Chapter 1 Big Boss

Prologue I received a thundering call from Engineer Dionysus. Today is the meeting of our Engineering Firm with FL Hotels because of our upcoming project in Makati. We must give them a good impression — that s the goal. This is the biggest project that I have, so I can t help but tremble in fear. "Engr. Cora, everyone is already here. Maybe you still think you re a VIP?" I wasn t able to answer. I hurriedly ran to the building in front. I have to hurry. Even though the walk was erratic, I forced myself to get to the place with enough physical confidence. I am no longer just a student. I am a professional. But then, I can t hide the fact that I am a late-comer. I hurried through the door so as not to be noticed. It hadn t been long since the meeting started when I arrived. A formal man speaks in front, giving so many explanations about the final things to do at their next hotel branch. Antonio Felix is a well-known man in his black tuxedo who owns nine hotels here in the Philippines. The man s posture and looks are exquisite. He is used to facing so many people, one of why the hotel he owns has become popular with the masses. "This will be the tenth hotel of the Felix, and I want it grand. Another thing, the hotels in Makati are also getting bigger, so I don t want to be like a kitten that suddenly appears there." I just gazed at the man. Everything he says seems like a law to me. Anyone who hears that voice will indeed be stopped in their tracks and forced to listen. FL Hotel is famous throughout the Philippines. Based on the information I gathered, they have hotels in Batangas, Manila, Cebu, Aklan, Bicol, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Marikina, and Alabang. All of them are five stars. It is also remarkable that no matter how pompous he is; the man is still good at dealing with people. "I know we can t do it without the help of my children, and I m fortunate for it. My eldest told me he would try to meet your group today, Engineer Diony. He will also be the one that will handle that project. You will get along!" Everyone applauded and laughed. So did I. The place was full of sophisticated and high-end people. It s refreshing. I hadn t been long in the place when I felt my phone vibrate. It was my friend calling, Zoe. I suddenly felt excited to talk with the woman, so I immediately thought of getting away from the place. Unable to contain my feelings, I quickly slid the cellphone screen to answer the call and ran to the door while crouching. Zoe is in another country with her family, so I m just thinking about what else she can tell me. In a hurry, I didn t see the conference hall door open. That door spat out a man who was also formally dressed and in a tuxedo, and I was not aware because I was in a hurry, looking down. I could no longer control myself to sink into his fragrant and ironed clothes. I close my eyes, thinking of the great embarrassment. The people in the conference room were also silent, but I could feel their eyes looking at me. When I came back to my system, I quickly straighten my back. I was worried about what explanation to say, but eventually, I could say, "I m sorry, I need to go to the bathroom. I feel dizzy..." Slowly I turned to the man in front, feeling very embarrassed. Based on the stance, I strongly think he is Mr. Antonio Felix son, and he will handle this project with our group. "I m really sorry, Sir." I bent down a little and then came out. Zoe burst out laughing after I recounted the embarrassment just because of her call. I d rather stay in the bathroom first than die in the stares there. "You seem thrilled. Maybe you forgot it is because of you," I warned her, still can t get the embarrassment out of my mind. Zoe stopped laughing and fell silent, so I continued. "I am really doomed." I thought about being fired at work immediately. I don t know where else to squeeze myself in when Engineer Diony is in rage. "I just drank water. My throat s getting dry. Can I laugh again?" "Why did you even call?" I snapped. "Wait, here. I m really sorry for laughing, but it is because Ali—" she stopped talking and laughed again. "—There were so many people in the business, but you met him again. You met Asher, our future boss," she said bluntly. I didn t even understand her for the first few seconds, but eventually, my eyes widen after realizing the truth. "No way." I winced quickly, thinking of what might happen after this. This can t be. "Wait, how did you know that, and how sure are you? This is Felix . This is a hotel. Business. How come he s here? Zoe, this can t be." "I ll understand him better if I see him in a patrol car or on the road but not here, Zoe!" The change in the tone of my voice is trembling, another sign that I am no longer feeling good. "I was also shocked. I saw it on my feed, about the contract of our firm with the Felix. I saw him there. So, I did some research before calling you." "I searched for this so-called Asher Felix and got super shocked at the results! It is him! It is Asher." I almost cut off my ear with what I heard. I can not believe this. That crook cannot be our boss. I kept silent. Even if I opened my mouth, I didn t know what to say. "It says here that Asher Felix, a young, hot bachelor—" "Zoe, come on!" I remained standing, starting to tremble. This cannot happen. This is the first big project I have received in my entire career not to allow anyone to mess up just because of one person again. My life had been a mess back then, and I would never let it all happen again. For five years, I did everything to forget. It was like a ruined puzzle piece I built alone in that long time, but in an instant, I felt like everything was gone. I just hear his name now, and as if the thick wall I had prepared between the two of us was melting. I calmed myself. Even if I don t like what s happening, I have to stand up, and work is more important because that s the dream from the beginning. "Zoe, I ll go now. Maybe if I don t get back there right away, I ll lose my job. I have no choice but to face it and act as nothing happened before." I was optimistic I would do that when I came out of the bathroom, but as I approached the conference room door again, I felt like I wanted to step back again. "Go, Ali. You re good," I worried to myself. I slowly opened the door and immediately entered. I preferred just to look down to avoid the sharp eyes of those present until I got back to my seat; that s what I did. I first spent a few minutes looking down before turning to the speaker in front. Even if my mind is confused, I still need to act as professionally as possible. I turned to Asher, who was currently presenting their plan for the hotel. I took advantage of her staring at a mid-age man to turn to her. What he has really changed is vast. But despite that, I couldn t help but confirm he was really Asher. I stared at it for a while, going through the things that I felt had changed in the man. It s brown and somewhat wavy hair has a lovely shape. Just a hair. I knew a lot of women were approaching him. I shook my head, trying to turn the thought away from my brain. My gaze went to his face. His appearance became more mature. His face became clearer - these were highlighted. Very different from the look in my brain until now. Just one thing didn t change in its face. . . his eyes. I ve seen those eyes before—dark and cold eyes. I can t be wrong. "Alessia!" To my shock at that call, I immediately stood up, back to what was happening. "Engr!" I cleared my throat and bravely faced them. Pretends to be focused on the subject. "Engr. Cora, you re spacing out. We ve been called before." I heard the irritation in Engineer Dionysus voice, so I was doubly nervous. "I m very sorry. I really feel a little worse. Sorry, but what is it, Engr. Dionysus?" "Well, I said before — what do you think about designs?" Panic preceded me, so I looked at the slides that were there. I want to jump for joy when I see a little picture in front of me. "It was great, Sir. Maybe we just need the final touches so that the workers are not too confused. But overall, it was high class and sophisticated," I said directly, then looked at Asher. I swallowed quickly. I never thought I would receive that kind of stare from him. I bent down a little and sat down. I continued acting a little unwell, just to hide the embarrassment. After that, the meeting ended quickly. Engr. Dionysus because he has a business to talk to. I went down to that building and looked for something to eat. I couldn t help but think of what might have happened. Back then, Asher was very persistent in his dream of policing. He is now very much in the place he wants. I can t help but think how and why that happened. I stopped in my tracks when I passed an expensive restaurant. From here on out you can clearly see the social people who choose to eat here. I smiled quickly. I didn t want to go to such places because it was stressful by chance. My smile faded when I saw the familiar man, and I will never forget the woman inside that restaurant. The woman seemed even more beautiful because of the expensive lipstick on her face, even her jewelry. Asher carefully supports him as the two laughs. They stopped when they saw me outside. It s good that I realized you right away, so I left in a hurry. I don t need to know what happened because it quickly became clear to me now.