(Seph's POV)
"I'm late. I'm late. I'm late," I repeated like a mantra as I ran.
I didn't wake up until eleven. I was so exhausted from the previous night that I couldn't get up early; I didn't actually fall asleep until four in the morning. I had been so worried about Veronica, and my mind kept drifting back to what happened last night.
I was walking, carrying her as she slept soundly in my arms. She wasn't that heavy, but I was getting tired. Still, I couldn't just stop; I needed to get her to a bed so she could sleep properly. I didn't want her back to ache from being draped over my arms.
I stopped when a horn honked behind me. I turned to see a passenger jeepney pulling over beside us.
"Seph!" a woman greeted with a smile, peeking out from the front passenger seat.
"Ate Sasha."
"Hop in! We'll give you a ride home."
"Oh, no, I wouldn't want to be a bother." As I spoke, Veronica tightened her grip on my neck, making me look down at her.
She snuggled closer to me, and I could hear her light snoring. She must have been truly exhausted today.
"Don't be silly! Your Kuya Adon and I are heading to the garage anyway. Go on, get in."
I wanted to decline out of politeness, but I got in anyway. I sat Veronica down beside me. I let her lean against my shoulder, keeping one arm around her so she wouldn't lurch whenever the jeepney turned.
"Well, now, who is this you're with, Seph?" Kuya Adon, Sasha's husband, asked while eyeing us through the rearview mirror. "Is she your girlfriend?"
"Oh, no, sir. Just a friend," I replied, shaking my head.
Ate Sasha turned back to me. "Honestly, Seph, you're always so shy. There's nothing wrong with having a girlfriend!"
"But she really isn't."
They teased me, saying I was probably planning to marry her since I was bringing her home. They joked about wanting to be the godparents at the wedding. I kept denying it because it really wasn't true. They also asked how my new job was going, and I answered politely until the conversation turned into a long, meaningful chat.
After a while, I felt two arms wrap around my waist. I looked down at her.
"Hmnnn..." she mumbled, burying her face in my neck.
I adjusted her position so she was leaning comfortably against me. She seemed cold, and since I didn't have anything to cover her shoulders with, I just held her hands. I also held her knees to keep her legs together.
"Oh, your girlfriend looks cold," Ate Sasha noted. "Her clothes are so short, after all."
"She came from a party, that's why she's dressed like this."
"Sasha's just jealous because she couldn't wear clothes that short back in our day!" Kuya Adon teased, laughing as his wife slapped his shoulder.
I just smiled at the two of them.
"Thank you very much."
After thanking them, I said my goodbyes and headed inside my place, carrying the still-sound-asleep Veronica.
Once inside, I immediately laid her down on the wooden bed (papag) so she could stretch out. I placed her high heels at the foot of the bed. How does she even manage to walk in these things? I measured the heel with my fingers—one, two, three, four, five... five finger-widths high. Incredible.
I was about to stand up when she suddenly stretched. My eyes widened as her legs splayed while she stretched, and I quickly looked away.
I clutched my cheeks—they were burning! My face felt so hot.
"Gosh, my feet are hurting... Kuya..."
"Kuya?" I peeked at her; she was curled up now.
She was rubbing her legs repeatedly. I sighed and reached for a blanket I had sewn myself from scraps of old clothes. I used it to cover her skirt, which was riding up because of how much she moved in her sleep.
"Hold on." I grabbed some oil from the side, rubbed it into my palms, and began applying it to her legs.
"Hmnn... Kuya, here. Up here," she murmured, pointing higher up.
I sighed and followed her lead, massaging the aching parts of her thighs. It seemed that in situations like this, her brother usually took care of her; they must be very close.
I also applied oil to her wrists—I didn't know if it would help, but I did it anyway. I cleaned the scrape on her knee from earlier with a damp cloth before applying a band-aid.
Once she settled back into a deep sleep, I stood up to wash and change.
I scrubbed my clothes with some laundry soap and hung them on a wire above the bathing area; I'd need to wear them again the day after tomorrow. I only have a few sets of clothes, so I have to wash them immediately.
