ANG SUPER TIGANG KONG BOSS [THAT MANYAKIS CEO SERIES 2] SPG 🔞

CHAPTER 3

The bass was pounding, the lights were spinning, and I was three shots in—four, kung isasama ang gin na hindi ko pa maubos.

I leaned against the bar, swirling my glass with a sigh. The place was packed. Bodies moving. Laughter echoing. And yet, I felt so painfully alone. Para akong extra sa sariling pelikula. And worst of all, the villain just looked me in the eye kaninang umaga at tinawag akong mapang-akit.

Takte, Callie.

Why did her words sting more than I expected? Was it because they might be true?

I laughed a little bitterly, humigop sa natitirang gin, and let it burn all the way down my throat. I told myself I was fine. Na kaya ko ‘to. Na normal lang ‘to sa panatang gaya ng akin. That love, no matter how sacred, doesn’t always mean comfort.

“Strong drink for a pretty girl,” a deep, smooth voice said beside me.

I turned slowly, half-expecting another jerk na lalandi lang. But no.

He was tall. Tall tall. Dressed in a tailored dark green suit na parang hindi bagay sa club—pero biglang nagmukhang bagay kasi ang ganda ng tindig niya. Sharp jawline. Clean-cut hair. At parang kinulayan ng ginto ang mga mata niya dahil sa dim lights ng club.

"Thanks. Pero I'm not in the mood for small talk," I replied, nonchalant. Pero bahagyang nakatingin pa rin sa kanya.

He smiled, cool and patient. "Then let’s skip the small. I’m Draemon."

"Draemon? As in... parang brand ng mamahaling relo?"

He laughed. “As in me. But sure, let’s pretend I’m expensive.”

That made me smirk. Finally, someone who could match my sass.

"Pinky," I said, holding out my hand.

He took it gently, but firm. May manners. May confidence. “Like the color?”

“Like the punch,” I replied. “Knockout agad.”

That made him chuckle again. "I like your fire."

"I like your money," I said, scanning his Rolex, the slight glint of a Patek lapel pin, and his perfectly polished leather shoes.

He smirked. “At least you're honest.”

I rolled my eyes playfully, finally relaxing a bit. “So, what’s a rich man doing in a place like this?”

“Looking for something interesting,” he answered, taking a sip of whiskey. “Maybe someone who looks like she’s trying hard not to cry while pretending she owns the world.”

Bullseye. Ang bilis.

“Damn,” I muttered, facing forward again. “Are you a shrink too?”

“Nope,” sagot niya. “Just observant. And bored.”

I sighed. “Well, congrats. You found the drama queen of the night.”

“Wanna talk about it?” he asked. Not pushy, just... open.

I hesitated, then laughed a little. “He’s engaged.”

“Ah. The forbidden type.”

"Yup. The cold CEO type na kahit tingin mo palang parang pinapatay ka na sa lamig. Pero 'pag ngumiti, parang gusto mong mamatay ulit para sa kanya."

“Sounds familiar,” Draemon said. “I’ve been there. Mine was a duchess.”

"Seriously?"

He nodded. “Didn’t work out. Turns out, crowns can be heavy.”

“Damn,” I muttered again, sipping slower this time.

There was a pause. Comfortable. Not awkward. He didn’t press me for details, and I appreciated that.

“Gusto mo, I’ll take you home?” tanong niya, casual pero hindi bastos. “Just a ride. I swear.”

“Hmm…” I tapped my finger on my glass. “You don’t look like a serial killer.”

He grinned. “I’m offended. I spent years curating this face para hindi ako mukhang criminal.”

That made me laugh. “Alright. Pero sa sarili kong bahay, ha. Walang stopover, walang ‘just coffee’, walang kwento ng childhood trauma mo.”

“Deal,” he said, offering his arm.

I took it.

Nang makarating kami sa parking lot, it was a luxury car. Aircon na parang yakap. Leather seats na parang kama.

Tahimik kami nung una. I stared out the window, watching the city blur into soft neon trails.

“Ever felt like you’re chasing someone na hindi naman tumatakbo palapit sa’yo?” tanong ko bigla, out of nowhere.

“Worse,” sagot niya. “I once chased someone na nakatali na sa iba. Alam mong mali. Pero pinipilit mo pa rin. Because something in you refuses to accept that maybe... you’re not the one.”

I looked at him. His voice was low, calm. No bitterness, just... truth.

“I made a panata,” I said. “Family thing. We have this... tradition. We vow to love one person in this lifetime. And fight for that love.”

