CHAPTER 1 .....
I'm Joy, 25 years old. I may look fierce, but deep inside, I'm soft-hearted… just kidding. My life isn't as glamorous as others, but I can say I'm happy. It was already 5 PM when I got home to my mom's sibling's house.
They're not rich, but they're rich in love. They were never blessed with a child, so when I told them I'd come stay for a vacation, they were overjoyed. They've been together for almost 10 years but never had kids. "Tita," I said over the phone. "Oh yes, iha, what is it?" "I'm planning to take a vacation there." "Of course!" she said, her voice full of excitement. "Okay, Tita. I'll be there on Monday afternoon." "Alright, iha. I'll wait for you. See you soon.
To be honest, I don't usually visit them. But this time, I had no choice. I needed to leave… because I was hurt. My aunt didn't know the real reason, I just said I wanted to visit, but deep inside, her niece was trying to escape pain. His name is Jason a doctor. Handsome, tall, intelligent. The kind of man who makes people stop and stare. He comes from a prominent family. His father is a doctor in a well-known hospital in our town, and his mother is a respected lawyer.
We met by chance. One day, I was walking along a street in Sta. Rosa, heading to a friend's house, when suddenly a car splashed mud all over me. "Shiiit! OMG! Look what you did to my clothes! What am I supposed to do now?" I almost cried in frustration.
Then suddenly, a guy stepped out of the car. He looked like a celebrity handsome, tall, neat, with his shirt perfectly tucked in. "Miss, I'm so sorry. I didn't see the pothole. Are you okay?" Okay?! Do I look okay?! I thought to myself. But my heart… was already falling. (Just kidding!) "Well," I replied, trying to stay calm. "Why weren't you careful? I was going somewhere, and now look at me!" "Okay, let's fix this," he said. Oh wow, English talaga? I thought. "Well, you have to help me find something to wear. I can't go like this." But instead of helping me, he handed me his card. "Call me or send me your GCash number. I'm in a hurry. Sorry, Miss." And just like that… he left.
I was annoyed, but I sent my GCash number anyway. Then suddenly, my phone beeped ₱10,000! My eyes widened. My shirt only cost ₱25 and my shorts ₱15! I literally jumped with joy. "If getting dirty means getting this much money, then go go go!" For the record, I do have a job,I'm a nurse in a well-known hospital. Just one month in, so everything still feels new. I found a store and saw a dress worth ₱1,500. I hesitated because I'm used to thrifted clothes. I didn't grow up rich. My mom was a single parent who passed away after giving birth to me. I grew up with my grandmother, aunt, and uncle and they loved me so much.
After fixing myself, I looked in the mirror,"Wow, not bad." I'm fair-skinned, petite eyes, tall… I can say I've got some style. Anyway… "Hey! Where are you? Everything's ready!" my best friend Alison called. She's my college best friend rich, beautiful, funny, and kind. The heir to a big company, but never arrogant. I arrived at her house full of guests and cars. The party was grand.
After some time, I finally got to eat (which I was most excited about 😆). While I was enjoying my food, suddenly "Sis!" I choked when I saw a familiar face. It was him. The same guy who splashed mud on me. "Sis, this is my cousin Jason the one I told you about," Alison said. Wait… what?! "Joy, this is Jason." "Why did you leave me earlier?" I blurted out. Jason looked shocked. Alison looked confused. "But I already paid you. More than enough," he replied. "Well… thank you," I said, trying to stay calm. "Yeah, you should thank me. You look more human now than earlier," he added. I was about to punch him when Alison stopped us. We ended up laughing it off.
The next morning, I went to work early. Everyone seemed busy decorations, balloons, people fixing themselves. "What's going on?" I asked. "The boss's son is arriving today from America. He's handsome and kind," someone said. I shrugged. "Let's see." Then suddenly… he arrived.
Everyone was staring. I didn't care until I looked up. It was him. Jason. "Hi, Miss Joy," he said casually before walking past me. My heart raced. I didn't even drink coffee, but I felt like fainting. Then my supervisor told me: "Miss Joy, the boss wants to see you." I was dead. Fired, for sure. I knocked. "Come in." "Good morning, sir… I'm sorry for earlier.
Please don't fire me. I need this job." He laughed. "Afraid of me?" Then he said, "I need someone to be with me 24/7… and I choose you." "What?" "You'll be my personal assistant." I had no choice but to agree. "I'll pay you ₱50,000 a month." "Deal!" I said instantly. "Start now." And just like that… my life took another turn.
It feels like it just happened yesterday, I was already about to faint. What if I had to see him every day in the same office? 😩 I woke up early and arrived at work on time. I realized I am a nurse, but why am I doing office work? Still, I just told myself to accept it since the salary is good.
A few moments later, the door opened. I saw my boss looking tired and weak. I took his things and placed them on his desk. Before he sat down, he leaned back on his chair in silence. I stayed at my desk, pretending to be busy, while thinking if I could request to be transferred back to my station. The silence in the office was making me uncomfortable.
Suddenly, I was startled when I heard a loud thud. My boss had collapsed. I quickly called for help and brought him to the ER. He had a fever—of course he would, coming straight from the airport yesterday and going directly back to work without rest. He probably didn't even know what rest meant. "Let's observe him first, Miss Joy, then bring him to his room," the doctor said. After a few minutes of examination, we transferred him to his room. Sigh… just yesterday I was a nurse, and now I feel like I'm more of a secretary. How annoying. "Miss Joy, water please… I'm thirsty," he said. "Okay, Doc. Wait a minute, I'll prepare it," I replied.
preparing his water, the room suddenly became quiet. The next thing I knew, I had fallen asleep. When he woke me up, I was still half asleep. I looked at him and said, "Here's your water, Doc. Don't be too assuming, it might give you Alzheimer's," then I laughed quietly. "Miss Joy, are you married?" he suddenly asked. "Oh no, Doc, this is only our third meeting and you're already asking that? Don't be assuming," I said. "I'm just asking so I know how to act properly," he replied. I went silent. Don't be too assuming, I reminded myself. Because of exhaustion, I fell asleep on the sofa. Who wouldn't? The room was so cold. It would be nice to be rich… sigh. When I woke up, I was already on the bed, covered with a blanket. He was on the sofa. "Oh no… Doc, did I drag you here so I could sleep on the bed while you stayed there?" I said nervously but laughing. "If you sleep on the sofa, you might fall. I'd feel guilty. You move a lot," he said, smiling. I just laughed and got up.
I checked him his fever was gone, and he looked normal again. So I guess he's really fine now. "I'll go out for a while to buy food," I said. "Don't go out. There's already food here. I doubled the ration so you can eat well. I might be blamed if you lose weight… your boyfriend might kill me," he said jokingly. I couldn't help but laugh because he was really cute. After we ate, we left and his driver took him home. Suddenly… beep beep beep…
my phone rang
To be continued…