end of the month. The report should have an approval from the boss.""Tasha, any news about the payroll? The salary distribution starts by the second week of the month. Were there any changes in the schedule? We weren't informed."Tasha here, Tasha there...Five heads of their department came at once to
MICHAELWhen I asked her to stay, I simply thought that she would let her guard down and let me hug her for the rest of this sweetest day.But, no, I was wrong."Ooh!" I groaned when her elbow hit my stomach and pushed me away from her."Don't you ever do that again!" She yelled at me as she hopped out of my bed and fixed her clothes. "Sir," she added for respect.Massaging where she hit me, I watched her frown at me like I'm the most disgusting person to ever live on this planet."With all due respect, you don't have the right to touch your secretary or any of your employees that way," she lectured me. "It's inappropriate, particularly that you're... married."Humming, I lay flat in bed and purposely pulled the sheet down to give her a sight of my upper body.I assumed that I distracted her from shooting glares at me when her eyes found my chest."I am married," I admitted and showed her my gold ring. "But would it hurt to play just a little bit?" I smirked as she breathed out the so
NATASHAMy heart felt like it's causing a high-magnitude earthquake inside my body, my blood rushing way too quickly in my veins, and my body can't seem to function right.As soon as I closed the door behind me, I figured out that I've been holding my breath.His touch brings back all the memories from the past. His voice convinces me to look back and hear him talk to me like I'm the only one who could calm him. And his confession...Placing my hand on my chest where my heart is, I closed my eyes and felt how it beats. It's too fast.Stop it, Natasha.Don't entertain this feeling. It's too risky. It's too dangerous!How dare he? How unfaithful he could be? His wife must be suffering in pain.What if his wife comes in and finds me here? What if she's a war freak? I don't want to lose my hair. I don't want to be called a mistress and a woman without dignity.My dignity, I lost it with Michael, together with my virginity. I may not bring back my purity, but I want to build back my dignit
MICHAEL"I knew that this is a trap," I heard Natasha say as we sat alone in a restaurant I paid the whole hour just to have her myself.She's slicing the steak on her plate as if she's cutting someone's throat and gnawing the meat a little harshly.Ever since I set a rule, I can't help but keep my grin to myself. I know that on our way here, she had a lot to say, but her fear of being kissed in public held her back.My wife is so fun."When I first came here to London, this is the first restaurant I visited. And they have the best steak here," I told her as if we're adults trying to keep this late lunch alive.She sits there like a terror woman who kills with just a glare."Remember our rule, Ms. Kaufman?" I reminded her, and her eyes narrowed even more."I haven't said anything yet, sir, and I believe that I'm being polite the whole time." Her sharp tongue must have been blunt. She's keeping herself from talking inappropriately to me.I have this feeling that her eyes must be hurtin