CHAP 3

"What should I do?" I pulled out my hair while resting on my soft bed.

My freakin' card!

It wasn't until after that that I realized what I had done earlier at the mall when I returned home. I've been here for about ten minutes, reflecting on the poor choice that was made over and over again.

I groaned and stomped my feet in the air. "What a dumb head you got, Khrystal," I blamed myself.

What if that man reached the limit of my card? Damn, Daddy will definitely kill me!

Even though nothing has occurred yet, I'm already crying because I believe my predictions will come true. I can handle Mommy Francheska's rage, but I don't want to let Daddy down or rile him up.

Three knocks on the door caught my attention. When it opened, I quickly got up when I saw Mommy Francheska entering my room.

"Mom," I uttered.

"Prepare your things," she told me. "You're leaving tomorrow," she added.

I did not immediately move from my spot and processed what she said.

She smirked when she saw my reaction. She mischievously crossed her arms and looked at me lazily.

“Our company is located outside the Vista Querencia. Do you wish to travel an hour each way to work every day, Khrystal?" she enquired.

I finally got her point after a while. Mom was right. If I stayed at home while working outside our province, it would be too much trouble.

But...is this real? She's really letting me go.

"But my last project at the firm is not yet finished," I said.

"I will handle that. I will send someone there as your replacement. Focus on what you are going to do. Besides, you want this, right? Living apart from us," she said.

I bit my lip and lowered my gaze. "It's not like that, Mom," I said softly.

She smirked and walked into my window area. She looked outside while keeping her arms crossed.

"Just do everything to get Mr. Revelar for the sake of our company, Khrystal," she stated seriously.

That's when I remembered what Nexus and I had talked about. Even though I was afraid, I still had the courage to speak.

"Why me?" I asked lowly, enough for her to hear.

She gave me a slow sidelong glance before arching her brows.

I inhaled deeply and gave her a cautious glance. “I found out that he is neither a simple businessman nor an investor. He's a magnate tycoon. I am confused. Why did you pick me, a newbie, for this project?" I asked.

"Because I want you out of our lives," she answered directly.

The pain suddenly hit me. I have anticipated that. Even though I knew they didn't like me, it still hurt to hear it from the woman I thought of as my mother.

"I chose you so that I could get rid of you. If it weren't for my husband, I would have let you disappear from our path a long time ago. You are a sore in my eyes, in everyone's sight. If you fail to this task, I will have a reason to make people hate you even more. However, if you succeed…” She smirked as if it was really impossible to happen. “I still have a good reason for kicking you out of this house. I'll just claim that a deal has already been reached. that I recently gave you something you've been wanting for a while.”

I just looked down and held back my impending tears.

“So, try to succeed in negotiating with Mr. Revelar. It's better to leave quietly, right?" she pointed out, and walked out of my room.

The moment she closed the door, my tears streamed down my cheeks. I bit my lip and cried as I was reminiscing every word she uttered.

How did I become this worthless?

I BREATHED in and out countless times while standing outside the building of my family's business—the PIP Inc. I was already standing here outside the company by 7 in the morning even though the office hour starts at eight o'clock.

Today is the day, Khrystal.

I cheered myself. Some of the employees have already seen me. Their eyes showed surprise. Perhaps, they are not familiar with me.

For sure, they will also be disgusted once they find out.

I smiled bitterly in my mind and sighed. I was about to walk when a familiar car pulled up in front of the company. My chest immediately pounded with nervous.

Slowly, a man in his 50s got out of the car. Our eyes met. He gave me a serious look and then nodded slightly in recognition of my presence.

"G-Good morning, D-Dad," I stuttered and slightly bowed my head.

"Come with me," he said, and took his steps into the building.

I did nothing but follow his orders. I could feel the strange gazes of some people we pass by as I walked behind Daddy. Somehow, I realized how powerful he is; watching him walk with confidence made me admire him ever more.

Due to Daddy's busy schedules. He came home only twice in a month. On those occasions, I avoid getting close to them. I felt like it was their family time, and I did not belong to it.

After a few hallways passed by and an elevator ride, we finally entered his office. I knew it was Daddy's because of his name label on the table. I stood in front of him like a puppy when he was completely seated in his swivel chair. Then he looked at me seriously while scanning my whole presence.

"Do you really want to pursue this project?" he asked, while intently looking into my eyes.

I swallowed and secretly played with my fingers. "Y-yes," I stammered.

He hummed and tapped his fingers on his table. "Mr. Revelar is an important client, Khrystal," he said. "We need him in our company."

Just by Daddy's tone, I knew he was letting me know the importance of the transaction that I took, which could be seemed like a big loss if couldn't convince the person he was referring to.

"I will do my best to win him, Dad," I spoke confidently.

He then stared at me. Later, a smile gradually appeared on his lips, which surprised me greatly.

"I will trust you with this, Khrystal."

Those were just seven words, but they brought millions of emotions to me. I stopped myself to cry even though I could feel my tears coming.

"Welcome to our company. Prepare yourself. Twenty minutes from now, we will meet Mr. Revelar in the conference room," Dad informed.

I nodded and bowed for a moment as respect and farewell. He pressed his intercom and called the assistant to take me to my working space. We smiled at each other for a while before I finally left his office.

I will make you proud, Dad.

All my hopes and earned confidence faded when I met a familiar pair of eyes while entering the meeting room. He’s the guy I met at the mall; the one who have gone scrambling with me for my bag.

What is he doing here?

He's wearing a black business suit and was sitting next to my dad's seat.

When I thought back to our previous encounter, anxiety ate me up right away. I walked on with trembling knees. He never took his eyes off of me. He seemed to make me feel like he had never forgotten me by his steely gaze as he observed me.

"Mr. Revelar," my father greeted.

I almost tripped on my feet when I heard him.

He's that magnate tycoon!

I noticed the corner of his lips lift when he saw my reaction. "Mr. Dagsinal," he said, and shook hands with my dad. "I didn't know you had a beautiful secretary," he added while staring at me.

My dad chuckled and gently held me to get closer to them. I felt like I had lost my breath for a moment while facing him.

"She's my daughter, Khrystal Dagsinal. She's the one in charge of this project," Dad stated.

A sly smile appeared on his lips. "Oh, interesting," he said knowingly.

I could feel my sweat forming on my head as my heart pounded loudly. I stiffened on my position when he took my hand and brought it to his lips.

"Nice meeting you, Miss," he uttered and planted a kiss on my hand. "Should I marry you now?"

The way he looked at me, I knew I would fail this deal.