Dreaming Of You, Working For You

Crystal Almonte stood in front of the towering glass building of Octavio Media Company, her heart beating louder than the city noise around her. The structure alone was enough to intimidate anyone. Glass walls reflected the sky like a mirror, while the polished marble lobby inside looked like something out of a luxury magazine. People in sharp suits walked in and out with confidence, like they belonged in a world she was only trying to enter. And maybe… she didn’t belong here. But she needed to. Crystal tightened her grip on the folder containing her resume. “Okay… Crystal,” she whispered under her breath. “Breathe. Just breathe. First impression matters.” She inhaled deeply, then stepped inside. The air changed immediately—cool, quiet, controlled. Everything inside screamed power, wealth, and precision. Even the silence felt expensive. She walked slowly toward the waiting area, trying not to look overwhelmed. But it was impossible not to notice how different she was compared to the other applicants. Everyone looked confident. Prepared. Expensive. Like they already knew they were getting the job. Meanwhile, she sat carefully at the edge of a seat, adjusting her posture like she could somehow blend in. “You’re here for the interview too?” a woman beside her asked. Crystal nodded politely. “Yes… first time.” The woman smiled knowingly. “Good luck. It’s not easy here.” Crystal forced a small smile. “I’ve heard.” The woman leaned closer slightly, lowering her voice. “Especially if you’re being interviewed by Dino Octavio.” At that name, Crystal frowned. “Dino… Octavio?” “The CEO,” the woman replied. “Young, ruthless, perfectionist. And—unfortunately for everyone—very attractive.” Crystal gave a small awkward laugh. “That sounds… terrifying.” “Oh, it is,” the woman said. “One mistake, and you’re out before you even finish your sentence.” Something tightened in Crystal’s chest. She suddenly wasn’t sure if she was ready for this. But before her thoughts could spiral further— “Ms. Almonte?” Her name was called. Crystal stood up immediately, her hands slightly trembling. “This is it…” she whispered to herself. “No turning back.” The interview room was colder than she expected. Minimalist. Expensive. Intimidating. And at the center of it all— A man sitting behind a large desk. Dino Octavio. Crystal stopped walking the moment her eyes landed on him. It wasn’t just his presence. It was the way the entire room seemed to bend around him. Like everything existed under his control. Impeccably tailored suit. Sharp jawline. Calm posture. Eyes that didn’t waste a single emotion. He looked powerful. Dangerously so. But what froze Crystal wasn’t fear alone. It was something else. Recognition. A strange, unsettling familiarity twisted in her chest the longer she looked at him. Impossible. She had never met him before. And yet… Her mind flashed with an image. Homer Alejandrino. The male lead from her favorite pocketbook series. The character she had admired since she was younger. Cold. Mysterious. Broken in a way that made him unforgettable. But that was fiction. Wasn’t it? Crystal blinked once. Twice. The man in front of her didn’t disappear. He was real. And he was looking at her now. “Ms. Almonte,” Dino said coldly, breaking her thoughts. “Sit.” His voice snapped her back into reality. Crystal quickly sat down, forcing herself to breathe normally. “Why do you want to work in this company?” he asked immediately. No greeting. No smile. No hesitation. Straight to pressure. Crystal swallowed. “I want to grow in the media industry… and I believe I can contribute to your company.” Dino didn’t react. “Be specific.” She straightened her posture. “I have experience in communications and administrative support. I am highly organized, I can work under pressure, and I learn quickly—” “What will you do if a live broadcast fails mid-air?” Her breath caught for a second. “I will assess the situation immediately, coordinate with the technical team, and provide alternative solutions to minimize damage—” “How do you handle difficult clients?” “I stay calm, professional, and focused on solutions.” “Can you work under extreme pressure without compromising quality?” “Yes, sir.” The questions kept coming. Fast. Sharp. Relentless. Crystal felt like she wasn’t being interviewed. She was being tested. Not just for skill—but for endurance. And through it all, Dino Octavio didn’t look away. Not once. It felt like he wasn’t just listening to her answers. He was reading her. Her confidence. Her hesitation. Her fear. Everything. “Your communication skills must be flawless,” Dino said flatly. “Can you handle live reporting under pressure?” “Yes, sir. I have experience and I’m willing to improve further.” Silence followed. The kind of silence that made her skin crawl. Dino leaned back slightly, arms crossing over his chest as he studied her. No emotion. No approval. No rejection. Just… observation. After what felt like forever— “It’s done.” Crystal exhaled softly. That’s it. The interview was over. She stood up quickly, ready to leave, when something made her stop. “Sir…” she said suddenly. Dino looked at her again. Crystal hesitated. Her heart was beating too fast, her thoughts messy. But she spoke anyway. “I know this sounds strange… but can you slap me?” Silence. The air shifted. Dino’s brow slightly furrowed. “Excuse me?” Crystal immediately felt heat rush to her face, but she didn’t take it back. “I just… I need to know if this is real,” she said softly. “It feels like I’m dreaming.” For a moment, Dino didn’t respond. Then he leaned back slightly. “I don’t hit people in my company,” he said coldly. Then, after a pause, “But that is… an unusual request.” Crystal bit her lip, embarrassment sinking in deeper. Dino’s gaze sharpened. “Ms. Almonte,” he said slowly, “if you cannot separate reality from imagination, this position may not be suitable for you.” That hit harder than anything else in the interview. Crystal froze. “…Yes, sir.” She turned and walked out, her steps heavier than before. That night, she lay on her bed staring at the ceiling. “Great job, Crystal… asking your CEO to slap you on your first interview,” she muttered bitterly. She covered her face with her arm. But no matter how much she tried to forget it— His face kept coming back. Dino Octavio. And that strange familiarity. That impossible resemblance to someone who didn’t exist. Homer Alejandrino. “Stop it,” she whispered to herself. “It’s just your imagination.” But even as she said it, she didn’t sound convinced. Then her phone rang. Unknown number. Crystal sat up immediately. “Hello?” “Good afternoon, Ms. Almonte. This is HR from Octavio Media Company.” She straightened. “Yes?” “We are pleased to inform you that you have been hired.” Crystal froze. “…Hired?” “Yes. You are assigned as the personal assistant of Mr. Dino Octavio. Please report tomorrow morning at 6:30 AM.” The call ended. Crystal stared at her phone in disbelief. Personal assistant? That wasn’t what she applied for. And tomorrow… already? The next morning came too fast. Crystal arrived at the building earlier than expected, wearing a simple white blouse, black pencil skirt, and closed heels. Professional. Neat. Controlled. Or at least… she hoped she looked that way. Her heart was louder than her footsteps as she stepped into the elevator. Today was different. She wasn’t an applicant anymore. She was an employee. And worse— The personal assistant of Dino Octavio. “Good morning, Ms. Almonte,” the secretary greeted her. “Mr. Octavio is expecting you.” “Thank you,” Crystal replied politely. She was guided down the hallway until they stopped in front of a large office door. Her breathing slowed. Knock. “Come in.” She opened the door. And there he was. Dino Octavio. Standing now, not sitting. Same presence. Same cold intensity. Same unreadable expression. “At 6:30 AM, you’re already here,” he said. “Yes, sir.” He studied her for a moment. “Good. I expect consistency.” Crystal swallowed hard. This wasn’t an interview anymore. This was the beginning. And something told her— She had just stepped into a world she didn’t fully understand yet. - -If you felt Crystal’s nervousness and that strange connection with Dino… tap the heart! -Follow for more chapters and updates! -Add this story to your library so you won’t miss what happens next! What do you think—was it fate… or just imagination?