Under the Veiled Sky

Chapter 1: Secretary

I stared at myself in the mirror. I had practiced a fake smile earlier, and I was low-key proud that it looked real. I applied my dark red lipstick before spraying some of my favorite perfume. After being satisfied with my looks, I grabbed my handbag and left my condo. Yes, I bought a condo near the company of Rhys for less hassle. It is a five-minute walk.

It's been days since I applied to Montgomery Corporation, and luckily, I got hired. However, the first week of my supposed-to-be secretary job was not exciting. Rhys is on vacation, and yesterday was his last day trip. That's why my manager told me to start today instead. I couldn't wait anymore, after years of hating their family, I could now see one of them in person. As I said, my identity was hidden; it was my parents' decision, after all, that's why I didn't stop them. I am running my own company but not using our surname to hide my connection.

The public is aware that Winchester has an heiress, but that's the only thing that they know. For me, it is much better, I don't depend on my parents' money because I earn on my own.

After several minutes, I arrived at the company, and the gossip was all over the place. I also found out that it was a two-week vacation that Rhys had. So he took away my investor while on vacation? The audacity of this man.

While walking, I can feel the other employee watching me walk towards Rhys' office. I wouldn't think they are surprised that, finally, he already has a secretary.

When I was about to enter his office, a girl with long and straight hair approached me. "Hi! Are you the newly hired secretary of Mr. Montgomery?" she asked.

I was surprised by her sudden move, as I looked at her thoroughly, I noticed that she looked like a soft girl. I guess she wouldn't interfere with my plan, so I faced her with a bright smile, a fake one, though.

"Yes, is Mr. Montgomery inside?" I politely asked.

She nodded. "Yup! Anyway, I just came to say that you're so gorgeous!"

I smiled and thanked her.

"I hope you won't have a hard time with our boss, he's kinda—you know?" It looks like she can't say it directly.

I looked at her with curiosity evident on my face. "What is he like?"

"He's short-tempered, sharp-tongued, moody, and sometimes arrogant. That's why the previous secretaries had resigned within just a week or two. So, just tell me if you can't bear with him anymore, I'll help you get away from him." she stated, trying to warn me. She's cute.

I chuckled softly, "Thank you, but I'm fine."

She responded with a smile again; she looked at my ID and showed me hers as well. Her name is Valeria. We didn't talk too much because she excused herself after receiving a phone call.

I knocked three times at Rhys' office door, but I didn't get a response. I tried it again, but I still failed; I heard someone say that I should just open the door because maybe their boss was just doing something.

When I entered, I immediately turned my back away from him. For Pete's sake! He is shirtless! What the f**k is he thinking?! This is his goddamn office and he uses it to show off his body?!

"I-I'm sorry, I thought—"

"Good morning, are you my new secretary?" he cut off.

"Yes, sir," I said, facing the door and still not looking at him.

"Okay, you can face me now," he declared. I was hesitant at first, but I still did. I've seen another guy's upper body a few times already; why am I still this affected? This is some kind of bullshit. I need to act professionally.

As I inspect him, he looks more flawless in person, he's taller than I, even though I am 5'7" and currently wearing 5-inch heels. I think he's around 6'2" tall. His office attire is perfectly ironed which gives him more charm. Other than that, I did not notice anything more.

I went near him and told him about his upcoming scheduled meeting, including one with my former investor, Ms. Johannes.

"Ms. Johannes said that she wants to meet you privately," I started. "She suggested a nearby cafeteria—"

"Just tell her to come here to my office. I am too lazy to go out," he cut me off again.

Putangina, kanina pa ako 'di pinapatapos nito, ah? He's really testing my patience.

I had no other choice, I excused myself to call his investor and told her to come to his office. I am actually hoping that they won't get along well so that she'll contact me again. Unfortunately, Ms. Johannes agreed to meet him here in his office.

"Your next meeting is scheduled later at 9:30." I declared in a low voice. Our distance is not that far so I know he can hear it. "Ms. Johannes said that she is currently on her way here. Should I tell her to come directly here in your office?"

He nodded without looking at me, he's busy typing something on his laptop. After I discussed his schedule for today, I excused myself to go to my own table.

Thirty minutes had passed and nakita ko na si Ms. Johannes na lumabas ng opisina ni Rhys. He walked her out of his office, pinanood ko lang silang mag-usap at wala sana akong balak na lumapit para i-guide si Ms. Johannes hanggang sa labas ng office, pero sinenyasan naman ako ni Rhys na lumapit sa kanila.

"Escort her out, then go to my office after." utos nito, tanging tango lang ang naisagot ko dahil trabaho ko rin naman iyon.

