Secretly Yours, Boss

Chapter 2

Hanggang ngayon, I'm still in a state of disbelief sa nalaman ko kanina. Para talaga siyang straight out of a luxury-drama series. Everything feels so cinematic, so impossibly perfect. Can someone, preferably a tall and dashing gentleman, pinch me para lang sure na gising pa ako?

And the pièce de résistance? Kanina ko lang natuklasan na si Liam Estrada — yes, the Mr. Human Ring Light — is none other than the CEO of Emerson and Lyle Philippines. As in CEO, darling. And guess what? I'll be working directly under him. Tell me that's not giving "modern-day Cinderella with better shoes and a corporate badge" vibes.

Honestly, my heart is doing cartwheels. This is my dream company, and not only did I get in, but I also skipped straight to a higher position — complete with a competitive salary package — and, of course, a dangerously handsome boss as part of the deal. I mean, really, the universe is showing off at this point.

Now, if we're being honest, Mr. CEO radiates a certain... arrogance. He's not exactly the warm-and-smiley type; more like the composed, unreadable, "I-own-the-room" variety. Which, frankly, only makes him more intriguing. May pinagdadaanan kaya siya? Or baka ganyan lang talaga kapag you sign paychecks with a pen worth more than my rent.

Regardless, I'm hardly complaining. We'll be seeing each other five days a week — which, let's face it, is the real employee benefit here.

My little daydream was cut short when my iPhone 16 Pro Max started ringing. Trish flashed on the screen.

"Yes, be—" I had to pull the phone away from my ear because, my God, she greeted me with a scream worthy of a sold-out concert.

"Huy! Why are you screaming?" I asked, half-laughing when she finally took a breath.

"You will not believe this," she said, voice bubbling with excitement.

"Ano ba 'yan? Enough with the suspense," I urged, taking a poised bite of my lasagna while waiting for her grand reveal.

"I passed! I got into Emerson and Lyle!" she announced, practically sparkling through the phone.

I froze mid-chew, mentally replaying her words until the reality finally landed.

Then it was my turn to squeal — unapologetically and with full force. My best friend and I, in the same company? It's the kind of alignment you read about in glossy lifestyle magazines. Tears welled up, partly because I was just so proud of her, and partly because, for once, she was putting herself first. She's really come into her own.

"Wow, I'm so happy for you, Trish! Sabi ko naman sa'yo, you just need to trust yourself more. O, ayan, kinaya mo rin, 'di ba?" sabi ko sa kanya, in full persuasive mode, as if I'm sealing a luxury brand deal.

Truth be told, si Trish is one of those rare gems — only 20 years old yet already radiating unmatched work ethic. She's never absent, consistently a Top Agent, and the type who treats deadlines like they're VIP appointments. Honestly, that's why I never hesitated to keep her as my inner-circle bestie — she's the kind you don't just befriend, you curate into your life.

Ang downside lang? Almost all her earnings go straight to her family. Wala na halos natitira for herself — not even for a decent phone. Kaya when the iPhone 16 dropped, I immediately bought mine and handed her my old iPhone 13. She tried to refuse, of course, pero kung hindi ko lang literal na tinapon 'yung luma niyang phone (na parang mula pa sa pre-pandemic era), she wouldn't have taken it. Ayun, basag na, so no choice but to accept my hand-me-down.

"Thank you, kaya mahal kita e. Sana lalaki ka na lang," she teased.

I pretended to gag dramatically. "Be, please. Let's not traumatize each other."

She laughed and quickly switched topics. "Anyway, how's the job offer?"

I couldn't help but smile — like, the kind na automatic kahit wala kang plano. My mind instantly replayed today's events, especially those intense, almost cinematic gazes from my new boss. Para siyang scene na naka-loop sa utak ko.

I narrated everything to Trish — from the surprise promotion to the dangerously attractive aura of Liam Estrada himself.

Naturally, Trish squealed like she'd just unboxed her own dream bag. But I made it clear: Mr. Human Ring Light is strictly off-limits.

"OMG, be! I can't wait to start at Emerson and Lyle. Sana naman may ma-meet din akong sariling Mr. Human Ring Light doon," she said, half-joking, half-hoping.

