Madeline’s POVI felt like I was showered with shame when I entered the lobby of the company with the employees stopping in their tracks. Or if they did not stop, they would just exchange whispers with each other as they talked about me. I prepared for this day to come. To be known by everyone to be the girlfriend of the CEO. Even I still can’t believe it. How much more for them?I wore my best coat dress. The expensive one that I bought last night when I went to the mall to prepare to face the people in the company. My heels were also brand new, YSL brand. My bag was a Louis Vuitton and my earrings were pearls now, not the hoop earrings, so I would look formal and presentable. I had a trim and made it wavy brown which the salon had done to me last night.And yup, I used my salary and the bonuses Diego has been giving me for the past few days for doing the services with the benefits I acquired. When I started walking through the lobby, I could sense the awkwardness they had in their
Marissa’s POV“Mr. Montero, you have a meeting in the conference room with some of the board of directors. I think the properties you were selling in Pangasinan were affecting some businesses of yours. Do you want me to make a presentation, sir? The meeting will happen in about two hours,” I said while writing my notes. “Also, a client wants to file – Sir? Are you even listening to me?”I was bothered when I saw him staring at me while lounging comfortably on his swivel chair. I had to raise my eyebrow and tilt my head to get his attention.“Sir? Do you hear the words that are coming from my mouth?” I asked again. “Yes, madame,” he said. “Then why are you watching me like I am some entertaining TV show?” “Because you are interesting to watch.”I frowned at him, because this is the job I had for him for over the years, and now he decided to watch me, when before, he was focused on his paperwork. I leaned my hands on the desk to smile at him. Because leaning forward was intimate to h
Marissa's POVI felt my heart beating so fast as Diego smiled at me. He gave me the most charming smile I have ever seen. In my eyes, he is not a CEO anymore. He looked like he was suited to be an actor or a celebrity. I would encourage him to choose a career like that, but the more I think about women in the business world even fighting over him, how much more if he is seen on television?I might rather just die than see him be flocked by women in the world. It would be the death of me because they would be mad that he chose me to be his bride. "Come on now?" he asked. "Let's show them how beautiful you are beside me."Before I knew it, he had already gotten out of the card and circled so he could go to my side. He opened the car window and reached out his hand so I could accept it. I just stared at him for a while, and it felt like I was in a Korean Drama where scenes like this have a live music background. I shook my head and snapped out of it. I am just being dramatic, not swayed
Marissa’s POVJust like I expected, my followers saw my day and everyone was shocked. They bombarded me with curiosity and questions about the guy I just placed on my day."Tell them that I am your boyfriend," Diego suggested.And yes, ladies and gentlemen, I did. I answered that he was my boyfriend. It felt weird but fun. I mean, the more I think about it, the more I get flattered.Why?Because Diego Montero, the most successful businessman in the city, is just my boyfriend! He has a lot of things that I still need to take in. I might just die from being overwhelmed like this.The day went on with all of the gossipers in the company talking about me and Diego. Diego was very enthusiastic in all of his representations at the conferences, while I tried my best to be stiff and stoic when the truth is I was dying of embarrassment. I just prayed that the talks would die down as soon as possible. "Are you ready?"Diego asked me while I was getting my bag on the table from my cubicle. He j
Marissa's POVDiego and I arrived at the hospital with Zeana Tan still unconscious. While Zeana Tan was being tended by the doctors in a private room, Diego had to make calls to his parents, saying that he must take care of his energy. And because I am a naturally curious cat, I had to make sure that Diego was saying the truth. The beautiful lady was Zeana Tan. I searched her on Google and confirmed that it was her face. I tilted my head in confusion.Maybe it was because of the adrenaline rush, that is why I did not recognize her right away. The only thing I thought about a while ago was how to save her. I did not think otherwise. Not to mention that she was crying!"Are you okay?" Diego asked when he finally sat beside me in the waiting chairs. He peeked over my phone. "Why are you browsing about Zeana Tan?""Uhh, well, I did not know that it was her," I answered and pointed at the room where Zeana Tan was. "I see," he said."Anyway, I asked for help from my tito. He said he was ju
Marissa's POVIf there was one thing that is more awkward than ever, it would be the dinner that we are having right now. The cutleries were the only ones making the sounds on the table. We are already starting to eat. I am beside Diego. In front of us are Madame Margarita and George Benitez, who is the brother of Madame Margarita (that was what Diego told me). In the capital chair of the dining table was Chairman Karlos Montero. While I was eating, I couldn't help but notice that Mr. George Benitez kept glancing at me with a grin that would hit anyone's nerve. I don't even know what his problem is. His stares were just annoying, but instead of expressing my discomfort, I simply smiled at him. He reacted by arching his both eyebrows and smiled even more. "So, Ms. Dela Cruz," he broke the silence by speaking up and making me straighten up in sitting. "You are the secretary of my nephew, right? How many months have you been in a relationship?""We have been in a relationship for over
