Ms. Ling Is From the Future Past

Ling Anya looked at the ticking clock just above her CEO's door. She was itching to go home and celebrate her mom’s birthday, but it appears that she's going to be late for the party again. Her tyrannical CEO of a boss was a workaholic, and he expected the same efficiency and the same effort that he put in building up his multi-billion-dollar company with his employees. The pay was excellent and the benefits phenomenal, but if she's going to deal with the scheming women that wanted to get into her boss' pants, she's going to go crazy and tell him to deal with them on his own. She was so tired of being his shield. She was so deep into her thought that she didn't notice the CEO staring at her blank face. He prowled towards her desk and snapped his fingers loudly, causing her to jolt. "What can I do for you Mr. Yu?" she asked. "I want to know what you are thinking to put that expression on your face! I'm not paying you to stare at the clock Ms. Ling!" he growled. Ling Anya was flustered. She stammered and said, "I'm sorry Mr. Yu, I was just trying to recall if I miss anything in today's summary." "Make sure you don't put that kind of face anymore Ms. Ling. I don't want my clients to thing that I'm paying you for daydreaming." He said as he strolled down the hallway to the elevator. "Oh, and by the way, you can go home now." Ling Anya was so tempted to make a face at his retreating form but had to hold herself because she can be seen on the CCTV. She breathed deeply and tried to compose herself while rushing to tidy her desk. ***** Ling Anya was working in a pharmaceutical company. Her boss had made phenomenal breakthroughs regarding modern medicine. He made a vaccine for AIDS, tablets and treatment plans for cancer patients, and is currently developing a drug from a genetically modified plant meant to cure Alzheimer. As his assistant, she was under a lot of pressure and is prone to attacks from several competitors. Luckily, her boss treated her like family, despite being a grouch and a cold faced individual. He considered everything and had her family moved to a secured residence with guards at that. He was afraid that they’re going to use her family against her, which is highly plausible because she would give her everything to her family. Aside from her family, if someone asked her whom she would give up her life for, it was probably her boss. Adrian Yu. He was considered to be her best friend but he was a grouch and a pessimist that she couldn't help but roast him everytime they meet outside the office. And with that thought, she smiled and continued to run down the stairs to the parking lot where her personal driver and bodyguard awaits. As she arrived, Ben, her bodyguard greeted her with a smile “Good evening, Ms. Ling, where are we going first today?” he asked. “We’re going to Felicity’s Café downtown Ben, I need to pick up my mom’s cake. Can you floor it down a bit? I think I’m going to be late for the surprise and you know I can’t stand my brother’s glare.” “Sure thing Miss, is Master Ling Yun going to cook tonight?” “Yes he is, don’t worry Ben, eldest brother already knows that you’re joining us for dinner. He already invited your wife and daughter. You know, my youngest brother is smitten with her.” She said while chuckling. “Please stop with the matchmaking Miss, I don’t want to think of my daughter dating yet.” Ben replied. Ling Anya just smiled mischievously and chatted with her driver to get the cake. ***** Ling Anya just arrived in the nick of time and was greeted by the glare of her eldest brother, Ling Yun. Their youngest brother, Ling Yue, on the other hand, was waddling towards his eldest sister unaware of the brewing sermon from their eldest brother. “Where have you been? Do you know what time is it already? You’re lucky mom and dad was caught in traffic, otherwise, you’ll get it from me.” “Sorry eldest brother, my boss just had to give me some extra work today.” She replied meekly and cursed her boss half-heartedly and silently in her mind. “I know, but mom loves your boss too much that sometimes I wonder who is her kid. Sigh, they’re on their way back from fetching your boss and his family. So just shower and get ready, you stink.” Her eldest brother said in disdain. “Eldest sister doesn’t stink, eldest brother you’re a meany!” retorted her youngest brother. “As expected, You-er loves me the most. Oh! by the way, where is second brother?” “He drove mom and dad to fetch your boss and his family, you know their driver Eduardo’s wife got sick, so he volunteered to do the job.” “Okay, okay, will take a bath now. Hehehe.” As she left with their youngest sibling, her eldest brother just shook his head and went back to the kitchen to make sure everything’s perfect. This youngest and only sister of theirs is really hardworking. She was their lucky charm. They would not have this many of opportunities without their sister. When she scored the job with Yu Pharma, their life was changed in an instant. From a struggling middle-class family to a now nouveau rich. But they are not the stereotypical nouveau rich family who wanted to flaunt their wealth. Because of their sister’s job, they had to be low-key. Nevertheless, a lot of opportunities came their way because of this. His sister was working for the big boss for 5 years and in those 5 years, their family’s growth shot up like a bamboo shoot. They moved from a rented apartment in the city center to an exclusive neighborhood. His sister’s boss said it was for