We are inside the elevator currently. Hindi ako nagsasalita, at blangkong nakatitig lang sa kawalan.

"Mr. Montgomery is indeed handsome, It was my first time seeing him in person."

I was shocked when she started talking. Kami lang ang nasa loob ng elevator kaya naman nabigla ako nang basagin niya ang katahimikan.

I nodded. I'll be brutally honest, his physical appearance is really on fire, pero hindi ibig sabihin noon ay hindi ko na ipapatuloy ang plano ko.

"Do you think he's taken already?" She asked.

Umiling ako. "He's very secretive person, wala naman po siyang dinalang babae sa kompanya at ipinakilalang girlfriend." Sagot ko. Although bago palang ako, totoo naman ang sinabi ko dahil wala naman talagang nabalita kahit dati pa.

Pero sa tingin ko, he is womanizer. Hitsura pa lang, obvious na.

"I see," she commented, hinatid ko na siya hanggang sa harapan ng kompanya. I was dumbfounded walking back inside dahil final na talaga 'yung usapan nila.

Hindi ko ipinahalatang bad mood ako, baka iba pa ang isipin ng mga employee rito. Yes I am disappointed, pero there's a part of me telling me that it was alright, hindi naman iyon malaking kawalan sa kompanya ko. It won't be destroyed just because one investor decided to wirhdrew her investment.

Dumiretso agad ako sa opisina ni Rhys. I forced myself to look calm, even though kating-kati na ang mukha kong irapan siya.

He ordered me to print some documents that he needed and also asked for a coffee. Of course sumunod ako, ipinagtimpla ko siya ng kape. Kahit nga gusto kong budburan 'yon ng lason ay hindi ko tinuloy dahil wala pa akong napapala.

"Maybe next time," I whispered to myself.

I immediately brought it to his office, I gently put it beside his laptop. Gumilid lang ako habang sumisimsim siya ng kape. Hindi ko alam kung maayos ba pagkakatimpla ko kasi inuutusan ko lang din naman 'yung secretary ko noon na ipagtimpla ako.

"Ang tabang," he complained.

What? Kulang ba sa asukal? Nasobrahan sa tubig?

"I'm sorry, Sir. I'll try to make one again—"

"No need, just buy me one from outside, diyan sa malapit na coffee shop." He cut me off.

What!? Ang init-init! Papalabasin niya pa ako sa oras na 'to?! It's already lunch time and ang tingkad ng araw!

Inabot niya 'yung card niya at sinenyasan akong lumabas na ng opisina niya. Sinunod ko nalang siya at agad na lumabas. Of course I brought my umbrella with me, and kahit malapit lang 'yung coffee shop na sinasabi niya ay sumakay pa rin ako ng taxi.

Nagtataka pa nga 'yung driver dahil halos isang minuto lang 'yung biyahe namin. But I didn't care, kaysa naman mainitan ako?

I rolled my eyes seeing too many people ordering. It was crowded inside, and the line was long at the counter. Wala akong ibang nagawa kundi pumila nalang rin. Do I have a choice? Wala naman.

I think inabot muna ng 20 minutes bago ko makuha 'yung order ko. I immediately took taxi para rin makabalik ako kaagad. Halos takbuhin ko na papunta sa opisina niya para lang hindi na ako matagalan pa.

"Here's your coffee, sir." mahinahon kong saad. I was running out of breath dahil sa pagtakbo ko, muntikang pa nga akong madulas because someone was mopping the floor, mabuti nalang at nakaiwas ako agad.

"Nawalan na ako ng gana, you can drink it."

What the actual f**k?

"Sir?" I asked for confirmation.

"I said you can drink it. You arrived too late, I don't want it anymore."

The nerve of this man.

"My apologies, the coffee shop that you mentioned was too crowded kaya natagalan ako." seryoso kong saad.

"It wasn't my fault though," he arrogantly replied.

It was you f*****g fault. Sino ba naman kasi ang tangang magkakape sa tanghaling tapat?!

His coffee doesn't suit my taste. Kaya naman nang makalabas ako ng opisina niya ay agad ko iyong itinapon. Pera niya naman 'yung nasayang, hindi sa akin.

It was already lunch time kaya naman wala nang empleyado sa loob. I was about to head to the restroom nang bigla akong nilapitan ni Valeria.

"Sabay tayo mag lunch," she said sweetly.

I smiled at her and nodded. I don't want to look like a loner eating alone that's why I agreed.

We're currently at the office canteen where she brought me. I was staring blankly at the cooked dishes, at wala akong nagustuhan doon.

