MY BOSS IS MY SECRET

MY BOSS IS MY SECRET

Chapter 1:A New Beginning

The alarm rang loudly at exactly five in the morning.

Leira Dela Cruz slowly opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling for a few seconds. The sound of the old alarm filled her small room. Outside, it was still dark, and the air felt cold. She reached for her phone and turned it off.

For a moment, she didn’t move.

Today was her first day as a personal assistant at Monterde Group.

She slowly sat up on her bed and looked around her small room. The paint on the wall was already old and slightly fading. A small electric fan was still running beside her bed, making a soft sound. Clothes were folded neatly on a chair. It was not a fancy place, but it was the only home she had with her younger brother.

Leira sighed softly.

“First day… bawal magkamali,” she whispered to herself.

She stood up, fixed her bed, and went to the small kitchen area. Her younger brother Nathan was still sleeping in the other room. She peeked at him for a moment and smiled.

Nathan was still in school. Leira was the one working for both of them. After their parents passed away years ago, life became very hard. But she never gave up because she wanted Nathan to finish his studies.

She cooked a simple breakfast—fried egg and rice.

While eating alone, she opened her phone and checked the email again.

Monterde Group – Personal Assistant to the CEO

The salary was higher than anything she ever had before. It was enough to help Nathan and cover their needs.

But it also scared her.

“CEO… billionaire… baka sobrang strict,” she said softly.

She had never worked in a big company before.

After eating, she took a bath quickly and got dressed. She wore a simple blouse and black skirt. She tied her hair neatly and looked at herself in the mirror.

For a long time, she just stared.

Then she spoke softly.

“You can do this, Leira.”

She grabbed her bag, checked her documents, and went to Nathan’s room. She gently fixed his blanket before leaving.

“I’ll come back later, Nathan,” she whispered.

Then she left the house.

---

The bus ride felt long.

Leira sat near the window, holding her bag tightly. Outside, people were walking fast, cars were moving, and buildings were everywhere.

But inside her mind, it was not calm.

What if I make a mistake?

What if the CEO is scary?

What if I get fired on my first day?

She shook her head.

“No. Kailangan ko ‘to,” she told herself.

After almost an hour, the bus stopped near the business district. Leira got off and looked around.

Tall buildings surrounded her. Everyone looked busy and important.

Then she saw it.

A very tall glass building.

MONTERDE GROUP

Leira slowly looked up.

“Grabe…” she whispered. “Dito ako magtatrabaho?”

Her hands tightened around her bag. She felt small.

But she still walked forward.

---

Inside the building, everything felt different.

The lobby was clean, bright, and very quiet. The floor was shiny like glass. People were wearing suits and walking fast.

Leira walked to the reception desk.

A woman smiled at her politely.

“Good morning. How may I help you?”

Leira straightened her posture.

“I’m Leira Dela Cruz. First day ko po today as personal assistant ni Mr. Monterde.”

The receptionist checked the computer.

“Please wait a moment.”

Leira nodded and stepped aside.

Her heart was beating fast.

After a few minutes, a woman in a black suit walked toward her. She looked serious.

“I’m Cheska. Follow me.”

Leira followed quietly.

They walked through a long hallway. Glass offices were on both sides. Everyone looked busy.

Cheska didn’t talk much.

Leira just stayed quiet and followed.

Finally, they stopped in front of a big black door.

Cheska knocked.

“Sir, your new assistant is here.”

A deep voice answered.

“Come in.”

Leira swallowed hard.

This is it.

She slowly opened the door and stepped inside.

---

The office was large and cold.

There was a big desk in the middle, shelves full of documents, and a wide glass window showing the city.

Near the window stood a man.

Tall. Strong presence. Black suit.

He slowly turned around.

Leira froze.

He was very handsome, but his eyes were cold and serious.

“So… you’re my new assistant?” he asked.

“Yes, sir,” Leira answered quickly.

“I’m Zane Monterde,” he said.

Even his name sounded powerful.

Zane walked to his desk and sat down.

“I don’t like mistakes. I don’t like excuses. Understand?”

Leira nodded immediately.

“Yes, sir. I will do my best.”

Zane studied her for a few seconds.

Then he gave her a folder.

“Start with this.”

