"Chief Esteban, I see that the position of Head of Health Physician has already been filled." The Chief Operating Officer of Moral Ez Luxury Hotels opened up the conversation, pertaining to a certain young man filling up such a big role in their joint company for his age.
"Chief De Leon sure does not let anything pass under his nose!" Chief Esteban, the Chief of Security, answered.
"Of course! Our CEO suddenly vanished in thin air, with no signs of being found or knowing if he's still alive. I needed to raise our company's security, something that you should be doing for it's your job, but instead, you youngsters seemed to use that chaos to insert this little rascal under our ranks!" Chief De Leon stood up from his chair and slammed the table.
"You don't know what you're talking about, Chief De Leon. I wouldn't tread lightly on this matter if I were you. But if everyone's too curious regarding our newest Chief Private Health Physician, he's the sole reason for the Young Master's recovery!" The Chief of Security leaned on his chair, provoking the old man even more.
"Do you mean that kid's already a skilled Healer- at that age?!" The Chief Medical Officer from Zeworld's Pharmaceutical Company Incorporated gasped in awe.
Despite all the Chiefs in both companies being all normal humans, every single one of them knows the secret of this world. A secret of people, like them- but with Gifts, Gifts that could create miracles.
"Then we must meet this new Chief immediately, especially now that we need his help the most!" The Chief Financial Officer of both joint companies stated, looking at their temporary CEO.
"That position has been held empty for so long, it's about time to replace Master Goodway!" The Chief Scientific Officer from Zeworld smiled with contentment displayed on her eyes.
"Then I'll get him!" The young Chief Executive Officer said with a smile on his face as he stood up from his chair and headed for the door.
"Young Master?" The Chief of Security tried to insist that he would just ask their staff to get their newest Chief, but their young CEO just went out himself.
Unable to hide his excitement for his savior's warm welcome from his circle, he went down to the young man's office.
"There's no going back, you're too deep in my life now, I can no longer let you go!" He whispers as he opens the door to the young man's office.
***
Achan's P.O.V
"CHEERS!" They all shouted as they raised all their glass of different types of drinks in the air.
"Chief, aren't you gonna drink?" Kammil asked me after noticing that I only ordered a mocktail.
"I still have a few errands to run later, I can't!" I said after taking a sip.
"Are you sure, Chief? This is your treat after all, we can't let you not have fun!" Norah butt in as she wraps her hands on my left arm.
Norah Herrer, 33 years old, is my Nurse Manager.
"I am having fun. It's cool to finally have the chance to meet all of you, I'm sorry for being too busy to even properly introduce myself to you guys!" I scratched the back of my head after seeing them all staring at me.
"It's not that big of a deal, Chief. Where's Lily anyway?" Rayven asked as he poured another drink for himself.
Rayven Licarte, 35 years old. The Assistant Medical Director.
"I heard she quit- don't take it personally, Chief, she's just not used to doing her work..." Heidy smiled as she offered me some of the barbecue that she had cooked for everyone.
Heidy Pranada, 29 years old. The Head Medical Technologist.
"She's right. That girl has done nothing since she was hired. After all, your position has remained unfilled ever since-" He stopped talking after realizing what he's been implying.
Everyone, including me, just stared at him.
"Pfft, I know about Master Goodway... Miss Irene already told me everything about my position!" I laughed it off to reduce their anxiety.
I just learned the reason for them being distant towards me wasn't because of my educational background or my age. It's because they knew the danger of my job! Though every single one of the employees under Moral Ez and Zeworld were all just humans, well, except me and my Head Spiritual Examiner. Some of them, who are in direct contact with the Boss and Manager, know everything about us and our existence. Making the Zeworld Pharmaceutical, my team, the Private Health Physician Office, the Chief of Security's staff, and the other heads of the company aware of people with Gifts!
Though they are aware of us, they are all signed under a Non-Disclosure Agreement contract, bound by Magic.
How convenient, right?
"Then, if you're comfortable enough to answer, how did you manage to cure the Young Master's Curse?!" Kammil asked, making everyone curious as they all leaned towards me.
They all seemed drunk at this point.
"Okay... I guess I could tell my team!" I smiled, which made them all happy.
"Come on, Chief, don't dawdle!" Rayven tried to rush me.
"I just did! It's my job after all!" I laughed after seeing them getting all invested.
"Aw, come on! We heard you're very powerful- can you at least show us some of your tricks? I always wanted to see a fellow Craftsman!" Shane held my right hand and acted cute to please me.
Craftsmen, I think that's what they call themselves in the south. Seems like he was born there...
Shane Guerrero, 31 years old. The Head Spiritual Examiner I told you about, he's a Psychic, I think?
"Guys, I am not a Mage, I don't do magic. I'm nothing but a Healer, okay? A Spiritual Healer!" I removed my right hand from Norah's embrace and tapped on his hands to let me go.
What's with these people and their idea of personal space?
"Please? Can you at least make a potion for us?" Kammil pleaded, eager to see my so-called "Magic trick"
*Sigh*
"Fine!" I surrendered.
