《The Odd Billionaire》


 CHAPTER 1

    After getting off the motorcycle, Traizle immediately got her phone from her mini bag. She tried calling the person who ordered from their snack bar, but it seems like the line isn¡¯t avable. Traizle tried to text the person, but got no reply at all.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me that this is a freaking prank.¡± Traizle said, trying to shake off the thought that it might be a prank.


    Looking at the food, she brought both handlebars of her motorcycle, and a full pack on the container with tworge stic bags.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Thinking of the money she might waste if it was a prank, she tried to dial the number again, but it was still not avable.


    ¡°Deliveries for Mr. Zarsuelo!¡± She yelled. Thinking that the person is near her and is waiting for the delivery as well, yet still, to no avail.


    Ten minutes have passed, and the food is already cold. No,Mr. Zarsuelo is present, and no one is returning calls or texts. The line was always busy, and it seems like it will stay busy as it is.


    Traizle sighed with disappointment. The money she will get will turn into a bubble. Her only hope that the person would approach her and get the food, since it was too obvious based on her appearance, is now gone.


    She sighed. ¡°He tricked me,¡± she said, adding that made herugh a little. ¡°What do they think? We have a lot of money. That is why it is okay to do something like this.¡± she asked herself.


    She put on her helmet, sadly riding the motorcycle.


    ¡°Damn that Zarsuelo!¡± she shouted angrily, which made the passersby look at her.


    It confused some people why she was mad, and some of them thought she was not in her right mind.


    But after they saw her, everybody was looking at her. They now murmur that she got tricked.


    To avoid the people¡¯s sympathy, she started her motorcycle¡¯s engine and drove away.


    ¡°Oh?¡± her co-worker said while looking at the orders she was holding. ¡°What happened?¡± He asked Traizle worriedly.


    Traizle looked down at the stic bags she was holding. ¡°Got tricked,¡± Traizle answered. ¡°When I got to our meeting ce, he was not answering my calls and texts. The line said that it was not avable, so I waited for half an hour and here I am.¡± she added with annoyance.


    ¡°You got tricked?¡± The owner of the snack bar asked when she saw Traizle with the food.


    Traizle nodded her head. The owner approached her and got the bags full of food from her.


    ¡°I will reheat the food,¡± the owner said. ¡°I will help you sell this. You make your deliveries.¡± the owner added, determined to help her sell the food.


    Traizle¡¯s other co-workers patted her shoulder, saying it was alright.


    They can definitely rte to the feeling of being tricked. As a delivery man or a courier, there is a day that you might get tricked by the tricksters.


    Seeing how Traizle¡¯s facial expression turned sad, it meant she had lost arge amount of cash.


    Her co-workers knew Traizle for being a money saver. Losing money, even though it is only a peso, will make her sad already, thinking that she is wasting money.


    She can¡¯t afford to lose even a single cent because she has three mouths to feed: her two younger brothers and herself. Her dad and mom separated years ago. Her dad has a new family, and he gives no financial support to them. They assumed that their mother would continue to carry out her responsibilities because she is their mother, but monthster, their mother is looking out for herself, drinking with her friends, buying things only for her and gambling heavily.


    One day, when they woke up, their mother was not around, not yelling or shouting their names. She even brought her things with her, saying nothing to them. Traizle, as the breadwinner of her family, works her ass off to support her two younger brothers.


    Hours have passed. She is now on her way home with her motorcycle, which may die anytime because it is getting too old already. She got it from her former neighbor who moved to another city and gave it to her since it was old.


    ¡°Why are youte?¡± Lyndon, her eldest younger brother, asked when she came to their house.


    ¡°I tried to ask our neighbors if they wanted to buy the food in the snack bar,¡± Traizle shared as she sat while removing her shoes. ¡°Someone pranked me, ordering food for almost a hundred people. When I got there, no one named Zarsuelo showed up.¡± She added and threw her shoes on the shoe rack.


    Layzen sat straight and said, ¡°Don¡¯t you think it was a prank already? For almost a hundred people, order is not reallymon. Isn¡¯t it?¡± Her brother asked.


    Traizle sighed. ¡°We talked formally. He did not sound like it was for a prank.¡± She answered and opened her bag to get the food inside.


    Even though the owner of the snack bar helped her to sell the other foods, since it is already midnight, there are only a few customers passing by her snack bar.


    ¡°Did you guys eat already?¡± She asked, while handing Lyndon a foot-long.


    Lyndon nodded. ¡°Yes, we did. Layzen tried to wait for you, but he fell asleep right after.¡± He answered and ate the foot-long.


    ¡°And you?¡± Traizle asked again.


    ¡°And me, what?¡± Lyndon answered, confused by her sister¡¯s question.


    ¡°Why are you still awake?¡± She replied. ¡°You still have sses tomorrow morning, and here you are munching on my food.¡± She added.


    She was trying not to sound like she was scolding him, but it already looked like one.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it too obvious?¡± Lyndon answered after swallowing the food. ¡°You are toote. I am worried that something bad happened to you while on your way,¡± he added apathetically. ¡°And you handed this food to me. What am I going to do with this? Should I just stare at it?¡±


    ¡°Thanks for your apathetic concern,¡± she replied. ¡°And yeah, you can just stare at it.¡± she added.


    ¡°Anyway¡­¡± Lyndon said, pausing. ¡°Based on your story a while ago, I don¡¯t want to burden you more, but I really need to buy books this week,¡± Lyndon shared. ¡°I was told by my adviser to buy books since I am the mighty one in our ss who still does not have them. Yeah, I do not want to burden you, but I needed to force you.¡± he added,ughing, after drinking some water.


    Traizle pulled her bag and got her wallet.


    ¡°You have eight subjects, right?¡± Traizle asked, making Lyndon nod his head. ¡°Tomorrow, buy four books first. Buy the subjects that you will take tomorrow morning. I will text you when it is your break time to give you another sum of money for the other four books.¡± She exined and handed over a sum of money.


    ¡°How about our daily expenses? Budget? Everything?¡± Lyndon asked continuously.


    She shook her head. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about that. I will handle everything. Yourpensation for my extraordinary efforts: simply study hard and achieve enough grades to pass.¡± She said.


    ¡°Is taking care of Layzen not enough already?¡± Lyndon asked jokingly.


    Lyndon is in charge of taking care of Layzen, their youngest brother, while Traizle is at work.


    ¡°It is your responsibility as his older brother.¡± She answered.


    Lyndon shrugged his shoulders. ¡°Well, I am kinda responsible for him.¡± He replied.


    Traizle eyed him. ¡°What¡¯s with your kinda?¡± She responded.


    ¡°I could not y at theputer shop with Layzen. My team lost because of me. Layzen was busy clicking, thinking that he was ying.¡± He shared something that made both of themugh at their younger brother.


    ¡°You should give your phone to Layzen, if you are going to y at theputer shop. Download some games for kids, so that he won¡¯t bug your game.¡± Traizle gives him advice.


    ¡°I will do that tomorrow,¡± Lyndon answered. ¡°About my school expenses. Don¡¯t worry, Sis. I applied for a schrshipst week. We have to wait for confirmation before passing the other requirements,¡± Lyndon shared after drinking water. ¡°Let us just hope that I might be one of the pre-qualified so that you can stop working on your other sidelines.¡± He added.


    ¡°Make sure to maintain your grades, Lyndon. That will be a big help for us. I won¡¯t quit my sidelines as long as we are not okay,¡± Traizle exined. ¡°Clean those crumbs first before going to sleep.¡± she reminded Lyndon.


    She is thankful enough to have an understanding brother.

 CHAPTER 2

    Tomorrow morning, Traizle took Layzen and Lyndon to their school. Lyndon¡¯s school is a few minutes¡¯ walk from Layzen¡¯s kindergarten school.


    ¡°We are here.¡± Traizle said when they got to Layzen¡¯s school.


    Her younger brother looks up at her. ¡°Who will fetch meter, after school?¡± Layzen asked.


    Traizle matched her brother¡¯s height and fixed Layzen¡¯s hair. ¡°Your brother will fetch youter, after school.¡± She answered.


    ¡°He is fetching me toote. I always told him to fetch me as early as possible.¡± Layzen said, throwing a tantrum.


    She ruffles Layzen¡¯s hair. ¡°You have to understand him. Your ss ended a little earlier than his. He had to run as well to get here,¡± she exined. ¡°But don¡¯t worry, I will try to tell him to run faster. Is it okay?¡± She asked.


    He nodded. ¡°Alright.¡± Layzen answered.


    Traizle smiled. ¡°Study hard. See youter.¡± She said, then kissed Layzen¡¯s forehead.


    ¡°Take care of your work. I will be a good boy, so do not worry about me.¡± Layzen said before entering his school¡¯s gate.


    Traizle watched her younger brother until she could not see him anymore. She looked at her watch and that made her run as fast as she could. She iste with her work and she might get scolded by her manager.


    Upon entering the restaurant where she was working, her co-workers could not be found inside the kitchen. She immediately fixed herself and put on the things she needed to wear before going out to the dining area.


    She could hear some noises from the outside, so she quickly went out to see what was happening.


    ¡°Traizle!¡± Linda, one of her co-workers, eximed.


    ¡°Why?¡± She looked confused. ¡°Is something happening?¡± she added.


    Linda nodded immediately. ¡°There really is! Help our manager over there!¡± she answered, frightened at the mess happening.


    Traizle held Linda to help her calm down. ¡°What happened first?¡± she asked. ¡°Calm down and tell me everything quickly.¡± She added.


    Linda nodded. ¡°Do you remember the man who was hitting on Kim recently?¡± she started sharing. ¡°He went here again today to eat his breakfast. He even said that he wanted Kim to deliver his order, and that is what we did a while ago.¡± she added.


    ¡°So what is the problem with that?¡± Traizle asked because she could not see the problem with her story.


    ¡°While Kim was cing his orders, he kept on asking Kim, and then a girl suddenly walked in furiously. She even hit Kim, saying she was a gold digger and more.¡± Linda continued.


    Traizle nodded and immediately went to the ce where it was happening.


    ¡°You poor flirt!¡± The woman yelled and tried to attack Kim again.


    Fortunately, she was being stopped by the male staff.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, can we talk about this thing privately? We are disturbing our other customers.¡± Their manager said, trying to calm the girl.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care! That bitch is trying to flirt with my boyfriend in front of my eyes? How dare she be? ¡± She answered, fuming with madness.


    ¡°Excuse me,¡± Traizle butted in. ¡°Ma¡¯am, you are crossing the line already.¡± she added.


    The woman arched her eyebrows. ¡°Crossing what line? You do not know what happened here and you imply that I am wrong here?¡± She asked.


    Traizle nodded and looked at her in the eye. ¡°Yes, you are. I am watching you from our CCTV room. You went in furiously and attacked one of our staff,¡± she answered, arching her right eyebrow back at her. ¡°You are the one who does not know what happened and here you are, disturbing our customers.¡± She added.


    ¡°Where the hell am I wrong? Why are you siding with your flirty staff when she is the one wrong here? I am a customer! I am always right!¡± The girl eximed.


    Traizle snorted. ¡°Your a*shole boyfriend tried to hit on her a few days ago. He even asked Kim for her number, but Kim was not interested in him at all. He has been here a few times already. We also know that he is secretly showing Kim some signs of affection, like asking the waiter to deliver his food,¡± Traizle replied. ¡°We can sue you for hurting our staff when she is innocent. You can talk to her nicely, but you embarrassed her in front of many people, including our other customers. We can show you our CCTV room and watch your boyfriend¡¯s actions. Remember, you are not here as our customer. You ordered nothing; you are only here as our customer¡¯s boyfriend. Every customer mayin. If it is right and just, we would say nothing. But this is too much for us already, don¡¯t you think?¡± She added, making the girl behave next to her boyfriend.


    A few seconds have passed when the girl walks out of the restaurant, leaving her boyfriend alone. The man was about to stand up as well, but Traizle stopped him.


    ¡°We are still not done here, sir.¡± Traizle said that made the man sit again in his chair. ¡°You made this mess, so do not go out without saying sorry to Kim. Your girlfriend hit her.¡± Emphasizing the word girlfriend while raising her sleeves and stretching her neck clockwise.


    The man gulped, shivering from his seat.


    ¡°Do not let me see you outside. You are not my customer outside. Do not waste food. Enjoy your breakfast, Sir,¡± Traizle said, emphasizing again the word Sir. ¡°Sorry for the inconvenience, Ma¡¯am and Sir!¡± she added, bowing to the other customers they disturbed.


    Other staff went back to their work. Traizle and the others went inside the kitchen.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Traizle asked Kim.


    Kim nodded. ¡°Thank you very much.¡± She thanked.


    Traizle held her hand and said, ¡°No problem. It is good that you are fine. I was wondering why the kitchen was too quiet a while ago. Seeing you guys outside, I knew that there was something wrong,¡± Traizle said and faced their manager. ¡°Ma¡¯am, I am sorry I amte.¡± She said, then bowed a little.


    ¡°Apology epted since you helped me fix the mess outside. If you were not here, maybe we are still there, trying to calm the girl¡¯s nerves.¡± Their manager said that made themugh.


    Her co-worker added, ¡°Raising your sleeves was the best part.¡± Resulting in a bigugh.


    ¡°You are our girl bouncer, indeed.¡± Linda added while showing two thumbs up.


    They went back to their work after the small talk.


    ¡°Traizle,¡± the chef called her. ¡°Table fifteen.¡± the chef added.


    ¡°Okay, chef!¡± Traizle answered before getting the tray with the food.


    Traizle went out of the kitchen and walked to table fifteen.


    ¡°Excuse me, sir. Here is your order: grilled cheese, French toast, and cappino. Where can I put these? Should I get another table for your papers?¡± Traizle said.


    ¡°Yes, that is much better. Thank you.¡± a man answered while collecting the papers on the table.


    Traizle put their orders on the table after they collected the papers. She got another table for them to put their papers on without getting dirty from their food.


    ¡°Enjoy your breakfast, sirs. Have a blessed day ahead.¡± Traizle said before leaving.


    ¡°Should we add desserts? I want some sweets.¡± Traizle heard them talking.


    She cannot believe a business-minded person likes sweets. He even said it out loud without getting shy. She went back to the counter and saw Linda.


    ¡°How is your work?¡± Linda asked questions pertaining to her work and other sidelines.


    ¡°They are okay. I can still provide for my brothers¡¯ needs.¡± Traizle responded.


    Every weekday in the morning, she is a waitress at the restaurant and a food courier in the evening. She works every weekend, handing out flyers or promoting products and working at a convenience store at night.


    Before their break time, she asked their manager to go out for a while. She needs to go to Lyndon¡¯s school, handing over the money to buy the other four books. She even borrowed the money from her co-workers, just to buy the books.


    ¡°Did you buy the first four books already?¡± Traizle asked after handing him the money.


    Lyndon nodded. ¡°Yes, luckily I don¡¯t have to write anymore,¡± he answered. ¡°Are you still in your uniform?¡± He asked.


    ¡°It is our break time. I asked our manager to go out for a while to hand you the money. I have to go back after and work overtime to recuperate from the time I spent here.¡± Traizle answered. ¡°I will go now. Take care on your way home with Layzenter.¡± She added.


    Traizle is now entering the snack bar, finished with her third customer¡¯s order.


    ¡°Ten sets of Set A and ten cokes. What is your name, Sir?¡± The owner of the snack bar said while talking with someone on the phone. ¡°Zarsuelo-¡±


    ¡°Boss, can you ask him where he wants to deliver it?¡± Traizle butted in.


    The owner asked what Traizle had said. The owner looked at her while pointing to herself and at her after gesturing to the number one.


    ¡°Give me the phone,¡± Traizle said, and she got the phone from the owner. ¡°Zarsuelo, deliver to Fox Street, right?¡± She added.


    ¡°Yes, you got it right.¡± the man answered back.


    She sighed. ¡°Stop pranking us. Please do not waste our food with your prank,¡± Traizle said before ending the call. ¡°Does he still have the guts to call us again? He is taking us like a fool.¡± Traizle said after giving back the phone.


    ¡°Good thing you heard me. We will get pranked by him again if that happens.¡± the owner said in relief.


    After a few minutes, a man went in, looking angry.


    ¡°I am Zarsuelo, the man who tried to order but got misled by someone,¡± a man named Zarsuelo said when he approached the counter. ¡°And I am offended too.¡± he added


    ¡°I am the someone you are talking to.¡± Traizle replied, looking sharply at the man.

 CHAPTER 3

    Traizle


    ¡°Do we have any orders to deliver?¡± I asked the owner.


    I have three customers already, and I am hoping for more.


    The owner shook her head. ¡°None for now. Kelvin went to deliver thest order I had.¡± she answered.


    I was about to say something when my phone rang suddenly. I got my phone to see who was calling, and it was Lyndon.


    The doorbell chimed as I swiped the answer button on my phone


    ¡°I am Zarsuelo, the man who tried to order but got misled by someone,¡± a man named Zarsuelo said when he approached the counter. ¡°And I am offended too.¡± he added.


    I immediately looked at him. He went here because he thought I misunderstood him.


    ¡°I am the someone you are talking to.¡± He looked back at me.


    His mad face turned to a surprised one. ¡°You-you are the woman in the restaurant this morning,¡± he replied, while pointing his forefinger at me. ¡°But yeah, I tried to order a while ago and you just ended the call by saying, ¡®I am just doing some prank.''¡± He asked me, upset by what I did a while ago.


    I don¡¯t think he has the right to get mad. He tricked mest night, and I should be the one who is angry here, not him.


    I nodded. ¡°Yes, you are.¡± I answered, looking directly into his eyes.


    ¡°How can you say I¡¯m just ying pranks?¡± He asked, folding his arms.


    ¡°Do you really not know?¡± I asked, arching my eyebrows at him.


    He shook his head. ¡°I would note here acting like this if I knew.¡± he answered quickly.


    I looked at the owner. She was also looking at me, confused by the situation we were in.


    I sighed. ¡°Last night¡­¡± I said and paused. ¡°You called and ordered almost a hundred people¡¯s food. I went to the ce you told me to, but when I got there, I couldn¡¯t reach you. I waited for almost an hour, but you did not show up. I wasted a lot of money, a*shole.¡± I continued.


    He smiled shyly.


    The a*shole smiled at me as he scratched his neck.


    ¡°I can say that it was really my faultst night,¡± he admitted. ¡°I am not an a*shole. It is just that something came up, and I had to fix it. After that, I forgot I ordered something.¡± he added.


    So, he forgot about it? What should I do with the money I squandered?


    Can I just punch him?Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    My phone started ringing again. It looks like he ended the call and called again because I wasn¡¯t answering him. So I answered the phone and walked away without looking at the a*shole.


    ¡°Why?¡± I asked.


    ¡°What happened? I heard your conversation a while ago. The manst night really went there? Do not punch or do something bad for you, okay?¡± He asked.


    I snorted. ¡°Of course I won¡¯t,¡± I answered. ¡°Why did you call?¡± I asked.


    ¡°I just wanted to ask, what time are you going home? Layzen kept on asking me, because he wanted to wait for you.¡± he replied.


    I smiled. It seemed like Layzen really wanted to wait for me. ¡°Tell him to not wait for me, just sleep without me. Lock the door before going to sleep.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I wait for you? I wanted to experience the feeling of stayingte and eating a midnight snack, too.¡± Layzen butted in on the other line.


    ¡°In short, he is just jealous of us.¡± Lyndon said, mocking Layzen.


    I suppressed myugh. ¡°You still have ss tomorrow, Layzen. We do that on Friday, okay?¡± I exined.


    ¡°Why can Lyndon sleepte while I can not?¡± Layzenined.


    ¡°Because I am an adult already, while you are still a baby.¡± Lyndon answered.


    ¡°I am not a baby anymore!¡± Layzenmented angrily. ¡°I am four already and studying. A baby can not do that.¡± he added, trying to exin his side.


    ¡°You are, when ites to the three of us.¡± Lyndon said that made Layzen throw a tantrum.


    ¡°Lyndon, you better stop annoying him. If he cries, you are deadter,¡± I warned. ¡°Just sleep without me. I will end this call now.¡± I added before ending the call.


    I was about to go to the counter, but the a*shole blocked my way.


    ¡°You know how to tell someone when you are going to end a call, yet you ended the call without telling me.¡± He said, stillining about what I did.


    I red at him. ¡°Were you listening to our conversation?¡± I asked. ¡°Don¡¯t you think you are too nosy?¡± I added.


    He nodded quickly. ¡°Yes, I am listening, and yes, I am nosy. I am curious about you. I told you I saw you this morning at the restaurant and about the issue as well.¡± He responded.


    ¡°And so?¡± I answered.


    He pouted. ¡°Can you be nice for once? It is not fair to me. I am treating you well, but you are not doing the same thing.¡± Heined.


    ¡°Am I supposed to entertain you? I am a courier here, not an entertainer.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Is it because of what happenedst night?¡± he asked.


    ¡°If it is, can you do something about it?¡± I answered.


    He pped his hands. ¡°Of course! And I have already done something,¡± he answered proudly. ¡°Nice timing.¡± he added, looking at the entrance.


    A group of people entered the snack bar in seconds. They are all wearing formal suits. They even look at the man beside me while bowing a little.


    I looked at him, smiling widely, like an idiot. ¡°Stop staring, I might melt. I know I am handsome and I am not ashamed of it.¡± he boasted.


    ¡°Did you ask them to go here?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he said, nodding. ¡°The owner told me you lost a lot of moneyst night, and I know it is my fault. Actually, I tried to order again to treat some of them tonight, and nothing important got in my way. I did not forget about it either. That is why I came here. This is my way of apologizing for what happened. So, are we good now?¡± He added.


    They said money can¡¯t buy happiness, but mine can.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I replied, smiling slightly to show my appreciation.


    ¡°That is also your expression after fixing the problem this morning. The attitude you showed me a while ago was also your expression with the girl and her boyfriend in the restaurant. You can easily change your expression depending on whom you are facing. When you gave us our order, you were smiling and thoughtful at the same time.¡± He said.


    ¡°Were you observing me as well?¡± I asked, shocked by what I was hearing from him.


    He waved his hands. ¡°I am not weird. What happened a while ago somewhat made you a star. We cannot continue our discussion because of the noise. Instead, we watched until it ended. You were so cool a while ago, we kept on nodding to your confutation and I even pped after that.¡± he exined.


    He is weird.


    ¡°It is my work.¡± I answered. ¡°I know how to handle things like that.¡± I added.


    ¡°By the way, do you really have two jobs?¡± He asked. ¡°In the restaurant or here?¡± he added.


    ¡°Yes, why?¡± I answered.


    He shook his head. ¡°Nothing, I just thought it was cool.¡± he said.


    Usually, people who are asking me about that will show their pity for me. But him? He even smiled, saying it was cool to have two jobs in a day.


    I felt somewhat happy. It is the first time someone hasplimented me. I don¡¯t really know.


    I guess he is not an a*shole after all.

 CHAPTER 4

    Traizle


    After we talked, he immediately sat beside a man and ate the food the man had given him. I went to the counter to ask the owner.


    ¡°Do we have any orders to deliver?¡± I asked the owner.


    She stopped writing and stood up. ¡°I was waiting for you toe here.¡± the owner answered before pulling out something from her apron.


    It surprised me when she handed me arge sum of money.


    ¡°What is that for?¡± I asked, baffled by the situation.


    She pointed at Zarsuelo. ¡°It is from him,¡± the owner answered. ¡°He paid the money you lost, saying he does not like to be in debt to anyone.¡± she exined.


    ¡°How about the payment for this event?¡± I asked.


    ¡°He paid for it as well.¡± the owner answered.


    We looked at him. He was busy munching the food in front of him. He does not look like he has a lot of money, but based on his physical outlook, I can say that he kinda has it.


    They are now getting ready and dressing up after finishing their meal. They even stood up altogether before saying, ¡°Thank you for the treat, sir.¡± they eximed before bowing.


    ¡°Sir?¡± The word came out of my mouth.


    A girl nodded. ¡°Ah yes, he is our boss.¡± she said after she heard me.


    ¡°Boss?¡± I asked again.


    ¡°Yes, he owns a bigpany near here.¡± The girl answered, which made me look at the owner.


    Are we hearing things right? Is he a boss and owns a bigpany near here?


    ¡°Does he really own apany?¡± The owner asked.


    ¡°Yes, he is. Mr. Zarsuelo does not look like one, but he really is,¡± she said. ¡°I thought you guys knew him since you talked for a while.¡± she added.


    I shook my head. ¡°We do not really know him,¡± I shared. ¡°I just met him tonight.¡± I added.


    They started walking out of the snack bar. Zarsuelo was thest remaining inside.


    ¡°The food here is fantastic. I ate too much tonight,¡± heplimented. ¡°I can rmend this store to my friends. I had a good time here. I think we are now on good terms, right?¡± he added.


    We quickly nod our heads, showing we agree with his statement.


    ¡°Thank you! I gotta go now.¡± he said before walking away.


    We were quiet for a few minutes. I cannot believe what we have heard. He does not really look like one.


    ¡°I was about to fight someone who really owns a bigpany. I am digging my grave, am I not?¡± I asked myself.


    If he is one of those evil rich people, I am in my grave already.


    I did not work overtime tonight. Since I earned a lot of money, it is okay to go home early. When I got home, Layzen was sleeping soundly, unlike the other one, who was still awake.


    ¡°You are early.¡± Lyndon said, surprised by my early arrival.


    I usually go home at two or three in the morning, but now it is still twelve o¡¯clock at midnight.


    ¡°Zarsuelo paid for thest night.¡± I answered as I sat on the floor while removing my shoes and socks.


    ¡°Really? How about the food?¡± He asked.


    I shrugged my shoulders, ¡°He did not ask for it,¡± and put my shoes on the shoe rack. ¡°Instead, he called his employees to eat at the snack bar.¡± I added.


    Lyndon got up from our bed. Looking at me with his enormous eyes, he was intrigued by what he was hearing from me. ¡°It¡¯s a good thing he knows it¡¯s his fault, and he even paid, so that settles everything.¡± he said, nodding his head and holding his chin.


    I agreed, ¡°It is a good thing that I did not do something bad for myself, although I called him an a*shole.¡± I shared.


    Lyndonughed at me. ¡°You already did something bad. It is just that he did not entertain it.¡± he replied.


    Well, heined about it, but he said nothing more than that.


    ¡°His employee told me he owns a bigpany near the snack bar.¡± I said, sharing the news we had learned.


    ¡°Bigpany?¡± He was surprised. ¡°Whatpany is near the snack bar?¡± He added.


    I thought about what bigpany was near the snack bar.


    ¡°Brandless.¡± Lyndon started talking about the bigpany near the snack bar.


    ¡°Sterpany?¡± I am unsure if it is one or not.


    ¡°That is one of them,¡± he said, correcting me. ¡°Grand finance.¡± he added.


    Do we really have many bigpanies near my work?


    ¡°Smartsale and Dwellsmith as well.¡± Lyndon mentions almost every majorpany he is familiar with.


    I was amazed. ¡°You know those?¡± I asked.


    He nodded. ¡°Of course, I just do not look like one, but I do,¡± he answered with his smug smile. ¡°You work everywhere, but you do not know them?¡± He mocked.


    I shrugged. ¡°Do I really have to memorize everypany I encounter? I do not have, right?¡± I excused.


    Let us just say that I lost naming bigpanies with him. He surely knows some things like this that I do not, I admit that.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°Which one of them?¡± he asked.


    ¡°His employee didn¡¯t tell me which one.¡± I replied casually.


    I do not need to know more than that. We would not see each other next time, so I do not really have to know him.


    It is so hot today and I am wearing a girl with an ice cream head mascot.


    Why does it have to be this hot on Saturday? When I am working on this kind of work.


    A friend of mine asked me if I wanted to do this ime job. The store is newly open, and since it is new, they are having an event. Me and Jake, my friend, are the mascot while dancing and distributing some flyers to the passersby.


    I am hungry as well. The heat can make you hungry and dizzy at the same time.


    ¡°Thank you, please try our shop today.¡± Expressing my gratitude to those who are epting the flyers.


    Suddenly, I am not the one who is distributing it. A group of people are getting their own flyers from me. I cannot see clearly, but I can not understand why the table is turned, but I am thankful though. It will make our work easier and faster.


    I can also hear the snapping of the camera shutter. Did a star go here? Or any famous person who could have created this?


    ¡°Matthew is really handsome in person!¡± A girl eximed beside me.


    So, a really famous person came here. The store owner knows how to promote his store, huh?


    An hour passed, and I did not have any flyers with me anymore. All I did after that was wave my hand and hug the kids approaching me. I checked Jake to see if he was done giving out his flyers. He looks like he is done and is now just dancing to the loud music.


    I swayed and follow the flow of the music. They won¡¯t know who I am, so I can just go with the flow.


    After the song ended, one of the staff pulled us in to enter the store.


    ¡°Guys, you can now take off the mascot.¡± the staff said.


    ¡°Are we done already?¡± I asked, almost shouting, for him to hear me.


    There are still many people inside and outside. Is it too early for us to stop since we can gain more customers?


    ¡°Yes, the boss told me you guys are done already.¡± he answered.


    I quickly removed the head, for me to ask once again.


    ¡°It is still early. Is he sure about it? How about our payments?¡± I asked in confusion.


    A familiar voice said, ¡°Oh, you are also working here.¡±


    I find the owner of the familiar voice, finding Zarsuelo standing beside the store owner.


    Why am I seeing him for daystely?

 CHAPTER 5

    Traizle


    ¡°Do not worry about the payment, it is still the same as I offered yesterday. It is too hot today. You guys might die from the heat inside,¡± the owner said, as he was concerned. ¡°Do you know Mr. Matthew?¡± He asked me.


    I looked at Zarsuelo, and he was already smiling at me.


    Why am I seeing himtely?


    I shook my head. ¡°I do not really know him that much.¡± I answered, causing him to grimace.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± the owner replied, reading the awkward atmosphere. ¡°Anyway, your job is done. Come to my office so that I can pay you.¡± he added.


    The owner and Zarsuelo talked for a while before we went to his office. After paying us, we went out to remove the costume.


    ¡°Traizle, did you not know the man a while back?¡± Jake asked me while I was inside thefort room.


    ¡°We have met a few times, but I do not really know him. Aside from that, he is the owner of a bigpany.¡± I answered as I changed my shirt.


    I heard himugh. ¡°You do not really watch the news or what?¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Why? Is he that well-known?¡± I asked.


    ¡°He is,¡± he answered. ¡°You should try to watch the news and entertainment. And also, use social media. I think Lyndon knows it better than you.¡± he added with a hint of teasing.


    Is he my friend or what?


    I opened the door and saw him tying his shoes. I drew near him and¡­


    ¡°Ah! What was that for?¡± Heined.


    I smacked him.


    I shrugged my shoulders. ¡°I feel like I want to.¡± I answered as I walked to the door.


    When I opened the door, I saw Zarsuelo standing in front of it.


    ¡°You came out atst.¡± he said, as he fixed his eye on me.


    ¡°What do you need?¡± I asked.


    ¡°I am inviting you for lunch. You can bring your friend too.¡± he replied, referring to Jake.


    ¡°I told E that we would eat lunch together.¡± Jake answered while shaking his hands, saying he had an appointment with his girlfriend.


    I sighed. ¡°Do I really need toe with you?¡± I asked Zarsuelo.


    He nodded. ¡°Of course.¡± he answered eagerly.


    Jake is already on his way while we stay at the store. I am done working and am now waiting for our order. Zarsuelo said he was a gentleman, but so what?


    ¡°You do not really know me, do you not?¡± Zarsuelo suddenly asked me because I was not looking or talking to him.


    ¡°Your-¡±


    ¡°Here is your order, Ma¡¯am and Sir.¡± the waitress said, cutting me off.


    As the waitress ces our order, she smiles sweetly at Zarsuelo. Unlike me, she was faking her smile at me.


    ¡°Enjoy your dessert, Sir.¡± the waitress said before leaving.


    She did not bother to tell me to enjoy my dessert. What a wicked one.


    I rove my eyes, seeing a group of people looking at our ce. They are even holding their phones. Are they taking a picture of us?


    I look at Zarsuelo and see he is eating already. ¡°Zarsuelo.¡± I called him.


    ¡°Zarsuelo? Are we on a surname basis?¡± He asked. ¡°Isn¡¯t it too boring? I am Matthew, so call me one.¡±


    Matthew? I heard that name a while ago.


    ¡°You are the celebrity they were talking about a while ago?¡± I asked immediately. ¡°You are not just the owner of apany?¡± I added.


    Is this idiot-looking man in front of me really big time?


    He stopped eating the dessert and looked at me.


    ¡°The question I asked a while ago is answered,¡± he answered before sipping his drink. ¡°I thought you already knew me, since we met a few times. But seeing you today got me thinking that you are still not.¡± He added.


    ¡°I did not expect that we would meet again, so why would I bother?¡± I answered.


