3Ruth’s head pounded as the police officer’s words played like a broken record, repeatedly echoing in her ears.“We still have no lead on your husband’s disappearance, Miss Eduardo. The people who took him remain unidentified, but we’re doing everything we can.”“Useless!” she angrily exclaimed at the officer before being grabbed by her cousin, who shook her and shot her a disapproving look.Despite knowing she was being reprimanded for her words against law enforcement, Ruth couldn’t help her frustration.“Miss Eduardo, we’re doing our best, give us time to do our job. We can’t provide information right now; it’s only been three days since your boyfriend went missing,” the officer reasoned, but her temper remained hot.“Say it, I don’t have money, that’s why!” she retorted, annoyed, Glancing at the cop’s surname as Jimenez.Rosemarie quickly pulled her away, saying, “Thank you, sir. We’ll come back when El Niño phenomenon ended in my cousin’s head. Sorry, sorry.”As she was dragged
4.It’s extremely difficult to act against one’s will. Despite Ruth’s reluctance to work, she was compelled to wake up early and go to the company.Her mind and heart are dedicated to finding her husband. She carefully considered how she could help and made the decision to hire an investigator. During her lunch break, she has somewhere to find one.As she left her room, she found her cousin Rose, preparing food.“Are you leaving, sis?” she asked her older cousin.“I’ll be looking for a job while I’m here. It might take a while. I won’t go home until you’ve moved on from Baron’s disappearance.”She remained silent, observing what Rose was doing. She assisted her with the packed meals, presumably one for herself and another for Rose.“You’ll find something quickly,” she reassured her.Rosemarie was fortunate in her job search. In the province, she didn’t experience unemployment. During college, she worked part-time at a fast-food chain. After graduating, she became a saleslady in variou
5.The woman is unbelievable. That’s what Lush thought as the woman stared at his company I.D. with widened eyes. She then looked at his face, licked her lips, and scrutinized him closely.“Maybe you’re surgically enhanced, an impostor. Perhaps you’re not the real face of the owner. Because the owner wouldn’t stoop to the level of a mere janitress,” she said, examining his face.His lips trembled as he tried to avoid her gaze. He couldn’t tell if he should be insulted or amused. Ruth Eduardo couldn’t believe that his face was the original face of a CEO. Well, the world is full of altered faces nowadays, so he couldn't blame her for thinking someone might have copied his face through surgery.It turns out he should've been more selective about where his eyes wander. Apparently, the boss isn’t allowed to ogle at a janitress. That was what she meant by her words.“Maybe you’ll believe me if I fire you right now,” he said as he looked at her face again.Her eyes widened, and she quickly s
6.“Your silence is causing concern among our colleagues, Ruth. They’re asking what’s going on with you and why you seem lost,” Bernadet said during their lunch break.Ruth was restless at that moment, feeling like ants were crawling on her legs, itching to leave and hire a private investigator.She checked her bag and glanced at her watch. She might not make it in time for the afternoon, putting her in trouble with their head again.He seemed wide awcausin the entire morning, while she had dozed off earlier and received a scolding, even her beauty got dragged into it. Her colleagues joked that the man was annoyed because she kept rejecting their old bachelor head, who, upon learning she had a boyfriend, started resenting her and making work difficult for her.She lowered her bag again, unable to think straight. Annoying. Why couldn’t she get her boss’ face out of her mind?Although she wouldn’t admit it, she had never seen such a handsome man in her entire life. Yes, Baron was g
7. ANNE’s presence irritates Lush. He regrets leaving his office; he wishes he could have hidden from this woman. As he entered, he just gestured to Annelyn to sit, heading straight to his cigarette case. Lighting up, it’s his way of warding off unwanted intruders in his office. Anne is allergic to cigarettes. “Oh my god!” The woman exclaimed, grabbing the cigarette from his lips. “Do you want me to end up in the hospital? I’m allergic to smoke!” “I forgot,” he lied, exhaling a deep breath. Lush was turning away when Annelyn hugged him, kissed him, and quickly ventured further. He didn't respond to her advances, but her hands swiftly explored him, teasing near his zipper, touching his bulge. “Oh shit. I miss this so much,” she said, licking his jawline. Anne just does it with elegance. “Anne, I have a meeting,” he told her, although his arousal was evident. Despite his usual readiness, he wasn’t interested in intimacy right now, especially with a woman who flirts wit
8. Ruth wasn’t in the mood to stand in front of her head, Dennis Bustamante. She was called after finishing her bathroom cleaning duties. Dennis, seated at the desk, was engrossed in records, irritating her with his CEO demeanor. He surpassed even Lush Miguel in his aura. Those who tried too hard were easily discernible. “Why were you absent for three days? Do you have proof of illness?” Dennis began. “I don’t have a proof, sir. I just didn’t feel well, so I took a day off.” “Be thankful I didn’t hand you a termination paper.” “Today is the final day for possible termination. That’s in the policy, as I recall. So, I can’t be terminated because I showed up today,” she replied, unable to express her lack of gratitude towards him. Seeing his jaw tense, she stood her ground. She wouldn’t let him belittle her, especially when she wasn’t at fault. “May I leave now, sir? I have other matters to attend to.” “Don’t disrespect me, Ruth! I am the head!” Her irritation grew, and