Leira took it carefully.

“Yes, sir.”

She walked to the side table.

But suddenly—

The folder slipped from her hands.

“Ah!”

Papers scattered on the floor.

Leira’s face turned red.

“I’m sorry, sir!”

She quickly knelt down and picked them up.

Zane stood up and walked toward her.

“First task… and you already made a mistake,” he said.

Leira lowered her head.

“I’m really sorry… first day ko po.”

Zane didn’t say anything for a moment.

Then he knelt down and helped her pick up the papers.

For a second, their hands touched.

Both of them stopped.

Something strange happened.

Zane looked at her closely.

Leira also felt something familiar. Like she had seen him before.

Zane slowly pulled his hand away.

“…Have we met before?” he asked.

Leira shook her head.

“I don’t think so, sir.”

But even she wasn’t sure.

---

Cheska watched from the door.

She didn’t like what she saw.

But she stayed quiet.

“I’ll leave you two,” she said.

Then she left.

Silence filled the room.

Leira continued picking up papers. Zane went back to his desk, but he kept looking at her from time to time.

After a few minutes, Leira finished.

“Sir, done na po.”

Zane nodded.

“Good.”

Leira stood still.

Then her eyes moved around the office.

And she saw something.

A photo frame on Zane’s desk.

She walked closer slowly when he wasn’t looking.

Her heart suddenly stopped.

In the photo, Zane was younger. Beside him was his father.

But beside them…

was her father.

Leira froze.

“No…”

She stepped closer again.

It was really him.

Her father.

Zane noticed her silence.

“What is it?” he asked.

Leira pointed at the photo.

“Sir… this man…”

Zane looked at it.

“That’s my father.”

Leira nodded.

“I know… pero yung isa… that’s my father po.”

Silence.

Heavy silence.

Zane’s eyes darkened slightly.

“That’s impossible,” he said.

Leira looked confused.

“Why, sir?”

Before he could answer, a knock interrupted.

“Sir, meeting is starting.”

Zane didn’t move his eyes from Leira.

“This is not over,” he said.

Then he left.

---

Leira stayed alone.

She looked again at the photo.

Her father… smiling beside the Monterde family.

Why were they together?

What really happened in the past?

Her hands trembled.

“Papa… ano bang tinatago mo?” she whispered.

For the first time, Leira felt something heavy in her chest.

Not just curiosity…

but fear.

Because deep inside, she felt it.

Her life was about to change.

And she was now inside a world connected to her father’s secret…

and Zane Monterde.

Chapter 2:A Mysterious Past

Leira couldn't stop staring at the photo.

Her father's smile looked real. He wasn't just standing beside the Monterde family. He looked close to them.

Her hands were shaking.

"What is this...?" she whispered.

She wanted to ask more questions, but Zane had already left for his meeting.

A few seconds later, Cheska entered the office.

"Leira."

Leira quickly stepped away from the desk.

"Y-Yes, ma'am?"

"You'll organize these files while Sir Zane is in the meeting."

"Yes, ma'am."

Cheska looked at her for a moment.

"You don't need to touch anything on Sir Zane's desk without permission."

Leira nodded.

"I'm sorry."

After Cheska left, Leira started arranging the documents.

But no matter how hard she tried to focus, the picture stayed in her mind.

Why did her father know the Monterde family?

And why did Zane say it was impossible?

---

Almost two hours later, Zane returned.

He looked tired after the meeting.

"Coffee."

Leira quickly stood up.

"Yes, sir."

She hurried to the pantry and prepared a cup of black coffee.

When she returned, she carefully placed it on his desk.

"Your coffee, sir."

"Thank you."

It was the first time she heard him say those words.

She smiled a little.

"You smiled."

Leira looked surprised.

"S-Sorry, sir."

"I didn't say it was bad."

Leira looked away, feeling embarrassed.

Maybe... he wasn't as scary as she first thought.

---

The rest of the morning was busy.

Zane asked Leira to answer phone calls, organize his schedule, and prepare documents.

She did everything carefully.

By lunchtime, she finally let out a deep breath.

"I survived half of the day," she said quietly.

She smiled to herself.

---

While eating in the pantry, another employee sat across from her.

"You're the new assistant, right?"

