Returning to work was more difficult for me than I would like to admit. I wished that I could have taken a week or two off after the announcement regarding my relationship with Ace was made; however, I also thought that if I did that then it would be like I was admitting that there was something wrong with our relationship. Honestly, I was scared to face the scornful reactions of people head-on. Unlike reading the vile and harsh comments online, facing them in person felt much more real. Everything unfolded almost exactly how I had imagined that it would inside my head. The people who didn’t know me personally either did not pay much attention or said the exact same things that I had expected them to say when they gossiped with each other. The notion that I exploited some kind of nepotism to rise through the ranks was everywhere. Nepotism wasn’t at all as extreme as the accusations that I slept my way up. Many also believed that I was having an affair with Ace even when he was dating
“I see…” I murmured because I didn’t know what I should say. “We’ll probably break up soon the way things are headed. I thought that it would be harder, but it doesn’t feel like such a big deal anymore. My work is also keeping me super busy, and I have to admit that Kyle’s been up to no good,” she said before laughing lightly to brush it off. “I think whatever makes you happy works best…” I said what I honestly thought. “I agree,” she replied before showing me a smile that I thought looked very sincere. “I’ll take my leave now. Thank you…” I said as I got up from my seat. “Good luck with Ace!” Elizabeth called out to me just as I reached for the door. I turned and offered her a smile before I opened the door and left her office. Less than a week after that, Ace informed me that Elizabeth had decided to break things off with Kyle completely. Since they were not legally married, it didn’t seem like such a big and troublesome ordeal. I was having dinner with Ace when he broke the n
“I see…” I murmured because I didn’t know what I should say. “We’ll probably break up soon the way things are headed. I thought that it would be harder, but it doesn’t feel like such a big deal anymore. My work is also keeping me super busy, and I have to admit that Kyle’s been up to no good,” she said before laughing lightly to brush it off. “I think whatever makes you happy works best…” I said what I honestly thought. “I agree,” she replied before showing me a smile that I thought looked very sincere. “I’ll take my leave now. Thank you…” I said as I got up from my seat. “Good luck with Ace!” Elizabeth called out to me just as I reached for the door. I turned and offered her a smile before I opened the door and left her office. Less than a week after that, Ace informed me that Elizabeth had decided to break things off with Kyle completely. Since they were not legally married, it didn’t seem like such a big and troublesome ordeal. I was having dinner with Ace when he broke the n
“I didn’t have to do that, but those people shouldn’t be talking like that,” he said as he glared after them.“You’re right but let’s not turn this into a big fuss. I already have enough to worry about at work as it is,” I said before letting out a soft laugh. “How are you doing?” he asked, and I knew that he wasn’t asking about my work. “Fine. Don’t worry,” I replied before showing him a brave smile. Richard’s reaction surprised me. I knew that out of everyone in the CEO’s office, he was the one that was strictest and worried most about the rules. That was why his reaction surprised me the most. “Were you shocked to hear that Ace and I are dating?” I asked before I could stop myself. “Not really…” he replied emotionlessly.“Really? You were not surprised or shock at all?” I asked in disbelief.“Why do I need to be shocked?” he asked in return.“Well, it’s Ace and me…you know…” I replied before shrugging my shoulders.What more do I need to explain…?“I had a feeling…” he said si
“How’s work?” he asked the moment that I got in his car.“Busy. Super busy but I guess that just means that the business is doing well,” I replied.“Guess Elizabeth is doing a good job. It’s high season now for our industry so the tough part will come around in three or four months from now. We’ll really see how she does then,” Ace replied with a chuckle before he started driving. “How was your trip?” I asked brightly. “It was alright…” he replied without providing any details. “What did you do with your friends?” I asked curiously. “This and that…” Ace replied vaguely. “You’re really not going to tell me anything?” I asked while trying to keep my tone teasing and light. By that time, I thought that I had been patient enough in waiting for his answers. I gave him the time away that he seemed to need without asking any questions because I didn’t want to nag him. “Where should we go for dinner?” he asked casually to steer our conversation away from what I really wanted to talk ab
Even though the building was quite empty, I still felt excited as I let Ace lead me by the hand along the hallway in the building. I could tell even without the decoration and furniture that the building was supposed to be an office. “This is one of my favorite areas in this place. This large area here is an open co-working space where people can gather to work together and share ideas freely,” Ace said while sounding excited. The area was indeed open and quite spacious. Thankfully, there was electricity in the building and that meant that we could turn on the lights. “It’s quite big…” I murmured as I looked around. “Come look over here,” Ace said as he tugged on my hand for me to follow him.To my surprise, Ace took out some paper that had been stapled together. When he showed it to me, my eyes widened in pleasant surprise. “I know it’s kind of hard for you to imagine it right now with the current state that the building is in, but this is what it’s supposed to look like when it
“What kind of work are you planning to do here?” I asked. I did take note that the building was far too big for it to act as Ace’s personal office and that meant that soon he wouldn’t be working alone. “Creative and impactful things,” he replied with a confident smile.“Such as?” I prompted him to explain further. “Something similar to Project Alpha but without the other non-impactful and just for the money type of work. No more making advertisements purely for the sake of selling toothpaste...” Ace replied with a small chuckle. Project Alpha…“But don’t all the commercials we make for philanthropic funds and organizations free work? As in, we don’t get paid for those or even if we do then, not so much…” I pointed out. “You’re right but that doesn’t mean that we cannot find sponsors to pay for both the production of the campaigns and the advertisement of it,” Ace replied. “I see…” I murmured.I was finally starting to see what Ace had in mind. Now that I thought back on it, I co
“What about I try giving her a call to see if she’s still up?” I suggested.“Sounds good,” Ace replied casually. After giving my mother a call, we found out that she was beyond delighted to have us over for a late night visit. The way my mother smiled and how her eyes lit up when she saw Ace standing in front of her door made me wonder if she was more pleased to see him or her own daughter. “What a pleasant surprise! Welcome. Please come inside,” my mother greeted us with a wide smile. “I apologize for turning up so late like this,” Ace said apologetically. “Not at all. I’m very happy that you two are here. Thank you for driving Rina all the way here,” she said as she beckoned us to enter. Stepping inside my home felt immediately calming. The familiar sight and smell of the place reminded me of all the fond memories that I share with my mother. I wasn’t at all surprised that nothing seemed to have changed given the time that I was away. My mother seemed to be in high spirits, and