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
11. LUSH MIGUEL couldn’t shake this woman off his mind. He was in the middle of work, but the janitress kept intruding into his thoughts. He couldn’t forget her body, to be exact. He lowered the sign pen he was holding and leaned back on his executive chair’s headrest. Is there a possible way for him to have that woman? Damn. It’s like he lost the courage to instruct Melo to offer her something indecent. He doesn’t know why, but he sees the woman as a decent woman. He leaned back again, and then brought himself closer to the laptop. He accessed the utility personnel department for the first time. So what? Even if she’s a janitress, as long as she’s beautiful and decent, why not? He could buy her if he wanted. There are even women who are straightforward in offering and immediately get naked in front of him, but he’s amazed at how he’s captivated by her. He just wants to have a taste for a few nights and days, just that. After that, he’ll let her go. He’s willing, e
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
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
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