The eccentric COO

It was nine in the morning at Innovare headquarters. Marie sat at her desk, her fingers dancing across the keyboard as she worked diligently to finish the reports for the day. The hum of the office surrounded her—the low murmur of voices, the rhythmic tapping of keyboards, the soft clinking of coffee cups. Like everyone else in the office, Marie began her day with a strong cup of coffee, the warm liquid fueling her focus as she typed out her tasks.

The atmosphere was pleasant, light even. Employees occasionally leaned out of their cubicles to chat with one another, and the office buzzed with the energy of a productive morning. But as the clock struck ten, a sudden shift occurred. The soft chattering died down, and a tense silence crept into the space. Eyes darted back to computer screens, posture straightened, and conversations halted as the door to the office swung open.

Jasmine Marino, the CEO of Innovare, had arrived.

Jasmine walked in with a hard, determined expression on her face, her movements brisk and controlled. She exuded power, as always, but today something was different. Her usual composed demeanor was clouded with a sense of irritation, and her presence sent ripples of tension through the room. Employees stiffened in their chairs, avoiding eye contact as they buried themselves in their work.

"Looks like Madam Jasmine is in a bad mood today," Sheree, a nearby secretary, whispered to Marie as they exchanged a quick glance.

"I haven't seen her like this before," Marie murmured back, nervously returning her attention to her screen, her heart pounding. She hoped she wouldn't be the one caught in the crossfire of whatever had put Jasmine on edge.

Before she could gather her thoughts, a sharp voice pierced through the quiet. "Marie!" Jasmine's unmistakable voice echoed from her office.

Marie's blood ran cold. She quickly jumped from her seat and rushed to the CEO's office, her palms sweaty as she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Jasmine was seated behind her sleek, modern desk, glaring at Marie with impatience. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, but her eyes locked onto the blank space on her desk where the reports should have been.

"Supposedly, I am reading the reports right now," Jasmine remarked, her tone cutting and sharp. "Where are the reports, Marie?"

Marie felt her stomach drop. Cold sweat formed on her forehead as she stuttered, "I... I was just finishing them when you arrived, ma'am."

Jasmine's expression hardened. "My arrival is not an acceptable reason for you to not have finished the reports," she snapped. "I asked for them yesterday, and I'm supposed to be reading them today."

"I'm sorry, Madam," Marie whispered, lowering her head in shame.

"No, don't apologize!" Jasmine yelled, her frustration boiling over. "Get back to work and get me those reports! You have until noon. No excuses!"

"Yes, Madam!" Marie responded quickly, her voice trembling as she rushed out of the office, her mind racing with anxiety. She hurried back to her desk and began furiously typing, her hands shaking slightly.

But just as the office was returning to its tense routine, a loud commotion broke the silence.

"I want to talk to Jasmine!" a voice yelled from the entrance. The tone was demanding, angry. Marie and several others glanced up from their desks, eyes widening in surprise.

An older woman stood at the entrance, her face contorted in fury, and behind her was a tall man in his forties. The employees whispered among themselves, shocked by the intrusion.

Jasmine, hearing the noise, stormed out of her office with an icy glare. Her presence immediately commanded attention, but she looked more irritated than ever.

"The two of you are disrupting the work of my employees," Jasmine said firmly as she approached the pair. "What do you want, Laura?"

The old woman, Laura, who was none other than Jasmine's mother-in-law, pointed a finger at her, seething with anger. "You bitch!" Laura spat, lunging forward as if to slap Jasmine, but the CEO swiftly stepped back, evading the blow.

Jasmine's eyes blazed with fury, but her voice remained steady. "Laura, I respect you as my mother-in-law, but if you disrespect me here in front of my employees, that's an insult I won't tolerate."

At that moment, Bianca, Jasmine's older sister, rushed over and grabbed Jasmine's arm, trying to de-escalate the situation. "Calm down," Bianca urged, looking warily between her sister and Laura.

"Edmund, don't you have any decency?" Bianca snapped, glaring at her brother-in-law, who stood silently behind his mother.

Edmund, Jasmine's husband, finally spoke, his voice defensive. "Your sister forced us to come here," he said, clearly caught between his mother's wrath and Jasmine's anger.

