Secretly Yours, Boss

Chapter 7

It's been exactly one month since I officially started my new chapter here at Emerson & Lyle. And honestly? Everything's been running so smoothly that I almost feel like I'm in one of those glossy lifestyle magazine spreads—smiling effortlessly while holding a latte, work-life balance on point, and career growth happening in real time.

Imagine this: out of the ten client proposals I've submitted, eight got approved. Eight! As in, halos perfect score na. The remaining two? Well, they didn't push through—but not because I wasn't good enough. No, no. Those were simply meant for another company entirely. So, technically speaking, wala talaga akong kasalanan doon. If anything, it just proves na I'm still on top of my game.

So yeah, everything feels like it's finally falling into place. I've made new friends—Shin, the rest of my team, of course my ever-loyal Trish, and... well... Liam.

Now, never in my wildest daydreams did I think I'd be this close to Liam. Like, seriously. The Liam I used to just admire from a respectful distance, the same man whose LinkedIn profile could practically double as a Forbes feature—now actually talks to me like a person. And it all started that night... that unexpected night when he took my hand and brought me to his so-called sanctuary.

And before you even let your imagination run wild—no. Walang nangyari. As in, zero. Purely conversation lang. We just sat there, and he opened up in a way I never imagined he would. He told me about the frustrations he's been carrying around—specifically about his family.

And it's ironic, isn't it? Having everything anyone could ever wish for—wealth, influence, success—and yet still feeling weighed down. For him, the weight came in the form of an arranged marriage. His family wanted him to marry the daughter of some family friends. The catch? He doesn't even know her. Never met her. And obviously, he protested.

And you know what? I completely get him. Why would you commit to a lifetime with someone you don't love—or even know? That's like buying an expensive designer coat two sizes too small just because someone told you it "looked good on paper."

I'll admit, when he told me that story, there was this tiny, almost unnoticeable pinch in my chest. I mean... he's my crush. I couldn't help but hope—kahit kaunti lang—na maybe, just maybe, there's space for me in that guarded heart of his. Even if I know it's... well... unlikely.

That's why I told myself I should probably keep some distance from him. Maintain the professional line. But apparently, Liam didn't get the memo. It's not like he's physically hovering over me all the time, but more like... he finds ways to bridge the gap between us. Subtle, almost calculated ways.

Of course, part of it is work. Our positions require us to collaborate closely. That's probably the only reason, right? Which is why I refuse—refuse—to put any romantic shade on that night he brought me to his little escape space.

But since then, we've had more interactions. And with each one, I got to see a different side of him. Not the always-serious, Mr. Perfect CEO version, but the actual human underneath. The man who laughs—sometimes even teases—when the mood is light. The man who treats the team to coffee without a second thought.

The man who's slowly, almost imperceptibly, making me want to know more.

"Be, alam mo bang buntis na si Pat?" Trish suddenly blurted out while we were comfortably settled sa favorite café namin, halfway through our Saturday errands. We were in our usual corner table—me with my caramel macchiato, her with her iced Spanish latte—surrounded by the soft hum of indie music and the clinking of cups.

I raised my eyebrows at her, giving her the look—the one that says, seriously, what now? She caught it instantly, and with a small smirk, she leaned in a bit, lowering her voice for effect.

"Yes, be. You heard it right. The oh-so-divine-Virgin-Mary is now pregnant. Can you even believe it? Miss 'Tahimik-Lang-Ako-Girl' apparently has her own hidden wild side." She said it with such mock sweetness, but the bite in her tone was obvious—as if she was pouring espresso shots of sarcasm into every word.

Of course, I knew exactly why Trish's voice carried that certain flavor. There's history. And not the good kind.

See, this Pat we were talking about? She's one of our former colleagues back in our old company—part of that so-called "friend group" I had back then. You know, the ones who were all smiles to my face but only kept me close because I was the walking, talking sponsor for every lunch out and milk tea run. Trish, on the other hand, had even more reason to dislike her. Apparently, Pat had been spreading rumors that Trish was the secret mistress of our forty-something, already-married Team Leader—complete with a wife and five kids.

Plot twist? It was Pat all along who had some sort of "arrangement" with the walking midlife crisis that was our TL. And just so you know, Pat and Trish were the same age—barely mid-twenties. The irony writes itself.

Honestly, looking back, I just feel relieved we both left that toxic workplace behind. Okay, fine—the company itself wasn't inherently toxic. But when your roster of employees includes manipulative freeloaders and rumor-mongers, the environment inevitably becomes acidic. Leche ang mga tao doon, as Trish would put it.

I just sipped my coffee, trying to appear unbothered but internally amused. Then I shrugged. "Well, ano pa bang ine-expect mo? Sabi nga, birds of the same feather flock together."

Trish grinned, leaning forward so our palms met in a perfectly timed high-five—sealing the statement like the classy, caffeinated besties-in-gossip that we are.

We were in the middle of enjoying our precious weekend ritual—me and Trish, two iced coffees, a slice of burnt cheesecake to share, and endless catch-up stories—when my phone suddenly lit up on the table.

I glanced at the screen... and froze for a microsecond. Liam.

Of course, I picked it up right away. My thumb swiped without hesitation, but my heart did this weird, uninvited skip.