    ¡°Well, I am a famous celebrity that you do not know. But how did you know I own apany?¡± He asked.


    ¡°I was about to tell you a while ago, but was interrupted by the waitress. One of your employees told me when you invited them to eat at the snack bar. I did not know that you were so famous. I should not have epted your invitation to eat lunch with you. Your lovely fans are scaring me.¡± I shared as I ate my dessert.


    Heughed. ¡°Well, I became famous because of my work. As long as my fans do not harm you, then you are good. Let them watch me eat handsomely.¡± So self-assured, he remarked.


    ¡°Funny.¡± I said, faking augh.


    ¡°You work as his store mascot?¡± He started asking.


    I shook my head. ¡°Nope,¡± I said. ¡°One-time work. They need a mascot man for their newly opened store.¡± I added, then continued eating the dessert.


    ¡°You are really cool in my eyes now.¡± heplimented. That made me choke.


    I gobbled the lemonade. This man knows how to tter someone.


    ¡°I am sorry about that.¡± he said, while handing me a tissue.


    ¡°I did not know that there was still someone like you,¡± he exined. ¡°Having many jobs is very difficult, but you can still manage.¡± He added.


    ¡°Because I need to.¡± I responded.


    He stopped eating and looked at me. ¡°You are in a tight situation.¡± He asked.


    I nodded. ¡°We are.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Want to work with mypany? I pay high,¡± he said, and ate again. ¡°Sweets are really awesome.¡± He evenplimented us after eating some.


    He really likes sweets.


    Wait a minute.


    ¡°You are the man on table fifteen?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Exactly.¡± he answered happily.


    ¡°I also thought that you were weird that time.¡± I added.


    ¡°Hey! That is mean, you know?¡± He wasining about my remarks.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°And that did not change my impression until today.¡± I told him.


    He nodded. ¡°Nah, it is okay. I wouldn¡¯t stop eating sweets just because you said so,¡± he answered. ¡°Is it really weird to see?¡± He asked, not removing his gaze from me.


    I agreed. ¡°Yes, it is. But it is your life. You can do anything you want. I have too many tasks to do, and you have your own way of living,¡± I exined. ¡°Anyway, what are you doing here?¡± I asked.


    We should care for our own lives, not theirs, but only ours. I see him as weird, but that does not change who he is.


    ¡°Nice type of thinking,¡± he answered. ¡°I helped him to build his business, and since his business is about sweets, I insisted on going here.¡± he exined.


    He must really like sweets.


    After finishing our dessert lunch, which was paid for by him. Going out of the store makes me nervous already. There are still people who are waiting for him.


    A while ago, the waitress could not help herself be wicked. How could the others react as well, right?


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± he initiates.


    I slowly distance myself from him while we are walking towards the exit.


    As soon as he went out of the door, his fans approached him.


    While they were crowding the other side, I used the chance to go out and went to the other side of the store.


    How can I say thank you to him? Why did I not say it when we were still inside? Such an idiot, Traizle.


    As I tried to search for him and tell him my gratitude so that I could go, our eyes met. I did what I had to do. I even gave him a signal that I would go on my way.


    I need to go home and see if they ate already. I can still rest before my shift at the convenience store.


    ¡°Hey! We are still not done,¡± Zarsuelo shouted, so I had to look back. ¡°Work for me.¡± he urged.


    ¡°And why would I?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Because I want to.¡± He answered, unsure of his own answer.


    ¡°What if I do not want to?¡± I replied.


    ¡°I will surely mess you up.¡± he answered, smiling widely.


    ¡°I do not want to be your toy. Go and find someone else.¡± I answered and started walking on my way.


    ¡°Hey, wait-I do not even know your name. How can I address you?¡± Said Zarsuelo.


    ¡°You do not need to know my name. I do not think that we will see each other again after this. We have different ways of living, so we do not have any reasons to meet.¡± I uttered.


    He waved his hands. ¡°About making you my toy. Of course, I would not do that. It will affect my reputation, and especially my work.¡± he said, exining.


    ¡°But I do not want to see you or have any connections with you.¡± I replied.


    ¡°And I want to have a connection with you,¡± he responded. ¡°It was your fault for making me interested in you.¡± he added. That made me stop walking.


    ¡°You are now being totally weird.¡± I answered as I faced him.


    ¡°I know I am and will be more in the future.¡± he retorted.


    ¡°You can find someone who wants to work for you. I have too many things on my te already, so please do not join in.¡± I replied, almost pleading.


    ¡°I can give you a bunch of money.¡± he answered.


    He can give me what?


    This big idiot.


    ¡°Fuck you, a*shole.¡± I cursed at him and showed him both my middle fingers.


    Serves you right.


    I started walking again without looking at him.


    ¡°Do not say bad words; it is bad!¡± He replied. ¡°But where and when? What hotel? I am always ready, not always busy.¡± he added,ughing.


    Thank God he did not n to follow and pester me.

 CHAPTER 6

    Traizle


    ¡°Traizle!¡± Layzen eximed when he saw me.


    He is ying by himself outside of our house.


    I embraced him when I got a hold of him. ¡°Where is your brother?¡± I asked.


    ¡°His friends fetched him. They wanted to y at theputer shop near here. I told him he could go without me. It is boring to watch them y.¡± he exined.


    I matched his level and ruffled his hair. ¡°You are really a big boy now. Just y near our house. If someone you do not know approaches you, do not go with him.¡± I reminded him.


    He nodded. ¡°I will. I am a big boy already.¡± Layzen said confidently.


    ¡°By the way, did you eat your lunch already?¡± I asked.


    He bobbed his head and said, ¡°We did. How about you?¡± Layzen asked back.


    I stopped for a second to smile at him. ¡°I only ate desserts for lunch. I am still hungry.¡± I answered.


    Layzen¡¯s eyebrows narrowed. ¡°You should eat. Dessert for lunch is not enough to fill your stomach. Why would you eat dessert for lunch?¡± He asked.


    I could not answer his question. I remembered Zarsuelo. Is he full of just desserts?


    As we entered our house, Layzen immediately helped me remove my shoes and bag. ¡°Lyndon told me you have to work wearing a big costume even though it is hot.¡± he said.


    ¡°Yes, I did. But they paid us well, so it was worth it.¡± I answered and was about to move when he stopped me.


    ¡°Do not move. I will prepare your food.¡± Layzen said as he stood to get me a ss of water.


    Layzen was still two years old when our parents separated. After a few months, our mother left us. He could not receive love from our parents. We basically, Lyndon and I, grew him up ourselves.


    He is intelligent enough that he knows our parents are separated already. He knows we are the ones who take care of him.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Thank you for preparing my food.¡± I told him.


    He prepared my food slowly since he is not that tall to get things.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee!¡± He answered happily. ¡°I will study hard so that I can give you money in the future and you will not have to work many times.¡± he added.


    His words touched me. ¡°That is good!¡± I eximed. ¡°For now, your big sister will work harder for you to finish your studies.¡± I added.


    ¡°Thank you for working hard, Traizle. I am thankful that you never give up on us, even though sometimes we fight over petty things. I¡¯m d you¡¯re my sister, whom God gave me.¡± he said,plimenting me.


    I immediately hugged him. A heart-to-heart conversation with Layzen eased all of my pain and fatigue.


    ¡°I am also lucky to have you guys as my brothers.¡± I answered after our hug.


    After I ate my lunch, Layzen and I yed until he fell asleep. I started fixing my bag for workter, when Lyndon came.


    ¡°Did you eat already?¡± Lyndon asked as soon as he saw me.


    I looked at him and said, ¡°Layzen prepared my lunch for today. We even had a heart-to-heart talk.¡± I answered andughed a little.


    His eyesnded on Layzen. ¡°Why is he so mean with me?¡± Lyndonined.


    I snorted. ¡°It is your fault. You are always making fun of him,¡± I responded. ¡°By the way¡­¡± I added, and paused.


    ¡°What?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Do you know Matthew Zarsuelo?¡± I asked directly.


    His eyes widened after hearing my question. ¡°Matthew Zarsuelo? Do not tell me he is the man we talked about?¡± He answered.


    I gulped. ¡°Yes, he is. The one who owns apany.¡± I added.


    ¡°Shit, you really dug your own grave.¡± he responded.


    Fidgeting with my hands. ¡°Is he one of the evil rich?¡± I asked nervously.


    That is why he is urging me to work for him. To avenge what I did to him?


    He shook his head. ¡°He is not that bad,¡± he replied. ¡°I heard he is one of the multi-billionaire people here in our country. He is the owner of Grand Finance.¡± Lyndon started exining.


    My eyes widened. ¡°Really?¡± I answered, surprised by what I was hearing.


    He nodded his head. ¡°He became famous because he was known for being a young, handsome, and intelligent businessman,¡± he continued. ¡°He is living young and free. That is why they like him.¡± he added.


    ¡°Young? How old is he?¡± I asked again.


    It shocked me once more when Lyndon replied, ¡°He¡¯s still twenty-four.¡±


    Twenty-four, while I am twenty-five, working my ass off?


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I said, expressing my gratitude to the customer.


    I am now at the convenience store, doing my shift.


    I am still in a daze after hearing that information from Lyndon. I am not really updated on who is who and who is not. That is why if I find some information I do not know about, it is a big blow to me, as if I was punched really hard.


    We do not have any customers since it is the middle of the night. My shift will end at 7 in the morning.


    ¡°I should fix and check the products.¡± I said and walked away from the counter.


    I suddenly crave a cup of noodles.


    After checking the products, I immediately got two cups of noodles and showed them to the camera while paying. I get boiled water from the dispenser and mix it.


    I stopped mixing my food when a customer came in. I waited for him toe to me so that I could eat after serving him.


    While waiting for him, I mixed my food quickly.


    ¡°Hi, Traizle.¡± a voice called me.


    I lifted my head to see the person who called me.


    My eyebrows narrowed. ¡°What are you doing here, Zarsuelo?¡± I am confused at the sight of him.


    Is he stalking me?


    He smiled. ¡°I told you I would mess you up, did not I?¡± He replied as if we had known each other for years.


    ¡°You are messing up my work, too!¡± I answered, lowering my voice.


    I might get fired if I cause some trouble inside the convenience store.


    ¡°Do not worry, I can talk to your boss,¡± he answered. ¡°Can you charge this now, please?¡± He added, waving the products he got.


    I scanned them. D*iry milk, the big one. K*tkat, the medium one, and water. Is this man still eating normal food?


    After paying for his order, he sat down at the nearest table and chair.


    I sighed and looked at him. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go already?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Because I am still your customer?¡± He answered, questioning me back.


    I massaged my temples. ¡°If this is about working with you, I already told you I would not.¡± I said and sat down to eat my food as well.


    ¡°That is why I am here, to persuade you,¡± he replied, while opening his sweets. ¡°I want you, so I will mess you until you agree to work for me. Other stores,panies, or whatever business might see your potential and get you.¡± he added.


    ¡°What work will I get in yourpany, then? I am not a colle-¡±


    ¡°Marketing manager? The receptionist? Controller? Office manager? Or my Secretary?¡± He answered, interrupting me.


    I red at him. ¡°Are you crazy?¡± I asked.


    Those positions do not suit me at all. It is for all people who have higher degrees.


    He shrugged his shoulders. ¡°Maybe.¡± he answered in a sing-song manner.


    I tried to calm down. ¡°I am telling you I did not go to college, and yet you are giving me those top positions. It does not suit a senior high school graduate, Zarsuelo.¡± I replied, exining my side.


    ¡°I told you to call me Matthew, did not I?¡± Heined.


    But he is not at my level. Calling him by his first name would make me feel like I was not respecting him, now that I know he is a big shot human after all.


    I did not bother to look or answer him. I just continued to eat my noodles. Answering him will make our conversation longer and more frustrating.


    ¡°Traizle Cerezo.¡± he called.


    I looked back at him again. ¡°How did you know my name?¡± I asked.


    ¡°I can know everything about you in just one day,¡± he answered. ¡°But¡­¡± he added, suspending his own exnation. ¡°To respect you, all I did was to ask the sweet shop for your name.¡±he continued.


    Is he that eager to know me? He can not get any single cent from me, so why me?


    ¡°Your hard work,¡± said Zarsuelo. ¡°Seeing you work hard made me want to hire you without doing an interview. I admire those people who work hard. You stated you do not have a college diploma. So what? Other college graduates can not do that. They are stillcking in some ways. Some of them do not have the will to work hardbecause they think they have graduated. They thought that work woulde to them because they had the degree.¡± he exined.

 CHAPTER 7

    Traizle


    ¡°I had no idea you could talk seriously.¡± I replied.


    Somehow, his words got me.


    ¡°Of course! I want you to feel my sincerity.¡± he responded.


    ¡°But I have many jobs already.¡± I reasoned it out.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say that you have four jobs. You can now stop working on one-time work or here,¡± he replied. ¡°You can rest and I will give you a high sry. I also have those things that can help you in the future. You can also tell your own needs and requirements.¡± he added.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think I might use you or get advantage of your offer? Are you not thinking?¡± I asked.


    ¡°I do not care. If it¡¯s about money, I can give you lots. About using me, I don¡¯t think you will do that. You can help me to increase mypany and I can help you with yours. Is not it a win-win coboration?¡± He answered.


    My food is starting to get cold. But still, I still can not think straight about what he is offering.


    He is one of the well-known multi-billionaires and even spent his time asking me to work for him.


    Do not forget that he is still busy munching his sweets after exining it.


    Does billionaires acts like this?


    I thought billionaires were definitely serious and did not show up everywhere. Billionaires would not bother asking someone to work for them because their personnel can do that. Billionaires are busy with their own businesses.


    Billionaires.


    He is odd. Is he?


    Of all the billionaires¡¯ characteristics, I can not find it in him. Aside from that, he still has the attitude of a billionaire, like he can proudly say that he can give me lots of money.


    ¡°These noodles are good!¡± He eximed, that made me go back to reality.


    ¡°That is my food!¡± Iined.


    He is now eating my noodles. I look at his sweets, only the stic is left.


    ¡°I asked you if I could eat, but you did not answer me.¡± he answered while slurping my food.


    ¡°You have yours!¡± I fussed.


    ¡°I finished them all,¡± he answered, pouting as if he was a kid. Yeah, a special one. ¡°You still have this one.¡± he added, pointing at the other one.


    ¡°You can buy yours-YOU EVEN USED MY FORK!¡± I wailed.


    ¡°I thought you will be happy seeing me using your fork, if it someone else, they will be happy-¡±


    ¡°But I am not someone else!¡± I wailed again, cutting him off.


    ¡°Okay, okay,¡± he answered, raising both his hands. ¡°How can I make you fall for my charms?¡±


    Fall for his charms, in his dreams.


    I thought he would stay for an hour, but an hour turned into hours. He stayed annoying during my work hours. I could not even rest for a few minutes, because he kept on talking.


    ¡°Traizle.¡± Rafa called. She works the morning shift. ¡°You got a visitor-Matthew Zarsuelo?¡± she added, looking at Zarsuelo.


    ¡°Hi, please do not tell others that I am here, okay?¡± Zarsuelo said.


    ¡°You guys knew each other?¡± Rafa asked after nodding.


    ¡°No.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Yes, we are,¡± Zarsuelo insisted. ¡°Do not believe her, we have been friends for days already.¡± he added, trying to exin his side.


    Rafa answered, ¡°Take care of our Traizle.¡± She even bowed her head to show her respect.


    ¡°I would love to! But your friend does not like it at all.¡± he replied.


    ¡°I will knock some sense into her. Wait for a while.¡± Rafa responded before pulling me inside of the storage room.


    ¡°Make some sense to me?¡± I asked.


    ¡°He is Matthew Zarsuelo, for Pete¡¯s sake.¡± Rafa said.


    ¡°And so?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Does he like you?¡± Rafa asked me back, and that made me hit her. ¡°Then why if not?¡± She added.


    ¡°He just wants me to work for him. Nothing more, nothing less.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Then work for him,¡± she replied. ¡°You told me you wanted to take care of your younger brother. If you ept his offer, you can sleep properly and bond with your brothers without worrying about where you can find money to sustain your needs.¡± she added.


    That hit me real hard.


    I really wanted to take care of Layzen while he was growing up. Lyndon can not take care of him 24/7 because he is still studying and I also want him to enjoy his senior high school life.


    I do not want to restrain Lyndon. He is still young. He can not do the things he wanted to do. He can not bond with his friends because he has to take care of Layzen.


    I remove our uniform vest and get my bag, so that I can go home.


    When we came out of the storage room, we saw Zarsuelo eating sweets again.


    ¡°Hey, charge this for me.¡± said Zarsuelo when he saw us.


    ¡°I will go now, Rafa.¡± I said.


    ¡°Wait for me, Traizle!¡± Zarsuelomented.


    I had no choice but to wait for him.


    After paying, we went out of the convenience store. He wears his hoodie before looking at me.


    ¡°What?¡± I asked. ¡°I am going home now.¡± I added.


    ¡°And?¡± He answered.


    ¡°You can go home as well.¡± I replied.


    ¡°Do you want to eat breakfast first? Let me treat you.¡± he offered.


    ¡°Pass, I have to buy breakfast for my siblings.¡± I declined.


    ¡°Oh, you have siblings? Let¡¯s buy them too.¡± said Zarsuelo.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    I answered, ¡°We are not eating outside.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s eat it inside your house.¡± he replied.


    ¡°You are noting with me.¡± I responded.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I?¡± Heined.


    ¡°It is not your house, so go home.¡± I told him.


    ¡°I will buy their favorite food. Let mee with you.¡± he offered.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you go home? Why do you want toe with me?¡± I asked.


    ¡°While you were inside the room together with your friend, I asked my friend how to get you as my employee. He told me to follow you and buy you things you need to get your approval.¡± he answered.


    ¡°And who is your dumb friend?¡± I asked again.


    ¡°My dumb friend¡¯s name is Aiden. Maybe you know him. He is the only son of the owner of Brandless.¡± Zarsuelo said.


    Wait a minute-


    Brandless?


    I think Lyndon mentioned thatpany before. I should not say anything bad. I should stop digging my own grave.


    ¡°I will think about your offer, so go home.¡± I told him.


    ¡°I want to meet your siblings now.¡± he answered.


    ¡°Why-¡± I stopped talking when I heard his stomach growling.


    ¡°We need to eat breakfast. I only ate sweets.¡± he said.


    Why does it feel like I have to take care of this oddball human in front of me?


    ¡°You can eat at your own house, so why bothering with me? Our house is not that big. You might find it ufortable.¡± I asked.


    ¡°No, I would not,¡± he answered quickly. ¡°My goal for today, is to meet your family. I will ask them to let you work for me. My potential employee must be treated like this,¡± he added.


    It seems like I can¡¯t do anything with this oddball Zarsuelo.


    ¡°Buy your own food.¡± I told him.


    ¡°Okay!¡± He answered happily.


    While walking home, Zarsuelo ordered his food. He was quiet and serious along the way about choosing his food. After ordering, he went back to his oddball self.


    ¡°Why did you stay at the convenience store?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Because I wanted to bug you, I did my work already. I am free from my work,¡± he answered. ¡°How about you? Why are you working so hard?¡± He asked.


    ¡°You will seeter.¡± I answered.


    ¡°What position do you want to take? I can kick my vice president if you want.¡± Zarsuelo said seriously.


    I waited for a second to see if he would say the word ¡°joke¡± afterward, but Zarsuelo looked too serious about it.


    ¡°Are you really dumb? Why would you kick someone who is more knowledgeable than me?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Just because I said so?¡± He asked back.

 CHAPTER 8

    Traizle


    ¡°Just because I said so?¡± He asked back.


    I have to extend my patience when ites to him.


    I did not bother to talk to him. I am tired and sleepy already. It is a good thing that Zarsuelo did not ask me anymore.


    I can see Layzen outside of our house, sitting in front of the gate.


    ¡°Traizle!¡± Layzen eximed when he saw me. ¡°Some foods were delivered here a while ago.¡± Layzen added.


    ¡°That is my order.¡± Zarsuelomented.


    Layzen looked at him suspiciously.


    ¡°I do not know you,¡± he answered. ¡°Why are you with a stranger?¡± Layzen asked me.


    ¡°Your sister knows me, I even brought your favourite food.¡± Zarsuelo answered for me.


    ¡°I forgot to tell you about him, but he is not a stranger, okay?¡± I said as I was trying to exin his existence to Layzen.


    ¡°I am Matthew Zarsuelo, let¡¯s be friends. I do not bite. I have many toys in my house.¡± Zarsuelo told Layzen.


    Layzen¡¯s eyes widen at the word ¡°toys¡±. Well, I was not able to buy him toys too much.


    ¡°I can apply as your ymate and you are the boss one. Is it okay?¡± Zarsuelo added, gaining Layzen¡¯s trust.


    ¡°Will you really let me y with your toys?¡± Layzen asked.


    ¡°Of course! My toys can be your toys. I can give you trucks of toys. I have a friend who makes toy-I think we just have to y with my toys.¡± Zarsuelo said when I elbowed him in his right stomach.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get inside.¡± I said and held Layzen so that we could get inside.


    When I opened the door, Lyndon was busy putting the food on the side.


    ¡°Layzen, can you call Traizle and ask if she is the one who ordered these foods.¡± Lyndon told Layzen, not noticing that I was here already.


    ¡°You did not tell me you would order this much.¡± I told Zarsuelo.


    Lyndon turned around and saw us. His eyes eventually fall on the oddball Zarsuelo.


    ¡°W-why did you bring him here?¡± Lyndon asked me.


    ¡°You know him too?¡± Layzen asked. ¡°That is why I do not want to sleep early! You are sharing stories I do not know about.¡± he added, throwing tantrums.


    ¡°He insisted oning here,¡± I answeredLyndon. ¡°We were not able to tell you about it because it is for adults only. Adult talk is what?¡± I asked Layzen.


    ¡°Adult talk is not suitable for kindergarten.¡± Layzen answered.


    ¡°Hi, I am Matthew Zarsuelo.¡± Zarsuelo said, introducing himself.


    ¡°Lyndon Cerezo, Traizle¡¯s brother.¡± Lyndon answered. ¡°So, this food is yours?¡± He added.


    ¡°I ordered this for us.¡± Zarsuelo answered.


    I started to prepare our food. The three have already taken their seats. Layzen¡¯s busy with Zarsuelo¡¯s phone full of games. Zarsuelo is talking to Lyndon.


    ¡°You should ask her.¡± Lyndon said.


    ¡°You guys should persuade her. I am not enough to persuade her.¡± Zarsuelo answered.


    ¡°Eat now. Layzen, yter.¡± I told them.


    We started eating in silence. It is Sunday and I do not think I can work today. I am already exhausted from dealing with oddball Zarsuelo. I will just work at the convenience storeter.


    After eating, I excused myself to take a bath. I will deal with Zarsueloter. I am gonna smack him if I need to.


    If I work with him, I have to deal with him every day. Wait, he is the owner, so I do not have to see him every day. If that is the case, I will consider it. I can take care of Layzen and bond with them. I will think of this very carefully.


    When I came out of thefort room, they were clustered on the bed. It seems like they are not shy around each other anymore.


    ¡°Kill Lyndon, Matthew.¡± Layzen suggested.


    As I approach the three, Lyndon and Zarsuelo are ying some games on their phones, while Layzen is cheering for Zarsuelo.


    I told him, ¡°Zarsuelo, you can go home.¡±


    ¡°We are still ying.¡± he answered.


    ¡°Can we talk?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Do you n to work for me now?¡± He asked back.


    ¡°I will think about it for now.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s talkter. Our game match is much more important than that.¡± Zarsuelo answered.


    He is much more hardheaded than Layzen. Iid on the other side of our bed. I wanted to rest.


    ¡°Are you gonna sleep?¡± Layzen asked me as hey beside me and hugged me.


    ¡°Yes, I am tired. Tell him to go out after their game match.¡± I requested.


    ¡°Okay, sleep well.¡± Layzen said, without breaking his hug.


    As long as Layzen is with me. I am fine with it. Lyndon is a game addict, so I would not definitely ask him.


    I heard Lyndon say, ¡°You got a call.¡±


    ¡°Why is he calling when I am in the battle?¡± Zarsueloined. ¡°What? I am ying.¡± he added.


    It looks like he answered the call.


    ¡°You have a meeting two hours from now.¡± a man answered.


    ¡°Okay, I am in a match. Fetch meter, I will send you the address. Do not call me for now-I died! Oh no! I told you not to distract me when I am ying.¡± Zarsuelo said.


    ¡°Sorry Sir, I will end the call now. Win the battle!¡± The man answered and even cheered for him.


    ¡°Of course! Thank you.¡± Zarsuelo answered.


    Hearing the conversation, we can tell that he knows the oddball Zarsuelo¡¯s attitude.


    He is really an oddball billionaire.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

 CHAPTER 9

    Traizle


    ¡°When will you pay for the house rent? You are still not paying for the water and electricity bill for this month.¡± Amelia said, thendlord of our house.


    ¡°I am sorry about that, but I can promise that I will pay next week.¡± I answered, almost pleading to let me pay next week.


    ¡°But you should pay everything, are we clear?¡± Thendlord asked.


    ¡°Yes, thank you.¡± I said as I bowed, to express my gratitude.


    We were too short in money this month. Myst wage paid for ourst rent. I even paid half of our electric and water bills forst month. I still have to keep money with me for Lyndon and Layzen¡¯s allowance.


    I started to ride on my old motorcycle. I went home to get the motorcycle, but thendlord saw me and asked for the payment immediately.


    After a few minutes of traveling, I reached the snack bar.


    ¡°Traizle, you have a delivery. Kelvin went out for a delivery too, minutes ago.¡± the owner of the snack bar said.


    ¡°Right away!¡± I responded as soon as I received the order I needed to deliver.


    Riding on the motorcycle, I am thankful that this is still working even though it is old already. How can I deliver orders if this one surrenders?


    I really have to think of any solution to my problems.


    I have to work over time tonight. I need many customers.


    Should I just consider Z-


    ¡°Ahh!¡± I screamed as I was flying somewhere.


    Someone bumped his vehicle against mine.


    ¡°Ah!¡± I howled as I held my hips.


    ¡°Hey! What the hell are you thinking!¡± A man shouted as he approached me.


    I help myself to stand up.


    ¡°The lights have turned green already, but you are still not moving! If you do not want to go, then go to the side! Do not bother others!¡± The man said angrily.


    ¡°S-sorry about that, Sir.¡± I said, asking for an apology.


    I can¡¯t even answer back, knowing it is my fault.


    ¡°What can you do to the scratches that your old motorcycle did?¡± The man asked.


    ¡®I do not know. I do not have any money to pay you either.¡¯


    Those are the words I wanted to respond with, but I can¡¯t get my own lips to move and speak.


    I can¡¯t even move a little.


    ¡°What now? What are you going to do with the scratches?¡± He asked again as he looked back at his car.


    ¡°I-I do not have any m-money to p-pay you.¡± I answered stuttering.


    ¡°What? You can not pay for it?¡± The man asked, can not believe what he heard.


    I suddenly remembered the order.


    ¡°Give me your number, I will give mine as well. I will pay for you tomorrow. I still have to deliver the food.¡± I told him, speaking fast.


    ¡°How can I trust you to pay for me tomorrow? You might run.¡± the man snickered.


    I quickly got the snack bar¡¯s card and gave it to him.


    ¡°I am working here, as you can see. I promise to pay you tomorrow.¡± I answered.


    We talked for a while, before I could calm the man down. He seemed like he would not let go of what happened.


    Money problems again.


    After making him agree to my request, I immediately drove to the ce I needed to go to. I asked for forgiveness for beingte to the customer, telling them that I got into an ident. Thank God, that the one who ordered did not get mad at all, saying it was okay.


    After that, I sat on my motorcycle. My whole body is aching, especially my hips. It is like they are dislocated, causing me to hurt so much.


    After a few minutes of rest, I started the engine to go back to the snack bar.


    Entering the snack bar is killing me already because of my hips. When I finally entered the snack bar, I quickly sat on the nearest chair.


    ¡°Traizle?¡± I heard Kelvin ask. ¡°Are you okay?¡± He added.


    ¡°Yeah, I am.¡± I answered, trying to hide the fact that I was aching all over my body.


    ¡°Traizle, what happened to you?¡± The familiar voice said.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    I lifted my head to see who was speaking, as I expected it to be him, Zarsuelo.


    ¡°None.¡± I answered. ¡°Do we still have orders to be delivered?¡± I asked Kelvin.


    ¡°The owner is talking on the phone already, I am going now to deliver another one. Are you really okay?¡± He asked again.


    ¡°Yes, I am. Go now, you might bete.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Can you look for her?¡± I heard Kelvin tell Zarsuelo before leaving.


    ¡°Did something happen?¡± Zarsuelo asked.


    I was about to look up, but Zarsuelo matched my height position already.


    ¡°My motorcycle bumped against someone¡¯s car.¡± I answered, almost whispering.


    ¡°What happened to you?¡± He asked again.


    ¡°I flew and fell on my hips first. My whole body aches.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to the nearest hospital to get you checked.¡± he offered.


    I waved my hands immediately, declining his offer.


    ¡°They need to check you up, what if it is serious?¡± Zarseulo said.


    ¡°Do not worry about me, I will just rest for a few minutes.¡± I answered.


    Going to a hospital will cost me more money.


    ¡°Oh Traizle, do you want to take this delivery now?¡± The owner asked.


    I tried to stand up, but the pain is unbearable. I can not help but to cry out in silence because of the pain.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± The owner asked worriedly.


    ¡°She got into an ident,¡± Zarsuelo answered for me. ¡°I told you we should go to the hospital.¡± Zarsuelo insisted.


    ¡°Do you want me toe with you?¡± The owner asked me.


    ¡°N-no need, I will go with Zarsuelo. Tell Kelvin that I am not able to deliver orders tonight.¡± I answered.


    I do not want to bother someone¡¯s work.


    ¡°Okay, text me if you need anything,¡± the owner said. ¡°Can you look after her tonight?¡± The owner added, asking Zarsuelo.


    ¡°I will take care of her, do not worry,¡± Zarsuelo answered before assisting me to stand up. ¡°I called my driver already. Let¡¯s wait outside.¡± Zarsuelo added.


    We waited outside for a few minutes before his driver came with his car.


    We went to the nearest hospital and let the doctor check me.


    ¡°When did this happened?¡± The doctor asked me.


    ¡°About a half-hour ago.¡± I replied.


    ¡°How did this injury ur?¡± He asked again.


    ¡°Someone bumped his car into my motorcycle, and I flew and fell on my hips first.¡± I replied.


    ¡°Do you have any other injuries aside from this?¡± The doctor asked.


    ¡°I-I do not know.¡± I answered.


    I started to check myself to see if I had any injuries.


    None in my lower body.


    I lifted the sleeves of my jacket and saw some small flesh wounds.


    ¡°Ah this?¡± I asked, showing the flesh wound I¡¯d gotten.


    ¡°Does it hurt?¡± The doctor asked back.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, my hips hurt more than they do.¡±I responded.


    We did a physical exam before diagnostic testing, to test if the injury is serious or not.


    When we got the result, thankfully, the injury was not serious, not thankful because I should rest for a week. The doctor gave me prescription medicine for pain.


    And thest thing we needed to do was pay the bill.


    ¡°Zarsuelo, can we take a sit for a while?¡± I asked Zarsuelo as we were about to head to the information desk.


    ¡°Yep. We can, Cerezo,¡± Zarsuelo answered, and that made me look at him. ¡°Does calling you Cerezo upset you?¡± He remarked.


    We sat on the chair. I look at the paper I am holding. How much will this bill cost? I still have to pay the man tomorrow.


    Where can I get money to pay our rent and bills?


    ¡°Anyway, I texted your brother-I have his number because he is a good yer. I lost to his teamst week, if you did not know.¡± he said,exiningwhen I looked at him, mentioning my brother.


    Lyndon never told me about that.


    ¡°What are you doing at the snack bar a while ago?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Of course, to bug you,¡± he answered quickly. ¡°I was in Singaporest week. That is why I can¡¯t bug you.¡± he added.


    ¡°I thought you had given up on your n.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Giving up is not in my vocabry,¡± he responded. ¡°I won¡¯t let others see your potential.¡± he added.


    He is certainly persistent. What potential does he see in me?


    ¡°Will you really give me a job?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Why would I bug you if I didn¡¯t, right?¡± He asked back.


    ¡°It is unlikely to be done by someone who has a position like yours, because it is too weird and confusing at the same time.¡± I answered.


    ¡°You are the weird one,¡± he responded. ¡°If I ask someone to work for me, they will definitely agree without thinking twice. They won¡¯t hesitate to ept my offer, because I am Matthew Zarsuelo.¡± he added.

 CHAPTER 10

    Traizle


    ¡°It was because you are an oddball,¡± I answered back. ¡°Who knows, you might just want to trick me and when the timees, I will ept your offer and give up on my other sidelines. You will tell me you did not offer something like that.¡± I added truthfully.


