Billionaire's Love Lessons

Uno

Adrienne Blais's POV

I blankly stared at that impressive oak door while watching another female applicant leaving. Bakit ang bilis? May interview ba na halos tatlong minuto lang? She even looks florid and embarrassed, heck, she's sweating profusely. I checked the aircon. It was on. Last time I checked, opisina ng CEO yun not some gym pero mukha silang nagexercise.

"Ms. Blais," narinig kong tawag sa akin. I stood just when I saw a lady in the gray coat directed me to the door. Mabilis kong inayos ang damit ko. Hinayupak na dress code 'to, ang sikip at ang sagwa!

Naputol ang mga iniisip ko nang buksan ng babae ang pintuan. I scanned the area. He might have liked black too much he doesn't want any color to mingle with it in his office. Sumisigaw ito ng awtoridad. Even the sunlight struggles to peek in his black and gray curtains.

"Are you here for some investigation?," malalim ngunit malamig sa pandinig ang boses niya.

I smiled slyly, "What if I am?"

"Then you may get out," he uninterestingly pointed to the door.

Natawa naman ako. "Je suis désolé. I came for the interview, sir." I apologized and looked at the man in black. His chiseled face is a little intimidating. Magaganda ang pagkakaarko ng kanyang mga kilay na sumasakto sa perpektong ilong at bumabagay sa kulay abong mga mata. His hair is black and disheveled, ilang hibla ang halos lumalapat sa kanyang noo but it emphasized how well-defined his lips are.

"Asseyez-vous," panimula niya sa lengguwaheng nasanay ako. Naupo ako sa bakanteng couch ayon sa utos niya. Hindi ko alam na marunong siyang mag-French but of course he is a businessman and might have dealt with different nationalities. "Why do you think I should hire you as my personal assistant, Ms. Blais?"

"I have focus, can work under pressure, and absolutely efficient," sagot ko sa kanya. He chuckled tapos tinaasan ako ng kilay, "How efficient, Ms, Blais?"

Napangiti naman ako. "Hire me and you'll find out."

Tumayo siya mula sa swivel chair at lumapit sa akin. He leaned towards me and whispered something, "Do you have a boyfriend?" Anong kaso sa kanya nun?

"Wala," sagot ko sa kanya.

"Why?," he frowned.

This time natawa na naman ako. Akala ko seryosohang interview 'to?

"I don't do love."

Napatango naman siya but he didn't let the prying stop there.

"Do you find me appealing then? Because you are one fine lady, Ms. Blais," he smirked.

Excuse me but what?

"Salamat," tugon ko. "But I never thought of you in that way, Mr. Palermo," dugtong ko sabay iling. Nakita ko ang gulat na rumehistro sa kanya ng marinig ang sinabi ko.

Narito ako dahil kailangan ko ng trabaho at pera para mabuhay dito sa Pilipinas. I was hoping to find my real mom here and I have to eat while I do that.

"Veramente?," tanong niya. It was in Italian pero naiiintindihan ko naman. I spent 4 years in Italy before.

Mas inilapit niya ang kanyang sarili sa akin at hinaplos ang pisngi ko. This is not right. Tumayo ako nang maisip kong mali ang ginagawa niya ang I saw him took a step nearer. I took a step back. "I think this is inappropriate," opinyon ko.

"Unsuitable as it may be, but this may give you your job," pangeengganyo niya. I rolled my eyes.

"Then I am quitting now, sorry," I said then walked my way to the door.

"You're hired," narinig kong sabi niya. Napaharap ako sa kanya. I slightly raised both my eyebrows for confirmation.

"Perché?" Why?

"You may start tomorrow, Adrienne," sabi niya sa akin. "now I have one question."

"Nakita mo yung mga babaeng lumalabas kanina back when you were still waiting for your turn?," he asked and I nonchalantly nodded. "I offered them that same proposal you declined and they were willing," patuloy niya kaya tumango lang ako. "You are asking why I hired you. Because you are definitely not affected by my presence, means you can work well with me."

That's why.

"You said you don't do love."

Tumango ako.

"You must have been hurt."

"Yes, I've been hurt lots of times but I never had a boyfriend. Just that life sometimes throws stones, some hit me when I can't catch anymore," I forced a smile. I was born and raised in France by my own father. He told me my mom died in an accident so that he could marry some heiress, turned out she's still alive. Halos mawala ako sa sarili ko sa pag-iisip na ang nanay ko na inakala kong patay na ay narito lang pala. Nagtiis ako ng dalawang dekada sa lugar na nagpatigas ng puso ko.

I never felt loved, not even once. Baka siguro nung sanggol pa lang ako.

Lumaki akong hindi maisip kung paano ang pagmamahal dahil kahit kailan hindi ko naman naramdaman.

How can I show it when I never even experienced it myself?

Baka sakaling makita ko ang nanay ko dito.

Baka sakaling may magparamdam sakin kahit konting pagmamahal lang.

"I am sorry," he looked down, "but I want to know, what was the first thing that ran through your mind when you saw me?"

"Maswerte ka," ngumiti ako. "You had that 1% excellent rare genes," I honestly admitted.

Tumawa siya ng malakas bago nagkomento, "Now I am interested."

******

a/n

So excited to write this story :) hope you like the prologue. Kindly give a vote if you feel that interest too hahaha. Thank you!