Leira nodded.

"Yes."

"I'm Ethan from the Marketing Department."

He smiled warmly.

"If Sir Zane didn't fire you on your first day, you're lucky."

Leira laughed a little.

"Is he really that strict?"

Ethan nodded.

"Very."

Before he could say more, everyone suddenly became quiet.

Leira turned around.

Zane had entered the pantry.

The room became silent.

He looked at everyone before his eyes stopped on Leira.

"Leira."

"Yes, sir?"

"My office. Five minutes."

"Yes, sir."

After Zane left, Ethan smiled.

"I think the boss likes you."

Leira almost choked on her juice.

"W-What? No!"

Everyone laughed.

But Leira's cheeks turned red.

---

Five minutes later, she entered Zane's office again.

"You called me, sir?"

Zane nodded.

"I have a question."

Leira waited quietly.

"Tell me about your father."

She looked surprised.

"My father passed away when I was young."

"What was his name?"

"Daniel Dela Cruz."

The moment Zane heard the name, his face changed.

He looked shocked.

Almost... worried.

"You may go."

Leira blinked.

"That's all?"

"Yes."

She slowly left the office.

Outside, she couldn't understand what had just happened.

Why did Zane react like that?

---

Inside the office, Zane remained standing.

He looked at the old picture again.

"Daniel Dela Cruz..." he whispered.

"It can't be..."

Just then, his phone rang.

It was his father.

He answered immediately.

"Dad."

"I heard your new assistant's last name."

"Yes."

There was silence.

Then Victor Monterde spoke in a serious voice.

"Stay away from that girl."

Zane frowned.

"Why?"

"You'll know soon."

The call suddenly ended.

Zane slowly lowered his phone.

For the first time in years...

He felt that the past was coming back

Chapter 3: The Warning

The next morning, Leira arrived at the office earlier than usual.

She didn't want to be late, especially after everything that happened yesterday.

When she reached Zane's office, she knocked gently.

"Come in."

She entered and smiled politely.

"Good morning, sir."

Zane looked up from his laptop.

"Good morning."

Leira was surprised.

Yesterday, he looked cold. Today, he seemed quieter.

"Sir, here's your schedule for today."

Zane took the folder.

"Thank you."

Leira nodded and turned around, but before she could leave—

"Leira."

She stopped.

"Yes, sir?"

"Don't go anywhere after work. I need to talk to you."

Leira looked confused.

"Okay, sir."

---

The whole day passed quickly.

Leira answered calls, prepared documents, and followed Zane's schedule.

She noticed that Zane kept looking at her from time to time.

Every time their eyes met, he quickly looked away.

She couldn't understand why.

---

During lunch break, Ethan found her again.

"Mind if I sit here?"

"Of course."

Ethan smiled.

"How's your job?"

"So far, okay naman. Nakakatakot lang si Sir Zane minsan."

Ethan laughed.

"He's always like that."

Before Leira could reply, Cheska suddenly walked over.

"Ethan, don't disturb her. She has work to do."

"I'm just talking to her."

"Then talk somewhere else."

Leira felt the tension between them.

After Cheska left, Ethan sighed.

"She doesn't like anyone getting close to Sir Zane."

Leira frowned.

"Why?"

Ethan smiled.

"Maybe because she likes him."

Leira's eyes widened.

"Really?"

Ethan only laughed.

---

That afternoon, Leira was arranging some files when she heard loud voices from inside Zane's office.

She accidentally stopped walking.

The door wasn't fully closed.

"I told you to stay away from her!"

It was an older man's voice.

Leira carefully looked through the small opening.

A man in his fifties stood in front of Zane.

He looked powerful.

It was Victor Monterde.

"I need to know the truth," Zane said.

"Some truths should stay buried."

Victor's voice sounded angry.

"If Leira finds out, everything will be ruined."

Leira's heart started beating fast.

Why were they talking about her?

Suddenly—

The door opened.

Victor looked directly at her.

Their eyes met.

"You..."

Leira froze.

Victor slowly walked toward her.

"So you're Daniel Dela Cruz's daughter."

Leira couldn't speak.

"You look just like your mother."

Before she could ask anything, Victor's face became serious.

"Listen carefully."

