Chapter 3 The CEO

Chapter 3

MIKARLOS DEVIEL AUXTRIVA'S POV

"Good morning, Sir."

Summer greeted me as she followed closely while I walked past the office cubicles toward my office.

"Me?" Klarion scoffed. "You're not going to greet me?"

Pathetic.

"Why would I?" she fired back.

I listened to their exchange from behind as I entered my office.

"Because I'll be the acting CEO soon," he said, arrogance dripping from his voice, like a child showing off a new toy.

"Oh, the acting CEO," she mocked. "I'll try to be more respectful next time, then."

Summer always acts like that around Klarion, completely disregarding the fact that he's still the CEO's brother. She knows respect isn't just given-it's earned, no matter who you are or what position you hold. That's one of the many things I admire about her. Maybe that's why she's stayed by my side for so long.

"Oh, real-"

"That's enough," I cut him off and turned to Summer. "What's on my schedule today?"

"You were supposed to meet Mr. Ferrer earlier this morning," she reminded me.

"At his house," she added, giving me a pointed look.

Klarion also turned to me, squinting as if I'd committed a serious crime. It was probably because this was the first time I'd set up a meeting in a private space.

I had barely sat down in my chair when I realized-she was right. I was supposed to meet with him. But I had overslept.

"Wow," Klarion clapped mockingly. "Marking your territory already?"

I ignored him and stormed out of the office. It was already 10 AM when we were supposed to meet at 8.

I sprinted toward the elevator, rushed through the lobby, and ran straight to my car, speeding toward the Ferrer mansion.

Wait a minute.

Why am I rushing, anyway? It's not like I'm afraid of losing the deal.

"Who?" Ken's voice broke through the conversation.

We all turned to him, even Mang Remy. His tone carried a hint of irritation. He'd been in a bad mood all morning.

"Hey, Ken," Seiji teased. "You're the first one to ask, huh?"

I was just as surprised.

But I had the same question. I couldn't remember expecting any visitors. Only these three ever came to see me.

Now that we're all here, then who could it be?

My thoughts were interrupted when Mang Remy's phone rang. He answered immediately.

"Sir?" Who's Sir? My dad?

"Yes, Sir. I'm already on my way to pick her up. We'll be home soon."

A few moments later, he ended the call and turned to me.

"Let's go, Ma'am. Your visitor is waiting."

I had no choice but to stand up and follow him.

"I'll go ahead, guys," I told them.

"Yeah, yeah," Aubrey waved me off. "Must be someone very important if your uncle had to call Mang Remy himself."

"VIP."

"That's what I just said, Seiji," she snapped. "Do you always have to repeat things?"

I rolled my eyes and turned to Ken, ignoring their bickering.

I was caught off guard when I saw the way he was looking at me. His eyes held something-something unspoken.

What does that mean?

Judging by his expression, it seemed like he wanted to stop me from going home. But at the same time, he was holding himself back from saying anything.

I shrugged off the thought and hurried after Mang Remy, who was already a few steps ahead.

"Do you know who it is, Mang Remy?" I asked as we approached the car.

"They didn't say, so I have no idea either, Ma'am."

He walked around to the driver's seat and opened the door.

"Hmm."

I sighed, opening the backseat door and getting in. He quickly started the car, driving us home in silence.

I stared out the window, lost in thought.

Ken's reaction was bothering me.

And now, I was even more curious about this so-called visitor

When we arrived, Manang greeted me at the main door, smiling widely.

She took my bag-the one carrying my thesis papers-and gently held my elbow, guiding me inside.

What's going on?

"Manang," I called. "Could you not smile like that again? It's creepy."

She shot a glare at Mang Remy when she noticed him trying to hold back his laughter. I didn't mean to sound rude, but I said what I said.

When we reached the living room, Manang suddenly pulled Mang Remy away, leading him somewhere else.

I frowned, watching them go. But before I could question it, my dad's voice called out to me.

