Beneath the Disguise

Lita Alvarez pressed the crumpled hospital bill against her chest, willing her heart to stop racing. The numbers blurred in front of her, but she had already memorized them. ₱700,000. Seven hundred thousand pesos—an impossible amount for someone who barely made enough to keep food on the table. She glanced at the hospital bed where her younger brother, Junior, lay sleeping. His frail body was too still, his breaths too shallow. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The words echoed in her mind, a constant, merciless reminder of the battle her brother was fighting. The doctors had been clear: without immediate treatment, Junior’s chances of survival would drop drastically. The chemotherapy, the hospital stays, the medications—it was all too much. Lita clenched her jaw, fighting the wave of helplessness crashing over her. She had been working two jobs—one at a bakery in the mornings and another as a waitress at a small diner at night. But even with both jobs, she barely made ₱15,000 a month, and most of it went to food, rent, and whatever medication she could afford for Junior. She had already sold everything of value—her mother’s old jewelry, their small refrigerator, even Junior’s bicycle, which had once been his most prized possession. But it was never enough. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. With trembling fingers, she pulled it out and read the message from her friend Rosa. "Lita, I found something. High-paying job. But… you might not like it." Lita’s fingers flew over the screen. "I’ll take anything." Seconds later, a reply came with a link to a job posting. "Looking for a personal assistant & driver. Must be male. Highly paid. Immediate hiring. Contact: Diego Velasco." Lita’s breath hitched. Diego Velasco? Even she, from her tiny corner of the world, had heard of him. He was the billionaire CEO of Velasco Enterprises—a ruthless businessman, feared and respected in equal measure. The rumors about him were endless: heartless, intimidating, and above all… he despised women. Her stomach twisted. No wonder he was only hiring men. Still, the offered salary was ₱40,000 a month—modest but stable enough to get by. What caught her eye was the cash advance: ₱900,000 for the first month. More than enough to cover Junior’s treatment. She could get him admitted as early as tomorrow if she had that money. Lita glanced at the reflection in the hospital window. Her long, dark hair framed her delicate face, her brown eyes wide with fear and determination. A man? She didn’t look anything like one. But what choice did she have? If Diego Velasco needed a man… she would become one. --- Two Days Later – Velasco Enterprises Dressed in an oversized blazer, her chest tightly bound beneath layers of bandages, Lita—now Lito—stood before Diego Velasco’s office. She had tucked her hair under a cap and deepened her voice as much as possible. Her hands trembled slightly as she knocked. "Enter," a deep, commanding voice called. She took a deep breath and stepped inside. And there he was. Diego Velasco sat behind a massive desk, his dark gaze piercing as he studied her. He was even more intimidating in person—tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a crisp black suit that fit him perfectly. His jaw was sharp, his features cold, and his presence suffocating. Lita swallowed hard. Her plan had been simple—get in, get the job, get the money, and take care of Junior. But standing in front of Diego, she realized just how much trouble she was in. "You’re here for the job?" His tone was clipped, impatient. "Yes, sir," Lita said, keeping her voice low and firm. Diego’s gaze raked over her, scrutinizing. "Name?" "Lito Alvarez," she answered, resisting the urge to wipe the sweat from her palms. He didn’t extend a hand. Instead, he leaned back, steepling his fingers. "Experience?" Lita hesitated. She had practiced this. "I worked as a driver for a small company," she said. "And I can handle administrative work, manage schedules—whatever you need." Diego studied her for a moment before nodding. "You’ll start immediately." Her heart leapt. Just like that? He pulled out a checkbook. "You’ll receive a salary advance of ₱900,000. Consider this a test run. If you fail, you’ll pay back every cent." Lita swallowed hard, her mind spinning. He was giving her the money upfront? That meant she could secure Junior’s treatment immediately. "Understood, sir," she said, her voice steady. Diego’s eyes darkened. "One last thing, Alvarez." She stiffened. "Yes?" His lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile. "I hate liars. If I ever find out you’ve deceived me in any way… I’ll ruin you." A shiver ran down Lita’s spine. Because she had just told the biggest lie of her life. And Diego Velasco would be the last man on earth to forgive her when he found out. --- Later That Night – Hospital Room Lita sat beside Junior’s hospital bed, watching his thin chest rise and fall. The ₱900,000 check burned in her hands. She had done it. She clutched his small, pale fingers, willing her voice to stay strong. "We’re starting your treatment tomorrow, Junior." His eyelids fluttered open, dark brown eyes dull with exhaustion. "Ate… how?" She smiled, brushing his hair back. "I got a new job. A really good one. Don’t worry about anything, okay? Just focus on getting better." Junior’s lips curled into a small smile before his eyelids grew heavy again. "You always take care of me…" Tears burned behind Lita’s eyes. You’re all I have, Junior. I’d do anything for you. As she watched her brother drift back to sleep, she swore to herself: She would keep her secret. No matter what it took. --- The Next Morning – First Day at Work Lita adjusted her cap, making sure every strand of her hair was hidden. She had managed to lower her voice enough to sound somewhat masculine, but the real test was today. She arrived at the office early, reporting to Diego’s personal assistant, Mr. Castillo, who gave her a quick rundown of the tasks. "Mr. Velasco likes things done a certain way," Castillo warned. "He has a bad temper, so don’t take it personally if he snaps." Lita nodded, mentally preparing herself. At exactly 8:00 AM, Diego arrived, dressed in a tailored black suit, his presence commanding the entire space. "Coffee," he barked. Lita stiffened before nodding. "Yes, sir." She hurried to make his coffee, hands shaking slightly as she poured it into the cup. When she returned, Diego barely looked up as he took a sip—then promptly spat it out. "What the hell is this?" He glared at her. Lita paled. "Uh… coffee, sir?" His jaw clenched. "This is undrinkable. Try again." Heart pounding, she took the cup and rushed back to the break room. Oh god, what have I gotten myself into? If she was going to survive this job, she needed to be careful. Because one wrong move… and Diego Velasco would tear her secret apart.