Episode 16

In the office of Tj Corp's Head Manager.

"What is it, Mr. Alvaro?" Renata asked bluntly.

"Where have you been so early in the morning?" Alvaro countered with his own question.

Renata's eyebrows rose in surprise at Alvaro's question. She thought he wanted to rebuke her for the earlier incident, but instead he was asking about something else.

"Why didn't you join us for breakfast?" Alvaro probed further.

"Why should that concern you?" Renata truly didn't grasp why Alvaro seemed to care about her whereabouts.

As she understood from the story's progression, this man typically showed no regard for Angel, even finding Angel's constant presence annoying.

So, what was different now?

"Answer my question!" Alvaro demanded.

"Don't pretend to care about me, Mr. Alvaro. It's my choice where I go, and you'd better reserve your concern for someone who needs it."

For instance, Sanaya.

Come to think of it, Renata hadn't yet spoken with Sanaya about why the girl had falsely accused her. Maybe later.

"Ha, as if I care for you? Dream on," Alvaro said with a scornful smile.

Renata rolled her eyes; it seemed this man had substantial pride.

"If there's nothing else to discuss, I will leave. I must return to my place."

Indeed, Renata needed to get back as Mr. J was surely waiting for her.

"Wait!" Alvaro called out.

"What now?" Renata paused her departure.

"Why have you changed? I thought I knew you well, but now you're so different from before."

Alvaro genuinely felt puzzled by Renata's transformation. She had even thrown a cafe latte at Salvina, an act out of character for the typically calm and composed Renata.

"Sometimes, a person changes because of the person themselves," Renata said dismissively and then turned to leave, leaving Alvaro looking after her meaningfully.

"It's almost like a contest of indifference between us. I preferred it when you were by my side," Alvaro muttered to himself.

The pain indeed hurt, the disappointment real, but it was Alvaro who had chosen to end their relationship and to marry Sanaya.

Three days later.

Renata was now in her new office, occupying the space directly opposite the CEO's.

Thud.

Renata jumped as a stack of files was rudely dumped on her desk.

"Do this."

She gazed at Mr. J's expressionless face—it could have been a billboard—then back at the daunting stack of files. Being his Assistant meant endless piles of paperwork—heaped back trouble included. Her boss was merciless.

"Make me coffee."

Renata couldn't believe Mr. J's audacity.

"Make it quick."

Mr. J retreated back into his office, not awaiting a reply from Renata. The CEO's orders went unchallenged—Renata was afforded no room to decline, only to grumble inwardly.

"Ugh, how irritating," Renata muttered.

She stood and headed to the pantry.

As CEO's Assistant, Renata dealt with all of Mr. J's needs, from work matters to personal errands. She managed his diary and scheduling, regulated executive encounters, and woke him each morning, preparing breakfast and coffee—not to mention enduring Mr. J's sharp remarks.

Renata felt like an automaton and puzzled over how Assistant Arvin ever coped with the job.

Yet, there was a silver lining: as CEO's Assistant, she avoided direct slander from the staff, though gossip suggested Renata had seduced Mr. J for her promotion.

Was her reputation as the CEO's temptress just another tarnish?

Renata didn't care for backbiting whispers from those who knew nothing of her reality. They judged without walking in her shoes.

In the pantry, Renata began making Mr. J's favored black coffee.

A smirk crept across her lips, and she reached for a bottle of fine salt, stirring it into the coffee.

Renata chuckled, picturing Mr. J's flushed face trying to suppress rage after tasting her salty brew. She was always looking for a way to get fired by the CEO.