Chapter 16
1259 Words
A few days after their date at Enchanted Kingdom, Lucy still hadn’t seen her Drakey. She texted him, called him, even sent silly voice notes, but there was never a reply. Not even a single emoji. It was like he had vanished into thin air.
At first, she thought he was just busy. But as hours turned into days, worry gnawed at her. Her imagination betrayed her. Pictures of random girls hovering around him filled her mind. Pretty, skinny, flawless city girls who could steal his attention. The thought made her blood boil.
“Ugh! If I catch any girl clinging to Drakey, I’ll karate chop her straight to the moon!” she muttered while pacing through her room.
Meanwhile, Kelseay and his wife had been away for two days, turning their pretend marriage into something startlingly real. Lucy was genuinely happy for them, though a part of her felt the tiniest pang of envy.
Her own love story? Silent. Frozen. And maybe… one-sided.
But then, a phone call shifted everything.
The Anderson Group confirmed she could start her job. Excitement flooded her nerves. This was her chance. Not just for herself, but for her family too. She packed her things with trembling hands, her heart torn between nervousness and joy. She’d stay with Kelseay temporarily in Manila until she could find a place of her own.
“Time really flies. The house will be so quiet without you. We’ll miss you, sweetie,” Momsie said, her voice cracking.
Lucy hugged her. “Momsie, I’m just working, not getting married. I’ll visit on my days off. Don’t make me cry. Manila’s not another planet, you know.”
“Still… be careful. Life in the city isn’t like here,” Papsie warned, his tone serious.
Lucy puffed her chest out dramatically. “Don’t worry, Papsie. I still remember my karate chops. Whoever tries anything on me... hiya!” She made a mock fighting pose.
Her parents laughed, though the sadness in their eyes remained. “We’ll really miss you, sweetie. Finally, peace and quiet,” Papsie teased.
Lucy grinned, blinking back tears. “I’ll miss you too. But this is for us, for our future.”
They helped her pack. Every shirt folded and every bag zipped up felt heavier than it should. She wasn’t just packing clothes, she was packing a part of her old life.
At the bus station, she refused to prolong the goodbyes. The moment her parents waved, she quickly boarded. The long trip to Manila stretched ahead, but excitement pulsed in her chest.
When she finally reached the city, she took a taxi straight to the Anderson Group’s towering headquarters. The skyscraper loomed above her like a castle. She craned her neck until it hurt.
“Wow… so this is where fate dragged me,” she whispered, her nerves jittering.
Carrying her luggage, she stepped inside. The lobby gleamed with marble floors and glass walls. Everything smelled of expensive perfume and success. She approached the front desk, smiling nervously.
“Good afternoon, ma’am. Are you Ms. Lucresia Marie Cordova?” the receptionist asked.
“Yes! That’s me,” Lucy replied cheerfully.
“Mr. Caballero is expecting you. Please proceed to the eighteenth floor.”
Lucy froze. Eighteenth?! Her legs already felt like jelly at the thought. Still, she forced her lips into a confident smile and headed for the elevator.
When the doors opened, she stepped out cautiously, scanning the signs until she found the right office. She reached for the handle until a familiar figure suddenly appeared.
“Oh, hi Ms. Cordova. Nice to see you here,” said Mr. Caballero, the assistant. “The boss is waiting for you. Follow me.”
Lucy trailed behind, her palms clammy.
The office door opened, revealing a spacious, elegant room. A man sat in a swivel chair with his back turned to them. Mr. Caballero cleared his throat.
“Boss, your new secretary is here.”
Slowly, the chair turned.
Time stopped.
Lucy’s jaw dropped. Her heart leapt.
“Drakey?!” she gasped.
Drake’s eyes widened, his expression hardening instantly. “You?!”
Mr. Caballero blinked, confused. “Wait… you two know each other?”
Drake pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering, “Why didn’t you tell me she was the one, Mr. Caballero?”
“I thought you’d reviewed her resume, Boss,” the older man replied sheepishly.
“I trusted your judgment. Damn it!” Drake grabbed the folder on his desk and flipped through it. “s**t. This can’t be real.”
Lucy, meanwhile, could hardly hide her grin. “So, fate really decided for us. See? We’re meant to be, Drakey—uh, Boss.”
“Enough,” Drake barked. “Mr. Caballero, leave us.”
The assistant gave them both a strange look before slipping out.
Drake gestured sharply. “Sit.”
Lucy plopped into the visitor’s chair, her smile unshaken.
“Why didn’t you reply to my texts? Who were you with? Don’t tell me you were cheating on me, huh?” She fired her questions like bullets.
Drake’s glare could melt steel. “Cut the nonsense. You’re in my territory now, Ms. Cordova. Here, I’m your boss. And there are rules. Got it?”
Lucy tilted her head, studying him. Ah… that intimidating Drakey look. Still sexy though.
“You’re too formal, Drakey. Just call me Lucy, or baby, if you want,” she teased.
“Don’t push me. From now on, it’s Boss. You work for me, nothing more. If you want this job, keep it professional. Understand?” His voice was cold, sharp.
Lucy puffed her cheeks but finally nodded. “Fine, Boss. But don’t blame me if you fall for your secretary one day.”
“Don’t test my patience. Just do your job. I can fire you anytime,” he warned.
“Yes, yes, Boss,” she sighed dramatically.
“Good. You start tomorrow. Here’s my schedule. Memorize it.” He shoved a folder toward her. “Now go. I have work to finish.”
Lucy took the folder, biting her lip to hide her smile. This is even better. At least I’ll see him every single day.
As she stood, she glanced at him tidying his desk. Mischief twinkled in her eyes.
“By the way, Boss…” she began softly.
“What is it?” His eyebrow twitched.
She smirked, then pretended to change her mind. “Ah, never mind. You’re already frowning.”
“Damn it, Lucy, I hate suspense. Just say it.”
“Fine. Can you drop me off at Kelseay’s place? That’s where I’ll stay for now,” she asked sweetly.
“No,” he answered flatly.
Lucy clutched her chest dramatically. “Oh wow, I wasted my saliva," she asked. You really don’t have a heart, huh?”
“Take a taxi,” he said.
“I don’t even know the way. And don’t forget, you still owe me.” She raised an eyebrow in challenge.
“I already paid. Remember our date?”
“That’s not the end of it! If I get lost and don’t show up tomorrow, it’s your fault. Won’t your conscience eat you alive, Boss?”
Drake’s jaw tightened. He knew this girl would never stop. “Tsk. You really know how to corner people. Fine. I’ll drop you.”
Lucy clapped her hands, grinning triumphantly. Second trap was successful.
Fate may have put Drake in the boss’s chair. But as far as Lucy was concerned, she still had the upper hand.
- Writer