protection. When her sister helped the big boss score a big deal in the international market, she bargained with her boss that her monetary bonus be turned into an opportunity for him, her eldest brother. Her boss used his connection to open the gates for him in the culinary world. He was mentored by one of the Michelin-starred chef and now, he is the head chef of their branch in City S. Her next big break came when her boss was assassinated. She foiled the plan of the mastermind and got injured in the process. As a favor, her boss (together with his family), mentored her second brother and invested in his technological and weapon start-up. Currently, her second brother is part of the Yu Group of Companies and is the CEO of their Technology and Weaponry Department. His sister was really a godsend, and although the Yu’s are very good to them and their family, the attitude of their only son, Adrian, his sister’s boss is a bit problematic. Outside the workplace, he is very charming (when needed) and can be sweet and thoughtful. But in the workplace, he is cold as ice and expects the same work ethic from everyone. He can be said to be a fair boss, but he is a slave driver through and through. With that in mind, he put the finishing touches on the table that he set. Then, the doorbell rang, and tension wracked throughout his body. No matter how old he is, he still yearns for the praise and recognition from his parents. He met his sister and little brother in the doorway where Ben and his family was also standing. Upon seeing the little girl on Ben’s arms, Ling Yue asked to be put down and stared longingly at Ben and his little girl. “Brat! What are you doing there with Ben, come here and stand beside your sister.” He admonished. Ling Yue reluctantly left Ben, and held his elder sister’s hands. Ling Yun opened the door and everyone behind him popped the confetti to welcome Su Ning and Ling Ao, their father. Behind them stood the Yu’s, Adrian Yu*, Yu Jin (Adrian’s father) and Gu Nan (Adrian’s mother). Adrian’s real name is Yu Mo. When Adrian studied in Country L, he was known as Adrian, thus the name stuck when he established the Yu Pharma. Before Ling Anya, Adrian Yu went through secretary-like water passing through a falls. They were either too old, lacked ambition, too flirty, and more! When Anya came, it was as if his parent’s prayers were answered. Anya was recommended by her university professor to the Yu’s. He was impressed by Anya’s calmness, wit, and ambition. She stood up to Adrian when necessary but, generally, followed his instructions to a T. Even though Adrian was a skeptic at first because of her age, she proved her mettle several times. Under Adrian’s grooming, Anya became one of the top executive assistants. She was too dedicated to her job, her family, and to Adrian. The later noticed this trait of hers and sometimes forced her to have a vacation. He usually used his parents’ names as though they were pressuring him (his parents had no idea) to give her a vacation. Under this guise, Anya was putty in his hands. Adrian really appreciated Anya’s hard work, and over time, developed strange feelings towards the lady. She was important to him, but not those romantic stuff that they write in cheesy romance books. He felt that Anya was sincere to him and honest, which was most people lack. In Anya, he found a friend. He enjoys bullying Anya at work and looks forward to her revenge and roasting when they are not within the office setting. He had to be wary not to show any weirdness in front of her, so he was often cold, and barked orders. He silently whimpered like a naughty puppy every time he raised his voice at her, because he knew that his retribution would come when they are not in the office. “Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you!” He was pulled from his musings by their singing. He then joined his parents as they greeted the Ling couple. He went forward and pulled a red envelope out of his pocket and gave it to the couple. “ Happy Birthday Auntie Ning. This is for you and Uncle Ling. I hope you enjoy your vacation.” Su Ning gasped and covered her mouth, her hands trembling. “Is this what I think it is? Ah Mo, this is too much. You have helped our family many times already, and you are taking care of our Yaya*. How can we accept it?” “Auntie, Anya has helped me a lot in the office, she even saved my life. This is just a gift, and I am also grateful to you for accompanying my parents. I am an unfilial child and is often away. So I am also thankful for you both for accompanying dad and mom. Besides, this is a couple’s getaway, my mom and dad also has the same tickets.” He smoothly brushed aside her rejection. Seeing her friend hesitating, Gu Nan acted coquettishly and looped her arm around her friend “Please accompany me Ning Ning. You know my husband doesn’t like shopping that much, and so is yours. If you don’t come, I will be alone.” She said while pouting. Su Ning laughed and said, “Okay, okay, I’ll go with you, but don’t pout anymore. Your husband is glaring daggers at me. Quickly go back to him. He is getting jealous.” Gu Nan skipped back to her husband and smiled at him happily. Yu Jin just shook his head at his pampered wife’s antics. The group then moved their conversation to enjoy the food cooked by Ling Yun. As they were eating, the television was providing a background noise to their banter. The table was lively and everyone tucked in eagerly to the meal. Suddenly, a loud blaring alarm sounded on the television and their phones.