"Have mercy, sir!" the secretary cried out. Slap! "Shut your f*cking mouth!" he shouted at her. "Ahhhh!" the woman screamed as her boss forced himself on her. He covered her mouth, leaving her helpless. Her muffled cries mixed with sobs as her heartless boss continued his assault. Her eyes widened in terror when she noticed a camera recording them. She broke down, crying even harder. Sarina rushed home and immediately took a shower. Afterward, she sat down to write her resignation letter to Cyborg Inc. "Are you home, child?" her father called out. "Yes, Dad, I'm just getting dressed," she quickly replied, tidying herself up. "I'm heading out now, Dad," she said, leaving the house without waiting for a response. On her way to the office, she sat in the taxi, staring at her resignation letter as tears threatened to fall. The closer she got to her workplace, the more her emotions overwhelmed her. Upon arriving, she took a deep breath before entering the building. People stared and whispered as she walked past, heading for the elevator. Even inside, she could hear murmurs but chose to ignore them. When the elevator doors opened, she stepped out, composed herself, and took another deep breath before entering her boss's office. As she walked in, the CEO's swivel chair turned to face her. She approached and handed over her resignation letter. Without a shred of emotion, Atashi Cyborg-the cold-hearted CEO of Cyborg Inc.-accepted it. Sabrina was shocked when Atashi tore the letter into pieces and scattered them across the floor. "Clean it up, Secretary Sabrina Mendez," he ordered coldly. "No, I'm resigning now," Sabrina said in a trembling voice. Atashi responded with a cruel ultimatum: "Choose one: A. I kill your father. B. I tell your father about our scandal or send it to his email. C. Stay as my secretary." Devastated, Sabrina broke down in tears and lowered her head. "I choose letter C," she whispered, defeated. Turning away, she went to her desk near Atashi's. "You're five minutes late today," Atashi remarked coldly, his words making her cry even more. "Heartless monster," Sabrina muttered under her breath.
Chapter 1 Her boss
Chapter 1
Sabrina was tidying up the scattered papers of her boss.
"Sabrina, give me some coffee," her boss ordered.
Sabrina complied, preparing the coffee as instructed.
"Sis, did you hear about Sabrina's scandal? She's such a disgrace! Her flirty behavior is all over Facebook. If I were her boss-"
Passing by a nearby workstation, Sabrina overheard the gossip. Embarrassed and anxious, she placed the coffee on her boss's desk and quickly opened her phone to check the rumors.
Her heart sank as she read the notifications:
"@sabrinamendez, isn't this you?"
Her Facebook account was flooded with hateful comments, over 100 messages, and endless notifications. Feeling disheartened, she carried on with her tasks, clutching the coffee tightly.
"I didn't expect my life to turn out like this," Sabrina thought.
When she handed the coffee to her boss, he yelled, "What kind of coffee is this?!" and threw it at her.
"I'm sorry, sir. May I take a leave today? I'm not feeling well," Sabrina asked timidly, her head bowed.
"No! Make me another coffee and make sure it tastes right!" he barked.
"Yes, sir," she replied softly, tears welling in her eyes as she walked away.
Distracted, Sabrina bumped into someone.
"Sorry," she mumbled, her face hidden by her hair.
"Do you think I'll let this slide?" snapped Tefanie.
"I'm sorry, I didn't-" Sabrina couldn't finish as Tefanie grabbed her hair.
"Ahhh!" Sabrina screamed as Tefanie dragged her to the restroom.
"Next time, don't be so stupid!" Tefanie yelled, shoving Sabrina into a toilet stall. She pulled Sabrina's hair and shoved her face into the toilet bowl repeatedly.
Struggling to breathe, Sabrina gasped for air.
"That's what you deserve," Tefanie sneered before leaving.
Sabrina stumbled out of the restroom, her face hidden by her hair. The whispers around her felt like knives piercing her heart. Tears streaming, she climbed to the top floor of the building.
"This is the only way to end this pain," she thought.
She stepped onto the ledge, letting the wind touch her skin as she prepared to jump. Just as she was about to fall, a hand pulled her back.
The shock overwhelmed Sabrina, and she fainted.
Sabrina woke up in an unfamiliar room. She glanced to her side and saw a man sitting next to her. Gently, she moved his hand to uncover his face.
"Ranz!" she gasped.
Ranz Polire, her childhood friend and a social media sensation, looked back at her.
"You're awake. Don't worry about the video; we've taken care of it," he said gently.
Stunned, Sabrina could only listen as Ranz continued, "I'm helping you this time because you're my friend. I don't want you to go through this alone."
She felt a mix of gratitude and guilt.
"Thank you," Sabrina whispered, her voice barely audible.
was startled awake by a loud noise in the kitchen. She ran downstairs and found her father collapsed on the floor.
"Tatay!" she cried, shaking him.
"Anak..." he murmured weakly, trying to touch her tear-streaked face.
"Don't leave me, Tatay!" Sabrina pleaded, hugging him tightly.
With difficulty, her father said, "Anak, take me to the province. I can't... stay here anymore."
Though reluctant, Sabrina decided to grant his wish. She worked late into the night, finishing all her paperwork to clear her schedule.
The next morning, Sabrina prepared breakfast and called out, "Tay, let's eat!"
Her father slowly made his way to the table.
"What's the occasion, anak?" he asked.
