Diego’s POVMarissa is absent again today. I tried to keep it low and just not mind it. I sighed and continued reading the paperwork on my hand from my table, my eyes constantly looking at the door of my office, hoping that Marissa would show up any minute.When I confirm that she would not appear, I would just sigh again and try to focus on what I was doing. At first, I could devour my mind in thinking about the content of my paperwork, but whenever my eyes would accidentally look at the door, she would only come back in my mind that I had to close my eyes and hit my own head with my paperworks.What the hell is wrong with me?! Since the day I wanted her to marry me on contract, I have seen myself obsessed with seeing and thinking about her. It is not the usual me, and I have never done this to her for the last three years she has been working with me.I admit that I was harsh to her, just like how I treat my employees. What I do admire about her is that she never complains of whatev
Diego's POVI took a last glance at Ms. Gonzaga and her group. They heard my footsteps, saw me pass by them, and immediately straightened up before greeting me formally as if they just did not talk about me and Ms. Dela Cruz. Because they contributed to my brilliant idea, I bestowed a charming smile and winked at them that made them drop their jaw, flush their cheeks red, and fan themselves dramatically.Women...I shook my head with a playful grin on my lips and left them. I seized my day in a good mood. Even without my secretary's presence, Ms. Gonzaga was a good companion in my meetings. She was also an effective speaker during representations, trained by my beautiful secretary, of course. They both never disappointed me as a veteran in this company.“Good morning, Mr. Montero.”The door of my office suddenly opened after two knocks and Ms. Gonzaga showed up. I paused in typing from my computer. I looked at her curiously. She smiled politely, so I regarded her.“The chairman is her
Diego’s POVI put extensive effort and focus on my mother's condition. She always says that I was just being dramatic and I should stop hoping that she would live long. One to two months from now, she is expected to be confined in the hospital. Whenever I read her medical information and see her take medicines from time to time, the more my heart constricts and gives her the best times of her life as her son.“Thank you, doc,” my mother said to the doctor who checked on her before leaving the both of us inside the clinic. She then looked at me with a huge, angelic smile. “Are you sure it is fine for you to be with me in the hospital? Are you not busy in your office?"“Of course, Mom. You do not have to worry. What is important is I could be with you during your appointment," I said for assurance and smiled a little at her. “Does Dad know that you are here? He might look for you."For a bit, her expression changed, and was slightly taken aback, then tried her best to recover from her t
Diego's POVI withdrew my cell phone from my slacks and saw that she still did not accept my following requests. I tilted my head and passed by a vending machine. After I had gotten my energy drink can, I proceeded to the area where there were patients near the glass door of the outdoor garden.I opened the glass door and the sun's rays met me, making me feel hot due to the business coat that I was wearing. Although it was barely hot, the blowing wind helped and did not stop me from walking through the pavements where blooming flowers and green, healthy plans were displayed. I was the only one who was there, and I wish nothing but a peaceful environment like this.But I was wrong thinking that I was alone. I just did not see the person from afar. Everything in the garden was beautiful, but as I appreciated its beauty, I saw from one of the benches a familiar back. It was a woman with wavy brown hair, and she was wearing a black coat dress. She was crossing her legs and motionlessly si
Marissa’s POVI fell silent as the CEO stated his insights about our contract. He was right and he has a point. We cannot let the contract work out if we do not know how to be casual with each other. After all, we are just going to pretend but we have to do the act with passion so it would be believable.His eyes were sparkling in astonishment and enthusiasm. For some reason, I have to admit that this is the first time he has been like this. I know him as austere and stern; and now, even though he is trying to keep his cool, an ounce of joy was escaping from his expression in his face for an unknown reason at all.Or maybe…I licked my lower lip when I realized something.Or maybe he is just doing these tricks and manipulation me?But why? Would it be fun for him?“Then let’s be friends on this day,” I suggested and crossed my arms, defending myself from the games he was trying to play. “We call each other by our real names, share information, and have fun in this contract before the
Marissa's POVI followed my grandmother’s request to get a caretaker for her and went to work the next day. This is for the compensation that I will provide for Mr. Montero… I mean, Diego now, right? Anyway, he said that he was troubled because I could not work with him. He must not be used to having Ms. Gonzaga replace me as a primary secretary.There were a few tasks that were given to me when I came back to the company. Diego did not waste time in talking to me when we got to work, unlike yesterday when we had a childish interaction. He segregated his professionalism from the weird act he had. That is what I liked about him as a CEO. If it is time for work, he does not let distractions come in his way…But why was he bothered for the past days I was gone, right?He could have survived that if I was not important.My subconsciousness laughed at me.Am I hearing myself? Me? Important to the CEO?I must be the one losing my mind, then.It was not pressuring, but I still pushed myself
Marissa’s POV After a few minutes of driving, we finally arrived at his favorite coffee shop. I did not even notice the time since I was driven by our fun conversation inside the car. Well, we both agreed that we are going to be friends, so we have to practice acting like it.“Stay here,” he commanded when he made me pause from unbuckling my seatbelt.I furrowed my eyebrows and was about to ask why, but he already opened the car door and closed it when he was already outside. He circled his car beside my seat. I dropped my jaw when he smiled as if he could see me from the tinted window before he opened my door.Woah!“Am I going to pass as a real gentleman now?” he asked.It took seconds for me to stop staring at him in astonishment. I would have looked at him differently just like the women who find him attractive.I am still new to his set of sudden actions right now. He just opened the damn for me! That is new!“Hey, are you planning to get out, or should I carry you, instead?” he
Marissa's POV“Wow, I can’t believe I am seeing you here. Is it your break?” he asked. “Or are you going home after this?”Oh, since our interaction at the hospital, the exchange of our texts has become rapid and interesting. He must have been excited because I was not like that to him for over the years. I was too nonchalant, but he coped with it just to be with me. Now that I am seeing his efforts, I seem to reciprocate it, because that is what he deserves.“I am going home after this,” I said. “How about you? Just got off from work?”“Yeah, I was just about to call you so that I could invite you for a coffee. But I did not expect that destiny has already planned about it in advance,” he said, his tone expressing a half-meant joke.“Oh, uh,” I said and caressed my nape. “Why do you want to invite me for a coffee?”“It’s just that, um,” he said and looked down at his intertwined fingers, his thumbs playing against each other, “I missed you.”My cheeks immediately flushed when he had t
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