I never thought that just one day of working in place of my mother would turn my life upside down.

I am the daughter of a female janitor. My father passed away when I was 12 years old, and my mother worked alone in a large office building in Makati, Manila. On days when my mother was tired, the team leader took pity on me and let me work instead. I studied design and worked as a freelancer, so my schedule was quite flexible.

Every time I went there, I always tried to avoid the office staff, especially the boss on the 16th floor – Sir Nathaniel Cruz – who was known to be difficult, changing employees like changing clothes. No one could stand him. There were even rumors that he had “seduced” a male employee

Curiously, I asked my mother, and she praised me: once I was late picking up scraps of paper, my blood pressure dropped and I fainted, “it was that boss who made sugar water, bought bread, milk, and called a car to take my mother home”. My mother also affirmed:
– “Mama has never seen a boss who treats janitors so well.”

I don’t believe it. Mom always thinks well of others.

The first meeting

That day, I was wiping the conference table when the door opened. Sir Nathaniel walked in. I politely greeted him, he looked at me for a long time and then smiled. That smile made me shiver. I thought to myself: “There really is a problem.”

A few days later, Mom said that the company was recruiting for a design position. At first, I planned not to apply, but the salary was quite attractive, so I still tried. On the interview day, the person sitting at the head of the table was… Sir Nathaniel.

Still the same unpleasant smile, but he didn’t ask much, just asked me to present the project I had done. I was sure I would fail. Unexpectedly, a few days later, I was accepted.

I worked cautiously, minimizing communication with my boss.

The rain and the confession

One rainy night, I stood there for a long time but couldn’t catch a jeepney or Grab. A black car stopped in front of me. Sir Nathaniel lowered his window, his voice low:

“Uwi na tayo? (Going home?) It’s late, it’s not easy to book a cab.”

I hesitated, but the rain was pouring down, so I got in the car.

On the way, he suddenly asked:

“Do you think I’m a pervert?”

I was stunned. Before I could answer, he opened the car compartment and took out a notebook… it was my 12th grade yearbook.

“Six years ago, you left it in the Quezon Science auditorium. I found it but didn’t know how to return it. Sorry for reading it.”

I was stunned. It turned out that he was in the career guidance group at my school at that time. He said he had read every page I wrote – my dreams, my plans, month by month. He even remembered that I had appeared at a book fair in Cubao, then a workshop in Ortigas. I didn’t recognize him.

And the most shocking thing: the account N.K. – the person who often gives me design advice in a Facebook group – is him.

– “I’m not laughing because you’re stupid. I’m laughing because you’re still the same girl from back then, living positively and full of ambition. We’ve met three times, do you think it’s fate?” – Nathaniel said in a warm voice.

The fragile boundary

I was so confused that I choked. It turned out that the look that I thought was “creepy” for so long was just the gaze of someone who had been silently following me for many years. A secret that seemed unbelievable.

But I was still afraid. Life is not like a movie. I was afraid that my feelings would be taken advantage of. I was afraid that the relationship that started from “fate” would soon fall apart when it came to reality – especially when he was… my boss.

Should I give this relationship a chance? Or am I just dreaming too much in this bumpy life?

Part 2 – When the secret is revealed and the office storm comes

In the days after that rain, my heart was always in turmoil. Sir Nathaniel still maintained a professional attitude at work, showing no signs of change. But his eyes, every time he passed me in the meeting room, seemed to contain too many things that could not be said.

I tried to hide everything, pretending that night had never happened. However, the secret could not be hidden forever.

The rumor began

One morning, when I had just stepped into the pantry to make coffee, I heard two female colleagues whispering:

– “Uy, nakita mo ba? Boss Cruz has been keeping an eye on the new girl lately.”
– “Oo, at lagi siyang tinatawag tuwing meeting. Kahit may mas senior pa.”

I was speechless. As soon as I put down my coffee cup, I heard:

– “Siguro may relasyon iyan. Paano ba naman, anak lang ng janitress, tapos ngayon biglang designer ng kumpanya? Hindi ba masyadong mabilis?”

I turned away, trying to swallow my lump. Those words were like a dagger to my heart.

Confrontation in the meeting room

Rumors spread quickly. During a project meeting, when I presented the design, a male colleague stood up, his voice full of sarcasm:

– “Sir, hindi ba masyadong mataas ang tiwala niyo kay… intern na ito? Wala pa ngang experience.”

The room fell silent. I bowed my head, my hand shaking as I held the presentation. Before I could speak, Sir Nathaniel replied frankly, his voice firm:

– “She’s not just an intern. She’s a designer with fresh ideas. At huwag niyo siyang husgahan dahil sa background ng pamilya niya. Talent speaks louder than surname.”