    ¡°You are thinking in advance, aren¡¯t you?¡± Said Zarsuelo. ¡°If you want me to prove that I will not trick you afterward, I can bring the contract and let you have witnesses like an attorney orwyer.¡± he added.


    He is serious about me working for him. Do I really deserve that offer?


    ¡°No need,¡± I replied.¡±I will work for you if you promise to pay me in advance.¡± I added.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Give your sries in advance? No problem! How much do you want?¡± He answered excitedly.


    ¡°Let me think about it.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Why did you change your mind now?¡± Zarsuelo asked, still excited about the news that I would be working with him soon.


    ¡°I am in need of money.¡± I answered.


    ¡°That is why you wanted to take my offer now?¡± He asked back.


    ¡°Yes, I wanted to use you to pay off my debts,¡± I answered truthfully. ¡°How does it feel?¡± I asked.


    If working with him will help me, then I will dly ept that.


    ¡°How big is your debt that you do not have any choice to take my offer?¡± Zarsuelo asked.


    ¡°I talked to thendlord of our house a while ago, saying I needed to pay for the house rent. She even asked for the electricity and water bill I have not been able to pay sincest month. I did not have the money to pay for her since I needed to keep some for Layzen and Lyndon¡¯s allowance and for our everyday expenses,¡± I shared. ¡°And what happened tonight added as well.¡± I added.


    ¡°The ident?¡± Zarsuelo asked.


    ¡°Yes, I told the man that I would pay him tomorrow for the scratches I made on his car. I was lucky to calm him down and avoid going to the police.¡± I continued.


    ¡°Does he know what happened to you?¡± He asked.     ¡°No, it is my fault in the first ce. So he does not need to know what happened to me.¡± I answered.


    ¡°How can you say that it was your fault?¡± Zarsuelo asked again.


    ¡°While over thinking, I did not know that the lights turned to green. One thing I know, I flew and fell, bumped into some vehicles I should not have.¡± I exined.


    ¡°Where did the ident happen?¡± Zarsuelo asked.


    ¡°South board.¡± I replied.


    ¡°You will work for me now, right?¡± He asked, maybe assuring me I wouldn¡¯t run away.


    ¡°I need to.¡± I answered.


    ¡°You asked me how it feels to be used?¡± He asked me, so I nodded my head. ¡°Well, it¡¯s good. Since you will work for me now, if there is a bad way to make you work for me, I should have done that before.¡± he answered, smiling widely.


    ¡°Bad way your a*s.¡± I replied.


    ¡°Come on, I will pay for your hospital bill,¡± Zarsuelo said something that made me look at him. ¡°Why? Think of this as my gift for epting my offer. And this is nothing to me. I can even buy this hospital if I want to. So, do not get worried about it.¡± he confidently continued.


    He is rich indeed.


    Zarsuelo even dropped me off at our house. Lyndon was waiting in front of the gate with Layzen. Zarsuelo did really tell them.


    ¡°I heard what happened to you?¡± Lyndon asked as he opened the door of the car.


    ¡°Can you help me first?¡± I asked for help.


    Lyndon immediately assisted me.


    ¡°You should throw that old motorcycle away. Look what happened to you!¡± Lyndon said, scolding his older sister as we walked inside of our house.


    ¡°That old motorcycle has nothing to do with what happened. How can you me a non-living thing?¡± I asked.


    ¡°How can you me your a*s,¡± he said, copying my voice. ¡°As I remember, you will definitely me the things that might get in your way.¡± he added.


    ¡°Why are you scolding me too much?¡± I asked as he guided me to sit in the chair. ¡°Where is Layzen?¡± I asked when I noticed that Layzen did not follow us.


    ¡°Maybe he is with Matthew,¡± Lyndon answered, saying his first name without thinking. ¡°Oho, look at your face. He lost to our gamest time. He told me to call his name.¡± Lyndon exined.


    He saw through me.


    ¡°I also heard it from him.¡± I answered.


    ¡°We even yedst day, when he was in Singapore. He sure knows how to y, unlike his teammates.¡± he shared.


    ¡°You know he went to Singapore?¡± I asked wondering.


    ¡°He told me.¡± he answered casually, as if they knew each other for years already.


    ¡°Can you look for Lazyen ou-¡± I was not able to finish my sentence when Layzen came with Zarsuelo.


    ¡°Traizle, Matthew brought his toys to y with me.¡± Layzen eximed while holding the toys Zarsuelo brought.


    I will notin to Zarsuelo. First, Layzen is too happy. Andstly, Zarsuelo helped me.


    ¡°Are you going home?¡± I asked Zarsuelo.


    ¡°Eh? The Boss told me to y with him tonight.¡± he answered as he sat beside Layzen.


    ¡°Boss?¡± I repeated.


    ¡°Do you remember that I applied as his ymate thest time? Layzen epted the offer a while ago.¡± he answered.


    ¡°When will you go home?¡± I asked again.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know-we order for our dinner as well. Let me eat here.¡± Zarsuelo answered.


    ¡°We?¡± I repeated again.


    ¡°I helped Matthew to order. We have ordered your favorite for you to heal fast.¡± Layzen answered for Zarsuelo.


    I can not help but re at Zarsuelo. He is spoiling my brothers too much. If this continues, they will get used to it.


    ¡°Traizle¡¯s mad. Help me.¡± I heard Zarsuelo whispering to Layzen.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be mad at him, we even ordered your favourite food. Right, Lyndon?¡± Layzen said, also getting Lyndon¡¯s approval.


    When the food they ordered came, Lyndon prepared it for us. Lyndon told me he would do everything for now since the doctor advised that I should rest and stop moving too much for weeks.


    ¡°It is eleven already, don¡¯t you like to go home?¡± I asked Zarsuelo.


    ¡°No.¡± Zarsuelo answered.


    They are now ying games with Lyndon and Layzen as their cheerleaders.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have any work to do?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Finished them all already.¡± he answered, still focused on the game they are ying.


    ¡°Where are you?¡± Lyndon butted in.


    ¡°Find me.¡± Zarsuelo excitedly answered.


    This oddball Zarsuelo.


    ¡°Layzen, you have to sleep now. You still have ss tomorrow.¡± I told Layzen.


    ¡°But we are still ying.¡± Layzen answered as if he were one of the yers.


    ¡°Better stop that game before I decide to delete that game of yours, Lyndon.¡± I warned him.


    ¡°Ahh why!¡± Zarsuelo whined. ¡°Don¡¯t do that. That is not nice.¡± he added.


    ¡°Then go home already!¡± I fussed.


    ¡°Can I spend the night here? We n to y another game.¡± Zarsuelo replied.


    ¡°Go home, Zarsuelo!¡± I furiously said.


    Can this oddball Zarsuelo actlike his age?

 CHAPTER 11

    Traizle


    I stopped walking in front of the building. ¡°You can do it, Traizle.¡± I told myself, shrugging off the nervousness I was feeling.


    I walked to the building. Entering the entrance kills me already. ¡°Good morning, Ma¡¯am.¡± A man greeted me.


    I bowed my head a little and said, ¡°Ah, good morning?¡± I answered back, not sure what to say after that.


    Looking at him from head to toe, he is wearing casual clothes. He is also standing beside the entrance. Did the guard ask him to stand by for him for a while?? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    I walked in front of him. ¡°Excuse me,¡± I told him. ¡°Can you tell me where Zarsuelo¡¯s office is?¡± I asked.


    ¡°I will guide you to his office. Please follow me.¡± The man answered and led the way.


    Yes, I am in Zarsuelo¡¯spany today. Since I told him I would work for him. After a week of resting, I decided to start working. He had already given me my first monthly sry, and with that sry, I paid our house rent, as well as our electricity and water bills.


    About the man I bumped my motorcycle into, I was called to the police station the next day. I am scared because I did not expect him to report me. When I arrived at the police station, the man was with Zarsuelo, in front of the police officer.


    Zarsuelo reported the incident. He even told the police officer that the man was asking for a payment because of the scratches on his car. I don¡¯t know where Zarsuelo got the video, but he showed it to them. The video showed that I did not move, but the man behind me bumped his car into my motorcycle. I wanted to punch the man really hard, but I couldn¡¯t even move too much because of my hips. In the end, we knew that the man tried to scam me to get a sum of money, and he also did it to others aside from me. That is why I decided to work at Zarsuelo¡¯spany after a week of resting. I already have to pay him. I don¡¯t want to owe him anything.


    I went back to reality when the man knocked on the door. ¡°Sir, are you here? Someone wants to see you.¡± the man said.


    ¡°Get in!¡± I heard Zarsuelo shouting from the inside.


    The man opened the door, showing Zarsuelo with his feet on the table while holding his phone. ¡°Should we go out and be back in a few minutes, Sir?¡± the man asked.


    Zarsuelo shot a nce at me. ¡°Oh, Traizle!¡± He eximed. ¡°No need. Wait a minute,¡± he answered. ¡°Cover for me!¡± He shouted.


    We don¡¯t know who he is talking to. When I look at the man beside me, he is not saying anything. As if he is used to it. ¡°Ah, sorry about that, Ma¡¯am.¡± the man said. Saying sorry, instead of his own boss.


    I shake my hands lightly. ¡°No need. Is he really like this?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Ahh¡­ yes.¡± he answered, almost whispering.


    I look at Zarsuelo, who¡¯s still ying with his phone. ¡°Should I go out or stay here, Zarsuelo?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Stay!¡± He answered. ¡°Wait! I can¡¯t lose today. Lyndon¡¯s team is going to win again if I do it.¡± He added, almost panicking.


    ¡°Stop ying with Lyndon, you idiot!¡± I shouted in anger. I slowly to look at the man beside me. ¡°Ah, sorry about that.¡± I told him, still shocked by what he had heard from me.


    He shook his head. ¡°Do you know him, Ma¡¯am?¡± The man asked.


    I nodded. ¡°He was troubling me with my work just to work here,¡± I answered. ¡°How about you? How did you meet that oddball?¡± I asked in whispers.


    The man gave me a weak smile while scratching his nape. ¡°Like yours,¡± he answered. ¡°I was a guard before at the mall near here. He saw me fighting with the snatcher. He invited me to work for him.¡± He added.


    So he is really a guard at the entrance. Why is he not wearing the proper uniform?


    ¡°Argh! We lost again!¡± Zarsuelo eximed, and that made us stop talking and look at him. ¡°I want to be with Lyndon¡¯s team next time,¡± he added, before putting his phone down. ¡°Have you finished talking to each other?¡± He asked us.


    I arched my eyebrows at him. ¡°You still ying too?¡± I asked back. ¡°I am here to work now. What work should I do?¡± I added.


    He looked at the man beside me. ¡°Thank you for bringing her here, Tyler.¡± Zarsuelo said, thanking Tyler.


    Tyler bowed a little before going out.


    ¡°Sit here first,¡± he said. ¡°How¡¯s your injury? Can you walk better now? I told you to work when you are perfectly fine.¡± he added continuously.


    I sat on the couch. ¡°I think I am okay and able to work now.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Be my secretary.¡± Zarsuelo said something that shocked my entire existence.


    ¡°Secretary?¡± I eximed. ¡°Are you nuts?¡± I asked.


    He slightly nodded his head. ¡°Maybe I am,¡± he answered, so I tweaked Zarsuelo¡¯s ear. ¡°Ahh! You are hurting your own boss!¡± Heined.


    I stopped tweaking his ears. ¡°I told you to give me a job that suited my degree, didn¡¯t I?¡± I replied. He holds his ear, checking if it is still intact. I stood up from my seat. ¡°I will just pay you monthly. I am not working here.¡± I said and headed out of his office.


    Going here is a bad thing. I knew Zarsuelo would think crazy as he is, but I still went here. ¡°Hey, Traizle! I am sorry,¡± he shouted while chasing after me. ¡°That¡¯s the only position that is still vacant. The other positions I mentioned before were taken alreadyst week.¡± He exined.


    I stopped walking and faced him. ¡°I told you it did not suit me for that kind of position. What will the others say after hearing that I took that position, huh?¡± I asked.


    He shook his head. ¡°They may not say something like that; they know that already,¡± Zarsuelo answered. ¡°Trust me, they won¡¯t say bad things about my decision. I am the owner of thispany. Going against my decision is not allowed.¡± he added.


    It is not allowed, but his employees can say something behind my back, and I don¡¯t want that.


    Zarsuelo suddenly grabbed my wrist. ¡°Come on, I will let you meet the other employees.¡± He said and pulled me somewhere.


    We entered a room full of people inside, busy with their work. ¡°All attention to your handsome boss.¡± Zarsuelo interrupted them.


    They immediately greet and bow to him without even standing up. They are also wearing casual clothes, unlike the time they went to the snack bar. I can also see some people who have eaten at the snack bar before.


    ¡°She is Traizle Cerezo. What is the position left?¡± Zarsuelo asked.


    ¡°Secretary, Sir.¡± they answered altogether.


    He nodded. ¡°She could not finish her studies, and I wanted her to be my secretary. Does anyone want toin about my decision?¡± He asked again.


    ¡°No one, Sir.¡± they answered.


    He looked back at me. ¡°You heard that?¡± Zarsuelo asked me. ¡°If you want to be called suitable for the position, then show them you can, so that they can¡¯t say anything bad about you.¡± he added.


    I looked at them. ¡°Wee, Ma¡¯am Traizle!¡± They greeted.


    I quickly bowed my head. ¡°Thank you.¡± I replied.


    ¡°Does that mean you epted the secretary position?¡± Zarsuelo butted in. I was about to punch him when he pointed at his own employees. I looked at them slowly, bbergasted by what I had done. ¡°This is your table,¡± he said as he pointed to the nearby vacant table. ¡°I will exin everything you have to know, so sit now.¡± He added, pushing me lightly to make me sit in the chair.


    I can¡¯t do anything but follow him. He really exined everything, like how to direct the call to him, what to press to call him, and also theputer files and his schedules.


    ¡°Wait for me here. I will get the other files you have to learn as well.¡± He said before going out.

 CHAPTER 12

    Traizle


    As soon as they couldn¡¯t see Zarsuelo, my seatmates approached me. ¡°Hi, I am ire! I am the one who talked to you when we ate at the snack bar,¡± she introduced herself. ¡°Our boss really went with you.¡± she added,ughing.


    I turned to him. ¡°Why?¡± I asked.


    She tapped my hands and said, ¡°When he sets his eyes on someone, he will definitely ask them to work for him. He can also double yourst sry just for working for him.¡± ire exined.


    ¡°We guessed he gave you trouble, didn¡¯t he?¡± said the girl next to ire. ¡°I am Sonia, by the way.¡± she added.


    I sighed and nodded. ¡°He really is,¡± I replied. ¡°Did he also do this to you?¡± I asked them back.


    ¡°Some of us went the same way as you did.¡± they answered.


    ¡°Oho, stop talking for now,¡± Zarsuelo interrupted. ¡°Here, learn this for now. I will call you if I need anything, okay?¡± He added, giving me the folders.


    I bobbed my head. ¡°Got it,¡± I answered. ¡°Go back to your office now and do some work.¡± I added.


    He smiled. ¡°Done with them already.¡± he replied in a sing-song manner.


    I arched my eyebrows at him. ¡°You were just ying with your phone when we came in.¡± I responded.


    ¡°Oh? Am I?¡± He asked. ¡°But I don¡¯t have someone to talk to.¡± he added.


    Looking at him, he was only wearing a in white shirt paired with ck jeans. He does not look like the owner of a bigpany, even with his employees.


    He folded his arms and wiggled his eyebrows. ¡°I know I am handsome. Feel free to stare at me.¡± he quipped.


    I rolled my eyes at him. ¡°Want me to whack your so-called handsome face or go back to your office?¡± I warned him.


    I don¡¯t care if my co-workers can hear me. I think they know Zarsuelo¡¯s odd attitude because they¡¯ve worked with him for so long. There is no uniform basis in thispany, no high qualifications are required, and the owner is an oddball. It is so weird. I don¡¯t know why, but it really is.


    While reading the folders that were full of files, my co-workers kept on asking me everything about how I really met him. What did he do to make me ept his offer and so on? ¡°Wait!¡± I butted in. ¡°It is my turn to ask some questions now.¡± I added.


    They finally stopped talking. ¡°What is it?¡± they asked.


    I put down the files I am holding. ¡°Do you guys not wear uniforms at all?¡± I asked.


    Alex shook his head. ¡°No, we just brought one. If the boss tells us to dress up, we¡¯ll change.¡± He replied.


    I nod my head, trying to understand it. ¡°How about him?¡± I asked, regarding Zarsuelo.


    ¡°He only wears a formal suit if he is in a meeting outside or if we have special events with visitors,¡± That answered my question. ¡°He doesn¡¯t really wear a formal one because he told us it was not needed.¡± he added.


    ¡°How about his character?¡± I asked again.


    Alessa smiled. ¡°Although Mr. Zarsuelo is like that, if he is in a work mode, he acts like one. After working, he will turn to himself. We know it is weird, but we just have to ept it as long as he is normal.¡± she answered.


    While working, all we did was talk about things and Zarsuelo, making them let me understand their weird boss, who will be my boss from now on.


    ¡°Yuhoo! Traizle, I am hungry already. Let¡¯s eat first,¡± Zarsuelo invited from our entrance. ¡°You guys can take your lunch as well.¡± he added.


    I turned to Alessa. ¡°I will go for now. You can also have your lunch, as what he said.¡± I said before, following Zarsuelo.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± He said excitedly. I followed him, walking beside him. ¡°How¡¯s your work as of now?¡± Zarsuelo asked.


    I nodded. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± I answered. ¡°Where are we going?¡± I asked.


    Pointing down, and said, ¡°Cafeteria.¡± Zarsuelo answered.


    When we got down to the cafeteria, some workers were already crowding around the cafeteria. I was about to fall in line when Zarsuelo pulled me to the front. Somehow, when they saw Zarsuelo, they immediately made a way for us to go in front.


    ¡°Hi! Where is my order?¡± Zarsuelo asked the old woman, who was giving some food to the other workers.


    ¡°Wait, Sir.¡± the old woman answered before she went inside of a room.


    When I look at the foods in front of me, they are all delicious in my eyes. I want to eat the crispy pork belly too.


    The old woman came back with a box of choctes in her hands. ¡°Here, Sir.¡± she said, and handed it over to Zarsuelo.


    I turned to Zarsuelo. ¡°Are you just going to eat that for lunch?¡± I asked.


    He nodded. ¡°We are going to eat this for lunch.¡± Zarsuelo answered, emphasizing we in his answer.


    I shook my head in disagreement. ¡°No,¡± I opposed. ¡°Choose from here. Eat those sweets after eating some food.¡± I added and pointed to the delicious foods in front of us.


    His forehead creased. ¡°But why?¡± He asked, pouting his lips as if he was a freaking child.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ask why, or I will throw those sweets of yours out.¡± I answered. He immediately asked the woman to get a beefsteak and two pieces of pizza with coke. ¡°I want crispy pork belly and water, please.¡± I added.


    After serving us our food, we went to the avable vacant table.


    I showed him my palm. ¡°Give me your choctes.¡± I asked.


    His face quickly distorted. ¡°Why? Are you going to throw it for real?¡± He couldn¡¯t help but exim.


    ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± I answered. ¡°Finish your food first before this.¡± I added, pertaining to his sweets. He immediately pouted before giving his choctes to me. ¡°Do you always eat choctes rather than this?¡± I asked him, and he nodded slowly. ¡°Really? I know you like this one too much, but you have to eat something healthy first.¡± I told him.


    ¡°But choctes can make me full too.¡± he answered back.


    I snorted. ¡°Full your a*s,¡± I replied. ¡°I won¡¯t let you eat this if you don¡¯t finish that food.¡± I said before eating my food.


    I can¡¯t believe he doesn¡¯t eat food at lunch. He acts and thinks like Layzen¡¯s age. After we finished the food we brought, I let him eat his sweets.


    ¡°Do you want?¡± He even asked me.


    I shook my head. ¡°I am full,¡± I answered. ¡°When did you do that?¡± I asked curiously.


    ¡°Since I was young.¡± he answered as he ate his sweets.


    ¡°Don¡¯t your parents restrain you from overeating sweets?¡± I asked him again.


    He stopped eating. His eyes became sad after mentioning his parents. ¡°They are gone already, probably partying in hell with the money they brought with them.¡± he answered before drinking his coke.


    He also has a problem with his family.


    I slowly nodded and stared far away. ¡°Sorry about that,¡± I replied. ¡°Are you living alone now?¡± I asked again.


    ¡°Yes, currently living alone,¡± he answered. ¡°My grandparents are in the state for their one year vacation.¡± he added.


    ¡°Good thing you still have your grandparents.¡± I said, relieved.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°My grandmother always restrains me from eating sweets, but my grandfather does not. Yeah, we rock.¡± Zarsuelo continued, smiling widely.


    He is still alone. Unlike me, I still have Lyndon and Layzen. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you are not alone. Our parents left us years ago. That is why I had to make a living for us.¡± I shared this with him so he would not feel down.


    He nced at me and said, ¡°That is why.May I know if they are still alive?¡± He asked back.


    I shrugged my shoulders. ¡°I guess so. My father has another family, while my mother left us saying nothing. We have heard no news from her either.¡± I answered.


    ¡°That must be hard for you.¡± he replied, before continuing to eat his sweets.


    ¡°It is with work. But if it¡¯s about taking care of my brothers, it is not. It is my responsibility to take care of them, since I am their oldest sister.¡± I responded. ¡°How about you? Is it hard?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± he said, thinking if it was or not. ¡°The work is not hard. The hard thing is that I don¡¯t have anyone to talk to in my house.¡± he answered.


    It may really be. Living alone can already make you feel sad. No one to talk to can make you sadder.


    I sighed and look at him. ¡°You can talk to Lyndon if you want.¡± I offered.


    His face lit up. ¡°Can I also sleep over at your house? I heard it was fun.¡± Zarsuelo said excitedly.


    Stuttering, I answered, ¡°No. It is not appropriate to sleep in our house, don¡¯t you know?¡± I added, opposing his idea.


    He shook his head. ¡°Then sleep at my house. You guys are all wee and it is appropriate.¡± he now offered.


    ¡°No way. If someone hears about this, they will think that-¡±


    ¡°Should I buy a new house and name it after you or after Lyndon and Layzen? So that I can sleep over there without them knowing? I will make sure to go there secretly.¡± He interrupted, giving his high-paying ideas.


    I shook my head again. ¡°That¡¯s totally useless. You can just visit them.¡± I told him.


    He pouted. ¡°Nah, the visit is too short,¡± he replied. ¡°Let¡¯s do what I mentioned a while ago. That is much better than yours.¡± he insisted.


    I red at him. ¡°Try that and I will tear your ears out afterwards.¡± I warned him.


    ¡°Not fair.¡± he said, pouting again while holding his ears.


    Am I his secretary or babysitter?


    I think thetter one is the answer.

 CHAPTER 13

    Traizle


    ¡°If our sales are low, wouldmercials and giving out some flyers be an excellent strategy for now?¡± I suggested-almost interrupting their own meeting.


    Yeah, own. Zarsuelo instructed me to observe first so that I would know how the meeting went and could follow up next time.


    Aeron, who I interrupted, nodded. ¡°You somehow havea point. It¡¯s been years since we did amercial.¡± Aeron¡¯s suggestion coincides with mine, the marketing manager of Grand Finance.


    I raised my hand again as a sign of asking permission to talk. ¡°About giving out flyers. I can manage that one. I know some people who are good at that work. We can also gain new customers with those strategies I have mentioned.¡± I added, to make it more credible.


    Aeron smiled at me. ¡°We will consider that one,¡± he replied. ¡°That is the end of my report for today.¡± He added.


    ¡°Okay, since it is not rming, we can still think of any ideas on how to gain new customers. Well, I can say that we are still doing well. Losing one percent does not affect me at all,¡± Zarsuelo said, standing up from his seat. ¡°I will be happy to experience a significant loss,¡± he continued, smiling widely. ¡°I adjourned the meeting. You guys can go back to your work now.¡± he added, pping his hands.


    ¡°Ah, excuse me, Ma¡¯am Traizle.¡± Aeron called me.


    I turned back. ¡°Yes? What is it?¡± I asked, approaching him.


    ¡°About themercials and flyers nning. If you want to give some opinions or ideas, you can just go to our room to discuss our n.¡± Aeron exined.


    I nodded and smiled. ¡°Okay, no problem. Just call or text me if I am needed.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Copy. I will go now, Ma¡¯am and Sir.¡± Aeron said before leaving the meeting room.


    Now, only the two of us were left in the meeting room. ¡°I did not expect that you would be this cool after a week of working here, huh.¡± Zarsuelo congratted me.


    I raised my eyebrow at him. ¡°I also did not expect that instead of being your secretary, I would also be a babysitter, too.¡± I mocked.


    He folded his arms and said, ¡°Of course, I am still a baby in mind and heart.¡± He answered, unaffected.


    I can¡¯t ever piss him off. He will definitely answer nonchntly or take myments humorously. ¡°You should eat your lunch now. After lunch, you have to prepare for a meeting with an investor.¡± I told him, exining his schedule.


    He nodded. ¡°How about you?¡± He asked, unfolding his arms to get his phone from his pocket.


    ¡°I still need to check something.¡± I answered.


    His eyes widened. ¡°And check what?¡± Zarsuelo asked, as if he was interrogating me.


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°I will go to the Sales Department and get the sales n for the said meeting.¡± I answered.


    He shook his head. ¡°No, you can do thatter. Let¡¯s eat first.¡± he replied.


    As for what he said, we went down to eat at the cafeteria. ¡°It¡¯s been a week since I started to eat here.¡± Zarsuelo shared.


    I stopped eating and looked at him. ¡°You never eat here?¡± I asked.


    He nodded. ¡°Never. I will just get my sweets and go back to my office,¡± he answered. ¡°The first time I ate here was when it was your first day here.¡± he added before eating.


    So, I am the one who made him eat here. ¡°Why?¡± I asked again, somehow curious.


    He shrugged his shoulders. ¡°I don¡¯t feel like doing it. As you can see, my employees have their own groups. If I sit down with them, it will be awkward for them and they won¡¯t be able to say what they wanted to say because they need to be aware of their stories,¡± he answered after drinking his water. ¡°I usually order my food, treat them if we did something awesome or if I just want to.¡± he added.


    It must be lonely staying alone in his big office.


    He gets a tissue and wipes his mouth. ¡°Anyway, I have a n for tomorrow, so please check my schedule for tomorrow after work.¡± Said Zarsuelo.


    I nod my head. ¡°You have things to do outside of work?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll see my friends tomorrow. Wannae with me?¡± Zarsuelo said, inviting me.


    ¡°No.¡± I answered tly.


    What was the reason foring with him in the first ce? I don¡¯t know any of his friends, and I don¡¯t have any ns to do so.


    Heughed a little. ¡°I knew it from the start. I can¡¯t make you agree if it is not about outside work.¡± he replied.


    ¡°Good then, you know.¡± I responded, continue eating my food.


    ¡°Did you ever try to go to the clubs?¡± Zarsuelo asked, and that made me look at him. ¡°You know, party? Drinks? Friends?¡± He added.


    I arched my eyebrow at him. ¡°And why would I go there?¡± I asked. I don¡¯t have time for that.


    He raised his eyebrows. ¡°To have some fun?¡± He answered, swaying his spoon and fork. ¡°You should try that; it¡¯s fun. I can take you there next time. You can also drink there with your friends.¡± he added.


    I shake my right hand as I swallow the food. ¡°Nah, going to the club will cost me a fortune already.¡± I answered, stating the fact. Amoner like me should not do that and just focus on surviving.


    ¡°Have some fun sometimes, Traizle. Let¡¯s live our lives while we are young.¡± he said, giving me advice.


    I thought I had never had fun with my friends before. I could not make normal friends because I was busy with my work. Despite that, I still make friends while working with my other co-workers. We never get to hang out, as he said, but I think we can do that sometimes.


    ¡°You are now thinking,¡± he said. ¡°You now want toe with me?¡± He asked, inviting me again.


    I disagreed. ¡°That is not what I am thinking. I am thinking of hanging out with my friends sometimes if we are not busy.¡± I answered truthfully.


    ¡°Did you also go with your brothers on a trip?¡± He asked.


    I shook my head. ¡°We have never had the time to go and we don¡¯t have the budget to go as well.¡± I answered, as a matter of fact. We can go out for a short while, go to the mall, wander or window shop. We never had the chance to eat at any of the fast-food chains inside. ¡°But I n to do that soon, since I have this job that can support us without working too much and.¡± I smiled as I answered.


    Just thinking of going on a trip with them is giving me the chills already.


    ¡°Oh! I want toe with you.¡± Zarsuelo butted in, shattering my future n.


    I declined. ¡°You can¡¯t call it a family trip when you are there.¡± I told him. He pped his hands. ¡°Then make me your second ce, brother. Third is Lyndon, andstly is Layzen,¡± he replied with his unimaginable idea. ¡°You can also register me as your son! Isn¡¯t it cool?¡±


    I gave him my deadliest look of all the re I have. Make him my freaking son. What an odd idea. He himself, and his ideas, are super odd.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t like the first two options, then make me your boyfriend!¡± He eximed.


    I immediately covered his mouth, looking from left to right to see if someone might have heard him. ¡°Shut your mouth up, Zarsuelo!¡± I whispered, before removing my hands from his mouth.


    ¡°Why? Is that a bad thing?¡± He asked innocently. ¡°Being your boyfriend or husband can make me your family, right? Then I am willing to be yours!¡± He confidently said it as if he was serious about it.


    I scorned. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be a full-time babysitter if you are my boyfriend, duh.¡± I answered.


    He tilted his head. ¡°You don¡¯t like to have a boyfriend and a baby at the same time?¡± Zarsueloughed and asked.


    I waved my hands. ¡°No need. If it¡¯s you, I would definitely say pass without thinking twice or thrice.¡± I told him.


    He stomped his feet under the table. ¡°Ah, why? I am rich and handsome. I am a big deal, so why not?¡± He asked.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    I waved my hands again. ¡°I want someone ordinary, not rich or handsome, if ever, just someone who is of the same status as me.¡± I answered, exining my ideal one.


    He widened his eyes and shifted his body closer to me. ¡°I can lose my money and live an ordinary life,¡± he suggested. ¡°Am I that great?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Great your a*s.¡± I told him.

 CHAPTER 14

    Traizle


    After lunch, Zarsuelo went to the meeting room to get himself ready for the iing investor. I went to the Sales Department and got the Sales n. We will show and discuss this n with the investor. After the meeting with the investor, we sessfully won over the investor, and we will start our n next week.


    I also think that he can really win over every investor or potential customer with his speaking skills. See how I ended up working here? His choice of words will literally persuade you.


    ¡°Mr. Andrade asked for your name a while ago,¡± Zarsuelo said, and that halted me from reading the files. ¡°He said he may have seen you somewhere.¡± he added.


    I looked at him, confused. ¡°And why would he ask for my name?¡± I asked, somewhat curious why he asked for my name.


    He shrugged his shoulders and said, ¡°He told me you are pretty in person.¡± said Zarsuelo, ying with his pen.


    I talked to Mr. Andrade on the phone before to set a meeting date. He also told me that my voice is pretty. Iughed at hispliment before I could say my thanks.


    ¡°You are thinking of something?¡± he asked, so I nodded at him. ¡°I am still not done with my story.¡± he added.


    I look at him suspiciously. He is smiling wickedly, like he has done something bad or whatever it is.


    He grinned. ¡°He might go after you and ask you to work for him next time. So, I gave him another name.¡± Heughed devilishly.


    He and his petty ideas. I will just correct Mr. Andrade if we meet next time. Oddball Zarsuelo¡¯s partners can¡¯t even escape from his weird personality.


    I sighed. ¡°You should not do that to your partners or customers; they might think that you can lie about your business.¡± I warned him.


    He just nodded and raised his arms. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I can still get new partners in the future.¡± he answered, not bothered.


    I left him saying nothing and went back to my spot. I can¡¯t win whenever we talk, so it is better to leave him. ¡°Hey, Traizle.¡± ire said, moving her swivel chair near me.


    I turned to him and asked, ¡°Why?¡±


    She drew close. ¡°Some of our co-workers are wondering,¡± she shared. ¡°They are wondering if you and Sir. Zarsuelo is a thing.¡± She whispered.


    I immediately turned my chair toward her. ¡°What? We? You guys are nuts.¡± I eximed, can¡¯t believe what I am hearing.


    ¡°Ooh! You guys are just keeping it a secret?¡± Sonia butted in, teasing me.


    I shook my head aggressively. ¡°One of the staff from other departments heard what Sir. Zarsuelo said at the cafeteria. That is why we concluded that you guys are a thing.¡± Alessa added.


    ¡°That oddball,¡± I murmured. ¡°I have to kill that Zarsuelo as soon as I see him.¡± I added.


