How To Court A King

CHAPTER ONE

His mom asks more things about Japan and after answering all of them, he got to listen to his mom singing.

Luis' phone rings and that means his visitation hour has ended. He couldn't stay for much longer today because he has to report back to their office as soon as possible.

"You're leaving already? Good luck with you work, Mr. Writer!"

"Thanks, mom, I'll visit you again soon."

- - - - - - - - - -

"You're 3 minutes late, Luis Ashley!"

Luis smiles, holds his hands up as if in surrender then awkwardly scratches his nape. "Hello, Ma'am Tin. I love your look today."

Christine Go, aka their company's evil boss Ma'am Tin, is wearing a red fitted, strapless, dress with a white blazer on and a very high pair of Louboutin stilettos. A very typical Monday for their lady boss.

Speaking of which, she gives him the you're-late-and-you're-dead look. "I love my look, too, but you're not going away with that. You're still three minutes late and because of that, you're going to be in the meeting with me."

He scratches his nape again and salutes to his boss. Of all the things he wanted to do in a Monday morning, being stuck in a meeting is the least in his list, but that's his fate for today and might us well be prepared for it. Maybe Ma'am Tin will give his next project, too, in the meeting since he just finishes his last one.

"How's your flight, Luis?"

Finally, someone who loves them! It's Ion Ferrer, the other boss of the company. If their Ma'am Tin is the evil, luckily for them, their Sir I would be the angel one.

"Tiring but successful, Sir I. Should I be nervous because I was asked to be in the meeting?"

Sir I has this kind smile that they really don't know if it's just innocently kind or a smile that shows that he actually know things that they don't. Maybe both. Having these powerful people for their bosses are really tricky because they love playing mind games with them.

"Hmmm. Let's just say prepare for it because I all I know it's a challenge you wouldn't want to turn down."

- - - - - - - - -

"I don't really know how you handle the stress, Sir Luis."

Luis laughs with his newest officemate and cubicle partner, Erika, who's now pouting and sulking like a kid. "You'll get used to Ma'am Tin in no time, trust me, and everyone starts like that. I remember asking Sir I how she handles Ma'am Tin during my first months, too."

The lady writer giggles at that. "It seems like Ma'am Tin is really the only person who stresses everyone in all the good and bad ways possible. Oh! Speaking of Ma'am Tin, I only knew that Sir I is not her assistant! Sir I is actually our "other" boss!"

It's always fun for Luis seeing everyone have the same mistake he almost had when it was his first time in the company. Good thing he accidently heard that their Sir I is actually the son of the real company CEO and is the co-acting president with Ma'am Tin. The only difference between their two bosses is that Ma'am Tin handles the production department, involving the assignment of articles and the whole marketing; while Sir I handles the editorial department, from writing to editing to publishing.

Luis was just about to explain that when his phone rings indicating that he has to go the meeting already. He excuses himself and made a mental note to explain everything to her some other time.

- - - - - - - - - -

"Congratulations everyone for the latest issue but before the real celebration happens, let's not forget that in three months' time, it will be our company's fifth anniversary."

Everyone applauded with the news and murmurs of excitement already started. Luis was relieved that this meeting involved every senior writers of the company and was not the type of long, boring meeting they all dreaded to be in. But the thing is, he still feels uneasy. He doesn't know if it's because of Ma'am Tin's evil grin or Sir I's kind smile. Either of two, he's having gut feelings that something is really about to happen.

"Another thing to celebrate about is that Exposé magazine remains to be the top one magazine for this year's third quarter, which also poses great challenges for everyone." Ma'am Tin smiles, showing her fangs, like a real game master. "Everyone please, open your envelopes because that would contain your challenge for the next issue."

That caused Luis to have an internal panicking because he doesn't have an envelope in front of him. When he looks at Sir I, he's now grinning but still in a very warm way. He doesn't really know when Sir I will ever talk in meetings but for him, just smiling there and knowing everything everyone doesn't know about is scarier than their Ma'am Tin's verbal challenges.

"We're aiming for two-one for maintaining our first spot, and second is for our anniversary special. I have faith in you guys that you can deliver both at your best capacities."

Ma'am Tin removes her white blazer and without it, her bloody red dress and lips were highlighted even better. She now looks like a real she-devil.

"As for anyone who doesn't have an envelope, AKA Luis, you're coming into the office with me now."

- - - - - - - - - -

"We've tried countless of times-countless of efforts, plans, appointments. Name it, we've all tried anyone can think of just to meet the man behind the House of Kings and if your thinking that all of those tries failed, you're right. It was harder than the impossible."

The House of Kings. That woke up every single goosebumps Luis has. He's gut feelings are never wrong and this is one of the things he wished he was wrong about. So, this is the reason why he never felt at ease with the bosses' looks.

Ma'am Tin sighs and accepts the iced coffee Sir I offers her. "I'm getting stressed as hell because the board is pressuring us to include that man in our anniversary special and like what I said, we only have three months' time for this."

He gulps. Out of all the challenges he took for this company, this is the first time he's having second thoughts already without even knowing the whole challenge.

The lady boss grins and starts describing the man as if he was sent from above-which he would agree to because that would be the real definition of whom they are talking about. He senses deep trouble when he started thinking about the things he worked so hard to forget about.
Stop it Luis Ashley! This is no time to have major throwbacks!

"I'm giving you this project because I know you can do this. I know you wouldn't turn down such challenge no one has ever accomplished before. Imagine being the one who seals this deal done-you're about to prove you can do even the impossible..." Ma'am Tin stood up to give an envelope to him. "...and our perfect opportunity has come. They are looking for the new social media manager of the 'The House of Kings'."

Luis eyes never left the envelope. He was more surprised when the other thing that was handled over to him is a blank cheque.

"Name your price, Manalo, because he is Juan Miguel King-the most sought out bachelor everyone wants a piece of-and all you need to do is to court this King."