Marissa Dela Cruz had only one family – her grandmother. Her father abandoned her when she was still inside her mother’s womb, while her mother died due to childbirth. Due to her parents’ absence and the old age of her grandmother, she has grown independent and learned to be strong. Her bold characteristics, especially her work excellence and professional composure, made her qualified to become the secretary of the well-known and reputable Chief Executive Director, Diego Montero. Her work with the CEO was a lot challenging in the first three years, but she cope as time passes. But one day, her stern and distant boss approached her, not because of clerical tasks or conference meetings. His words made her almost faint. “Can you make me a child?”
View MoreThird Person’s POV
“Good morning, ma’am!”
Marissa Dela Cruz briefly bowed her head to the employees greeting her in the lobby. She was holding her handbag while flawlessly wearing her black bodycon dress. Her dress was a huge contribution to tracing her curvy body and matched her light makeup. A call came from her cellphone, so she answered it.
“Yes, this is Secretary Dela Cruz. How may I help you?” she asked with a smile.
“I have been looking for Chief Executive Director Montero. This is from Gregory Corporation because our annual meeting is approaching. Can you please remind him?” the other party informed.
“You do not have to worry, sir. I have all his schedules in control,” she said before she dropped the line.
After that important call and a long minute of constant greeting the enthusiastic and productive employees, while walking through the lobby, she finally arrived in the elevator and rode to the sixth floor where her office is just near her boss’ office. She picked a button before the elevator closed.
“Good morning, ma’am. Mr. Montero is already looking for you,” one of her trusted employees said when she stood by its cubicle.
“Thank you, Ms. Gonzaga. I will go to his office,” Marissa said and smiled politely.
Marissa’s heels rang through the hallway. She even looked outside the huge windows of the building to see the fantastic view of the city. After pausing for a bit to appreciate its beauty, she continued walking towards her office. It did not take too long to arrive in her silent and fresh transparent office.
Two shelves containing business books and a variety of brochures were standing beside the glass door. A coffee maker was near her desk since she was obsessed with Americano. What she loves are the drawers found near an indoor green plant because she likes her papers organized and stashed properly. A comfortable sofa was also in the center of the office and in front was her coffee table.
Everything inside was already common to her… except her fresh bouquet of flowers being plastered on her desk that was filling her nose. Excitement washed over her as she already knew who delivered them. Violet roses that were wrapped in red cover. She smelled the beautiful flowers and their scent reminded her of her handsome suitor. A card was hanging at the end of the cover, so she read the message on it.
From: Brylle
I got roses for you. They have always been your favorite flowers, so I hope you like it!
Marissa slowly picked up the bouquet and caressed the petals of the roses. She was appreciating them while thinking about Brylle. He did not have to be so sweet, she thought. But then again, he never missed a day of delivering something to put a smile on her face whenever she went to work. It started when he began to court her. She must say that Brylle Ferrer is a man who she wants to be her partner in the future… if she becomes ready for a relationship.
Marissa was about to withdraw her cell phone to call Brylle to express her gratitude and appreciation for the flowers. Before she could do that though, she was interrupted by the strong ringing of the telephone on her desk. She had two telephones: one for such employees or parties inside and outside of the company; and one is personal for her boss. The ringing came from the personal telephone she would use for communication with the CEO, Diego Montero. Without further ado, she easily forgot the bouquet, set it aside in her lamp, and picked up the phone to answer her boss. She cleared her throat before speaking.
“Hello?” she said.
“Ms. Dela Cruz,” a chilling and dark voice emerged from the other line. “Where are you? I need you in my office.”
Her boss sounded mad, so she guessed that he would provide bad weather in the company, metaphorically. It will affect the moods of his employees, just like the usual. On the other hand, the bad weather will only be worse, a storm to be termed, for she discovered something that she will reveal to her boss later on. For now, she will try to appease him.
“I am already here in the company, sir,” Marissa answered simply.
“Then go to my office! Right now!”
After that aggressive and demanding request, Marissa did not waste time and hastily grabbed her planner before she went outside her own office. She fixed her hair by waving it behind her head while walking through the hallway toward her boss’ office. When she was in front of the door, she heaved a heavy sigh before opening it.
The Devil’s Lair, she called the door of her boss’ office.
“What do you mean they turned their back on signing the contract? What happened?” Diego exclaimed while confronting a manager. “I am sure I have put all of the important details about the project. Their company will even more prosper when they for allegiance to our corporation. So what is wrong?”
The emphasis of every word her boss was saying echoed inside the office. It made Marissa’s skin crawl and intimidated her a long time ago when she was still starting to be a secretary. But now that she has been used to it for three years, it does not affect me anymore. I do not know with the person her boss was talking to, though.
“They just emailed me, sir, that they are not interested in building the project anymore,” the manager answered while gulping and her hands behind her, playing them due to anxiety.
Inside the office was Diego Montero talking to a manager of the email marketing department. His expression was dark and unimpressed while looking down at the manager. The nerve-wracking atmosphere matched the grey suit he wore today. He tilted his head and crossed his arms to show domination.
“And what reason did they give to justify their refusal?” Diego asked.
“They did not give anything, sir. They just said they will not accept your proposal-“
“What if I do not like your report and urge you to leave my office until you give me information that is worthwhile, huh?”
“I am really sorry, sir.”
The moment Diego groaned in anger silently and shut his eyes tightly, Marissa felt that she should interfere with the conversation before anything else happened. She started stepping forward with her planner on her chest and galloped toward them. Diego ruffled his hair as if frustrated using his long, strong fingers. He started raising his voice.
