Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

“Danielle Montereal, 21 years old, let’s see, a pharmacy graduate and a suma cumlaude… hmm… nice... But why do you want to apply as my secretary? Are you not going to prepare for your board exam?” Joshua Levine asked in a serious tone and with a sharp look in his eyes. Danielle did not expect that the CEO of the company will be the one to interview her. She cannot help not to admire him—his chocolate-brown, almond eyes were mesmerizing that it seems that he can see through her, his perfect-shaped jaw and those red lips that makes her want to kiss him.

“Get a grip of yourself, Danielle!” She reminded her self as she secretly pinched her hand. “Concentrate!” Her mind told her.

“I want to gain experience that would help me grow as a person, Sir. I grew up in an environment wherein my parents provided the things I need. I want to learn new things outside my comfort zone, and I believe that working under your supervision will help me in achieving my goal.” She answered.

“Your father’s name is Hunter Montereal?” He frowned while reading her resume. “I think I’ve heard that name before.” He added. “Anyway, how about your board exam? Are you not going to take it?”

“My plan is to work while reviewing for the boards, sir.” She honestly answered.

“Isn’t that a burden for both parties if ever I will hire you.” He frowned.

“It will not, Sir, and that I assure you. I will focus on my work during the day and in night time, I will focus on my review. I know that it will exhaust me but—”

“I’m sorry, Miss Montereal but you better focus on your review.” He sternly said that made her shocked. “If you passed your boards and you still want to work here, then I will gladly hire you.”

“But I really need this job, Sir.”

“Why?” He asked. “You said earlier that you have a goal that you want to achieve, what is that? And why does it have to be my company?” His serious eyes are piercing at her. She was shocked by his question, what should she answer? Would she tell that she has debts that she needs to pay and the salary here is high enough? “If you can answer that then I will reconsider hiring you, Miss Montereal.” He leaned on his chair with cross arms. “Well?” He is starting to get bored. “If you don’t have anything to say, then the door is open, I don’t have all the free time to entertain you.”

“My father owns a cleaning company, and was recognized late last year. As the only child, I wanted that when it passed down to me, I already have enough knowledge on how to run a company—that is my goal. And the reason why I choose your company is because it is one of the best companies in the country, and you’re also well-known in the business world. I want to learn from you, Sir.” She reasoned put, hoping that he would buy it.

“There are other companies that are hiring, and to think that you’re from Baguio and wants to apply here is a bit doubtful, don’t you think so?”

“There may be other companies out there, Sir, but I believe that I can learn more from you as one of the successful bachelors in the country. There’s no real reason why I travelled from Baguio to Manila, it is just that your company is hiring.” She answered. He didn’t day anything, instead he looked at her as if she’s a specimen that needs to be examined.

“In what length can you do just to get this job, Miss Montereal?” He asked. “Will you do whatever I say?”

“I will do whatever it takes for you to hire me, Mister Levine.” She immediately answered without a second thought; she was taken aback when he smiled—a smile that sent chills down to her spine.

JOSHUA got off his car while talking to his father on the phone, he instantly regretted the moment he answered the call.

“How long do you plan on screwing around, Joshua?” His father, Clyde, asked in raged. He can imagine what does his father looks.

“And how many times would you tell that to me, dad?” He asked back, he can’t count how many times did his father told him that exact line. He can hear something shattered on the other line, looks like his father broke another vase. “Uh-oh, you broke one of mom’s vase again.” He emphasized the word again.

“And the number of vases I broke is equal to the number of women you’ve been messing with!” Clyde answered in defeat. “Enough of that already, Joshua, when you get married and will soon have a daughter, you will regret doing these things.”

“Marriage? Daughter?” He laughed. “Stop making me laugh, dad. Marriage is out of the line; I don’t intend to get married. Women only loves my money.” He heard his father sighed.

“you have yet to meet your match, son. I used to say that before but look at me now, I’m happily married to your mother and you are the fruit of our love.”

“Let’s see about that, dad, but I don’t think that my match is still not born or should I say, she didn’t exist.” He grinned; he can hear his father being hopeless. He was about to enter the elevator when a woman standing in the lobby caught his eyes. He noticed that there are lot of people in the lobby today, then it hit him that today is the scheduled interview for those applying to be his secretary. Today was the nth time that the secretary position is hiring. His previous secretary got married and is now settling down with her husband in the States. The next secretary is not doing her job and keeps on seducing him that is why he fired her immediately, and the cycle continues. He may play around with women but he made a rule that he will not mix business and pleasure.