    Alex joined the conversation and said, ¡°Well, we guess you guys are not.¡± He continued, so I looked at him.


    ¡°From what you said a while ago, it¡¯s clearly a business rtionship.¡± ire replied.


    I think I said those words out loud. But that is better. At least they know we are not in a rtionship. ¡°I n to go with my family on a trip.¡± I started sharing. ¡°Zarsuelo wants toe with us, so I told him you can¡¯t call it a family trip if he wants to join.¡± I continued.


    How can you really call it a family trip when he wants to join? He is not even a part of our family.


    ¡°The oddball Zarsuelo¡¯s word you heard a while ago is from his own idea bank. Saying to register him as our second oldest brother, or registering him as my son, andst, being his girlfriend or wife.¡± I added, to cause them tough.


    ¡°The boss is indeed persistent about the things he wants to do and go,¡± Sonia replied, still giggling at my story. ¡°He can be really like a grade two kid with his brain thinking style.¡± she added.


    I couldn¡¯t help but to massage my temples. ¡°Does something bad happen to him when his mother is about to give birth?¡± I asked in defeat.


    ire shook her head. ¡°Boss, he has locked his target, and it is you. So bare with it. You are his favorite employee for now.¡± she said.


    That made me sigh disappointingly. ¡°Has this thing happened before, too?¡± I asked again.


    They all nodded. ¡°Yes, it happened to a few employees here,¡± ire answered. ¡°She likes to eat chocte when working. The boss went here to ask her and he saw her. Since then, he hase here to ask for some. But she is now in America.¡± she shared.


    Alex tapped the table and said, ¡°He almost made thispany into a kid¡¯s yground. He is always asking the employees who have kids to bring them here. He will make sure to y with them until they go home.¡± he also added.


    ¡°I guess I have to bear with him for now. If not, I am going to smack him real hard.¡± I said as I hit my table to show how serious I was. I definitely will, if needed.


    ¡°But we really thought that you were his boyfriend, because he was too interested in you.¡± Alessa said, while ying with the tip of her hair.


    ire nodded her head and said, ¡°We saw him before with his girlfriend once. A month after, we heard that they had broken up.¡± She shared sharing Zarsuelo¡¯s love life.


    ¡°He was kind of depressed at that time. He kept on eating his choctes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.¡± Alex added.


    That¡¯s crazy. ¡°When did that happen?¡± I asked, curious about his love life.


    Alex was counting on his hands and showed it to me. ¡°Two years ago, if I remember it correctly.¡± he answered.


    So he had one before. How did his ex manage to control that oddball?


    ¡°Traizle! Can you ask Lyndon to make me his teammate?¡± Zarsuelo suddenly barged in. ¡°Please! I don¡¯t want to lose again. I even bought a new character, but I never won.¡± he exined seriously.


    I arched my eyebrows at him. ¡°Why don¡¯t you tell him yourself?¡± I asked him.


    He pouted. ¡°I already did, but he told me he didn¡¯t want to have a rich billionaire on his team. He did not want his teammates to know that I was ying with them. What should I do?¡± He asked, almost pleading. ¡°Aha! Should I give thispany to my grandparents and live an ordinary life?¡± He said, now giving out some of his ideas to me.


    I squinted my eyes. ¡°Will you really do that if I tell you to do it?¡± I asked to test him.


    He immediately brought out his phone and dialed an overseas number. ¡°Pops! I will give you Grand-¡± I did not let him finish his sentence.


    He was freaking serious about giving hispany to someone!


    I ended the call and faced him. ¡°Are you already crazy, Zarsuelo?¡± I growled at him.


    He pouted again. ¡°I thought you would talk to your brother if I gave mypany to my grandparents.¡± He answered by asking, so I hit his head out of annoyance. ¡°Ah! What was that for? How can you hit your boss in front of his own employees?¡± Heined. I was about to hit him again when he held both of my hands. ¡°I am sorry!¡± He eximed, saying sorry. ¡°You can hit me again after talking to Lyndon.¡± he added.


    I bring out my phone as well to dial Lyndon¡¯s number. I have to end their addiction. As soon as Lyndon answered my phone, I interrupted him, saying¡­


    ¡°Uninstall that bullshit game right now!¡± I growled in anger.


    ¡°No!¡± they both answered.


    I red at Zarsuelo. ¡°If I can still see that damn game on your phone, I will surely tear it into pieces. Understand!¡± I added, before dropping the call. ¡°And you!¡± I told Zarsuelo.


    He shook his head. ¡°I will be good now, so please take your words back,¡± Zarsuelo pleaded. ¡°I want to learn that game from your brother. I promise to do whatever you wish. I will work hard and earn tons of dors in a month! I can also expand our business in a few days, so-¡±


    ¡°Where is your phone?¡± I interrupted him.


    His eyes widened. ¡°What? Why? Are you going to tear it into pieces? I love my phone!¡± He answered, holding his phone tightly.


    ¡°I will delete that game! Instead of working, you are busy spending your time ying that damn game.¡± I replied, trying to get his phone from him.


    ¡°No, let me say something good first!¡± He eximed. ¡°This is one of the he best ideas!¡± He added, raising his right hand. I stopped chasing after his phone and listened to what he wanted to say. ¡°I will promise to not y the game during work hours and y it after. Is it okay?¡± He asked.


    ¡°You sure?¡± I asked him, assuring his statement.


    He nodded. ¡°I promise!¡± He answered quickly. ¡°But can you please uplift Lyndon¡¯s game? We will promise to y after work. Deal?¡± He added, while handing over his phone to me.


    ¡°Make sure, or else I¡¯m going to punch you next time,¡± I warned, keeping his phone in my pocket. ¡°Back to your office and work.¡± I told him.


    He showed me his finger. ¡°Can I get some sweet first at the-¡±


    ¡°Later, after work.¡± I interrupted.


    ¡°Just only sweets.¡± he murmured, pouting while walking out of our room.


    I sat in my chair. I am cooling down. Those two brats really anger me to death.


    ¡°You are really a perfect fit as his secretary.¡± iremented.


    I don¡¯t know if it is apliment or what.


    ¡°You should stay here for a long time. You are the only one who can tame him.¡± Sonia added.


    I looked at Sonia. ¡°It is more like I am his babysitter.¡± I answered.


    Working does not make me tired, but Zarsuelo does. I feel as if I am cleaning thispany from the first up to thest floor. Can that oddball Zarsuelo act like his age for a while?Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    After work, I was about to go down when I remembered I still have Oddball Zarsuelo¡¯s phone. I immediately went to his office. I entered his office secretly. He is busy reading some papers. He will also look at the other papers and even hisputer. He can really be serious when he is not distracted.


    ¡°Work hours have ended already, don¡¯t you notice?¡± I asked him, gaining his attention.


    He nced at me and said, ¡°Really?¡± He answered, then looked at his watch. ¡°I did not notice. I was busy reading some reports,¡± he continued. ¡°I really did what we agreed on a while ago.¡± he added, sounding sad.


    I took out his phone and gave it to him. ¡°I am sorry for what I did a while ago.¡± I said. I am really sorry for hitting him a while ago. He is my boss as well, and it is not good for me to be seen by his employees like that.


    He nodded. ¡°Your hit still stings, you know.¡± he answered.


    I drew near him and looked at his head where I hit him. ¡°Does it really hurt?¡± I asked worriedly. Did I hit him too much?


    ¡°Yes, it was swelling hours ago.¡± he pouted.


    I held his hands and pulled him. ¡°Let¡¯s have it checked out at the nearest hospital.¡± I told him. I will get killed for hurting this oddball by his grandparents.


    He stopped me from pulling him. ¡°I am okay now, although it stings,¡± he answered. ¡°I am hungry too.¡± he added.


    ¡°You should go home and eat.¡± I told him.


    He shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t want to eat alone. Can I barge into your house again?¡± He asked.


    I guess I have no other choice. ¡°Okay, but don¡¯t order too much. Lyndon prepared already for our dinner.¡± I answered.


    His eyes widened. ¡°Does he know how to cook? Why are you guys all awesome? I wanted to learn how to cook as well. Can you teach me?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Not today, but for now, fix yourself so that we can go home.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Yes!¡± He said, punching the air with his excitement.


    I can¡¯t resist this oddball Zarsuelo with his puppy eyes.

 CHAPTER 15

    Traizle


    Linda gently tapped my hand. ¡°It¡¯s been a month since you visited the restaurant, Traizle.¡± she said, sulking a little.


    It has been a month since I started working at Grand Finance as Zarsuelo¡¯s secretary. ¡°I am sorry about that. I have been busy with my work.¡± I answered, apologizing to them.


    We, Kim, Linda, and I hung out today. It is also my day off, so I can hang with them. It is also Sunday. Lyndon can take care of Layzen while I am gone.


    ¡°Everyone is missing you in the restaurant. Even the manager is asking for you all the time.¡± Linda said.


    I smiled at her. ¡°How¡¯s work in the restaurant?¡± I asked.


    ¡°The usual.¡± they answered. Kim nodded and said, ¡°No bad things happened and we are thankful for that.¡± She added.


    Linda shook her head. ¡°If it happens again, we will be doomed. You are not working in the restaurant anymore. We have to deal with them even if we are frightened.¡± She continued.


    I smirked at them. ¡°You can just tell me you missed me. You guys are babbling too much.¡± I told them. I can¡¯t help butugh at their acting scheme. They really prepared themselves for this.


    Laughing, Linda exined, ¡°We thought you might get in touch and go back to the restaurant.¡±


    ¡°We can never really trick you, Traizle. You are still clever. You can still sense if we are tricking you or not.¡± Kim added.


    ¡°I have known you guys for years. I know your character, so you can¡¯t fool me,¡± I responded. ¡°Unless your acting skills are the same as at the Grammy awards.¡± I added.


    Linda is showing me her finger heart. ¡°But we really missed you. There is no girl bouncer in our team.¡± shemented.


    Kim nodded beside Linda and said, ¡°No one will stay calm and collected with those kinds of happenings.¡± She added.


    Both continued, ¡°And no one willugh, even if the story or joke is funny.¡±


    I can say that they really missed me. Theypliment me too much. When I was still working at the restaurant, they never told me that one. I somehow missed our team as well. They are the best team I had with the snack bar team. I should really ask them soon as well and catch up with them.


    ¡°How is your work?¡± Kim asked, after sipping her orange juice.


    Linda showed her hand to stop me from answering. ¡°Anyway, what is your work first? You did not tell me what work you were doing.¡± She added, curious about my work.


    I did not tell them about my workst month because I wanted to make sure I was working with Grand Finance before I told them where I was working. I am scared before that Zarsuelo might trick me. I breathe deeply. ¡°I am working at Grand Finance.¡± I started sharing. Looking at their faces now, they are shocked, their mouths gaping and their eyes widening.


    ¡°Are you really working there?¡± Linda asked, can not believe what he heard from me.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Kim waved her hands. ¡°We don¡¯t mean that in a bad way. But why did not you tell us?¡± she asked. ¡°We are worried about that time, because we don¡¯t know where you are working.¡± she added.


    Linda excitedly moved closer to me. ¡°Did you meet thepany owner of Grand Finance? Is he really handsome in person?¡± she asked again.


    When I show them the stop sign, they stop opening their mouths. ¡°I will answer and exin everything to you, so calm down,¡± I told them. They immediately resume eating their food. ¡°Unfortunately, I am scouted by the owner of thepany named Zarsuelo.¡± I said, answering their question. That made their mouths gape and their eyes widen once again.


    Linda and Kim can¡¯t help themselves but to squeal in silence. They also hit my arm in excitement.


    I sighed. ¡°Can you guys calm down now?¡± I asked them.


    ¡°How is he? Do you have a picture of him? Oh my gosh!¡± Linda asked.


    ¡°Is he really that handsome? How is it working there?¡± Kim asked.


    I sighed once again. ¡°I am his secretary.¡± I answered.


    Their eyes widened. ¡°OMG!¡± they screamed, literally screaming in front of me.


    We quickly said sorry to the other customers inside. I red at them. I should have told them everything in one drop. We might get kicked out of this fast-food chain if we continue our noisy talk.


    ¡°He scouted you himself?¡± Linda asked, now calmed down by my news.


    I nodded. ¡°He gave me trouble with my other work before, and it is like I am babysitting a kid.¡± Iined to them.


    ¡°So, the news and rumors are all true?¡± Kim asked Linda.


    I turned to Linda. ¡°News and rumors?¡± I asked. I am still not updated on who is who and who is not.


    Linda answered, ¡°He is naughty, stubborn, but still serious about his business.¡±


    I agreed. ¡°He really is,¡± I added. ¡°When ites to work, he is sometimes serious, but from time to time he can still be odd or crazy.¡± I continued, stating the facts.


    ¡°You are so lucky to be his secretary.¡± Kim told me, envious of my title.


    I shrugged my shoulders. ¡°You won¡¯t be if you are in my shoes,¡± I answered her. ¡°That oddball Zarsuelo acts more like a child than Layzen, and he gives me a headache every time I run into him.¡± I added.


    ¡°I heard his parents had already died. He talked about them once in one of his interviews.¡± Linda shared.


    ¡°Did he also give the reason?¡± I asked them back.


    Linda shook her head. ¡°He did not tell us why. That is why some of his fans and supporters are curious about him,¡± she said. ¡°He was still eighteen when he lost his parents. It must have been hard for him to survive until today without them.¡± Kim added.


    He told me his parents died because of the money. If I am not mistaken. ¡°How did he be a sessful billionaire?¡± I asked them.


    Linda put his drink down and looked at me. ¡°He said that he started studying hard. His grandparents supported him. He studied and took a business degree. Let¡¯s just say that his hard work paid off. That made him a sessful young and handsome billionaire.¡± She shared.


    ¡°You are his secretary. You should ask him or search for him on the inte.¡± Kim suggested.


    I would not bother to ask him in person. He might tease me by saying I am interested in him, so no way. I could not search for him on the inte because I don¡¯t have the time to search and be updated with everything.


    Waking up early, preparing Layzen and Lyndon¡¯s breakfast, and sending them off to their schools. After that, I will go to thepany. I work until 7 in the evening, go home, eat, and rest. I am not into social media. I would like to do some chores rather than googling my eyes in front of my phone.

 CHAPTER 16

    Traizle


    ¡°We should do this again next time.¡± Linda said.


    ¡°I would love to. I am happy you epted my invitation.¡± I answered.


    ¡°If we are not busy, let¡¯s hang out again. Let¡¯s catch up with our stories next time.¡± Kim added.


    We bade our goodbyes to each other after an hour of talking. I started walking around, taking in the nightlife of the city. I remembered my old days of riding my old motorcycle, delivering some orders.


    Ahh, my old motorcycle is at the junk shop already. Lyndon told me to throw it or else he would chop it into pieces. Layzen even kicked the old motorcycle because of the injury I got from it.


    I bought some food for them to munchter. I will also meet Layzen¡¯s babysitter tomorrow. We decided to find someone who could babysit him so that Lyndon could do the things he wanted to do. Freely and worry-free.


    As I enter the gate of our house, I can already hear some loud noisesing from inside.


    ¡°I was attacked by the other troop, over.¡± a familiar voice said.


    Is Zarsuelo¡¯s in our house? Again?


    ¡°Layzen struck Matthew with his gun! Layzen troop wins!¡± Layzen eximed.


    ¡°No!¡± Zarsuelo eximed after Layzen.


    I opened the door, showing the two hiding from our table and closet. Layzen is behind the closet and Zarsuelo is hiding under the table.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Traizle!¡± Layzen eximed, running towards me. ¡°I won with Matthew. I shot him with my gun.¡± Layzen shared after hugging me.


    It seems like Zarsuelo brought his toys again.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Zarsuelo bumped his head against the table. ¡°Hello, how¡¯s your meeting with your friends?¡± He asked while holding on to his head.


    ¡°Why are you here? Where is Lyndon?¡± I asked.


    As far as I remember, I left this house with Lyndon and Layzen. I clearly told Lyndon to take care of our youngest. So what happened while I was gone?


    ¡°I thought you were here. I wanted to bug you, but they told me you were out with your friends.¡± Zarsuelo exined.


    ¡°And how about Lyndon?¡± I asked again.


    ¡°He forgot to tell you that they have advance learning today. They were on their way to Lyndon¡¯s school with Layzen when I met them outside. I told him to go without Layzen and I would take care of him. That is why we are ying now.¡± Zarsuelo replied, also catching his breath from ying.


    ¡°I will prepare our food for now.¡± I said, putting down my things.


    ¡°You should change first.¡± said Zarsuelo.


    As for what he said, I changed my clothes first before doing anything.


    ¡°I did not know you were this skinny.¡± Zarsuelo said whistling.


    Looking at me from head to toe.


    ¡°Want me to whack your eyeballs out?¡± I warned him.


    ¡°Tch,¡± he muttered. ¡°I will surely announce tomorrow that all the female employees MUST wear those kinds of shorts.¡± he added, emphasizing the must in his statement.


    ¡°I MUST KILL YOU AFTER THAT.¡± I answered, emphasizing everything for him to understand.


    He raised his hands, surrendering to the n he thought of.


    I just went to the kitchen and started cooking.


    ¡°I also did not know that you looked sexy while cooking-¡± Zarsuelo was not able to finish his sentence when I showed him the knife I was holding. ¡°Can¡¯t I tell youpliments? Every girl I know loves that, while all you do is re and hit me afterwards.¡± heined.


    ¡°I never ask you to do that.¡± I answered.


    ¡°But I want to.¡± he retorted.


    ¡°Go y with Layzen there,¡± I said, but he shook his head. ¡°Do some business without bugging me, can you?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°I gave my phone to Layzen,¡± he responded. ¡°I am a business man and you are my business now.¡± he added.


    I was about to show him the knife, but he turned me to face the thing I was working on.


    ¡°I won¡¯t bug you for now, just cook and I will watch you diligently. I always wanted to learn how to cook, but I was not able to do that,¡± he said. ¡°I want to marry a woman who does know how to cook, don¡¯t you want to apply as my wife? I will definitely consider you as one of the candidates.¡± he asked.


    He said he wouldn¡¯t bug me with his actions, but his talking nonstop could already bug me.


    I thought I could rest without this oddballZarsueloaround. Unfortunately, he is ruining my night.


    ¡°Ah, you told me you wouldn¡¯t love someone who is rich and handsome like me,¡± he added. ¡°I will just make you like me. What a great n.¡± he continued, talking to himself.


    ¡°Your ex girlfriend must be tired of you.¡± I told him.


    He stopped talking and moving.


    Mentioning his ex can make him stop. I should add this to my key card.


    ¡°What-¡°

 CHAPTER 17

    Traizle


    ¡°What-¡±


    Zarsuelo suddenly embraced me.


    ¡°Mentioning someone who is not worthy of your voice can make them sound worthwhile,¡± Zarsuelo said. ¡°Don¡¯t be mad at me for hugging you. Let me do it for a minute.¡± he added.


    To lessen the awkwardness I am feeling, I am doing my things quickly. My heart is beating fast as if I am running endlessly.


    I can hear the beatings of my own heartbeat. I hope he can¡¯t hear it. I would die of embarrassment if he did.


    ¡°You are so fluffy and smell so good. What shampoo or perfume are you using?¡± Hemented.


    ¡°You can now stop hugging me.¡± I told him.


    ¡°Can we still stay for a few minutes? I still wanted to hug you. You are skinny yet fluffy. Be my wife, I will promise to be good and handsome as always.¡± Zarsuelo said, so I hit his arm hard enough to cause him to remove his hands from me.


    ¡°Aw! You are ruining the lovey-dovey moments we are having!¡± Heined. ¡°I know you are somewhat cold or just shy, but can you just pass this one?¡± He added.


    ¡°Not me!¡± I eximed.


    ???????¡±But I want you!¡± He also eximed. ¡°I don¡¯t want anyone else aside from you,¡± he added. ¡°No one else can show good reactions to my bugging style except you.¡± he continued.


    ???????¡±I am not your toy, a*shole.¡± I cursed at him.


    I suddenly had this urge to throw this boiling water at him.


    ¡°I can be your toy or pet, I am willing!¡± Zarsuelo volunteered.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you.¡± I answered.


    ¡°I will squeeze myself into you!¡± He replied.


    I finished cooking with Zarsuelo bugging me. I even pinched him, but he never surrendered to teasing me.


    ¡°Traizle, did you talk with Layzen¡¯s babysitter already?¡± Lyndon asked while eating.


    We finished eating when Lyndon came, so he was eating by himself.


    ¡°Someone will babysit Layzen?¡± Zarsuelo butted in.


    ¡°We need to. So thatLyndon can focus on his studies. It¡¯s better for us because he can watch Layzen and won¡¯t get worried about leaving him alone.¡± I exined.


    ¡°What? He? I thought it was only for girls?¡± Zarsuelo asked again.


    ¡°Now you know.¡± I replied.


    ¡°But I don¡¯t want him already, can you find someone who is a girl? I can find one if you want me to-¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to.¡± I said, cutting him off.


    ¡°I insist. Layzen might find him cooler than I do.¡± heined.


    ¡°Why are you worried about that?¡± Lyndon asked him.


    ¡°Of course, I should be. I don¡¯t want to lose a friend,¡± he answered. ¡°You might also find him okay and you will start to y with him. You guys will abandon me.¡± he added, pouting.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Matthew,¡± Layzen said, consoling Zarsuelo. ¡°We are still ymates. You can be friends with him if you want to.¡± he added.


    Layzen is thinking more maturely than Zarsuelo.


    After a long talk with Zarsuelo. I decided to go outside and breathe some fresh air.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Zarsuelo asked.


    ¡°I went out because I didn¡¯t want to see you, but here you are again.¡± I answered.


    I thought I could cleanse my mind, and it is now just a thought.


    ¡°That is bad. I came here just to see you, but you are not happy with it? It is unfair,¡± heined, sitting beside me. ¡°Don¡¯t make friends with the babysitter, okay?¡± He said.


    ¡°Who are you to give an order?¡± I asked.


    ¡°I am your boss?¡± He answered, not sure of his answer. ¡°Ah! I am your future one.¡± he added.


    ¡°Future or dark future?¡± I retorted.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°You have rejected me thrice already. So cold-hearted.¡± Zarsuelo said,ining.


    ¡°I won¡¯t fall for your tricks, Zarsuelo. I was not born just to be stupid.¡± I replied.


    Silence ensued.


    ¡°My ex-girlfriend broke up with me because I stopped giving her so-called happiness.¡± he shared.


    I looked at him. He was looking at the night sky.


    ¡°So called happiness?¡± I asked in confusion.


    ¡°When we say happiness, it means a feeling of contentment.¡± he exined. ¡°She does not feel contented, like my parents. As a handsome human living on this earth, I waited for her to break up with me.¡± he added.


    ¡°What?¡± I asked again.


    ¡°I stop myself from giving her favorite ones. She can shop all day, all night with my money. So, I blocked her ck card.¡± He continued.


    So it was a money issue? I don¡¯t think she loves him at all.


    Giving advice, I told him, ¡°You can still find someone who can love you and not your money.¡±


    ¡°I found her already. She is sitting beside me.¡± Zarsuelo said, looking at me.


    ¡°Scram!¡± I replied.


    ¡°Don¡¯t want to,¡± he responded. ¡°When I was young, I met someone,¡± he shared again. ¡°She told me that I am still lucky. I should make good use of what I have instead of using it for bad purposes. She couldn¡¯t have it, so I should be thankful.¡± he continued.


    ¡°She is right, you are indeed lucky. So use it in a good way. None of us can have what you have already.¡± I added.


    ¡°I thought that she was the coolest person I knew that day,¡± he replied. ¡°I can still remember her, but I don¡¯t think she can remember me.¡± he added.


    ¡°Why? Has something happened to her?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Maybe there is. I am rich now. I thought she would find me or something, but she never went to me or told anyone that she knew me. Do you think she has forgotten me already?¡± He asked back.


    ???????¡±Maybe,¡± I answered back. ¡°You will never know unless you meet her again.¡± I added.


    He smiled, looking back at the night sky. This is the first time I saw him being serious. This is also the first time he shared something about his past-himself.


    ¡°You should go home and rest. We still have work tomorrow.¡± I told him.


    ¡°You know what, I realized that living in this small house is much better and better than in my own house.¡± he replied.


    ¡°Because you are alone?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°That is one of the reasons too. I don¡¯t have anyone to talk to there or anyone to hug there. Unlike here, there is someone whom I can hug while she is cooking.¡± he replied, going back to his oddball self.


    ¡°Scram, Zarsuelo!¡± I eximed.


    He stood up from his seat.


    ¡°It was really nice to hug you. I will make sure to hug you as well tomorrow,¡± he teased. ¡°I am going home now. Don¡¯t miss me too much, okay?¡± He added.


    ¡°Miss your a*s¡± I responded.


    Scram, Zarsuelo. Scram!

 CHAPTER 18

    Traizle


    ¡°Why did you ask for me?¡± I asked Zarsuelo.


    Zarsuelo called on the telephone a while ago, saying he wanted me toe to his office.


    ¡°Can you ask the cafeteria if I still have my sweets?¡± Zarsuelo said.


    ¡°You should have told me about that when you called,¡± I told him. ¡°It¡¯s early in the morning and you are going to pig out already?¡± I asked him back.


    It¡¯s early in the morning and he already wants to eat sweets?


    ¡°Pig out is too offensive!¡± He growled. ¡°I am craving some sweets and I wanted to see you too.¡± he added.


    ¡°That is pigging out.¡± I told him, avoiding the other sentence he said.


    ¡°I said that word is too offensive!¡± He growled again.


    So he doesn¡¯t want to bebeled as pigging out, so I¡¯m going to put it on my key card against him.


    I drew near him and looked at his garbage can beside his table.


    ¡°I know you ate already, then why are you asking for more? Isn¡¯t it too much taking that in the morning?¡± I asked him.


    The cleaners don¡¯t leave any garbage every day. So, I am sure that he ate those sweets a while ago.


    ¡°I can¡¯t concentrate while working, my phone is in your pocket. I can¡¯t help but keep wanting sweets.¡± he answered, exining his side.


    Every morning, because of the incidentst day, he will surrender his phone to me.


    That strategy helps me,to get him to finish his work as early as possible.


    When I was still not working here, and I asked him if he had finished his work, he would answer-saying he is done with them but the truth is, he was still not really done.


    Procrastinating is the right term for it. If the deadline is near, that is the time he will start doing his work.


    I know his strategy by observing him for two months now.


    ¡°Then let me hug you for a few minutes again. I won¡¯t eat anything sweet now until afternoon!¡± said Zarsuelo, suggesting his high-paid ideas.


    ¡°Hug yourself.¡± I said.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°Tch,¡± he muttered. ¡°I did not make you guys wear shorts and I am asking for a hug but to no avail? Can¡¯t this morning be good to me?¡± He muttered again, almost talking to himself and not letting go with the idea he came offst night.


    ¡°Ask for your choctester. I willgo back to our room.¡± I told him.


    ¡°Wait!¡± He eximed. Preventing me from going out. ¡°Sit here.¡± he added, pointing to the chair in front of him.


    I need to gratify this oddball first.


    ¡°What did you eat for your breakfast?¡± He asked, smiling widely.


    ¡°Coffee and some buns, why?¡± I answered. ¡°How about you? Aside from eating sweets, did you eat breakfast?¡± I asked him back.


    He scratched his forehead, smiling at me weakly.


    ¡°I was not able to eat breakfast. I don¡¯t have any housemaids in my house, and I can¡¯t cook, right?¡± He answered.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you hire one? or call for a delivery.¡± I told him.


    ¡°I never thought of hiring. I always wake upte. If I call for a delivery and wait for it, I will bete in my work.¡± he replied.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go down and eat at the cafeteria.¡± I said and held his wrist.


    ¡°I have to do this again tomorrow, so that you will be worried about me.¡± he responded,ughing from behind.


    This oddball Zarsuelo is surely high maintenance.


    As his babysi-secretary, I even told him to just sit and wait for me.


    ¡°Here. Eat.¡± I told him.


    ¡°Thank you, Wife!¡± He eximed, so I hit his head.


    ¡°Shut up and eat.¡± I warned him again, showing my fist.


    I look around if there is someone who can hear him. It might cause a scandal inside thispany, and it is not good to hear, especially if it is me.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to hear you calling my wife. You should really be my wife. So that I don¡¯t have to worry about my breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And also, I have someone to talk to in my house.¡± he excitedly said while eating.


    ¡°Can you please stop talking about that topic? I already told you to find someone you can toy around with, not me.¡± I replied.


    Keeping my hands off under the table, or else my fist will definitely fly into his so called handsome face.


    ¡°I will try not to, but I won¡¯t promise,¡± he answered, smiling widely. ¡°Anyway, did you meet Layzen¡¯s babysitter?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Yes, why?¡± I answered.


    ¡°How is he?¡± He asked again. ¡°Is he handsome like me? Is his voice more cooler than mine? How about his clothes? Does he wear nice clothes?¡± He asked continuously.


    Well, I met Layzen¡¯s babysitter this morning. I did not expect him to be so young, although we are both the same age. He looked like he was young as well.


    I even asked him why he epted the babysitting job. Then he told us he is a webtoon artist and he has a character like Layzen¡¯s age. So he wanted to do the babysitting and know some information about kids as well.


    ¡°Is he really better than me? You looked like you were thinking about him.¡± Zarsuelo said, snapping me from the reality.


    ¡°He is much better than you.¡± Imented, mocking him too.


    ¡°I want to see himter after our work.¡± Zarsuelomented.


    ¡°No need.¡± I told him.


    ¡°I insist.¡± he replied, eating fast as well.


    He is more worried about our babysitter than about his breakfast or work.


    After Zarsuelo ate, I went to the marketing department. Aeron texted me that the n formercials and flyers was all done. They just wanted me to check what they did and if I could add some or what.


    ¡°Here you are.¡± Aeron said, when he saw me enter their room.


    ¡°So, finished them already?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°Of course. It was held for a month, so before you ask, we already prepared them.¡± Aeron confidently answered.


    Yes, themercial and flyer n were held for a month because we were upied with the event we did with Mr. Andrade.


    I also told Mr. Andrade my real name before he could speak the wrong one. I am thankful that Mr. Andrade does not mind what Zarsuelo did and evenughs at what I have said, saying that Zarsuelo is scared that he might ask me to work for him.


    ¡°I did not know that this department was awesome, huh?¡± I remarked.

 CHAPTER 19

    Traizle


    They smile at mypliments. Seeing them happy makes me happy too. I did not know that working here could make me gain friends I never thought of having.


    Maybe because of Zarsuelo¡¯s influence, I can¡¯t even see an employee who is more serious than him. They are all friendly and fun to talk to.


    Aeron and his team showed me their n for themercial and the example flyer that will be used afterwards.


    ¡°It is excellent,¡± Imented, after reviewing the video n. ¡°It will be more of a high quality after taking this one with the chosen celebrity.¡± I added.


    I looked at the sample flyer and examined it.


    ¡°You guys did well, I can¡¯t say anything with this sample already. You deserve a thumbs up.¡± Iplimented.


    They really prepared for this.


    ¡°Do you want me to show this to Zarsuelo?¡± I asked them.


    ¡°Do you think he will like it?¡± Anna asked.


    ¡°He is dumb if he will not,¡± I said,ughing. ¡°Aeron,e with me. Let¡¯s show this to oddball Zarsuelo.¡± I added, bringing the sample flyer with me.


    ¡°You are badmouthing the owner of thispany, do you?¡± Aeron teased.


    ¡°I am just stating the truth.¡± I answered. ¡°And also, even if you tell him about that, he will definitely take that as a joke or will bug me even more.¡± I added.


    ¡°The whole employees are curious about you,¡± Aeron said something that made me look at him. ¡°I guess your blockmates did not tell you about that.¡± he added,ughing.


    ¡°Are they badmouthing me as well? Do they make some stories about me or what?¡± I asked, curious if they were talking about me in a bad way.


    I will be shocked if that is really true. They are all smiling at me then, knowing that they are backstabbing me when I am not around. That¡¯s bad.


    ¡°No, no,¡± he responded. ¡°It is not what you think,¡± he added. ¡°They are all curious because you can control him, Mr. Zarsuelo.¡± he continued.


    ¡°You can do that too. If you show him that you are stronger and more serious than he is, he will definitely listen to you,¡± I exined. ¡°It is just, I can¡¯t help myself but to hit him because he does not stop bugging me. You will definitely do that if you guys are in my shoes.¡± I added in relief.


    ¡°As long as you are here to control him, we can live peacefully,¡± he replied. ¡°Sometimes, if he is bored in his office, he will go to every department, disturb our work, and leave with the mess he has made.¡± he added.


    ¡°He is an oddball President, isn¡¯t he?¡± I asked.


    ¡°He really is, no doubt,¡± Aeron answered. ¡°But he is good with this business, if he is not serious about this one. We will not meet each other and this is gone long ago. Look at him, he is not as busy as the others.¡± he added.


