The CEO's Temporary Assistant

Mrs. Guada Fabien

Elise looked up and saw Olivia with a cup of coffee in her hand.

“You couldn't flatter me by giving me a coffee. For your information, I do not drink coffee,” she said.

“Really?" Olivia replied, giving her a lopsided smile. "That’s not what I remembered when you— “

“Don’t you dare mention that to my aunt or anyone!” Elise hastily said as she put a finger on the CEO's lips.

“Get your filthy finger away from my lips, probinsyana,” Olivia said between gritted teeth. Elise immediately withdrew her hand with contempt. She then stomped away from her, but Olivia drastically grabbed her and pinned her to the back of her car. Her other hand was still holding the coffee she had ordered.

“No one walks away from me, Elise. Never do that again, or else..."

Elise’s brows knitted into a frown. “Or else what, Miss Fabien? You couldn't threaten me." And yet, as they stood close to each other, Elise couldn't stop but marvel at the alluring eyes of this wealthy CEO, and how her breath brushed her nose with the scent of peppermint. Elise could suddenly feel her heart beating wildly inside her chest, but she needed to stay focused. She had never felt this way with girls before. Back then, she had only gotten nervous around her childhood crush, Jake. Funny how Olivia seemed to have doubled the effect on her.

“You asked for coffee, Miss Elise. So, I’m giving you one," Olivia replied in an irritated tone as she shoved it to her. A familiar and popular green logo was printed on the cup.

"Look, I don't know what you're talking about! We just met yesterday, Miss Fabien. I asked nothing of you except for that underwear you stole from me.”

Elise turned scarlet again when she recalled how this lady had toyed with her undergarment yesterday. “Speaking of which, give it back. I’m sure you already have a lot of panties to use. You don’t need what’s mine.”

She then saw a hint of annoyance in Olivia’s face as the latter squinted her eyes and tightened her jaw. “Tell me, Elise. Don't you really remember anything that happened last night?"

"As I've said, I don't remember anything,” Elise replied, forcing herself to stare into those coffee-brown eyes that had been haunting her dreams. There was something in those eyes that drew her to Olivia, even though her personality wasn't as pleasant as her face. But just as Elise started to feel the magnetic pull of those alluring eyes, everything that had happened last night in Olivia's suite was revealed in the back of her mind.

Olivia immediately caught that sense of recognition in Elise's face that she wouldn't be able to deny it anymore. The CEO drew a smirk as she continued to pin Elise on the car. “I could see from the looks on your face that you have already remembered something,” Olivia said, clearly amused by her manipulations.

“I-I was drunk,” Elise pointed out in a defensive voice. “And FYI, Miss CEO, I wasn’t asking you for some coffee.”

“Really? You mumbled about it before you collapsed in my arms, Elise. What good will it do if you keep denying it?"

"I didn't mean to pass out, okay? And I'm not denying anything. Can you please release me now?"

But Olivia did not budge, making her feel even more irritated.

"Look, Miss Fabien. I couldn’t breathe when we suddenly collided, and again, I was drunk. That night, all I saw were your eyes. They were so brown, just like the color of coffee. You've only misunderstood what I said. Now, will you please back off, Miss Olivia? It’s already getting uncomfortable here.”

“So, you like my eyes?” Olivia asked instead of releasing her. This time, her hand had already found its way to her waist.

“W-what are you doing?” she stammered as she continued to stare at Olivia’s enticing face. This girl in front of her was insanely beautiful. If only her attitude were pleasing...

“You should still drink this coffee,” Olivia said in a demanding voice. She had finally let her go from captivity.

“Why did you even bother?” Elise replied, thankful that Olivia had finally backed away from her, although the beating of her heart was still loud inside her chest.

“I can afford expensive things, Elise. Even that coffee is expensive. So, you better drink that.”

Just then, Aunt Milda was already coming out of the hotel along with some bodyguards. Olivia casually stepped back as she rested her sunglasses on her perfectly shaped nose bridge.

“Children, what are you doing? Let’s go now,” said Aunt Milda as she drew nearer.

Elise looked over her shoulder and saw Olivia peeking through her car window. She was smirking like a gorgeous little devil, and she couldn't help but get even more annoyed. “That girl always gets under my skin,” Elise said to herself. The cup of coffee was still hot in her hand.

“Excuse me, Auntie Milda,” Olivia said, rolling her car window down. Milda looked up, beaming.

"Yes, dear?"

"What does she want this time?" Elise couldn't stop herself from groaning.

"Elise is riding with me."

“What?! Of course not!"

