CHAPTER 4

(JEFF’S POV)

I was grinning to myself as the elevator climbed to the office floor of The Idea House. Just imagining my neighbor’s reaction already had me stifling a laugh.

I never thought that moving out of my father’s house would turn out to be this exciting. I’d grown bored of the girls on my contact list—young, pretty women who would show up with just one call, ready to satisfy my needs. No challenge there anymore. But Annie? She looked like a challenge worth taking.

I smirked, eyes fixed on the elevator display, until Ezekiel elbowed me. I turned to him, raising my eyebrows.

“What?”

“I just want to remind you, Jeff, to act appropriately around Annie. She’s a very professional woman. I don’t want any issues between her agency and our company.”

One side of my lip curled up in amusement.

“Relax, man! Nothing’s happened yet and you’re already nervous? What do you think I’m gonna do?”

“I’m warning you. Don’t mess this up. Hayal and TIH have had a solid partnership for three years. Their ad campaigns have always been a success. I have no intention of working with another agency.”

“Don’t worry. I just have a few things I want to clarify with TIH’s creative team—that’s why I called for the meeting.”

“Make sure that’s all, Jeff,” he said, tone serious. “You’re not just my business partner. You’re like a brother. Don’t ruin the trust I’ve placed in you.”

I gave him a smile, then shifted my focus back to the elevator as we reached the correct floor.

Professional, huh? I didn’t doubt Annie’s skills. Their agency had a strong track record and lots of satisfied clients around Metro Manila. But I couldn’t help but wonder just how professional she could be when she saw me again.

The doors opened and Ezekiel and I stepped out. We walked down the wide hallway of the TIH office. It was my first time here, but I already had a good idea of the agency’s structure—I did my research back at Hayal HQ.

The Idea House had about 30 employees. Ten were part of the Creative Team. The agency owner and the Consultant each had a personal assistant. Then there were four in Finance, three in the Tech Team, three in HR, and two receptionists. They also had two maintenance staff and two runners.

Two employees came to greet us—a guy wearing a pink scarf around his neck and a girl with thick eyeglasses.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Austria!” they greeted Ezekiel. But their eyes lingered on me a little too long.

“Good afternoon! This is Jeff Navarro, Hayal Lingerie’s new partner and Marketing Executive. Jeff, this is Ricky, Miss Annie Salcedo’s assistant, and Yunna, Miss Lourdes de Claro’s assistant.”

“How are you, Mr. Navarro? We’re pleased to meet you as the new Hayal partner!” Ricky said, extending a hand.

I shook it firmly. “I’m good. I suppose your boss knows we’re coming?”

“Of course, Mr. Navarro! Let me guide you to the meeting room. Yunna, can you inform Miss Annie that the Hayal guests are here?”

“Why me, Ricky? You’re the assistant. You call her.”

“Didn’t I just say I’d accompany Mr. Navarro to the meeting room?” he replied, grinning and sneaking a glance at me.

“I do know where the meeting room is,” Yunna shot back. “I can take them.”

“Well, I volunteered first, didn’t I?”

Ezekiel and I exchanged a look. He was already smiling and shaking his head. Meanwhile, I just raised my brows at their petty banter.

“I might get scolded by Miss Annie if I’m the one who calls her!” Ricky whispered.

“She’s not even here right now. Don’t worry, I’ve got your back!”

“Excuse me, guys?” I cut in. “Why don’t you both go inform your boss? Since Mr. Austria knows where the meeting room is, we’ll just wait for Miss Salcedo there.”

The two froze. I glanced at Ezekiel, who now wore a much more serious expression.

“O-oh. Okay, Mr. Navarro. I think your idea is better,” said Yunna, gently pulling Ricky away.

Ezekiel and I headed into the meeting room. One of the employees was already there, arranging materials. She recognized Ezekiel right away and greeted us.

“We’ll wait for Miss Salcedo here in Room 100b. That okay?” he asked.

“Of course, Mr. Austria! Can I offer you something to drink, Sir?” she asked, glancing at me afterward.

“Coffee for me,” said Ezekiel, which diverted her attention.

“Sure, Mr. Austria. And for you, Sir?” she asked me.

“Water,” I answered simply and took a seat.

She smiled, nodded, and exited the room. I looked around the meeting space, observing the glass walls and the employees outside, all busy and focused on their tasks.

A few minutes later, the same woman returned with coffee for Ezekiel and a bottle of water with a glass for me. She handed him his drink.

“Thank you,” Ezekiel said.

Then she opened the bottled water and poured me a glass before handing it over. I nodded my thanks and took a sip.

“Miss Annie is on her way, Sirs…”

I paused, lowering the glass as my eyes shifted toward the hallway beyond the glass wall. And there she was.

The first thing I noticed? Her legs—smooth and pale, perfectly exposed by a short skirt. They weren’t long, but they were shaped beautifully, and her skin was porcelain-like.

I could already imagine those legs wrapped around my waist while I drove into her—

I swallowed hard, eyes narrowing. Not now, I told myself. Focus.

Annie was handing off some posters to a male employee as she spoke. Just then, her assistant reappeared and stood beside her.

She took a few more steps before looking up—and locked eyes with me.

Her face froze in surprise. Her steps slowed as she turned toward her assistant with wide, questioning eyes. I moved closer, offering her a friendly smile.

“W-What are you doing here?” she asked, cold and cautious.

“Miss Annie Salcedo?” I said, extending my hand. “I’m pleased to finally meet you.”

She stared at me but didn’t shake my hand. Maybe she wasn’t expecting to see me—but shouldn’t her professionalism kick in?

This was the “professional” woman Ezekiel praised?

My grin widened at her conflicted reaction. I casually slid my hand back into my pocket.

“Uh… Miss Annie, this is Mr. Jeff Navarro, the new partner of Hayal Lingerie,” her assistant chimed in.

Annie turned to him, clearly puzzled by my presence.

“Where is Mr. Austria?”

“In the meeting room,” I answered for him, nodding toward the glass walls. Ezekiel was inside, on a call.

Annie glanced toward him.

“Is there a problem, Miss Salcedo?” I asked, not letting my gaze leave her.

Where was the feisty tigress from the neighborhood? That’s what I was expecting. Instead, she just cleared her throat and shrugged.

“No problem, Mr. Navarro. Let’s head to Room 100b. Please, follow me,” she said formally, striding past me toward the meeting room.