One thing that the CEO hates – refusing his proposals and projects that he plans. Of course, he is reputable for being a great business tycoon in the business world.
Marissa’s POV“Huh? Why are you saying that?” I asked my daughter, nervous and stole a glance at Diego who had a serious face when parking his car.“Dad said he is going to marry you and we are going to be a happy family,” Lilith said.I frowned at Diego. He must have sensed me glaring at him, so he innocently looked at me and raised his eyebrow, mouthing a ‘what’? I rolled my eyes and regarded my daughter again.“Don’t mind your dad. He is saying nonsense,” I said and tried to make my voice happy.“What did I do?” Diego whispered.“Bye, Lilith. I love you,” I said.“I love you both, Mommy and Daddy!” she happily exclaimed and even sounded a sweet, loud kiss from the other line of the phone.I hung up the call before I ended the call. After that, Diego waited for me to speak up. The car was already parked in the basement of the hotel. “What are the things that you are telling Lilith?” I asked while still frowning.“Things like what?” he echoed, baffled by what I am asking about.“She
Marissa’s POV“Excuse me?” I had to say. “Are you talking to me?” The woman regarded me with a sweet smile yet her glaring eyes towards me were conspicuous. I furrowed my eyebrows and hovered my gaze from her head to foot. She was wearing a sexy white bodycon dress, a pair of high heels, with a Chanel bag dangling on her wrist.Wait, her clothes… were the same with the woman who was hugging Diego a while ago.Don’t tell me…“I’m Vivian, Diego’s girlfriend,” she said, her head raising confidently.Diego’s girlfriend? But did he not say that he never met someone else after me? Did he just lie to me, then?“Why? Are you surprised that you can’t speak?” the woman sarcastically asked.Maybe because I was confused that it showed on my face. I closed my lips that were apart and blinked twice.“Hi,” I greeted casually. “Nice meeting you, Ms. Vivian. I hope you have a good day.”She scoffed. “I know you. You were the secretary of my boyfriend before and a fake fiance who was desperate to mar
Marissa’s POV“Marissa, where have you been? I’ve looked for you in the office, and Ms. Desmon that you were still not arriving!” Mrs. Rivera exclaimed as she approached me outside the conference room.I smiled at her apologetically. “I’m so sorry, madame. I had to do something important,” I said.She pouted and teasingly hovered her gaze from my head to feet. “Did it pressure you that I told you to wear something good in today’s meeting?” she asked.“Ah, haha, no, madam,” I said, chuckling and casually looking at the closed door. “Is everyone inside, madame?”“Technically, yes. Although all of the shareholders and board of directors are inside the room, Ms. Zeana Tan and Mr. George Benitez ate inside the building yet not arriving on this floor, so you got here first,” my boss explained, now holding the small of my back. “Shall we enter and greet the high-positioned individuals in the room?”“Sure, madame.”I was the one who opened the door for her before I followed her inside. Just l
Marissa’s POV“I am not your wife if you recall, so stop saying to other people that I am,” I opened up when we got into the car and were now going in the direction of the company.“I’m just playing around,” Diego said and chuckled. “Also, I don’t see anyone to be my wife except you, so…”Ugh, he’s speaking gibberish again…I rolled my eyes and just withdrew my phone from my bag when I felt it vibrate. It was a text from Mrs. Rivera, asking where I am right now. Gosh, I still have not had breakfast and yet the meeting is going to start now in an hour. But whatever, it doesn’t matter. I can just eat after the meeting.“The meeting will start in an hour. You are included, if I am not mistaken,” I pointed out and turned my head at Diego.“Uhh, yes,” he said and casually looked at his watch. “Tito George told me so, after you told me last night.”I nodded and did not say anything until we arrived at the parking lot of the company. I was about to open the car door when Diego stopped my ha
Marissa’s POVAll of my work outfits were repetitive, so I was struggling to find something to wear in this crucial and important conference. I did not want to look like a rug beside Mrs. Rivera. I want to at least look like they can negotiate with me. Disregarding the fact that Zeana Tan and George Benitez are my biological parents, they are still the most successful and renowned business tycoons.“Shit…” I cursed and traced my fingers through my clothes in my wardrobe. “What do I wear?”Before I could even pinpoint anything, a car’s horn outside the house engulfed the whole neighborhood as if announcing its arrival. I could barely care, though. I have a huge problem!“Ma’am Marissa! Sir Diego is here!” I heard Elisa saying outside my room.“Wait, what?” I mumbled to myself and frantically closed my wardrobe to face the door where Elisa was outside. “Why is he here, Elisa?!”“Sir wants to drive you to your work, ma’am!”Huh? I didn't even know that!I was so puzzled when I opened the
Marissa’s POV“Thank you for your time tonight,” I said as I escorted Diego outside the house. “Lilith is happy that you joined us in the McDonald’s.”“I know,” he answered and faced me, turning his back on his car, “but are you happy that I am here?”I was taken aback by his question and became statued on where I was standing.After we had a bottle of wine, Diego decided to go home now. I don’t know, but before he could even ask that, I wanted him to stay here in our house. I want him near. I might be crazy, though it’s true. He was right the other day. I still have feelings for him despite the years that have gone by.For a moment, I could not find the right words to say. Silence stretched. My eyes were wandering as long as I couldn't stare back at him, until I heard him chuckle. When I looked at him straight again, I was breathless as he stepped forward and cupped my face, giving me a sweet forehead kiss that made me close my eyes.“I also know the answer, Marissa. No matter how y
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