9. Ruth was jolted awake by a whispered plea to rise from her bed. Her cousin Rose was already asleep, exhausted from a day of job hunting. Despite Ruth’s weariness, she couldn’t find solace in sleep. Worry and thoughts overwhelmed her, making drowsiness elusive. Slipping on her slippers, she walked to the door. “Ruth…” She turned to her cousin, who was wide awake and concerned. “I’m just going out for a bit, Ate Rose. I need some coffee.” “Coffee won’t help you sleep. Have warm milk; there’s some in the jar.” Ruth nodded, “Okay, sorry for waking you up.” “Don’t worry. We’re all worried about you. Mom keeps asking about you. She’s afraid you might do something drastic.” She scoffed, “Tiya Mening is exaggerating. I’m not thinking about that.” “Well, we don’t know. When a person is depressed, rational thinking goes out the window. Depression is a formidable foe, Ruth Mirabelle.” Her older cousin's words made her frown. She had mentioned her full name, including “Mira
10. Lush Miguel was promptly ushered by his father upon exiting his car. He was taken into the elevator and frisked, behaving more like a robber than anything like his father. “What are you up to with dela Vega, son?” his father inquired. “You mean Don Claudio dela Vega?” Lush raised his thick eyebrows above his glasses. “Yes. He’s here. Aren’t you aware?” “And you dragged me here because?” he questioned Lux once again. He sensed that Lux had something to convey to him, prompting his father to pull him swiftly. He wasn’t aware that his father was here so early. “Because I want you to turn down whatever offer he has to make.” “Because?” “Because I didn’t like what he did to one of our employees earlier. Their car was like a bullet train, and he called the janitress stupid.” He blinked in surprise at his father. “Janitress, ‘Who?’” “I didn’t ask for her name, but she’s lovely and young, much like your mother in her youth, pleasant to look at.” He smiled, "And y
20. SHIT. Lush Miguel put Ruth on the bed and pulled her feet. I’m sorry, but even though he has no experience, he can’t control himself. It’s not that he paid her but because he was really dying to have sex with her. He would get bored too, he knew. She screeched to what he did but he didn’t move. She clutched the towel to her chest and tried to hide her body. He took off his shirt while eyeing her, and then removed his shorts and boxers, too. He had expected Ruth’s eyes to widen when she saw his hard and erect manhood. He just never paid attention to her reaction and knelt on the floor. She immediately got up but he pulled her back and spread her legs. “I’ll show you something,” he smirked and pulled her towel. She didn’t do anything when he got it and just closed her eyes tightly, as he looked at her body. Fuck. He couldn’t wait to stretch her pussy so he could fuck her harder. He felt that Ruth was trying to close the thighs he was holding but he was trying to open
19.Ruth stood in front of a condominium she recognized. The driver dropped her off at the entrance, and a uniformed man opened the door for her.“To the unit of, uh…” she stammered nervously. She felt breathless.“To the receptionist, ma’am,” the man replied.Embarrassed, she approached the receptionist. “Good evening, ma’am,” the woman greeted with a smile.“To the unit of Lush Miguel Montesalvo,” she said, trying not to show her nerves. She felt a pang of embarrassment; she hadn’t expected such a setup in Lush Miguel’s condo.“What’s your name?” the woman asked.“Ruth.”“Ruth?” The woman frowned.“Mirabelle, Ruth Mirabelle Eduardo.” She showed her ID.The woman smiled, “Yes, ma’am Mirabelle,” glancing at her ID. Ruth guessed that Lush Miguel had informed them. She tucked her ID back into her bag when someone suddenly touched her shoulder.Her arm moved automatically, delivering a slap to the man’s face. “Ouch!” he winced.Horror struck her as she realized it was her boss
18.MELO entered the office with a paper in his hand. Lush’s eyebrows raised, only glanced at his secretary.“Another paperwork?” he asked, feeling tired.“I just need a sign, sir. This is from the utility department. This is a termination paper,” he explained.“Tear it,” he ordered, and Melo stood there in surprise.“Sir?”“Tear it. Is it for Mirabelle?”Melo nodded.“Rip it apart and return it to the head. Tell him not to waste my time on nonsense, a termination without a valid reason. What did it say?”Melo read the termination, “Miss Eduardo was absent for three consecutive days, and when she returned to work, she was on time for a day and really late the next day, leaving the comfort rooms untidy.”“Untidy his ass,” he retorted, causing Melo to hide a smile. “He’s using it for personal motives. Return it torn apart. Tell him to read the policy and bylaws.”“Yes, sir.”Melo turned away and he was left alone, leaning against a chair. It was within his head’s right to ter
