THE COLD CEO SPOILED ME

HANNA'S FIRST DAY

8:00 A.M. — GREY INTERNATIONAL

Maagang dumating si Hanna sa Grey International.

Simple lang ang suot niya—white blouse, black pants, at maliit na handbag.

Pagpasok niya sa lobby, napatingin ang ilang empleyado sa kanya.

Hindi dahil kilala nila siya.

Kundi dahil hindi siya mukhang isang taong karaniwang nakikita sa corporate building na iyon.

Huminga siya nang malalim.

"Okay, Hanna. First day. Don't be nervous."

Lumapit siya sa receptionist.

"Good morning. I'm Hanna Mendoza. I'm starting today."

Ngumiti ang receptionist.

"Welcome to Grey International, Ms. Mendoza. Your supervisor is waiting for you upstairs."

"Thank you."

---

EXECUTIVE FLOOR

Paglabas ni Hanna sa elevator, nakita niya agad si Michael.

Naka-black suit ito at may hawak na ilang documents.

Napatingin ito sa kanya.

"You're early."

Hanna smiled.

"First day ko. Ayokong ma-late."

"Good."

Michael looked at her clothes.

"Is that what you're wearing?"

Napatingin si Hanna sa sarili niya.

"Yes. Why?"

"It's fine."

"Then why did you ask?"

"I was just asking."

Hanna sighed.

"You're still annoying."

Michael looked at her.

"And you're still talking too much."

Hanna smiled.

"Good morning to you too."

---

HANNA'S NEW DESK

Dinala siya ni Michael sa kanyang workspace.

"These are your responsibilities," sabi niya habang inaabot ang documents.

"Calendar management, meeting schedules, reports, emails, and coordination with other departments."

Tiningnan ni Hanna ang makapal na folder.

"All of this?"

"Yes."

"Is there training?"

"Daniel will show you everything."

Lumapit si Daniel.

"Don't worry, Ms. Mendoza. I'll help you."

"Thank you."

Michael turned around.

"I expect you to be professional."

Hanna looked at him.

"I will."

"And don't bring your personal problems into the office."

Napakunot ang noo ni Hanna.

"I don't."

"I'm just making the expectations clear."

"I understand."

Michael nodded.

"Good."

Umalis siya.

Pagkaalis niya, napabuntong-hininga si Hanna.

"Grabe. First day ko pa lang, gusto ko nang umuwi."

Napatawa si Daniel.

"Don't worry. You'll get used to him."

"Does everyone here get used to his attitude?"

Daniel smiled.

"Not really."

---

11:00 A.M.

Mabilis na natuto si Hanna.

Sa loob lamang ng ilang oras, naintindihan niya kung paano inaayos ang schedule, documents, at meeting requests.

Napansin ito ni Daniel.

"You're a fast learner."

"Thank you. Kailangan ko talagang matuto agad. Hindi naman ako sanay sa ganitong trabaho."

"Where did you work before?"

"Mostly sa market."

"Running a vegetable stall?"

"Yes."

Daniel smiled.

"That's actually harder than this."

Hanna laughed.

"Maybe."

---

1:00 P.M.

Nasa meeting si Michael.

Si Hanna naman ay abala sa pag-aayos ng documents.

Biglang lumabas ang isang department manager.

"Ms. Mendoza, Mr. Grey needs the revised report."

"Okay. I'll prepare it."

"Before two."

"Got it."

Mabilis niyang inayos ang files.

Nang matapos, pumasok siya sa meeting room.

"Excuse me, Mr. Grey. Here's the revised report."

Michael looked at her.

"You're done already?"

"Yes."

Kinuha niya ang report.

Tiningnan niya ito nang mabuti.

"Who prepared this?"

"I did."

Michael looked at the document again.

"There's a mistake."

Napatingin si Hanna.

"Where?"

Michael pointed at one figure.

"This number doesn't match the previous report."

Hanna immediately checked.

He was right.

"I'm sorry. I'll correct it."

"Don't apologize. Just fix it."

"Okay."

Paglabas niya, agad niyang inayos ang error.

Pagbalik niya, ibinigay niya ang corrected report.

Michael checked it again.

"Good."

Hanna blinked.

"Good?"

"Yes."

"That's it?"

"What do you want me to say?"

"I don't know. Maybe 'Good job'?"

Michael looked at her.

"Good job."

Hanna smiled.

"Thank you."

Michael returned to his work.

But when Hanna left the room, Daniel noticed something.

Michael was smiling slightly.

---

6:30 P.M.

Karamihan sa employees ay pauwi na.

Si Hanna ay nag-aayos pa rin ng documents.

Michael came out of his office.

"You're still here?"

"Yes. I'm finishing these."

"You can finish tomorrow."

"I know, but I want to understand everything before I leave."

Michael looked at the clock.

"It's late."

"I'll be done soon."

"Did you eat?"

Hanna looked up.

"Huh?"

"Did you eat?"

"Not yet."

Michael frowned.

"You haven't eaten since lunch?"

"I was busy."

He sighed.

"Come on."

"Where?"

"Eat."

"I can eat here."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because you're not going to work until you collapse."

Hanna stared at him.

"You're worried about me again."

Michael looked away.

"I'm responsible for my employees."

Hanna smiled.

"Sure."

"What?"

"Nothing."

She stood up.

"Okay. Let's eat."

Michael nodded.

As they walked toward the elevator, Hanna suddenly spoke.

"Michael?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For giving me this opportunity."

Michael looked at her.

"You earned it."

Hanna smiled.

And for the first time...

she didn't see him as the cold CEO.

She simply saw a man who, despite his difficult personality, was slowly showing her a different side of himself.

Michael, meanwhile, glanced at her.

He still didn't understand why he cared whether she had eaten.

But one thing was becoming obvious.

Hanna was slowly becoming part of his daily life.

And he wasn't sure anymore if he wanted that to stop.

TO BE CONTINUED...