He stepped closer.

"For your own safety..."

"Leave this company."

Without another word, Victor walked away.

Leira stood there, unable to move.

---

That evening, the office was almost empty.

Leira quietly packed her things.

Her mind was full of questions.

Why did Victor want her to leave?

What happened between their families?

As she walked outside the building, she didn't notice a black car parked across the street.

Inside the car, someone was watching her.

The person picked up a phone.

"She's here."

A cold voice answered from the other line.

"Don't let her discover the truth."

The call ended.

Leira had no idea...

Someone had already started following her.

Chapter 4: Someone Is Following Me

Leira walked toward the bus stop without knowing that someone was watching her.

She looked tired after her first few days at work.

All she wanted was to go home and rest.

As she waited for the bus, she suddenly felt like someone was staring at her.

She slowly looked around.

There were many people, but no one looked familiar.

"Maybe I'm just overthinking," she whispered.

A bus arrived, and she quickly got on.

---

A few minutes later, the same black car started following the bus from a distance.

Inside the car, a man was talking on the phone.

"She's on the bus now."

The person on the other line replied,

"Don't lose her."

"Yes, sir."

---

When Leira finally arrived home, Nathan greeted her with a big smile.

"Ate! You're home!"

Leira smiled and hugged him.

"How was school?"

"It was fun! How about your new job?"

Leira sat on the sofa and let out a deep sigh.

"It's okay... but something feels strange."

Nathan looked worried.

"What happened?"

Leira told him about the old photo, Victor Monterde, and the warning she received.

Nathan became quiet.

"So... you think Papa really knew them?"

"I don't know."

She looked at the old family picture on the shelf.

"I wish Papa were here."

---

The next morning, Leira arrived at the office.

As she entered the building, she noticed the same black car parked outside.

She stopped walking.

"Was that car here yesterday?"

Before she could think more about it, Cheska called her.

"Leira."

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Sir Zane wants you in his office."

Leira nodded and quickly went upstairs.

She knocked on the door.

"Come in."

She entered.

"You called me, sir?"

Zane looked at her for a moment.

"You don't look okay."

Leira hesitated.

"Sir... can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Why does your father want me to leave this company?"

Zane became silent.

He looked down before answering.

"I don't know everything."

"But I know he's hiding something."

Leira frowned.

"What kind of secret?"

Before Zane could answer, his phone rang.

He looked at the screen.

It was Victor Monterde.

Zane rejected the call.

"I'll find out the truth," he said.

"And when I do..."

"I'll tell you everything."

Leira looked at him.

For the first time, she felt that Zane was not her enemy.

He also wanted answers.

---

That afternoon, Leira went to the storage room to get some old files.

While looking through the shelves, she noticed a dusty box.

It had the word CONFIDENTIAL written on it.

She slowly opened it.

Inside were old documents and photographs.

One picture immediately caught her attention.

It showed her father and Victor Monterde shaking hands.

Written on the back of the photo were the words:

"Our biggest secret. Never tell anyone."

Leira's hands started shaking.

"What does this mean...?"

Just then, she heard footsteps outside the room.

Someone was coming.

She quickly hid the photo inside her bag.

The doorknob slowly turned.

Chapter 5: The Secret File

The doorknob slowly turned.

Leira quickly closed the box and acted like she was looking for documents.

The door opened.

It was Zane.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

Leira took a deep breath.

"Sir, Cheska asked me to get some old files."

Zane looked around the storage room.

"I see."

For a moment, Leira thought he noticed the photo inside her bag.

But he simply nodded.

"Come with me. We have an important meeting."

"Yes, sir."

Leira quietly followed him.

---

After the meeting, it was already late in the afternoon.

Leira finally had time to look at the old photo again.

She locked the office door and carefully took it out of her bag.

She read the words written on the back once more.

"Our biggest secret. Never tell anyone."

She couldn't stop thinking about it.

"What secret...?" she whispered.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

She quickly hid the photo.

"Come in."

It was Ethan.

"Leira, Sir Zane is looking for you."

"I'll be there."

---

When Leira entered Zane's office, he was standing by the window.

"You wanted to see me, sir?"

Zane turned to face her.

"I'm going to visit one of our old warehouses tomorrow."