“That sounds beautiful,” Draemon said. “And heavy.”

I nodded. “Exactly.”

We didn’t speak for a while. And I liked that. No need to fill the silence.

“Thank you,” I said, quietly. “For the ride. And the company.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” he said, pulling up in front of my apartment. “You saved my night too.”

I smiled weakly. “Weird. I actually believe you.”

He leaned a little closer, eyes locked into mine. “Pinky, if ever that panata fails… if ever you realize that maybe you deserve something else—someone else—I hope you’ll remember me.”

I blinked. My heart skipped, not because of love, but something close. Comfort, maybe. Or timing.

“I’ll remember,” I whispered, hand on the door.

And then I stepped out. Back to my small apartment. Back to real life.

But for once, it didn’t feel too small. Not tonight.

Kinabukasan, parang normal na araw lang naman, but I got notified by this mysterious guy na ang sabi ay new investor daw namin; and guess what, pupunta raw siya rito right now to see Mr. Ismael himself.

The elevator dinged.

As usual, I was standing outside the conference room with a stack of folders pressed to my chest, naka-heels, naka-blazer, at naka-ready sa kung anuman ang pasabog ng araw. Everything was calm, corporate, predictable.

Until he walked in.

Draemon.

He wasn’t in a club suit this time, but in a navy blue one na mas formal, mas crisp, and somehow even more expensive-looking. His stride was silent but sure, like someone used to being followed, respected, obeyed. His eyes scanned the floor briefly—calculated, steady—until they met mine.

For a split second, I froze.

No words. No smile. Just... that look. A subtle recognition. Parang lihim. Parang kasalanan.

I stepped back instinctively as he walked past me.

“Good morning,” he said softly, almost like a private note. “Where's the conference room?”

“Sir, dito po ang conference room,” I replied, straightening my blazer and my breathing.

He nodded once, then disappeared into the room where the board waited.

What the hell?

I pressed my hand against my chest, feeling the rapid beat of my heart like it wanted to jump out and confront me.

Ten minutes later.

“Pinky,” tawag ni Ma’am Sheila, the HR head. “Pa-prepare ng extra documents para sa bagong investor. NDA copy, orientation packet, and please check kung may in-email si Sir Rivera kaninang umaga.”

Investor? Si Draemon? As in… new investor ng Rivera Publication?

Tumakbo agad utak ko. Is this a coincidence? A plan? Was he stalking me? Or worse... was I so drunk last night na nabanggit kong secretary ako dito?

Habang nagpi-print ako ng files, I kept glancing toward the glass wall of the conference room. There he was. Calm, upright, totally in his element. Mr. Ismael was talking to the board, but Draemon barely blinked. He looked… focused. Unreadable.

As if our night never happened.

And maybe, to him, it didn’t matter.

But to me? Damn it.

An hour later – the meeting ends

People poured out of the room, chatting, shaking hands, smiling.

Mr. Ismael came out last, followed by Draemon.

I was organizing the folders at the corner table when I heard a deep voice behind me.

“Neat and precise. I should’ve known.”

I turned. It was him. Standing inches away. Not touching, but near enough to tilt the air around us.

“You didn’t say you… you'll be up here,” I muttered, trying to keep my tone neutral.

“You didn’t ask,” he replied simply.

I met his gaze. This close, his scent—fresh woods and subtle spice—wrapped around me like a secret I wasn’t ready to share.

“So... investor ka nga talaga?”

I crossed my arms, trying not to stare at his perfectly tailored suit or the slight smirk curling on his lips. Pero, haler. Parang ang hirap naman magpaka-professional kung yung lalaking naka-one night deep convo mo sa club eh biglang naglalakad na sa hallway ng opisina mo. In full HD. With boardroom lighting.

“Yes,” sagot niya, eyes locked on mine. “I finalized the deal last week. Hindi ko lang in-expect na dito rin pala nagtatrabaho ang... Miss Strawberry Lips.”

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You told me that was your lipstick shade,” he said, still calm but obviously teasing. “Don’t tell me you forgot.”

Did I even say that?

Well, if yes, aaminin ko na sana na oo, I said that—sa kalagitnaan ng lasing confidence habang umiikot ang disco lights—pero hindi puwedeng magpakita ako ng kahinaan. Not today.

“Of course I didn’t,” I tossed my hair. “I just didn’t think you’d remember. Akala ko mga lalaking katulad mo mabilis mag-move on sa mga ganyan.”

“I don’t forget interesting women,” he replied, stepping a bit closer.

