Hot for the Boss

Chapter 2

It was around 5:00 p.m. when Jane—their HR head—tapped Noah’s shoulder habang sinasara na niya ang laptop niya.

“Hey. Don’t pack up just yet,” she said casually.

Napatingin si Noah, medyo nagulat. “May nakalimutan ba ako?” he asked.

“Nope,” Jane replied with a playful grin. “You’re invited. Welcome dinner for the new hires. We do it every quarter. Hindi naman siya formal, but maybe ditch the tie?”

Noah glanced down sa suot niyang blue striped tie. Kumunot ang kan’yang noo, hindi alam kung ano’ng gustong ipahiwatig nito. “What’s wrong with it?”

Jane chuckled. “Wala naman. You just look very… intern.” Muli itong marahang humalakhak at pinagmasdan siya mula ulo hanggang paa.

He laughed softly and unfastened it. “Got it.”

By 7:15 p.m., they were at a sleek restaurant tucked inside one of the city’s more expensive high-rises. Wala itong flashy signage—just matte gold letters and dim lighting na parang sinadyang maging exclusive ang dating.

There weren’t that many customers when they arrived. Siguro dahil more on exclusivity ang restaurant na iyon kaya hindi rin gaanong karaming mga tao ang nakakaalam dito.

When they told the waiter about their reservation, kaagad silang iginaya papunta sa sulok na parte ng resto kung saan may iilang mga pintuan na gawa sa mamahaling kahoy.

The private dining room was elegant. A long wooden table stretched across the room, accented by candles and neatly arranged cutlery. Waitstaff moved quietly, almost invisibly.

Noah took a seat near the center, between Paolo and Denise from Risk Management. Jane sat across from him, swirling a glass of red wine like she did this every Friday.

He observed the room. Slowly, it filled with people he recognized from earlier in the day.

Mag-iisang linggo pa lamang siya sa Ventura Financial Group bilang intern, at may iilang mga naging kaibigan na rin siya roon. Even though it’s Adeline who was his direct supervisor, but the others still insisted na sa kanila siya lumapit kung may gusto siyang tanungin o i-clarify. Maybe because they knew how ruthless their boss could be. They knew how she hated being asked for something that only takes common sense to know.

Few minutes later, medyo dumarami na ang mga taong kasama nila sa private dining room. There was polite laughter, soft clinks of utensils, and muted conversations as time went by.

Then something shifted.

Even before he turned his head, Noah felt it. Parang may nagbago sa hangin. The low chatter dimmed. People sat up straighter.

Adeline Ventura had entered the room.

She didn’t need to say anything to get attention. She just had to walk in. Her black sleeveless dress fit perfectly, not too tight, just enough to show her stature and class. Her hair was styled into a low bun, sleek and elegant. At hindi mawawala ang signature red lipstick niya—bold and unapologetic.

“Evening,” she said, voice calm and composed.

Everyone greeted her with nods and murmurs. Noah couldn’t help but be drawn to her presence. Parang automatic na siyang naging center of gravity ng table.

Her eyes briefly scanned the room, then stopped on him.

“Mr. Del Rosario. Settling in?”

It was more of a challenge than a question.

He offered a confident nod. “Yes, Ms. Ventura. Still learning, but I think I’m managing.”

“Good,” she said, already picking up her wine glass, though she didn’t drink from it.

Noah noticed the way she moved—precise, intentional. Walang sayang na kilos. She sat straight, spoke with control, and barely touched her food.

As the dinner progressed, the mood gradually shifted. The roasted lamb was tender, the risotto rich, and the wine flowed a little more freely. People started loosening up, making jokes, and sharing stories.

Noah kept his tone light, joining small conversations, pero hindi talaga siya maka-focus. His attention kept drifting back to Adeline. He didn’t even know why he seemed so captivated. Kahit anong focus niya sa mga sinasabi ng mga kasama ay bumabalik at bumabalik pa rin ang tingin niya rito.

She was a few seats away, talking quietly to someone from accounting. Her eyes were sharp, her replies crisp. Even the way she declined a refill was firm, almost silent. A slight shake of her head, a polite nod.

“Lagi ba siyang uma-attend ng ganito?” he asked Paolo in a low tone.

“Yeah,” Paolo replied, “pero she never stays long. She doesn’t mingle either. May sariling orbit ‘yan.”

Bahagya siyang tumango, sumasang-ayon sa huling sinabi ni Paolo. “She lives by her own rules,” Noah muttered.

“She is the rule,” Paolo corrected with a half-smile.

Later in the evening, one senior associate—slightly tipsy—started telling a story.

“…yung isang intern dati, quoted her thesis during a client meeting. Like, a full-on monologue. Kala mo siya ‘yong nagsulat.”

Tumawa ang iba. But the air got noticeably tense when all eyes turned to Adeline.

“She misquoted me,” Adeline said coldly. “And compromised the entire meeting.”

Dead silence. Forks hovered in mid-air.

Noah cleared his throat, trying to break the ice slowly forming with Adeline’s statement. “Mental note: no thesis quoting. Just stick to actual numbers.”

There was a beat of hesitation.

Then a few relieved chuckles.

Even Adeline's lips lifted slightly—barely a smile, more like a flicker. But Noah caught it.

By the time dessert was served—an indulgent chocolate mousse—the room had relaxed. Muling nagkwentuhan ang mga naroon at ine-enjoy ang huling course ng kanilang dinner. Some people started saying their goodbyes in the middle of the last course. Paolo reminded Noah to settle the split bill tomorrow using the finance card. Jane gave him a nod and left quietly.

Noah stayed.

He found himself stepping out onto the balcony. The city below was alive with light and distant traffic noise. The city’s buildings gleamed under a hazy night sky.

