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 POVGoing home was heavy, knowing that my day did not end well. The coffee Diego Montero ordered for me might have been thrown away. Or maybe he canceled and paid for it. Not this time, though. He cannot upset me and Brylle and then just pay for it just to compensate for what he has done.When I opened the door of my apartment, my head became even more heated as I forgot to pay my visitation for my grandmother. Instead, I just called the number of her caretaker and inquired for her. This is all Diego's fault! He messed it all up!My phone kept ringing on the side table, but I just ignored it, for I knew that it would be only Diego who flooded me with a lot of texts and calls. I read his texts. I glared at his name from the screen whenever his name shows up as he calls. In the end, I just did not mind him, because I do not want to forgive what he did. I sighed and stared at the wall of my apartment room, my mind was busy recalling the encounter I had with Brylle a while ago.I