2 - The Investor

He lifted me against the wall as I wrapped my arms around his neck. I wrapped my legs around him too. I missed him. I do.

In the heat of the moment, Thad gently carried me to the nearby couch, never breaking our kiss. The urgency between us intensified as our hands explored each other's bodies, tracing every curve and edge. His touch ignited a fire within me, and I responded eagerly, craving more of his closeness.

As we continued to kiss, time seemed to slow down, and the world around us faded into the background. Each kiss became more intense, fueled by desire and a shared longing. Our hearts beat in sync, echoing the passion that burned between us.

Eventually, we broke apart, breathless and flushed with desire. Thad's eyes met mine, filled with a mix of tenderness and hunger.

"Your body can't lie to me, Cali," he said in a rugged and husky voice. I bit my lips and avoided his stares. Fuck. What did I do?

"I was drunk. And you take advantage of it!" I said, almost shouting. But he just grinned, which made me feel irritated more.

Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo sa sofa para lumabas ng bar at nagmamadaling sumakay mg sasakyan ko, but Thad followed me. He sat comfortably in the passenger seat, and he even put his seatbelt on.

"Ano ba, Thaddeus!" Sigaw ko sa kanya.

"Hatid mo 'ko, hindi ko dala sasakyan ko." Napataas ako ng kilay sa sinabi niya. Pero ngumiti lang siya at kinuha ang cellphone sa bulsa.

Hindi ko nalang siya pinansin at magda-drive na sana nag pigilan niya ako.

"Fuck," I muttered in annoyance.

"Can you even drive? I thought you were drunk?" he asked. I growled in annoyance, but he was just smiling from ear to ear.

"Ako na, lipat ka dito." Sabi niya at tinanggal ang seatbelt, pero hindi bumaba ng sasakyan.

"Move," I angrily said. I was trying to compose my voice, but with him, I couldn't. Kumukulo ang dugo ko sa kanya.

"Up, baby." he said teasingly. Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya.

"What?!" Inis kong tanong. I glared at him.

"Angat. Carry your body up. Akala ko ba matalino ka?" Pangangasar niya pa. Pinandilatan ko siya ng mga mata, but he just chuckled.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Inis kong sigaw sa kanya, pero inilapit niya lang ang mukha niya saakin.

"You. You made me crazy over you, Cali." He whispered in my ears and licked it. It gives me shivers down my spine. What the heck!

"Move baby, hindi ako lalabas baka iwanan mo ako." Parang bata niyang sabi.

I clenched my fists, trying to maintain control as his teasing only fueled my frustration. His closeness was unnerving, and his words cut through my defenses like a knife. Despite my anger, there was an undeniable tension between us, a magnetic pull that I couldn't ignore.

At mukhang hindi talaga siya lalabas ng sasakyan, at hindi kami makakauwi kung walang kikilos saaming dalawa. Alam kong mapang-asar na siyang tao, pero mas lalong sumobra ata ang pangangasar niya saakin ngayon dahilan para kumulo ang dugo ko sa kanya.

Against my better judgment, I lifted myself to move to the passenger seat. It was a struggle, and I thought he had already shifted, but to my surprise, I found myself seated directly in front of him! And I can feel his erection! Fuck! Fuck!

"Tangina, Thaddeus!" Sigaw ko pero tumawa lang siya at hinaplos ang balikat ko habang hinahalikan niya iyon papunta sa leeg ko.

"Urgh. I can't get enough of you, baby." Sabi niya pa at hinawakan ang magkabilang hita ko para ilapit pa sa kanya. I let out a soft gasp as I felt his bulging junior into mine, which made me feel weak. Tangina. Tangina.

"Isa, Thad. Baka gusto mong ipatadtad kita?!" Inis kong sigaw sa kanya bigla namang nawala ang kamay nito hita ko, kaya napaangat ako ng katawan para makalipat siya sa driver's seat.

"Damn, you." Inis kong sigaw sa kanya. Tumawa lang naman siya at pinaandar na ang makina ng sasakyan.

"I love you too," he teased. Fuck.

Sumasakit ang ulo ko sa pinaggagawa ni Thad! Tangina. Bakit ba kasi siya nandito sa Miami?! Iniinis niya ba ako?!

Sumandal ako sa upuan at pinikit ang mga mata. Sumasakit ang ulo ko dahil sa alak, at mas lalong sumasakit ang ulo ko dahil sa pangangasar niya. Tangina kasi! Bakit ako iniwan nila Era at Mel! Nakakainis! Nakakainis!

I didn't know that I drifted to sleep. Nagising nalang ako nang huminto ang sasakyan. Napansin kong tumigil na kami sa parking lot ng condo ko at bigla akong napaayos ako ng upo dahil sa gulat.

"I didn't even tell you where I lived?! How do you know?!" Gulat kong tanong sa kanya.

"Uh, because I lived in the same building?" he said while grinning.

Inis akong napatingin sa kanya at mabilis na kinuha ang susi ng sasakyan ko para lumabas. Lumabas din siya kaya ni-lock ko iyon at mabilis na naglakad papuntang elevator. Nang bumukas iyon, I pressed the 34th floor. May tatlong unit lang ang nandoon dahil halos penthouse na ang itsura mula 30th floor hanggang 35th floor. At penthouse na ang nasa 36th floor.