    We stopped talking about Zarsuelo after entering his office.


    ¡°Hi, Wife! You came to visit your husband?¡± Zarsuelo asked. ¡°Oh! Aeron, you are here as well. Want to see Traizle¡¯s handsome husband?¡± He added, asking Aeron beside me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make me remove my shoe and hit it on your so-called handsome face. I will make sure to ruin that one.¡± I warned him.


    He raised his hands in defeat.


    ¡°Okay, Wife. If you say so, I will be good for now.¡± Zarsuelo answered,ughing at me.


    ¡°Aeron¡¯s team finished the n already,¡± I shared. ¡°Watch this video sample and this is the sample flyer they made.¡± I added, giving him the sample flyer and the tablet containing themercial n.


    We sat in front of him, waiting for Zarsuelo to finish the video.


    Aeron is sitting nervously, because Zarsuelo is not showing any reaction while watching the video.


    I tap Aeron¡¯s hands and smile at him, telling him to not worry too much about it.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Zarsuelo suddenly eximed. ¡°I saw what you did to him.¡± he said, looking at me seriously.


    ¡°And so?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°Unfair, you never did that to me.¡± said Zarsuelo, who is now pouting.


    ¡°How is the video sample?¡± I asked him, directing him to the important topic.


    ¡°It¡¯s a high quality one, happy?¡± He answered. ¡°Why did you have to make it so perfect, huh Aeron?¡± He asked Aeron.


    ¡°It is our work to make it perfect, Sir.¡± Aeron answered him.


    Zarsuelo looks at the sample flyer next. After a few seconds, he looked at Aeron again.


    ¡°Even the sample flyer? How manypliments did you get from her?¡± He asked, pointing at me.


    Aeron paused for a few seconds before looking back at Zarsuelo.


    ¡°Uhh. Five, Sir?¡± Aeron answered, not sure if he needed to tell him or not.


    ¡°Five!?¡± Zarsuelo eximed. ¡°Isn¡¯t it too much? You did not even give me apliment for once!¡± He added, asking me.


    I did, but only in my mind.


    ¡°You did well too, and I don¡¯t have to say it every day because you know it already, so shut up now.¡± I told him to make him calm down.


    ¡°Am I? Of course! I am Zarsuelo.¡± Zarsuelo answered, now proud and not angry anymore.


    If he is mad with something like this, I just need topliment him as well. I just have to do what I am doing to calm Layzen down.


    As I told you, he acts more like a child than Layzen.


    ¡°Aeron, ask your team to think of a reward. Tell me after and I will make sure to buy or give it to you guys,¡± Zarsuelo said to Aeron. ¡°Wait-did I ask for it already? I did not rush you right?¡± He asked.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°No, Sir. We just prepared them already, so that if you ask about them, we can present it to you at anytime.¡± Aeron replied.


    Zarsuelo smiled and pped his hands. ¡°I am so proud of you guys. You have never failed me once. I will make sure to give you incentives.¡± Zarsuelo added.


    Hours had passed and I was now walking side-by-side with Zarsuelo. He is really persistent about seeing the babysitter we hired. Lyndon is out with his friends-in aputer shop, ying online games as usual. I should check on himter if he is still studying. If he isn¡¯t, I¡¯m going to whack his head.


    I turned my head to Zarsuelo, who was walking happily while looking around.


    ¡°Are you okay walking from yourpany up to our house?¡± I asked him.


    I never saw him riding in his car, except when he apanied me to the hospital before. He is also walking when he is visiting us.

 CHAPTER 20

    Traizle


    I never saw him riding in his car, except when he apanied me to the hospital before. He is also walking when he is visiting us.


    ¡°Yes, why?¡± He answered.


    ¡°I never saw you with your car.¡± I replied.


    ¡°It¡¯s because I am always eating sweets and I needed to burn them by walking. Why? Do you want to ride in my car?¡± He asked.


    ¡°No. I prepared to walk too,¡± I told him. ¡°It is just I am wondering why you are happy while walking. Usually, billionaires like you never walk outside like this.¡± I added.


    ¡°I will just use my car if it is far or important, as long as it is near and I can walk.¡± he exined.


    If it is important?


    I am touched by his words. No one ever did that to me, aside from those two, of course. He used his car because I was important that day. The hospital is nearby, but he still usedit? Woah. I appreciated his effort.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I told him.


    He looked at me, confused.


    ¡°Huh? Wee?¡± He answered, not sure of his answer. ¡°Did I do something nice or good?¡± He asked.


    Should I tell him?


    If I decide to tell him, I am sure that he will make fun of me.


    ¡°Why? Tell me, what did I do to make you say thank you and smile at me sweetly?¡± He asked again, forcing me to tell him.


    ¡°I appreciate what you did to mest time.¡± I answered.


    I decided to share with him the reason behind my being thankful.


    ¡°What? When? Tell me already, I am curious!¡± He asked again, swaying my hands back and forth.


    ¡°Remember when I injured my hips? You helped me that time to go to the hospital. You even called for your car, even if it was near. I appreciated that one. No one ever did that to me. It¡¯s an odd feeling, you know. Even though I was not good to you then, until now.¡± I replied, stating the facts.


    ¡°That¡¯s the reason why you smiled at me so sweetly? I should do that often, go injure yourself. I love to see your sweet smile!¡± Zarsuelo responded.


    I don¡¯t know if I should be happy or not with his answer.


    ¡°Wee!¡± Zarsuelo said after hugging me quickly.


    ¡°The next time you hug me without my permission, I will break your hands.¡± I warned him.


    ¡°Why? Will you let me hug you if I asked you for one?¡± He asked back.


    ¡°Of course not.¡± I answered.


    I am not that crazy to let him.


    ¡°Why would I ask if you will not let me in the first ce? I prefer you to break my hands than not be able to hug you,¡± Zarsuelo retorted. ¡°Although youplimented others more than me, I will let it pass because you smiled at me sweetly. It feels like I ate sweets today even though I did not.¡± he added.


    He did not really take any sweets after that morning.


    After a long walk, we are now in front of our gate. Before opening the gate, I look at Zarsuelo, who is eager to get inside.


    ¡°What?¡± Said Zarsuelo when I was blocking him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say anything to Zac, especially bad things. Don¡¯t dare to threaten him, understand?¡± I warned him.


    ¡°Okay, I won¡¯t.¡± he answered, so I let him enter the gate and followed him as well.


    ¡°Traizle!¡± Layzen eximed before giving me a hug.


    ¡°You are here,¡± Zac said while standing up. ¡°Layzen is hungry already, so I cooked rice.¡± he added.


    ¡°Thank you, and please ept my apologies,¡± I replied, setting my belongings on the table. ¡°How¡¯s babysitting him?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°He is too mature for his age,¡± Zac said,ughing. ¡°But he is still four years old when ites to ying.¡± he added.


    ¡°How about the data gathering?¡± I asked again.


    ¡°It¡¯s doing good.¡± Zac answered.


    ¡°You should stay for dinner.¡± I told him.


    ¡°What?¡± Zarsuelomented.


    I red at him. Telling him to shut his mouth up.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s okay. I am fine and the rice I cooked won¡¯t be enough for us.¡± Zac answered, turning down my invitation.


    ¡°You sure?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Yes, I still need to draw. So, I¡¯d better get going.¡± he replied.


    ¡°Okay, you should go home. Thank you for today. See you tomorrow. Layzen, say bye to Zac.¡± I said.


    ¡°See you tomorrow, Zac!¡± Layzen said after hugging Zac¡¯s legs.


    ¡°See you.¡± Zac responded, ruffling Layzen¡¯s hair before leaving.


    ¡°See you tomorrow,¡± Zarsuelo said, mimicking my tone of voice. ¡°You have never told me that one either.¡± he added,ining again.


    ¡°I thought we agreed that you would never say anything bad about him.¡± I asked him.


    ¡°I can¡¯t help it,¡± he answered, shrugging. ¡°Go and change your clothes now.¡± he added.


    He thought, I will be wearing shorts again. Huh! In his dreams!


    I went out of thefort room and saw Zarsuelo was disappointed in my shorts.


    Well, I used Lyndon¡¯s jersey short. I won¡¯t use it again with him in our house.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Why?!¡± He asked angrily. ¡°That¡¯s not yours.¡± he added.


    ¡°Is it my bad day today?¡± He asked himself again. ¡°Why is the day not favoring me, unfair.¡± he muttered,ining.


    ¡°Is he talking to himself, Traizle?¡± Layzen asked me.


    ¡°Yes, he is. Don¡¯t mind him, I will cook our food for now. Are you really hungry?¡± I asked Layzen.


    ¡°I can wait. Make it delicious again.¡± Layzen replied.


    ¡°Okay!¡± I answered, walking to the kitchen.


    ¡°Layzen, is he more fun than me? Don¡¯t you like me anymore?¡± I heard Zarsuelo asking Layzen.


    ¡°I like you both, so don¡¯t worry.¡± Layzen answered him.


    ¡°Then why is Traizle not wearing her shorts again? I am expecting her to wear it tonight.¡± Zarsuelo asked again.


    ¡°Because you are expecting it, you shouldn¡¯t wish for it. They said the more you are expecting it, the more it will make you disappointed.¡± Layzen answered, giving him advice.


    ¡°The sexy wife I am imagining is nowhere to be found-ah! Why! I am just telling the truth!¡± Zarsueloined when I threw the stic cups at him.


    Sexy wife his a*s!

 CHAPTER 21

    Traizle


    This ce is too familiar. It¡¯s been years since we left this ce, so why am I here again?


    Did I ever go here with my eyes closed?


    Did I ever walk here while sleeping?


    Sleepwalking? Isn¡¯t it?Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Where are Lyndon and Layzen?


    ¡°Traizle! Layzen is very sick, let¡¯s go to the hospital!¡± Lyndon-no, a young Lyndon appeared.


    I was about to answer him when my younger self approached Lyndon.


    I can see my younger self. Can they see me too?


    Am I dreaming of our past¡­ again?


    ¡°Where are Mom and Dad?¡± The young me asked the young Lyndon.


    ¡°Dad left with bags in him. Mom¡¯s gone wild inside of their room. I don¡¯t know what to do.¡± The young Lyndon answered, almost crying but keeping himself from crying and being strong.


    I followed them as they entered the house, our old house. Mom is still inside the house, screaming and breaking the sses inside while crying.


    The two went to see Layzen, who was burning up with a fever. They don¡¯t know what to do with Layzen. They are panicking and scared at the same time.


    My younger self knocked on my Mom¡¯s door, telling Layzen he was very sick.


    ¡°Let him die!¡± Mom growled.


    3 words, but enough to halt us. We can¡¯t move from our position. I don¡¯t know why.


    What am I doing here?


    ¡°Traizle!¡±


    I open my eyes, showing Lyndon and Layzen by my side. Lyndon¡¯s worried face. That was his reaction a while ago in my dream.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Lyndon asked me, helping me to sit.


    Layzen stood up and got me a ss of water.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I told Layzen after drinking the ss of water he got. ¡°I am okay, sorry for worrying you guys. I had a nightmare.¡± I added.


    I checked Layzen¡¯s forehead to see if he was okay or not. When I felt that he was not sick, I felt relieved.


    ¡°Did you see that again?¡± Lyndon asked me, worried again.


    ¡°What are you guys talking about?¡± Layzen asked, since he does not know about that.


    I nodded to Lyndon. Lyndon knows everything. I have no reason to hide anything from him. If there is an award for being the best brother and sister tandem, I am sure that we will get one or more.


    ¡°It¡¯s about the past that happened,¡± I exined to Layzen. ¡°You don¡¯t know what happened before because you were still a baby at that time.¡± I added.


    ¡°You can tell me what happened before since I am a big boy now.¡± Layzen said, eager to know the stories he does not know.


    ¡°You are still a kid. The story is not suitable for your age.¡± Lyndonmented that made Layzen frown.


    I embrace Layzen while showering him with kisses.


    ¡°We will tell you everything if you are older enough, okay?¡± I told Layzen. ¡°As of now, the stories are not good for you. I hope you can understand us.¡± I added, trying to exin it to him.


    Layzen smiled before hugging me back again.


    ¡°I understand it. I will wait until I get older enough so that I can handle those stories.¡± Layzen answered.


    He is really mature and I can¡¯t help but be proud of him.


    ¡°We should get ready, Layzen.¡± Lyndon said.


    When I look at the clock, it¡¯s 5:30 in the morning. Their ss is starting at 7 AM. I stood up and also helped them to prepare themselves before myself.


    I can¡¯t help but not to be feel at ease after having that dream again. From time to time, I will have that dream as if it¡¯s a rey button.


    After sending the two, I started walking to my work. Since it is near, I also don¡¯t have to ride a taxi or bus there.


    I arrived at the Grand Finance after only thirty minutes of walking.


    ¡°Morning Traizle! Sleep on the wrong side?¡± Tyler asked when I entered thepany.


    I halted and found a reflection of myself in the mirror.


    ¡°Do I look okay today?¡± I even asked Tyler if there is somethingwrong with my face. ¡°Sleep on the wrong side.¡± I added, confirming Tyler¡¯s question.


    ¡°You look okay, don¡¯t worry. Rest while you can.¡± Tyler said.


    ¡°I will, thank you.¡± I answered as I went to the cafeteria.


    I was not able to eat because I was still bothered a while ago. I will drink coffee and eat some buns if they have it.


    I sat on the vacant table and drank my coffee. I also asked for buns, which thankfully they had. I think they have everything we ask inside, the old woman even gave me fillings, nute, in an expensive way.


    ¡°You did not take your breakfast?¡± Zarsuelo whispered behind me.


    I was surprised and red at him in return.


    ¡°You don¡¯t look too well today. Did something happen?¡± He asked worriedly-no not worried.


    He is gobbling my buns with the fillings inside already, knowing that it is nute, a sweet. He will definitely eat those.


    ¡°Hmm. It¡¯s good. I should eat this as well every morning.¡± heplimented. ¡°You okay?¡± He asked afterward.


    ¡°Yeah, I am okay. I just had a nightmare a while ago.¡± I shared.


    ¡°You did? I won¡¯t call for you, so rest until you feel okay.¡± said Zarsuelo while eating.


    Gulping my coffee, Zarsuelo gave me a bun with fillings inside that he made.


    ¡°Here, eat that. You need to eat.¡± he said.


    I get the buns and eat them. He is busy filling the buns with nute.


    Fortunately, I finished my breakfast without Zarsuelo pestering me. He even volunteered to bring back the nute, because while he is walking to the counter, he is eating the nute. His high-paid ideas and tactics.


    I headed to our office room, while Zarsuelo headed straight to his office. He probably asked for sweets at the counter. I will let him go for now.


    I started looking for his schedules today. Opening the files he previously gave me containing information about every major financial institution in our country, as well as other partnerships, investments, and investors. Although he is acting crazy, he can really still manage to run thispany.

 CHAPTER 22

    Traizle


    I went to the sales department and asked for the monthly evaluation. I need to check them myself, to decrease Zarsuelo¡¯s work.


    Heading back to our room, I saw Zarsuelo approaching me.


    ¡°I told you to rest, didn¡¯t I?¡± He asked.


    ¡°I am okay now. I still have to do my work.¡± I answered as we continued our walking pace.


    ¡°Where and what did you do?¡± He asked again to get the paper I was holding.


    ¡°Sales department,¡± I answered. ¡°And you? Where are you going?¡± I asked him back.


    ¡°I wanted to check if you were resting, but since you are saying you are okay now, I will start to pester you.¡± He answered, showing his wide smile.


    Showing him my fist. ¡°Not me, Zarsuelo.¡± I told him.


    ¡°Can I hug you-I am asking for your permission andlook at your ring eyes already.¡± he said, keeping a distance from me.


    ¡°If somebody hears you, we will be both in the center of talk for a week or month.¡± I told him, also warning him with the circumstances that may happened.


    He shrugs it off. ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± he answered. ¡°It¡¯s better if they hear me saying those, so that no one will ever try to get into you.¡± he answered, smiling.


    ¡°Your illness is serious. You should check that brain of yours if it¡¯s still working properly.¡± I said, walking fast to avoid him.


    He really started pestering me.


    ¡°I am serious though.¡± Zarsuelo said, tailing me.


    ¡°And who will try that?¡± I asked Zarsuelo.


    He is now beside me. ¡°As of now, I have three in my list. They are the possible candidates to get into you.¡± Zarsuelo answered.


    Three? And who are those three people he is referring to?


    ¡°Aeron, Alex and Tyler.¡± Zarsuelo detailing his prospects. ¡°To answer your questions.¡± he added.


    He read me.


    ¡°They are my friends, idiot,¡± I told him. ¡°Going after me is a bad choice, don¡¯t you think?¡± I asked him.


    I also don¡¯t think I am ready to get into a rtionship. Based on my past experience, I am still ufortable with it.


    ¡°Where is the bad choice you are saying? You are pretty, you know how to cook, strong, cool, loveable to your two brothers, fluffy and sexy with sho-what now!¡± He asked, not able to finish his sentence since I hit his arms again. ¡°I don¡¯t lie, Traizle. Even though you are rude, harsh, and reservingyourpliments for me, I am fine with it. It makes you more hot. I am into that savage love.¡± he added.


    Hitting him is not enough. I should have wacked his head open to see if his brain was still working properly.


    As we entered the room, Zarsuelo got a chair and put it next to mine.


    ¡°What are you looking at there? Let¡¯s go and start evaluating those papers.¡± he told me, shaking off the dust from my chair.


    I can¡¯t do anything but to follow and sit beside him. Fortunately, he really helped me to evaluate the papers.


    ¡°Mr. Andrade is getting good, huh.¡± Zarsuelomented as he read the files of Mr. Andrade¡¯s work. ¡°He will be a big shot after a year if he is consistent.¡± he added.


    I stop reading the file I am holding. ¡°Can you determine if they are going to be sessful or not?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°I started my business with this instinct of mine, you know,¡± he answered, pointing to his temple. ¡°You know Brandless and Dwellsmith? The big ones? I helped them to be that sessful. I also help small businesses, so that is why they are working well. If you notice, some of the files have small stores and businesses. I help those to seed.¡± he added, exining.


    ¡°How if it¡¯s in very bad shape or it won¡¯t work anymore?¡± I asked him again.


    ¡°If it is not working anymore, I am telling it directly to the owner. After that, I will help him to progress until he can do it on his own. Seeding alone is lonely, so I make sure to make them into sessful ones,¡± Zarsuelo shared. ¡°When I was young, if I looked into their papers, I could tell what they needed orcked. When they progressed, I thought I was cool back then, so I ended up getting the business path and here I am.¡± he added.


    ¡°I can still say that you are really cool.¡± Iplimented. ¡°You used the opportunity where you are good. If you did not use it, I am sure you are now just a jobless man residing with your grandparents.¡± I added.


    ¡°Woah, you said good things about me.¡± he said, surprised.


    ¡°Because you¡¯re not being an ass.¡± I replied.


    ¡°I will be good, so keep saying those okay?¡± He asked. ¡°Anyway, I wanted to visit the Snack Bar.¡± he added.


    ¡°Snack Bar? Why?¡± I asked him.


    I visited Snack Bar a few days ago to catch up with them, especially with the owner.


    ¡°Wanted to eat the foods there. I don¡¯t have a reason to go there now because you are working for me now. But their food is really awesome.¡± he exined.


    ¡°Do you want me toe with you?¡± I asked back.


    ¡°You got it right. Someone can take care of Layzen while you are still out, right?¡± He retorted.


    ¡°He is Zac, not someone.¡± I told him.


    ¡°I forgot to add him to my candidate prospects. There are four of them in total,¡± he answered. ¡°Go with me, okay?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Do you think I can say no to your statement?¡± I asked him back.


    ¡°Of course! I will make sure youe with me. Asking for permission to see you is not eptable, so I preferred the statement where you can¡¯t say no.¡± he answered back with his winning smile.


    After work, we headed to the Snack Bar, as we discussed a while ago.


    ¡°I did not know that walking with you quietly is fun as well.¡± Zarsuelo said, breaking the silence between us.


    ¡°You find everything cool and fun with me, huh.¡± I said, trying to tease him.


    ¡°Of course! You are my sexy wife after all,¡± he answered. That made me angry and dissatisfied with his answer. ¡°Won¡¯t you really think of me as your husband candidate?¡± He asked.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°No.¡± I answered tly.


    ¡°And why is that?¡± He asked back.


    ¡°Because you are rich.¡± I replied.


    ¡°I can give them up,¡± he responded. ¡°You just have to tell me when and where. I will give them up in a second without hesitation.¡± he added.


    ¡°Why would you give up the things you have? You are indeed crazy.¡± Imented.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the only way to make you my wife, I will. I can gain money in an instant, but gaining someone with whom I can be with forever is hard to find.¡± he answered, looking directly into my eyes.


    ¡°We don¡¯t fit, Zarsuelo. You are not my type.¡± I told him.


    ¡°I told you before that I would squeeze myself into you, so we won¡¯t fit, not now but soon.¡± he answered proudly.


    When we reached the Snack Bar, the owner told us to sit and she would give us a free burger and coke.


    ¡°She is giving it for free? Is she that nice?¡± Zarsuelo asked.


    ¡°Sometimes, if they know the customers or if they are friends with them. They will give it for free.¡± I exined.


    ¡°Traizle! You are here. Wee, Sir!¡± Kelvin greeted when he enter the Snack Bar.


    ¡°Done with the deliveries?¡± I asked Kelvin.


    ¡°Yes, fifth time already.¡± Kelvin answered. ¡°Boss, any orders to deliver?¡± He added, asking the owner.


    ¡°Here,¡± the owner said. Giving him the paper containing the address. ¡°Be careful on your journey.¡±


    ¡°I will! I have to go and work first. See youter.¡± Kelvin said before leaving.


    ¡°How many deliveries you can take every night?¡± Zarsuelo asked. ¡°Thank you!¡± He added when the owner give us burgers and coke.


    ¡°It¡¯s on the house, enjoy.¡± The owner said before heading back to the counter.


    ¡°Thank you, Boss.¡± I said, expressing my gratitude. ¡°I can take many if there are many deliveries. Since we have to divide the delivery work, sometimes we don¡¯t earn too much.¡± I answered Zarsuelo¡¯s question.


    ¡°I should have found you early.¡± hemented.


    Zarsuelo can really make your heart ttered, his choice of words is on another level.


    We stayed at the Snack Bar for an hour before deciding to go home. Yes, go home. Zarsuelo insisted on apanying me to go home.


    ¡°Is it hard to be the oldest?¡± Zarsuelo asked me.


    ¡°It is, but I am thankful that Lyndon and Layzen know our situation too well,¡± I answered. ¡°How about you? Is it hard?¡± I asked back.


    ¡°It is, if I have one or two buddies living in my house. I won¡¯t be lonely anymore. That is why I am asking you guys to live with me. My house is big enough that you can all stay,¡± Zarsuelo said, inserting his invitation to live with him. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to live in my house, I can live in your house.¡± he added, starting to give his high-paid ideas. ¡°Should I build a house beside yours? That would be fun if we were neighbors!¡± He continued.


    ¡°Tell your grandparents to go home.¡± I told him.


    ¡°Nah,¡± he declined. ¡°Pops will get mad if I ruin their vacation-honeymoon,¡± he added.


    ¡°Honeymoon?¡± I asked him.


    Honeymoon?


    ¡°Why? You can¡¯t make love if you are old?¡± Zarsuelo asked back. ¡°Making love is natural when you guys are in love with each other,¡± he added, exining. ¡°For example, if you start to like-no love me back, rather, we will make love for twenty-four hours!¡± Zarsuelo continuedughing.


    ¡°Make love twenty-four hours your a*s.¡± I retorted.


    ¡°Why? There¡¯s nothing wrong with that though, I want us to have so many kids. So that the house won¡¯t be too lonely,¡± he answered. ¡°You know, I grew up alone and I don¡¯t want to grow old alone either,¡± he added.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make me your wife¡¯s inspiration.¡± I told him.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I?¡± He asked. ¡°You have got everything I am finding for a wife. I am rich, handsome and young-¡±


    ¡°And older than you.¡± I butted in, and now taken aback by what I have said.


    ¡°Oh? You are just one year older than me. I am twenty-four and you are twenty-five. Age does not matter in our generation today, don¡¯t you know?¡± He retorted back. ¡°I am into older ones, don¡¯t worry.¡± he added.


    I am not into him, a rich, handsome if he is and young. It is tooplicated having a rtionship with a person that is different from my status.


    ¡°Can I ask for thest time?¡± Said Zarsuelo. ¡°Last for tonight, after that I won¡¯t ask anymore.¡± he added.


    I hope he will really do that.


    ¡°What is it?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Will you let me hug you?¡± He asked.


    I showed him my middle finger. ¡°Back off, Zarsuelo.¡± I answered.


    ¡°I will let you slide for tonight,¡± he replied. ¡°But tomorrow, I won¡¯t let it slide. I will make sure to hug you even if the other employees are watching us.¡± he warned.


    ¡°Are you crazy? Stop hugging me! Go and find someone you can hug, not me!¡± I eximed.


    I don¡¯t care if they can hear me or not. I wanted to smack this oddball Zarsuelo down, right now, right here!


    ¡°Then choose,¡± he responded. ¡°You won¡¯t let me hug you, in exchange I will kiss you. I prefer thetter one, deal?¡± He asked, so I definitely chased him to punch his face.


    ¡°Comeback here, Zarsuelo! I am gonna punch that bullshit face of yours!¡± I growled, chasing him in the middle of the crowd.


    ¡°I LOVE YOU, WIFE!¡± He even shouted while running.


    ¡°F*CK YOU!¡± I shouted angrily.


    He turn his head at me before giving me his proud smile. ¡°MY HOUSE IS OPEN! LET¡¯S MAKE A SOCCER TEAM!¡±


    Damn you, Zarsuelo!

 CHAPTER 23

    Traizle


    ¡°Do you guys have an appointment?¡± Tyler asked, eating his junk food early in the morning.


    ¡°None, why?¡± I asked back.


    Why would he ask about that? Right?


    Tyler pointed his finger on the outside. Following the direction of his finger, I can see Mr. Andrade outside.


    Mr. Andrade? What is he doing here?


    ¡°Shit!¡± I eximed. ¡°I need to go, stop him for a second for me.¡± I told Tyler before running upstairs.


    I headed to Zarsuelo¡¯s office.


    Entering his office, he is busy munching choctes again, stic wrapper on his table and he himself is not ready.


    ¡°Zarsuelo, Mr. Andrade is here.¡± I told him.


    ¡°And why is he here?¡± Zarsuelo stopped eating his sweets and looked confused at me.


    ¡°Stand up,¡± Imand. Thankfully, he is cooperating without any hesitations. ¡°May I see your teeth?¡± I told him.


    He quickly smiled widely. ¡°Ahh.¡± Zarsuelo said after opening his mouth.


    I checked his face, removing the chocte crumbs near his lips and cheeks. After making sure that nothing is wrong with his face, I checked his outfit next.


    ¡°Tuck your shirt inside.¡± Imanded.


    While tucking his shirt, I collected the stic wrappers on his table and threw them in the garbage beside his table. Making sure there is nothing left aside from his things on his table and looking around if there is something I have to clean.


    Seeing it clean and fine, I look back at Zarsuelo, who is now done tucking his shirt inside.


    ¡°Sit properly.¡± I told him.


    Zarsuelo sat properly on his swivel chair. ¡°Am I good now?¡± Zarsuelo asked back.


    ¡°Yes, you are. Don¡¯t cause any trouble with Mr. Andrade anymore, are we clear?¡± I answered, making sure that he wouldn¡¯t cause any trouble.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t.¡± Zarsuelo answered.


    We heard a knock outside.


    ¡°Sir. Zarsuelo and Ma¡¯am. Cerezo, you have a visitor and he has not asked for an appointment.¡± I heard Tyler said from the outside.


    ¡°Let him in.¡± I answered on behalf of Zarsuelo.


    When Tyler opened the door, Mr. Andrade also came in. I approached Mr. Andrade and bowed a little.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Mr. Andrade.¡± I said.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Ms. Cerezo and Mr. Zarsuelo.¡± Mr. Andrade greeted back. ¡°Sorry, I was not able to make an appointment.¡± he added.


    ¡°No worries. I am d you visited me, Mr. Andrade.¡± Zarsuelo replied.


    I smiled at Tyler, who helped me do what I had to. We can¡¯t help but fist bump each other behind Mr. Andrade.


    We excuse ourselves before going out.


    ¡°That was so intense,¡± I muttered. ¡°I thought he would see Zarsuelo as his normal self.¡± I added.


    ¡°Our teaming up is much better than I expected. That was so cool too.¡± Tylermented.


    I waited for Mr. Andrade toe out of Zarsuelo¡¯s office and leave, so that I could kill that oddball.


    ¡°Trai-¡±


    ¡°Mr. Andrade almost saw you in that state!¡± I growled, scolding him. ¡°What would happen to you if he saw you? He might get disappointed, saying you are notpetitive enough to be sox.¡± I added.


    ¡°But we still manage it, right?¡± He asked back.


    ¡°We still manage? Are you kidding me?¡± I snorted. ¡°If we did not see him a while ago in the cafeteria, we would be dead already!¡± I growled.


    ¡°I am sorry,¡± Zarsuelo said, asking for forgiveness. ¡°I am carefree because I did not expect him toe here without the appointment schedule.¡± he added, exining his side.


    I sighed. ¡°I am sorry for scolding you,¡± I told him, asking for his forgiveness too. ¡°I am just worried that if they see you in that state, it will leave a record and it is not good. They will think of you as an ipetent owner of your business.¡± I exined my side as well.


    It is a good thing that we are in the cafeteria and Tyler saw him before entering the entrance. We will be doomed if we are not able to handle that.


    ¡°Everything you did, starting from entering my office until now, made my heart ttered. It felt like I was being looked after by someone I cared about. It was a great feeling.¡± As he spoke, Zarsuelo admitted as much.


    He is slowly approaching me, opening his arms wide and smiling at me widely. Before he can hug me totally, I point my index finger on his forehead.


    ¡°Back off, Zarsuelo.¡± I told him. Keeping my distance with him.


    ¡°Let me hug you! I will kiss you if you won¡¯t let me!¡± Heined, still forcing himself to hug me.


    To strengthen my defense, I added another two fingers to his forehead.


    ¡°Please! I will be good! I won¡¯t eat sweets today.¡± he said, eximing.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care!¡± I answered.


    He put down his hands to quit his personal intention, pouting his lips like a duck. I stopped pushing his forehead with my fingers and turned my back to sit on the chair and rx for a while.


    But, I was wrong. The moment I turned my back on him, he grabbed the chance to hug me.


    ¡°So fluffy, wife,¡± he said, tightening his hug. ¡°Back hugs are pretty awesome too. I love this.¡± he added.


    ¡°Quickly remove your hands, Zarsuelo!¡± I growled.


    He immediately removed his hands. Turning my head to re at him.


    ¡°Be thankful you are not facing me. I will definitely kiss you if you are.¡± said Zarsuelo, who is now smiling proudly.


    When I started to chase him, I really wanted to whack his head to see if his brain was still working properly. IT DOESN¡¯T APPEAR TO DO SO ANYMORE!


    ¡°Come back here, you oddball idiot!¡± I growled, chasing him inside his office.


    Why does it feel like his office is so wide that I can¡¯t knock that oddball?


    ¡°You can¡¯t chase me, Traizle. I am athletic. I am always first on our physical education tests and exams.¡± Zarsuelo said, vaunting his aplishments.


    I should not have stooped to his level. I probably won¡¯t definitely win with that oddball.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Giving up on chasing him, I turned myself and headed to the door to go out.


    Opening the door¡­


    IS A BAD IDEA!

 CHAPTER 24

    Traizle


    ¡°Oh my gosh! I am sorry, Traizle!¡± Eva worriedly said.


    A cup of coffee was spilled on my shirt and yes, I am wearing a white shirt. How lucky I am.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s okay. Don¡¯t worry.¡± I told Eva while lifting my shirt a little because of the heat.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Zarsuelo asked worriedly.


    ¡°I am okay.¡± I answered. ¡°I am sorry for the coffee, are you gonna drink it?¡± I asked Zarsuelo.


    ¡°I nned to.¡± Zarsuelo answered seriously.


    ¡°We should check it downstairs, Traizle. It is hot, you might have some burns on your body.¡± Eva suggested.


    ¡°No need, Eva. I am good, I just need to change my shirt.¡± I told Eva, calming her down.


    After calming down and making sure that I was okay, Eva was not that worried anymore and smiled at me before she headed back to the cafeteria.


    It¡¯s really hot. I hope it does not burn my skin.


    ¡°Do you have any spare shirt?¡± Zarsuelo asked while wiping the smeared coffee off my arms and face.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have it,¡± I answered. ¡°I will go out and buy one.¡± I added, about to go out, but Zarsuelo stopped me.


    ¡°You will go out like that? I have spare shirts here.¡± he suggested.