Bianca, her patience worn thin, slapped him hard across the face. "You're pathetic, Edmund," she hissed. "I always knew you were just after our family's money."

Laura's fury only grew at the sight of her son being hit. "You ingrate!" she screamed, pointing an accusatory finger at Jasmine. "You've always been after our fortune, trying to drag our family name through the mud!"

Jasmine's eyes narrowed. "You really are delusional, Laura," she shot back, her voice dripping with disdain. "I've worked hard to build this life, and your son—your parasite of a son—has been dragging me down every step of the way!"

Before the argument could escalate further, Bianca stepped between them, her temper flaring. "Let's set something straight," she said, her voice cold and cutting. "Jasmine earns more in a month than you, Edmund, and your useless company do in a year. She's built this empire through her own hard work, and you have done nothing but leech off her success."

The tension in the room was palpable, and the employees who had gathered nearby watched in stunned silence.

Jasmine glared at Edmund, her voice now steady but full of finality. "That's it, Edmund. I'll send you the divorce papers. I was willing to try to make this work, but your mother—your awful mother—has ruined any chance of that."

Edmund stood there, dumbstruck, as the weight of Jasmine's words sunk in.

At that moment, a tall, striking young girl appeared in the hallway. Amy, Jasmine and Edmund's daughter, had overheard the argument and stood frozen, her eyes wide with shock. Her features mirrored those of her mother—tall, beautiful, with a presence that could turn heads—but now, her face was pale with disbelief.

"Mom?" Amy's voice wavered. "Is it true? You and Dad are divorcing?"

Jasmine's resolve faltered slightly as she looked at her daughter, but she quickly regained her composure. "Yes, Amy. It's time."

With that, Jasmine turned to the security guards stationed nearby. "Get them out of here," she ordered, gesturing toward Laura and Edmund.

The guards moved swiftly, escorting the two out as Amy rushed into her mother's office, following Jasmine inside.

Outside in the hallway, Bianca let out a heavy sigh, her frustration evident. "That old hag Laura really knows how to stir up trouble," she muttered under her breath.

Marie, who had witnessed the whole scene, stood by awkwardly, still reeling from the tense confrontation. "You really care about Ms. Jasmine, don't you?" Marie asked quietly.

Bianca looked over at her with a soft smile, though her eyes were still sharp. "Jasmine's my sister. Of course I care. I'm the older one, and it's my job to protect her. Always has been."

Marie nodded, admiring the fierce loyalty between the sisters. "I hope I can be as strong as you two one day."

"You'll get there," Bianca said, patting Marie's shoulder. "For now, though, finish your work. Jasmine isn't in the mood for any more delays."

Inside Jasmine's office, the atmosphere was heavy with emotion. Jasmine sat behind her desk, her head in her hands, tears spilling down her cheeks as she struggled to contain her sobs. Amy knelt in front of her, worry etched on her face.

"Aunt Bianca, what's wrong with Mom?" Amy asked, looking to her aunt for answers.

Bianca entered the room, gently rubbing her sister's back. "She's just overwhelmed," Bianca explained. "Your grandmother has been pushing her for years, Amy. It was bad enough when Jasmine was pregnant with you. Our father had to take her home just to protect her from all the mistreatment."

Amy's eyes welled with tears as she watched her mother, who was usually so strong, break down in front of her. "What can I do?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Bianca sighed and knelt beside her niece. "Be there for her, Amy. Be strong. Your mom needs you now more than ever. You and your sister are the reason she's still fighting."

Amy reached out and took her mother's hand. "I'm here, Mom," she whispered softly. "I'll always be here for you."

A short while later, as Jasmine rested in her chair after taking some calming medication, Bianca prepared for the upcoming board meeting in her sister's place. "Jasmine, you didn't tell me there was a board meeting today," Bianca said with a frown. "Who's going to present the reports?"

Jasmine lifted her head weakly, still exhausted. "I'll manage. Marie can help me finish the presentation."

Bianca shook her head, not convinced. "I'm not letting you push yourself like this. I'll teach Marie and Amy what to do. You rest."

Amy and Marie exchanged glances, both nervous but determined to help. "What do we need to do?" Marie asked.

"Follow me," Bianca said firmly, leading them toward the conference room.

