Prologue
"Good afternoon," we all said in unison. I didn't look at him right away because my pen fell, and I had to pick it up from the floor. "Are you spacing out? You miss him, don't you?" Jacky teased me. I looked at her from staring at the onion I've been holding for a while now, but it's still whole. I'm cooking spaghetti for this friend of mine. "What are you talking about?" "Oh, come on! Pretending again! I know your Jace loves spaghetti!" She poked my side while moving her eyebrows. "Stop it!" I said, laughing and pretending to throw the onion at her. She ran to the other side of the kitchen to avoid it. I just shook my head when I saw her still teasing eyes. I just rolled my eyes and looked away. She rested her chin on her hand and put her arms on the back of the chair and became serious. "But seriously, Lana, don't you miss him?" She stared at me and waited for my answer. "No," I answered without looking at her. I don't miss him. I don't miss him. I won't miss him. Never! Who am I kidding?! Chapter One Jeez! It's Monday, and I'm sweating from running! I'm late. I'm sure she's going to scold me again. It's so annoying. "Good morning." I greeted the receptionist while walking fast. I didn't wait for her to answer my greeting and went inside. I've been working here at Good Financing Company for two months now. I'm in the Accounting Department. Specifically, in the Bank Recon Team. There are three of us in that team, plus our grumpy biser. "Lana! You're late today," Carl said. He's courting me even though I told him it's not possible. We're in the same department. He's also in accounting but in a different team. He's in AR Posting. "Ahh, traffic," I answered. He walked beside me as I walked fast. "Ahh, is that so? Let's go out later, Lana," he said. I stopped walking and looked at him. He asks me out almost every day. "I can't. I need to go home early later." I answered and just shook my head and continued walking. "Come on, just for today. I've been asking you out for a long time," he insisted. I just rolled my eyes and ignored him. He'll just ruin my day with his nagging. Well, he's good-looking. Kind, patient, smart... but I just don't like him. I don't feel anything for him. I don't want to give him false hope. I immediately fixed my things when I got to my working station. Thankfully, it seems like the witch Biser isn't here yet. "Hey Lana! I have gossip for you!" I looked at Karen. We're on the same team, and Lucy, who I saw putting on makeup at her station. I laughed a little. She's always excited about gossip! "What is it?" I asked. "The new boss is super handsome! Our new boss. I heard he's a hunk. Girls will drop their panties!" she said with matching kilig. As if she's seen him. "It's gossip, right? So it's probably not true," I said, shaking my head. "What do you mean not true? He's upstairs now. The others have seen him, so it's not gossip anymore. It's a fact." "Fine, I'll believe you," I said while logging in to my PC. "But I think he's married. Even if he's handsome, I'm sure he has someone." I said the last sentence in a whisper. "What are you talking about? I heard he's only 29 and..." she raised her index finger and moved it. "Single! No wife, no boyfriend, no one. Where else can you find that?" "Maybe he's gay." "You're so bitter! You'll drool when you see him later." "Crazy! I'm not into handsome guys. Those guys are usually cheaters." I sat down on my chair and started opening the files I needed. "Cheater right away? You're so judgmental." "It's so early, and you're already gossiping." We looked at the door when Ms. Grumpy entered. Karen immediately went back to her seat. "You, Lana, you're late again," she pointed at me. "That's your second time this month." As if she's not late. I even got here before her. "Sorry, ma'am, it won't happen again," I said. She's so dramatic. As if she's not late. I even got here before her. "Make sure of it!" She walked towards her station. "Anyway girls, our new boss will be passing by later. We have to impress him. Fix your stations." "Yes, Ma'am." It was afternoon when we heard that the new "boss" was starting to tour the building. He first went to the other departments on the second floor of the building. "Girls, Sir is in the other department. Fix yourselves," said our boss. "Yes, ma'am," I said lifelessly. I'm not interested. I don't care who he is. Just pay me well. "What kind of answer is that, Lana? What if he talks to you and you answer like that?" Bisor reprimanded me. She really has it out for me, doesn't she? She's probably insecure about my beauty. She's always scolding me. It's so annoying. "I'm sorry, Ma'am." I said, smiling at her. She's so dramatic. What, she's