Chapter 3: The CEO's Curiosity
1519 Words
The city looked different from the forty-eighth floor.
From the executive office of Villareal Holdings, Metro Manila appeared orderly, almost peaceful. Morning traffic resembled orderly streams of tiny lights, and the people below were reduced to nameless figures moving between towering buildings.
Anthony Villareal often wondered if this was how his family viewed the world.
From high above.
Far enough that people became numbers.
Employees became payroll.
Competitors became obstacles.
Marriages became business transactions.
He rested his hands on the cool glass of the floor-to-ceiling window.
Below him, thousands of lives unfolded simultaneously. Somewhere among them was Serenity Flores.
He knew only her name.
Yet somehow, that felt like the beginning of something.
"Sir?"
Miguel Santos entered the office carrying a stack of folders and a tablet.
"The quarterly projections are ready."
Anthony nodded absently.
"Leave them there."
Miguel placed everything neatly on the desk before studying his boss.
For six years, Anthony had been the definition of discipline. Every meeting began on time. Every report was reviewed meticulously. Every decision was backed by facts rather than emotion.
This week...
He had stared out the window more than he had at financial statements.
Miguel crossed his arms.
"You're thinking about her again."
Anthony didn't bother denying it.
"Have you ever met someone who didn't make sense?"
Miguel laughed softly.
"I've worked with politicians."
Anthony shook his head.
"No... I mean someone who stays in your mind for reasons you can't explain."
"The girl from the rain?"
Anthony finally turned away from the window.
"I've met thousands of people."
"I know."
"I remember almost none of them."
Miguel smiled knowingly.
"And yet you remember someone you've spoken exactly zero words to."
Anthony sighed.
"I know how ridiculous it sounds."
Miguel leaned against the desk.
"Then maybe stop fighting it."
Anthony raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"You don't seem interested because she's beautiful."
Anthony frowned.
"I'm not."
"You don't seem interested because she's mysterious."
"No."
Miguel thought for a moment.
"You seem interested because she reminded you of something."
Anthony remained silent.
Miguel continued.
"Before Villareal Holdings."
Before board meetings.
Before shareholders.
Before profits.
Before your father started preparing you to become chairman.
Anthony looked down.
His grandfather's voice echoed once again inside his mind.
"The strongest people are those who never forget how to be kind."
He had been ten years old.
His grandfather had taken him to a public park instead of another business function.
They had fed stray dogs.
Anthony remembered laughing.
He also remembered being scolded by his father afterward.
"A Villareal doesn't waste time on things that produce nothing."
Produce nothing.
The words had shaped years of his life.
Everything became measured by value.
Return on investment.
Efficiency.
Profit.
Until yesterday.
Until he saw a soaked college student smiling because she had saved a frightened dog.
For the first time in years...
He questioned what "valuable" truly meant.
Across the city, Serenity sat quietly beneath the sprawling branches of an acacia tree.
Her lunch consisted of rice, vegetables, and an egg packed carefully by her mother that morning.
She preferred eating outside.
The breeze helped her think.
She opened her psychology notebook and underlined a sentence from the day's lecture.
"People often reveal their true character through small decisions made when no one is watching."
She smiled.
Professor Alvarez always had a way of making ordinary lessons feel personal.
"Studying already?"
Lia appeared carrying two cups of iced coffee.
"I bought you one."
"You didn't have to."
"I know."
Lia sat beside her.
"But I wanted to."
Serenity accepted it gratefully.
"Thank you."
Lia looked at her friend for a long moment.
"What?"
"You always thank people like they did something extraordinary."
"They did."
"It was just coffee."
"You spent money on me."
Lia laughed.
"You really grew up differently."
Serenity nodded thoughtfully.
"My parents taught me that every act of kindness costs someone something."
Time.
Money.
Energy.
Love.
"So..." Lia said, nudging her shoulder.
"Have you filled out your internship application?"
"Almost."
"You know thousands are applying?"
"I know."
"You still seem calm."
Serenity smiled.
"If I get accepted, I'll work hard."
"And if you don't?"
"I'll find another opportunity."
Lia stared.
"I wish I handled disappointment like you."
Serenity looked toward students hurrying across campus.
"I've learned that worrying doesn't change tomorrow."
Inside Villareal Holdings, Human Resources Director Elena Ramos entered Anthony's office carrying another folder.
"Sir?"
Anthony gestured toward the chair.
"Please."
She sat.
"The internship committee would like your approval."
Anthony skimmed through the documents.
Everything looked standard.
Selection criteria.
University partnerships.
Interview schedules.
Final evaluations.
Then...
He reached Serenity's application again.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Dean's Lister.
