Episode 15

"I'm not accustomed to breakfast," said Renata with an awkward smile.

"Why is that?" Mr. J inquired, probing her with his gaze.

"I..." Renata wracked her brain for an answer, "I tend to get a stomachache if I eat early in the morning."

Mr. J narrowed his eyes, appearing unconvinced, "You haven't poisoned this food, have you?"

Renata looked at Mr. J in amazement. How could this man be so perceptive? Could this be the prowess of the CEO of TJ Corp?

"Your eyes say 'yes'," Mr. J stated after a moment.

"Of course not, I wouldn't dare!" Renata objected, shaking her head quickly.

"Then eat."

"But I──"

"There shall be no objections, Miss Angelica," Mr. J cut in firmly, his gaze sharp.

'Damn,' cursed Renata internally.

Ultimately, Renata gave in and began to eat reluctantly, "Really, I didn't put anything in this food," she declared afterward.

Spicy, of course, her face was already turning red. Nonetheless, she refrained from overreacting.

"Hmm," was all Mr. J muttered.

Then, the man began to eat as well. Renata grinned faintly as she watched him.

"Cough," Mr. J choked and quickly grabbed the water beside him.

Renata too reached for her water simultaneously. Both drank greedily.

Then Renata laughed, "Feel that," she taunted, despite the spiciness she felt herself.

Mr. J's face turned a bright red, from the spice and anger.

"Miss Angelica! How dare you!"

Renata stuck out her tongue without showing any fear.

***

Inside the car carrying Renata and Mr. J, they sat side by side in the back seat.

Renata wore a frown, regretting that she'd spiked Mr. J's breakfast since she had to cook again.

"Your face looks awful, like a clown," Mr. J remarked.

Renata snorted, "This is my face, not yours."

"A CEO's assistant shouldn't present such an unflattering face; you should set a good example for other employees."

"You don't set a good example yourself."

"Miss Angelica, show some respect towards me," Mr. J demanded, his gaze piercing Renata, who kept retorting. Never before had he met an employee who wasn't afraid of him.

"Fire me then, I don't want to be your assistant or your babysitter," Renata said, turning her gaze to the car window.

"I haven't made you a babysitter; Arvin did the same when he was my assistant."

"No wonder Arvin took a long leave; it must have been the pressure."

"Talking with someone as foolish as you is endless," he retorted.

Renata shifted her gaze to look at Mr. J, who now focused on his phone, seemingly done arguing with her. Yet, Renata didn't accept him calling her foolish.

"I am not foolish!" Renata protested. Alas, Mr. J paid no mind to her protest.

Before long, the car arrived at the TJ Corp building. Then Mr. J got out after one of his bodyguards opened the door, followed by Renata exiting from the other side, carrying Mr. J's work bag and some of his documents.

Renata trailed behind Mr. J as they entered the office lobby from behind. She could see employees bowing respectfully as the CEO strutted by.

"Mr. J," Renata said after his steps halted in front of the elevator.

"Hmm."

"I need to go to the staff room to collect my belongings."

"Don't take too long."

After Mr. J's consent, Renata handed over his work bag and the documents she had been holding to him. Reflexively, Mr. J took them.

Mr. J glared at her.

Renata just grinned, guiltlessly — a CEO's assistant who really shouldn't be emulated.

***

"Why did you arrive with Mr. J?" a colleague inquired as Renata stepped into the staff room.

Renata bypassed the stranger, too lethargic to engage with a busybody. That employee was probably looking for gossip material, considering the CEO's arrival with the infamous home-wrecker was the talk of TJ Corp.

Upon reaching her desk, Renata started to pack her belongings into a box.

"What's this? Did you get fired?" spoke Salvina alongside Anya.

Renata ignored them.

"Poor thing," Anya said with pity toward Renata.

"Let it be, Anya. Trash like her should indeed be removed from the company," Salvina stated.

Renata snorted at the comment, "Trash calling out trash."

"What did you say!" responded Salvina emotionally.

"I didn't say anything," Renata replied nonchalantly, shrugging off an agitated Salvina.

"I'm not deaf," snapped Salvina, pushing Renata who stumbled.

"Yes, I heard it too," added Anya.

Renata sighed heavily; she didn't want to cause commotion, but Salvina had crossed a line by pushing her.

"Why do you look at me that way? Can't handle that I pushed you?" Salvina sneered, noting Renata's sharp glance.

Unacceptable, you think? Of course.

Renata approached Salvina; unknowingly, Salvina backed away.

"My drink!" exclaimed Anya when Renata grabbed her cafe latte.

*Splash*

"Ah!" cried Salvina.

Sticky and cold was what Salvina felt as Renata poured Anya's cafe latte over her head.

Everyone in the room was stunned by Renata's action.

"What have you done?!" Salvina yelled furiously.

"Look, now you're the one resembling trash," Renata smirked.

"Curse you!" Salvina tried to slap Renata, only to be intercepted.

"You think you're influential here? Just becoming an Assistant Branch Manager and you're already arrogant."

Salvina's fury escalated at that response. How could she be treated this way?

"What's the commotion?"

Salvina forcibly withdrew her hand held by Renata.

Alvaro was seen entering the staff room, parting the clamoring crowd.

Alvaro alternately viewed Renata and Salvina, "Why are you disputing during office hours?"

"Mr. Alvaro, it was Renata who doused Salvina with my cafe latte," Anya tried to defend Salvina.

Renata glared at Anya bitterly. How could she blame her when they were the ones who had disturbed her first?

"Is that true, Renata?" Alvaro questioned Renata.

"Yes," Renata replied.

Alvaro paused, contemplating Renata intently. Then he shifted to scrutinize Salvina, "Why are you in the staff room, Salvina? Didn't I just instruct you to gather data for the presentation?"

"Ah, that I..." Salvina couldn't think of any excuses; truthfully, she'd gone to the staff room solely to taunt Renata.

"Salvina was accompanying me to buy a cafe latte," Anya interjected, futilely trying to save Salvina.

Yet it was a futile coverup.

"Oh, so accompanying her to get a cafe latte is more important than completing the task I assigned you?" Alvaro inquired sharply.

"No, the task from Mr. Alvaro is, of course, more important," Salvina stuttered, cursing Anya inwardly for cornering her.

"Then why leave your assignment?"

Salvina had no response.

"I shall issue you a warning letter," countered Alvaro, given the silence from Salvina.

"Y-yes, Mr. Alvaro," Salvina uttered, her complexion paling.

"And you, to my office," Alvaro directed Renata.

Renata's brow furrowed. Why should she go to the Branch Manager's office? Just an inconvenience.

_To Be Continued_