I close my eyes as they all dialed down to watch me focus.
"I knew you were more powerful than that old Serpent Priest!" Shane exclaimed.
Luckily, there's nobody else around, I booked half the place after all!
I'm too cheap to waste that much money on the full establishment!
"Is this good enough?" I smiled after opening my eyes to a bunch of flickering lights coming out of my body.
"What kind of spell is this?" Rayven asked, mesmerized by the floating lights.
"It's nothing special, just my lifeforce-"
"HA?!" They all screamed in unison.
"Y'all looked so shocked! Don't worry, I won't die- think of it as a Mage's Mana, in Spiritual Healing, we use our own Lifeforce for our Rituals and Incantations. Making it a more powerful remedy to any Magical healing spells!" I laughed at them as I explained it.
They all act so immature, making me feel like I am just around their age...
"Chief? If you don't mind me asking, can you make a love potion?" Shane's question made me almost spit out my drink.
"What was that-" I was about to answer when a strong, firm hand pulled me away from the group.
"Chief?"
"What do you think you're doing?!" Manager yelled at me after he pulled me into an empty room.
"I-I'm having a get-together with my-"
"Are you stupid or what? Showing your power in public all willy-nilly?!"
He's mad at me?
"What if a member of the Society found you? Do you know what they could do if they found out that you've been Practicing again?!" He lowered his voice, but still had an irritated tone to it.
He knows about that? How much does he know about me- he knew about that?!
"Society? What do you know about the Society?!" I couldn't help myself after hearing it.
I just exploded after realizing that he already knew too much about me.
"No- Nothing!" He suddenly calmed down and tried to evade my gaze.
"Is that why you managed to find me- the day you took me, the reason why I couldn't see anybody around the town that day. You bribed a member of my Coven, didn't you?!" I grabbed his collar to force him to look at me.
He might be taller, but with my current rage, I know I can take him!
"Achan, you're overthinking this too much!" He tried to reason, but I can't hear his excuses right now.
"Is that why you were so confident that I could lift the Curse? Did you already fucking knew that I can indeed use a fucking Gift?!" I shook him and yelled.
"Achan,you-you're too angry, please do not curse me. Ca- Calm down first, and let's. Let's talk!" His eyes widened, as if-
*Gasp*
"You're scared... You're scared?" I let him go and took a step back after seeing his frightened look.
This is not the Manager I knew. He used to be so calm next to me, he knows how to ease my anger-
I stopped thinking after seeing him secretly reaching for his pocket.
"What is that? What are you doing?!" I acted cautiously, waiting for what he was about to take out of his pockets.
"I-" He stopped and raised both his hands empty in the air.
"Are you fucking scared at what I could do to you- whenever I get mad or get scared. You always tell me not to curse at you, were you talking about an actual Curse?!" I took another step back and turned my back on him after realizing what he truly felt about me.
Those times that he kissed me, I was also mad and scared that time, was he just...
"I-" He reached for me and made me turn towards him, and leaned next to my face.
I held my breath as I stared at his eyes.
These eyes.
Those eyes that start to tear up.
"I love you, Achan... I just can't let you do anything reckless!" He said before closing our gaps, kissing me for the third time already.
As I was about to give in, I felt a sudden weight on my entire body, making my eyelid feel heavier-
Those times that he kissed me, I was also mad and scared the time, was he just?
"You!" I immediately pushed him away and ran for the door.
"Spirits of the Earth, Green Sprite, help thy caster, make thy door as great as the mountains!" I prayed for the Spirits as I ran out.
"Achan!" He was about to chase after me, but the door was already sealed momentarily.
"HELP!" I screamed in the parking lot after realizing that my team had already left.
"Help!" I ran into the street, but it's already past midnight.
I was about to call the only number in my phone when a sudden pair of hands grabbed me off the street.
*Car Honks!*
I just found myself in the hands of somebody. My eyes are too heavy to even see whoever's holding me.
"He- Help, I've been drugged!" I screamed as I tried to fight him off.
My mind's getting heavier, making my body's movement feel like I am under the water, swaying my head with every move!
"Calm down!" A familiar voice calmed my exasperated nerves.
"Young Master? Help, I've been sedated, I can't-" I couldn't even finish my sentence.
"Shh, it's all right, just relax, I got you!" I can feel myself being carried as my mind begin to sink.
"I-I can't slee-slee-"
"Shh, you're safe now... I got you!" His soft voice was like a lullaby that made it easy for my mind to fall deeper.
As I feel myself getting further away from my body, so does my sense go. Making me fall into a deep, warm darkness.
I can't believe myself!
"I love you, Achan... I just can't let you do anything reckless!"
His voice echoed in my head, making this pain in my chest worse. Ricco Diaz, the man that you are! You could have told me your worries before. We could have talked it through. He's worrying too much for my sake. When I wake up, I'll teach you the proper way to confess, a better way to show your feelings, I promise you that!