Hours later, the boardroom was buzzing with tension as the executives gathered. Enrico and Madoka were already seated, whispering about the drama from earlier in the day. Amy and Marie were seated beside Bianca, reviewing the documents they had worked on.

As Enrico began the presentation, Faye, one of the senior executives, raised her voice to question the company's direction. "The company's performance has been slipping. It's not what it used to be. We're losing our edge."

Bianca bristled but kept her cool. "The company is transitioning. We're cleaning up the mess left behind by the previous leadership. That's the reality of the situation."

Faye sneered. "And with a broken CEO at the helm, how are we supposed to fix it?"

Before Bianca could respond, the doors swung open, and Jasmine stepped into the room. Her eyes blazed with determination despite her earlier emotional breakdown.

"Broken?" Jasmine said, her voice icy as she walked toward the head of the table. "If any of you think I'm incapable of running this company, speak up now. If you think you can do a better job, the seat is yours—on a silver platter. But if you think you can challenge me and win, you're dead wrong."

The room fell into a stunned silence, all eyes on Jasmine as she stood, her hands resting firmly on the back of her chair.

Madoka, one of Jasmine's closest allies, smiled and spoke calmly. "We have complete confidence in your leadership, Jasmine. Don't let them get to you."

Jasmine's gaze swept over the room one last time, her authority unshaken. "Good," she said, taking her seat. "Let's get back to business."

---

It was five in the afternoon, and the workday at Innovare had just come to an end. The sun was beginning to sink low, casting a warm golden glow over the city. In the Innovare office, Bianca had made sure Jasmine was sent home early, knowing her sister needed rest after the stressful day, while she herself prepared to anchor the evening news.

Marie, meanwhile, had accompanied Amy Marino to the nearby Welina Hotel. The large hotel was hosting auditions for models aspiring to join the prestigious House of Peng, and the hotel lobby buzzed with excitement. Aspiring models, many of them teenagers and young adults, lined the hallways. Tall, elegant women and men dressed in fashionable attire stood around, some nervously checking their appearance in hand mirrors, others chatting among themselves to pass the time.

Marie glanced around, wide-eyed at the spectacle of beauty and fashion. "These women are stunning," she muttered to Amy, clearly in awe of the models who filled the space.

Amy smirked, folding her arms as she surveyed the crowd. "Yeah, but most of them are blondies," she noted, her voice nonchalant.

Marie turned to Amy with curiosity. "Why don't you just skip the auditions and go directly to the House of Peng? Your family practically owns half of the companies around here. You could easily get in with a single phone call."

Amy shook her head, her expression turning serious. "My grandfather always told me not to take shortcuts," she explained. "He believes in earning your way, even if you have the connections. Besides, Innovare might be powerful, but we don't have that kind of influence in government projects. The House of Peng is a different beast."

Before Marie could respond, a short man with graying hair and a flamboyant, almost theatrical manner strode toward them, a wide grin on his face. He was dressed in bright, patterned clothing that stood out from the sea of neutrals around them.

"Well, well, well," the man said in a sing-song voice as he approached. "If it isn't Maria Arisa Montevista!" His eyes twinkled mischievously as he looked Amy up and down.

Amy raised an eyebrow, clearly unamused. "It's Arisa Marie Marino now, Mr. John," she corrected, her tone curt. "I'm no longer connected to the Montevistas."

Mr. John's smile faltered slightly, but he recovered quickly. "Of course, of course," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Who could have imagined that Jasmine's daughter would be auditioning here today?"

"You've been working with my grandfather for a while, haven't you?" Amy asked coolly.

"Indeed," Mr. John replied, his voice taking on a more nostalgic tone. "Before your grandfather was swept into the political world, we had quite the partnership."

"Yes, but my connection to the Montevista name ended when my father decided to betray my mother," Amy replied sharply, her eyes narrowing. "I've taken on the Marino name now. It might have a bloody history, but it's stronger than stone."

Mr. John chuckled, clearly unfazed by Amy's bluntness. "Well, good luck with the audition, Arisa Marie," he said, glancing over his shoulder. "Oh, and speaking of, there's Vanessa Castellano over there. You might want to say hello."

