Prologue
THAT SUMMER I WANTED TO PUNCH A 10
Vacation Love #1
PROLOGUE
My eyebrows quickly went up when my boss suddenly brought up a vacation.
“What? Vacation? No.” I immediately said no to her offer.
What got into her today, offering a break I didn’t even ask for? Why so sudden?
“Agatha Christie Romualdez!”
I froze when she raised her voice. Her eyebrow arched—just like mine. She didn’t even look that old, maybe thirty-five. Just eight years older than me, but when she gets mad, it’s scary. She looks so kind and gentle, which is why it’s shocking when she gets angry. I don’t know how she puts up with my short temper, but I know there’s a place for that attitude.
“You’re disobeying me,” she said, raising her eyebrow while sitting on her swivel chair, looking straight at me.
I gulped.
Not because I was scared, but I didn’t want to look disrespectful in front of her. Getting fired is scary. It was already a blessing that I got hired as her secretary. My boss is kind, the environment is friendly, and most importantly—the salary is high.
Maybe I really do love money too much.
“I know you love your job, and you hate breaks, but it’s time for you to rest. You’re overworked, and I don’t want that,” she added, taking off her glasses and putting them on the desk.
I don’t know why, but my face softened. Still, I wasn’t convinced.
“I appreciate that, boss, but what would I even do on vacation? I’m more used to being here. I even enjoy work more than relaxing,” I explained.
Vacation was never in my plans. If I wanted that, I would’ve taken one before. My life is all about work. I keep myself busy so I don’t think about the things that hurt. I’m already content. I just want to rot in the office.
My boss shook her head. “Try hiking? Or traveling? It’s up to you. I’m giving you two months, so you can do everything you want.”
My eyebrow shot up again.
“T-Two months?!” I said, shocked.
Seriously, two months?!
She just laughed and crossed her arms in her pink swivel chair.
Is she kidding? This isn’t funny! Others would be happy, but me? Two months is too long!
“Boss, that’s too much…”
I tried fake crying, hoping she’d change her mind. I always do this. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. Life, right?
“This is the first time I’ve done this for you.”
That’s not true, boss. Remember that surprise blind date? I almost cried from stress. So no—this isn’t the first time.
“I really don’t want to. I swear I’d rather stay here…” I almost knelt, but she just smiled like she didn’t hear a word I said.
“Fine, reject my offer. But if you do, you’re fired.” She placed her pen down and stared at me.
“You choose, Agatha. Take a vacation or lose your job.”
Damn.
I ALMOST CRUSHED
my water bottle while staring at nothing, repeating her words in my head.
“You choose, Agatha. Take a vacation or lose your job.”
Screw that vacation!
“I don’t get why you’re so mad about the one-month break,” said Daniella beside me, eating turon.
“One month,” I corrected her without looking.
She rolled her eyes. “You’re lucky. People would kill for this break. I’m jealous.”
She had a point. It’s a rare opportunity. A privilege. But why me? Am I the boss’s favorite?
I turned to her. “Then why don’t you take the vacation if you want it so bad?” I snapped.
I ended up projecting my anger on Daniella—the only one who tolerates me. Even when I snap at her, she stays.
She smacked my shoulder hard, making me drop my water bottle.
“Ouch!” I rubbed my arm. If I removed my sleeve, there’d be a red mark.
“If I could switch with you, I would!” she sighed. “You won’t die from just one month.”
I slumped on the table. “I don’t even know where to go.”
I’m not into traveling. I only leave for business trips. Traveling alone? Never.
Daniella laughed. “My God. Go on a trip so your attitude improves.”
I rolled my eyes.
No need to tell me—I’ve had this attitude since birth and I’ll die with it.
“Whatever,” I muttered, clapping my thighs and closing my eyes. Let’s leave it to fate.
Maybe I’ll just stay in my apartment. Maybe I do need the rest.
A FEW HOURS LATER,
I was back in my boss’s office, begging again. I couldn’t take a whole month with no plans.
“Boss, please, just one week!” I begged, holding reports.
She shook her head.
I pouted. “Okay, three weeks, boss…” I paused. “Please…”
I don’t usually beg.
“No,” she replied, not even looking at me.
I leaned forward slightly.
“Four weeks? I’ll even clean the toilets.”
She shook her head again.
“How about five weeks—”
“For God’s sake, Agatha!” Okay. She’s really mad now.
“One month. Just one month. Take it easy and explore,” she said.
I pouted. “Boss, is that really your final decision?”
She stared at me before saying, “Yes. You always work non-stop. You need time for yourself. You’re great—yes…”
She paused.
“That’s why I never regretted hiring you. But you need to enjoy life—not just work.”
I stayed quiet.
Maybe her decision was final.
Then she said again:
“I know you don’t like vacations, but trust me, Agatha. A lot will change during your break. So enjoy it.”
Fine. I’ll convince myself this will be fun—even if I have no idea what to do.
LATER THAT NIGHT,
I was lying in bed, phone in hand. I wanted to search for travel destinations, but I got lazy and ended up scrolling on Instagram.
When does my break start, boss?
“Tomorrow.”
I dropped my phone and closed my eyes.
“Tsk. What got into her?” I whispered, trying to forget that tomorrow was the start of my vacation.
What should I do?
If I go to work, I’ll get fired. Thinking is exhausting.
Then my phone rang. I grabbed it and answered.
“Hello? Agatha speaking,” I said, staring at the ceiling.
I felt lifeless. And now a call? I felt more lifeless. Just kidding. I’m being dramatic.
“Agatha, how are you?”
I paused. That voice.
“Aunt Dalisay?” I had to check.
She laughed. Can’t blame me—I hadn’t talked to her in months.
“It’s really me, your one and only aunt!” she said, still laughing.
I sighed. “What if you have a doppelganger? That’d be creepy,” I joked.
She laughed more.
I don’t know if I’m corny or just naturally funny. But all my jokes work on her, and I love making her laugh.
“You silly kid. You’re making me laugh too much!”
I smiled.
Talking to Aunt Dalisay always makes me feel better. She never made me feel like a burden. She’s always been there.
Yes, she raised me like a second mom.
“How are you, Auntie? I’m doing okay here,” I said, softening my voice.
She cleared her throat. “We’re doing fine,” then paused. “You haven’t called us in a while. Do you have a new boyfriend now? Is that why you forgot about us?”
My eyebrow raised. “What? Auntie! I’ve just been busy with work,” I said, rubbing my eyes.
Here we go again—boyfriend talk.
“For five months? Busy with work?”
“Just really busy. And if I had one, I would’ve introduced him already. But right now, it’s just work,” I said, defending myself like a kid.
Crush lang. Nothing serious.
She chuckled. “Okay. So when’s your vacation? We need extra help at the coffee shop.”
My eyebrow raised.
Hmm. A possible vacation plan?
“Actually, Auntie, I can go home tomorrow,” I said with a smile.
“Tomorrow already?”
I nodded like she was in front of me. “Yes, my day-off starts tomorrow.”
I smiled wider, forgetting I was stressed earlier about this vacation.
No need for fancy trips. I’ll just go home to the province. With Auntie. I might even enjoy it.