Marissa's POVAfter that scene I had with Diego in his Aston Martin, I took a shower and had my alone time in my room. I called the caretaker of my grandmother and promised to visit her tomorrow. While I was watching N*****x, my phone rang for a video call. It was Diego.I immediately straightened up and cleared my throat. I combed my hair with my fingers before answering the call as if I was answering a Zoom meeting because of how formal I was sitting."Hey," he greeted me. "What are you doing?"Diego was already lying on his bed. His body was facing the right side while he was holding his phone in front of his face. He had clear skin, I know that. I never saw him with acne or any whiteheads. That is what I liked about him. He is hygienic and he always had this man's perfume that I am addicted to. Now, even though we are just facing through our skins, I could still smell him from my apartment. His hair was damp, making me conclude that he had just taken a bath like me a while ago."Oh
Marissa’s POV “Really?” Mr. Palma exclaimed. “If that is true, she is horrible in that case.” “I already had a bad feeling when I knew that she started dating the CEO. Gold diggers like her are already corrupting wealthy men. It is common nowadays,” Ms. Villanueva just had to add her opinion. “Oh, my goodness, I just had goosebumps,” Mr. Palma said. That’s it. They cannot just keep badmouthing me when I am here listening! I was about to push the door to confront the two of them, but I heard a smash on the marble table. Ms. Gonzaga was standing in front of them. The two looked at her in confusion because she was dropping her feet to get their attention. “Hey!” she called out to them. “You both do not know the whole story. Why are you already judging Ms. Dela Cruz just because she is dating the CEO? Maybe, Mr. Montero likes her because we all know how beautiful, intelligent, and talented Ms. Dela Cruz is. None of us would not even wonder that any man would be attracted to
Marissa's POVFor five years, I only wanted to take care of Lilith, my daughter, as we left the Philippines to start a new life and a new career. After my grandmother died last year, I knew that I had to be strong for the steering wheel that I had been controlling all my life to be steady. Grandma was the reason I wanted to live for a long time. Now, it was Lilith. "Mom, I told you that I wanted to play in the park with my nanny. Why would you not let me?" Lilith said as she stomped her little feet under the dining table.I turned to her while fixing the valuable things inside my bag. Her nanny, on the other hand, was helping her eat breakfast. My beautiful daughter was looking up at me while pouting her lips. Her hair was already done into ponytails and is currently wearing the dress I just bought for her in the mall."No," I said and smiled at her. "The park is too dangerous, my love. You have to understand me.""Nanny! Help me!" she said and then looked at Nanny Elisa. Nanny Elis
Marissa’s POV I could feel the discrete and watchful stares of Nica and Brylle in front of me. I was just staring at the hot coffee inside a huge mug in front of me. They made sure I ate today, even though it was not a lot. It already satisfied them that I had something in my stomach. “I know you won’t open up to us,” Nica said in the middle of the deafening silence. “But I want you to know that Brylle and I will be here for you.” My eyes slowly darted on both of them. They were beside each other and their hands underneath were obviously intertwined just by the visual of their hands together. The only thing that was separating us was the dining table. Currently, we are in the dining area in front of me. The night was still young. “I am leaving tomorrow,” I started with a lump on my throat, but my eyes are already tired from crying. “And I don’t know if I will be back.” “What?” Brylle exclaimed. “What do you mean?” “Madame Margarita was the primary reason why my contract with Di
Marissa’s POV“Brylle! Oh, my goodness! What happened to you?!” Nica exclaimed in shock.The moment I let her inside the apartment, Nica rushed to Brylle who was caressing the white plaster on his right cheek. She was pressing his wound, while he kept telling her that it was alright. I could not help but furrow my eyebrows at how they care for each other. I can see it. “Marissa,” Nica mumbled my name and stood up so he could face me. “Who did this to him?”I crossed my arms after I locked the door of the living room. “It was Diego Montero,” I answered. “I am sorry.”Her expression changed from a serious one to a concerned one. The moment she did that, I already retreated. I shook my head.“We can talk tomorrow. For now, you should rest together with Brylle. Spend the night. I already prepared everything in my grandmother’s room. You can use it,” I said. “I’ll go to my room now.”I did not let her speak anymore and turned my back on them already. I could feel her stares following me
