Adrienne cursed like a sailor when she arrived home, and Jasmine immediately joined her in the living room. Before she could rant heavily, she stormed off toward the kitchen, to retrieve the leftover ice cream from yesterday.

“I’m pissed!” Adrienne declared as soon as she started eating her ice cream.

“Pissed? You said that everything's going to be alright!” Jasmine reminded Adrienne of their conversation before the woman left for Lassiter Shipping to work. “Don’t tell me that you got fired already,” Jasmine said unapologetically.

“I’d rather be fired than work with him, Jasmine. He’s the most terrible person I had the misfortune to work with,” Adrienne badmouthed Pedro Lassiter to her friend. “Wait, why are you looking at me like that?”

“There’s something more about the story, Adrienne. Is he married? Did his wife get jealous of you?” Jasmine inquired.

“He doesn’t have a wife but Pedro Lassiter is the most impossible boss that I’ve worked with,” Adrienne repeated her statement earlier.

“You work for a Lassiter? Who is it? Pedro Lassiter or Keith Lassiter?” Jasmine asked and her voice was filled with excitement.

Adrienne creased her forehead at Jasmine because the woman seemed knowledgeable about the company where she was recently hired. “Yes, why?” She asked.

“Tell me about your boss, Adrienne. Is it true that he’s handsome as a devil?” Jasmine inquired.

Adrienne glanced up at the ceiling as she reimagined what Pedro Lassiter looked like. Handsome as a devil? Nah, he’s more handsome than an angel but with a devilish attitude! “Have you seen a devil before? How did you know that a devil is handsome?” She chose to be sassy with Jasmine, and she earned a scowl from her friend.

Jasmine slapped Adrienne’s hand when she toyed with her.

“Never mind, but why are you so interested in Mr. Lassiter?” The man asked her to sign a confidentiality agreement before she clocked out from work. It was made in a hurry that she failed to read everything that was written on the contract.

“Why not? He’s famously handsome, and he’s everyone’s crush! Don’t you know that?” Jasmine explained why she was interested to know more about the new Lassiter Shipping Corporation. The man looked good on television and she bet he looked better and hotter in person.

“He’s ordinary, end of the story,” Adrienne insisted. Pedro could be handsome but there was nothing more to his handsome face. He was cold and indifferent! If he was treating her kindly, it was only because of his mother.

Jasmine made a face and begged Adrienne to disclose more details about Pedro Lassiter but she flatly refused her request. “I bet you also like him or you wouldn’t be this mad,” she mocked Adrienne after the woman shook her head to refuse her request.

Adrienne sighed and slumped her back into the worn-out sofa. “I don’t like him as a person, Jasmine, but I have to get along with him.” She admitted to hating the man’s arrogance. “He’s so full of himself, and he assumed I’m a gold digger who has designs for his cousin!

Jasmine laughed at the absurd situation, but on the other hand, she was glad that Adrienne convinced everyone in the Lassiter Shipping that she was good at her job. “We should celebrate,” she suggested.

“Celebrate over what?” Adrienne asked.

“Because you are not fired yet,” Jasmine said.

“Yes, you’re right!” She agreed with Jasmine.

Lassiter Shipping Corporation was the first company that didn’t terminate her employment contract within three months of tenure. It was the only company with no jealous wife who wanted her gone. Besides, the company provided her with a clothing allowance and she spent the money well. As Mr. Lassiter’s secretary, she’s required to dress well and formally.

“You’re lucky that you don’t have a voluptuous figure or it will be hard to hide your curves,” Jasmine said.

Adrienne laughed at the woman’s indirect mockery over her not-so-gifted breast. Jasmine was a voluptuous woman and she envied her big boobs and big butt. “You’re mean, Jasmine. Do you have to rub some salt into my injury?” She jested.

“I’m just kidding and you don’t have to get mad at me for telling the truth,” Jasmine responded, and before they would get into a girly fight, she stood up first. “Milk tea and fries? What do you think?”

“How about chicken and beer?” She countered.

“No beers, darling. You have to report to work tomorrow, remember? What if we’ll get drunk and you’ll fail to show up at Lassiter Shipping?” Jasmine suggested a gruesome scene in which the CEO of Lassiter Shipping would probably look for her or even visit her place.

“Stop it! I don’t want to imagine that he’s going to pay me a visit at my residence,” she said because it would be a disaster.

“Yeah, right. By the way Adrienne, how is your grandmother?”

The mere mention of her grandmother caused Adrienne to be sad. The only person she had was currently staying in the hospital and she had to do everything just to earn money for the hospital bills. The salary she earned from Lassiter Shipping was enough for her daily needs, that’s why she needed another job to make both ends meet.

“She’s doing fine, Jasmine. However, the bills and dues are filed. I really needed to double-time,” Adrienne told Jasmine.

Jasmine sighed because she was not in a good situation to help Adrienne financially. They were both struggling at the moment. She was doing well before but her boyfriend has scammed her for money.

“I don’t understand that relative of yours. How could she make you work at the club? She could have just handed the money to you, after all, it’s for her mother!”

“Let’s just not talk about it, Jasmine. You said, we’ll grab some chicken and beers, right?

“No, I said milk tea and fries,” Jasmine corrected. “However, we can opt for chicken and beers. There’s a newly opened restaurant two blocks from here and I heard they served the best fried chicken in town,” Jasmine said.

