Beneath the Disguise

Chapter 4: The Meeting

Lita sat in the car, the engine idling as she watched Diego disappear into the towering building. She took a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlwind of thoughts racing through her mind. The quiet of the car enveloped her, and she used the moment to gather her composure.

Why was he so different today? she pondered, recalling the softness in his voice, the rare glimpses of vulnerability that had emerged from beneath his hardened exterior. It was a side of Diego she hadn’t seen before, and it left her feeling uneasy. She knew better than to read too much into it, yet she couldn’t help but wonder if he was beginning to see her as more than just a hired hand.

Lita pulled out her phone to check the time. She had an hour to kill before Diego was done. Rather than sitting idle in the parking lot, she decided to take a walk around the nearby park, hoping to clear her mind.

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A Moment of Solitude

The park was a welcome escape from the structured environment of Diego’s world. The vibrant greens and the soft sounds of laughter from children playing brought a sense of normalcy to her hectic life. As she walked, Lita let herself relax, allowing her thoughts to drift.

She thought of Junior and the hospital bills that loomed over her like a storm cloud. The ₱900,000 cash advance Diego had offered weighed heavily on her mind. It was an unimaginable amount, a lifeline that could save her brother’s life. But what would it cost her in the long run? The more she thought about it, the more her stomach churned with anxiety.

Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice calling out to her. Turning around, she saw Diego striding towards her, his expression neutral but with a hint of surprise that she was outside the office. She hadn’t expected him to finish the meeting so soon.

"I didn’t realize you’d left the car," he said, his tone almost accusatory. "What are you doing here?"

Lita hesitated, her thoughts scattered. "Just... taking a break," she replied, forcing a smile. "I needed some fresh air."

Diego glanced around, his gaze sweeping over the park before landing back on her. "You could have stayed in the car. It’s not safe for you to be wandering around alone."

His concern caught her off guard. "I’m fine, Mr. Velasco. It’s just a park. I didn’t think you would mind."

Diego studied her for a moment, and for an instant, Lita thought she saw a flicker of something in his eyes—a softening, perhaps, or a realization that she was more capable than he had given her credit for. But then it was gone, replaced by the usual mask of indifference.

"Let’s go back," he said curtly, turning on his heel and heading back towards the car. Lita followed, a knot forming in her stomach. She couldn’t tell if his abruptness was irritation or concern.

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Back to Business

As they drove back to the office, the air was thick with unspoken words. Lita stole glances at Diego, who was focused on the road, his jaw tense. She wanted to break the silence, to ask him about his day, but the thought of crossing that invisible line made her hesitate.

When they returned to the office, Lita busied herself with sorting through the papers on Diego’s desk, desperate to maintain some semblance of professionalism. But as she sorted through the documents, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted between them.

"Your calendar is clear for the rest of the day," Lita said, trying to keep her tone neutral as she handed him the schedule.

Diego took the papers, his eyes meeting hers briefly. "Good. I have some calls to make. You can leave early today if you’d like," he offered, surprising her.

"Really?" Lita felt a surge of gratitude mixed with disbelief. "Thank you. I appreciate that."

Diego shrugged, his gaze returning to the papers. "Just do your job well, and I’ll keep you around. No need for you to stay late if there’s nothing to do."

No need for you to stay late. Lita took that as a clear sign to maintain her boundaries. "Understood," she replied, forcing herself to sound professional.

As she gathered her things to leave, Lita felt a mix of relief and disappointment. She had expected to feel free with the extra time, but instead, there was an ache in her chest that she couldn’t quite place.

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You're right! Since Lita is in disguise as "Lito," Ana should recognize her as "Lito," without addressing her as "miss." Let's fix that detail. Here's the corrected version:

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The Unexpected Visitor

As Lita stepped out of the office building, she was met with a bright afternoon sun that felt almost blinding after the dim office lights. She took a moment to bask in its warmth, hoping it would wash away the lingering tension from the day.

She decided to call Junior to check in on him. After a few rings, she heard his voice on the other end. "Lita! You’re calling me! How’s work?"

Lita smiled, her heart swelling at his enthusiasm. "It’s good, Junior. Just finished up for the day."

"Did you see the superhero movie yet? I heard it’s awesome!" he exclaimed, excitement bubbling through the phone.

"I haven’t had time, but I promise we’ll go this weekend," Lita replied, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. The thought of seeing her brother smile made every struggle worthwhile.

Suddenly, she heard a voice behind her. "Lito?"

She turned to see a tall woman with dark hair and sharp features standing a few steps away. There was something about her—an air of confidence mixed with an underlying tension.

Lita’s heart raced. How does she know my name? "Yes, I am," she answered cautiously.

"I’m Ana, Diego’s sister. He mentioned you started working for him," the woman said, her tone curious but with an edge of protectiveness.

Lita's stomach dropped. How does she know my name?

"Oh, yes. I just started a few weeks ago," Lita replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

Ana studied her for a moment, her eyes assessing. "You’re aware that Diego isn’t exactly easy to work with, right?"

Lita nodded, feeling a rush of defensiveness. "I’m managing. He’s just focused on his work."

Ana’s expression softened slightly, but there was still an underlying tension in her posture. "Just be careful. He tends to push people away."

Lita didn’t know how to respond. "Thank you for the warning," she said finally, wanting to keep the conversation polite.

Ana seemed to relax a little. "Just watch your back. Family means everything to Diego. He can be... complicated."

Before Lita could ask for more clarification, Ana turned and walked away, leaving her with a sense of foreboding. What did she mean by that? Lita wondered, a knot forming in her stomach once again.