"You know what? Let's just go to the nearby restaurant." I declared. There's no way I am going to eat these dishes, 'yung iba ay sobrang oily, 'yung iba naman ay halos tira-tira nalang dahil matatapos na rin naman 'tong lunch break.

"Mapapamahal tayo! Mabuti rito libre lang,"

I forced myself not to roll my eyes. Hindi rin naman kasi pwede na tiisin ko 'tong lunch na 'to! No way!

"It's my treat—"

"Ganon? Tara na!" she excitedly said at agad na naunang maglakad sa akin.

Madali naman palang kausap.

*

Mabilis lang kaming naglunch. I received a phone call from Rhys telling me to go back to his office immediately, may naghahanap daw sa akin.

Sino kaya 'yon?

Dumiretso ako sa office ni Rhys nang makarating. I was expecting him to be the one I'll see pero nagkamali ako. It was a woman sitting on the couch while holding her cup of tea. When I caught her attention, she immediately signaled me to come closer to her.

It was Mrs. Montgomery, Rhys' mother. She looks intimidating because of her aura and the way she looks at me straight in the eyes. I acted normal and pretended that it was my first time meeting her.

"Is he treating you well?" she started.

Is he talking about his son? I blinked twice before talking. "Yes po, he's kind..."

"I found out that you were a nursing student before,"

I nodded. "Yes po, it was my mother's dream for me before she passed away, even though it wasn't what I wanted before, I still chose to study for her."

Of course it's a lie. My mother is still alive and I did not studied medicine. I only faked my details para hindi ako mapaghinalaan.

"How thoughtful of you, hija." she said gently. "You might be wondering why I wanted to meet you," she added.

I looked at her, kanina pa talaga ako curios bakit niya ako gustong makita.

"My son is currently treating himself, mayroon siyang asthma and sometimes his trauma is haunting him which leads him to having trouble breathing," she stated. "He refused to have personal nurse because he doesn't want a stranger to look after him. I guess you already know that he doesn't trust anyone immediately that's why wala siyang permanent na secretary," she added.

I wonder... Bakit kaya ako natanggap agad kung mahirap siyang magtiwala?

"And since you're accepted as his secretary, he knows you're capable of doing things. You're no longer a stranger to him, kaya naisipan ko rin na ikaw nalang ang i-hire ko bilang personal assistant and nurse niya, if that's okay with you."

"Your salary will be tripled, and doon ka na titira sa bahay niya every weekdays, but if you're not comfortable with it, I'll provide you a condo near his house."

I'm sure my mother wouldn't allow me to live with a guy, especially this Montgomery. But if this will be the way for me to know his plans, I am willing to take the risk.

Without hesitation, I nodded. "I'm totally fine with it, ma'am. But I have to ask for Mr. Montgomery's permission first—"

"It's okay, I already talked to him, hindi naman siya tumanggi, there are four maids, driver, and bodyguards na makakasama niyo sa bahay niya, so no need to worry." she stated. "And mamaya na 'yung start mo, I already sent your advance salary to your account," dugtong pa nito.

"Iyon lang ang ipinunta ko, hija. Thank you for accepting my request, it means a lot to me." She said sincerely.

I escorted her out of the office, matapos noon ay dumiretso ako sa bangko para tingnan rin ang balance ko, I also created another account for this act that I do. I requested my brother to arrange it for me, it was still named Maeve pero ang ginamit kong surname ay hindi Winchester, dahil panigurado ay magtataka si Rhys kung kaano-ano ko ang mga Winchester.

The name that I am using right now is my second name, Maeve Diaz, ginamit ko 'yung middle name ni Mom sa pagkadalaga para malayo na rin sa Winchester.

I was shocked when I saw my account's balance. She just transferred me 210k! Ganito ba ang kikitain ko every month?!

*

"Maeve! Uuwi ka na ba?" Valeria asked.

Tumango ako, kailangan kong mag-ayos na sa condo ko dahil madalang nalang akong makakauwi doon, every weekends nalang.

"Sabay tayo?" She offered, pumayag naman ako, tumungo muna kami sa mall dahil bibili raw siya ng regalo para sa asawa niya.

I was actually shocked that she's already married at may isang anak na rin, well, kaedaran ko lang naman siya pero ako? I haven't even experienced being in a relationship. I was too focused on myself before (until now) and I think men are only distractions.

I also brought night clothes dahil puro lingerie lang ang mayroon ako sa condo, of course hindi ko iyon susuotin sa bahay ni Rhys 'no! I am a very conservative woman and I won't let Rhys see me wearing those, my future husband will only be the one I'll allow.

