*The Ringing of the Alarm*

I arrived at Ledford Company on my first day as a secretary, determined to avoid making any mistakes. My name is Jenna Monleon, a 24-year-old with a Bachelor of Social Science degree. Currently, I work part-time as a secretary to support my family and myself. I send half of my salary to my family, so I'm always mindful of my expenses. Being on a tight budget, I long for something special, like a savory steak, as I settle for my usual breakfast of eggs and noodles that I dislike. Sighing, I quickly finished my meal.

I miss my family dearly, especially my Mom, who used to cook delicious Adobo and Sinigang for me. But enough of the sentimental thoughts; I can't afford to be late. I hurriedly made my way to the bus station, wishing I had a car of my own. Unfortunately, that's not the case. As the rain poured down during this chilly season, I found myself shivering.

While attempting to assist an elderly man on the street, I stumbled, causing my paperwork to get disorganized. Frustrated, I realized the bus had arrived. I hurriedly boarded, taking a moment to wipe the rainwater off my papers. I resolved to be more careful next time.

As the bus trudged forward, raindrops trickled down the window, revealing the towering buildings where I would be working.

"I can do it. Never give up!" I unintentionally uttered those words aloud, feeling embarrassed by my sudden outburst.

Once the bus stopped, I disembarked and hastily adjusted my appearance, making sure my shoes were properly tied. These worn-out shoes had witnessed both my triumphs and failures.

Glancing at the clock, I noticed it was 6:39 a.m., and my work was scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. Luckily, I wasn't late. I needed to arrive early, ahead of Mr. Ledford's arrival. Today, he would finally meet me, and the thought made me incredibly nervous. I reminded myself to remain composed as I entered the building. In an attempt to escape my anxious thoughts, I dashed towards the elevator, but unfortunately, the doors had already closed. Rather than waiting, I opted to take the stairs.

"Well, at least it's good exercise," I muttered to myself, knowing how odd it must have sounded. But being late was not an option; rumors described Mr. Ledford as a stern and irritable man. Despite running out of breath, I pushed forward and arrived at Mr. Ledford's office, feeling parched. Checking the time, I realized I was cutting it close.

With nervous anticipation, I opened the office door and straightened myself up. His gaze fixed upon me, leaving me almost speechless. I berated myself inwardly, fearing he might fire me for this awkward encounter. Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at him. This job meant everything to me.

"Please excuse me, Mr. Ledford. The elevator was out of order, so I had to take the stairs," I managed to stammer.

As expected, he remained expressionless, his eyes cold and distant. Overwhelmed by shyness and nervousness, I discreetly hid the broken heel of my shoe behind my back, pretending that nothing had happened. To avoid exposing my toes, which I felt insecure about, I curled them inward, much like girls with flawlessly pedicured feet. Instead of saying anything, Mr. Ledford took his seat and acted as if I wasn't even there. His gaze sent chills down my spine. Thankfully, there was a bottle of water on my table, and I drank it feeling barefoot. Unaware of his watchful eyes, I inadvertently gulped down the entire contents of the bottle. How embarrassing... I hope he didn't notice.

"Thank you, Mr. Ledford," I spoke awkwardly, my nerves getting the better of me. I desperately prayed for divine intervention. His cold, piercing gaze remained fixed upon me, as though he was punishing me for breaking the rules. Meeting his intense blue eyes made me feel weak. Any woman would fall to their knees for him, as he exuded an irresistible aura. Why was I allowing myself to think this way? What was happening to me?

"Alright, Ms. Monleon, go to your desk and organize those papers," he finally broke the silence, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. At least I wouldn't be making a fool of myself anymore. I couldn't help but feel nervous in his presence. His eyes, lips, and every gesture he made seemed so handsome, masculine, and godlike. I had read a book once where the protagonist was described as a perfectionist, and Mr. Ledford reminded me of that character. I scolded myself for entertaining such delusional thoughts. Focus, Jenna, focus.

"Jenna Monleon, please schedule a meeting for Mr. James at 6 p.m.," he instructed.

"Of course, Mr. Ledford," I replied, my mind racing with questions. When and where was the meeting going to be held? Would he mind if I asked him? I didn't want to mess things up. Why was I so nervous around him? Unbeknownst to me, I had been staring at him like a fool.

"Are you staring at me, Ms. Monleon? Is something the matter?" Oh no!

"Oh, I was just lost in thought, Mr. Ledford. Where will the meeting take place at 6 p.m.?" As he rose from his chair, a smirk played on his lips.

"I suppose I make you nervous." His serious gaze had an almost devilish charm, leaving me flustered and causing my words to stumble. I disliked the feeling of someone having such dominance over me, yet I couldn't deny the fluttering sensation in my stomach whenever he was around.

"At IL Corso Restaurant. Please be careful, as I detest clumsiness," he responded curtly, his irritation palpable. I felt stung, realizing that I had indeed been clumsy. Now I had to focus on arranging his schedule. Disappointed in me and feeling unwell, I avoided looking at him. It seemed I had confirmed his assumption.

At first glance, I couldn't help but experience a mixture of shivers and butterflies whenever he looked my way. I couldn't deny that I had developed a crush on him. But I quickly reminded myself that such fantasies were futile. He was my boss, and my style was far from high fashion. I was just an ordinary person. As I diligently worked on the papers at my desk, he remained silent, often averting his gaze when our eyes met. My stomach fluttered, and I blushed uncontrollably. He was my boss, and I needed to calm down. But his captivating features—his arched eyebrows, amber-green eyes, neatly styled hair, impeccable suits, and even his clear complexion—made any woman desire him.

"Miss Monleon, you will accompany me to the meeting. Freshen up, and I'll meet you in the lobby," he commanded abruptly. Wait, what? But I didn't have any shoes, making it impossible for me to attend a formal meeting. Before I could utter a word, he closed the door, leaving me in a state of confusion. What should I do now, Mr. Ledford? He closed the door before I could speak up. What should I do now, Mr. Ledford?

I hurriedly left the office, rushing to meet him in the lobby. I couldn't bear to disappoint him once again. People stared as I walked barefoot, their judgment piercing through me. Just for today, I prayed that everything would go smoothly.

His lack of manners and indifferent demeanor annoyed me, but I decided to get into the car without shoes. Although I had been eating noodles for the umpteenth time this week, I couldn't subject my feet to the cold ground. The rain started pouring again, and I found myself gazing out the car window, a sense of foreboding accompanying the rhythm of the raindrops, reminiscent of tears and sorrows.