“Then, let’s go!”

Both women were giddy with excitement as they strolled toward the door but as they got out of the property, a group of men have been waiting for them. Jasmine furrowed her brows in confusion, while Adrienne closed her eyes and sighed deeply. She recognized them.

“May I help you?” Adrienne inquired.

“You have to come with us, Miss,” the leader said in a calm but terrifying voice.

CHAPTER 5

The following day, Adrienne wasn’t surprised to see Keith Lassiter waiting for her. Pedro’s cousin has been a nuisance in her workplace. Then, her eyes transferred to the box he was holding. Then, she smiled at him because she had no choice.

“I heard you love chicken,” Keith said.

“Yeah, that’s right. I love chicken and beer,” she stated.

“Shall we get some beers for lunch?” Keith asked.

“It’s not allowed to drink during office hours, Keith.” She reminded Keith that the office wasn’t a place for drinking beers. “But we can just have it later,” she added when Keith frowned.

“I love it!” Keith exclaimed, and then he ordered Pedro to get ready for lunch.

The head office of Lassiter Shipping has a cafeteria on the ground floor and it was exclusive for the staff. “Just bring it to the cafeteria, Keith.” He ordered.

“A cafeteria?” Keith asked.

“Yes, and all employees eat their lunch at the cafeteria.” Pedro grinned when Keith hesitated to go to the cafeteria. “It’s a rule with no exemption around here. I’m also bound to that rule,” Pedro clarified, and then he grinned after making Keith uncomfortable.

Keith narrowed his eyes at Pedro because he understood every word that came out of his mouth. Pedro was telling him that if he couldn’t eat in the cafeteria, then he shouldn’t work at Lassiter Shipping.

“So, what are we waiting for? Let’s go to the cafeteria!” Keith announced and without any warning, he grabbed Adrienne’s hand and strode towards the door. Then he stopped, and Pedro lifted the corner of his brow. “Don’t forget to carry the chicken, cousin.”

Pedro was dumbstruck at Keith’s action. He scowled while following them and he was extremely mad at Adrienne for allowing Keith to drag her around! Aside from that, Keith made him carry the box of fried chicken.

When the trio arrived at the cafeteria, everyone’s attention was focused on Keith Lassiter. In his observation, Keith looked ridiculous in his colorful suit. At the counter, he witnessed how Keith transformed from a brat into a kind person. Keith assisted Adrienne in choosing what food to have for lunch that was perfect to match the fried chicken.

Pedro wasn’t able to eat properly because of Keith and Adrienne. If only Adrienne was true to her words that he wasn’t interested in Keith, then maybe Keith would stop flirting with her. Instead, she didn’t say a thing and her silence encouraged Keith even more.

However, if Pedro was pissed during lunch, he became furious at the meeting. The HR Manager mentioned that his grandmother called to assign Keith under him.

“How about managing the branch in another city, Keith?” Pedro asked because he wasn’t sure if he could work with Keith in the office.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Pedro. I mean, I’m not yet equipped to manage a branch." Keith declined the offer to manage a branch.

“Experience is the best teacher, Keith.” Pedro reasoned out.

“I know, but I don’t want to disappoint Granny.”

Pedro expressed a deep sigh of frustration when Keith declined his offer. “I understand,” Pedro said. “However, if you will train under me, I want you to be excellent at your job when the time comes. Do you know what’s challenging in our business? It’s to secure clients.”

“Can I take Adrienne to come with me tomorrow?”

Pedro frowned at Keith for suggesting such a thing. “Why?”

“I need a driver if I’m going to meet our future clients,” Keith answered. Although marketing wasn’t his major during college, he had been a model for several years, and models served to market a product.

“You know how to drive, Keith.” Pedro pointed out the truth.

“Can I just ask him instead?”

“She works for me, and I said no.” Pedro stood his ground and didn’t agree with Keith’s demand.

“I know you cared for me Pedro, but I will appreciate it if you’ll let me handle my love affair.” Keith made himself clear that he didn’t want Pedro to interfere with his love life. He’s old enough to handle it, and even their grandmother trusted him.

Pedro was stunned when Keith suddenly became serious and he didn’t like what he saw in his cousin’s eyes. “I don’t want you to get hurt,” he said. While it was true that he only wanted to protect him from getting heartbroken, he would be grateful if Keith would leave Adrienne alone.

“I can handle my heart better than you and you know that,” Keith expressed his opinion and he didn’t give a damn if Pedro disapproved of it. “I think we should hire some women into the company,” Keith suggested.

“Don’t even think about it!” Pedro warned Keith not to question his authority at the Lassiter Shipping.

“Have you seen the look of your staff earlier? They needed to see a woman at least once in a while because it will inspire them! Did you see how happy they were upon seeing my beautiful Adrienne?”

“She doesn’t belong to you, Keith.”

“She will be…in the future.”

“What I saw was different. They’re lusting over her! Enough of this discussion Keith, and since you’re done for today, just go home and prepare to work from eight to five tomorrow.” Pedro scolded his cousin for being impertinent.

“Are you acting this way because you’re jealous?” Pedro asked.

“Jealous of who?”

“Adrienne and me,” Keith replied nonchalantly.