After shopping, dumiretso rin kami sa toy store para rin bumili para sa anak niya. Her son's name is Ethan, she told me that he's already 6 years old and mahilig daw siya sa lego and hobby din ang pagbabasa.

Well, since malaki naman ang first sahod ko, binilhan ko si Ethan, I don't like children and I am not even close to my niece and nephews pero I think this kid is a good boy to his mom, he actually called her earlier and sobrang galang ng boses nito.

"That's actually a lot, Maeve... Pero thank you! For sure magugustuhan 'to ni Ethan," mangiyak-ngiyak niyang sabi, tinulungan ki siyang ilagay 'yung pinamili namin sa cart at lumabas na kami. We took the same taxi since same lang naman direction ng bahay nila sa bahay ni Rhys.

I still haven't informed her about the offer that I accepted from Rhys' mother. Hindi naman siya nagtanong kaya hindi ko sinabi, hindi naman ako 'yung tipo na palakwento.

Nang makarating ako sa bahay ni Rhys, one of his maid told me that he's already at his room, iginaya niya nalang ako sa kwarto ko. This house is actually huge and spacious, dalawang palapag at mayroong rooftop.

"Thank you, aunt Teresa." saad ko sa kaniya nang maihatid ako sa kwarto ko.

I roamed around the room, mayroon akong sariling bathroom and malaki rin ang space sa loob, may dalawang malaking cabinet, vanity table, and one study table.

I took a cold shower at agad na nagbihis, matapos, I immediately arranged the clothes that I bought earlier, I put it inside the cabinet neatly. I was about to close it's door when some figure at the corner caught my attention, natatago iyon at nasa pinaka-gilid.

I did not hesitated to grab it, it was a brown teddy bear that looks old already because of it's slightly torn clothes.

"Why are you holding that?"

I was startled when someone talked behind my back. I looked at him in horror because he's too close to me, I did not even noticed him entering my room.

"Well—I just... saw this inside my cabinet," I said in a low voice.

He snatched it away from me and turned his back, he was about to leave my room when I noticed him having trouble breathing.

"Sir? Are you okay? W-What happened?!" I asked nervously.

He was still holding the teddy bear with his left hand but his right hand is struggling to loosen his tie. Agad ko siyang tinulak papunta sa gilid ng kama para doon siya paupuin. I called aunt Teresa for help, agad naman itong lumapit sa amin dala-dala ang gamot ni Rhys.

Agad kong inabot sa kaniya 'yung isang capsule at pinainom siya ng tubig. I am still in shock and I don't know how to process my mind after watching him, sunod-sunod ang pagtulo ng luha sa mata niya na ikinagulat ko. Aunt Teresa also excused herself dahil ayaw daw ni Rhys na mayroong ibang andito.

When he started to calm down, agad ko namang binuksan 'yung nebulizer niya at inabot ito sa kaniya. I sat beside him while caressing his back. I also noticed that he's still having trouble na tanggalin 'yung tie niya.

"I'll do it," seryoso kong saad, hindi naman na ito tumanggi.

I helped him remove his necktie and also unbuttoned his polo para rin siya hindi masyadong mainitan.

Nang matapos niyang gamitin 'yung nebulizer niya ay agad akong kumuha ng panyo para punasan ang mukha niya. I still can't believe watching him cry. I wonder what triggered him, was it the teddy bear?

"Okay ka na ba?"

What the heck is wrong with me?! He's obviously not okay!

"Leave me alone," utos niya.

"I can't, hindi ka pa kumakalma—"

"I said leave me alone!"

I beg your finest f*****g pardon? Ako pa pinapaalis niya sa kwarto ko?

"I said I won't!" I yelled.

He was shocked when I raised my voice at him, he looked away after meeting my gaze.

"I just c-can't let you watch me being like this," he said in a low voice.

I rolled my eyes. "You shouldn't be ashamed because this is my job, sir." I stated. "I am here to help you," I added as I slowly went in front of him.

"I am telling the truth earlier, hindi ko alam kung paano napunta 'yung teddy bear dito sa kwarto ko," simula ko. "Hindi ko alam na 'yun pala ang pwedeng maka-trigger sa trauma mo," dagdag ko pa.

"You knew?"

Tumango ako. "Your mother told me,"

He brushed his fingers through his hair, mukha siyang kawawa sa mukha niya ngayon. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako parang nag-aalala para sa kaniya.

Without him noticing, pinulot ko 'yung teddy bear na nasa lapag at agad 'yong ibinalik sa cabinet.

"Anong nararamdaman mo?"

"I don't know," he shrugged his shoulders.

"You should get a rest,"

"Can I..."

I raised my brow at him. "What?"

"Can I sleep with you?"