    ¡°Can I borrow it?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Of course! Come here.¡± Zarsuelo answered, holding my wrist and leading me to thefort room.


    It was my first time going into hisfort room. Typical rich bathroom, I thought.


    ¡°Pick any shirt or jacket there,¡± he added. ¡°Are you sure you are okay? It does not hurt.¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yeah, it does not.¡± I answered, assuring him.


    ¡°But it is hot, you know. We should check it to make sure you are okay.¡± he replied.


    ¡°No need, I know myself that I am okay. If it hurts, I will be the one who will ask you to apany me again.¡± I responded.


    ¡°Okay then, I won¡¯t force you. As long as you are okay, if it¡¯s feeling worse, tell me quickly.¡± Zarsuelo said.


    Choosing from his cab. He has many different colors, from light to dark. He even has a rainbow shirt. I observe that he does wear the same color shirt every week. As for his pants, I think he is not thinking too much about them and when ites to his shoes, he wears them once or twice a week then changes them again.


    Sensing my upper body, I think even my bra is wet. I should choose a darker one instead.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Do you have wet wipes?¡± I asked Zarsuelo.


    He opened the small cab, got a wet wipe and handed it over to me.


    I chose a gray shirt, showing it to him if it¡¯s okay.


    ¡°Any shirt will do.¡± Zarsuelo answered.


    I waited for him to go out, but he did not move at all. We are having a stare battle, using my eyes, I point them to the door, but Zarsuelo¡¯s not getting it.


    ¡°Are you gonna watch me change or what?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°Can I? I would love to!¡± He answered excitedly.


    ¡°No way!¡± I growled at him. ¡°Go out now! How can I change if you are here?¡± I scolded him.


    ¡°Myfort room is too big for us. I won¡¯t peek at your sexy body, I swear-okay I won¡¯t.¡± He replied, pouting, before heading out.


    I made sure to lock the door before changing. I wipe my body with the wipes, especially where the coffee spilled.


    Luckily, it did not burn my skin again.


    Wearing Zarsuelo¡¯s shirt, I removed my bra and started to wash the wet parts to remove the coffee smell. I also washed the shirt and hung it on the clothes rack. Since Zarsuelo has a blower, I tried to dry my bra with it.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s okay to wear now,¡± I think to myself before wearing it again. ¡°I will make sure to bring spare clothes tomorrow.¡± I added, reminding myself to avoid this situation again, and I headed out of thefort room.


    ¡°Woah, you look good in my shirt.¡± Zarsuelomented the moment I went out.


    This wouldn¡¯t have happened if Zarsuelo had not angered me in any way.


    ¡°You are not drinking coffee, so why did you ask for one today?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°It¡¯s because you always drink it in the morning with the buns and nute,¡± he answered. ¡°I want to try them to blend with you.¡± he added.


    ¡°You can just order one tomorrow for you to know.¡± I told him.


    Typical billionaires will sip their coffee in the morning, but this oddballZarsuelo, doesn¡¯t drink.


    ¡°I think there are still some things I don¡¯t know about you.¡± Zarsuelo said, sitting on the couch.


    ¡°And what is that all about?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°Sit first and let¡¯s talk.¡± he replied, tapping the chair in which he was sitting so I sat in front of him. ¡°Still firm, eh?¡± He asked, scooting over beside me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you know where to stop?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°I¡¯ve made a stop already and won¡¯t take any more,¡± he answered. ¡°I wanted to do this. Spare me.¡± Zarsuelo added beforeying down in my legs.


    ¡°Get up or I will whack your face right now?¡± I asked him, giving him the time to move his head up from my legs.


    ¡°I was not able to do this with my ugly ex, so I wanted to try. Let me for a few minutes.¡± He answered, putting his hands together and pleading with me.


    Ugly ex? The hell with that nickname.


    He will always do this girlfriend-boyfriend thingy whenever he has a chance.


    He does not know that, even though I don¡¯t like him, I can still be ttered by these kinds of strategies. I am still a girl and this oddball idiot does not know.


    ¡°A while ago, I suddenly don¡¯t know you. You instantly change the moment Eva spills the coffee on you.¡± Zarsuelo shared.


    I wanted to avoid his eyes. This position is for a couple, but because of his unresolved to-do¡¯s with his future girlfriend, I am the one who is suffering.


    ¡°That is why I told you that I think there are still some things I don¡¯t know about you,¡± he continued. ¡°Look at me, I want to see your face.¡± he added.


    I won¡¯t look at you, never.


    ¡°Hey.¡± Zarsuelo called.


    I won¡¯t, it will ruin my dream.


    The dream of letting my future boyfriend lie in myp! Zarsuelo insisted on being the only human I could choose!


    Comining in my mind didn¡¯tst long, because Zarsuelo moved my head to face him.


    ¡°I am here, so don¡¯t look everywhere, okay?¡± He said, smiling at me.


    And now he is smiling at me, not widely, not proud and not the arrogant one, the smile I never saw since I met him.


    ¡°That one! That¡¯s the look I wanted to see,¡± Zarsuelo eximed. ¡°You can share some stories with me.¡± he added.


    ¡°It¡¯s one of our past.¡± I told him.


    ¡°You can¡¯t tell me?¡± He answered back. ¡°Notfortable?¡± He added.


    ¡°Not veryfortable,¡± I replied. ¡°It¡¯s one of our pasts that I wanted to forget.¡± I added.


    If there¡¯s a drink that I or we can forget about it, I will definitely drink it.


    ¡°Everything¡¯s gonna be fine, that is why there is present. We should make out of the best in our present, looking back on your past will make it harder for you to move on. You should just learn while looking back and fight afterward.¡± Zarsuelo said.


    He is right. I should just look back and learn from it.


    Everything is fine as long as I am with Lyndon and Layzen.


    As long as we are doing fine and we won¡¯t see them again.


    The past we are trying to avoid.

 CHAPTER 25

    Traizle


    ¡°I see. Thank you for calling me, Zac.¡± I answered.


    Zac called me. He fetched Layzen from his school and he was with Layzen already.


    ¡°Is it okay if we go out for a while?¡± Zac asked on the other line.


    ¡°Yes, of course. If you are not busy, you guys can.¡± I answered.


    Layzen must be happy if they are going out even for a while. Staying alone in our house would be a boring day for him.


    ¡°I am not. We will y for an hour before going home,¡± Zac added. ¡°Also, I don¡¯t have to rush theics since I sent one already.¡± he continued.


    He was a reliable babysitter.


    ¡°Just be careful on your way, thank you.¡± I replied.


    ¡°No worries, it¡¯s my job to do this too,¡± Laughing, Zac responded. ¡°Sorry for disturbing you, we will go now. Layzen, do you have any things to say to your sister?¡± I heard Zac asked Layzen.


    ¡°Tell her I will be a good boy and I love her!¡± I heard Layzen shouting from the other line.


    ¡°You heard him, right?¡± Zac asked me,ughing at what Layzen had said.


    Layzen must be excited to y even for an hour, causing him to shout in excitement.


    We should do that often next time.


    ¡°Yes, I do too, Layzen. Go and y now.¡± I answered, before ending the call.


    I am happy that we got a kind babysitter. Layzen neverined to us about how Zac was taking care of him. Sometimes, Zac teaches Layzen how to draw, and our baby finds it cool and happy.


    ¡°And what is my wife doing during business hours? Why answer someone¡¯s call when it is not important?¡± Zarsuelo said,ing from behind.


    ¡°Stop calling me your wife, oddball!¡± I growled in silence, trying not to make a loud noises to the other employees.


    It¡¯s been days since he started surprising me behind my back, hugging me whenever he has the chance, and he never stops calling me his wife.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    We are in our OFFICE ROOM for pete sake!


    What should I do with this oddball idiot?


    ¡°No, I must call you my wife,¡± he answered, much louder than he had been a while ago. ¡°I am drawing a line with everybody who is trying to im you from me-¡±


    ¡°Do you want me to im your life, if you won¡¯t stop saying that annoying word?¡± I interrupted him.


    I did not let him finish his sentence anymore. The more he speaks, the more nonsense words wille out of his mouth.


    ¡°Zarsuelo, quit ying with me. It is annoying me in every way.¡± I told Zarsuelo, trying to exin my side and how serious I was about it.


    ¡°But you are mine,¡± he answered, looking directly at me. ¡°You are all mine, even if you don¡¯t want to.¡± he added, showing his smug face.


    ¡°I told you to quit ying-¡±


    ¡°It is hard to quit when you are already obsessed with it.¡± Zarsuelo said, interrupting me as well.


    He is now speaking seriously. I can¡¯t see any hint of him being joking or not serious.


    I don¡¯t understand what¡¯s happening.


    ¡°What are you implying?¡± I asked him because I couldn¡¯t understand anything he was saying.


    ¡°You are talking to someone with that sweet smile of yours, which is unfair,¡± he answered, shaking his head while holding his chin. ¡°All you did in front of me was stare at me, not smile, and not even say my first name. While you¡¯ve only known him for a week, you¡¯re calling him by his first name. I am mad at you, Wife.¡± he added, now pouting. Comining about everything.


    I don¡¯t know how the other employees will react to what he is saying in front of me. I don¡¯t know what situation I¡¯m in. I don¡¯t know what expression I should use.


    A while ago, he was a ¡®mad man being angry at me look¡¯. But now he is a ¡®mad man who is angry at me while pouting look¡¯.


    Changing his expressions in a few seconds is too odd.


    ¡°I am not your wife, Zarsuelo.¡± I exined, attempting to distinguish my position, that I am not his wife, but rather his secretary.


    Zarsuelo answered, now smiling widely. ¡°If you do not want to be my wife, then I will be your husband.¡±


    I think he really meant that he would squeeze himself into me.


    ¡°Are you ying with me?¡± I asked.


    I don¡¯t want to be somebody¡¯s toy. Even if it is him or whoever the rich ass it is. No way.


    ¡°I told you already that I am not toying with you. You are one of my candidates.¡± he answered.


    Candidates to be his wife? Did I apply for it? Hell no.


    ¡°Who are the other candidates you are talking to?¡± I asked again.


    ¡°The celebrities I like and some of the ones I dated, Nana set for me.¡± he answered.


    ¡°I object.¡± I replied.


    Why would he add me to his list of candidates when I am already unfavorable?


    He is a crazy oddball indeed.


    ¡°Uneptable,¡± he quickly answered. ¡°Wait for me to stop liking you first, okay?¡± He added exining.


    What?


    Wait for him?


    Why do I have to suffer from this hell?


    ¡°And when is that?¡± I asked again, as if I was a reporter waiting for the person to answer my questions.


    ¡°When I get tired of it.¡± he answered before leaving our office room.


    When he get tired of it?


    And when is that?


    Leaving me behind by that oddball Zarsuelo, ire and the others bombarded me with questions that I don¡¯t even know how to answer. It¡¯s because of that oddball billionaire¡¯s fault.


    Where is my freedom of choice there?


    I suddenly regretted working here.


    Is it too early to resign?


    I think Zarsuelo isn¡¯t really sane. He¡¯s a crazy, oddball, and I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll die angry with him in a few weeks, months, or years.


    I need to avoid him, as for now.

 CHAPTER 26

    Traizle


    ¡°You don¡¯t really like Sir. Zarsuelo at all?¡± ire confirms it.


    Shaking my head. ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± I replied to ire. ¡°I can¡¯t understand that idiot. He is toying with me.¡± I added.


    ¡°Maybe he really likes you?¡± Soniamented, scratching his nose.


    ¡°We have just met for months. We don¡¯t know anything about each other. How can he like me that fast?¡± I asked them.


    That¡¯s too impossible.


    It is just that he is toying with me and my feelings!


    ¡°Love at first sight?¡± Alex responded as well. ¡°He never did that to anyone, aside from you. So, we can conclude that he really likes you.¡± he added.


    Love at first sight? reminiscing about our first meeting and all of his reactions.


    ¡°He does not show any reaction like he fell in love at first sight with me,¡± I answered, holding my chin. ¡°He just annoyed the hell out of me for months, so that one is not counted.¡± I added, supporting my im.


    ¡°Did you really try to remember everything?¡± Alessa asked me.


    Nodding my head at her. ¡°If it¡¯s the only way to get the answer, I will try to remember everything.¡± I answered.


    ¡°How can you remember everything?¡± ire replied.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have any special skills to remember everything. It just happened that I met that oddball idiot. I can¡¯t forget my first impression of him. An annoying oddball idiot, who won¡¯t definitely be forgotten because he is weird?¡± I exined.


    We tend to remember everything that is unimaginable, weird, and unforgettable moments. Unlike if it¡¯s a normal day, I am sure that the memories are already in the trash bin.


    ¡°What will you do if he is saying the truth?¡± Sonia asked.


    If it is real?


    I am sure that it will leave me hanging with my openmouthed stare.


    One of his candidates is definitely pretty, stunning, rich, and has a higher education than I do. So why would I join in that contest?


    I already know that I don¡¯t have any chance of winning.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± I answered.


    I spent my time avoiding him as much as possible. Encountering him will make my head ache already, so operation avoid the oddball is starting.


    Heading to the cafeteria to ask for a water refill, I did not bother to continue getting a refill. I just hide from Zarsuelo, who is talking to someone.


    ¡°It¡¯s clean already, stop working,¡± I heard Zarsuelo say to a cleaner. ¡°Rest and eat at the cafeteria if you want. Do you have any children at your house? You can bring them here.¡± he added, now saying his true intention.


    What ire had told me before was really true.


    That he might make thispany a baby corp. He must really like kids. That is why he is into Layzen as well.


    ¡°But it¡¯s my work to clean, Sir.¡± Thedy, maybe in her forties, said.


    Zarsuelo smiled, the normal one he rarely shows. Yeah, rarely. He always shows the arrogant one, as if it is his set signature smile.


    ¡°But I am the Boss, who is telling you to stop. Don¡¯t worry, I will tell everyone to clean before and after work and clean if it¡¯s dirty or we have visitors. Go and rest or else I will fire you.¡± Zarsuelo even warned.


    Why is he acting shit in front of me then?? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    Well, he is not that shitty in front of me. There are times, like when someone clicks the switch, he will be shitty as it is then changed to a soft one.


    Does he have any personality problems?


    That¡¯s dangerous, isn¡¯t it?


    ¡°Why are you hiding, wife?¡±


    ¡°Wah!¡± I screamed, frightened by him and his surprising skills. ¡°When did you get here?¡± I asked, keeping a distance from him.


    ¡°I was heading this way when I saw you spacing out,¡± he answered, folding his arms. ¡°You are holding an empty bottle. One possible thing you may do is go to the cafeteria and ask for a refill, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    I can¡¯t help but to gape at him. An openmouthed stare it is indeed.


    How did he know?


    Is it too obvious of me?


    ¡°I am sure that I got you,¡± said Zarsuelo, getting the empty bottle I was holding. ¡°I will refill it for you.¡± he added, walking away.


    I am supposed to hide from him, right? So, what the hell just happened?


    ¡°Stop spacing out, wife! Follow me now.¡± Zarsuelo shouted along the corridors.


    That snapped me back to reality.


    I was about to follow him but-


    ¡°Oho! You are now following me. Does that mean you ept your fate today?¡± Zarsuelo added.


    ¡°I will make sure to tear that tongue of yours, oddball idiot!¡± I said, growling along the corridors while chasing him down.


    I stop running, chasing him won¡¯t be good for me. I have to resort to my n B.


    ¡°I have sweets here.¡± I told him.


    Zarsuelo finally stopped running and faced me.


    I took the sweets from my pocket and waved them in front of him.


    He quickly approached me with his eyes on the sweets I was holding.


    I knew this strategy key card could make hime to me in just a few seconds. That¡¯s why I always have sweets in my pocket.


    ¡°Here.¡± I said, handing over the sweet to him.


    I had already pinched his right ear hard before he could get the sweet.


    ¡°Ah! Ah! I am sorry, I don¡¯t want it anymore.¡± said Zarsuelo, who is now under my control.


    ¡°I told you not to call me that one anymore. Am I right?¡± I asked.


    ¡°But that¡¯s our endearment. I don¡¯t want to change it.¡± Zarsuelo answered.


    Our endearment?


    When did I agree on it?


    If I try and resist to stop him from calling me endearments I don¡¯t want, nothing will happen and I will be bothered by it while I am working here.


    I have to resort to my n C.


    Letting his ear go. ¡°Zarsuelo, I want to resign.¡±

 CHAPTER 27

    Traizle


    ¡°Traizle, will you really buy me a toy?¡± Layzen kept on asking me.


    I decided to buy things we needed in our house and also to treat them at the mall.


    Before we went to the mall, I told him I would buy him toys. This is our first shopping after a few years.


    ¡°Does it sound like a joke to you?¡± I asked Layzen.


    ¡°If he does not believe you, then don¡¯t buy him one,¡± Lyndonmented, gaining a frown from our youngest. ¡°Then stop asking Traizle. She will buy you one.¡± he added.


    ¡°You can buy me after buying the things we need in our house.¡± Layzen replied.


    ¡°Why?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Buying me a toy will cost money. I wanted to make sure that we had the important ones first. If we can¡¯t have anymore, I can give up my toy.¡± Layzen answered, exining as if he was an adult already.


    Lyndon messed Layzen¡¯s hair up.


    ¡°Why are you so matured? Act like a baby, okay? You are only four, but hearing you made us think that you were an adult already.¡± Lyndonmented.


    ¡°Do I sound like an adult?¡± Layzen asked excitedly.


    ¡°Why are you happy about it?¡±


    It¡¯s funny that we are both asking him why he is happy to sound like an adult.


    Kneeling to match Layzen¡¯s height, fixing his hair that Lyndon messed up a while ago.


    ¡°You should enjoy your youth, house expenses and adult problems is for us to think about¡± I said, giving him advice.


    ¡°But I don¡¯t want to cause you any trouble.¡± Layzen answered, ying with his hands.


    ¡°We will tell you if you are going overboard, don¡¯t worry about us and just enjoy your youth. There are many things that a four-year-old can do if the adults are having a problem, you know?¡± Lyndon replied.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Layzen asked eagerly.


    ¡°For example, hugging and kissing us, getting many stars in school, and acting cute when we are stressed.¡± Lyndon answered.


    Layzen quickly turned his head on me. His face is asking already if he should believe what Lyndon is suggesting.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°He is right. Doing that will help us be less worried and be happy.¡± I added.


    Layzen is looking at his feet, maybe contemting if he will ept our suggestion.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Layzen suddenly said. ¡°Buy me two toys, okay? Or else I will throw a big tantrum inside this mall.¡± he added.


    Lyndon and I can¡¯t help but to smile andugh at him.


    How will a four-year-old Layzen act?


    We left Layzen at the yground with the other kids inside to buy the things we needed in our house. There¡¯s a staff who is taking care and watching them, so we are sure that he is safe.


    ¡°Traizle.¡± Lyndon called.


    ¡°Why?¡± I answered after getting a cart.


    ¡°I talked to Matthewst night. Did you guys have a fight?¡± Lyndon replied.


    It¡¯s been three days since I stopped working at Grand Finance.


    I immediately made a resignation letter after I told Zarsuelo that I wanted to quit.


    Lyndon does not know it because I don¡¯t want to talk about it, but it seems like Zarsuelo contacted him.


    ¡°Ah, about that, I haven¡¯t worked for him for three days already.¡± I replied quickly.


    I also don¡¯t feel like telling the whole story.


    ¡°He wanted to tell you that he was sorry,¡± Lyndon responded. ¡°That exins why he is not ying with us these days. I texted him to ask if he was busy, and then he told me the story.¡± he added.


    So, I really don¡¯t have to tell him because he knows it already. I guess they are really close now to sharing anything whatsoever.


    ¡°Where are you working now?¡± Lyndon asked as we got the things we needed.


    ¡°Snack Bar.¡± I replied.


    I have been working there from seven in the morning until nine in the evening.


    ¡°What are you using for the delivery?¡± Lyndon asked in wonder, because the motorcycle I am using is at the junk shop already.


    ¡°I am renting a bike to deliver them.¡± I answered.


    It is a good thing that the bike rental owner is not that hostile. He is simply strict when ites to his bike, as he does not want it scratched or involved in an ident.


    ¡°He wants to talk to you, why aren¡¯t you answering his calls or text messages?¡± Lyndon asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have any reason to answer his calls or messages. He should just let go of me.¡± I answered, pushing the cart to the other stalls.


    ¡°He kept on asking me to tell you he was sorry and he wanted you back at Grand Finance.¡± he replied, showing his phone to me with Zarsuelo¡¯s ton of messages.


    ¡°Just don¡¯t mind him or better yet, block his number.¡± Imented.


    ¡°That¡¯s mean. How will we y if I will block his number?¡± Lyndon answered.


    I sighed.


    ¡°Then don¡¯t tell me anything about what he wants to say,¡± I retorted. ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about him, I just want to rest my mind and put it at ease.¡± I added.


    Lyndon didn¡¯t say anything after that. We just quietly got the things we needed before going back to the yground where Layzen was.


    ¡°Zac?¡± I called the man who was looking from the outside.


    He looked like Zac from afar.     ¡°Oh? You are really here?¡± I told him when I confirmed that he was really Zac.


    ¡°I thought I just saw Layzen inside. I tried to search for you guys, but I couldn¡¯t find you,¡± Zac exined. ¡°Then you called me. Now I am sure that the boy inside is really Layzen.¡± he added.


    ¡°Went for groceries as well?¡± Lyndon asked, eyeing him.


    He showed us his stic bags that were full of art materials.


    ¡°No. I was short of art materials, so I decided to go out.¡± he answered.


    ¡°You are using digital devices for yourics, right?¡± I was confused. ¡°Do you still have to draw on the papers?¡± I added.


    ¡°I just want to. When I don¡¯t feel like using the tablet, I will draw with these.¡± Zac exined, referring to his art materials.


    ¡°Zac!¡± Layzen suddenly eximed while he was walking out of the yground. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± He added excitedly.


    ¡°I bought some art materials,¡± Zac replied. ¡°How about you? Are you having fun?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Yes! I have new friends inside. This yground is fun. I wanna go back here next time, can we?¡± Layzen asked me cheerfully.


    Ruffling his hair. ¡°Of course! We will, but for now you have to say goodbye to your new friends. We will buy your toys now.¡± I told him.


    He immediately headed back inside the yground to bid his goodbyes to his new friends. Lyndon and Layzen asked Zac toe along with us.


    Zac quickly epted their invitation. He said he was not that busy.


    We also eat at a fast food chain where Layzen wants to go before going home.


    Layzen is one of the happiest people today. I asked Lyndon if he wanted something, but he told me he didn¡¯t want anything. I should increase his pocket money.


    ¡°Lyndon and Layzen, I will go now to the Snack Bar.¡± I told them, wearing my shoes.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you working at Matthew¡¯spany?¡± Layzen asked as he stopped ying with his new toys.


    ¡°Something happened and I ended up working at the Snack Bar again.¡± I responded.


    ¡°Will you go homete again?¡± Layzen asked again.


    ¡°Every weekend, I will be going homete.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Take care on your journey, Traizle.¡± Layzen said.


    ¡°You guys, text or call me if there¡¯s an emergency.¡± I reminded them before leaving.


    Before going to the Snack Bar, I went to the bike renting shop to rent one. Renting a bike is cheaper than the gas I have to pay at the gas station for the motorcycle.


    ¡°Traizle, good thing you are now here.¡± The owner said, handing over the two stic bags to me.


    ¡°Nice timing!¡± I responded. ¡°I will go now, tell Kelvin I am here already. Thank you!¡± I shouted as I headed out of the Snack Bar.


    The owner said that the Snack Bar is doing goodtely. It seems like our customers are now loyal. They keep on calling us to order. Sometimes they go to the Snack Bar to eat. The owner is thinking of hiring one delivery boy and an assistant.


    I am happy that it is doing good. Before, we couldn¡¯t have too many customers, but now we couldn¡¯t rest for a few minutes because the call kept on ringing.


    ¡°This one is new, huh?¡± I told myself as I pulled over the bike to the side.

 CHAPTER 28

    Traizle


    Our new customer is living in a fine house.


    Pressing the doorbell, waiting for the caller toe out.


    ¡°Delivery for Aiden Arias?¡± I asked when someone came out.


    ¡°Ah yes! Come in first, I forgot my wallet inside.¡± Arias, the customer, answered by opening the door for me.


    ¡°I can wait here.¡± I replied.


    ¡°No, no. I heard there are many mosquitoes outside. Get inside first. I won¡¯t harm you in any way. I heard you are strong.¡± He responded,entering his house again.


    I had no choice but to follow him inside.


    His house is really fine inside and outside. He must be from a rich family.


    ¡°I bought some food from the Snack Bar. Pay me!¡± I heard him shouting.


    I waited at the door. I should not enter his house more.


    ¡°What? Snack Bar?¡± A familiar voice asked.


    ¡°Where is she? I told her to get inside,¡± I heard Arias replied. ¡°Here you are, get inside.¡± Arias added when he saw me at his door, pulling me to get inside.


    ¡°No need, I don¡¯t-¡± I answered, unable to finish my sentence. ¡°Have to.¡± I added.


    ¡°Traizle?¡± Zarsuelo asked confused.


    He even looked at Arias, who is now smiling at us.


    Aiden Arias. I remembered him mentioning this man¡¯s name.


    Ugh! I should have remembered it beforeing here. The name rings some bells in my mind already, but I chose to ignore it since he is a customer.


    ¡°Let me introduce myself. I am Aiden Arias, his number one friend.¡± Arias said, introducing his name.


    ¡°Cerezo. Your payment please.¡± I answered, showing him my palm, asking for the payment.


    ¡°As for what he had said,¡± Arias answered, clicking his tongue. ¡°You guys should talk first, he needs it.¡± he added, pointing to Zarsuelo.


    I look at Zarsuelo, who is also looking at me.


    ¡°What?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Uhh, can we talk?¡± Zarsuelo asked, scratching his neck.


    ¡°Where?¡± I asked back.


    ¡°You guys can talk here. I will be in the kitchen and eat what I have ordered.¡± Arias answered, heading to the kitchen without looking back at us.


    Did they n this?


    I sat in front of him, keeping my distance.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°Who nned this?¡± I asked already.


    Zarsuelo quickly shakes his hands and his head.


    ¡°I did not, I swear my sweets,¡± he answered, panicky. ¡°I did not know that he ordered at the Snack Bar.¡± he added.


    ¡°Why would he order from the Snack Bar when you guys are drinking?¡± I interrogated.


    He quickly removed the alcohol from the table and put it under.


    ¡°I told you,¡± he answered. ¡°We were drinking. I did not know that he called the Snack Bar to order.¡± he added.


    ¡°How did you know that I was the one who was going to deliver your order?¡± I asked again.


    He shook his hands again. ¡°I don¡¯t really know. I am not lying to you. Don¡¯t get mad too much, you are already mad at me.¡± He answered, pouting as if he were a kid who had been scolded by his mother.


    ¡°What should we talk about then?¡± I asked, directing him to the point after interrogating him.


    ¡°I just want to say I am sorry,¡± Zarsuelo said, looking down. ¡°It¡¯s been three days since I thought you would go back to thepany and work, but you didn¡¯t. You are not answering my phone calls or texts. I even went to your house and to the Snack Barst day, but you never talked or looked at me.¡± he shared, still looking down, avoiding my eyes.


    ¡°And?¡± I responded.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I will stop myself from calling you some endearments. Please don¡¯t get mad now,¡± he replied, now looking directly at me. ¡°Please, work for me again. I will be good.¡± he added.


    Looking at him, his face is blushing and his eyes are already drowsy. I guess they really drink too much.


    ¡°Traizle, are you still mad? You won¡¯t talk to me again?¡± Zarsuelo asked. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, and I promise I won¡¯t call you wife.¡± he added.


    ¡°You should rest now. I have to go back now.¡± I told him and about to stand up when he held my hand.


    ¡°You still mad? I¡¯m sorry. Please stop getting mad at me.¡± he said.


    ¡°I have forgiven you already. Now sleep and rest.¡± I responded.


    Zarsuelo closed his eyes without sitting.


    He is really sleeping already, even though he is sitting.


    ¡°Idiot,y down first and sleep.¡± I added, guiding him toy down.


    ¡°I am not sleepy yet.¡± he answered.


    ¡°Not sleepy, but your eyes are saying it all,¡± I replied. ¡°Arias!¡± I shouted, calling his friend¡¯s name.


    ¡°I am here, watching carefully.¡± Arias replied, as he eats the burger.


    ¡°Attend this oddball. I have to go back to the Snack Bar already.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Oh? You will go home already? I will go with you.¡± Zarsuelo stepped in, rising from the couch.


    ¡°No, stay here and sleep,¡± Imanded. ¡°Hold this oddball now,¡± I told Arias, who was still watching us. ¡°Are you going to watch, or will I smack those eyes of yours so you can¡¯t?¡± I warned him.


    ¡°Hold him, of course.¡± Arias responded, putting down his burger and immediately hold Zarsuelo.


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me for something like this again.¡± I said, reminding Arias.


    ¡°I just want to help Matthew. He¡¯s been chickening out since you are avoiding him,¡± Arias replied,ying Zarsuelo down again. ¡°He has been drinking for three days already. I think you have to know that.¡± he added.


    Why do I have to know that?


    And why is he drinking when I am just his secretary?


    ¡°It looks like you still don¡¯t get it.¡± Ariasmented.


    Don¡¯t still get what?


    ¡°I¡¯m confused, direct it to the point.¡± I answered.


    Going to another direction won¡¯t answer my question.


    ¡°Matthew, what did you see this morning?¡± Arias asked Zarsuelo.


    ¡°Traizle went out with Layzen and Lyndon to the mall.¡± Zarsuelo answered, even though he was sleeping.


    How did he know that?


    ¡°And what happened next?¡± Arias asked Zarsuelo again.


    ¡°I saw Lyndon¡¯s post on his social media,¡± Zarsuelo answered. ¡°They are with someone, Layzen¡¯s babysitter.¡± he added.


    Did Lyndon upload a photo?


    I remembered we took a photo. He uploaded that picture?


    ¡°And what about that?¡± I asked, still confused as to what they were trying to say.


    ¡°I am jealous,¡± Zarsuelo¡¯s answered that made me look at him. ¡°Why did they go out with someone? Someone is trying to steal Traizle from me because he knows she is mad at me.¡± he added.


    ¡°What he is saying? Isn¡¯t it because he is drunk?¡± I asked Arias.


    Maybe Zarsuelo is drunk talking. That is why he is spouting nonsense.


    ¡°Drunk people tend to be more true to themselves. Think of it as his first confession to you.¡± Arias exined.


    ¡°You are telling me that Zarsuelo likes me?¡± I asked back, more confused.


    ¡°Matthew will exin himself tomorrow. I will make sure to tell him this, so that he can definitely exin it to you,¡± Arias answered. ¡°I am not in the position to tell you the reason why.¡± he added.


    ¡°I thought Traizle was here. I suddenly wanted to order at the Snack Bar. The food there is awesome.¡± Zarsuelo said, muttering to himself.


    ¡°Here is the payment,¡± Arias said, putting the money in my hands. ¡°Don¡¯t avoid him again, please. He is depressed with you being mad already. Avoiding him will make him more stressed.¡± he added,ughing at his own friend.


    Heading out to the house, I stopped walking when I reached my bike.


    How did that oddball like me in the first ce? Did he really fall in love at first sight with me?


    How is that possible?

 CHAPTER 29

    Traizle


    ¡°I am still sleepy.¡± I muttered as I was sending Lyndon and Layzen off to their schools.


    ¡°Who told you to staytest night? None, right? So don¡¯t botherining.¡± Lyndon replied, scolding me.


    ¡°You know you have to work tomorrow morning, but you still stayte? That¡¯s not good, Traizle.¡± Layzen added, also scolding his older sister.


    I can¡¯t sleep. I couldn¡¯t concentrate on my workst night after delivering the order to Arias, Zarsuelo¡¯s friend.


    Am I to me?


    Of course no.


    It is his fault.


    For making me sleepte.


    An unexpected confession can really make you lose concentration throughout your work. Tell me who can still concentrate after that, I will congratte them big time.


    After sending them off to their schools, I am now on my way to the Snack Bar.


    After what happenedst night, I promised myself that I would make sure to look at their names. I¡¯ll see if the name is a threat to me or not. To make sure nothing likest night will happen again next time.


    I still have to talk to the owner about what happenedst night. I can sense something is wrong with her as well and I will look into that.


    When I got to the Snack Bar, the owner was currently talking to a man. She is also holding a folder-wait? Are they in the middle of an interview?


    Woah. I didn¡¯t know that the boss would really find one this early, huh.


    ¡°Boss! Morning.¡± I greeted, getting their attention. The boss quickly looks and smiles at me, waving the folder she is holding. ¡°Interview?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± the owner answered. ¡°Anyway, she is one of our couriers.¡± she added, introducing me.


