The Bossy Intruder (English)

Chapter 15 -No One Would Dare Lay Their Hands on You

Micah’s eyes flicked briefly to her as he maneuvered the car through the dimly lit streets. “So, Miss Enriquez, which school did you graduate from?”

Alondra sat up straighter, gripping her bag tightly on her lap. “St. Agnes University, Sir.”

“Hmm.” He nodded. “Good reputation. What was your course?”

“Advertising and Public Relations.” She smiled faintly. “It’s been my dream to work in this field.”

“And yet you seem like you’re about to faint every time I call you into my office.”

Her cheeks flushed. “That’s because you’re intimidating, Sir.”

“Intimidating?” he repeated, arching a brow. “Do I scare you?”

“Yes—no! I mean… a little.” She winced, realizing how ridiculous she sounded. “But not in a bad way. More like… I want to do well so you won’t be disappointed.”

Micah’s lips curved ever so slightly—not quite a smile, but close enough to make her chest tighten. “Fair answer. What about your family? Where are they?”

Alondra hesitated, her gaze dropping to her hands. “My parents passed away when I was in college. It’s just me now. I have a few relatives, but… they’re not really close.”

Micah glanced at her again, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes before he returned his focus to the road. “You’ve been on your own for a while then.”

“Yes, Sir. It wasn’t easy, but… I managed.” She forced a small smile. “I’ve learned to depend on myself.”

“You sound proud of that.”

“Shouldn’t I be?” she said softly, a hint of defiance slipping through.

Micah hummed in acknowledgment. “I suppose you should.”

There was a brief silence, broken only by the hum of the car engine. Then Micah spoke again. “What do you think of Zest Ads so far?”

She blinked at the sudden question. “I… I think it’s different from other ad agencies. Most companies nowadays focus on shock value—loud, in-your-face campaigns. But Zest Ads… it appeals to emotions. It makes people feel something. And I think that’s more powerful.”

Micah’s eyes darted to her again, his expression unreadable. “You actually notice things like that.”

“Well… isn’t that the point of advertising?” she asked timidly. “To connect with people? To make them feel?”

A quiet chuckle rumbled in his chest. “You make it sound so poetic.”

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat but managed a small grin. “Maybe I’m just romantic about my job.”

“Or you’re trying too hard to impress me.”

She gasped, eyes wide. “I’m not—”

“Relax, I’m joking,” he said dryly, though the corner of his mouth twitched. “But keep that perspective. Zest needs people who understand why we do what we do. Not just people who want to ride trends.”

Alondra nodded, her earlier nervousness easing a little.

“Sir… can I ask you something?” she ventured cautiously.

“What is it?”

“Why did you choose emotional campaigns for Zest Ads? I mean… most companies would just chase viral content or controversy to stay relevant.”

Micah’s fingers drummed lightly on the steering wheel as he thought. “Because shock value fades. People forget a viral moment. But when an ad resonates with your emotions, you remember it. Years later, you’ll still recall how it made you feel.”

Alondra stared at him in awe. “That’s… deep. I didn’t expect you to say that.”

He glanced at her, one brow raised. “Why? Because I look like the kind of man who doesn’t care about feelings?”

She bit her lip, unsure if she should answer. “A little?”

A rare laugh escaped him, low and unexpected. “Honest. I’ll give you that.”

Alondra smiled sheepishly. “Thank you, Sir.”

“Don’t thank me yet. I haven’t decided if you’re impressive or just very talkative.”

Her eyes widened. “I—I can be quiet, Sir. I swear.”

“Too late. You’re already talking.” He shot her a sidelong glance, his lips twitching again. “But… maybe that’s not such a bad thing.”

Alondra looked away quickly, hoping he wouldn’t notice how warm her face felt.

"Where should I turn?" he asked.

Alondra blinked and realized they were almost at the street where her apartment was.

"At the next corner, Sir."

But the car did not turn right away because the street was too dark.

"It's too dark in here. Not even a single streetlight. How do you get home at night?"

"There were lights when I moved here. And it's the first time I got home late. I hope the lights are back tomorrow."

Micah abruptly hit the break as small children chasing one another appeared from nowhere. He honked his car horn loudly. The children only ran away, laughing at each other.

"What are those kids? How could they run the streets at night? They're supposed to be home and studying. Where are their parents?"

Alondra shrugged. She had no idea. She did not come to know her neighbors yet. She only knew her landlady Mrs. Luming who lived in the farthest room in that six-door apartment.

The people in Manila did not really care about each other, unlike in the province. Alondra actually felt strange living alone in her new place. She was used to having a lot of people to talk to from her previous boarding house.

"Sir, you can just park over there, " she said. Micah pulled over in front of her apartment.

"Is it alright to leave the car here?" he asked. He glanced at the group of men drinking across Alondra's apartment.

She could not blame if Micah felt nervous. The people there looked suspicious.

"No one will lay a hand on that, Sir. My landlady's husband is a barangay official, so no one will dare to touch my guests or me here, " she reassured and opened the door.

During her two days at the apartment, no one dared to trouble or harass her. They were just loud while drinking and even louder whenever they argue with their wives.

Micah caught her hand. "Wait. Let me."

Alondra caught her breath as she found his face only an inch away from her. She could also feel the warmth of his body enveloping her. Her eyes widened. What was he going to do to her? Will he kiss her? What was she supposed to do?

"Don't go out right away. Wait for me to open the door for you. Someone out there might grab you and harm you. Do you understand?"

Alondra could only nod and follow him with her gaze as he pulled away and got out of the car. Where did she get the idea that he was going to kiss her, anyway? He was simply a gentleman who wanted to protect her. He was a gentleman, and there's no way he would kiss her.

Micah opened the door to her side and helper her get down. Alondra saw the knot on his forehead as he surveyed her apartment. She ignored it at once. Of course, her apartment was nothing compared to his condo unit.

Micah opened his hand. "Your keys?"

Alondra fished her keys from her bag and handed it to him. Was that a man who took a woman home supposed to do? Should he really open her house for her?

He opened the gate and looked around. He closed it at once and sauntered to the door. "Stay there, " he uttered as he opened it. He reached for something. "Where's the switch?"

Alondra reached for the wall on the other side, and light flooded the place. She blocked his way when he was about to step in. "Sir, my house is messy at the moment. It's embarrassing…"

"You worry about your embarrassment when you should worry about your safety. A thief can break in easily. Did you see the kind of people around you? What if a robber or a r****t breaks and enters? You are practically alone." He put his hands on his hips. "Why move in this house, in the first place? It does not look safe at all, and it's too small. Can you even breathe in here?"

Alondra folder her arms. "Sir, I was in a hurry to move out, and it's the only place available. I was thankful I found a vacant one because it was hard finding an apartment as cheap as this one now."

"Cheap? I could not imagine how you are going to last in here. Besides, I was not telling you to move out of my condo. You did not even bother to talk to me before you left. If I have known that you moved into this kind of place, I should not have let you leave."

"I have shame, too, Sir. Besides, I'm really fine here. I could afford the rent, and the owner is considerate." Someone banged the gate, making Alondra jumped. Whoever did that did not know how to knock. "Stay here for a moment, Sir. I'll just check who it is."