going to fire us all if he doesn't like our greeting? Hello? "Good afternoon." A moment later, someone spoke from the door. When I looked up, I saw the three of them looking like they were about to faint. Even Ms. Sungit was the same. I couldn't see the person at the door because my station was facing away from it. I slowly turned towards the door. Standing there, smiling at us, was the new boss. Behind him was Mae, his secretary. I was stunned. I felt my chest tighten at what I saw. Oh my God. This can't be happening!I just stared at the newcomer. I couldn't move. I didn't know what to do.Oh my God, this isn't real, is it? This is just a dream! I'll wake up soon! "I'm Jace Garcia, the new owner of the company.Who's the supervisor here?Boss," he suddenly said. That voice. I know it well. It seems this is not a dream."Ahhm, I'm the supervisor," Ms. Grumpy said while standing up. "Ms. Carmen Demetrio." She emphasized the "Miss" while extending her hand.I couldn't tell if I should be annoyed or laugh at her. You could hear the flirting in her voice. I just raised an eyebrow when I looked into her eyes. It's like a child told by her mother to have "beautiful eyes."It doesn't suit her face, or her age. She's probably older than our boss!"Hi Ms. Demetrio. As I can see it, you're only four here in the team," the boss said while reaching for the hand of the flirtatious old woman, then looked at us one by one.His gaze paused for a moment on me. I felt some kind of emotion in it. Was it longing? Or an
I peeked before fully entering. Jace's spacious office greeted me. It was painted white with black furniture. It wasn't cramped because it only contained the essentials.JASON THOMAS T. GARCIA - PresidentThat's what was written on his desk. There was no doubt, he was our boss. This wasn't a dream. It was really happening.Aissh. When will I stop thinking this is just a dream?He was hunched over the files on his desk, seemingly oblivious to my presence."Ahm, excuse me Sir." I called out to him. "Here are the reports that Ma'am Remy asked you for." I said, handing him the folder.He looked up at me with furrowed brows. But his expression quickly changed to surprise. He probably didn't expect to see me."Ok, just leave it there." he said, pointing to a part of his desk. He went back to what he was doing after saying that.I placed the folder on the exact part of the desk he indicated, but I didn't leave immediately. I don't know why, but I felt like something was missing. Like somethi
"Wait, he's your boss now? How did that happen?" Jacky asked in amazement."Didn't I tell you? The previous owner migrated after his wife died and he didn't want to handle the company anymore, so he sold it. The rumor is he doesn't plan to come back." I explained."Wow! So you're the boss there too! If Jace owns the company, that means it's yours too! You'll be called 'Ma'am' by your supervisor." Jacky looked at the ceiling as if imagining what would happen when I was called Ma'am."You're crazy! Remember, Jace and I are separated? All we need is an annulment. And I'm sure he's already arranging that at this very moment."It's true. I left Jace almost three years ago, even before we had been together for a year. I was forced to get married. My future depended on it.I was still in my third year of college when we got married. My dad threatened to disown me. I was still weak-willed back then. I didn't know where I would go if my dad followed through with his threat. I was afraid of lo
"Hey, witch, stop pacing!" Jacky shrieked.I couldn't sit still and had been walking back and forth in front of her for a while now. I was having second thoughts about going to the place Jace told me to meet him. What could we possibly talk about? I was so nervous."It's just, friend, I'm really nervous. What do you think we'll talk about?" I asked, turning to face her."Maybe he wants to make things right, girl." She said without hesitation."What if he doesn't? What if we talk about an annulment?""Oh, girl? I thought you didn't like him? That's the only thing missing between you two, right? What's the problem with that? If that's what he wants to talk about, then it's for the best." She said.You're right, aren't I? Why am I so nervous?"You have a point. You're really smart, Jacky. I'm not surprised you passed the board exams." I just said. But I knew I still looked completely flustered."You love him, you just don't want to admit it." She whispered."What love are you talking abo