After finishing up, I went back to check on her. I scratched my head—man, she is a restless sleeper.
Her skirt and the blanket had ridden up again, one of her hands was tucked under her tank top—right on her stomach—and the other was behind her head. Her pillow had ended up on the floor.
I put my hands on my hips. "Won't she get cold?"
I decided to grab a pair of my own clothes from a cardboard box. Taking several deep breaths, I sat on the edge of the bed and, keeping my eyes closed as much as possible, I changed her clothes.
I removed her outfit—EXCEPT for her undergarments. I let out a sharp breath before dressing her in my clothes. Luckily, I managed to get her dressed properly.
But there was a problem...
She was still wearing a bra. I know women aren't supposed to sleep in those. I always tell my sisters that before they go to sleep because it can cause health issues.
I looked up and closed my eyes. "Mom, don't worry. I'm not doing anything bad." I then began to feel for the hook of her bra through the T-shirt she was wearing.
"Huh?" Why wasn't there a hook? I couldn't feel anything.
Is it possible for a bra not to have a hook?
I peeked. There really wasn't a hook!
"Then how do you take this off?" I asked myself, though I didn't have an answer.
My eyes accidentally landed on the front of her chest, which was partially exposed as the T-shirt rode up while I searched for the hook in the back. Something was shining there.
My cheeks puffed out as I realized what it was. I pulled her T-shirt down.
"It's in the front, Seph. In the front." I squeezed my cheeks, which were burning again.
Okay. Deep breath, Seph. Concentrate. Try to undo the hook without your hand even brushing against her skin. And don't look.
I closed my eyes before reaching under the T-shirt. I immediately found the hook and slowly undid it. It was a tube-style bra, so I was able to pull it away easily.
Finally.
I didn't waste any time and immediately folded her clothes and the bra, placing them next to her shoes in the corner of the bed.
I laid out some cardboard on the floor as my bed and blew out the oil lamp. I don't turn on the electric light so I can keep the rent low.
I lay down and closed my eyes to sleep.
"Tsk... What... So hot..." she complained.
Right, she's not used to not having air conditioning. She's wealthy, after all.
"Right, I don't have an electric fan." I sat up and tore off a small piece of cardboard. "I'm sorry, I don't have the money for a fan," I apologized, even though she couldn't hear me.
I fanned her until I eventually drifted off to sleep myself.
When I woke up, she was gone. Her clothes were gone too, and my clothes she had been wearing were scattered on the bed. I felt embarrassed; I didn't even get to offer her breakfast before she left.
I was also scared. I'm so new to this job and I'm already late. I wouldn't be surprised if she fired me on the spot.
"Oh!" Mang Carding greeted me in surprise. "Seph, my boy! It's a miracle you're late!"
I stopped in front of him, panting. "Yes, sir."
"You look like you didn't sleep a wink. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes, sir. I'm fine." Man, I was exhausted.
"Alright, get in there! The department heads are probably swarming your desk by now."
I nodded and, clutching my chest, continued inside.
I only let out a sigh of relief once I was in the elevator. Would she still pay me for the week I'd worked? I hoped so.
I gripped the strap of my bag. Was she angry because I was late? I was incredibly nervous.
I rushed out of the elevator. My footsteps were heavy as I walked toward her office. Without knocking, I pushed the door open.
"I'm sorry I didn't... knock."
I stopped in my tracks when I saw them. My gaze shifted between Vero and the man standing in front of her—the same man I'd had an altercation with at the hotel yesterday.
I could see the sadness in Veronica's eyes. She looked like she was a second away from bursting into tears. My gaze dropped to the man's hand on her. Yesterday he was holding her wrists; today it was her arm.
I looked at the floor. Papers and other items from her desk were scattered everywhere.
My brow furrowed. Were they fighting?
"Seph..." She looked away. "It's okay. What do you need?"
I didn't answer. I stared at the man, who was giving me a sharp glare, which prompted me to give him a serious look in return.