Leira looked confused.

"Why, sir?"

"I found some old company records."

"They might tell us something about our fathers."

Leira's eyes widened.

"You mean... you're also investigating?"

Zane nodded.

"I don't believe everything my father says anymore."

Leira smiled a little.

"Thank you... for trusting me."

For the first time, Zane smiled back.

It was only for a second.

But it was enough to make Leira's heart beat faster.

---

Meanwhile...

Inside Victor Monterde's office.

A man wearing a black jacket stood in front of him.

"They're getting closer to the truth, sir."

Victor's face became serious.

"I warned Zane."

"But he didn't listen."

The man lowered his head.

"What should we do?"

Victor looked out the window.

"If they find that file..."

"Our lives will never be the same again."

---

The next morning, Zane and Leira left together for the old warehouse.

The building looked abandoned.

Dust covered the windows, and everything was quiet.

Leira felt nervous.

"Are you sure this is the place?"

Zane nodded.

"My father used to come here years ago."

They slowly walked inside.

There were old cabinets, broken tables, and stacks of dusty boxes.

After a few minutes of searching, Leira found a locked drawer.

"Sir!"

"I found something."

Zane walked over.

The drawer was old, but someone had recently scratched the lock.

"It's been opened before," Zane said.

He managed to force it open.

Inside was a thick brown envelope.

On the front were the words:

For Daniel Dela Cruz.

Leira's hands trembled.

"That's... my father's name."

Before they could open it—

A loud crash echoed through the warehouse.

Someone had entered.

Zane quickly stood in front of Leira to protect her.

"Who's there?" he shouted.

No one answered.

Only slow footsteps could be heard...

getting closer and closer.

Chapter 6: The Brown Envelope

The footsteps became louder.

Leira held the brown envelope tightly.

Her heart was beating so fast that she could barely breathe.

Zane looked around the warehouse.

"Who's there?" he shouted again.

Still, no one answered.

After a few seconds, a man wearing a black hoodie suddenly ran past them.

"Hey!" Zane yelled.

The man pushed over a pile of old boxes and ran toward the exit.

"Stay here!" Zane told Leira.

Then he chased the man.

Leira watched as both of them disappeared outside the warehouse.

She was left alone.

---

Leira looked down at the envelope in her hands.

It was old and covered with dust.

She slowly opened it.

Inside were several papers and one small letter.

Her hands trembled as she unfolded it.

The letter read:

> Daniel,

If you're reading this, it means something bad has already happened.

I know the truth will come out one day. Please protect your family.

Don't let Victor find this letter.

I'm sorry for everything.

— Adrian

Leira frowned.

"Who is Adrian?"

Before she could read the other papers—

"Leira!"

She quickly looked up.

Zane had returned.

"He escaped," Zane said, breathing heavily.

Leira showed him the letter.

"I found this."

Zane carefully read it.

His face suddenly became serious.

"I know this name."

"You do?"

"Adrian was my father's business partner many years ago."

Leira looked shocked.

"Then... he knew my father too?"

Zane nodded slowly.

"It looks like all of them were connected."

---

As they continued checking the envelope, another paper fell onto the floor.

It was an old newspaper clipping.

The headline read:

"Businessman Dies in Mysterious Fire."

There was a photo beside the article.

Leira picked it up.

Her eyes widened.

"Sir..."

She handed it to Zane.

The man in the picture looked exactly like the person who signed the letter.

"Adrian..."

Zane whispered.

"But according to this..."

"He died twenty years ago."

The two looked at each other.

If Adrian died years ago...

Who wrote the letter?

---

That evening, they returned to the office.

Neither of them spoke during the drive.

There were simply too many questions.

As Leira was about to go home, Zane stopped her.

"Leira."

"Yes, sir?"

"If anything strange happens..."

"Call me immediately."

Leira smiled.

"I will."

For the first time, she felt safe whenever Zane was around.

---

Meanwhile...

In a dark room, the man in the black hoodie removed his hood.

He picked up his phone.

"They found the envelope."

A familiar voice answered.

"I expected that."

"What should we do now?"

The person laughed softly.

"Let them keep searching."

"The real secret isn't inside that envelope."

The call ended.

The man looked at an old photograph on the table.

