The Perfect Tandem

Kabanata 1

Dedicated to the author who silently inspired me with her story :) Thank you for giving me the authentic Secretary-CEO office romance experience!

Almost 5 years later. . .

I'm a UP graduate, isang summa cum laude, tapos naglilinis ako ng tae ng aso?!

Punyeta talaga. Lagot sakin si boss pag-uwi niya.

Nasa Australia ngayon si boss to meet the consignees. At habang wala siya, pakakainin ko daw yung mga aso niya sa penthouse every 7:30 in the morning. Thank God, pumayag siya nung pina-move ko ng 8:00 am ang office hours, hindi na 7:30. Nagbunyi ang mga empleyado, which is in contrast to his reaction. Nakakasira daw sa schedule niya. Anyway, back to the dogs. Buti na lang hindi ako yung nagpapaligo sa kanila. I swear, feeling ko punishment niya sakin 'to because I hate his dogs. They are big and scary.

I looked at the time. Ngayon na nga pala ang balik niya.

Okay, Aleera, back to reality na naman.

Him taking days off (which is super duper RARE) and business meetings without me (which is also rare!) gives me a temporary relief. I can loosen up at work.

Kaya lang naman di niya ako sinama ngayon ay sinabi kong graduation ni Evan, ang kapatid ko. Less stress din. Kaso pinuno naman niya ako ng agenda, tulad ngayon.

"Mang Ben, sa office po." I instructed. He's one of Thanatos' drivers. Kung papakainin ko mga aso niya, dapat makasulit naman ako sa pamasahe.

Nakarating na kami sa building. It's one of the tallest buildings in Makati. Grabe, it's almost my 5th year. I can't believe how time flew fast. 

I decided to enter the building. "Good morning, Ma'am." bati nung guard.

"Good morning po." balik ko nang may ngiti. Sa tanang pag-akyat baba namin ay ako lang naman lagi ang bumabati dahil pipi ang boss ko. 

As I make my way through my office, everyone greeted me. I greeted them as well.

When I reached my table, Reina, an employee from Admin, approached me. "Ms. Natividad, the quorum is ready."

"Very well, Reina. Thank you." I smiled briefly and she guided me through the doors.

I sighed. Time to work. . .

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We need to have a decision before the CEO arrives in the afternoon about the products..."

⇠ ❃ ⇢

Coffee, Gantt chart, iPad, calculator... hmm ano pa bang kulang. I guess nothing. 

"Oh, wait! Cookies."

Kumuha ako ng cookies mula sa pantry at nilagay ko sa platito.

"Everything's perfect." I muttered.

"Everything's not perfect." dumagundong ang boses ni Thanatos sa office. He looks haggard but still very dashing. I meet him in the eye. Grabe, I remember it took me a week para hindi manlambot sa mga tingin niya. He has these ever focused eyes na para bang laging handang maghamon. There's no doubt why he always can pull off to close a deal with clients.

I smiled. "You're here already, Sir?" Sayang, ba't di pa na-extend. 

"Australia's not Canada, Ms. Natividad. You didn't call me about the result of the meeting! Are my instructions not clear?" Yep, back to normal. It's not him kung di nya 'ko binubulyawan about something.

"My apologies, Sir. I thought you'll be back at noon, not 10 a.m. Did you miss me already?" I grinned.

Napapikit siya. Hala, inis na. "Didn't you hear what I said?"

"That's to piss you off for making me babysit your dogs. And I know you'd be here soon anyway."

He continued to glare at me so I continued.

I told him the whole story but the gist is that the rival company wanted to make a deal and if we didn't agree, they'd blackmail us. I'd say it's really petty cause they aren't even in our level, well, financial-wise. Kaya siguro nanggigipit ngayon.

"Call the legal team. And make sure that company won't have any balls to speak to us again." 

"Did it a while ago before you came here, Sir." 

He nodded. "Anything else?"

"Yes! Since you're here, hindi na 'ko magpapakain sa aso mo ha. Also, you know I can do anything for you but representing you makes me nervous talaga. Feeling ko Mr. Burgos is threatened at me or something. Then Mrs. Limaca always throws remarks which is di naman niya ginagawa 'pag wala ka. Di naman porke di ko sila ka-level, aapak-apakan na nila 'ko!"

"Since when are you intimidated?" taas-kilay nyang tanong.

"I'm not! I'm just telling you. Naku, sana di masarap ulam nila mamayang gabi!"

"They're rich, Ms. Natividad. Of course masarap ang ulam nila." Paka-sarcastic neto!!

I glared at him and cleared my throat. "As usual, Sir. Top to bottom is urgent to normal. Everything should be signed before noon. Gantt chart is on your left for your tasks."

"Inuutusan mo ba 'ko? Get out."

Umirap ako. I gave him the sweetest smile. Baka masapak na 'ko nito.

"Welcome back, boss."