Dirty Little Secret (GxG)

Season 2 Chapter 1: A Cold Return

The morning at D Empire was nothing short of chaos. The air buzzed with tension, employees hurriedly moving from one task to another as the clock ticked closer to the company's highly anticipated charity ball, now only a week away. Desks were cluttered with papers, phones rang incessantly, and voices overlapped as teams scrambled to finalize every detail. The ball had always been a defining event for the company, showcasing not only D Empire's corporate success but also its philanthropic efforts. This year was no exception, and the pressure was palpable.

Suddenly, a frantic voice echoed across the floor.

"She's coming! The president is coming!"

The announcement sent a ripple of panic through the office. Suddenly, the urgency shifted. Whatever important tasks the employees were working on, they dropped them instantly, because nothing was more critical than preparing for Sandra Domingo's arrival. The president of D Empire was known for her sharp mind, impeccable standards, and—most notoriously—her cold demeanor. No one wanted to be caught slacking when she was around. Her presence commanded attention, and right now, that attention was about to sweep through the room like a storm.

A few employees exchanged nervous glances as they quickly formed a line by the elevator, straightening their posture and adjusting their attire. The soft ding of the elevator arriving silenced any remaining chatter.

When the doors slid open, Sandra Domingo stepped out.

Clad in an immaculate black suit that screamed power, Sandra's expression was unreadable, her face a perfect mask of indifference. Her eyes scanned the line of employees without so much as a nod or smile of acknowledgment as they greeted her. To them, she was an enigma—aloof, calculating, and impossible to impress. Her reputation for being tough was well-earned, and today was no different.

Sandra's sharp heels clicked rhythmically against the marble floor as she walked past the employees, who immediately felt a collective weight lift as she moved away from them. Her icy presence left a trail of tension in her wake, and even after she had passed, the air felt thick with her unspoken expectations.

She hadn't been in the office for long, and the energy shifted even further as Sandra abruptly turned toward her secretary, Rachel.

"Rachel," Sandra's voice was as cool as ever, but it carried a weight that made the younger woman stand a little straighter. "Ano ng balita sa charity ball. Are the preparations on schedule?"

Rachel, a petite woman with nervous eyes but a sharp mind, nodded quickly as she flipped open her notepad, already anticipating the barrage of questions from her demanding boss.

"Yes, Ma'am. We've confirmed most of the attendees, kasama na dito yung mga key investors and several high-profile figures. Pina-finalize na din ang venue, and the décor team has sent over mock-ups for approval. Okay na lahat sa catering, wala ng iisipin, ang need nalang pag tuunan ng paninsin ay ang entertainment, hanggang ngayon inaantay ko pa din ang final confirmations nila."

Sandra didn't break her stride, her eyes focused on the path ahead as she walked toward her private office. "I want the entertainment finalized by noon. No excuses."

Rachel swallowed, jotting down the instruction as fast as she could. "Of course, Ma'am. I'll handle it."

Sandra didn't respond. They reached her office, and she swept inside, the door closing behind her with an almost silent click. Rachel followed behind her, her presence barely acknowledged by the D Empire president. The large, glass-walled office was pristine, with sleek furniture and a view of the city skyline that most people would envy. Sandra took her seat behind the massive desk, immediately pulling her laptop open, her fingers flying across the keys as she began to check over the company reports.