(Seph's POV)
"Thank you very much, Ate Sasha," I said, expressing my gratitude.
She gave me a wide smile. "You're welcome. Go on, get inside before the night dew makes you sick."
"Yes, Ma'am. You too."
We shared a smile before I closed the creaky iron door of my small room. I went to the wooden bed to drop off my only sling bag, then headed to the small table to set down the small plate of food Ate Sasha had given me.
The helpfulness of my neighbors really makes the exhaustion melt away. Ate Sasha is ten years older than me, with a husband and children of her own. It's heartwarming how kind she is to everyone here.
I'm so grateful that the neighbors I ended up with actually care about others. I've lived here for a few months now, so I know them well, and I can say most of them are genuinely good people.
I started unbuttoning my polo shirt but stopped halfway when my phone rang. I pulled it from my pocket and read the message.
From: Stef Kuya, Mom is asking about you. She says to always stay safe and not to overwork yourself. We miss you, Kuya! :3
I let out a long sigh. I didn't have any prepaid load to reply; it ran out this afternoon. I was hesitant to buy more because my money might not even last until the end of the month—I had sent my salary from my side job at the convenience store to Mom earlier. As for the companies I applied to today, there was still no confirmation.
Suddenly, I remembered what happened yesterday at the last company I visited. My cheeks immediately burned hot and turned red, but I just shook my head to clear the thought.
"The CEO must have been drunk yesterday," I exhaled, tapping my cheeks. "You did the right thing, Seph. That was the right move."
I reached into my old pants for the last of my money. There was only one bill left in my budget—fifty pesos.
"It's okay, I can manage without eating for a few days," I whispered to myself.
I really could, especially since I couldn't touch the money I'd set aside; that was for my fare back to the province.
I was about to finish taking off my shirt when I heard a loud knock on the iron door of the shack I was temporarily calling home.
Curious, I went to open it, thinking it was Ate Sasha coming back for her plate.
"Ate Sasha, I haven't transferred the food yet—" I froze the moment the door opened. "Y-you're the..."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm the one and only gorgeous CEO from yesterday," she said, rolling her eyes while flicking her fingers in the air.
"A-ah..." I swallowed. "Right."
"Aren't you going to invite me in? Like, it's already dark outside."
"W-what are you doing here?"
She scanned me from head to toe. After a moment, she smirked and brushed her hand against my chest, making me flinch.
"Nice chest, very manly." She bit her lower lip and winked. "Is this your way of seducing me back?"
I hurriedly covered my exposed chest, my eyes wide and face flushed.
"W-what? N-no—"
"Then excuse my beauty, I'm coming in," she interrupted, brushing past me and walking inside with her head held high.
I followed her until she stopped in the middle of the room and began looking around. She pouted and crossed her arms under her chest, looking disappointed at every corner of my home her eyes landed on.
"Hmm... Organized, even though this place sucks." She ran a finger over the plastic drawer at the side, checked her finger for dust, and arched an eyebrow. "Clean and neat, but everything is low quality. It'll break easily in a storm, and burn down easily in a fire."
She stopped and faced me, chin up. I stepped back when she snapped her fingers.
"In short, you're living in a very cheap house that everyone calls a 'shack'."
My eyebrows shot up. O-kay? She was basically insulting me to my face.
"What are you doing here?" I repeated my earlier question, ignoring her insults.
She looked horrified at my question, clutching her chest as if she couldn't believe I'd even ask.
"Well, hello to you too, Mr. Lazaro?" she said sarcastically, fanning herself with her hand. "My God, what kind of question is that? You should be happy to see me. How rude of you."
She was dressed decently today, unlike yesterday when she was just in a robe and lingerie. Today, she looked sharp—a sophisticated woman standing before me as if she wasn't the same person I met yesterday. One look told me everything she was wearing was expensive, from her clothes and shoes to her designer bag. Her earrings and necklace sparkled, as did the diamond-encrusted watch on her wrist.
Yes, she really was the CEO from yesterday.
"OMG, can you please stop staring at me like that? I'm getting attracted."
I swallowed hard. "Please, sit down first." I gestured toward the wooden bed made of patched-together timber.
She arched an eyebrow but sat down anyway, crossing her legs. However, the look of disgust on her face was obvious. She looked like she was repulsed by her surroundings.
"I really didn't expect you to be poorer than a church mouse, Mr. Lazaro."
I didn't answer right away. I'll admit, I was insulted, but I let it go—it was the truth, after all.
She tilted her head slightly, as if reading my thoughts.
"I know you have a question in mind." She leveled her gaze. "Go on, ask me."
Though I hesitated, I summoned my courage.
"I just want to know why you're here and how you found out where I live."
"I read your resume yesterday, and I came here to say that you're hired."
She said it so casually, but my heart nearly leapt for joy. I'm hired? I-I'm accepted? I have a job!
