Chapter One

Would you believe me if I said that... I went from begging on the streets and selling rags to being the secretary of the President who owns the largest corporations in the Philippines? 

Even me doubt it, it's like a dream I created when I was young.

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[Laura]

When I was five years old, my parents died in a car crash. I was placed in an orphanage because we had no other relatives who could take care of me. 

"Starting this day, this place will be your home" the nun said while looking at me with pity. 

But the orphanage burned down when I was in sixth grade. Because of that, I became homeless at the age of twelve. 

"Sir, Ma'am... spare me some coins, I'm hungry." I beg on every person who passes by. 

When I learned how to sell different kinds of products, I started selling candies, bottled water and rags. 

It was so difficult to compete with some regular vendors. I can't even count how many times I cried whenever they'd bullied me. 

"Why are you still here? this place is mine, go sell your rags away from here" he even pushed me. 

I panicked when I felt that I stepped on someone's foot when the man pushed me. 

"Hey, look where you're going!" yelled the maid.

"I'm so sorry the man suddenly pushed me." I bow my head Infront of the owner of the foot I step on. 

"Just go," he said. 

When I raised my head to look at the boy, I was mesmerized by his looks. I suddenly close my eyes when the wind blows and his scent occupies my nose. 

"Sir Eugene are you okay?" the woman in a maid uniform glared at me. "Sir please check your pocket if your wallet is not missing." she's obviously looking down at me. 

"I didn't do anything..." I said as I gritted my teeth. 

The boy didn't even talk. I looked at him and I saw how he stared at me like I'm some kind of an alien. 

What? Is this your first time seeing a beggar? I stare at him too, I hide the admiration in my eyes when I notice how white and flawless his face was. 

He's a boy but he's prettier than the girl artist I saw on the billboard and television. 

"Sir, the car has been repaired." said the man who appeared nowhere. 

"Let's go," he said coldly as he walked away.

The maid gave me one last look before leaving.  I watch them walk away. 

 

He's very fortunate to have a maid and a car... I'm sure he wears clean clothes and eats delicious food every day. Being wealthy must really be wonderful.

"Hey, give me one of those!" I flinch and give him the rags as soon as I wake up from daydreaming. 

I continued living like a homeless dog in the streets until I saw an opportunity to study for free. Working while studying is really hard but I really want to leave the dirty streets.

Many years later, My dream came true. I've been working for five years now. After I graduated I continued working recklessly, afraid to get fired and always please the whole office team and leaders.

But then, one night... I was taken aback by how tired I was, and I realized...

What am I suffering for? I earn a lot of money, have a large house, a car, and a business... But why am I still unhappy? 

I'm alone in life and I realize that I don't have any friends or a family I can call my own. 

So I decided to sell my business, discontinue my online selling, and resign from my position. 

I have enough money to last until I die, so even if I don't work, I'll be fine.

I stayed in the condo for a week,but I couldn't afford to do anything.

I'm not used to being unemployed. My body is used to working day and night. 

To have a job that will not strain me, I applied to a near Cafe in my condo.

The workplace has a nice and relaxing environment, and I also enjoy reading books so this job is perfect for me. 

It took a year for me to make friends. Rosei, Anica, and Enterina are among the regulars at this coffee shop.

While brewing coffee for Anica the coffee shop's door makes a noise as a sign that some customer entered. 

"Coffee! Give me Coffee! There's no one to brew my Coffee! Give me Coffee!" exclaimed the man who walked into the coffee shop.

All of the other customers, including myself, are shocked by him. Many people are secretly laughing as they watch him, and my brow furrowed when I noticed the man's reddish face.

Is he drunk?I flinched when our gazes locked. 

But when I saw how painful his expression was, I felt a little pain in my chest.

His teary eyes are screaming in agony, his voice is so dry, it sounds so... Ugh' I don't know, It's upsetting to hear.

"Heartbroken," Anica stated, I almost forgot she was still here

I gave the coffee I made for Anica and instinctively made another cup of coffee and a glass of cold water for the new customer. 

"I'll just give him this," I said to Anica when I saw how puzzled she looked when she saw the tray I was holding. 

"Let me come with you, I think he needs someone to talk to." I looked at her, wondering why she wanted to talk to another man when she was already married.

I was taken aback, When I heard her laugh.

