CHAPTER 1

KRYSTEL POV

I IMMEDIATELY took my cellphone from a drawer when it rang loudly. It's already eight in the morning but I am still asleep. I just came from a bar hopping last night. Despite having a heavy and throbbing head, I tried to answer the call.

"Hey, just call me back again later-"

"What the hell Krystel Ann Cruz! Are you drunk?!"

I recoiled as I heard someone shouting on the other line. Irritated, I looked at the caller ID on the phone screen and furrowed my brow when I saw the name of my talented cousin.

"Why did you call Rusty? What time is it?" I retorted, as I fell back into my soft bed.

Although I felt dizzy, I managed to survey my entire apartment. Some parts of the house were beginning to accumulate dust. When was the last time I cleaned?

"Are you listening, Krys?!"

For a moment, my dizziness and sleepiness disappeared as Rusty shouted again on the other line. I forgot that I was still talking to this monkey.

"Huh? Did you say something? Sorry, the signal is choppy, I couldn't hear you clearly-"

"You're just reasoning out, my dear cousin. Maybe you're thinking if you'll come back home, right? You already miss Uncle Danny, am I right?" he asked me, laughing at the end.

It's been two months since I graduated from the States. I also wanted to work there, but my parents insisted that they missed me and asked me to work in our country instead. I had no choice but to agree because I missed them too. The only thing I didn't like was their idea that I had to work in our company.

What's the use of my education if, at twenty-four years old, they still treated me like a child? I am already a grown up fine lady. I want to be independent and have the freedom to work anywhere, not just in our company.

So the day we had a discussion about it, my parents heartlessly gave me a choice: if I worked in our company, they would still support and sustain me. But if I didn't, then I would have to work my ass off and pay all my bills on my own.

Of course, I chose the latter! I would prefer to be alone and live in my small apartment with freedom rather than stay in our big mansion but feel like the president's child with so many guards watching over me.

"Of course not! I love the freedom I am experiencing right now," I snorted out.

I moved the cellphone away from my mouth before releasing a harsh sigh. My cousin was right. I already missed my dad.

"Okay, you said it..."

"Don't you have anything else to say? I'll hang up now-"

"Wait! You're still unemployed, right?"

I raised an eyebrow when Rusty asked me that. When did my talented cousin take an interest in me?

"Why? If you're just going to insist on bringing me back to my dad's company, no thanks Rusty the monkey, I can find a job in another company-"

"Hey, stop calling me that! And I'm not going to bring you back to your company, you know! It just happened that my dear friend John Louis currently has no secretary. I recommend you, and he said that you just have to pass his interview, and then voila! You will have your work now and have a handsome boss just like me-"

I didn't let Rusty finish what he was saying and immediately ended the call. I really don't pay attention to my cousin when he brags about how handsome he is. Like oh c'mon! It's in our genes! Having good looks is normal for us, but it's not normal to brag about it. He should just follow my lead - I'm already beautiful and sexy, but I'm also quiet - joke!

I just texted Rusty saying to give me the details about his friend who is currently looking for a secretary. I'll just go back to sleep and go see them on the next day.

But my phone rang again, interrupting my sleep. I grabbed it in annoyance and my eyes widened when I saw the screen. I have three interviews today and I still have an hour to prepare and get dressed.

"Shit, I almost forgot! " I cursed in frustration as I hurriedly got up and grabbed my towel from a table. Things started falling off the table as I rushed to get ready.

"Damn it! Of all the times I'm in a hurry!" I grumbled as I picked up the fallen items and put them back on the table.

After that, I quickly went to the bathroom to take a shower. While brushing my teeth, I still felt the heaviness in my head, but I didn't mind it anymore. I had to hurry so I wouldn't be late for the three interviews I'm going to. It's been two weeks since I left our mansion and I'm almost out of savings, even my wallet is almost empty.

I spent almost twenty minutes in the bathroom, so I quickly opened my drawer to look for something to wear. I chose a tiny skirt and a maroon blouse to be my attire for today. I just paired it with a black blazer and put on some makeup.

I quickly blow-dried my hair because I didn't want it to drip while I talk to the interviewee. Once satisfied with how my hair looked, I let it down. My mother's friends always complimented me on having long and shiny hair before, so I considered it as an asset.

As soon as I left the house, I immediately flagged down a taxi that I saw. Once inside, I quickly checked my wallet and saw that I only had five hundred pesos. How will I be able to buy food later?

"Where to, ma'am?" the driver asked me. I quickly showed him the address of the first company that I will be going to.

I checked my watch again. I only have ten minutes left for the first interview. Will I be able to make it?