Volunteer Tutor.
Academic Excellence Award.
Recommendation letters.
One letter caught his attention.
It was handwritten.
"Ms. Serenity Flores possesses one quality that cannot be taught in classrooms."
"She listens."
"Not merely to words—but to people."
"In twenty-three years of teaching, I have met many brilliant students."
"Very few possess both intelligence and compassion."
"She has both."
Anthony reread the final sentence.
"Whatever organization accepts Serenity will gain far more than an intern."
He slowly closed the folder.
"When are interviews?"
Elena looked surprised.
"Next Tuesday."
Anthony nodded.
"I'll attend."
Silence.
The HR director blinked.
"I'm sorry, sir?"
"I said I'll attend."
Elena almost laughed.
"In eight years, you've never attended internship interviews."
"I know."
"Is there... a particular reason?"
Anthony answered without hesitation.
"I want to understand what kind of people we'll be investing in."
It sounded convincing.
Even to himself.
That evening, Anthony attended another charity gala.
Crystal chandeliers illuminated the grand ballroom.
Champagne flowed freely.
Politicians exchanged handshakes with business tycoons.
Luxury brands decorated every corner.
Anthony wore a perfectly tailored black tuxedo.
He smiled politely.
Accepted congratulations.
Discussed investments.
Posed for photographs.
But none of it reached him.
"You seem distracted."
Anthony turned.
His mother, Beatrice Villareal, approached elegantly in an emerald gown.
"I've had a busy week."
"You usually enjoy these events."
"They're necessary."
She studied him carefully.
"Miguel mentioned you've become interested in the internship program."
Anthony looked at her.
"I didn't realize Miguel reported everything."
"He doesn't."
"I observe."
She gently adjusted his tie.
"You've worked very hard these past few years."
"I have."
"Your father and I are proud."
Anthony smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
She lowered her voice.
"By the way..."
"The Monteverde family will be joining us next week."
Anthony already knew where the conversation was heading.
"Isabella recently returned from London."
"I heard."
"She's become quite accomplished."
"I'm sure she has."
Beatrice smiled.
"You two always looked wonderful together."
Anthony remained silent.
His mother mistook silence for agreement.
It wasn't.
As she walked away, Anthony picked up another glass of sparkling water.
Not champagne.
He rarely drank.
He watched couples dancing beneath the chandelier.
Everything appeared beautiful.
Perfect.
Carefully arranged.
Much like every marriage within their social circle.
Strategic.
Beneficial.
Predictable.
He suddenly found himself wondering...
Would Serenity enjoy a place like this?
He smiled to himself.
Probably not.
She would likely spend the evening talking to the waiters rather than the executives.
She would notice if someone's shoes were uncomfortable.
She would thank the musicians before leaving.
She would probably sneak leftovers to the security guards.
The thought made him laugh quietly.
"What are you smiling about?"
Anthony looked up.
His younger cousin Marco stood beside him.
"Nothing."
Marco followed his gaze toward the ballroom.
"You've never liked these parties."
"No."
"So why come?"
Anthony glanced around.
"Obligation."
Marco nodded.
"Grandfather used to say obligation keeps families together."
Anthony looked toward the crowded ballroom.
"And what if obligation slowly tears them apart?"
Marco had no answer.
Meanwhile, Serenity sat beside the window of her family's small home, reviewing internship interview questions.
Her father approached carrying two mugs of hot chocolate.
"Still studying?"
She accepted one gratefully.
"I want to do well."
"You always do."
He sat beside her.
"When I was your age," he said softly, "I stopped studying because I needed to work."
Serenity looked at him.
"I know."
"I've never regretted working."
He smiled warmly.
"But I always wondered what would have happened if I had been given the chance you have now."
He gently placed a weathered hand over hers.
"So promise me something."
"What is it?"
"If life opens a door..."
His voice trembled ever so slightly.
"...don't be afraid to walk through it."
Tears threatened to form in Serenity's eyes.
"I promise."
Outside, the night breeze carried the scent of approaching rain once again.
Miles away, Anthony sat alone in his penthouse, reading Serenity's application for the third time.
He knew almost nothing about her.
Yet every page revealed a little more.
Excellent grades.
Volunteer work.
Scholarships.
Community service.
No prestigious surname.
No influential relatives.
No extraordinary wealth.
Just quiet determination.
Anthony closed the folder and smiled.
"Who are you, Serenity Flores?"
It was a simple question.
One that neither of them realized would soon change both of their lives.
Because curiosity, when nurtured by fate, has a way of becoming admiration.
And admiration, when met with sincerity, often becomes the beginning of love.
- Writer