“Josh, are you there?” He suddenly remembers that he is still on the phone with his father.

“I’m sorry, dad, I’ll see you and mom soon. I have an interview to do.” He said while still looking at the woman who is now seated. She seems a little nervous, if he’s not mistaken, she is still in her early 20’s. Her straight, long, black hair compliments her fair skin, she a little far from him that’s why he can’t really see her face but he knew that she’s beautiful, her body may not be the same as those models he dated but he can’t take his eyes off her. He lightly shook his head and entered the elevator.

“You will do the interview?” His father asked, still on the line.

“Yeah, I badly need a secretary now that’s why I will be the one to judge them.” He answered.

“Okay then, I hope that you can find a suitable secretary without a hidden agenda.” Clyde sighed; he is aware that the reason why most applicants just want to get close to his son.

Joshua is getting bored while doing the interview, he keeps on hearing the same answer. He can’t count how many applicants he interviewed today. Most applicants were vocal on what they want—to get close to him.

“This is pointless.” He sighed.

“Sir?” The applicant was shocked.

“You may go now.” He told her; she was reluctant to leave but has no other choice. “This is tiring.” He stretched his hands; he is about to call someone to get rid of the folders containing the resumes but he another folder caught his eye. “I thought that was the last one.” He said opening the folder. He immediately frowned when he saw the picture. There is no mistake, it’s the same woman who caught his attention earlier. How many hours did she wait? He looked at his watch. One hour.

Joshua is looking at the woman’s picture, there’s no mistake, she’s a real beauty. But he is wondering why a young girl like her—a fresh graduate is looking for a job when the pharmacy board exam is just months away. He heard a knock on the door.

“Come in.” He composed his self. The door opened and the woman entered. He can now see her face clearly, the picture didn’t give justice to her beautiful, angelic face. Her hazel brown, chinky eyes that go well with her thick eyelashes and her not so thick eyebrows, and her red lips she doesn’t know if she applied lipstick but damn!

“Good morning, Sir.” She looked shocked for a moment, but immediately collected herself. She just remained standing there in front of him not taking a seat. Hmm... plus points.

“Good morning, take a seat.” Danielle took a seat and quietly waited.

“Danielle Montereal, 21 years old, let’s see, a pharmacy graduate and a suma cumlaude… hmm… nice... But why do you want to apply as my secretary? Are you not going to prepare for your board exam?” He asked.

“I want to gain experience that would help me grow as a person, Sir. I grew up in an environment wherein my parents provided the things I need. I want to learn new things outside my comfort zone, and I believe that working under your supervision will help me in achieving my goal.” She answered, and he was quite impressed. Though he is wondering what goal does she want to achieve, the fact that she travelled from Baguio is also quite suspicious, he was sure that the name Hunter Montereal sounds familiar. He wanted her to focus on her review, besides she’s still young, but she is determined to work under him.

“In what length can you do just to get this job, Miss Montereal?” He asked. “Will you do whatever I say?”

“I will do whatever it takes for you to hire me, Mister Levine.” She immediately answered without a second thought.

“Then strip.” He smiled devilishly. He clearly saw Danielle is trembling. He’s not planning to say anything, he will just test her what will she do. He secretly sighed when Danielle started to move her hands to her blouse’s button, but she suddenly stopped.

“I—I can’t do it.” She said in a trembling voice. “It is true that I wanted the position but I also have my dignity to keep.” She added, “I’ll take my leave now, thank you for your time.” She hurriedly went to the door.

“Wait!” He said before she could open the door. “Before you leave, go to the HR office to discuss about the contract.” He said making her puzzled. She looked at him full of curiosity. “Be here tomorrow at eight.” He added.

“Am I hired?” She was still puzzled.

“You don’t want to?” He asked with a sly smile.

“No, it’s just that… I… I didn’t strip as you ordered me to.” She answered.

“Even if you strip, I will not hire you. You see, Miss Montereal, that was just a test and you passed.”