Amy gave a small, dismissive nod as Mr. John walked away, leaving Marie and Amy to continue their stroll through the hotel as they waited for Amy's turn to be called.

As they walked, Marie noticed a young girl, likely around Amy's age, nervously standing by herself near one of the columns. Her hands were clasped together, and her eyes darted nervously as if she were unsure of her surroundings.

"Look at that girl," Amy said, nudging Marie. "She kind of looks like you from some angles."

Marie smiled at the comment. "That's flattering, I guess."

Just as they spoke, the girl accidentally bumped into one of the other models. The model, tall and blonde, turned sharply and scowled down at the girl.

"Are you blind?!" the blonde model snapped, her voice cutting through the chatter in the lobby.

The young girl shrank back, her eyes wide with fear. "I'm sorry," she stammered in a quiet, apologetic voice.

"Sorry?" the blonde model scoffed. "What are you even doing here? You really think you can compete with the likes of us for the House of Peng? Look at you—you don't belong here."

Marie, hearing the confrontation, couldn't stand by any longer. "Hey! Stop picking on her!" she shouted, stepping forward with fiery determination. "You have no right to yell at her like that."

The blonde model spun around, glaring at Marie. "And who are you, exactly?" she spat, her tone dripping with disdain.

Before Marie could respond, a familiar voice called out from across the room.

"Vanessa!" a man's voice rang out. Marie turned to see a tall figure hurrying toward them.

"Brian?" Marie's eyes widened as she recognized him. "What are you doing here?"

Brian stopped beside Vanessa, clearly flustered. "She asked me to come here with her," he explained, gesturing to the model, Vanessa.

"And what about you, Marie?" Brian asked, his voice softer now. "What brings you here?"

"I'm here helping Amy with her audition," Marie replied, motioning to Amy, who stood beside her with her arms crossed.

Vanessa, still annoyed, looked between them with a smirk. "So you know her?" she asked Brian, her eyes flicking toward Marie dismissively.

"Yes," Brian replied, stepping closer. "Marie works for Ms. Jasmine, and Amy here is Ms. Jasmine's daughter."

Vanessa raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Ah, Jasmine Marino's daughter," she said, her tone suddenly more measured. "I've heard a lot about you. Your family has quite the reputation."

Amy, unbothered, shrugged. "Yeah, well, I've got better things to do than stand here and listen to gossip," she said flatly. "Let's go, Marie." She turned to the young girl who had been bullied and beckoned for her to follow. "You too. Let's get away from all this nonsense."

Without another word, Amy led Marie and the girl away, leaving Vanessa and Brian behind.

The trio found a quiet lounge area in the hotel, and Amy signaled for a server to come over. The server, a young man dressed in a sharp uniform, approached with a professional smile.

"Can I charge this to the CEO's account?" Amy asked nonchalantly, pulling out a silver hotel club card and flashing it to the server.

The server looked confused and hesitated for a moment. "Miss, I'm afraid I can't do that unless you're the CEO's—"

"I'm her daughter," Amy interrupted, her voice cool.

The server's eyes widened in realization, and he quickly took the card to the hotel manager for verification. Minutes later, the manager returned, deeply apologetic.

"Miss Amy," the manager said, bowing slightly. "We're so sorry for the misunderstanding. Please, anything you need, it's on us."

"That's fine," Amy said with a casual wave of her hand. "I'll just have a rice cake and tea. You can ask these two what they'd like."

The girl, still shy and clearly overwhelmed by the entire situation, shifted nervously in her seat. "I'm not really hungry," she mumbled.

"Oh, don't be shy," Amy said with a smile. "Order whatever you want."

The girl hesitated before finally speaking up. "Just a glass of orange juice, please."

"I'll take a mango shake," Marie chimed in.

As the server left, Amy turned her attention to the girl. "I'm Amy, by the way," she said, offering a friendly smile. "And this is my friend, Marie."

The girl looked up and smiled softly. "I'm Kara. Kara Almeida."

"Almeida?" Amy raised an eyebrow. "That name sounds familiar... but anyway, you do look a lot like Marie. You're really pretty. Did you know Marie was a beauty queen before?"

Kara's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Thank you," she said quietly. "That's really kind of you to say."