Those words made me want to cry. But at the same time, it was like a fire that fanned the rumor: “Obviously, there is definitely something between them.”

Mother’s suspicion

That evening, my mother sat down next to me, her voice full of worry:

– “Child, may naririnig si Mama… Totoo ba na may espesyal na relasyon kayo ng boss mo?”

I was startled, choking:
– “Mama, wala! It’s nothing. But people are misunderstanding me.”

My mother looked at me for a long time, her eyes mixed with anxiety and love for her child. She sighed:
– “Daughter, in the office, a rumor can kill your whole future. You have to be careful.”

When feelings and reason collide

A few days later, Sir Nathaniel called me to the 16th floor. The room was quiet, only the sound of rain pattering outside the glass door.

– “I’m sorry. Because of me, you’re under too much pressure.” – he said, his voice sad.

I tried to force a smile:
– “Sir, I’m fine. I just need to keep this job. I don’t want anyone to think I’m here because of connections.”

He was silent for a long time, then suddenly approached:
– “Pero paano kung totoo ngang… may relasyon? Paano kung I couldn’t help myself, not only because you’re an employee, but because you’re the one I’ve been waiting for six years?”

My heart was pounding. That confession was both a curse and a dream. I know, just one more step, everything will go beyond the boundaries of work.

But outside, the storm is waiting. A love affair between a difficult boss and a cleaning girl – can it stand firm against the harsh prejudices of the Manila office?

Part 3 – The “love – money – power” plot

The rumors between Sir Nathaniel and I spread more and more. There were few supporters, many detractors. Among them, the most annoyed person was Claudia, a senior designer who had worked at the company for nearly 8 years.

Claudia was expected to be promoted to design team leader. But the appearance of me – a young girl, and a “janitress” – made her feel humiliated. And she was even more furious when Sir Nathaniel publicly defended me in a meeting in front of the whole company.

The plan to overthrow

Late one night, Claudia called an acquaintance who worked in the IT department. She said coldly:

– “Gawan mo ng paraan. Kailangan ko ng ebidensya na ginagamit niya ang relasyon niya kay Sir Cruz to advance. Kung wala, gumawa ka ng mukhang totoo.”

A few days later, an anonymous email circulated within the company. The content was a screenshot of a fake message, in which I was supposed to write to Nathaniel: “Salamat sa promotion, Sir. Alam kong kapalit nito may kailangan akong gawin cho anh.”

The whole company was shaken. The message was discussed in the pantry, in the elevator, and even infiltrated the group chats.

– “Ayan na nga ba! Kaya pala mabilis umangat.”

– “Kung totoo, kawawa naman ibang nagpakahirap.”

I panicked, wanting to explain but no one listened. Their eyes looked at me with only contempt.

A tense confrontation

In an urgent meeting, the board of directors questioned Nathaniel. One member bluntly said:

– “Sir, the company cannot let love – money – power affect its reputation. How do you explain this email?”

Nathaniel calmly looked around the room, then said clearly:
– “That is fabricated. I know exactly who’s behind this.”

He turned to Claudia, his eyes sharp as knives:
– “Ikaw, Claudia, akala mo hindi ko malalaman? IT team traced the source. Galing mismo sa computer mo.”

The room fell silent. Claudia turned pale, but still tried to salvage:
– “Ginawa ko lang iyon para buksan ang mata ng lahat. She is not worthy!”

I burst into tears in the middle of the room, but Nathaniel stood up, shielding me:
– “Enough. This company values ​​talent, not gossip. Kung may problema kayo sa personal feelings, huwag ninyong idamay ang inosente. Ang mga gawaing ganito ang tunay na nakakabagsak ng kumpanya.”

The turning point

After the incident, Claudia was suspended from work and awaiting disciplinary action. I was still shunned by many people, but at least the truth was clear.

That evening, when he saw me off, Nathaniel stopped the car by the shore of Manila Bay. He looked out at the sparkling water, then said softly:
– “You see? Just one rumor can destroy a person. But I believe, you are strong enough not to let it drown you.”

I looked at him, choking:
– “Sir… what if everyone continues to oppose, what if I lose my job tomorrow?”

Nathaniel smiled, his eyes gentle but full of determination:
– “Then we’ll start somewhere else. Together. Hindi ako papayag na iwan ka sa gitna ng laban.”

My heart clenched. All the doubts, all the fears, suddenly disappeared in that sentence. I understood, this relationship was no longer just a vague “fate”, but a choice.

The choice to go through the storms together, even if the whole world out there turns its back