CHAPTER 2

Out of a hundred applicants, only one person stood out, and Carmela was excited to see him again. Based on her judgment as a mother, Stefan would be the perfect secretary for Jacob. The guy was witty and smart, and Carmela could immediately tell he wouldn’t cause a headache for her son.

When it comes to hiring his secretary, Carmela Gordon was hands-on. She only wanted the best for her son, and no HR personnel could do better than her in hiring the best person to become Jacob’s secretary.

“Mom, be honest with me, who is this guy? Is he your boyfriend?” Jacob jested about the new secretary who was shortlisted by his mother. 

Carmela arched her perfectly shaded brows to Jacob for joking about her boyfriend. Maybe it would be fun to have a young man, but she wouldn’t do that! It would only embarrass her son who ran a bank empire.  “Geez! How can you say that to me, baby?”

Jacob cringed at the endearment that his mother used when they’re alone. He’s already thirty-two but the way his mother saw him, he’s only a kindergarten. If anyone in the head office would hear them, it would be scandalous! “Perhaps you should refrain yourself from calling me that because I’m no longer a baby.” He told her, but his mother ignored his request.

Carmela pinched the skin on Jacob’s side, and he tried to get away from her. It was common for both of them, but when a bald man entered the office unannounced, Carmela forced a smile on her mouth. She was disgusted that someone caught her in an embarrassing position! She’s a respectable woman, but earlier, she acted differently and out of character! She shouldn’t be too personal with Jacob when they’re in the office. “Stefan, right?” She asked the newcomer when she recognized him from the picture on his resume.

“Yes, Ma’am.” He answered politely.

“You’re just in time, dear. Jacob and I are waiting for you so you can have breakfast with us,” she said, as she clutched the purse on her side, and motioned Jacob that they should proceed to the nearby restaurant.

When she entered the office, she failed to notice the man who’s going to be her boss, but when Mrs. Gordon invited her for breakfast, she couldn’t help but stare at the man. He disliked her, and she could tell it by the way he warned her not to go with them. “I already ate, Mrs. Gordon. Thank you,” she heeded the man’s warning but Mrs. Gordon grabbed her hand, and she had no choice. When she looked back at him, he scowled at him. Was it hate at first sight?

“Go ahead, Jacob. I’ll have my favorite, and this guy here will have whatever you’re having.” Carmela ordered her son to go ahead to the restaurant while she and Stefan discussed something while walking. “So, what’s your first impression on Jacob?” She's curious to know Stefan's first impression on her son, Jacob.

Stephanie blinked her eyes several times when Mrs. Gordon asked her a question not relevant to work. “Hmmm, he’s strict.” She replied based on her observation earlier.

Carmela laughed at Stefan’s response because he guessed it correctly. Her son was already thirty-two years old but he’s kinda strict most of the time that his cousins feared him at home. “Don’t you find him unusual?” She probed a little more because she’s interested to know the man’s observation on Jacob.

She assumed that it’s part of the interrogation process but she was informed last time that she was hired for the job. But why did the CEO’s mother kept on questioning her? Deep inside, Stephanie hoped that she wouldn’t make a mistake on her first day at the head office of Wolf Bank. It was the first company she applied for after shaving her head, and she passed the initial screening and moved on to the final interview. “I'm not sure about him, but the headquarter was unique. I haven’t seen a single woman in the building, except for you.” She admitted.

Carmela cleared her throat when she heard Stephan’s remarks. As Jacob’s mother, she had no idea what motivated Jacob to replace all the women at Wolf Bank. From the managers up to the bank tellers,  there were only men. “Have you read or heard anything about us, Stefan?” She questioned the man instead.

“Of course, Mrs. Gordon. The men in your family were famous playboys in their generation,” she answered.

Carmela nodded her head in agreement, but her husband was the worst of them all. At least, the elders didn’t leave their legal wives for their mistress. However, Jacob’s father was different, and he left her for another woman.  “At least you have an idea of you’re getting into, Stefan. I trust that you will help Jacob to keep his affairs discreet. I don’t want the media to find out who he is currently dating or the next woman if there’s any.” She explained the situation and the importance of the secretary's job.

It wasn’t her style to stick her nose into someone else’s business, and it would be a hassle if her boss got involved in a scandal. “You can trust me on that, Mrs. Gordon.” She assured the woman. 

“Thank you, Stefan. The secretary before you was also trustworthy but he had to migrate to Canada for personal reasons.” Carmela said.

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Gordon. I will do my best to assist your son!” She declared, but deep in her heart, she suspected that her boss, Jacob Gordon, was a closet queen. It’s only a hunch, but she’s positive that the man was gay, and while thinking about the possibility, she couldn’t help but stare at the man’s behind while he walked ahead of her and his mother.

“Good,” she smiled at the young man. “By the way, I like your tattoo.” She had always been a fan of the art but it wasn't allowed in the family to have a tattoo. If there's someone who has a tattoo, it was Jenny Gordon, but it was hidden well below her cleavage. 

“Thank you,” she also smiled at the older woman before they entered the restaurant. Jacob studied the menu and from the entrance, she could see how chiseled his jawline was. The few day's growths of his whiskers added some masculinity on his face, and she bit her lower lip when his adam’s apple moved.

During the initial screening, the interviewer saw her tattoo. Well, who wouldn’t when the Chinese symbols were large enough to be seen by everyone? Tracy insisted on having it inked on her neck and the artist agreed with Tracy.

Initially, she disagreed with the idea of a neck tattoo because of its high visibility to the public, but Tracy convinced her that if she wanted to look like a badass, she should go for it. Tracy also helped her in choosing a bold, rebellious, and an awesome tattoo design for her neck. She also got inked on her right arm. 

“I suggest you erase the tattoo on your neck and just let me know how much,” Jacob said.

WHAT? Erased the tattoo she just recently got? Did he know how much pain she tolerated just to have it? “I was informed that having a tattoo wouldn’t be an issue in Wolf Bank, sir.” She replied.

“Of course, however, it’s an issue to me, Mr. Cuizon,” Jacob responded.