Marissa's POV"If I could follow the contract, he would answer all of the hospital bills for my grandmother. I will also go to New York and have my dream job. In that way, I would reach my dreams and make my grandmother feel better," I explained."Marissa," he mumbled, and felt his hands on my shoulder. "Why did you not tell me? I could have helped you.""No," I said and shut my eyes. "I could never dare to involve you and Nica in my problems. You have done everything for me, and I would be ashamed to reach out to you.""Why would you even think about that? You are important to Nica and to me. If you didn't like Diego, you could have just reached out to us. How dare you think it would be shameful! Oh, goodness, Marissa. I am so sorry you have to put up with that situation."Before I could even completely react, he had already pulled me for a warm and tight embrace. The sadness and loneliness have already pent up inside my heart, making me sob against his chest as I feel his hand at th
Marissa’s POV“You said you wanted to talk to me,” I said coldly as I watched the stars above me with deadpan eyes. “I am free tomorrow. You can bring Brylle over. I will text where.”I heard Nica inhale sharply. “Brylle would be grateful to talk to you,” she mumbled from the other line. He said he wanted closure.”“I know,” I said and looked down at the pavement. “I also need that, too.”The silence stretched as we shared it through the lines of our cellphones. I bit my lower lip as I realized that I had just killed my pride by deciding to talk to Brylle and Nica. Maybe I was also too hard on both of them over the years I was friends with them. Nica maybe was right. I was selfish and self-entitled.The call briefly ended. My sightseeing through the stars prolonged and I was too drowned in them that I barely recognized how late the night was already.Or maybe because I was still recalling how Madame Margarita and I negotiated that I will have to cut my connection with Diego. Because w
Diego’s POVI played with the red wine inside my glass as Tito George and Ms. Zeana Tan were talking business in front of me. The customers inside the restaurant were filling my ears, but I barely cared about the conversations surrounding me. Only the words of Marissa were circling around my mind, repeating, again and again.She will never love me.She doesn't love me.And I should stop dreaming.Then were her smiles when she was in Palawan with me all fake? Was she just pretending that she was genuinely happy with me?“Hey, Diego…”I snapped out when I felt my uncle’s hand on my shoulder, shaking me a bit. He was furrowing his eyebrows at me and parting his lips, bestowing confusion across his face.“Are you okay? You look like you're occupied,” he concluded.“O-Oh,” I exclaimed and noticed that the both of them were just watching me thinking deeply. I had to clear my throat and straightened up while sitting on my chair. “What… Uh, I was not catching up. Where are we?”“We are talkin
Marissa’s POVMy eyes stayed on the cup of hot lemon tea being poured by the maid, but I could still sense how Madame Margarita was staring at me suspiciously. When the maid transferred to her cup, I raised my eyes to her again. She squinted her eyes, while I still instilled my deadpan stare. “I will still not believe that you intend to not marry Diego after you said yes to him,” she said. “If so, what made you change your mind? Were you scared because I did not approve of you?” “No,” I confidently said. “I was willing to win you over.”“You will not win me.”“I know,” I also agreed, making her left eyebrow raise. “That is why retreating to the marriage would also be a good thing.”“I see where you are going.”“And I also know that you are only faking your illness,” she said. “You don’t have cancer.”Because of what I revealed, she flinched a little bit and was motionless for a minute. She tried to not make it obvious, but when she tried to open her mouth, it was trembling. In the e
Marissa’s POVJust by the mention of Brylle’s name, I had to face her and slap her in the face. I heard Ms. Gonzaga gasp because of what I did. Nica ticked her jaw and held the cheek I just slapped. She glared at me. “Stop talking to me as if we are okay!” I whispered loudly. “We were not okay the moment you stabbed me in the back. And what did you say? Brylle wants to talk to me. After what the both of you has done to me?” “That is why I want to “But I cut her off again. “And would you also deny that you scattered rumors about me just because I married my boss? Did you enjoy the fact that the employees where I work are talking behind my back? Have you always been threatened by me?!”“Yes!” Nica inhaled sharply and widened her eyes hugely because of the frustration that was pent up within her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath tremblingly. When she opened them again, there were already tears pooling at its sides. “I hated the fact that the man I love was in love with my
Marissa’s POV“Thank you for your time joining me tonight, Ms. Dela Cruz,” Ms. Zeana Tan said to me when she dropped me off at the hospital. “I hope I did not waste it.”“I am even grateful towards you, ma’am, for choosing me as your company,” I said and smiled. “Is your husband not going to be mad at you for being late, ma’am?”She arched her eyebrow with a slight smile. “It is funny that you think I have a husband,” she said. “I am still single and not planning to marry anytime soon!”My eyes widened in fractions and panicked. “Oh, my god. I am so sorry. I did not know,” I said.“Don’t worry. I am not offended. Everyone, though, assumes the same.”“Who would not, ma’am? One, I think you are very beautiful, intelligent, wealthy, and successful. It is an obvious fact that many people would admire you, especially men!” I exclaimed.Ms. Zeana Tan only meaningfully smiled, like what I said was just a big deal to her. She stared at me for long. I wanted to avoid my gaze because she migh