She's Not Our Child

1

Chapter 1: "My Boss, Mr. Perfectionist"

Samantha's POV

First day on the job as Mr. Samuel Alcantara's secretary, and I'm already stressed. Kung "perfectionist" ang hinahanap mo, ito na yun. As in, parang kahit maliit na fold lang sa paper clip, and he'll give you that look. You know, the kind that says, "Are you even qualified?"

Si Mr. Samuel Alcantara, CEO-slash-walking-perfection. Yep, that's my boss. Sobrang pogi-like, literally jaw-dropping. Tall, with perfectly styled dark hair, as in tipong leading man sa K-drama na biglang lumabas sa tunay na buhay. He's got this effortless style-perfectly combed hair, suit na hindi magulo kahit buong araw suot, at isang expression na parang lahat tayo may mali. But unlike sa mga K-drama, walang kilig dito-kasi, intense siya to the point na kaya niyang i-point out ang pinakamaliit na details na di mo rin alam na may mali pala. He's got that look, the one that screams "You call that work?" and he doesn't even have to say it out loud.

And then there's me-Samantha Dela Cruz. Fresh out of college, all bright-eyed and eager. Pero sa ilalim ng boss kong perfectionist, I feel like a clumsy rookie. I'm not usually clumsy, pero parang sa paningin ni boss, lahat ng galaw ko 'ata may mali. Sanay naman ako magtrabaho, pero sa level ng expectations ni Mr. Alcantara? Good luck talaga sa akin. I'm more of a "work hard, laugh harder" kind of girl. Kaso with Mr. Alcantara, parang bawal ang tawa sa opisina, lalo na kung ako ang dahilan ng maliit na pagkakamali.

So here I was, trying to keep everything perfect as I tiptoed into his office to drop off some documents. But syempre, hindi ako nakalusot.

"Samantha." His voice was serious as usual, parang si Batman na nagtitipid sa mga words. He raised an eyebrow, hindi man lang tumingin sakin, focused na focused sa laptop niya.

"Yes, sir?" tanong ko, standing straighter than a ruler.

"You filed this report upside down."

Napapikit ako saglit. Upside down? Like, big deal ba talaga? Pero kay Mr. Perfectionist, parang nakagawa na ako ng krimen.

"Oh! Sorry, sir," I said, grabbing the report and quickly flipping it the "right" way. "There you go!"

He sighed, shaking his head a bit. "Details, Samantha. Details."

I tried to look serious, but I wanted to laugh. Okay, Mr. Perfectionist. Kung pwede nga lang, pati yung calendar gusto ko nang i-check kung tama pa 'yung pagkakabit.

I was about to leave his office when he stopped me again. "Samantha, you also scheduled a meeting for 10 AM tomorrow."

"Yes, sir!" sagot ko, feeling proud kasi naalala ko yun ng tama.

"But it was supposed to be at 11."

"Oh, really? Uhm... okay, I'll just... uh, re-schedule that." Great job, Samantha, sabi ng utak ko.

Tumalikod na ako, ready nang lumabas bago pa siya makahirit ulit, pero may pahabol na naman siya. "And please remember to bring my coffee at exactly 8:00 AM. No more, no less."

"Yes, sir. 8:00 on the dot."Grabe, may timer pa talaga?

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay, may slight smirk sa mukha. "Are you mocking me?"

"Oh, no, sir! I'm just... super excited to bring you coffee!" ngiti ako, kahit pilit.

"Good. Then I look forward to it." Hindi man lang ngumiti pabalik. Nodding lang na parang satisfied siya sa sarcasm ko. This is gonna be a long day.

Later That Day...

It was almost 8 PM. I was packing up to go home, pero syempre, sino pa bang ibang manggugulo kundi si Samuel?

"Samantha, I need you to double-check these files for me."

Nawala agad yung ngiti ko. "Uhm... right now, sir? 8 PM na po, and I was just about to..."

"Details, Samantha," sabi niya na may pa-smirk. "I expect you to be on top of everything."

Top of everything? Sana pati stress niyo, sir, ma-top ko rin para happy na tayong parehas.

Napabuntong-hininga ako, kinuha yung mga files at tumango. "Got it, sir. Double-checking on it now."

Nag-nod siya na parang satisfied na at bumalik na sa office niya, iniwan akong mag-isa kasama ang sandamakmak na files. Oh, Samantha, what did you get yourself into?

***End of Chapter 1***