"Hey, witch, stop pacing!" Jacky shrieked.I couldn't sit still and had been walking back and forth in front of her for a while now. I was having second thoughts about going to the place Jace told me to meet him. What could we possibly talk about? I was so nervous."It's just, friend, I'm really nervous. What do you think we'll talk about?" I asked, turning to face her."Maybe he wants to make things right, girl." She said without hesitation."What if he doesn't? What if we talk about an annulment?""Oh, girl? I thought you didn't like him? That's the only thing missing between you two, right? What's the problem with that? If that's what he wants to talk about, then it's for the best." She said.You're right, aren't I? Why am I so nervous?"You have a point. You're really smart, Jacky. I'm not surprised you passed the board exams." I just said. But I knew I still looked completely flustered."You love him, you just don't want to admit it." She whispered."What love are you talking abo
"Wait, he's your boss now? How did that happen?" Jacky asked in amazement."Didn't I tell you? The previous owner migrated after his wife died and he didn't want to handle the company anymore, so he sold it. The rumor is he doesn't plan to come back." I explained."Wow! So you're the boss there too! If Jace owns the company, that means it's yours too! You'll be called 'Ma'am' by your supervisor." Jacky looked at the ceiling as if imagining what would happen when I was called Ma'am."You're crazy! Remember, Jace and I are separated? All we need is an annulment. And I'm sure he's already arranging that at this very moment."It's true. I left Jace almost three years ago, even before we had been together for a year. I was forced to get married. My future depended on it.I was still in my third year of college when we got married. My dad threatened to disown me. I was still weak-willed back then. I didn't know where I would go if my dad followed through with his threat. I was afraid of lo
I peeked before fully entering. Jace's spacious office greeted me. It was painted white with black furniture. It wasn't cramped because it only contained the essentials.JASON THOMAS T. GARCIA - PresidentThat's what was written on his desk. There was no doubt, he was our boss. This wasn't a dream. It was really happening.Aissh. When will I stop thinking this is just a dream?He was hunched over the files on his desk, seemingly oblivious to my presence."Ahm, excuse me Sir." I called out to him. "Here are the reports that Ma'am Remy asked you for." I said, handing him the folder.He looked up at me with furrowed brows. But his expression quickly changed to surprise. He probably didn't expect to see me."Ok, just leave it there." he said, pointing to a part of his desk. He went back to what he was doing after saying that.I placed the folder on the exact part of the desk he indicated, but I didn't leave immediately. I don't know why, but I felt like something was missing. Like somethi
I just stared at the newcomer. I couldn't move. I didn't know what to do.Oh my God, this isn't real, is it? This is just a dream! I'll wake up soon! "I'm Jace Garcia, the new owner of the company.Who's the supervisor here?Boss," he suddenly said. That voice. I know it well. It seems this is not a dream."Ahhm, I'm the supervisor," Ms. Grumpy said while standing up. "Ms. Carmen Demetrio." She emphasized the "Miss" while extending her hand.I couldn't tell if I should be annoyed or laugh at her. You could hear the flirting in her voice. I just raised an eyebrow when I looked into her eyes. It's like a child told by her mother to have "beautiful eyes."It doesn't suit her face, or her age. She's probably older than our boss!"Hi Ms. Demetrio. As I can see it, you're only four here in the team," the boss said while reaching for the hand of the flirtatious old woman, then looked at us one by one.His gaze paused for a moment on me. I felt some kind of emotion in it. Was it longing? Or an
Prologue"Good afternoon," we all said in unison. I didn't look at him right away because my pen fell, and I had to pick it up from the floor. "Are you spacing out? You miss him, don't you?" Jacky teased me. I looked at her from staring at the onion I've been holding for a while now, but it's still whole. I'm cooking spaghetti for this friend of mine. "What are you talking about?""Oh, come on! Pretending again! I know your Jace loves spaghetti!" She poked my side while moving her eyebrows. "Stop it!" I said, laughing and pretending to throw the onion at her. She ran to the other side of the kitchen to avoid it. I just shook my head when I saw her still teasing eyes. I just rolled my eyes and looked away. She rested her chin on her hand and put her arms on the back of the chair and became serious. "But seriously, Lana, don't you miss him?" She stared at me and waited for my answer. "No," I answered without looking at her. I don't miss him. I don't miss him. I won't