Why was she always in Francisco's office when the CEO wasn't around?
(Isabella pov)
(Still in the office)
The moment they left, Rosa slipped in. She had clearly been watching everything from the corner. Without a word, she guided me back into my office.
"I'm sorry, Isabella," she said quickly, guilt written on her face. "I dared not come out in that moment. You know how she is and I don't want to have anything to do with her ever again. Remember what I told you before you got this job? She once had the management suspend me for two whole weeks. I can't afford to be suspended again… or lose my job entirely."
I smiled weakly. "I know, Rosa. And I understand perfectly, trust me."
"Are you okay?" she asked, studying my face.
"Yeah," I nodded faintly.
A grin spread across her lips. "Well, I loved how you kicked those stupid guards with their cocky eyes. And Her Highness," she smirked, obviously referring to Jovita "especially that scratch! I'm proud of you, girl." She raised her hand for a high-five, but I just stared into space.
"Hey, Isabella." She shook my shoulder lightly. "I know that face. You can let it out now." She pulled up a chair and sat.
I told her about my encounter with the CEO in the cafeteria and how I thought he was just some random guy, how I refused to move seats when he asked, and how I shoved his legs off the table, making him fall flat on his butt in front of everyone. How ever since yesterday he'd been punishing me for it and now his fiancée had joined the torment.
"It's just too much, Rosa," I admitted, my voice cracking. "I swear I didn't know he was the CEO. And I tried to avoid that lady, I really did. I didn't know she was his fiancée. I… I don't even know if I still have my job now." Tears welled up in my eyes.
"That's a whole lot, Isabella," Rosa murmured, pulling me into her arms and patting my back. "Don't worry. Everything's going to be alright." Her warmth was comforting.
When she pulled back, her brow furrowed. "But Isabella, how come we never knew she was the CEO's fiancée? She was always hanging around Francisco. Honestly, I thought she was his girlfriend."
Her eyes suddenly widened. She shot up from her seat. " Isabella… are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
I burst out laughing. "There you go again with your imagination."
"No, I mean it!" Rosa protested. "Why was she always in Francisco's office when the CEO wasn't around? Isn't that… questionable?"
"Are you saying all this because you have eyes for Francisco?" I teased, raising a brow.
"Of course not, don't be ridiculous!" she snapped, but her cheeks flamed red.
That only made me laugh harder. "You need to see your face right now. Your cheeks are bright red! If you really feel nothing for him, then why are you overreacting?"
Her eyes went wide as she yanked open my drawer, grabbed a small mirror, and gasped at her reflection.
"You know what? It's over between us. We are done."
I collapsed onto the floor, laughing so hard my stomach hurt. I was used to this,she always said the same thing whenever I teased her too much.
"Goodbye!" she huffed dramatically, storming out and slamming the door behind her.
I laughed until tears blurred my vision, clutching my stomach.
(Alexander pov)
"I've told you before, Jovita, stop treating my workers like trash!" I snapped, my voice sharp with anger. "Even back when I was in Europe, I kept hearing about the stunts you pull here. What gives you that right, huh?"
"They're lowlifes, Alexander," she replied coldly, without a hint of remorse.
I glared at her. "This is my company, not your father's. And those are my employees ,not your puppets, and not Senator Luis Crisanto's. If you ever treat them like garbage again, mark my words Jovita, you'll regret it. If you want people to intimidate and humiliate, then go to your dad's company. But as long as I'm here,read my lips,you can't!" My voice thundered, and she flinched.
"But baby," she protested, her tone shifting, "that ugly, stupid girl poured coffee on me and almost strangled me to death! The evidence is clear and you saw it yourself. Look at this scratch, it's proof enough! Yet instead of tending to me, your fiancée, you're scolding me?" Her voice rose with indignation. "You know what, Alexander? My dad is going to hear about this. And as for that stupid girl…" Her eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with venom. "I'll make her life a living hell. Unless I'm not Jovita Luis Crisanto."
She said that and stormed out. I stood there, expressionless, muttering under my breath, What a mess I've gotten myself into.
My mind drifted back to Europe,there was a time when our company nearly went bankrupt. When my father found out, it triggered his blood pressure and led to a heart attack.
Flashback
******
Later, I came out of my room to join the family dinner. As usual, my mother began her monologue,the kind where no one is allowed to ask questions. Whatever she said was how it was, and how it should be.
"Eduardo," she began, her voice full of conviction, "this investment is going to double. It will make us the richest, the most famous. Paparazzi will hover around us, we'll be on every screen, and we'll be recognized as the top Filipino elites."
I rolled my eyes, already losing my appetite.
Lola,my grandma who had been listening, finally spoke. "Carmela, have you considered the potential downsides of this investment? What if this money you invested… what if you don't get it back? What if it falls into the wrong hands? These people are from France, and you didn't even bother with a background check. You went ahead and invested almost all the company's funds.Whatever happens, don't say I didn't warn you."
''Yes, Lola is right… You really should have checked their background before investing the funds, you know,''my dad said nervously and I nodded in agreement, but my mother's glare silenced me. Then she slammed her hand against the table, standing abruptly as her eyes locked with my father's.
"Eduardo, how dare you question my decision? I made that company what it is today. Before Eduardo Elite Management became known, I was the one convincing foreigners, I built it into what it is. You have no right to question me,not even Alexander the heir!"
My father stayed quiet, as always, choosing peace over confrontation.
"But Mom" I tried to speak, but her phone rang, cutting me off."Speak, Francisco!" she demanded, snapping our attention toward her.
"Ma'am, we've been trying to reach the investees since yesterday for the meeting, but we couldn't get through. We tried again today with no success. By now, we were supposed to have received half of the return, but nothing has come in. I even reached out to Mr. Édouard Tétreau from France,the well-known political consultant and founder of Mediafin, known for his financial analyses and early warnings about the dot-com bubble and Vivendi's crisis…"
"Can you get to the point or get off the phone?" my mother cut in sharply, silencing him.
"Sorry, ma'am he confirmed that Rainbowvest Horizon Partners is not a registered company in France. In short, the investees have gone silent, and there's no sign of the funds we were expecting.And there's no indication that the funds will be returned."
."
"My mom's shoulders slumped as my dad's blood pressure spiked, leading to a heart attack. We rushed him to the hospital in an ambulance. To cover up her mess, my mom accepted the senator Luis Crisanto's offer of investment but only on the condition that I marry his daughter. For the sake of my dad's health, I agreed, even though I was far from happy. An
d that's how I ended up stuck with Jovita,arrogant, self-centered, and unbearable."