"We're going to the province later, Tay. I'll take care of everything," Sabrina replied with a forced smile.
After breakfast, she headed to work to formally request a leave.
In her boss's office, Sabrina said, "Sir, I'd like to take a three-day leave to bring my father to the province. I've completed all the paperwork you assigned to me."
Her boss eyed her coldly but handed her a stack of documents and a flash drive.
"Fine, but finish these first," he said curtly.
Sabrina had no choice but to comply. After finishing her tasks, she took a cab home, exhausted.
As soon as she stepped inside, her father enveloped her in a warm hug.
"It's okay, anak. I know you'll get through this," he said, his voice filled with love and reassurance.
Tears flowed freely as Sabrina hugged her father tightly.
"Thank you, Tatay," she whispered, her heart heavy but comforted by his embrace.
Here's a revised and grammatically corrected version of the English translation:
Her boss gave her a cold, piercing stare.
"I'm leaving too. I'm going there with you and your father," he said, standing up from his seat.
She couldn't believe her boss would accompany her.
He pulled her toward him but quickly let go.
"Where?" he asked coldly.
"We... we can manage, sir. You don't need to-" Before she could finish, her boss punched the wall beside her face.
Terrified, Sabrina looked at Atashi's bleeding knuckles.
"I said, where!" he demanded angrily.
"Nue-Nueva Ecija, sir," Sabrina stammered, glancing at her boss's face, which remained expressionless.
Sabrina quickly went downstairs, her boss following silently. Atashi scanned the surroundings, observing every detail of Sabrina's home.
"Pl-please come in," Sabrina hesitantly invited him inside as she opened the door.
"'Nak... is that you?" her father asked from the living room.
"Yes, Itay. This is my boss," she introduced nervously, casting a glance at Atashi, whose cold eyes met hers.
Atashi entered the house, following Sabrina toward the living room. He silently surveyed every corner of the home.
"Sorry, sir. It's messy inside," Sabrina apologized, still trying to show respect despite her growing fear.
Atashi didn't respond and instead sat across from Sabrina's father, who stared at him as if trying to recognize him.
Sabrina's father knew about the viral video. Someone must have come to their home to inform them about the social media scandal. While watching it, he couldn't help but cry, unable to defend or reprimand his daughter. He knew she wouldn't have willingly done it. If only his frail body allowed, he would have confronted the man who harmed his child. Still, he was thankful he hadn't seen the face of the devil who hurt her.
"Itay, we're going back to Nueva Ecija," Sabrina suddenly said, holding three bags.
"Why, anak?" her father asked.
"I just want to see you happy back home, Itay. You know I'd do anything to make you smile," Sabrina said sincerely, while Atashi observed them silently.
"Let's go, Itay," Sabrina said, helping her father stand.
"Thank you, 'Nak," her father replied with a grateful smile.
"Sus, Itay, you're so dramatic. Let's go," Sabrina joked, trying to hide her nervousness. Deep inside, she feared for her father's safety around her unpredictable boss.
They left the house, locking the doors behind them. Atashi led the way. Sabrina couldn't fathom why he insisted on coming with them to her father's hometown.
They rode silently as Atashi drove. Sabrina kept a watchful eye on her boss's every move while occasionally checking if they were on the right path to Nueva Ecija.
"Itay, take a nap," Sabrina whispered to her father, who obeyed and closed his eyes. Slightly relieved, Sabrina also decided to rest briefly.
"Itay!" Sabrina screamed, startled, causing Atashi to hit the brakes abruptly.
Sabrina's eyes were wide open, staring blankly ahead.
"Anak," her father called out worriedly. Atashi resumed driving, unfazed.
Sabrina turned to her father and hugged him tightly.
"Anak, are you okay?" her father asked, his voice filled with concern.
"Yes, Itay," she reassured him with a smile, tears streaming down her face.
Atashi noticed her tears but dismissed them, focusing on the road ahead.
They stopped at a restaurant in Bulacan for lunch. Atashi exited the car without a word, prompting Sabrina and her father to follow.
Inside, Sabrina scanned the area but didn't see her boss. She decided to sit at a dining table with her father and ordered food.
"Miss," Sabrina called a waitress.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"One adobo and sinigang with rice, please," Sabrina said.
The waitress returned with their orders, and Sabrina thanked her.
"Let's eat, Itay," she said softly.
They ate quietly until Atashi suddenly appeared.
"Let's go," he said coldly.
Sabrina, not wanting to cause trouble, quickly stood up.
"Itay, let's just eat later," she said. Her father complied, and Sabrina left payment tucked under the tissue holder.
Back in the car, Atashi drove steadily. Sabrina noticed they were nearing their destination. She saw her father's excitement and couldn't help but smile, happy to see him so full of life again.
"I missed this place," her father said, tearing up as he looked at the familiar sights.
The lush greenery and tall trees were a stark contrast to Manila's polluted air and towering buildings. Sabrina was equally amazed.
"Nagpintas ditoy (It's so beautiful here)," they both said in awe, forgetting momentarily that they weren't alone.
"Welcome to Nueva Ecija!" her father exclaimed joyfully. Sabrina smiled at his enthusiasm.
Atashi continued driving in silence, his focus solely on the road.
"Sir, we're heading to Malasin," Sabrina told her boss, but he didn't respond, simply driving ahead.
To Be Continued...
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