Aunt Milda chuckled softly, glancing at the two girls with amusement. "Well, the boss already said it. Go on, Elise. Olivia’s right. The two of you should ride with each other. After all, you’ll be together in the mansion. It would be nice if you start getting along.”

Cringing her face, Elise stomped her feet on the ground and forced herself to get inside the car with her aunt.

“Miss Elise,” Olivia said again in a mocking tone. “If you do not get inside my car now, I’ll never return your—“

“Fine!” Elise said in a grumpy tone. She walked towards Olivia’s car and shut the door with such force that Olivia couldn't help but laugh again at the sight of her.

“You’re really annoyed right now, aren’t you? Anyway, fasten your seatbelt," she teased her as soon as they had settled themselves inside the car.

The smell of lemon filled the insides of Olivia's slick vehicle, gagging her stomach with an unfamiliar claustrophobic feeling. And yet, she couldn't say that aloud, no matter how worried she was about getting motion sickness. She reached for the seatbelt silently. Olivia waited patiently as her clumsy fingers fumbled with the damn thing.

"You don’t know how to use that, do you?”

"Why, yes! We don't have this in the province, Miss CEO!"

Olivia heaved a sigh before reaching out for the strap. The action almost left Elise breathless when the CEO's was again just a few inches from hers.

“Breathe, Elise. I don't bite,” Olivia whispered as she briefly stared into her eyes. Annoyed, Elise glared at her some more, crossing her arms.

“Drink the coffee,” said the rich CEO again, still wearing that insane lopsided smile as they hit the road.

***

Olivia rarely let other people ride with her in her vehicles. And yet, she had let this probinsyana have the privilege of sitting in her passenger seat!

The girl had obliged to take little sips from the coffee she had gotten. Who would have known that she had misunderstood her drunken antics that night?

The ride was quiet for a while, but moments later, she noticed her companion suddenly looking so agitated.

"Are you alright?"

The girl could only shake her head. Olivia slowed down and asked her again, "Tell me what's wrong. You look sick."

"I think I might want to vomit," Elise hastily replied as she covered her mouth with her hand.

Panic immediately consumed her upon hearing her response. "Don't ever put puke inside my car! Get out," she hastily said, stopping and opening the door for her. "Get out and get it over with outside, damn it!"

Elise ran hastily as soon as the seatbelt was loosened. The other cars following behind them also halted, and Aunt Milda emerged, worried enough for her niece. "What happened?"

"Elise is a little sick from the ride."

"Oh, my poor niece."

Olivia clicked her tongue as she listened to Elise's unwomanly vomiting.

Disgusting probinsyana, she thought.

"Get inside the car now, Miss Fabien. We don't know the people around this place," Franko said as he slowly walked over to her. She had not noticed him approaching.

Scanning the place, Olivia couldn't help but agree. Several men were eyeing them curiously, looking like gangsters and robbers waiting for an opportunity to strike. Olivia tightened her grip on the car's door as she realized how her wealth and position had complicated her life.

"Get Elise to ride with her aunt," she said as she got inside her car again. But just as she cranked the engine, Olivia boiled in anger when she saw her passenger seat soaking with spilled brown coffee.

"That probinsyana was a f*****g disaster!"

As soon as they reached the mansion, Olivia slammed the door of her car and marched furiously towards Elise, who was now standing beside her aunt. "Do you really have to annoy me, huh?" she asked her with gritted teeth.

Elise looked up, flashing an innocent look on her face.

"Don't you dare deny your guilt, Miss Cortez? You know what you did to my car!"

"What in the world are you talking about, Miss Fabien? What did I do this time?" Elise said as she crossed her arms over her chest. Milda shook her niece's arms to stop her from standing up against Olivia. The CEO then looked at the old lady with a softened expression. "Leave us, Auntie Milda. This is a private matter between me and Elise."

"But—"

"It's okay, Auntie," Elise replied. "I can deal with this arrogant and egotistic CEO who has been pestering me ever since day one!"

Olivia gasped in disbelief. No one had ever said something like that to her before. Nevertheless, Aunt Milda respectfully walked away from them.

"How dare you! You're the one who spilled coffee on my passenger seat!"

"You're the one who forced me to sit with you in your stupid car!" Elise replied indignantly. "And forced me to drink that stupid coffee! You didn't even ask if I have motion sickness or whatever! You just forced me to ride with you, and now you're furious? Go get that damn car cleaned up and stop acting like a b***h!"

"How dare you—"

"You've been like that ever since we met, Miss Fabien. Don't you at least know how to be nice to a stranger?"

Olivia clenched her fist in frustration as the two of them stared at each other with such intensity. The girl was feisty enough, and she couldn't even say anything to rebut!

"What's the commotion all about, Olive?"

