Chapter 3 Who is this big boss

"You have a very fine selection of collector's items here in your gallery. I liked everything; you have a good eye for selection, Ms. De Luca, and I know you'll go far in this business."

Lyka had a wide smile for her client, who could provide the loan she had been waiting for the gallery.

"These pieces come from my loyal local artists, who are truly talented. Most of them are from remote provinces."

"I have no doubt that you can easily sell your items here. But expansion is not that easy; there are many things you need to take care of and personally pay attention to. I have no doubt in your ability to grow your business even more, and obviously, you have already established a long list of clients, even with this small shop. But given your current situation, you may not be ready for expansion yet. Once the project starts, it needs to be continuous. You need to add more stocks on display, you need more buyers. In other words, to protect my investment, you need to work twice as hard. I suggest that we wait until after you have the baby."

"But Mr. Santiago, I'm just pregnant. I don't have any illness-"

"You said you don't have a husband, no one to help you here. Let's postpone it for now. Anyway, once you give birth, my office will be open for you. I'm a businessman, Ms. De Luca, and I don't take unnecessary risks with my investments. Let's meet in my office after you give birth."

The client had left a while ago, but Lyka was still crying. How many more visitors to the shop would come and say that her business was beautiful and promising, but they couldn't invest because, apart from not having collateral, she was pregnant with no father for her child? Time was what she was chasing here. Her belly was only five months along, and she couldn't wait for the baby to come because Draconia might be completely taken away from her. The owner could demolish the house anytime, and she wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

"Lyka!"

Lina was panting.

"Watch this!" she said, running towards the TV inside the gallery.

"Why? What's going on, Li?"

"That treacherous bastard! Blake Darklore is getting married, they say!"

The news was about him and his marriage. The Blake Darklore on TV was a plain businessman in an executive suit with a boyish grin on his face, just as Lina used to describe him. Beside him was a blond Canadian socialite whom he was going to marry.

"That shameless traitor! He even had the audacity to announce his wedding when you haven't even talked about it!"

Lyka stood frozen. She felt her head suddenly become light. Her whole system went into chaos, and she could barely breathe.

"Ly, are you okay?" Lina asked. "You're turning pale."

"Li..." Lyka managed to mutter while holding her belly with one hand. "He's not Blake Darklore. That's not him."

"What do you mean it's not him? He's Blake Darklore. He's the man who used to send you flowers, who asked you out on a date, the damn bastard who cheated on you!"

Lyka winced at her friend's statements. "He's not the man I encountered at the mansion. He's not the father of my child."

Lina was left dumbfounded. "What? Are you joking?"

"I wish I were just joking."

They both weakened at that revelation. Lyka shut her eyes as horror and disbelief overwhelmed her. She made love to a complete stranger whose name she didn't even know. How could she be so foolish not to ask for his name before giving herself to him? He asked for her name, she asked about the deal, but she couldn't fathom what kind of stupidity possessed her that she didn't realize it was someone else she was facing.

"Excuse me?"

Both Lyka and Lina turned to the woman who had entered the shop unnoticed. The woman stood tall, dressed like a corporate employee, similar to the executive assistants they saw on TV and in magazines.

"Hi! I'm Lina. How can I help you?" Lina was the first to speak while quickly wiping away tears and composing herself.

"I came for Darklore, Inc. The big boss wants to see you, Ms. Lyka de Luca."

Lyka looked straight at her. The woman handed her a sealed envelope.

"But isn't Blake in Canada?" Lina spoke on Lyka's behalf.

"He's not the big boss," the woman said, still staring at Lyka, observing her every detail from head to toe.

"Oh! Really?" Lina interjected.

"I'm Marleigh Garcia, one of the executives. I personally came to orient you on how exactly you will behave in front of the big boss."

"Wait a minute! Who is this big boss, and why would I meet him... or her?" Lyka finally muttered.

"Haven't you been inquiring about Draconia several times? Aside from that, you also have a pending loan request-"

"That's over. I knew very well that Darklore, Inc. has nothing to do with Draconia now. And my loan application has been denied by your good office a long time ago," she said sarcastically, mixed with irritation.

Marleigh simply smiled. "Both matters have been reconsidered. It was a direct order from the big boss that he wants to see you."

"If not Blake Darklore, then who's the big boss?"

"To be honest, Ms. De Luca, it is quite rare for the big boss himself to want to see someone like you. He is a very private man. He doesn't even want to disclose the fact that he acquired Darklore, Inc. a long time ago. His identity is the company's top secret. I'm also here to orient you on a few things about him."

Lyka decided to listen, even though some of the advice seemed absurd. Who was this man anyway? Why did she need a behavior orientation just for their meeting? "Can you give me his name at least?" she asked.

Marleigh shook her head. "You'll meet him at the office. Only the executives know of his existence in the company, so please refrain from discussing it."

"Really..."

"And one more thing, I'll be very honest with you. You know, the Boss, he's not the most patient person I know, so you got to be careful with your words and actions around him. Do as you are told."

Lyka furrowed her brow at that warning. She exchanged glances with Lina.