"Yes, Boss?" I said, keeping my tone as neutral as possible, though I could already feel Trish's curious stare drilling into the side of my head.

There was a pause on the other end, followed by a heavy sigh—like the kind you make when you're both tired and frustrated. "Can you fetch me here sa airport?" His voice was calm but edged with fatigue. "I know, sorry if I'm bothering you right now. I totally forgot my driver is on vacation, and I really don't want to call my brothers just to pick me up. They're... well, they're f*****g mad at me. So... ikaw na lang ang naisip ko. If it's okay with you?"

I went quiet for a couple of seconds, processing everything. Because, hello? This was not a work-related call. And Liam never calls me unless it's urgent.

Trish, of course, was already leaning forward, eyes wide, eyebrows raised, silently mouthing Who is that? I covered the mouthpiece and whispered, "It's Liam."

The smirk that spread across her face was the definition of meaningful. I rolled my eyes at her in warning.

"Y-yeah, sure. No problem. Now na ba?" I asked, my voice cracking ever so slightly—like my composure was slipping through the cracks.

Another sigh from his end, but this time it was softer... relieved. "Thank you, Brix. You're really a savior. Yes, if that's okay?"

"Sure," I replied, and after the call ended, I stared at my phone for a moment longer than necessary.

Trish wasted no time. "Ano 'yon? May something na sa inyo, 'te?" Her voice was practically dripping with mischief.

"Gaga! Wala, no," I shot back immediately. "Nagpapasundo lang siya sa airport."

Her smile turned into a slow, teasing grin. "Wow... hindi ka lang pala Client Expert, driver ka na rin pala."

I threw a napkin at her, and we both burst out laughing.

A few minutes later, I excused myself, promising to text her later, and made my way to the parking lot. The late afternoon sun was casting that golden, cinematic glow over everything, and for some reason, my chest felt... lighter? Excited? I wasn't sure.

Sliding into my car, I started the engine, and as I pulled out of the café's driveway, I caught myself smiling.

I couldn't help it. Was I the first person that came to his mind? Was my name at the very top of his contact list? Not even Shin, not even anyone else—just... me.

Okay. I told myself to stop. This is just a simple boss-employee favor. He needed a ride because his driver's on vacation. I happened to be available. End of story.

Still, a part of me—one I tried to ignore—kept replaying his voice saying You're really a savior.

And I hated how that part of me kind of... liked it.

~~~~

The moment my car slowly approached the arrival bay of the airport, my eyes instantly locked on him—Liam. Even from a distance, he was impossible to miss. He was just standing there in the waiting area, but in true Liam fashion, it wasn't just standing—it was commanding the entire space like the world was simply his backdrop.

He had that unbothered, patient stance, hands relaxed at his sides, as if time itself was willing to wait for him. His black polo—immaculately pressed—was tucked neatly into pristine white trousers that fell perfectly along his frame. The subtle yet unmistakable glint of his Hermès belt buckle peeked through, like a discreet reminder of his taste for timeless luxury. On his feet, elevator shoes added just the right height, enhancing an already commanding presence.

On his left, his silver Rimowa luggage stood upright—because of course, Liam wouldn't be caught dead traveling with anything less than the Rolls-Royce of suitcases. Draped effortlessly over his shoulder was a leather jacket, the kind that you know cost more than most people's monthly salary. And shielding his eyes from the harsh afternoon light was a pair of black Chanel sunglasses, giving him that perfect old money look—like he could be either stepping out of a private jet or walking into a board meeting worth millions.

I swear, the man was dangerously handsome. So immaculately put together that it almost felt criminal. My gaze lingered longer than I'd like to admit, and internally I was practically drooling. Kahit sinong babae, kahit sinong bakla, kahit sino with a functional set of eyes and good taste—would fall hopelessly in love with a man like this.

I mean, imagine this: twenty-eight years old, already owning an empire, born with a silver spoon yet still managing to carve out his own kingdom. And then living in an extravagant man cave that could easily be featured in Architectural Digest. Ugh. Honestly, if he so much as hinted at marriage right there, I'd be like—Where's the pen? Point me to the contract.

Before I could spiral deeper into my own dangerous thoughts, I drove up to where he was standing. I rolled down my car window with the kind of casualness I absolutely did not feel, then flashed him a smile.

"Hi, Liam. Tara?" I greeted, like I wasn't internally combusting.

The moment his gaze met mine—well, met the general direction of my face since he was still wearing those sunglasses—his lips curved ever so slightly. That small smile instantly erased whatever trace of irritation might have been lingering earlier. Well, not that I was sure if he was irritated in the first place, since, hello, naka-shades siya. But you know Liam—he's the type who's always so composed, so serious, as if the whole world is one big business meeting that doesn't exactly require smiling.

Without a word, he moved with that effortless, fluid grace of his—placing his Rimowa into the trunk, then sliding into the passenger seat beside me. He removed his sunglasses in one smooth motion, and for the first time that day, I saw his eyes.

And then he smiled.

Not the polite smile for clients. Not the calculated smirk he saves for negotiations. This was real. Warm. The kind that could melt every shred of composure you've built.

Grabe. I swear, I melted right then and there.

That smile wasn't just charming—it was lethal. The kind that made you forget your principles, your boundaries, and quite possibly, your own name. And at that moment, I knew—I was in serious trouble.