Chapter 3: An Unexpected Encounter
1553 Words
Carmella’s POV
What? Whoever came up with this idea is the dumbest person I’ve ever heard of. I thought there’d be an interview and resumes. Not a punching machine where the weakest punch wins!
When I looked up front, that handsome guy was still smirking like an i***t. His bodyguards had arrived too. All tall, built, intimidating — and they formed a barricade around the women.
“Let’s just leave, Natasha. This is insane.” I rolled my eyes and was about to drag Natasha away when the buff bodyguards quickly blocked us and shoved us into the barricade too!
“Wait, daddy— I mean, sir! We’re not joining—!” I was about to complain when Natasha covered my mouth, fire in her eyes as she glared at me.
“I heard you get a free one thousand pesos just for trying!” she said, itching to go, so I straightened up and casually tucked my hair behind my ear. “Oh? Hehehe.”
When money’s involved, I get real competitive.
“I’ll go easy so I win the jackpot! I’ll be the secretary AND I get money!”
Huh? That’s her goal? Me, I was planning to punch hard so I wouldn’t get picked. I just want the money.
“I’m Michael Johanson, Head of Security for X Corporation, and your judge for today,” The handsome guy announced like an emcee. All the women were immediately swooned on their feet after that charming smile. “Apologies, my beautiful ladies, we put up the barricade to make sure only you will participate.”
Okay, he’s not the CEO. Just Head of Security. More spectators were gathering, and I’d guess there were about a hundred women here now who all want to be the CEO’s secretary.
I just yawned because this was so boring and he kept talking, but we all snapped to attention when the bodyguards moved the punching machine closer to the front.
“You’re gonna go easy too, ma’am?” Natasha asked, side-eyeing me. What, does she think they are lucky? I’m only here for the money, not to be a secretary. I'm aware that my looks could easily pass as one though, just kidding!
“No, I’m going hard so I don’t get picked.” My assistant scowled and rolled her eyes at me. I flicked her forehead and looked forward.
“If you’re ready, we’ll start at the front! Just a reminder, ladies — no pushing. Our opponent is weak.” Everyone yelled “Yes!” at Michael’s words.
And so the “weakest punch on the punching machine” contest began.
“3!”
“5!”
“8!”
“Wow, these women are really going for it!” Natasha said, amazed. “The things we’ll do for a man, huh? Arf arf!”
“Crazy,” I commented when the other women behind us who heard her (true) statement glared. I just smirked and watched the women barely tap the punching bag.
The line got shorter, but the lowest score was still three. Until finally, only me and Natasha were left, and she went first.
She stepped up front, eyes full of determination. Earlier, she looked like she was calculating the exact angle to hit the boxing pad with her fist. I sweat dropped. She was bashing the other women earlier, but now she was just as determined.
She exhaled, and we all held our breath. She got into a fighting stance and then, with a quick motion, just slid her fist against the side of the punching pad.
Michael’s jaw dropped when he saw her score. Even the bodyguards beside him were stunned. I smirked proudly, that's my girl.
“0.1!”
“WHAT?!” The women protested, so I just glared at them. So it’s Natasha’s fault she’s actually good? These women are hilarious.
She strutted back to me, looking proud of herself. She raised her fist in the air. “Let’s see if anyone can beat that. 1k, here I come!”
I smirked and walked to the front. I saw Michael do a double take when he saw me. Yes, I know, I’m beautiful. But I’m not into you even if you are handsome.
Without any effort, I punched the bag as hard as I could.
“1500!” Michael said, gaping, and I even heard him whisper to the bodyguard next to him, “Can you even do that?”
“No, sir. 900 is the highest on that machine.”
Because of that, I felt like I had imaginary muscles. Kidding! The murmurs and complaints got louder — that I was a show-off and an attention seeker. Only Natasha cheered for me, like she wanted to wave a ‘Strong and Independent Woman’ flag.
Do I care about you? Go drool over some guy. I just want my one thousand pesos.
I gently swept my hair as I walked back to Natasha, whose eyes were sparkling at me. I arrogantly looked at the women gossiping about me and raised my fist at them. They immediately backed away, so I grinned. Scared, huh?
I crossed my arms while watching the bodyguards and Michael talk. You could tell he kept glancing at me, which just made me raise an eyebrow. Looks like they’re picking Natasha, huh? But they need my approval first — I’m the boss.
“Psst, if you get picked, I get 10% of your secretary salary, okay?” I whispered to a grinning Natasha. Of course I was joking. If she did get it, I’d probably be the proudest boss in the universe.
Looks like I need to start sucking up so I get free—
“The one we’ve chosen is the only beautiful woman wearing a pink dress! Yes, you, beautiful lady, come here!” Michael winked at me and I froze where I stood.
Wait, is he talking about me? I even pointed at myself, especially when the other women — who were dying for the position — started murmuring and protesting. Only Natasha seemed happy and clapped.
Wait, this isn’t right. Does this mean Michael Jackson just tricked all the women here? I thought the weakest punch would get it?
“Hold on, beautiful ladies, before you complain. This beautiful lady was chosen”— and the jerk actually pointed at me while I stood there, baffled by what was happening —“because she didn’t fall for what I said! Do you think we need a gullible, weak woman to be our CEO’s secretary? No!”
What? He’s making excuses! The jerk even clapped, and I was shocked when the daddies— I mean, his bodyguards — were suddenly in front of me and (dragged) me to the front.
“That was just for show, thank you everyone! Adios!” He hurried inside the company, so I could only curse while they hauled me inside. Natasha was happily enjoying my suffering and even waved at me. The women outside protested and caused a scene, but when they were each given two thousand pesos, they shut up.
I was left confused and let the muscular bodyguards take me inside. Michael ran in like a happy kid. Damn, this X Corporation really is for the rich. It was freezing like a north pole inside and everything looked like it was built for royalty with how expensive the materials were.
I didn’t have time to analyze the building because we’d already reached an elevator and the bodyguards (shoved) me inside. I was left alone with weird Michael, who hadn’t stopped grinning.
He’s taller than me, and if he tries anything, my foot will fly straight to his… you know.
“I don’t care if you’re Head of Security or whatever, but the moment you make me do something I don’t like, we’re gonna have a problem.” I threatened him, which made him swallow and scoot to the corner. Is this the Head of Security? No bite at all.
“Yes, ma’am.” He went quiet and nervous in the corner. Was he scared of me? Damn, this building goes up to the 100th floor. It took minutes to reach the top.
Wait, I don’t want to be a CEO’s secretary. What did I get myself into?
“Wait, where are you actually—”
DING!
And the doors opened, so I had no time to complain. I just followed him even though I wanted to protest. We ended up at a fancy door with a nameplate beside it. I wanted to ruin the moment and say 'Where's my prize now?' But seeing the nameplate made me freeze.
*CEO J. Griffith.*
Wait, Griffith? Why does that sound familiar? I frowned and looked at Michael as he opened the door.
And I was shocked when I saw who's behind that door.
Well, that back looks familiar. I'm not a p*****t or anything there's just this something about him that felt oddly familiar. Wait, it couldn't be...
When he turned around, I saw again the handsome face of my high school rival. Why would I ever forget those cold blue eyes — my rival in literally everything back then?
He was frowning too, but it turned to shock when he saw me.
“YOU?!”
- Writer