"So, you're auditioning for the House of Peng too?" Amy asked, leaning back in her chair.

Before Kara could answer, an announcement echoed through the lounge. "Arisa Marie Marino, Kara Almeida—please proceed to the audition room."

Amy stood up, flashing a grin. "Looks like it's showtime. Good luck to both of us."

The two young women made their way to the audition area, leaving Marie to watch from a distance. As the minutes ticked by, she found herself nervously pacing, until Brian approached her again.

"You seem really invested in this," Brian remarked, watching Marie's anxious expression.

"I just want to make sure she does well," Marie replied. "Amy's perfect for this, but Michelle Peng is looking for a specific type—a baby-faced model."

Inside the audition room, the fashion director eyed Amy and Kara critically. "Marino, Almeida," he said, his tone brisk. "You both have the look. Let's see you walk."

The two girls strode across the room with confidence, their movements graceful and poised.

The director nodded approvingly. "You both pass. Congratulations. We'll see you in Hong Kong for the next stage."

Amy returned to Marie with a wide grin. "Well, that was easy," she said with a shrug. "No sweat."

Marie beamed. "Congratulations, Amy! And Kara, you did great!"

Kara smiled shyly, clearly relieved. "Thank you. I was so nervous, but I guess it all worked out."

Before they left, Amy turned to Kara. "Hey, why don't you come to dinner at my place tomorrow?" she offered. "Brian, you're invited too, if you want. Just... don't bring Vanessa."

Kara's eyes lit up with excitement. "I'd love to!"

Brian chuckled and nodded. "Sure, I'll come."

"Great," Amy said, linking arms with Marie as they left the hotel. "Looks like tomorrow's going to be interesting."

--

After the audition, Marie and Amy walked together toward the nearest terminal, navigating the bustling streets of the city. Despite being a Marino, Amy shunned the privileges that came with her last name and her status as the daughter of the CEO of one of the most diversified companies in the Philippines. She admired her grandfather's way of life, which included commuting like the common people, taking public transport, and living modestly despite the wealth surrounding their family.

"You know," Amy began as they waited by the curb for the bus, "that Almeida girl, Kara, there's something so familiar about her. I can't place it, but I feel like I've seen her somewhere before."

Marie glanced at her, intrigued but uncertain. "Really? She did seem pretty shy."

"Yeah, maybe it's nothing," Amy shrugged. She spotted the bus approaching in the distance and smiled at Marie. "Anyway, there's my ride. I'll see you tomorrow, Marie. Good luck getting home."

Marie waved as Amy hopped onto the bus. The evening air grew cool as dark clouds began gathering overhead, signaling rain. Marie continued to wait for her bus, glancing up at the sky every few minutes, hoping it wouldn't start pouring before she got home.

A few minutes passed, and the street around her began to quiet as the first drops of rain started to fall. Then, suddenly, the rumble of an engine broke the silence, and a sleek, black Lamborghini Aventador rolled to a stop in front of her. The tinted windows slowly rolled down, revealing Brian behind the wheel, casually leaning against his seat.

"Hop in," Brian said with a charming smile.

Marie shook her head, a bit caught off guard. "No, thanks. I'll wait for the bus."

Brian raised an eyebrow, his smile softening. "Are you sure? It's about to pour down any second."

As if on cue, the sky opened up, and heavy rain began to pelt the pavement. Marie hesitated, looking up at the torrential downpour. She sighed, knowing she didn't have much choice now. Reluctantly, she stepped toward the car and opened the door, sliding into the passenger seat as the rain drenched the street outside.

"Thanks," she muttered, trying not to look too awkward as she settled in.

"No problem," Brian replied, starting the car again and smoothly pulling away from the curb. The rain hammered against the windshield, the wipers swishing furiously back and forth.

The ride was quiet for a few minutes, the sound of the rain filling the silence. Then Marie spoke, curious about the audition. "So, did Vanessa pass the audition?"

Brian glanced over at her, his expression unreadable. "Yeah, she did. She always gets what she wants. That's just how she is."

Marie nodded, staring out the window at the blurred streetlights. "She's the granddaughter of Mercedes Castellano, right?"