B-but...
"I... I wish you hadn't gone through the trouble of coming all the way here just to say that."
Texting and calling are things, right? My number was on the resume. Besides, our neighborhood is a bit dangerous—it's full of narrow alleys, and muggings are common.
She frowned, looking genuinely puzzled by my reaction.
"Don't you want to see my gorgeous face again?"
I was speechless. She sounded like she was pouting and couldn't believe it. Gorgeous face? Okay, she wasn't lying, but to say it so boldly?
"Ahm... I-I just didn't expect it."
A proud smile spread across her face as she started twirling the end of her orange hair.
"Well, of course. Any poor man like you wouldn't expect a visit from a wealthy goddess like me." She flipped her hair and bit her lower lip. "Like, you're so lucky to have a boss like me. I even asked if you wanted my 'friendly massage.' Do you know how much you hurt my ego when you declined?"
F-friendly massage?
I gasped, remembering exactly what she meant. I discreetly covered my lower half as she bit her lip again, her eyes wandering over my body.
Is it just me, or is she basically undressing me with her eyes?
"It's late. Do you want me to walk you to the jeepney stop?" I said, trying to change the subject.
"Jeepney?" She grimaced. "You mean that cheap, long transport vehicle with no air conditioner and full of air pollution instead?"
"Uh, yeah?"
"Oh, no thanks." She flipped her hair again. "Don't worry, honey. I came with a friend and we have a car."
A car? Aren't they afraid of getting robbed?
I was about to speak again when her phone rang. She pulled it from her expensive bag. Her phone was much larger and fancier than the one I'd been using for years.
She read a quick message, shook her head, put it back, and stood up.
"I have to go."
I quickly stood up and went to the door.
"I-I'll walk you out." I opened the iron door for her.
"No need."
"B-but it's dangerous out there—"
I froze when she grabbed my collar. Suddenly, I felt her lips brush against my cheek. Her long nails grazed my jawline as if tracing it.
"I'll see you in my office, Seph," she whispered seductively before walking away with a smirk.
I stood there for a few seconds before my brain finally processed what had happened. I felt my entire face burn red with embarrassment, and I covered it with both palms.
"What is wrong with her?" I stomped my foot in stress.
How am I supposed to face her tomorrow? I'm too embarrassed! Does she not feel awkward at all?
I swallowed hard as I looked up at her building. I know 8:00 AM is early, but what could I do? She didn't give me an exact time. Besides, the nerves I felt on the day I applied had doubled—not because I was afraid of failing at the job, but because of my boss.
I clearly remember how hard I had to scrub with soap to get her lipstick off my cheek last night. It took forever; one wash wasn't enough. I'm terrified of what else she might do to me. I haven't slept properly, thinking about her and her antics—she's far too bold. Even now, I'm wondering if I made the right choice. Every time I remember how the CEO behaves, I start having second thoughts.
I really wanted to back out and decline the job, but then I remembered how hard I'd worked to find a decent position. I thought of my mom and my siblings. I'm the eldest; I have to support them so they have food and can go to school.
So, without another thought, I walked into the building.
"Good morning," I greeted everyone I passed.
When I reached the floor of her office, I went straight to the front desk to announce my arrival. Most of the employees here were men, so I felt a bit more comfortable.
A man was manning the front desk, leaning back in a swivel chair with his feet on the table, playing games on his phone.
At first glance, he didn't look like a regular employee. Aside from being handsome, he was wearing an expensive-looking floral polo and slacks.
"Hi, good morning," I greeted. "I'm Seph. I'd like to speak with the CEO. Is she in?"
He looked away from his phone to glance at me. He arched an eyebrow and scanned me, looking confused by my presence.
"She's still in a meeting."
"A-ah, I see." I scratched my head. "What time do you think she'll be finished?"
He frowned, looking irritated by my questions. "Did you book an appointment? Because I'm pretty sure I haven't seen the name 'Seph' in her logbook."
"I didn't, b-but—"
"Then I'm sorry, I can't help you, dude. Vero's orders are not to disturb her today because she has a lot of shitloads to do."
Dude? What kind of office employee was he? He called the CEO by her name as if they were classmates. No "Miss" or "Ma'am."
"But..." I looked down.
"You can wait for her if you want," he said, returning to his game.
I blinked, then nodded in agreement.
"Okay. I'll just wait."
"Suit yourself."
I had no choice but to head to the bench across from the desk and do exactly as he said—wait.
(Third Person's POV)
The door to the conference room opened.
Investors and employees filed out, with Veronica right in the middle, focused and explaining something to one of them.
"I want these papers finalized by this weekend so we can finally start the project," she ordered the man holding the folders.
"Yes, Miss Vero."
"Don't 'yes-yes' me if you aren't going to finish it. Are you just trying to look good?" she snapped, making the man turn red with embarrassment.