We ended up talking about everything from career dreams to imaginary office romances, until sleep finally claimed us both — the kind of conversation that feels like champagne bubbles: light, sparkling, and endlessly fun.

~~~~

First day at work. Kahit technically nasa training stage pa lang ako, hindi ko pa rin maiwasang ma-overwhelm at kabahan.

I mean, hello? Ako lang naman ang nag-land ng higher position sa lahat ng applicants na natanggap. Sino ba naman ang hindi magpapaandar ng nerves sa ganitong sitwasyon?

So basically, ang role ko rito is parang right-hand confidante ni Mr. Human Ring Light himself. Essentially, I'll be the one engaging with clients pre-deal, laying out the presentation, then he has the final say kung go or no-go. In short, ako ang gatekeeper ng future deals bago niya bigyan ng royal approval—only if he feels it's advantageous for the company.

My God. Part of me wants to back out and go back to being a simple agent. Pero 'di ba nga, we're aiming for career growth? So tiisin, smile, and serve realness. At least may daily visual inspiration naman—si Mr. Human Ring Light.

"Hi, Brix," bati sa akin ni Sheena pagdating ko sa waiting area. "Sorry to keep you waiting—nag-meeting kasi kami with a new client. Oh, by the way, I haven't properly introduced myself." She extends her hand with a smile. "I'm Sheena, but just call me Shin. I'm Liam's secretary, so expect na lagi tayong magkaka-interact."

Of course, I gave my own formal intro. "Nice to finally meet you, Shin. Looking forward to working with you."

She's gorgeous, by the way. Tall—probably 5'8" (I'm 5'10", pero magka-height lang kami thanks to her killer heels). Maputi, slim, very beauty queen aura. For one fleeting second, I wondered kung may something sila ni boss... but no, delete that thought. Walang haharang sa runway ko papunta kay Mr. Human Ring Light. Unless gusto niya ng World War III.

Shin has this approachable vibe though, so I'm hoping she won't make my life miserable.

After our pleasantries, she gave me the grand tour of my tasks as Client Expert. Yes, apparently iyon ang official title ko. Honestly, parang pang-MasterChef yung title—expert sa pagsubo ng challenges, ganon.

Anyway, as I said earlier, all potential clients have to pass through me first before officially joining Emerson and Lyle. Which is a huge responsibility, considering I have to make my pitch flawless para kay Mr. Human Ring Light. And knowing Liam... getting him to say "yes" feels rarer than seeing a blue moon.

"Shin, kwentuhan mo naman ako about Liam," I asked out of nowhere after she showed me past client presentations.

She sighed—deeply. Like she was bracing herself for a TED Talk.

"Well... you'll need a considerable amount of patience, especially since you're new," she warned, almost theatrically.

"What do you mean?" I asked, pretending her tone didn't rattle me.

"It's not easy to please Liam. He needs everything immaculately detailed—no crumbs left out. That's why, when he found out you graduated in Business Communication, he took a chance on you as Client Expert. So don't waste it. Deliver."

And just like that, dagdag pressure agad. Imagine, he trusted me solely based on my degree? Do I really give off that much brilliance?

It makes me feel like I need to be flawless every time he's around. But... does he even know I'm gay?

"Hmmm... alam ba niyang gay ako?" I asked Shin, a bit shyly.

She smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Liam's not homophobic. Of course, he knows. In fact, he respects you more because you speak with substance. That's exactly why you're in this position now."

Just like that, para akong tinanggalan ng giant cactus sa dibdib.

So, tanggap ni Mr. Human Ring Light ang mga kagaya ko? Interesting. Hmm... baka may something din kaya sa kanya? I mean, possible ba na behind that impeccably tailored suit and those James Bond-esque vibes, ay may plot twist na hindi ko pa nakikita?

Pero wait lang, huy, ano ba, Brix! Don't be that person. Don't judge the book by its gorgeously leather-bound cover. Hindi porke't hindi siya homophobic ay automatic na may rainbow flag rin sa passport niya. Let's not be presumptuous, darling.

Besides, hello? Ni halos malaglagan ka nga ng invisible Hermès panties dahil sa sobrang manly presence niya—parang may sariling gravitational pull 'yung aura niya—tapos ngayon, iniisip mo na baka he's one of the girls? Be serious.

And then—like a perfectly timed entrance sa isang glossy magazine feature—there he was. Biglang sumulpot si Mr. Human Ring Light as if he materialized out of a couture smoke machine.

Natigilan ako. As in, totally caught off guard. Nawala ang carefully curated composed self ko, parang lahat ng PR training ko biglang nag-uninstall sa utak ko. Para akong stage actress na nakalimutan ang lines sa gitna ng spotlight. His towering height felt almost... cinematic. Tall enough to be the male lead in a Netflix romcom, but with the intimidation level of a CEO who actually replies to his own emails.

"Shin, have you already emailed me the files?" he asked Shin in that deep, unhurried tone na parang sanay siyang sinusunod ng lahat sa paligid niya.

And just like that—no glance at me. Zero acknowledgement.

Ni wala man lang basic hi or "welcome to the team" moment. Wala. Parang I was a decorative vase in the corner.

Hello? Excuse me. I am your new Client Expert. We're literally going to be breathing the same overpriced, recycled office air five days a week. The least you could do is a little small talk or a formal introduce-yourself session, 'di ba? Even a fake corporate smile would've sufficed.

"Ah, yes, Liam. Already sent," Shin replied, as calm as ever. Then, as if remembering I exist, Shin added, "By the way, this is Brix, our new Client Expert."

At doon lang siya tumingin. Saglit. Just one quick look, a polite but emotionally bankrupt hi, and then he turned on his polished Italian leather shoes and left. No smile. No warmth. No flicker of intrigue in those eyes that could probably negotiate peace treaties.

Gosh. This is going to be a long season. And by the looks of it, parang pahihirapan talaga ako ng bago kong boss. Huhu.