It showed Daniel Dela Cruz, Victor Monterde...

and a young boy standing between them.

The boy's face had been torn off.

Chapter 7: The Missing Boy

The next morning, Leira woke up feeling tired.

She couldn't stop thinking about the torn photo.

Who was the little boy?

And why was his face ripped off?

After getting ready, she went to work.

As soon as she entered the office, Cheska approached her.

"Sir Zane wants to see you."

"Thank you."

Leira hurried to Zane's office.

She knocked on the door.

"Come in."

When she entered, Zane was already waiting.

"I didn't sleep well," he admitted.

"Me too, sir."

Zane placed the torn photo on the table.

"I had someone check this picture."

Leira looked at him.

"And?"

"They found out where it was taken."

Her eyes widened.

"Where?"

"At an old orphanage."

Leira looked confused.

"An orphanage?"

Zane nodded.

"It closed almost twenty years ago."

"Then let's go there," Leira said.

Zane smiled a little.

"I was hoping you'd say that."

---

That afternoon, they drove to the old orphanage.

The building was old and covered with vines.

The gate was rusty, and the place looked empty.

Leira felt a chill.

"It feels scary here."

"Stay close to me," Zane said.

She nodded.

They slowly walked inside.

Dust covered everything.

Old toys were scattered on the floor.

It looked like no one had lived there for years.

While looking around, Leira noticed a small room at the end of the hallway.

The door was half open.

She pushed it gently.

Inside was an old office.

There were broken shelves and stacks of dusty files.

Zane searched the cabinets while Leira looked at the desk.

Suddenly, she found a small notebook.

"Sir, I found something."

Zane walked over.

The notebook contained the names of children who once lived there.

As Leira turned the pages, one name caught her attention.

Zane Monterde.

"What?" she whispered.

She quickly looked at Zane.

"Sir... your name is here."

Zane took the notebook.

His face turned pale.

"That's impossible."

"I was never an orphan."

Leira continued reading.

On the next line was another name.

Leira Dela Cruz.

Both of them froze.

Leira slowly shook her head.

"No..."

"I've never been here."

Zane looked at her in shock.

"Someone is hiding the truth about us."

---

Just then, they heard a voice behind them.

"I knew you would come."

They quickly turned around.

An old woman was standing at the door.

Her hair was white, and she was holding a walking stick.

"I was the caretaker of this orphanage," she said.

Leira stepped closer.

"Do you know us?"

The old woman looked at them carefully.

Then tears filled her eyes.

"I've been waiting for this day."

"You two..."

"...were brought here on the same night."

Leira's heart almost stopped.

"What do you mean?"

The old woman took a deep breath.

"Because twenty years ago..."

"...someone tried to kill both of you."

Leira and Zane looked at each other in complete shock.

CHAPTER 8: The Truth Behind Everything (Final Chapter)

Leira and Zane stood silently after hearing the old woman's story.

She smiled sadly before speaking.

"Twenty years ago, your fathers were best friends and business partners. They built the company together."

Leira couldn't believe it.

"So... my father was innocent?"

The old woman nodded.

"Yes. Someone framed him for stealing money. Victor believed the lie, and your fathers became enemies. Later, Victor learned the truth, but it was already too late."

Just then, Victor Monterde arrived.

He looked at Leira with tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I blamed your father without knowing the whole truth."

Leira remembered everything her family had been through. She took a deep breath and smiled.

"I forgive you."

Victor lowered his head.

"Thank you."

A few weeks later, Victor told the public the truth and cleared Daniel Dela Cruz's name. Everyone finally knew that Leira's father was innocent and one of the original founders of Monterde Group.

Life slowly became peaceful.

Leira continued working at the company while finishing her studies. Nathan was happy to see his sister smiling again.

One evening, after work, Zane invited Leira to the rooftop.

"Thank you for staying," he said.

Leira smiled.

"I never thought my first job would change my life."

Zane laughed softly.

"It changed mine too."

He looked at her.

"Would you like to have dinner with me?"

Leira smiled brightly.

"I'd love to."

As they looked at the city lights together, Leira whispered,

"Papa... your name is finally clear."

This time, there were no more secrets.

Only a new beginning for Leira and Zane.

THE END🌺