    ¡°I thought that work was only for men. It was nice to see some changes,¡± the man shared. ¡°By the way, I am Archane.¡± he added, introducing himself to me and offering a handshake.


    I immediately epted his offer. ¡°Traizle.¡± I replied, introducing myself as well.


    ¡°I will call you if you are already hired, so please wait for my call, okay?¡± owner reminded him.


    I feel like I can¡¯t call him by his first name.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s good. I think I will be able to work here soon, hearing the owner¡¯s statement gave me assurance already.¡± the man answered yfully.


    He gives me the vibe that he is not an ordinary person.


    I can¡¯t tell if this is an ability of mine or what, but I have this instinct that I am always right when ites to determining if he is rich or not.


    There is no situation where I predicted it wrong, and sometimes that scares me HAHA.


    How he talks and sits in the chair is so well-mannered, unlike some of the customers who are sitting beside him.


    Maybe he grew up in a rich type of household or his family is doing well.


    ¡°Let¡¯s work together soon.¡± he said, snapping me back to reality.


    I should stop thinking deeply. My mind wanders too much, and sometimes I forget that I am in the middle of a conversation.


    I nodded my head at him. ¡°I hope so.¡± I replied.


    He stood up from his seat. ¡°I will go now,¡± the man said, bidding his goodbye. ¡°Boss! Make sure to call me. I will be waiting.¡± he added, before heading out of the Snack Bar.


    ¡°Do we have any orders for now?¡± I asked the owner, who is now entering the counter.


    Shaking her head. ¡°None,¡± she replied. ¡°Isn¡¯t he handsome?¡± the owner added.


    I look at her smiling brightly while wiping the counter¡¯s table. The man just hooked our owner¡¯s heart and I think the owner has a fragile heart.


    Every time we have a handsome customer, the owner will definitely smile brightly, like what she is doing now.


    ¡°Boss, about the orderst night. The first one.¡± I shared.


    I can already see the uneasiness in her reaction. I knew she knew something about what happenedst night.


    ¡°By your actions, it shows that you know something I don¡¯t,¡± I added, looking at her directly. That made her avoid my eyes. ¡°Care to exin everything, Boss?¡± I asked, almost interrogating her.


    She sighed heavily before looking at me. ¡°Will you get mad at me?¡± The owner asked me.


    ¡°I need to know the story first before deciding if I should get mad or not.¡± I told her.


    The boss put the rag on the side and sat in front of me. ¡°The one who orderedst night was Aiden Arias. Do you happen to know him?¡± The owner asked me.


    ¡°I just knew and saw himst night,¡± I answered. ¡°I also know that he is friends with Zarsuelo.¡± I added.


    ¡°Yes, he is,¡± the owner replied. ¡°I just got to know himst night as well. He told me he wanted to help Matthew,¡± she added, now looking down to avoid my gaze. ¡°He said, he wants you to talk to Matthew. He also requested that you are the one who will deliver their order.¡±


    ¡°So you told him okay as soon as he said that?¡± I asked, surprised.


    The owner shook her hands. ¡°He gave me a tip. I am sorry about that.¡± she exined.


    That is much better than doing it for free.


    That is much better than doing it for free.


    ¡°I am not mad at you. If ever they try to do it again, then ask for money more. Make use of that chance and think of it as your other work.¡± I told her, giving her some tips.


    ¡°Did you guys really fight?¡± The owner asked. ¡°Thest few days, when he was visiting you, you never dared notice him or talk to him. You even stop working at hispany.¡± she added.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°If it is called a fight, then it is. I just don¡¯t want to talk to him. The more we talk, the longer our bickering willst. Working at hispany is stressing me more, so I don¡¯t think I suit that work.¡± I exined briefly.


    ¡°I think you guys should really talk about it.¡± the owner responded.

 CHAPTER 30

    Traizle


    ¡°Why is that?¡± I asked, confused at her answer.


    ¡°He is outside-waiting for you, maybe?¡± she said before answering a call.


    Is he really outside? I still don¡¯t want to talk to him. His confession is the first reason I should avoid him.


    I stopped thinking when my phone vibrated. As I get my phone, I immediately see if it is important.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s urgent-not so very important as it seems.¡± I said, looking at the name who messaged me.


    I intended not to read his message, but he showed himself at the door, waving and smiling at me, showing his big smile and white teeth.


    I was about to avoid his path and pretend I didn¡¯t notice him, but the owner¡¯s expression tells me to go out and talk to him.


    ¡°I need to work, Boss. Talking to him would lose me a fortune in just an hour.¡± I reasoned, stating the fact as well.


    ¡°You told me to ask for money and think of it as your other sideline.¡± the owner replied, getting back what I had told her a while ago.


    I sighed in defeat. I think I have to talk to him, so that this will end early. Making him wait will make this situation longer and I don¡¯t want that.


    ¡°I will be back in an hour.¡± I told the owner.


    ¡°Take your time, don¡¯t worry too much.¡± The boss answered and smiled sweetly at me.


    If she is a different kind of an owner, I think I am fired already.


    Heading out of the Snack Bar, I can see Zarsuelo looking my way.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± I asked as soon as I went out the door.


    ¡°That¡¯s mean,¡± he said grumpily. ¡°The first thing you said in the morning to me is what do I want?¡± He added.


    ¡°I need to work, so tell me quickly what you want to say.¡± I told him.


    ¡°Spare your time with me for a while, can you?¡± He asked, sounding as if he was pleading already. ¡°I wanted to exin everything.¡± he added.


    I guess we really have to talk. So that we can end the things we need to end.


    ¡°Where?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk at the cafe nearby.¡± Zarsuelo replied, pointing his hands to the right side.


    I followed him to the cafe nearby that he was referring to. We ordered a coffee and, surprisingly, there was a bun with chocte filling inside.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t take your breakfast right?¡± Zarsuelo asked as he was sitting in front of me.


    ¡°Yeah, how did you know?¡± I asked back.


    ¡°It is just you who are still ignoring me. Lyndon told me, you didn¡¯t eat one,¡± he answered, putting the coffee in front of me. ¡°Here, eat this too. I just knew this ce because of this.¡± he added, pertaining to the coffee and chocte filled buns.


    I quietly drink my coffee and eat the buns.


    ¡°You still mad at me?¡± He asked, starting to open up the main topic. ¡°I also know what I didst night.¡± he added.


    ¡°So, what about it?¡± I asked and drank my coffee.


    ¡°It is true that I like y-are you okay?¡± He worriedly asked.


    I choked. ¡°Why are you going into that topic already?¡± I asked, growling quietly just for him to hear me.


    ¡°Because I feel like I need to exin that one early,¡± he answered, getting a tissue beside the table and helping me to clean up the mess I made. ¡°I am really sorry for what happened. I didn¡¯t want to offend you in any way. It is just, that is how I feel about you.¡± he added.


    ¡°You are confusing me too much. How and when did you start liking me? It¡¯s been a month since wemet. We don¡¯t know each other that much, so why and how?¡± I asked continuously.


    He smiled. ¡°Let¡¯s just say that you are amazing and I find everything about you cool. I started to like you not in a romantic way, then situations urred and I couldn¡¯t help but be amazed by you, ending up liking you in a romantic way,¡± he exined. ¡°That is why I started to im you, calling you endearments that you hate and ending up resigning.¡± he added, pouting at me.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Is this oddball serious?


    Is he joking or not?


    But I can¡¯t see the expression that he is just tricking me.


    ¡°When I start to like something or someone, I will make sure to get their full attention. That¡¯s why I¡¯m bothering you in any way I can. But won¡¯t you like toe back to the Grand Finance?¡± he asked. ¡°I¡¯m not going to call you any endearments again, and I¡¯m going to behave myself, unlike before.¡± he added.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I can¡¯t think properly now.¡± I answered. ¡°I am still confused and trying to absorb everything.¡± I added.


    ¡°I have been drinking for straight days now, you should get worried about me. I thought you wouldn¡¯t talk to me and just avoid me. I guess you are an odd woman. That is what makes you more attractive.¡± he shared.


    Wait? What?


    I am an odd woman?


    Coming from the oddball one?


    Do I deserve to be called an oddball by someone who is a real oddball?


    ¡°I want to talk to you so that I can say what I wanted to tell you,¡± he added. ¡°I will earn your forgiveness, I can wait and be patient. Since you know that I like you already, I will show you how I feel more obviously, but since I have to respect your decision, I decided to do it just in front of you and for the others who don¡¯t know us yet.¡±


    Am I hearing things clearly?


    He doesn¡¯t sound like he is sorry at all. It¡¯s more like he is indicating what he will do soon.


    Is this what they call a front attack? Direct attack?


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I will agree with that, Zarsuelo.¡± I answered, trying to object.


    ¡°I told you already that when I started to like something or someone, I would make sure to get their full attention. Let just say that I am close to being obsessed. You have to make me unlike you if you want me to stop.¡± he replied, showing his wide smile.


    He tricked me a while ago with his apologetic look!


    ¡°I am too stressedtely because you are avoiding me. You are not even working with me as well. So I drank for days. I need to make you like me back. That is the only option I have.¡±

 CHAPTER 31

    Traizle


    ¡°Will you go back to thepany now?¡± Zarsuelo asked.


    Shaking my hands. ¡°I don¡¯t have any ns to go back there,¡± I answered. ¡°After hearing you, I don¡¯t think I have to go back there.¡± I added.


    ¡°Ahh, why?¡± Zarsuelo fussed. ¡°When someone tells you he or she likes you, you should be shy and reciprocate it afterward. Why are you so different from the others?¡± He added.


    ¡°You¡¯re the only one who¡¯s different here,¡± I argue. ¡°I told you clearly before. I am just your secretary, nothing more and nothing less!¡± I added angrily.


    ¡°But I want more. What should I do about that?¡± He asked back.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know! Why are you asking me?¡± I replied.


    ¡°Because I wanted to know your opinion.¡± he answered.


    ¡°You are strangling me indirectly!¡± Iined. ¡°I need to go back-¡±


    ¡°Stay.¡± Zarsuelo said, after stopping me from going out.


    I thought he was taken aback by what I had said, so I used that time to stand up and go out, but I calcted it wrong.


    ¡°I am sorry, I won¡¯t force you to like me back. Please stay.¡± he added.


    ¡°Zarsuelo, I can¡¯t reciprocate your feelings. I am telling you already,¡± I told him. ¡°If you want me to go back to yourpany just because of your feelings, I am sorry but I will decline your offer.¡± I added, exining my side calmly.


    ¡°Okay, I won¡¯t tell you to like me back and I won¡¯t force you as well. I am also not forcing you to go back to mypany just because of my feelings. It is because I am having a hard time,¡± Zarsuelo responded. ¡°I have been struggling working on my schedules without you. I can set aside my feelings just for you to work with me again.¡± he added.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you hire one? A secretary who can guide you more carefully?¡± I asked.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Why did I ask you to work with me before? It¡¯s because of your abilities. You have the potential to be one. Why would I find someone new if you are here?¡± He answered. ¡°If getting your trust will make you work for me again, then I will dly do that.¡± he added.


    I don¡¯t even know what I should say to him. I am already speechless as it is.


    ¡°Traizle, I have an idea.¡± said Zarsuelo, who is now smiling at me.


    ¡°And what is it?¡± I asked, not interested anymore since he was always thinking of his high-paid ideas.


    ¡°You can make rules, do¡¯s and don¡¯ts. I can follow those.¡± he shared.


    ¡°Do you think you will obey every rule I will make? I don¡¯t think so.¡± I mocked him.


    ¡°I will promise to obey them, if that¡¯s what can make you work for me again,¡± he confidently answered. ¡°I just hope it won¡¯t be too hard for me.¡± he added.


    What should I do?


    ¡°Are you really having a hard time working alone?¡± I asked, confirming what he had said a while ago.


    ¡°I have been working at your desk for straight days too. I didn¡¯t know that having a secretary was very helpful. When I still don¡¯t have it, it is really stressful to make a schedule and approve any appointments by myself,¡± he shared. ¡°Then, you came and helpedme with everything. In other words, I am being spoiled by you. I find every task easy because you are there. Can¡¯t you see my beard-ah I shaved this morning to be a presentable man.¡± he added,ughing.


    I thought I saw his beardst night, so it was not an illusion after all.


    So, he is not joking this time.


    ¡°I even wore the expensive perfume, to show that I smell good. Am I?¡± Zarsuelo added, leaning onto me.


    ¡°Yeah, you are.¡± I answered halfheartedly.


    ¡°Ehh, that¡¯s mean. You don¡¯t like the smell?¡± He asked.


    ¡°You smell good in the first ce, so why bother using one?¡± I responded.


    I¡¯ve known him for months now and he doesn¡¯t smell bad for once. If he is not using his so-called expensive perfume, then what is he using? The really expensive one?


    ¡°Do I really smell good even without using the expensive one?¡± He asked. ¡°Aiden told me to use that. I should have used my own perfume since you like that smell.¡± he added.


    ¡°Arias?¡± I asked.


    ¡°He is my closest friend, I usually run to his house whenever I have a problem or if we should celebrate something.¡± Zarsuelo exined.


    Yeah, I can see that they are really close.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s get down to our business,¡± I told him, as I got my phone from my pocket. ¡°I will work-¡±


    ¡°Really?!¡± Zarsuelo excitedly butted in.


    ¡°Yes, but as what you have said, we will make rules that I hope you will follow.¡± I replied.


    Zarsuelo immediately put his left hand on his chest as if he was swearing sincerely.


    ¡°I will be good! I will follow them all!¡± Zarsuelomented.


    ¡°Firstly, do not call me anything aside from my name.¡± I answered, first thing of all.


    I should clear my name for him to understand it carefully.


    I jot it down in my notes. Just to make sure Zarsuelo won¡¯t betray me after.


    ¡°What do you want me to call you?¡± He asked, continue eating the buns we weren¡¯t able to finish.


    ¡°I just told you to call me with my name. Traizle or Cerezo will do.¡± I answered.


    ¡°I have a rule too!¡± He replied.


    ¡°And what is that?¡± I asked back.


    ¡°Call me with my first name,¡± Zarsuelo said. ¡°You have been calling me Zarsuelo ever since, while you call others by their first names, like someone who is babysitting Layzen.¡± he added, still bitter with someone who is Zac.


    ¡°I will try.¡± I told him.


    ¡°Try it now,¡± he retorted. ¡°I want to hear you call my name.¡± he added.


    I opened my mouth, trying to speak his name, but there was something stopping me.


    ¡°Maybe next time.¡± I responded.


    Zarsuelo immediately pouted his lips. Looking mad at me.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want me to call you names you don¡¯t like, then call me with my first name,¡± heined. ¡°That is why I have been calling you any endearment because you kept on calling me Zarsuelo.¡± he added.


    ¡°Then call me Cerezo.¡± I replied.


    ¡°That¡¯s too formal,¡± he responded. ¡°Call me Matthew. I am nning to remove my surname, so that you don¡¯t have any choice but to call me Matthew.¡± he added, showing his idea bank skill.


    He is eager to hear me call his name. Not now and not soon, Zarsuelo.

 CHAPTER 32

    Traizle


    Every rule, I will say, he has his own rules too. I don¡¯t know if he will really follow our rules.


    ¡°Traizle.¡± Zarsuelo called.


    ¡°What?¡± I asked back.


    ¡°If ever I am choking you to death, tell me okay? I will definitely stop myself from choking you.¡± Zarsuelo said seriously.


    Good then he knows his limitations.


    Nodding at him in agreement, I kept my phone in my pocket.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± I told him.


    ¡°To where?¡± Zarsuelo asked back.


    ¡°I have to go back to the Snack Bar and give back the bike I rented.¡± I replied as I stood up from my seat.


    ¡°Bike? What is the purpose of renting a bike?¡± He asked confused, but not concerned about getting the left buns.


    ¡°I am renting a bike to deliver the orders.¡± I answered as we started to head out of the cafe.


    ¡°You are using a bike to deliver the orders?¡± He repeated. ¡°That is why I thought you lost some weight. Where¡¯s your old motorcycle?¡± He asked again.


    ¡°At the junk shop. Lyndon told me to throw it away or else he would chop it into pieces himself, so I wouldn¡¯t use it anymore.¡± I exined.


    Zarsuelo nodded his head as if I said something agreeable.


    ¡°He is right, that old motorcycle of yours is too dangerous. It led you to an ident and caused you to have a hip injury before,¡± he responded. ¡°But biking is too tiring. What if the ce you have to go is far? You will be too exhausted.¡± he added.


    ¡°It is much better than walking.¡± I answered back.


    I have no choice but to rent one, or else I won¡¯t be able to deliver their orders at the right time if Imute.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to rent one again, you will work with me now.¡± Zarsuelo replied.


    ¡°I think I will still work there for a few hours after my work.¡± I responded, bursting his bubble.


    ¡°Why? Aren¡¯t you overworking yourself? That¡¯s dangerous for your health.¡± Zarsueloined, almost scolding me.


    ¡°The owner needs some employees since her Snack Bar is starting to have more customers than before,¡± I answered. ¡°And also, I don¡¯t want her to feel that I am just working there when I feel like I want to.¡± I added.


    I have cut my work twice already. The first one is when Arias ordered and the second one is this day. I don¡¯t want the owner to feel that I will only work there if I need to or if I don¡¯t have work again.


    ¡°Just make sure you won¡¯t overwork yourself,¡± he reminded me. ¡°Now that you know I like you, I can tell you what I feel-although I have to minimize it when there¡¯s someone who can hear me.¡± he answered, showing me his proud smile.


    That¡¯s one of his rules. When I told him to not say something I didn¡¯t want to hear, he said that he would limit himself and would say something if there were no people around to hear him.


    When we reached the Snack Bar, I immediately talked to the owner and told her I was going back to the Grand Finance and that I would still work at her Snack Bar after work.


    I am d that the owner just smiled happily and even teased us. While I am denying her im, there¡¯s Zarsuelo who is agreeing nonstop.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go back to the Grand Finance.¡± I told Zarsuelo, who was looking at the bikes.


    Zarsuelo came with me while I was giving back the bike.


    ¡°Why are we going there?¡± Zarsuelo asked, still looking at the bikes. ¡°Why is he letting you guys rent his bikes when they are not new?¡± He asked.


    Perks of being a rich type of human.


    ¡°Poor people like me can¡¯t buy new ones, so they are here to let us rent and use them for a while. It¡¯s okay as long as the bike is still working properly.¡± I exined.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will buy you a bike.¡± he replied.


    ¡°No, I am fine with this.¡± I answered back.


    ¡°I am not fine with this, it is like you are using an old motorcycle too. You might get into an ident again.¡± he responded.


    ¡°Just buy me one when I get into an ident again.¡± I told him.


    ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t say that,¡± Zarsueloined. ¡°Let¡¯s go back to the Grand Finance.¡± he added.


    I didn¡¯t know that I would go back to this ce again.


    Grand Finance.


    A really well-known financepany with an oddball owner.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Traizle,¡± Tyler greeted when he saw me before entering the entrance. ¡°Good morning, Sir.¡± he added, greeting Zarsuelo.


    ¡°It¡¯s been three days.¡± I answered back.


    ¡°Wee back.¡± he replied, and I gave him a nod.


    ¡°I followed your rules already.¡± Zarsuelomented who is now talking behind me.


    ¡°I know.¡± I answered.


    Why did he need to say it?


    ¡°Walk in front of me, you are supposed to be in the first. Don¡¯t walk behind me.¡± I told him.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°I want to see your back-not your butt! I am not looking at it, I just want to see you walking in front of me.¡± he exined.


    I hope it¡¯s really a wee back, not a hele back. I also hope that he is really looking at my back or else I will pick his eyes out.

 CHAPTER 33

    Traizle


    ¡°Zarsuelo, you are invited to a party.¡± I told him, handing him the pink envelope that I had just received a while ago.


    ¡°A party? It¡¯s been a long time since I went to a party!¡± Zarsuelo replied excitedly as he opened the invitation letter. ¡°Can I go to the party?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Why are you asking me about that? If you want to go, then go.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Oh, it is not just an invitation letter. It is a business party.¡± he replied while reading the letter.


    ¡°Business what?¡± I asked.


    ¡°We should get ready.¡± Zarsuelo beamed.


    ¡°We?¡± I asked back.


    Why ¡®we¡¯sound like I am going with him to that party?


    ¡°Of course! We, I am the representative of mypany and I need you to apany me because you are my secretary. In that way, we can also find some investors or future customers,¡± he answered, smiling widely. ¡°You will be my date on Saturday. I can¡¯t wait for that day!¡± He added excitedly.


    ¡°Do I really have to go there? I don¡¯t think I can go with you.¡± I asked, wondering if I could not go.


    ¡°Of course, you really have to. They would look down on me if I went there alone on Saturday,¡± he replied. ¡°They already know that I have a secretary. They will probably go with their secretary as well.¡± he added, pouting.


    Looking at him pouting in front of me means he is really looking forward to the party.


    ¡°I have been good for a week already. Will you please go with me on Saturday?¡± he asked, giving me a puppy-dog look.


    After I started working here again, Zarsuelo never did something to trouble me. He never called me endearments again, but always tried to tease me when we were alone.


    Overall, he is following our rules, so I don¡¯t have anyints about him. He has been serious about his work as well. Although chocte can¡¯t be removed from his lifestyle, he is still doing well.


    ¡°Okay, I will go with you.¡± I told him. ¡°But I don¡¯t have anything to we-help me buy things I needed to wear on Saturday.¡± I told him.


    I don¡¯t have enough money to buy my own and I will just use it for one night. I will just waste my money if I buy one for a one-time event. Zarsuelo has enough money to buy me and he wants me to go with him, so he needs to buy me everything I need for the said party.


    ¡°If you are just a different woman, you will get shy about saying that you don¡¯t have the money to buy a dress. But you are really different. I like the chilled one,¡± he replied, eyebrows waggling. ¡°I am about to tell you about that but you talked about it first. Don¡¯t worry about that, I will prepare everything for you. After work, we will go to a shop to look at their designs.¡± he added excitedly.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just be quick, I still need to work at the Snack Bar.¡± I responded.


    ¡°And you will use the bike you rented at the bike shop? look at your arms, they are getting skinnier than before.¡± hemented angrily, forehead was creased.


    ¡°I still need to work,¡± I answered. ¡°We still have daily expenses. My money is not enough for our monthly budget. So I had to work at the Snack Bar.¡± I added.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    My sry is good enough to pay our monthly bills, monthly groceries and Layzen and Lyndon¡¯s allowance.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me already about that? You should have told me,¡± he replied. ¡°I can help you with that.¡± he added.


    ¡°I know you can, but it is my family problem now. It¡¯s not like a while ago that you had to be responsible for the dress I was going to wear.¡± I answered.


    I know what my limitations are. I will ask what I need if he is responsible for it, if not, I won¡¯t ask him.


    ¡°Unless I really need some help.¡± I added, looking at him directly.


    ¡°Okay,¡± he replied, raising both of his arms to say he lost. ¡°I can¡¯t change your mind, but don¡¯t forget that you can ask for help from me. I will surely help you whenever and whatever it is.¡± he added.


    I can¡¯t help but to smile at him. Sometimes he can really speak normal. Normal in the sense that he isn¡¯t his oddball self.


    ¡°There is your sweet smile again,¡± hemented, pointing at my lips. ¡°I suddenly want to kiss you. Don¡¯t do that in front of me, you are being unfair. I am being a good one here and there. You are showing off your charm.¡± he added, grinning at me.


    And he is back to his oddball self after a few seconds.


    ¡°I will go back to our office. Go back to your work.¡± I told him, heading out from his office.


    ¡°Okay, I will see you after work.¡± he replied.


    I went back to our room. As usual, the four are waiting for me. They will always wait for me whenever I go out, wherever it may be.


    ¡°What do you want to hear now?¡± I asked as soon I sat on my chair.


    ¡°Where did you go?¡± ire asked.


    ¡°Cafeteria with Tyler?¡± Sonia asked.


    ¡°Or at the marketing office to see Aeron?¡± Alessa asked.


    ¡°Sir. Zarsuelo¡¯s office?¡± Alex asked.


    That is their question every time I go back to our room.


    This is all because of Zarsuelo.


    On the days where I didn¡¯t go to work, Zarsuelo stayed here and did his work at my table. Why? because he said that the files he needed were on my table. So he had to stay here.     They also told me that Zarsuelo was panickingwhen they found out that he had a meeting to attend outside, because he had forgotten about it.


    Lastly, they told me that they were making a list of Zarsuelo¡¯spetitors over me. YES. OVER ME. They already know that Zarsuelo likes me. That is why I have to deal with them every day.


    Tyler and Aeron are on their list. Alex is not included anymore, ording to them, because he has a girlfriend. He even needs to give proof to Zarsuelo to make sure he is saying the truth that he doesn¡¯t like me romantically.


    And I, the center of their topic, know all these things as if I am not the one they are talking about. If they are not my friends, I will do my best to punch them.


    ¡°Zarsuelo, we need to go to a party on Saturday. He said that it was a business party invitation.¡± I said, answering their questions.


    ¡°Omg! Will you be his date on Saturday?¡± ire asked excitedly.


    ¡°We need to for business.¡± I answered back.


    ¡°Cut him some ck, Traizle.¡± Soniamented.


    ¡°Can you cut me some ck as well?¡± I asked back.


    ¡°Never. We want him for you and we want you for him.¡± Alessa beamed.


    This feeling is something I lost years ago when I had some high school friends. Now that I am old, have friends whom I can always talk to while walking, I can feel them again.


    Where they will make the decisions for your life even though it is not theirs. That kind of feeling.


    ¡°You guys are reallypatible with each other. That is why we are suggesting that you date him soon.¡± Alex added wickedly.


    ¡°You dimwit,¡± I said as I was pinching him. ¡°Add some fuel, I will pinch all of you hard. Hard enough to make you avoid me.¡± I added, warning them.


    They immediately went back to their positions quietly. Quietly, as in whispering to each other quietly with their new n, I guess.

 CHAPTER 34

    Traizle


    After our work, Zarsuelo and I headed to a dress and suit shop.


    ¡°Good evening, Ma¡¯am and Sir. Zarsuelo.¡± The saledy greeted.


    ¡°Good evening, I hope this won¡¯t go public for my privacy.¡± Zarsuelo greeted back.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Sir. We don¡¯t do that. Our guests¡¯ privacy is important.¡± the saledy answered back.


    The saledy guided us to the main room. ¡°What do you prefer, Ma¡¯am?¡± She asked me after.


    ¡°Do you have a sexy dress?¡± Zarsuelo answered.


    ¡°You will wear that sexy dress. I am warning you, Zarsuelo.¡± I growled silently, enough for him to hear it.


    ¡°Why not wear one? I want to see you wear a sexy dress. Can you?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Force me or I won¡¯t go with you?¡± I asked back.


    ¡°Anything, as long as it is good for her.¡± Zarsuelo said to the saledy.


    The saledyughed a bit before nodding.


    ¡°How about you, Sir?¡± She asked.


    ¡°I want a ckpel suit,¡± Zarsuelo answered before turning his gaze on me. ¡°What do you want, ck or white?¡± He asked.


    ¡°ck.¡± I answered.


    ¡°She wants ck too. We look like a couple, right?¡± He asked the saledy and got a hit from me.


    ¡°Congrattions, Ma¡¯am and Sir.¡± the saledymented.


    I was about to object, but Zarsuelo proudly said¡­


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he answered. ¡°Please prepare them for us to try it.¡± he added.


    ¡°Okay Ma¡¯am and Sir, please wait for a while. Do you need anything while waiting?¡± She asked.


    ¡°None, we are fine.¡± I answered.


    The saledy walks to another room. When I¡¯m certain that no one is with us, I pinch Zarsuelo on the side of his stomach.


    ¡°Ah! I won¡¯t do it again!¡± He eximed.


    ¡°Try and I will punch you next time, even if there is looking at us.¡± I answered.


    ¡°I just want to feel how to call you mine to others. I had no idea that receiving a congrattions could brighten my night, like we are really a couple.¡± Zarsuelo answeredughing.


    ¡°Nye nye.¡± I replied by mimicking him.


    ¡°Let me be your boyfriend, Traizle. Try me.¡± said Zarsuelo, wriggling his eyebrows.


    ¡°Shut up.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Okay, I won¡¯t force you for now. Three times a day to ask about it is my limit. I don¡¯t want you to get mad again at me.¡± he answered.


    His waggling eyebrows are enough to make me mad at him already. How much more when he is teasing me?


    After a few minutes, they asked Zarsuelo to go with them. He will try the suit he asked about a while ago.


    ¡°Do I look handsome with this suit?¡± Zarsuelo asked when he came out of the room.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    I can¡¯t say that he is ugly either. I would be lying if I did that.


    ¡°You look good.¡± I answered, gaining a big smile from him.


    ¡°Hehe, I will get this,¡± oddball Zarsuelo said, smiling idiotically. ¡°It¡¯s the first time sheplimented me outside.¡± he added to the saledy.


    ¡°Okay, Sir. You can change. Ma¡¯am, you can also try the dress inside.¡± the saledy answered.


    We both entered the room. Zarsuelo waited outside after changing.


    I went out of the changing room and looked at the mirror.


    ¡°Is it okay for me to wear this?¡± I asked her.


    ¡°Yes, Ma¡¯am. You look good in the dress as well.¡± she answered.


    ¡°Okay.¡± I answered and headed back to the changing room.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, aren¡¯t you going to show it to Mr. Zarsuelo?¡± The saledy asked frantically.


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s okay. He will see me on Saturday with this dress on, so we don¡¯t need to.¡± I answered as I was changing my clothes.


    After changing, I headed back to where he was. Zarsuelo¡¯s wondering face appeared.


    ¡°You don¡¯t like the dress?¡± He asked afterward.


    ¡°No, I tried it. I will just wear that.¡± I answered.


    ¡°And why didn¡¯t you let me see you first if it was good or not?¡± He asked, pouting.


    ¡°You will see me on Saturday with that dress on.¡± I answered back.


    ¡°But I still want to see you first.¡± he replied.


    ¡°She said that I looked good in that dress. I won¡¯t make you disappointed with it.¡± I told him.


    ¡°But still,¡± he answered. ¡°If the dress makes you so pretty on Saturday, they will look at you appetizingly. I want a dress enough for me to just look at you.¡± heined.


    Atst, he stoppedining and we started to get in our different ways after that. He told me he needed to contact his Pops, or grandfather, to tell them about the party. He also told me that he would prepare everything he needed on Saturday, from his head to his feet. That¡¯s how excited he is.


    On my way to the Snack Bar, I can see already that there are many customers entering the Snack Bar. Especially, girls.


    Why? Because they are drooling over the Archane guy. Our boss¡¯snew assistant. Well, he is doing good. He can easily follow the boss¡¯s instructions and he can add some customers by just cleaning and serving some orders.


    ¡°Traizle!¡± Kelvin and the owner eximed when I entered the Snack Bar.


    ¡°Are we doing well? I still have to rent a bike. I will be bac-¡±


    ¡°You can use my motorcycle.¡± Archane butted.


    Surprised by his existence, I turned my head to see him. ¡°No need, I can just rent one.¡± I answered back.


    He threw his key at me.


    ¡°I insist. It is too tiring to use a bike to deliver the orders. I am just here with the boss, so you can use it.¡± he replied.


    ¡°Is it really okay?¡± I asked again.


    ¡°Use it, Traizle.¡± Kelvinmented. ¡°His motorcycle is a cool one.¡± he added.


    ¡°I will take care of your motorcycle.¡± I said and bowed a little.


    ¡°Wee.¡± he smiled before going back to the counter.


    Let¡¯s just say that I have been getting help from him since he started working at Snack Bar. Like for example, if I needed to deliver orders I couldn¡¯t handle, he would help me and he would also tell me if I forgot something. He is close with Kelvin and Boss already, although I am still ufortable with him. I should try to be friends with him since he is not what I am thinking of.


    This time, maybe my impression is wrong about him.

 CHAPTER 35

    Traizle


    Saturday came and they were now dolling me up in a room where Zarsuelo brought me.


    I insisted on going with the makeup I could do, but he told me he would bring me to a ce where I could be prettier than usual.


    ¡°You can now change into your dress, Ma¡¯am Traizle.¡± The woman who did my makeup said.


    I opened my eyes to see my reflection in the mirror.


    ¡°You guys can definitely make a change.¡± Iplimented her.


    I can¡¯t deny that they are really professional. I look like a model in this makeup.


    I should do this more often too. Makeup looks good on me.


    ¡°Like what Mr. Zarsuelo said, you are already pretty. Adding some design to your face makes you more gorgeous.¡± the woman replied.


    ¡°I hope so.¡± I just answered, standing up from my seat to change.


    I am wearing ck ruched-waist long chiffon, ording to the saledy from the dress and suit shop. Paired with a moon pendant short ne and a long tassel diamond crystal ear stud drop dangle earrings, I am also wearing pointed-toe stilettos to match my dress. In short, I look like a rich girl.


    I checked again myself before going outside.


