Chapter 1: Signed by Heat

8:01 a.m. First day.

First heartbreak, ilang buwan na ang nakalipas. Pero ito? Ito ang unang araw na parang sumisigaw ang buong katawan ko ng “buwis buhay to, girl.”

I stood in front of the gleaming glass doors of Blackwell Corp like it was the edge of a cliff.

Naka-high heels akong halatang hindi pang-long walk, fitted slacks na hiniram ko pa kay Kat, at blouse na may konting bukas sa dibdib—not too much, pero sapat para pansinin ng mga lalaking may kapilyuhan sa mata.

Sa totoo lang, hindi ako sanay sa ganito. Pero sabi nga nila, if you want to change your life, dress like the woman who already did.

Inabot sa’kin ng receptionist ang clipboard.

“Sign here, Miss Cruz,” she said, smiling, like she had no idea I was about to walk into a battlefield na disguised as an office.

My hand trembled, konti lang naman, habang sinusulat ko ang pangalan ko sa kontrata.

Daphne Cruz.

One stroke. One signature. One deal with the devil.

I looked up and saw him.

Xander Blackwell.

Nakatayo siya sa tapat ng elevator, hands in his pockets, staring. Hindi 'yung casual na tingin. 'Yung tingin na parang kaya niyang lasahin ang buong pagkatao mo in ten seconds flat.

At ako?

I froze. My heart jumped. My knees? Nagpahiwatig na baka bumigay kung hindi ako hihinga.

Then the elevator dinged.

Pumasok siya.

Naglakad ako papasok. Pareho kaming nakasakay. Wala kaming imikan. Pero sa loob ng maliit na espasyong 'yon, may tensyong mas makapal pa sa hangin ng Maynila sa rush hour.

I could feel him beside me. Masyadong malapit. Masyadong tahimik.

And when the doors slid open to the 27th floor, he stepped out first… then glanced sideways—like he wanted to make sure I was still behind him.

At nakita ko sa repleksyon ng glass wall. He looked back. Eyes tracing my legs. My hips. My back.

He was watching me.

11:43 a.m.

I was adjusting to my new desk, breathing in the scent of expensive paper and filtered air, when May, ang executive assistant, approached.

“Miss Cruz, Mr. Blackwell would like to see you in his office.”

Napalunok ako. Tangina. Ang bilis ng pasabog.

I knocked.

“Come in,” he said, voice smooth, controlled, lethal.

Pagpasok ko, para akong pumasok sa panaginip ng isang taong may dark obsession sa dominance and money. Mahogany table. Leather seats. And him—leaning back sa swivel chair niya like a Greek god with a vengeance kink.

I closed the door behind me. Nakatingin lang siya. Tahimik.

“Sit.”

Umupo ako, knees clenched, hands resting on my lap.

“You’ve worked at Mendoza Law before,” he said, scanning my file like it was my diary. “Why’d you leave?”

“Personal reasons,” sagot ko.

“Boyfriend problems?” he asked, tilting his head. Smirking.

My throat tightened.

“None of your business,” I said, as calmly as I could manage.

He stood up. Lumapit. Mabagal. Measured.

“Everything is my business, Miss Cruz. You work for me now.”

He walked around his desk and stopped right behind me. I could feel the heat of his breath ghosting over my hair.

“Let’s get one thing straight,” he whispered. “I don’t care about your heartbreaks. I don’t care about your excuses. You do your job, and you stay in line.”

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa armrest.

“And if you’re going to work for me,” he said slowly, eyes narrowing—

He leaned closer, lips dangerously near my ear.

“Learn how to keep your thighs shut.”

My heart dropped to my stomach.

What the actual fuck did he just say?

I stood up so fast the chair screeched against the marble floor. Pero hindi siya nagulat. Hindi rin siya umatras. He just stared—like he was waiting to see if I’d slap him, walk out, or break.

But I didn’t do any of that.

I just stared back.

"Are you always this professional with your employees?" I asked, chin raised, voice trembling just enough to remind myself I was still human.

He grinned.

"No. Just the ones who walk in like they know how to get what they want."

“And what if I do?” tanong ko, boses ko manipis pero matalim.

He shrugged. “Then we’ll see who burns first.”

1:17 p.m.

I was back at my desk. Heart pounding. Pulse still high.

Hindi ko alam kung galit ako, natatakot, o na-excite.

Hindi ko na rin sigurado kung anong mas malala—yung bastos niyang sinabi, o 'yung katotohanang gusto ko pa siyang sagutin nang mas bastos.

Tangina mo, Xander Blackwell. You just declared war.