This was the reason for the bruises on Veronica's wrists and the scrape on her knee. I didn't know why he hated me so much, but I didn't care. As long as I knew I wasn't doing anything wrong, I wouldn't let him get to me.
But what was their relationship? Was he her boyfriend? If so, why was he hurting her?
"Seph, huh?" He looked me up and down and let out an insulting laugh. "You replaced me with trash like him? Really? Veronica? Really?"
I looked at Veronica. So he was her ex-boyfriend; that's why he wanted to take her home last night.
Veronica just gave me a sincere smile. "I'll talk to you later."
I had no choice but to nod and slowly turn to leave. They needed privacy. I should let them talk.
"Let go of me!" I heard Vero say as I closed the door. I could still hear their conversation. "Why do you even care?! Let me go, Jace!"
"No! You listen to me, Veronica. That guy is no good for you! He's just a gold digger!"
"Oh, really?! Just like you were?!"
A sharp slap made me stop walking. My jaw dropped as I turned back to the closed door.
Don't tell me...
"How dare you hurt me..." I heard her burst into tears.
(Veronica's POV)
"Kuya, I am very, very, very sorry for hanging up earlier," I apologized. "I'm safe. I was just a little drunk yesterday and I don't remember anything, but I assure you I'm fine."
"Fine? Safe? Are you hearing yourself, young lady? How does 'I don't fucking remember anything' make you 'fucking fine'?"
"Kuya, please? I'm an adult. Look, Mom and Dad don't even check on me because they know I'm old enough to take care of myself."
OMG, it's so hard to explain things to my brother. He's so grumpy and overprotective!
I heard his irritated groan while I spun around in my swivel chair. Ugh. I love my brother, but I can't stand how possessive he is about my safety. Like, duh? I'm an adult! I'm a CEO! Gosh.
"Just you wait until I get back from work, Vero," he threatened before continuing his lecture.
After he finished laying down the law, he said goodbye. He's always like that—worse than Mom and Dad, who at least let me do what I want because they understand I'm an adult. Well, sometimes Dad is still paranoid.
I shook my head and looked at the schedule Seph gave me yesterday.
Look at how industrious he is—he made a schedule for the whole week. I couldn't help but smile. He's so hardworking. I can't believe a man like him actually exists. I mean, seriously? 99.9% of the guys in this generation are just horny dogs looking for women to scratch their asses for them. Do we look like back-scratchers?
Seph isn't just a "dude" or a "guy." He's a true man, and I'm so proud to have him as my secretary. He's rare.
Then I looked at my knee. I remembered the band-aid and laughed softly. He's such a gentleman. He even tried to treat my wrist, but it still bruised. I felt so guilty, that's why I left so early. Imagine? He let me sleep on his bed while he slept on the floor. I'm such a bad girl! A gorgeous, hot, bad girl!
I heard my office door open. My smile faded and I stood up immediately when I saw who it was.
The fuck?
"Hi," he greeted, trying to kiss my cheek, but I dodged him. "Okay. That was rude." He chuckled.
I glared at him. "What are you doing here, Jace?"
I watched as he ran a hand through his hair. I knew he was up to something.
"I just wanted to check if you're okay. You were drunk yesterday and I was worried sick about you."
"Well, thanks for your concern, but I'm fine now." I crossed my arms. "You can leave."
We stared each other down. Gosh, what was his problem?
"Why don't you tell me about the guy who replaced me?"
I rolled my eyes. "Jace, you don't need to concern yourself with me or my relationship with my new secretary."
I was shocked when he suddenly grabbed my arm harshly, accidentally knocking things off my desk. They crashed to the floor. I tried to pull away, but he was too strong.
No fucking way—he's using force again!
"I. am. concerned." He glared at me. "We only broke up a few months ago and you've already replaced me. Are you that desperate to find someone else to put up with you?"
"Are you stupid? It's none of your business!"
"You're desperate, Vero! You're making yourself look pathetic!"
"And you're not?" I grinned. "You're more pathetic than I am! You're the one who broke up with me, so why are you doing this?!"
"Don't tell me you don't like this. Your face says otherwise!"
