First Day

Monday. Today was Athalia’s first day as Luke's Secretary. It was only six in the morning but he couldn't help but feel excited. This is it! This is the day Luke has been waiting for. Athalia is here from eight in the morning until five in the afternoon. What she will do is monitor plants such as hemp that are often used in making garments or clothes.

However, Mr. Lereño has another company. That is just getting started. The Pontañe Juicy-yo Company where Mr. Lereño needs products to be used in the manufacture of Juice such as Coconut, Orange, Pineapple, Grapes, Apple, Mango, and Melon.

Pontañe is named after his late father Pontacio Lereño. Fortunately, with the help of Sister Melissa, he found out that Mr. Lereño needed someone who will supply him, especially since he is just starting.

Because Mr. Lereño wants someone that he can trust in the business he started a few months ago. Since Sister Melissa recommended him to Mr. Lereño, he did not hesitate to accept his offer. It's a good thing that the contract with the buyers of his plants is over and Tita Odessa Yu, Daddy's sister, is in charge of managing the hacienda.

This is the only way for Luke to get close to Athalia, because otherwise if he will not do a move to get close to her. They will fall apart. Luke noticed that Athalia is avoiding him because he already has a girlfriend. And to think that someone was flirting with her, he felt jealous because of that.

But can he do anything? If Luke hadn’t thought about how his mother would felt, he broken up with Mickaela a long time ago. Luke feels nothing for her. Pure lust only. That's all. But he needs to talk to his mother about his relationship with Mickaela. She took a deep breath. His head hurts because of the variety of thoughts that are on his mind. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door of his office.

"Come in!" Lume shouted so that whoever outside the room could hear him. Luke heard the door open. From the mirror in front of him, he saw Manang Daisy peeking through the crevice of the door.

"Sir Luke, Ms. Athalia is already here. She's downstairs, in the living room." Manang Daisy said. Luke frowned. It's only six-thirty in the morning but why she's here already? Maybe, she misses him. Luke nodded to Manang Daisy.

"All right Manang. Please tell her that I'm coming down. Please give her a cup of coffee." He commanded.

"Okay sir," she said and left.

Luke finished fixing himself. He placed his right hand on his chest where his heart was beating so darn fast. He's nervous at the thought that he and Athalia will be together now. He never thought Athalia would have such an effect on him. When they were kids, he was always happy when she was with him.

Luke was excited when Saturday and Sunday came because those are the days he can be with Athalia. He had a crush on her in their first meeting, so Luke was happier when she became his friend. And, he's excited to see her always. Luke let out a blusterous breath. He stared at his reflection in the mirror.

"You can do that Luke! Athalia is your friend so nothing to be shame of or feel nervous about." he motivates himself.

Luke shakes his head. She was wearing a simple gray v-neck shirt and Lee denim jeans. Again, she took a deep breath and left the office to go down and see Athalia.

WHEN Luke get downstairs, he went to the living room where he saw Athalia busy on her cell phone. Luke sneezed to get Athalia's attention. She stopped what she was doing and raised her head to look at her. She stood up and smiled at him.

"Good Morning, Sir Luke," she said while staring at him.

Luke gave Athalia a sweet smile. She was wearing a floral off-shoulder blouse that her fair complexion was visible. And navy blue high waist pants that fit tightly around her curvy body. F*ck! She looks sexy. Damn! Luke feels his body heat up. He looked Athalia in the eyes. He motioned his hand on the sofa.

"Let's sit down, first. Why are you already here? It's only 6 am, you're time is 8:00. I'll think that you missed me so you came early." Luke joked with Athalia. He hopes it's true that she missed him. Because he missed her. Athalia bit her lip and averted her gaze.

"Ahm. I'm here sir because I have something to do later, — Luke cut off the rest of what she's going to say.

"It's okay that you call me Luke instead of Sir. No need to be formal Athalia. We're just here at the house, not in the office in a company. So it's okay if we're first-name basis. I don't mind" Luke said. He was hurt because she didn’t ride to his joke, or at least say she missed him even if it's not.

Athalia looked at him and nodded. He could see the sadness in her eyes. Why? Is she sad because she is with him? Luke felt the pain to think that Athalia is not happy that they are together. He took a deep breath to somehow get rid of the pain in his chest.

"So what will you do later?" he asked her.

"I'm going somewhere later. Is it okay?" she asked.

"All right. I'll take you later so I don't— she cut off the rest if he wants to say.

"You don't need to take me where I'm going, you don't have to deliver me. Thanks by the way." Athalia said.

Luke just nodded. He wants to ask who is her companion. Is it Charles? F*ck! He felt annoyed at the thought. But he just decided to keep quiet, he might be interfering with her too much and she came here for work. Luke didn’t want to ruin his day because of Charles's name. If he will be the one who picks up Athalia.

"Okay. Have you eaten breakfast?" he asked her as he stared at her beautiful face.

"No. I'm in a hurry, so I haven't eaten breakfast. But, it's okay, I drink coffee anyway. I'm not hungry." she reasoned out.

Luke couldn’t help but get annoyed. Because she wants to finish her work early and with someone, she didn't even take her breakfast! Is that how important her walk is. F*ck!

