Gianna's POV
"I'm hungry."
"No, seriously… I'm starving."
Sigh. I've been hearing that all morning.
I rolled my eyes at my cousin, who had been whining non-stop about her hunger.
"Ugh! If you're hungry, just eat. Don't annoy me here. Move over," I snapped, grabbing the papers I'd been checking from her hands.
"But why are you taking so long? Lunch should've been ready ages ago. Come on, my stomach is complaining too," she whined again.
"Who said you had to wait for me? I can eat alone. Besides, it's almost done; I just need to sort these into folders," I replied.
"All of them? That's a pile. What if our coworkers come back and you're still not done?" she said, planting herself in front of me.
"What can I do? I'll go through them one by one later. I'm just putting them in folders for now so it's easier," I said, carefully arranging the papers.
"What's this?" she grabbed one and read it.
"Huh? What are you going to do with the company fund records from 2019? It's 2023 now, girl," she said, glancing at the rest of the papers.
"Fine. You can have it. Go ahead; I'll follow in a bit," I said, snatching the paper back from her.
---
"Ms. Magsandingan."
Gael and I both looked up as Francis appeared in front of us.
"Oh, sir? Do you need something?" I asked.
"Have you eaten yet?" he asked, his voice low and calm, but it sank straight into my ears.
"Me? Not yet. Why?" I pointed to myself. "Do you want me to get something downstairs?" I added.
"Meet me downstairs," he said, walking away.
Gael and I exchanged confused glances.
"What's up? Boss seems… nice today. Hey, Gianna, what's going on?" my cousin teased.
I shrugged. I finished what I was doing and stood up.
"This won't last. Wait—later he'll be back to scold me."
I grabbed my phone.
"Hey! Wait! Where are you going?" Gael called after me.
"To see Lucifer!" I shouted, hopping into the elevator.
When I got downstairs, Francis was already waiting by the building entrance.
"Why are you taking so long?" he asked, a hint of impatience in his voice.
"Sorry. What do you need, sir? Are you treating me to lunch?" I teased, flashing a sly grin.
"...Yes."
I must have gone deaf for a moment. Wait—seriously? He's actually being nice?
He started walking past me.
"Hey! Wait! Are you serious?" I shouted.
A car pulled up a moment later. I rushed over.
"Get in," he said to the driver.
I pointed to myself.
"Yes, me! Faster!" he ordered, and I hurried into the backseat.
"What are you doing?" he asked, glancing at me through the rearview mirror.
"Why? You told me to get in. I'm already in," I replied.
"Are you trying to make me your driver? Get out of there. Sit here," he said, pointing to the passenger seat beside him.
I got out and moved.
"So, seriously… you're buying lunch today?" I asked.
"If you don't want to, get out," he said, glancing at me seriously.
"You're cranky. What did you eat today? And you're actually nice now, sir? No offense, but you usually irritate me," I said.
He let out a deep sigh before starting the car.
"What did your parents feed you to make you so blunt and straightforward?" he suddenly snapped.
"I don't know. I wasn't raised by my parents," I replied.
I could see his expression change as he focused on driving. The car fell into a heavy silence.
"I'm sorry," he finally said after a long pause.
"I'm hungry. Can we hurry?" I muttered, leaning forward, staring at the road.
Talking about my parents didn't really affect me much. I guess that's what happens when you have no real memories of them. It stings a little, sure, but it's manageable. My aunt and grandmother raised me, and that's what I focus on.
---
"We're here."
I looked up as Francis spoke.
When I got out of the car, the sight of the restaurant made my jaw drop.
Wow. He's really treating me here? My mouth watered instantly.
"What are you waiting for? Let's go!" he said, stepping ahead. I followed, stunned by the interior—it was gorgeous.
"This place is expensive," I commented as we sat at the table the waiter indicated.
"Just shut up and order," he said, handing me the menu.
I stared at it blankly. I couldn't even pronounce half the items.
Meanwhile, he rattled off his order to the waiter like it was nothing.
"And you, ma'am? May I take your order?" the waiter asked me.
"Uh… the same. Yes, the same," I said, pointing at Francis.
"Are you sure?" he asked. I nodded.
"Yes," I smiled faintly.
"Is that all, ma'am?"
I nodded again, and he left.
I had no idea what Francis had ordered, but I hoped it was good.
---
"From now on… we're eating lunch here every day," my boss said mid-meal, and I raised an eyebrow.
"Why us?" I asked, taking a bite of my steak.
"Because you're joining me… every day," he replied.
"But—"
He cut me off, slamming his steak knife on the table.
"No buts. This is an order, Ms. Magsandingan," he said seriously, locking eyes with me.
I wanted to protest, but I stayed quiet.
He's always been… difficult. Fine—he's always been difficult.
---
Back at the office, he went straight into his office, leaving me standing in the hallway.
"Ehem… ehem. Was it good?" Gael suddenly appeared behind me with that mischievous grin.
"Are you serious?" I said, pressing the elevator button.
"The food. Was it good… and was the line long?" he added.
"What line?"
"The queue. Was it long?" he clarified.
The elevator opened, and we stepped inside. I pressed the floor button and faced him.
"We didn't wait in line. And you don't wait at fancy restaurants, right?" I said.
"Wow! Fancy restaurant for the ferson. Watch out, you!" he said, poking my side.
"Hey! Are you teasing me again? You have issues too, don't you?"
I leaned against the wall as Gael leaned closer.
"You know… out of all Mr. Locan's secretaries, none have ever gotten him to close a deal. This is the first time he's actually invited his secretary to lunch. Isn't that weird?" he said.
I thought about it. "Maybe because he's arrogant and difficult, so no one managed to handle him," I said.
"But to be fair, you managed his attitude."
"He's easy to deal with. Just don't get him drunk or sick," I said with a smile, recalling past incidents.
"Ugh… what's with that puppy smile? Oh my god! Don't tell me you have a crush on Mr. Locan?" he asked, covering his mouth.
I glared at him. "Me? Like him? Never," I said, turning away.
"Better watch your words," he said, shaking his head.
I ignored him as the elevator doors opened.