CHAPTER 5

I kept my head down and clenched my fist.

'Tell them I'm your freaking fiancée, Aldo!'

I wanted to shout that, but it just stayed in my mind. Waiting for what he has to say.

"She's what?" said the lady again, bored with what Aldo had to say.

I want to speak first, but just by looking at Aldo's eyes, my tongue has already backed off.

"She's Mayu..."

I caught my breath and bit my lower lip at the softness of his voice compared to earlier, which was terrifying. I'm ready to smile at everyone because I feel that what he has to say is good.

"She's my secretary," in his cold voice again.

It was as if heaven and earth had thrown me down. The introduction is fine, but not what I expected. I thought he was going to say I was his fiancée. I hoped he would have changed his mind, but he didn't.

I closed my eyes tightly, especially when I heard Mommy's weak, insulting laugh.

"How did she even get qualified?" it was my Sister Addison again.

"Probably because she's sexy, spicy, and hot."

I looked up at the man who spoke. I even caught him grinning, as the silver eyes were comforting. He bit his thin, red lips a little before stroking his slightly curly hair.

"Shut your mouth, Alaric!" Aldo growled before throwing the folder at the man.

"Oh dude! I'm hands off! Not gonna get your girl." He laughed while raising his hands.

I don't know if I should be embarrassed or blush after the room was filled with weak laughter from the man in front of it. In the ten chairs surrounding it, there were only unfamiliar faces.

"As if she'll pass Alaric's taste." Addison smirked.

"Not even Aldo's taste," it was my Sister Stella who was staring at Aldo.

I shrink even more and don't know whether to step closer to Aldo or just run out. Now I feel the weakness and lack of allies of the rich clans.

Why was I even born if I was just going to be thrown away?

"You're not sure about that, Stella. She'll surpass everyone, right, Gueco?" Alaric grinned at the man in front of him.

The man looked at me as if he was examining my every detail. I froze when I saw his cat-hawk eyes, brown man bun, and little stubbles.

"Surely, she will," the man named Gueco agreed.

It just made me nervous again. And even more anxious after meeting Aldo's dark gaze.

"Come here, Mayu. Distribute these files," he ordered and patted the folders on his side.

"Wait, you didn't answer me, Mister Castellanos—"

"I answered you, Misis Smith," Alaric butted in.

"Don't be rude, Mister Alaric. I'm referring to the CEO," said Mommy, looking sharply at Alaric.

But the man seemed to ignore that and even managed to smirk.

"She's been hired because she's qualified. A graduate of business management. Fresh... graduate." He leaned back in his swivel chair and did not look at my approach.

He arched an eyebrow slightly and tapped the folders again. My hand was still shaking when I took them and shared them.

"Very... fresh, and qualified," he repeated.

I wanted to swear because I knew he was talking about something else. How silly he is. His brain is filled with moss.

"But not as experienced as I am," si Addison rolled her eyes.

"Of course, Addi. You're the best," he praised.

And I don't know why I was stunned by how he praised Addison. Add to that, he didn't look away from her during that duration. And I can't forget that he prefers to have Ate as his fiancée, but that's why he couldn't take his eyes off her.

I smirked at how Addison stared at Alaric; she didn't seem to care regardless of Aldo's scorching look at her.

"Please concentrate!" Aldo roared after he saw Alaric's simple wink at Addison.

Why would he run after a woman who doesn't give a fuck about him?

How I wish he would have settled on me instead. What else does he not want from me? I'm also good at everything.

"As I was saying, we can check the land in Guimaras if it is feasible," he continued.

I yawned softly and tapped the table silently. I tried to keep my eyes open so they wouldn't see that I was sleepy.

"Take down notes, Miss Selvestre! Don't just sleep!"

My eyes widened, and I sat up at his voice. I was even taken aback by the ballpoint pen and a piece of paper placed in front of me.

"Act professional, Mayu," Addison murmured as she shook her head.

I bit my bottom lip and tightened my grip on the ballpoint pen. I clenched my other hand and tried to calm my racing heart.

Why do I feel embarrassed by them?

I think I will never go back to this company again!

"Let's continue. Sorry for the distraction," he apologized before reading the folder in front of him again.

I looked away after meeting Daddy's angry eyes. It's threatening, and I know he doesn't like my presence here, so I can't worry about that. They didn't think twice about leaving me before, then why will they scold me now? No way!

I think that was the most insulting meeting in my life. That's why, when he said it was over, I left the conference room first.

When you know people don't like you, stay away rather than get into a fight.

"Look at how unprofessional your secretary is. Not even well-mannered." I heard Mommy utter, which made me roll my eyes.

I do not care what she says anymore. I don't want to work here! One more thing: I am just unprofessional but not heartless like them!

With slumped shoulders and a heavy heart, I looked for the bathroom. I even passed by Baron, who was standing straight at the edge of the pantry area.

