MINE TO KEEP

CHAPTER 1 The First Encounter The rain had been falling since dawn. By eight in the morning, the streets of Manila were already crowded, umbrellas filling the sidewalks as cars crawled through traffic. Chloe stared at the towering glass building in front of her. VILLANO & ASSOCIATES. She tightened her grip around the folder in her hands. This was it. After months of searching for an internship, she had finally been accepted into one of the most prestigious law firms in the city. “First day,” she whispered to herself. “Don't mess this up.” She took a deep breath before entering. The lobby was everything she expected from an expensive law firm—marble floors, polished walls, modern furniture, and employees moving quickly from one room to another. Everyone looked serious. Everyone except Chloe. She was nervous enough for all of them. “Miss Chloe?” Chloe turned. A woman wearing a black blazer approached her with a tablet in hand. “Yes?” “I’m Ms. Reyes, the senior secretary. You’re assigned to the litigation department.” Chloe smiled politely. “Thank you. I’ll do my best.” “I’m sure you will.” They walked toward the elevators. “You’ll mostly be handling documents, case files, and research,” Ms. Reyes explained. “And there’s one important rule.” Chloe looked at her. “Never enter Mr. Villano’s office without permission.” Chloe raised an eyebrow. “Mr. Villano?” Ms. Reyes suddenly looked uncomfortable. “Andrian Villano. Managing partner.” “Oh.” Chloe had heard the name before. Everyone had. Andrian Villano was one of the youngest managing partners in the country. Brilliant, wealthy, and known for winning difficult cases. He was also rumored to be extremely strict. “Is he really that scary?” Chloe asked. Ms. Reyes gave her a look. “You'll see.” The elevator doors opened. Chloe stepped out. And then she saw him. A man stood at the end of the hallway, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. Several lawyers surrounded him, listening carefully as he spoke. Andrian Villano. Even from a distance, Chloe could tell he commanded attention without trying. His expression was calm. Too calm. Then, as if sensing someone watching him, Andrian turned. His eyes met Chloe’s. For a moment, neither of them moved. Chloe immediately looked away. Great. First day and I've already been caught staring at the boss. “That's Mr. Villano,” Ms. Reyes whispered. “I figured.” “Try not to get on his bad side.” “I'll try.” They continued walking. Unfortunately, Chloe's luck had apparently decided to disappear that morning. “Miss Chloe.” She stopped. The deep voice behind her made her turn around. Andrian was standing only a few steps away. “Yes, sir?” He glanced at the folder in her hands. “You're the new intern?” “Yes.” “Name?” “Chloe.” His eyes remained on her for a moment before he nodded. “Follow me.” Chloe blinked. “Me?” Andrian raised an eyebrow. “You heard me.” She quickly followed him. They entered his office. The room was large, dark, and almost unnervingly quiet. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, while shelves filled with law books covered one wall. Andrian placed a thick folder on his desk. “I need these documents organized before noon.” Chloe stared at the folder. There had to be hundreds of pages. “Before noon?” “Yes.” She looked at the clock. It was already 9:15. “That gives me less than three hours.” Andrian leaned back in his chair. “Correct.” Chloe swallowed. “Is this some kind of test?” A faint smile appeared on his face. “Everything here is a test.” She didn't like that answer. Still, she picked up the folder. “I'll finish it.” Andrian watched her leave. The moment the door closed, his expression changed. He picked up a document from his desk. Chloe. Her name had appeared in a case file weeks before she had even applied to the firm. There was something about her background that didn't add up. Andrian intended to find out what it was. --- By 11:47, Chloe dropped the final document onto the desk outside Andrian's office. “Done.” She leaned against the wall, exhausted. Ms. Reyes looked impressed. “You actually finished?” Chloe nodded. “Barely.” Before Ms. Reyes could respond, Andrian's office door opened. He stepped outside and picked up the organized documents. He flipped through them silently. Everything was perfectly arranged. He looked at Chloe. “You made no mistakes.” Chloe smiled. “Was that supposed to surprise you?” Andrian paused. For the first time, his expression softened slightly. “Perhaps.” Chloe crossed her arms. “Well, now you know.” Andrian looked at her for another second. Then he returned to his office. “Tomorrow. Eight sharp.” Chloe stared at the closed door. “Unbelievable.” Ms. Reyes laughed quietly. “You survived your first day.” Chloe sighed. “Barely.” But neither of them noticed Andrian standing behind his office door, looking through the glass. His eyes remained on Chloe. There was something about her. Something he couldn't explain. Andrian Villano had never liked mysteries. Especially when the mystery was standing inside his own law firm.