"You can excuse yourself if you need to leave early. I understand that. Yes, you come here early but you didn't have breakfast. If I hadn't asked, I wouldn't have known." Luke said in a serious voice. He see she was stunned by what he said. Shee swallowed first and then looked down.

"I'm sorry. Are you mad?" Athalia asked him. It's as if I can be angry with you. That's what he wants to say.

"There's no reason for me to be angry Ath." - I missed calling her Ath. That's what his endearment to he when they were kids. And Luke was the only one calling her that. -"Come, let's have breakfast together." he offered and stood up.

Even if Luke finished his breakfast, he will accompany Athalia. He stand up and Athalia stood up as well. He grabbed her right hand and pulled her towards the kitchen.

"Luke. Maybe someone will see us. Your girlfriend will find out." Ath said nervously.

Luke looked at her and winked. He saw Athalia blush because of the wink. She averted her gaze from him. Sh*t! He can't help to smile because he was the cause why Athalia blushed? Fxck! Fxck!

"Don't worry. I'll take care of it. They'll try it, and I sue and beat them." He said reassuringly.

He no longer waited for her response. He pulled her towards the kitchen. The pleasure of feeling when he holds Athalia's hand. His problem fades away and he feels like he's floating in the cloud. This is how it feels when you touch the person you love.

"AHM. How am I going to do it? I mean what am I going to do? I asked Sir Michael what I should do. He said you'll teach me." she said while slicing the steak on the plate. She didn't even bother to look at him. He couldn't help but feel annoyed with her actions.

"Look at me Athalia. If you want to ask, please look into my eyes. Are you avoiding me?"

He doesn't want to be strict but she's running out of patience. He needed to let go of the resentment he was harboring. He needs to release it, probably might go him crazy. She looked up and looked at him sharply. Maybe Athalia disliked what he said.

"There, I'm looking at you. Okay? And I'm not avoiding you. If I'm avoiding you, do you think I'm here? No. Please, Luke. Be professional. I'm here for work not for personal things." she said and got up from sitting on the stool.

"I'm done eating. I'll be out here, I'll ventilate myself" she said and left the kitchen.

But the drop of tears in her eye did not escape his sight. F*ck! This is his fault! Why did he ask that? He hurt Athalia. He brushed his hair with his fingers out of frustration.

"Argh! Fix this mess, Luke. You haven't had a day together, you've already argued." he talked to himself.

It's a good thing Manang Daisy isn't here. She was hanging clothes outside. He took a deep breath and arranged the plate and put it in the sink. Luke went out of the kitchen to follow Athalia. He has to apologize for what he did. That was rude! He shook his head in disbelief, it shouldn't happen again.

Luke saw Athalia outside the mansion. In the coconut tree that is placed on the right side of the mansion. Athalia looked in his direction when Luke approached her. Luke want to apologize but Athalia suddenly spoke.

"I'm sorry. My emotions carry me away. I didn't mean it, you are my boss." she took a deep breath and looked at him. He can see the repentance in her eyes. She bites her lips. "I'm really sorry, Luke." she apologized sincerely. He holds her hands and looked her straight in the eyes.

"If you don't want me to hold your hands. Say it." he said and caressed her hands. How so soft.

But they stood for a few seconds but she did not shake his hand. Luke smiled at Athalua and stared at her red lips, then looked into her eyes.

"Thank you. It's okay. It's also my fault because I asked you questions below the belt. I mean, it's not right because you're here for work. Right?" he asked. He tried to cope with the pain of what he said. But that's the truth. She nodded.

"Yes."

"So let's start. I'll teach you what you should do." luke stated and turned around and started walking through the door. He turned to Athalia who was still in her place.

"Come on. I will teach you at my office." he said and walked ahead.

Luke will not allow this relationship between them. Boss-employee relationship, so he took her as a Secretary is because he want them to be close to each other again. Luke wants to make up for the times and years he hasn’t been with Athalia.

When they entered the mansion. They went straight to the third floor where the office was. When they get inside. His cellphone is ringing. He immediately approached it that was placed on the study table. Mickhaela is the caller. He answered that.

"Mickhaela. Why do you call?" He asked while frowning. Luke felt Athalia suddenly startled to hear Michaela's name.

"Sweet, name basis? But, it's okay. I called to let you know that Tita Olivia and I are going to Laguna. She said she will check out Seb Farm. So, maybe we'll stay there first. I'll miss you sweet." she said with a flirty voice.

Like looked at Athalia. She was busy with her cellphone. Who is she texting? Is it Charles again?

"Sweet are you still there?" Mickhaela asked. Like sneezed.

"Yes, I'm still here. Okay, just call me when you get home."

"Of course. And we made love again and again and again. I miss those moments when you cherish my body, sweet. So I'm so excited to— Luke cut off the rest of what she has to say.

"Mickhaela, I have many things to do. I hang up now. Take care okay? Bye." he said and turned off the call.

Made love? For me, it's just sex. If there is anyone else I want to do that thing with love. He will do it with Ath, my beloved best friend. He was stunned by the thought. F*ck! He shouldn’t be thinking that. He looked at Athalia.

"Ath," he said to get Athalia's attention.