I turned toward the sound.

And then, I saw him.

Sitting across from my father was a man I had never seen in my entire life.

Is this the visitor they were talking about? I don't even know him.

I walked over to where they were seated and leaned down to kiss my dad on the cheek.

"Rhein," he called. "I would like you to meet Mikar"

"Mikael," the man immediately corrected him.

I stopped admiring how strikingly handsome he looked because of his attitude. How rude.

Dad frowned, glancing back and forth between us. After regaining his composure, he spoke again.

"He's here for mar-"

"Work," the man interrupted once more. "I'm here for work."

He shot my dad a firm look, and my dad returned it with equal intensity.

Can somebody tell me what's going on?

"Ah, yes. Something like that," Dad muttered. "But as your hus-"

"Personal assistant," the man interrupted him yet again.

Personal assistant? He doesn't look like one.

He sat elegantly across from us in a black corporate suit. From where I was sitting, I could see his wristwatch-it looked expensive. Is he really here to be my personal assistant?

I left my friends just to meet... a very important personal assistant?

"Dad, are you kidding me?" I couldn't hold back my annoyance. "I don't need a personal assistant."

"Well, I need a boss," Mikael retorted. "...to enslave."

I barely heard his last words since he muttered them under his breath.

"I'm sorry, Mikael," I said politely. "But I don't need a PA-I can handle myself. You can go home."

"This is home now."

What?

"My job actually starts today."

"Argh!"

I flopped onto my bed while talking to Aubrey on the phone. I had just finished telling her everything that happened.

"He's still here."

It was already nighttime, but Manang told me that Mikael was still around. He seemed really serious about being my personal assistant, especially after claiming that this house was now his home.

Dad didn't say anything about it earlier. He didn't even ask him to leave. He just let him stay.

What's so special about that guy?

[Is he handsome?]

"Bri," I said in disbelief. "Are you serious? I'm already stressed out, and you're asking if he's handsome?"

[Come on, I was just asking.] she reasoned.

[So, is he?]

I let out an exasperated sigh at her persistence.

"I don't care if he's handsome," I snapped. "What I want is for him to leave!"

[So, he is handsome.]

"Can we not, Bri?" I said, already exhausted. "Why don't you just help me figure out how to kick him out of this house?"

[Make things difficult for him, then.]

"And how exactly am I supposed to do that?"

[Isn't he your personal assistant?]

"Yeah, so?"

[Then make him do household chores or something.]

I frowned. "Huh?"

"Why would I do that? I don't even know how to do those things," I said, feeling frustrated.

[You just have to start, then let him finish everything.]

Oh. Okay. I could at least try that. If it means getting rid of him, I might as well ask Manang to teach me how to do household chores.

[Keep doing it until he gets exhausted and gives up. Problem solved.] she added.

"That actually sounds like a great plan, Bri," I praised her idea. "I just hope he gets tired quickly and leaves as soon as possible."

"I don't feel comfortable having him here, especially since it's vacation time, and Dad will be away often," I added.

During vacations, all the household staff get a month-long leave to return to their provinces. That's happening next week.

Five days to go.

I only have five days to make things difficult for him. Hopefully, I succeed. Because if I don't, it'll just be the two of us left in this house-and I can't even begin to imagine that.

[Oh, that's right.]

"Exactly."

[Don't worry, I'll summon our two Pokémon.] she said, referring to our two other friends.

[We'll visit you often-just in case he tries something. Or we can just go out instead.]

"You better keep that promise."

[Of course.]

I felt relieved.

Just then, my phone notified me of an incoming call.

"Hold on, Bri. Someone else is calling. Let me answer this real quick."

[Alright, I have something to do anyway. Talk to you later. Bye.]

"Okay, bye." I ended the call and answered the other one.

"Ken?"

[Hey.]

"You called-" I didn't even get to finish my sentence before someone suddenly snatched my phone away.

To Be Continued...