First Impression

CHAPTER: 1/1

As I scrolled through my boyfriend's phone messages, I was shocked to see countless conversations with different girls. It wasn't what I wanted to see. There was one message I was desperately searching for, but I couldn't pinpoint what it was or who sent it. I kept scrolling down, my heart pounding in my chest. Tears welled up in my eyes as I read it. The pain was unbearable, and I couldn't breathe. I didn't understand what I was feeling.

"Kate, come back to me."

"I can't forget you. I don't want Eliza anymore. I'm not happy with her. I don't feel like she's my girlfriend. Let's talk. Let's fix this."

The pain was too much. I cried and cried. Every day, I was haunted by what I had read on my boyfriend's phone. I rushed to his condo. "Ding dong, ding dong..."

"Oh, it's you, Elie. What are you doing here?" Dwayne asked.

"Dwayne, can we talk?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"Talk about what?"

"Come on, let me in. Is something wrong?" he asked, confused.

"Dwayne, I'm breaking up with you."

"Wait, what? I don't understand."

"I think we need to end this relationship. You can do whatever you want. You can go back to Kate."

"Wait! What the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm tired of this relationship. We should stop. I know you're not happy anymore. So, let's end this."

"Fine, if that's what you want. You think you're the only one who's tired? I am too. Okay, let's end this!"

(1 YEAR LATER...)

"Elie... Wake up! You're late for work. It's your first day!"

"Mom, I'm still sleepy. Give me 10 more minutes."

"Oh my goodness! You're going to be late! Get up now!"

"What time is it?"

"It's 9 AM, Madam. Get up and have breakfast before you leave."

"What? Mom, why didn't you wake me up? My work starts at 10 AM."

"I've been waking you up! You're still asking for 10 more minutes. Come on, get dressed and come downstairs, okay?"

"Mom, come on..." I got up quickly.

"Have breakfast before you leave."

"It's okay, Mom. I'll eat at the office. I'm already late. Bye, love you."

"This child. Okay, be careful."

"Gosh! I'm late. I'm going to get yelled at on my first day. Elizabeth Macaraig De Guzman, what's happening to you?"

In my rush, I bumped into a man who had just stepped out of a sports car.

"What the?! Are you blind, Ms.?"

"Excuse me, you're the one who's not looking where you're going, Ms. You're bumping into people because you're in such a hurry!"

"So it's my fault now, huh?!"

"Yeah, very well said. It's your fault! And Ms., do you know who you're talking to?"

"I don't care who you are. I'm not interested in knowing you, okay? So please... get out of my way."

"What a rude woman."

"Sir? What happened? You seem upset."

"Nothing."

"Anyway, sir, your new secretary is here."

"Okay, send her to my office. I want to discuss something with her."

"Yes, sir."

"Ms...?"

"Good morning, sir. Elizabeth De Guzman, but you can call me Elie for short, sir. Hehehe..."

"Ahm... Ms. Elie, you're the new secretary here, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"Go to Sir Liam's office. He wants to talk to you."

"Good morning, sir Liam. I'm your new secretary, Elizabeth De Guzman, but Elie for short. You called for me?"

I saw a man with his back turned, looking out the window while sipping wine. When he turned around, I was shocked to see that my boss and the man I bumped into were the same person.

"You...?"

"Oh my Gosh, Elie, why is he your boss? This is embarrassing. It's your first day, and you're going to get fired. Huhuhu." I thought to myself.

"Ms. Rude girl, what a small world, huh? Imagine, you're my new secretary? HAHAHA, I'm amused."

"Ahm, sir, about earlier, let me explain. I know I was rude, and I said some bad things. I sincerely apologize, sir. Please don't fire me. I really need this job."

"Shhh, don't worry, Ms. Elie. I won't fire you. Forget about it. I'm not that mean to just fire you. I'm quite nice."

"Really, sir? Thank you, sir. I'm so sorry about earlier."

"But on one condition."

"Condition? What is it?"

"You'll be my girlfriend."

"Girlfriend? Sir, we just met. You want me already? I'm not that easy, sir. You have to court me first before you can ask me out!"

"Ms. Elie... It's not what you think. I want you to be my rented girlfriend for 3 months. After that, we can break up. Do you agree?"

"Rented Girlfriend?"

"Yeah, I'll pay you. I'll forget about earlier, and I won't fire you."

"I'll think about it, sir. But, why me? And why do you need to rent a girlfriend?"

"Elie, what have I gotten myself into?" I thought to myself.

"Enough, mind your own business. I'll give you some time to think about it. Come with me when you've decided, okay?"