17.Ruth found herself scrutinized by the occupants of the President’s floor more intensely than being a criminal. It was her second time on that floor, and once again, mocking glances were directed her way. These individuals, accustomed to seeing familiar faces, likely comprised a high-ranking circle.She, a new face, assumed the appearance of a janitor.“Just constantly follow me. Lift your head, Miss Eduardo,” the man instructed, prompting her to obey. “You’re here for the boss and not for them.”She nodded, finding a lift in her spirits. It lightened the weight on her and her somewhat lowly identity.“Wait here,” the man said, pointing to a cubicle.Entering the boss’s office after a couple of knocks, he left her sitting in a chair, hands clasped. Her gaze seemed fixed at the door as if the surroundings were devoid of any other presence.“Come in,” the man who had accompanied her earlier said, so she stood up and walked toward the door. She grasped the doorknob and slowly turned i
16.Ruth’s eyes widened in disbelief as she read the message from Lush Miguel. She was still half-asleep, but it felt like a nightmare. Could this be true? She read the message on her phone again: “Let’s do it tonight. I don’t mind your period. Tonight and tomorrow night. I’ll give you eighty thousand pesos.” Her eyes grew even wider as she realized what her boss was suggesting.Eighty thousand. Not bad for two nights. She couldn’t believe it. She wasn’t that beautiful. There were many more attractive women – sophisticated, with jobs and aspirations.He claimed not to care about her period. Ruth immediately stood up and checked her underwear. No period. Her uterus had been calm since yesterday.When she got home, she noticed her pad was empty. She sighed in relief and sat down. The text arrived at four in the morning. It was already five-thirty. Was that man sleeping, or was he thinking about her period and having sex with her?Baron’s memory saddened her. No matter how much she conv
15.Lush Miguel tossed his keys onto the table near the sofa. Delight gave him a disapproving look, eyebrows arched, and a blank expression.“It’s too early, bro. Please, spare me from your lecture that I’m disrupting your night. It’s just…” he glanced at the wall clock, hanging on the beige wall, “7:47.”He lazily settled on the single sofa, and shortly after, a young girl came running towards him.“Tito Lush!” Nana exclaimed and immediately hugged him, almost tripping over her long nightgown.“Where’s Ate June?” He asked, looking around.“Still at the grocery store. Said she’s stuck in traffic.”“That explains,” he said, fixing the hem of Nana’s dress.“Explains what?” Delight furrowed his brows.“Explains why ky niece’s dress looks like it’s for Miss Universe.”Delight laughed at what he said and scratched his head. He really had no idea about being a father, so he wasn’t surprised that Nana’s dress looked like it was for a ten-year-old when she was only four.“What do you have fo
14.This is true. They’ve come to an agreement, and she has agreed to his offer. Yes, she offered herself. Baron would kill her if he found out what she did, that is if her husband is still alive.“Can’t we go tonight, Ruth?” Lush Miguel suddenly asked the young lady. He was driving towards their destination. He said he would drop her off at the exit, and she couldn’t refuse.What does he mean by “go tonight”?“D-Do you mean, um, do that tonight?” she asked, feeling awkward. Oh no, is she really ready? She’s on the verge of tears, having guarded herself for Baron, and now she’s about to sell herself.In an instant, it will be gone, and another man will benefit. This is a chapter of her life she will keep hidden forever, even from Baron. This will be the ninth time something will happen between her and her boss, who is none other than Lush Miguel.But that’s it. Close your eyes, Ruth. She reminded herself. She has to swallow it. Only her virginity will be lost, not her entire being. Af
13."He is single. He has no problem entering a restaurant with a woman. He doesn't entertain interviews or pose for photos.His security is just roaming around, eyeing him. If someone from the media takes a photo without his permission, it's not just the photo that will be destroyed, even the equipment will be ruined.Yes, he is a billionaire, but he values his privacy. He's not from showbiz to be celebrated by people and make his life controversial.Lush had experienced it before. Even though his parents are married and he's in elementary, there are still stories circulating that his mother is a mistress.That didn't make sense for him. He knew his mother and knew the story. He respects his mother, and the title of being a mistress cannot replace the goodness of Heart for them.He pulled a chair for Ruth when they reached the table. She looked at him when he did that."Do you want to pull the chair for me either?" he asked. She immediately shook her head, and he smiled. He also sat
12.Termination papers lay before her. She held them in the lobby’s restroom, where she cried. Dennis handed her a copy earlier, and it seemed the old man was serious about kicking her out. It felt unjust. He suggested she approach humbly, begging him as if he might change his mind. What was that? A form of bullying. Just because she’s a janitress, Dennis trampled on her?This life is so hard. She’s already struggling and can barely eat, and now this old man adds to her burdens. Berna doesn’t even know about this yet; her friend had to leave early due to an emergency. Her friend’s sibling is at the precinct for selling vegetables in a prohibited area. She doesn’t want to add to her friend’s problems.It's infuriating. She feels terrible. She just wants to save up for an investigator, but this annoying head of hers keeps adding to her troubles.Ruth wiped her tears, contemplating whether to plead Dennis or not. If she resists, she might lose her job. Where does she stand?She forcefu