"Laura, I know what you're thinking, you judgmental b*tch," he sorted, I pouted and dulged her. "I'm not going to do what you're thinking, of course; I love my husband; I just want to know why he's like that."

"Your thirst for gossip is out of control, lady," I rolled my eyes.

"F*ck. My head," we heard as we reached his table and I handed him the water after placing the cup of coffee on the table.

I almost cried when I saw how Anica sit shamelessly beside him.

"Hello, how are you? My name is Anica Montimor," she said, holding out her hand to the man.

When I saw how the man's brows curled up while looking at Anica, my heart stopped beating. What if he becomes annoyed and ignores or harms my friend?

"'Ugh,' this careless girl!" I groaned loudly in my head before I carefully pulled Anica's arm so we could leave, but she just shoved my hand away and continued to talk to the man; Rosei and Enterina aren't here, so I can't leave her alone.

"Eugene Clark Ibanyez, nice to meet you." I'm not sure why, but Anica's mouth widens as if in shock.

She repeatedly smacked my arm.

"Ouch! What's wrong?" I ask, while calming her down.

"It's him, Laura! Mr.Ibanyez, the famous Business Tycoon," she said into my ear, shaking my body.

"All right," I flatly stated. What's the big deal, anyway? Is that something that should surprise me?

"Oh, anyway, Mr. Ibanyez, don't get the wrong idea, I'm already married, I have my handsome Deon Montimor, but we can be friends," Anica's mouth really... You're speaking to him as if he's just a neighbor.

When you look at this man closely, you can tell he's not just a typical employee or a small business owner. 

I let go of Anica when I noticed a customer enter the coffee shop. I was about to leave them when this strange drunk man held my hand carelessly.

"What the— excuse me, could you please let go of my hand?" 

"What's your name?" he asked as he stood there staring at me.

I maintained my patience and smiled at him. Anica's eyes sparkled as if she were watching a drama.

"Laura Daza Caasi," I say. "Then, bye," I say as I turn away, ready to leave once more.

"W-wait a minute," he exclaimed.

I close my eyes, trying to keep my cool before confronting him.

"What do you want? I need to attend to some customers, can you please let me go?" I ask seriously, as he grabs my hand once more.

"Be My Secretary," he said emphatically.

I just looked at him as if he were insane.

"No, thank you. I have a job here, so please excuse me." I shake her hand away so he can let go of me.

What kind of person offers to be their secretary in such a way? Is he that drunk? Why should I? I just handed him a cup of coffee, and now he thinks I could work as a secretary?

"Wait!" he yells as he chases after me, attempting to grab my hand.

"What?" I couldn't help but yell back at him. "You've been preventing me from leaving for a minute now! What's wrong with you?" I shot back at him.

Our gazes were locked on each other, and I couldn't move because of how intensely he was looking at me... what? What was he thinking when he offered that job? 

When he approaches me, my heart skips a beat. I almost died because of that sudden step of him. 

"Please be my secretary, or else..." he smirked, staring at me intently.

"Or else, w-what?" 

"Or else," he threatened, "I'll fire Your friend's husband, and if I want, I can buy this coffee shop and shut it down." He shrugged.

Anica's eyes widened as she looked at me. When he noticed my panic, he smiled.

"Is Deon working for him?" I ask, and Anica repeatedly nods.

"Yeah, I just realized now that.... he's my husband's big boss," Anica says nervously, biting her lower lip.

Uh, of all people. I can't simply ignore him... What if he actually fires Anica's husband? That will haunt my guild for the rest of my life, if ever.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Montimor, if your husband is ever fired because your friend here turned down my offer..." he said dramatically.

My mouth dropped open when I saw Anica's eyes well up with tears. She wipes her tears away, as if she's in a drama, and looks at the man with a sad expression.

"It's okay, Sir, if Laura doesn't want to; I can't do anything... Maybe we'll just move to a distant province and plant some vegetables there so my child can have milk once a month," Anica sighed.

I know Anica is just fooling around with me right now, but... Why do I feel I can't just ignore this person and his offer? I slap my forehead and nod in his direction. 

"So, it's a deal then." he gave a weird glance to Anica and this friend of mine is smiling ear to ear for no reason. 

Nevermind, I'll just agree for the time being and then resign in a month.

I can't just let this man mess into my life just like that.