    ¡°I am sure Mr. Zarsuelo will really love your appearance tonight, Ma¡¯am Traizle.¡± the woman said.


    ¡°I hope so. Thank you for everything,¡± I said my gratitude and bowed a little. ¡°I will go out now and wait for Zarsuelo.¡± I added and started to head out of the room.


    I saw Zarsuelo looking at the back. He didn¡¯t notice that I went out already.


    ¡°Zarsuelo, are you done already?¡± I called him.


    He immediately jerked his head towards me. He shed a big smile to me.


    ¡°You are gorgeous, I literally told them to not make you gorgeous tonight. A lot of men will look at you at the party.¡± hemented.


    ¡°You look good.¡± Iplimented. ¡°Just don¡¯t bother spouting nonsense words.¡± I added.


    ¡°Really?¡± He asked back quickly. Delighted from mypliment.


    He is more good than thest time he wore the suit. He looks like a real business man.


    ¡°Yeah, we should go.¡± I told him.


    ¡°Okay.¡± he answered before picking up his things.


    We are using his car tonight with his driver.


    ¡°Anyway, is someone in your house tonight?¡± Zarsuelo asked after riding his car.


    Still calling Zac a ¡®someone¡¯. I always tried to correct him, but to no avail.


    ¡°I asked Zac to stay for the night in our house,¡± I answered. ¡°Why?¡± I asked back.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± he responded. ¡°Although I don¡¯t like him, he needs to stay the night at your house.¡± he added.


    ¡°What is the reason of your hatred to Zac?¡± I asked him.


    Curious as to why he doesn¡¯t like Zac, when Zac didn¡¯t do anything that could make him mad or anything.


    Zac is good and he is careful with Layzen.


    ¡°It is because you are calling him by his name,¡± he retorted. ¡°He is capable of ying with Layzen every day and he might snatch you away from me.¡± he added.


    Ahh. He and his amazing advanced thinking skills.


    Aside from his high-paying ideas, his advanced thinking skills are better too.


    After half an hour, we reached the event ce. Loud music from the inside wees us. We parked the car near the entrance. Zarsuelo opened the car door for me.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I told him.


    ¡°It feels like we are on a date tonight,¡± he answered excitedly. ¡°Come on.¡± he said, and lifted his left hand.


    I clung to his arms. Not saying any thing or two. Saying more things will make our conversation long. We won¡¯t be able to enter the party if I object to him here.


    ¡°Good evening, Ma¡¯am and Sir. Can we get your invitation card, please?¡± A man greeted.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    I was about to hand him the invitation card when Zarsuelo suddenly snatched it away from me and gave it to the man.


    After a few seconds of looking at our invitation card, he started to look at their list of visitors.


    ¡°You may now enter the party, have a good night and enjoy it.¡± The man said, guiding his hands for us to let in.


    ¡°Thank you and sorry about a while ago.¡± I said before we continued.


    Upon entering the party, he stopped walking and showed his face.


    ¡°Hey Traizle, let¡¯s have a serious talk.¡± He initiated.


    ¡°And what is that all about?¡± I asked confused.


    If it was serious, he should have told me about it while we were in his car.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stay away from me. Don¡¯t ever go away from my sight, okay?¡± He answered.


    Is that really important?


    ¡°Where would I go if the party is for all business people? Who do you think I am? An owner of apany or what?¡± I asked back.


    He beamed before fixing his suit. ¡°It is just that you are so attractive tonight. Who knows, they might be after you. Remember that I am the first one who asked for your yes, okay?¡± He replied, reminding me.


    ¡°It won¡¯t happen, so better act like a business man.¡± I told him.


    ¡°I will,¡± he responded. ¡°I just want to make sure.¡± he added.     Walking our way to the main hall, I could see a lot of people drinking and talking to each other.


    Is this what they called a business party?


    It is just the name of the party that is different, but nothing more than that. A normal party, if I may say so.


    ¡°Matthew!¡± A man eximed happily from afar.


    Zarsuelo finds the owner of the voice. He shed a big smile after seeing the man who called him. ¡°Mr. Arias! It¡¯s good to see you here.¡± Zarsuelo greeted him back.


    Arias? Is it his father¡¯s friend?


    The owner of the Brandlesspany?


    ¡°I, as well, Aiden, is busy talking with his friends, so you might bump into him wherever after. Anyway, who is this beautiful woman with you?¡± Mr. Arias asked, pertaining to me.


    I must be pretty.


    Hearing it from someone who I met for the first time feels good.


    ¡°She is Traizle, my secretary.¡± Zarsuelo replied, introducing me.


    ¡°I heard about her from my son,¡± Mr. Arias said,ughing. ¡°I am quite surprised that she is with you. It¡¯s been years since you¡¯ve been with a woman at a business party.¡± he added.


    ¡°Ah yes. But now I have her, so I will be going to the parties with her from now on.¡± Zarsuelo answered.


    ¡°Traizle, I am happy to meet you. Knowing you are handling him is very astonishing already,¡± Mr. Ariasplimented me. ¡°His grandparents would be happy to hear that someone could handle Matthew.¡± he added.


    ¡°He is an oddball often, so I need to look for him very carefully. Thank you for yourpliment.¡± I replied.

 CHAPTER 36

    Traizle


    ¡°Traizle.¡± the younger Arias called me, sitting beside me as if we were close. Smiling widely. Arching my right eyebrows at him, Arias lifted his hands. ¡°I surrender.¡± he added.


    ¡°Zarsuelo is not here.¡± I replied.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    He shook his head. ¡°I am not finding him,¡± he responded. ¡°Woaaah~ you are beautiful tonight.¡± he added, eyeing me from head to toe.


    ¡°They told me that already.¡± I retorted arrogantly to shake him off away from me.


    ¡°What confidence you have. I am starting to like you more,¡± he answered. ¡°What I meant is that I like you for my friend. You are feisty. You can control that dumb friend of mine who knows all he knows is to eat sweets.¡± he added.


    I don¡¯t know if it is sincere or he is being sarcastic.


    ¡°That dumb friend of yours might be looking for you. Better go and find someone you can talk to.¡± I answered.


    They are both dumb. No wonder they are friends.


    ¡°What a cold-hearted woman,¡± he replied, holding his chest as if he was sad about what I had told him. ¡°The rumors are true. You are really one of the scary person we might know. No wonder my friend is scared of you too.¡± He added.


    ¡°Why are you talking to my girl-a real dumb indeed.¡± Zarsuelo said, about to hysterical when he saw that it was his friend, Arias. ¡°What are you guys talking about?¡± He asked.


    Arias only shook his hands. ¡°I told her to date you finally, but she is still a cold-hearted woman we know,¡± he responded. ¡°Are you really sure about her? It looks like you will be under her palms. I am worried for your well-being.¡± he added.


    Zarsuelo nods his head in agreement. These two punks are making my head ache. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I am fully aware and I don¡¯t worry about that. I am more worried of the other boys here eyeing her,¡± he said and turned to me. ¡°Let¡¯s just dance, Traizle.¡± Zarsuelo told me.


    ¡°I don¡¯t dance.¡± I answered shortly.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to dance hard, it¡¯s for a couple dance. I want to try it with you. Come on.¡± Zarsuelo insisted.


    ¡°You guys should. Traizle, try to be more soft outside, okay? You know, it doesn¡¯t hurt to be soft.¡± Arias added, helping his friend.


    They are really friends indeed.


    I stood up and followed Zarsuelo, who was now walking to the dance floor.


    ¡°You just have to hold me here,¡± Zarsuelo said, putting myhands around his neck. ¡°And I have to hold you here,¡± he added, as he put his hands on my waist. ¡°Did you attend your ball party when you were in high school?¡± He asked.


    ¡°No.¡± I answered tly.


    ¡°Why? You don¡¯t like your partner?¡± He asked again.


    ¡°My mom won¡¯t let me.¡± I replied.


    My mother would never allow us to participate in anything like that.


    ¡°That¡¯s better. I don¡¯t want them to see you being like this,¡± he beamed. ¡°But still, I hope you did. It was memorable, though. Why won¡¯t your mom let you? Because it is expensive?¡± He added.


    We are now on the topic where my past is being dug up.


    ¡°You are notfortable about it?¡± Zarsuelo asked when he noticed I was taking a time answering his question. ¡°Don¡¯t bother, I won¡¯t force you to tell me if you don¡¯t like it.¡± he added.


    Why is he being serious now?


    ¡°They don¡¯t want us to spend our day outside partying or whatever event it is.¡± I shared.


    I feltfortable with him tonight.


    ¡°Why? As if you are doing bad things.¡± he responded.


    ¡°If they say don¡¯t, we shouldn¡¯t, or else they will beat us.¡± I answered, tightening my hands.


    ¡°Are your parents beating Lyndon and Layzen too?¡± He asked surprised.


    ¡°They did.¡± I replied, gaining a frown from him.


    ¡°How can they do that to my future brothers-inw?¡± He asked back. ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about it now, it is ruining your mood and I don¡¯t want that to happen. I am happy that you are sharing your stories with me.¡± he added.


    ¡°I feel like I can share that with you. That is why.¡± I answered.     ¡°Wait,¡± hemented. ¡°To whom did you tell those stories too?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Jake, the Snack Bar owner, Kelvin, and my friends at the restaurant.¡± I replied.


    He sighed in relief. ¡°I will be sad if you tell the story to Layzen¡¯s babysitter or with my employees.¡± he answered.


    ¡°And why is that?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Of course, I knew you first. So, I have the right to know everything about you first. If you tell them first, it feels like you really don¡¯t like me or hate me.¡± he exined.


    ¡°Well, sometimes I do hate you for being such an oddball.¡± Imented.


    ¡°That is mean, you know?¡± he replied.


    Looking from left to right, if there is someone who is capturing us or what. I should be careful or else I will die in the hands of his fans.


    ¡°There is no paparazzi here, if you are looking for them. This party is private. I won¡¯t ask you if it is.¡± he smiled.


    ¡°That¡¯s good. I don¡¯t want to die early.¡± I answered. ¡°Is Mr. Andrade here as well?¡± I asked him when I saw Mr. Andrade talking to a woman.


    ¡°They invited Mr. Andrade as well.¡± Zarsuelo answered. ¡°Do you know him somehow?¡± He asked.


    Shaking my head a little. ¡°No, I just met him at yourpany.¡± I answered.


    ¡°It feels odd when I am seeing him,¡± he replied. ¡°It feels like he knows you or me.¡± he added.


    ¡°How can you say so?¡± I asked.


    ¡°He told me before in our first meeting that I grew well.¡± he answered.


    ¡°Probably because he saw you before. If we meet before, I will know him.¡± I replied.


    ¡°I hope that¡¯s the case. At first, I thought he likes you, but when I realized that he had a son, I didn¡¯t worry anymore.¡± he confessed.


    ¡°Idiot.¡±


    Mr. Andrade is not already too crazy to like me romantically. This oddball intuition is too low.

 CHAPTER 37

    Traizle


    ¡°What do you think, Traizle?¡± Zarsuelo asked excitedly.


    Well, he¡¯s asking me about his new project. A project that is not rted to his work and hispany.


    He wants to make a yground on the ground floor so that his employees¡¯ children can y while their parents are working and FOR HIM TO PLAY WITH THEM.


    That¡¯s the main reason why he wants to build one.


    ¡°I want to make a big yground on the ground floor. I will have three or four onlookers to make sure the children are safe.¡± he added.


    He is more interested in doing this project, unlike the new project that the marketing team did. He even didn¡¯t mind our new possible investors that I told him about, saying he would entertain my reportter.


    ¡°Still, it is not right, Zarsuelo.¡± I answered.


    ¡°But I want to see some kids. Should I ask the building beside us to move? So that we can build a kindergarten?¡± He asked with his high-paid ideas.


    He suddenly talked about this topic when he saw one on hisputer.


    While he was ying on hisputer, yes ying, he saw an advertisement on his YouTube notification. He stopped ying and watched the ad over and over again.


    That is how we ended up in this kind of situation.


    I don¡¯t know if he is this lonely or if he really wants ymates like Layzen. Layzen, on the other hand, is notining; he is content as long as he has someone to talk to.


    Layzen is much more mature than this oddball Zarsuelo. How did his grandparents take care of this big oddball?


    ¡°I talked about this before with the project team, but they said they were not sure about it as well. Why? I can¡¯t seem to understand your point.¡± Zarsuelo asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s because it will be a mess if that project you are insisting happens. It is not part of their work and your work. That is why they are not sure about that as well.¡± I answered, trying to exin to him why.


    I was about to answer him when I received a call. I quickly got my phone from my pocket and saw the Snack Bar owner¡¯s name.


    ¡°Yes, Boss?¡± I asked.


    I can hear loud noises from their line, the sound of something that there is amotion in the Snack Bar.


    ¡°Can you help me-stop! Hey!¡± I heard the owner shouting from the other line.


    I think there really is amotion out there.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be there,¡± I said, not bothering to wait for the owner to respond. ¡°I need to go, I will be backter.¡± I told Zarsuelo, while keeping my phone.


    Zarsuelo held my arms. ¡°Why? Is there an emergency?¡± He asked.


    ¡°I think so. That is why I need to go and check it.¡± I answered.


    ¡°I will go with you.¡± he replied.


    I just nodded at him. We immediately took a cab to the Snack Bar.


    After a few minutes, we reached the Snack Bar and saw people surrounding it. There were definitely a ton of people crowding the Snack Bar.


    ¡°Excuse me!¡± I shouted as I rushed to the door. ¡°Give way for me!¡± I added.


    As soon as I enter the Snack Bar, there are a few men surrounding Archane. Two of them are holding him. He has many bruises on his face.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening here?¡± I asked, looking at Archane and the other guys who are making a mess here.


    They all looked at me.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Archane guy asked, wondering how the hell I got here when it was not the time of my work.


    ¡°I am asking what the hell happened here?¡± I asked again, looking at him directly.


    ¡°He threw his money at us. I don¡¯t know if his family is now getting poor or what. Working in this petty snack bar-¡±


    I did not let him finish his sentence-I punched him.


    ¡°What is your problem!?¡± He growled.


    ¡°I am a worker here. I don¡¯t care if his family is getting poor or what, you are ruining our Snack Bar.¡± I answered.


    One of his men tried to get a hold of me, but I kicked him first.


    ¡°That won¡¯t do for me,¡± I added. ¡°You guys are wearing the same uniform. It must be your school uniform or your gang uniform?¡± I mocked.


    ¡°We are from a prestigious university. Don¡¯t you know this uniform?!¡± One of them answered angrily.


    Prestigious University huh?


    ¡°Is that so?¡± I retorted. ¡°Your school is prestigious, but their students are disgraceful?¡± I added.


    The man tried to punch me as well. Luckily, I dodged it.


    ¡°Benedict, you guys should stop this!¡± Archane guy growled.


    He knew them.


    We felt a relief when the police came after.


    The owner, Archane guy, and me went to the police station to give our statement.


    I wonder where Zarsuelo went.


    After giving our statement to the police, we went back to the Snack Bar.


    Kelvin and Zarsuelo greeted us worriedly.


    ¡°Where were you?¡± I asked.


    ¡°The people outside a while ago knew me. They surrounded me. I was able to get out when the police came as well to help me.¡± he answered.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°What happened? Why is the Snack Bar a mess?¡± Kelvin asked worriedly.


    He is out for delivery, so he really doesn¡¯t know what happened.     ¡°Everyone, Boss, I am sorry for what happened today.¡± hemented.


    I faced him. ¡°You said from the station that you guys are from that prestigious university. So why did they do that to you and to this Snack Bar?¡± I asked.


    ¡°They have this so-called rich disease.¡± he answered. Wiping the blood from his mouth.


    ¡°Rich disease?¡± Boss, Kelvin, and I followed up with him.


    ¡°It means you are arrogant because you are rich.¡± Zarsuelo answered.


    He has it as well.


    ¡°And then?¡± I asked again.


    ¡°They really like to see other people¡¯s weaknesses, to shame them, and use them as their card in school,¡± Archane guy said. ¡°I will pay back everything. Don¡¯t worry about that.¡± he added.


    ¡°Care to tell me why you decided to work here?¡± I asked.


    I knew that there was something wrong with him. My gut feeling told me that he was a rich type, and I confirmed that he really was.


    ¡°I would like to have experience,¡± he replied. ¡°Yes, we are rich, but it doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t try anything I want to do, right?¡± He asked back.


    ¡°Of course, I wanted to do that as well, but was not able to do it.¡± Zarsuelomented.


    ¡°I just hope it won¡¯t happen again. It will affect our Snack Bar reputation.¡± The owner said.


    We cleaned the ce quietly, aside from Zarsuelo, who kept on asking the owner to work here as well.

 CHAPTER 38

    Traizle


    ¡°I am sorry for what happened a while ago.¡± Archane guy said while we were fixing the table.


    I nodded. ¡°It¡¯s okay, you should tell this to our boss, not me. I am not the boss here, you know?¡± I answered.


    It made himugh a little. Honestly, I want to tone down the awkward tension in the room. He seems pressured about what happened a while ago and he is so timid.


    He shyly scratched his neck. ¡°I feel like I should say sorry to you as well,¡± he responded. ¡°Thank you for punching them for me. I was not able to fight back because Benedict ves were holding me tight,¡± he added. ¡°I also didn¡¯t know that they will put up this big problem. Those rich kids don¡¯t care about other people. I never thought they will go to this extent.¡±


    I smiled at him. ¡°No worries, I don¡¯t want something bad to happen to you too. You are not doing anything wrong. And as long as you are in my sight. I won¡¯t let the others hurt you. We are the only ones who could help each other. Your family must be proud if they knew about this, that you are working your a*s off to earn money.¡± I replied.


    He snorted. ¡°They don¡¯t know about this,¡± he answered. ¡°He will get mad if he knows about this.¡± he added, grinning.


    Then why is he working? Sometimes I can¡¯t read him too.


    ¡°Do you have a boyfriend? An older one?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Older one? I don¡¯t even have one. I still have to work my a*s off before finding one.¡± I answered.


    ¡°She will have one that is younger than her, a year younger, and that is me,¡± Zarsuelo butted in. ¡°I think I saw you before somewhere. You are quite familiar, it is like I saw you at the partyst Saturday,¡± he added, squinting his eyes. ¡°You said that you were rich, what is your surname?¡± Zarsuelo asked.


    ¡°I am sorry, but I don¡¯t want to tell you. I am using an alias, if you will ask our boss. I will take my leave now.¡± Archane guy said, it looks like he is avoiding Zarsuelo¡¯s question.


    ¡°I think I really saw himst Saturday¡± Zarsuelo said, still thinking about whether he saw Archane at the party.


    ¡°I did not see him.¡± Imented.


    ¡°Maybe I saw him somewhere,¡± he answered, bobbing his head. ¡°Anyway, I heard what you did to his schoolmate. Don¡¯t get into a fight if they are outnumbering you!¡± Heined. ¡°I was not able to help you because they happened to know me.¡±


    ¡°I can handle them, so don¡¯t worry about me. As long as they are not holding a gun or what.¡± I replied.


    ¡°You really know how to protect yourself. When did you learn them?¡± He asked.


    Thinking how I learned those. It is funny to look back and see how I managed to learn it.


    ¡°We are being abused by our parents. That is why I learned those quick reflexes.¡± I answered.


    He is not drunk anymore, but I feel like I can still tell him about this. Why does it feel like I amfortable with him every time we talk about our past?


    Reality hit me when I felt someone was hugging me.


    ¡°Who told you to hug me?¡± I told Zarsuelo, trying to get rid of his hug.


    ¡°I am sad.¡± he replied.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t tell you to hug me when you are sad!¡± Iined, finally got rid of him.


    ¡°You guys are getting intimate, huh.¡± Kelvinmented while he was cing the chairs at the table we were at.


    ¡°Intimate your face.¡± I responded.


    ¡°Are we? I told you we belong to each other!¡± Zarsuelo eximed, grinning wickedly at me.


    ¡°You belong to yourself and I belong to myself. I thought we talked about this already?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°They are your friends, so I don¡¯t think they will tell this to others,¡± Zarsuelo replied. ¡°And they are not my employees either, our rules are still followed.¡± he added.


    Since I can¡¯t win with him, I just continue what I am doing quietly. When we finished everything, the boss gave us some snacks.


    ¡°We have to go back to thepany now.¡± I told Zarsuelo, who was busy eating the burger.


    ¡°Already?¡± He asked surprised.


    ¡°Stop cking off, move.¡± I replied.


    Pouting Zarsuelo stood up. ¡°Boss, I will be back next time. Traizle wants to work already.¡± Zarsuelo said as he bade his goodbye.


    ¡°Just visit here whenever you want.¡± the owner answered.


    ¡°I will be back after my work. Kelvin and Archane, you guys can take care of this Snack Bar. Call me when we have an emergency.¡± I told them.


    ¡°What? Will you rush yourself into trouble again? No way.¡± Zarsueloined. ¡°I will have this Snack Bar a guards.¡± he suggested with his high-paid ideas.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to.¡± the owner answered.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will pay for them. So that this won¡¯t happen again.¡± Zarsuelo replied.


    I have to pull him out of the Snack Bar, for him to stop suggesting new ideas he will think of.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk seriously,¡± Zarsuelo said after I dragged him out. ¡°Don¡¯t do that again. The boss told me what you did a while ago.¡± he added.


    ¡°I am fine, nobody was hurt, aside from Archane.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Still, it is dangerous. I don¡¯t want you to get hurt!¡± Zarsuelo eximed. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I will do to them if they happened to hurt you. I will make sure that they will pay big time.¡± he added.


    His worried expression left me speechless. He really has the knack of making people speechless. Not because he is being arrogant or anything. He is just showing his oddball side like as usual.


    If this continues, I don¡¯t know what I will do. He is starting to confuse meas time passes by.


    I don¡¯t want to get used to him.


    I don¡¯t want to fall for that oddball Zarsuelo.

 CHAPTER 39

    Traizle


    ¡°Where did that idiot go that he is toote?¡± I muttered as I walked back and forth while waiting for Lyndon outside of our house.


    It¡¯s alreadyte and Zac told me that Lyndon never went home after his school time. I won¡¯t be worrying if he won¡¯t go home since Layzen has Zac, but Lyndon did not text any one of us. That is why I didn¡¯t go to work at the Snack Bar.


    I kept on calling him, but he was not answering his phone.


    ¡°The motorcycle seems so familiar to-what happened?!¡± I asked Archane when he stopped in front of me with Lyndon on his back. ¡°Why does he have these bruises! What happened!¡± I couldn¡¯t help but growl at him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know either, okay? Calm down first. Help me support him.¡± Archane replied.


    I quickly went to Lyndon and supported him.


    ¡°Who the hell did this to my brother!?¡± I asked, can¡¯t stop myself from crying in annoyance.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get him inside.¡± he suggested.


    We put Lyndon in our bed.


    ¡°What happened to Lyndon?¡± Layzen asked, crying as soon as he saw his older brotherstate.


    ¡°I saw him unconscious on the street near the ce I went to deliver the order. When I saw your number on his contacts, I went here.¡± Archane shared.


    ¡°Thank you, I am waiting for him. That is why I didn¡¯t go to work tonight.¡± I told him the truth behind of not going to work.


    I wipe Lyndon¡¯s face to remove the blood stain. I also changed his shirt to a clean one. Layzen removed his shoes and socks.


    ¡°Why did they do this to Lyndon, Traizle? He is not a bad man.¡± Layzen asked me, crying again.


    It was his first time seeing Lyndon like this since he grew up.


    ¡°We will ask him about that, okay? Stop crying,¡± I told Layzen,forting him. ¡°Thank you for helping him. If you didn¡¯t see him, I don¡¯t know what would have happened to him.¡± I replied, thanking Archane.


    He is not that bad after all. My first impression didn¡¯tst.


    ¡°You guys are living alone?¡± He asked back, so I nodded quietly. ¡°It must be hard.¡± he added.


    ¡°It is, but I don¡¯t mind. As long as we are together.¡± I replied.


    ¡°I guess, I should say sorry to you.¡± he responded.


    I looked at him wondering. Why is he sorry?


    ¡°I think the powerful man above sent me here to see this. I am so sorry.¡± Archane said, apologizing. He even bowed at me.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Is it about what happened the other day? I don¡¯t mind it at all. You don¡¯t have to be so sorry.¡± I answered, almost panicking.


    Heughed before looking at my eyes straightforwardly.


    ¡°I judged you.¡± he replied. ¡°A bad one. That is why I am ashamed of myself.¡± he added, holding his forehead, almost hiding his face because of embarrassment.


    He judged me, and now he realizes he was wrong. I have been criticized for a long time, though.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, you don¡¯t have to be sorry about that. Judging me won¡¯t hurt me. I have been criticized until we went here,¡± I shared. ¡°I judged you too. My instincts told me you were not an ordinary person at our first meeting.¡± I added, telling him my first impression.


    He looked at me sadly. ¡°We have been on a hard path. Your little judgement won¡¯t hurt us anymore. I am just happy that you realize that you are wrong.¡± I added.


    Finally, he smiled.


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell you the other reason why, because I am still not sure about it as well,¡± he replied. ¡°That is the reason why I work at the Snack Bar, it is not because I wanted to experience it. I wanted to know a lot about you. I asked Kelvin and Boss about you a lot too. I hope you can wait for me to tell you why.¡± he shared.


    That exins why. A wealthy person working for a cause that is not to their liking is already extraordinary. Only in dramas do you see those kinds of people.


    ¡°Are you that interested in me? You can just ask me directly, you know?¡± I told him as weughed it off.


    Archane did y with Layzen before he decided to go back to the Snack Bar. I guess Layzen found a new friend again.


    I got my phone and decided to text Zarsuelo that I would be taking a leave. I need to fix our family problem immediately. I need to know why they did it to Lyndon.


    Seconds after I texted Zarsuelo, he was already calling me.


    ¡°Why?¡± He asked. ¡°Why are you taking a leave?¡± He added.


    ¡°I thought you were ying.¡± I answered back.


    He told me that all he is doing in his home is to face his phone all night until he gets sleepy.


    ¡°I was, but I quit after reading your message. It doesn¡¯t matter now, tell me why.¡± he replied.


    ¡°Something happened, Archane saw Lyndon on the street unconscious. He is full of bruises on his face and his body. I need to know what happened.¡± I shared.


    ¡°What? How is he? Did you bring him to the hospital?¡± Zarsuelo asked worriedly. ¡°Why did they do that to him? Does he have any enemies in his school?¡± He asked again.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I answered honestly. ¡°That is why I will ask him tomorrow.¡± I added.


    ¡°How is Layzen?¡± He asked.


    ¡°He is beside Lyndon. After ying with Archane, he never leaves Lyndon¡¯s side at all. I guess he is worried too much.¡± I replied.


    Although they are always fighting and bicker nonstop, Layzen still loves Lyndon.


    ¡°Is that Matthew?¡± Layzen asked.


    I looked at him. He was now beside me, asking me to give the phone to him.


    ¡°Can I talk to him?¡± He asked again.


    Unsure of what he wanted to say, I gave him my phone.


    ¡°Matthew.¡± Layzen cried. ¡°They hurt Lyndon. Can you help me beat them?¡± He added as he sniffed.

 CHAPTER 40

    Traizle


    He is really worried about his brother. He is now even asking for help to beat the guys who hurt Lyndon.


    I let Layzen talk to Zarsuelo. I looked at Lyndon¡¯s phone to see if there was anything suspicious.


    All I saw was a screenshot, saying he had passed the schrship application and needed to pass the needed requirements.


    I don¡¯t know if I should be happy or sad. When he had good news to tell, this happened to him.


    Yesterday morning, I prepared our breakfast. Layzen went to school with Zac, although he does not like to go to school today because of Lyndon.


    ¡°Traizle.¡± I heard Lyndon called me.


    I went to his side quickly. ¡°How do you feel? Are you okay?¡± I asked continuously.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°How did I end up here? I was beaten up in the street when I lost my consciousness.¡± he answered as he tried to sit up.


    ¡°One of my co-workers at the Snack Bar saw you lying down on the street unconscious. Fortunately, he knew my number, which is why he immediately helped you and took you home,¡± I exined. ¡°Why did this happen? Did you see who did this to you?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Lyndon replied, avoiding my eyes.


    ¡°How can I let this go? You are badly injured. They might do it again.¡± I asked him worriedly.


    I can¡¯t let this incident go.


    ¡°I passed the schrship application and they told us to pass the needed requirements, but here I amying and unable to celebrate.¡± Lyndon shared,ughing at himself and avoiding the topic.


    ¡°Idiot.¡± I replied. ¡°Congrattions, you deserve to get that though. We should celebrate it after this.¡± I added, going with the flow.


    ¡°Did Layzen go to school already?¡± He asked.


    Iughed, remembering how Layzen cried while talking to Zarsuelo. ¡°Layzen didn¡¯t want to attend his school today. Zac was able to force him to attend by saying they would go to the ce they went after his ss. He was crying as soon as he saw you. He even cried loudly to Zarsuelo, asking him to help him beat those who hurt you.¡± I shared.


    ¡°You should have taken a video.¡± Lyndon replied.


    ¡°Do you think I can still do that? I can¡¯t help but cry with him as well.¡± I answered and wanted to hit him, but helped myself not to.


    He is in pain already and I don¡¯t want to add some more.


    Wriggling his eyebrows. ¡°I guess you really love us.¡± Lyndon said, teasing me.


    ¡°Of course! You guys are my dearest brothers. How can Iugh when something bad happens to you? I am not that crazy to do that, Idiot.¡± I answered him, this time I twitched his ears.


    ¡°Ah! I know, we know that already!¡± Heined. ¡°If ever, if ever, okay?¡± He added.


    ¡°If ever, what?¡± I asked him back.


    ¡°If ever, you knew that we are not your real brothers. What will you do?¡± Lyndon asked.


    Iughed and twitched his right ear.


    ¡°Even though that is not true, I still don¡¯t care. You guys are still my legitimate brothers. No one can stop me from loving you endlessly.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Your actions and words are opposite!¡± Lyndonined again. ¡°You can easily say you love us before twitching my ears hard.¡± he added.


    ¡°It is because you kept on asking nonsense questions,¡± I told him. ¡°If you-oh wait, someone is calling me.¡± I told him, and got my phone from the table.


    I saw Zarsuelo¡¯s name on the caller name. Did something bad happen to thepany?


    ¡°Why? Is there something wrong?¡± I asked as I answered the phone.


    ¡°Ahh actually, we are now outside of your house. Can you go out and let us in?¡± Zarsuelo said.


    I immediately got up and headed outside to see if he was really outside.


    ¡°What¡­ are you guys doing here?¡± I asked in confusion.


    ¡°I brought them with me, let us in already. Your neighbors might see me.¡± Zarsuelo answered, so I immediately made a way for them toe inside.


    ¡°Lyndon, your ssmates are here.¡± I told Lyndon.


    Like my reaction a while ago, that is his reaction now. Gaping at the sight of them.


    Zarsuelo is with his four ssmates, actually his team on their online games as well.


    ¡°H-how did you guys meet him?¡± Lyndon asked, stuttering.


    ¡°I went to your school and asked for them toe with me. They are your team, right? I also told them that I am MZ.¡± Zarsuelo answered him.


    ¡°Why did you tell them about it? I-I thought-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Your friends are my friends too. We also talked about this, that they wouldn¡¯t share this news with others.¡± Zarsuelo answered again, cutting Lyndon.     ¡°We had no idea something bad happened to you on your way.¡± the kid with sses exined.


    ¡°You were happy before leaving us, because you were excited to tell them that you are now a qualified schr.¡± the kid with milky skin added.


    ¡°Woah? You are?¡± Zarsuelomented. ¡°We should celebrate that!¡± He added excitedly. ¡°But I think, we need to settle this first.¡±


    ¡°Why did you ask for them when they still have ss?¡± I asked Zarsuelo.


    Zarsuelo smiled at me. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I asked for their Professor¡¯s agreement. I also told the school about what happened to him,¡± Zarsuelo answered. ¡°I told them that I would bring the school down if they never take action about it.¡± he added, smiling.


    I don¡¯t know if he is serious or he is threatening Lyndon¡¯s school.


    ¡°Before we went here, we already went to the ce where Lyndon was found and asked for the CCTV footage. We also checked the footage and identified the bad guys with the help of them.¡± Zarsuelo shared, preferring Lyndon¡¯s ssmates.


    ¡°Who?¡± I asked eagerly.


    ¡°It was his elementary ssmate with his friends.¡± The tallest kid answered.


    I turned my head to face Lyndon.


    ¡°Does he remember you?¡± I asked worriedly.¡°Who?¡±I added.


    ¡°That is why I never wanted to tell you who did this to me.¡± Lyndon answered.


    ¡°I guess we can tell you already that Bryan is always bullying him in our school. Lyndon doesn¡¯t want us to tell you about this.¡± the kid with braces shared.


    One of them found us.


    What should we do?


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