Everybody turned to look at the one who had spoken. Olivia sighed hard as she rushed toward her grandmother, who was sitting in a wheelchair.

"Is that how you treat our guests, Olivia Fabien? I told you to give them the warmest accommodation, didn't I? Now, where is my long-lost friend?"

Her appearance had evidently melted the commotion away. They watched, still furious with each other, as Aunt Milda slowly walked towards Mrs. Guada Fabien.

"I'm here, Mrs. Fabien. I'm here."

The two women were already teary-eyed as they talked and hugged each other. Olivia hated dramas. She tried to exit the room, but the annoying probinsyana was already standing beside her.

"And where do you think you're going, Miss Fabien?"

Wrinkling her nose, Olivia only rolled her eyes and walked past her. "None of your business."

"Our conversation is not yet over!"

Raising her perfectly trimmed eyebrow, she looked at her disgustingly. "You don't boss me around, farm girl. Know your place," she said as she walked away from her.

***

Elise and her aunt Milda shared dinner with Mrs. Fabien and Olivia.

Elise had finally gone quiet because Olivia had already made her feel small earlier after their small argument outside the mansion. She couldn't imagine how the CEO sitting across from her had a hostile personality when her grandmother was the complete opposite. She only kept her eyes down as she took small bites of the food, not wanting to do something that would trigger Olivia again.

"Elise, dear. Aren't you enjoying the food?" she heard Mrs. Guada Fabien say in a caring voice.

"I-I am, ma'am. I'm just exhausted from the travel." But Elise wasn't only exhausted. She was also uncomfortable because of Olivia.

"Isn't she beautiful?" asked Milda out of the blue, making Elise flush in embarrassment.

"Yes, yes. You have done quite a good job in raising her, my friend."

"Elise is always chosen as Queen Elena in our May Flower celebration in town, Mrs. Fabien. She's the most beautiful maiden in our province."

The old woman nodded her grey head with a look of pride on her face. "She is indeed beautiful, Milda. She reminds me of my youth. Do you still recall that I used to join barangay pageants in your town even though we knew my father would be furious?"

The two of them started laughing as they reminisced their past adventures, making Elise feel bluer as they continued complimenting her physical appearance.

"Yes! You were so mischievous before, Mrs. Fabien. And I was always your sidekick." Another peal of laughter rose through the air.

"Your beauty deserves recognition, Elise," Mrs. Fabien said as the attention was drawn back to her again. "We own such big companies. You can work in one of those."

Elise shyly looked at the kind lady, then glanced at Olivia, who was obviously annoyed with the conversation they were having. "I-I'm sure I am not qualified," Elise replied in a small voice.

"Our companies," Olivia finally said for the first time, "hire competent individuals. We don't just go for beauty. We also look into your credentials."

"Well, Elise graduated as a Summa c*m Laude from the university she attended," Aunt Milda replied proudly.

"Wow! Is that true, Elise?"

"Yes, Mrs. Fabien. I took a degree in Business Management," Elise humbly replied.

"That's good! It's very practical of you to choose that! Once you're in this city, you'll easily land a job because you've got what it takes, dear. You're both beautiful and intelligent! You'll eventually find a place in one of our companies."

"I'm done," Olivia exclaimed as she hastily rose from her seat.

"You've only eaten such a paltry amount, dear," Aunt Milda exclaimed. The passive-aggressive demeanor of Olivia hit differently for Elise.

"I'm tired, auntie. I'll see you all in the morning." She bent down to kiss her grandmother's forehead. "Good night, Gran," then she strode towards her room upstairs.

Sighing, Elise went back to her food and finally felt relieved that Olivia's prying eyes were not flashing before her anymore.

"Elise," she heard the old woman say after some time. "Make yourself comfortable, okay? Don't worry about Olivia. She's just like that because of the experiences she had when she was just a child, but that girl is just like you. She's charming, intelligent, and flawless in every way. She'll eventually grow fond of you."

Elise couldn't help but smile. Indeed, she had noticed how Olivia handled herself. She was so confident and amazingly sure of herself. Although she wasn't sure about the old woman's last statement, especially since she didn't like the girl as well.

"I understand, Mrs. Fabien. I don't have parents myself," she replied.

"Take care of my granddaughter for me, Elise."

She tried to suppress a laugh, not wanting to offend the old woman. "I-it's going to be an impossible task, ma'am. I mean, you should have seen the two of us."

"Elise, one day, both of you will become the best of friends. I'm sure of that," Mrs. Fabien replied with a gleam in her eyes.

"Maybe, but only when the crows grow white feathers," Elise replied to herself, smiling as she glanced to where Olivia had disappeared a while ago.