The Secret is Out!

Mandy woke up feeling much better. What she had initially thought was a stomach bug turned out to be something milder. She hadn't thrown up all night and she figured the bug — or whatever it was — had passed. She remembered her exchange of text messages last night with Josh. It made her smile. She looked at her phone and checked if there were any new messages but there weren't any. And because she felt better, she decided to go to work that day.

She did her usual routine in the morning but this time she ate some crackers and drank coffee. She was already ready for work when the doorbell rang.

Mandy peeked through the peephole and saw Xander. She opened the door.

"Good morning, Mandy!" Xander said cheerfully. "How are you feeling today?"

"Well, good morning to you, too. As you can see, I'm getting ready for work. May I help you?"

"Well," Xander began, "I would like to ask you…"

Mandy's heart raced. "Is he going to ask me for a date?" She thought.

"…If I could ride with you to work." Xander smiled as he ended his sentence, like he intentionally cut if his sentence like that to make it sound like he was going to ask Mandy for a date.

"Oh. Sure." Mandy said softly.

"Because remember, I left my car at work to drive YOUR car home." Xander explained even if Mandy had already agreed.

"I already said you can, Xander." Mandy said in an irritated voice.

"Oh, you did? Great! Are we ready to go?"

"Just give me a couple of minutes." Mandy replied. She began to close the door on Xander but Xander stopped her.

"May I wait in your apartment?"

"What? Why don't you wait in your own apartment?" protested Mandy.

"Because you might leave me! Besides, I already locked it and I don't want to open it again. Please." Xander tried hard to look puppy-eyed.

"You're impossible! Okay get in." Mandy swung the door open for Xander to come in. Xander walked in and sat at the table.

"Okay, you can go do your thing. I'll wait here patiently."

Mandy rolled her eyes before she went to her bedroom.

Xander stood from his seat as soon as Mandy was gone. He quietly but quickly looked around her apartment. He was trying to find evidence that Mandy is indeed Donald Enriquez's daughter — the only heir to his business empire.

After a few minutes of looking, he still couldn't find any. So he went back to his place on the table where Mandy had left him.

"Okay I'm ready. Let's go." Mandy called out to Xander as she walked to the door. Xander quickly followed her.

. . .

It was unusually traffic that morning. Mandy kept looking at her watch. If the road doesn't clear up, she will be late for work.

"Relax, we'll get to work on time," Xander adjusted his seatbelt. "And even if we arrive late, I'll just vouch for you so you don't get scolded by your boss." Xander said confidently.

"Thank you, Mr. Marketing Director. But I think I can explain myself to my boss."

"Okay, it's your call."

Mandy sighed. It's too early to be annoyed. She didn't want to start her day like this so she changed the topic.

"Thanks for taking care of me yesterday. I mean, you didn't have to but you did. So, thank you."

Xander stopped picking on his clothes. "You're welcome," he said as he turned to Mandy.

They were quiet for some time. Xander mustered up his courage to ask Mandy about the photo he saw in her bedroom yesterday.

"Hey, I wanna ask you something. But if it's too personal for you, you don't need to answer anymore."

Mandy was surprised. "Sure, ask away," she said nervously.

"Yesterday, I put an ice bag on your forehead, do you remember?"

Mandy thought for a moment, "I don't think so. I must have fallen asleep already."

"Well, I did. And before I went out, I unintentionally - I repeat, UNINTENTIONALLY - saw a photo of a little girl on your bedside table. Was that you?"

"Yeah, that's me," Mandy said.

"And the man in the photo is your father?"

"Uh-huh." Mandy was subconsciously answering Xander's questions. She was focused on driving.

"Is the man Donald Enriquez?"

"Yup," Mandy said before she even realized what had come out of her mouth.

The traffic light turned red.

"I mean," Mandy began to search her mind for words. She had to think fast. Xander must not know she is the daughter of the company President and CEO.