"Give your notes later, I will summarize it," Baron commanded, but I didn't pay attention.

I haven't even written anything! It's better to get fired than to work for this company! It's a faction of bad elements, so I don't belong here.

I took a deep breath before washing my hands. I'm wondering if I'm still valid as Aldo's fiancée, even though he doesn't take it seriously. I must talk to his grandfather about the marriage.

That's the way! His grandfather is the key!

I smirked, but it quickly vanished after seeing the door open and spitting out my mom. Her eyebrows were high as she looked at me intently.

"Do you really think you fit into this class?" she asked, coldly.

I kept a bored look as I pulled out a tissue and wiped my hands.

"Just end the engagement, Mayu. Let your sister, Addison, replace you. She's way better and more classy than you. Just find a garbage collector on the corner." She smirked and gave me a look.

And even if I show that I'm not affected, it's slowly tearing me to pieces inside me.

How can a mother be this cruel to her daughter? To her own flesh and blood?

"Will you not accept me even if I become the wife of—"

"No. You don't belong here, Mayu. Let Addison take your place." She turned and was about to leave.

"But, Addison doesn't like him—"

"And so what?" She looked me from behind and raised an eyebrow, "That doesn't mean she will never learn to love him. Just give it to your sister. That way, I can consider you as my daughter."

I clenched my fist. My chest was tightening, but she just managed to leave the bathroom, and I couldn't even say a word again.

How can Addison learn to love Aldo if they themselves never learned to love me? How about those people who were in love with someone else?

It felt so heavy that they had never once been happy for me.

God, why did you let me live if I would only get rejections?

I blinked several times to keep the tears from falling. My hand was still shaking when I opened the bathroom door to go out, but Aldo's bored eyes greeted me.

He was leaning against the wall sideways while his one hand was in the pocket of his straight pants. He is wearing only a white longsleeve and a necktie that is a mess.

My lips parted when he straightened up and immediately wrapped his strong arm around my waist. I even felt how he smelled the side of my head slightly.

"What took you so long?" he asked, huskily.

I winced and tried to get away from him, but his hand was quick and managed to pin my waist close to his body.

"Let's talk," he demanded.

I grinned and took a step, even though I caught a glimpse of some of his secretaries, who were looking at the two of us with shock. He didn't even remove his arm from my waist. He walked with me as if he was holding his new secretary by the waist as a normal thing.

"We do really need to talk. I won't work for you anymore," I stated boldly.

"Is that so?" he boredly asked.

I frowned but didn't immediately answer after Baron opened the door to his office and waited for us to enter before closing it again. I looked around his office, playing only with black, white, and gray design colors.

Dark, like his conscience.

"If you won't marry me, I won't work for you anymore." I grinned and violently unhooked his arm from my waist.

But he wasn't even alarmed, and he even managed to smirk before stroking his hair. Grinning, he removed the necktie he was wearing before opening the three buttons on his longsleeve.

And my sinful eyes only focused on his hairy chest. My lips parted as it played back in my mind how good it was to caress that.

"You don't want to work? Fine, I'll give you a pre-leave, but that doesn't mean you'll be free from my grip." He smiled and sat in his swivel chair.

"I'm not yours to keep, Aldo!"

I couldn't stop as I walked the distance between the two of us. I still have the courage to hit his desk and give him a glare.

He raised an eyebrow and looked at me before standing up. The reason why I leaned on the table while his hands locked me there.

"I do, Mayu. The first time I tasted you that means I own you. No buts, Sweetie. I own your body." He ran his nose from my ear to my jaw.

Suddenly, I grabbed his arm to get some strength when he captured my lips. One of his hands landed on my neck and tried to deepen the kiss. I could also feel his palm caressing my thigh.

"I can't get enough of you, Mayu," he murmured, then dove his tongue into my mouth.

I tightly held his shoulder and returned his passionate kiss. I forgot about any other argument and just drowned in the heat he started.

I felt his hand sensually caress my bare thigh and even dared to delve inside between my thighs. I clutched on to his longsleeve when I felt his finger teasing what was inside, but then he was stopped by a loud clearing of the throat.

My lips remained parted as he peeked at who entered his office. My chest was heaving with nervousness, and my cheeks were definitely red with embarrassment that we were caught.

"Sir, I don't want to meddle with this, but your grand father is about to arrive," it was Baron.

"Sure. But next time, learn how to knock," he responded coldly before moving slightly away from me.

I just breathed a sigh of relief after hearing the door close. I pushed his chest away from me when he was about to kiss me again.

"I need to face your grandfather decently. He might talk about the wedding." I smirked making him look at me deadly.

"That will.. never happen, Sweetie," he mocked.

My smile disappeared after he pointed the door.

"What do you mean, Aldo?"

"Take your leave. I'm giving you a one-month leave before I drag you back to my...bed."