A few investors and employees laughed, but they quickly fell silent when they saw Veronica's unimpressed expression as she crossed her arms. They even heard her mutter "WTF?" while rolling her eyes, completely indifferent to the fact that investors were present.
"I didn't say that to make you laugh. I'm asking him a question, you dimwit." She clicked her tongue and shook her head. "Now, finish the tasks I gave you this week or else I'll fire all of you."
"Yes, Miss!"
"Well then, if you don't have anything else to say, get the hell out of my face."
In less than a second, the employees scattered like bubbles. Three investors, who were now her official business partners, let out a soft laugh.
"I really can't believe I'm officially one of your business partners now, young Verdan," said a short investor with a large belly.
"Same. I can't believe it either." She gave a fake smile and shook his hand. "Don't you have work to do, Mr. Sy?"
They laughed and shook their heads.
"Don't worry, I have tons of work today."
"Then what are you still doing here? Leave already," she shooed them away.
Instead of being insulted or angry, they just laughed again and finally took their leave. She nodded, not even bothering to walk them to the elevator. Her? Walking guests out? Hell would freeze over before she did that.
She smirked, swept her hair back, and turned to the front desk, slamming her hand down on it.
"Hey, douchebag, what's next on my schedule?"
The man lazily looked at the computer on the desk where his feet were resting.
"Inspection of the ongoing construction site for one of our new projects."
"We have plenty of new projects, stupid. Which one?"
Theo rolled his eyes. "The construction of Verde IV condominium in Pasay."
Vero nodded, her gaze accidentally drifting forward. She froze when she saw a familiar man sitting on the waiting area bench, head bowed.
"Theodore? What time did this poor guy arrive?" she asked, pointing without taking her eyes off him.
"He's been here since eight, and please Vero, just call me Theo."
She turned back to Theo. "What?"
"He's been waiting for you for exactly..." Theo checked his watch. "Five hours, sixteen minutes, and twenty-eight seconds. It's already 12:54 PM."
Vero's mouth hung open before she looked back at the man.
His arms were crossed over his chest, his head down. His shoulders rose and fell slightly as he breathed, and his legs were crossed. His arm and leg muscles were bulging, clearly developed from hard labor rather than the gym.
Vero bit her lower lip, her eyes narrowing. "He's hot," she said, imagining what else might be bulging.
Theo groaned and rolled his eyes. "Then go on, go bite him already."
She grimaced at him. "Asshole."
"Bitch," he shot back.
She rolled her eyes at Theo before finally approaching Seph.
Her high heels clicked loudly with every step toward him. She was excited to see him again—the first time she'd ever felt this way about a guy.
When she stopped right in front of the sleeping Seph, she knelt down without hesitation. She didn't care about her revealing dress; one wrong tilt and she'd expose everything.
"Vero? What are you doing?" Theo asked, peeking from the front desk.
She ignored her friend. Instead, a smirk played on her lips as her hands slowly began to travel up the legs of the sleeping man. Her fingers "walked" along his black slacks, slowly and deliberately.
Until she reached his belt, which was peeling from age; her nail even caught on it as she moved it.
"What do we have here?" She tapped it with her finger and giggled.
She licked her lips, her gaze crawling up to Seph's face as he slept peacefully.
"Someone needs my 'friendly massage' for being a very good boy," she whispered, pulling down the zipper of his slacks. Her eyes widened as his boxer briefs were revealed.
"Oh, hello there, big boy." She chuckled. "I'll do it with my lips."
"What the actual fuck, Veronica?!" Theo screamed.
Theo scrambled up and ran toward her, frantically pulling her away from the oblivious, sleeping man.
"Oh, come on, Theo! Don't be a killjoy!" she laughed.
"No! You're being crazy again!"
"Let me go!"
Theo's grip on Veronica's waist tightened. "No!"
"Theodore!"
"One more word, Veronica, and I'll tell your brother!"
Vero shrieked as Theodore carried her away by the waist.
"Get off me! Theo!"
They were about to get clear when someone grabbed Theo's shoulder and met him with a powerful punch.
"Oh my gosh!" Vero gasped as he let her go.
Theo hit the floor, clutching his jaw. He glared up at the owner of the fist that had just landed on him.
"Are you alright, Ma'am?" Seph asked Vero as he turned to her.
"Oh my gosh!" she gasped again.
But it wasn't because of the punch. It was because her eyes were fixed on his boxers.
"That's a lot bigger than I thought," she said with a giggle.
"W-what—" Seph's eyes darted down to his pants on the floor, and he pulled them up in a flash. "W-why—w-why..." He looked back and forth between the two of them, completely lost.
"Sorry." She bit her lip as usual. "I can't help it. It looks delicious, though." She licked her lips.
Seph's entire face practically steamed as it turned bright red with shame. He covered his face with both palms.
'Please, floor. Just swallow me whole,' Seph pleaded in his mind.