He leaned on the railing, breathing in the scent of rain that hadn’t fallen yet.

A few moments later, he heard some footsteps.

Delicate. Steady.

Kahit hindi niya ito nilingon ay tila alam na niya ‘agad kung sino iyon. Her scent started to linger in his nose. A clean floral scent with hints of something musky beneath. It was elegant, expensive, and almost aloof, just like her.

“You’re still here,” Adeline said.

Noah turned slightly. “Just getting some air.”

She stood beside him, not too close, but near enough to make him uncomfortable.

For a moment, they stood in silence. Pareho nilang pinagmasdan ang gising pa rin na siyudad sa ibaba.

“You handled yourself well,” Adeline muttered out of nowhere.

“Another test?” Noah asked, glancing at her.

She raised her brow. “Something like that.”

He smiled faintly. “Did I pass?”

Saglit silang binalot ng katahimikan bago nasagot ang kan’yang tanong.

“Don’t get too comfortable,” she warned. “One good dinner isn’t enough.”

Noah tilted his head slightly, amused. “I’m not after comfort, Ms. Ventura. Maybe just a second look.”

She turned her head, eyes meeting his. Her gaze was steady, curious.

“Be careful, Mr. Del Rosario.” There was no hint of amusement in her tone.

“I’m just here to learn,” katwiran pa ng binata.

“Some lessons come with a price.”

She turned and walked back inside, leaving him with nothing but the city lights and the lingering scent of her perfume.

Sinundan niya ito ng tingin papasok sa loob. May iilang mga empleyado ang lumapit sa kan’ya na para bang nagpapaalam dito.

Noah took a deep breath after a while. Hindi niya nga yata talaga mababasa ang iniisip ng boss niya.

He then looked out at the skyline and sighed. Suddenly, his lips curved into a small smile.

Kung ano mang linya ang natapakan niya sa gabing iyon, he was going to cross it again.

MONDAY MORNINGS hit differently at Ventura Financial Group. Bago pa man mag-9:00 a.m., the entire office floor was already alive with the low hum of printers, the occasional ding of email alerts, and the scent of brewed coffee lingering in the air.

Noah arrived a few minutes early, wearing his usual navy blazer and slacks. His necktie was neatly pressed, and a takeout Americano warmed his palm. Hindi pa siya nakakaupo ng maayos nang mag-pop up ang notification sa desktop screen niya.

Team Sync: Finance + Risk Review | Conf Room A | 9:15 A.M. | Attendance: Mandatory

Great. First joint meeting, and I don’t even know where Conf Room A is yet, he thought.

“Uy,” tawag ni Jane habang dumadaan. “Kasama ka dun. Tara, sabay na tayo.”

He grabbed his notepad and followed her toward the conference rooms. Tahimik ang hallway, pero parang ramdam niya ang tension sa paligid.

Pagpasok nila sa Conference Room A, it was already half-filled. Paolo was chatting with someone from Risk, habang may dalawang analysts na abala sa pag-review ng printed sheets. Noah nodded at a guy he vaguely remembered from Friday’s dinner.

Then, Adeline walked in.

She didn’t need to announce herself. Everyone just instinctively sat straighter. Tahimik siyang lumapit sa projector, plugged in her tablet, and tapped a few times.

“This morning, we’ll be reviewing expense report anomalies and compliance gaps,” she began. Her voice was calm but firm. “Particularly, reimbursement claims flagged for duplication and unlogged operational spending.”

Noah leaned forward slightly. This was new. Definitely more complex than the usual entry-level audit work.

“I’ve assigned each of you a cluster,” Adeline continued. “Finance will verify documentation, Risk will match policy adherence. No automation. I want eyes on every line.”

Several people shifted uncomfortably.

“Questions?” she asked.

There was nothing but silence. Tila takot na magtanong at baka mapag-initan.

Tumigil ang mata ni Adeline kay Noah. She subtly cleared her throat before asking. “Mr. Del Rosario, do you understand your section?”

He nodded. “Yes, Ms. Ventura. It’s under Events and Representation.”

“Good. You’ll be working with Paolo and Cara. Don’t slow them down.”

“No plans to.”

May kaunting tawa sa kabilang side ng mesa dahil sa sagot niya. Paolo gave him a thumbs up. Cara, meanwhile, just glanced at him—neutral.

Pagkatapos ng meeting, everyone started filing out. Noah stayed behind, slowly organizing his notes. Sa peripheral vision niya, nakita niyang nag-ayos na rin si Adeline ng tablet at folders niya.

Ilang segundo niyang pinag-iisipan kung lalapitan niya ba ito o hahayaan na lamang at baka may masabi pa ito sa kan’ya na hindi maganda. At the end, hindi siya nakatiis at dahan-dahan siyang lumapit.

“Ms. Ventura,” he called.

She paused, then looked at him. “Yes?”

“I reviewed the flagged travel claims last night,” he began. “Two of them aren't actually duplicates. Mukhang nagka-problema lang sa labeling.”

That made Adeline stop completely. “You reviewed them already?”

He nodded. “Couldn’t sleep. So I thought, why not dig into some expenses?”

She blinked, expression unreadable. “Cross-check that with Paolo. Send me a summary report,” she said in a monotone voice.

He licked his lower lip and slightly nodded his head. “On it.”

She turned to walk away—then paused again.

“Try sleeping next time. Not everything needs to be solved in one night.”

Isang ngiti ang gumuhit sa mga labi niya. “But some things are more interesting than sleep,” katwiran pa niya pa rito.

She said nothing, but the smallest hint of a smirk curved at the corner of her lips before she left the room.

Noah exhaled, barely containing the grin tugging at his mouth.

This internship was already more than he expected.

And Adeline Ventura? She was the kind of challenge he couldn’t help but chase.