I glared at him and tried to pull my arm free. "Get off me, Jace," I warned.
"Why? I'm right, aren't I?"
"I said let go!"
I winced as he pulled my arm harder, dragging me toward him. I kept my glare fixed on him, but instead of letting me go, he just gave me a taunting smirk.
"We both know no one else can put up with your attitude but me. So stop acting like a bratty bitch, Veronica."
"You're a jerk!"
"All the more reason why we're meant to be."
I instinctively bit my lip—not because I was scared, but because he was right. No one stays with me.
I'm a brat, a bitch, a party girl. A wealthy snob who looks down on the poor. I stereotype everyone, yet I can't accept the fact that he's right. I'm a bitch and he's a jerk, but that doesn't mean I'll settle for him forever!
I didn't answer. I just glared at him, but then the door opened and we both looked toward it. There he was. Standing nervously by the door, panting.
"I'm sorry I didn't... knock."
Then he stopped. He looked at the two of us, then at the floor, his brow furrowing. I cleared my throat.
Shit. This is so pathetic. He probably thinks I'm scared of this guy. Like hell—not a chance!
"Seph..." I looked away. "It's okay. What do you need?"
He didn't speak. He just looked at Jace. They stared each other down.
"Seph, huh?" Jace scoffed and let out an insulting laugh. "You replaced me with trash like him? Really? Veronica? Really?"
My eyebrows shot up. What the fuck? What a malicious mind he has! Seph is not my type—even though he's hot and has a huge jumbo XXL hotdog hiding in his old underwear! He's still not my type! He's cheap and poor! I'm just messing with this poor secretary of mine because he looks cute and it's fun teasing him!
I looked at Seph and gave an apologetic smile.
"I'll talk to you later."
Thank god he just nodded. He turned to leave, and I turned back to Jace.
"Let go of me! Why do you even care?! Let me go, Jace!" I tried to pull my arm away, but he wouldn't budge!
"No! You listen to me, Veronica. That guy is no good for you! He's just after your money!"
I couldn't help but smirk. This guy is ridiculous!
"Oh, really?! Just like you were?!"
What he did next made my jaw drop and my eyes widen in shock.
Did he... did he just slap me?
I touched my cheek, which was numb from the force of the blow.
"How dare you hurt me..."
The tears started falling. I felt abused. Maybe I'm overreacting, but what the fuck? No one had ever hurt me like this before. Even mosquitoes weren't allowed to touch me. My family treasures me; my father never laid a finger on me, nor did my mother or my brother. They never hurt me. I don't even know what it feels like to be "disciplined."
I was about to curse him to death when someone pulled him away and started beating him. My jaw dropped as I watched them.
"S-Seph..."
I didn't know how to react. Seph was dragging him away from me. Literally dragging him.
He was landing punch after punch on Jace's face, and soon they were trading blows. I kept clearing my throat as it went dry watching them beat each other to death. Their faces were covered in cuts and bruises, but neither would back down.
"You b-bastard! Get off me!" Jace shouted while Seph was still punching him.
"Shut up!"
I instinctively stepped back when I heard Seph's angry voice. His roar of rage sent fear and nervousness through my heart.
It's scary. He's terrifying. He looks furious!
"S-Seph..." I walked toward them as they continued to fight. "Seph... Jace... Stop it." But it seemed they couldn't hear me.
I wanted to stop them, but it was clear neither was willing to quit.
"Get off me! Bastard! You coward—" Seph cut him off with a heavy blow to the right side of his face.
I gasped when Seph grabbed Jace by the collar, giving my ex-boyfriend an intense, piercing glare while catching his breath.
Jace smirked. "What? Is that all you got?" He narrowed his eyes. "You're fucking weak! You don't even fight like a man!"
"Is that so?" Seph asked, his voice thick with suppressed rage. "Well, then you probably haven't heard what I'm about to tell you."
I saw him grit his teeth before pulling Jace's collar even tighter. I was amazed. He looked perfect in his anger.
What he said next made my jaw drop and my heart skip a beat.
"A real man doesn't hurt a woman."