"That's right," Brian said. "Her family is part of the old guard. The Castellanos, the Fontierras, the Almeidas, Serranos, Cardenas, and Almojer—they're all part of the same group of powerful families. They've had rivalries with the Marinos, Ojedas, and Ongs for years. Those families are constantly at odds, whether it's in business or... other matters."

Marie furrowed her brow. "Why do they hate the Marinos so much?"

Brian sighed, slowing the car slightly as they passed a busy intersection. "It's a long history. It all started when the Marinos and their associates resisted the power of the Almeidas and Fontierras, who were trying to control everything. The tensions escalated over time. According to some old legends, Karl Marino's foster father was killed by the Almeidas, which sparked the war between them."

Marie leaned in, intrigued. "That sounds intense."

"Yeah, and it gets more complicated," Brian continued. "There's also a story about a secret romance between Karl Marino's eldest son, Rafael, and Kanna Almeida, the daughter of the Almeida family. Their families forced them apart, but rumor has it that their affair produced a daughter. No one knows where she is, though."

Marie's eyes widened slightly. "Do you think that's true?"

Brian shrugged. "Who knows? A lot of these stories get twisted over the years. But if it is true, then there's a missing link out there, and that child would be part of both the Marino and Almeida legacies."

"That's... interesting," Marie murmured, her mind wandering through the possibility of such a story being true.

As they neared Marie's neighborhood, Brian glanced sideways at her. Clearing his throat, he asked casually, "So... do you have anyone special in your life right now? A boyfriend or someone courting you?"

Marie looked at him, her face neutral. "No, I don't. I'm not really interested in that right now."

Brian nodded, though he seemed slightly disappointed. "That's fair. I wasn't sure if you had someone."

Marie gave him a sideways glance. "Isn't that something you should be asking Vanessa? You know, since you're together and all."

Brian laughed softly, shaking his head. "There's nothing going on between me and Vanessa. I actually broke up with her recently."

Marie raised an eyebrow. "Really? Then why were you at the audition with her?"

"She asked me to come," Brian admitted, keeping his eyes on the road. "We've known each other for a long time, so I figured it wasn't a big deal to help her out."

Marie smirked. "Still sounds like you two are a couple."

"No, we're not," Brian insisted. "I ended things with her just after the audition."

Marie chuckled softly, not entirely convinced. "Well, what are you planning to do now?"

Brian sighed, glancing over at her for a brief moment before returning his focus to the road. "I don't know... I guess I'm just looking for someone who will really care about me. Someone genuine."

Marie leaned back in her seat, watching the rain-soaked world pass by. "I'm sure you'll find someone. Just give it time."

The Lamborghini came to a stop in front of Marie's home, the engine purring quietly as the rain continued to fall. "Thanks for the ride," she said, unbuckling her seatbelt.

"Anytime," Brian replied with a smile, though his eyes lingered on her for a moment longer.

Marie opened the door and ran toward the front entrance, trying to avoid getting soaked by the rain. She waved briefly before slipping inside her house, leaving Brian to drive off into the stormy night.

Inside the cozy warmth of their home, Mang Caloy sat on the couch watching the evening news alongside Ryoma and Gabo. The familiar sounds of the television filled the room as they listened to the latest headlines.

"I'm home!" Marie called out as she kicked off her shoes and entered the living room.

"Welcome home, Marie!" Cynthia appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron as she greeted her warmly.

Marie sighed, flopping down between Ryoma and Mang Caloy. "Work was stressful," she admitted, leaning back into the cushions.

Ryoma looked at her with a curious smile. "Really? What happened?"

"Let's see," Marie began with a tired laugh. "I spent most of the morning running errands for Ms. Jasmine, and then I ended up chaperoning her daughter, Amy, to a modeling audition."

Ryoma chuckled, exchanging a glance with Mang Caloy, who grinned. "So, in other words, you were pulled into the Marino whirlwind," Ryoma teased.

Marie laughed. "Pretty much."

Mang Caloy patted her knee gently. "You'll get used to it. The Marino women can be a force of nature, but they're tough for a reason. Just keep doing your best."

Marie smiled at the old man, feeling the warmth and support of her family surrounding her. Despite the chaos of the day, being home made everything seem a little easier. They all continued watching the news, the familiar routine bringing a sense of peace after a long, eventful day.

--