"It's okay, Mandy, you don't have to deny it."

Mandy couldn't answer. She wanted to admit it but she also wanted to deny it. She was torn.

"I… I mean…" The traffic light turned green. Mandy drove across the street before she pulled over.

"Xander, what I am about to tell you, you must not tell another person."

"Okay," Xander said.

"I'm serious! You must promise me that whatever I tell you now, you will NEVER repeat to another person, another object, another animal, another…"

"Okay, okay, I get it. I promise that whatever you tell me now, I will keep only to myself." Xander raised his right hand to show Mandy he had indeed promised.

Mandy looked Xander in the eye. She then closed her eyes shut and then blurted it out.

"I am Donald Enriquez's daughter." She then opened one eye first, to take a peek at Xander's reaction. When Xander didn't react, she opened both eyes.

Xander looked towards to road ahead, thinking of what to say.

"Why did you lie about it?" Xander finally asked.

"I didn't lie about it! I just… didn't tell anyone." Mandy held the steering wheel. "It was my dad's idea. He wanted me to learn the business by experience. He wants me to take over the company when he retires. I didn't want to go along, to be honest. But I also can never say 'no' to my dad. And he decided to keep my identity a secret so that I wouldn't be treated differently by the people I work with."

Mandy cupped her hands on her cheeks. She breathe in deeply before slowly letting the air out. It's as if she was releasing stress that had been with her for the last couple of days. Xander felt sorry for her for going along with her father's plan.

"Does anyone at work know about you?"

"No one," Mandy lied. Josephine knew about her but she just met Xander and she doesn't fully trust him yet. If the whole thing blows over, at least Josephine will not get in any trouble.

"Xander, don't forget. You promised me. My dad will be so disappointed if he finds out I blew my cover."

"It's okay, I understand. And I'm serious, your secret is safe with me."

"Thank you, Xander."

"Let's go to work now, shall we?"

"Yeah."

. . .

The rest of the drive to work went quite well. Traffic also cleared up and Mandy and Xander were able to arrive on time.

Mandy entered the parking lot where she usually parks her car. She prayed that it wasn't full yet, considering they arrived a little later than usual.

Mandy parked her car on the very first available slot she saw. She didn't want to risk not being able to park at all.

Mandy and Xander walked together going to the office building. As they neared the parking lot exit, Mandy saw a familiar figure. It was Josh.

"Josh!" Mandy called out as soon as she thought he was within earshot.

Josh turned around when he heard his name. He was smiling at Mandy and then he waved. But his smile faded when he saw Xander walking behind Mandy.

"Hey, Amanda. How are you feeling today?"

"Pretty good."

"Good morning," Josh said to Xander when he was close enough. The greeting was dry.

"Good morning," Xander replied.

"Oh yeah, Xander and I came to work together. He left his car here yesterday when he drove me home, so…" Mandy didn't know why she explained herself to Josh. It just came out.

"Okay," Josh said as he looked at Xander who was also looking at Mandy.

"We should go or we'll all be late," Xander interrupted Mandy and Josh. "And unfortunately, I can only vouch for Mandy, but I can't vouch for you," he said to Josh.

Josh nodded.

"After you," Xander said to Mandy. Mandy walked, Xander beside her. Josh on the other hand let the two walk in front of him before he followed.

Josh watched Mandy and Xander talk. He couldn't make out their conversation but judging from Mandy's expression, she seemed to be enjoying it. It made Josh jealous. He looked elsewhere and tried not to watch them anymore.

Mandy looked behind to glance at Josh. Her face caught sunlight and at that moment, Josh saw how beautiful she was. Mandy smiled at him. Josh smiled back. Then Xander noticed Mandy was looking at Josh so he also looked behind and caught the exchange of smiles.

Xander immediately noticed Mandy and Xander's connection. And after what he found out earlier about Mandy's real identity, he decided to put an end to their blooming interest with each other.