I raised a brow. “Hmm. So I’m interesting now?”

“You were interesting the moment you talked back to the bartender and asked for a shot na may apoy.”

I laughed. “Hey, that was called Flaming Lust. Signature ko yun.”

He tilted his head, amused. “Figures.”

Then silence. But not the awkward kind—more like, tingnan natin kung sino unang maglalambot kind.

Napatingin ako sa kanya. He had that lazy confidence, yung tipong alam mong may sinasabi kahit hindi siya nagsasalita. His fingers tapped lightly on the edge of the wall behind me.

“So... Secretary ka pala ni Mr. Rivera,” he said at last.

“Hmm. Secretary, assistant, life saver, stress reliever—lahat na. Swiss knife ako dito.”

“I see,” he chuckled.

“Yeah…” sagot ko naman sa kanya. “So, I'll up ahead na coz I have so much work to do.” Farewell ko naman sabay naglakad with full confidence, then I stopped for like a seconds, at tiningnan siya pabalik, “By the way, your decision for making an investment at Rivera Publication will never fail.”

He just nodded.

I thought tapos na ang usapan namin coz only by this time I felt like, you know, awkward moment dahil ang alam ng mokong na ‘yon ang lahat ng secrets ko within this company. Lalo na ang secret ko with Mr. CEO.

Ghad!

Kaya lang, sabi ni Mr. Ismael na kausapin ko raw siya and I need to get to know him dahil marami kaming future projects together. Hala, ano ‘to? Alternative sa puso kong broken?

“So, Mr. New Investor,” I started, trying to sound cool, “anong ginagawa mo sa floor na ‘to?” Natanong ko bigla sa kanya out k nowhere. Nandito kasi siya sa may lobby sa harap ng elevator.

Draemon leaned slightly against the wall beside me, arms crossed, exuding that quiet, expensive confidence that screamed old money but fun. “Hindi ba’t may orientation package pa akong makukuha? I was told a beautiful secretary would hand it to me personally.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Wow. Flattery? At work hours?”

“Professional observation lang,” he said with a wink. “Besides, I’m new. You wouldn’t want your investors getting lost, would you?”

“Hmm,” I replied, narrowing my eyes. “Depende. Are you the type na kailangan ng tour guide? O mas gusto mo ng thrill ng pag-eexplore sa mga bawal?”

That earned a low chuckle from him, one that made my stomach twist in a way I wasn’t proud of. “I do enjoy a little danger. But I know how to follow rules... when I want to.”

God. Help.

I flipped open a folder just to give my hands something to do. “You’ll find everything you need in this packet. Company overview, policies, ID schedule, and oh—an HR reminder not to flirt with the staff.”

Draemon reached for it, brushing his fingers lightly against mine. Accidentally? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.

“Thanks,” he murmured. “I’ll try to remember that. Although...” His eyes flicked to my lips. “Some rules are worth breaking.”

“Careful,” I said, stepping back. “You break rules too early, you might not last long here.”

“Or,” he said, stepping forward, “maybe I’ll last longer than you think.”

I stared up at him. Too close. Too smooth. Too damn tempting.

But then—ding—the elevator opened and Mr. Rivera stepped out with his usual cold precision.

Draemon immediately straightened, his playful smirk morphing into something more polished.

“Ah, Mr. Rivera,” he greeted with that same deep, relaxed tone. “Thank you for the meeting. I look forward to working together.”

Ismael gave a curt nod. “Let’s hope your interest brings results. Pinky, back to your desk.”

“Yes, sir.”

I tried to hide the heat on my face as I walked away. Draemon flashed me one last look before turning down the hall.

I slumped into my chair and stared at my monitor, pero ang utak ko, hindi sa Excel file. Nasa lalaking ‘yon—yung rich mystery guy turned investor na halos ikahulog ng panty ko sa hallway.

Bakit ganon? Sa club, he was charming. Sa office, he was magnetic. Parang kahit saan mo siya dalhin, nag-aadjust siya—but he never loses control.

And I hate to admit it… but I liked it.

I was still daydreaming when a post-it note appeared on my desk.

“Nice heels. Let’s talk business soon. – D”

I looked around, but he was gone.

My heart thudded, loud and traitorous.

Was I in trouble? Was he dangerous?

Or was this the start of something... thrilling?

Either way, I wasn’t ready—but I was definitely curious.

And curiosity, as my lola used to say, is how we Miranda women find either love... or chaos.

Maybe both. Ahhh. Ang gulo!