Gusto ko sana iyong, 36th floor, but the area was too big for me. Ako lang naman ang mag-isa. Mel and Era are living on their own too, pero hindi dito building ko.

Magkakasama narin naman daw kaming lumaki, pati sa trabaho magkakasama parin daw. Kaya ginusto nila mapalayo saakin.

Pumasok din si Thad at pinindot ang 36th floor. What? Did he occupy the penthouse?

"It's my friend's. Nakikitira lang." Sagot niya, siguro nakita ang pagtataka sa mukha ko.

I didn't give a shit and diverted my attention to my ringing phone. It was Mel.

"Hey!" she shouted. Nailayo ko kaagad ang phone ko sa tenga ko at napapikit ng mariin.

"What the fuck, Mel?" I cursed under my breath.

"What the fuck, Cali. You left us! We don't have a car! How are we supposed to get home?!" Mel's voice shouted through the phone, frustration and anger evident in her tone. I heaved a sigh, trying to stay calm amidst the chaos.

"I'll call Dylan to fetch both of you. So, stay put and don't do anything rash," I replied calmly before ending the call. Without wasting any time, I dialed Dylan's number. He was our butler, but given that we were the same age and had grown incredibly close over the years, he was more like a confidant, sometimes even mistaken for a boyfriend.

"Babe, can you fetch Mel and Era? They're at the usual bar. Call me later when you've driven them home," I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the turmoil within me.

I heard Dylan chuckle on the other end, amused by my use of 'babe.' It was a code we often used to indicate that something was off and that I needed him to be extra vigilant.

"What the heck, babe? Alright, babe," he responded laughter in his voice. His light-hearted tone brought a small smile to my face. He knew what calling him 'babe' meant—that I was dealing with something troubling and potentially involving unwelcome attention from men.

I can see Thad's reaction to the reflection from the metal of the elevator. He was mad. Napataas ang kilay ko nang magtama ang tingin namin doon.

Mabuti naman ay tumigil na ang elevator sa pool ko. Lumabas ako at nagpunta sa unit ko. Mabuti nalang ay hindi na sumunod si Thad saakin dahil baka matadtad ko talaga siya.

I took a quick shower and changed before going to bed. Nang makahiga na ako sa kama ay hindi ako makatulog, bigla akong napahawak ako sa labi ko.

Thad's kiss lingered on my lips, a tantalizing mix of desire and regret. Despite my attempts to push him away, his touch had awakened something within me—a longing I had tried to bury for years. The strength of my reaction to him both frightened and intrigued me.

I tried to sleep, but my mind was racing, unable to quiet the tumultuous thoughts and emotions that Thad had stirred up. With a heavy sigh, I got up from bed, feeling the weight of the night pressing down on me. I walked to the kitchen, the cool tile floor grounding me as I reached for the bottle of red wine and poured myself a generous glass.

The wine was a familiar comfort, its rich flavor enveloping my senses as I made my way to the living area. I settled on the couch, the city lights of Miami sprawling out before me through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Not far from my sight was the long white beach of Miami, its serene beauty contrasting sharply with the storm raging inside me.

I took a sip of the wine, the warmth spreading through me, attempting to soothe the turmoil within. The view of the city was breathtaking, a vibrant tapestry of lights and movement that usually brought me peace. Tonight, however, it felt distant and unreachable, much like the stability I had worked so hard to achieve.

The memory of Thad's kiss replayed in my mind, a relentless loop of desire and confusion. How could a single kiss reignite so many feelings I thought I had buried? The years apart had done little to diminish the impact he had on me, and now, his sudden reappearance threatens to unravel everything I have built.

I took another sip of wine, my thoughts drifting back to our past. That had been my first love, the kind of intense, all-consuming relationship that leaves an indelible mark on your heart. Our breakup had been devastating, a wound that had taken years to even begin to heal. And now, with him standing before me, professing his desire to rekindle what we once had, I felt torn between the safety of my current life and the magnetic pull of our shared history.

The sound of my phone buzzing broke the silence, pulling me out of my reverie. It was a text from Dylan: "They're home safe. Is everything okay on your end?"

I typed a quick reply, assuring him that I was fine, though the truth was far more complicated. "Thanks, Dylan. I'm alright. I just need some time to think."

His response came almost immediately: "Take care, Cali. If you need to talk, I'm here."

I smiled at his words, grateful for his unwavering support. Dylan had been a constant presence in my life, a rock I could lean on when everything else felt uncertain. His friendship was a lifeline, and tonight, more than ever, I appreciated it.

As I set my phone down, I took another long sip of wine, my eyes wandering back to the cityscape. The lights of Miami glittered like stars, a reminder of the endless possibilities that lay ahead. I knew that I needed to confront my feelings about Thad and find a way to reconcile my past with my present.

Closing my eyes, I let the memories wash over me—the good and the bad. The laughter, the passion, the heartbreak—all of it was part of who I was. And while the future remained uncertain, I knew that facing these emotions was the only way to find clarity and peace.

I stayed there for a while, lost in thought, the wine offering a small measure of solace. As the night wore on, I felt a sense of resolve beginning to form. Whatever happened with Thad, I would face it head-on, with the strength and resilience I had cultivated over the years.

Though I slept late, I woke up early, the remnants of last night's thoughts still lingering in my mind. I decided to clear my head with a morning jog. Slipping into my jogging attire, I felt the familiar comfort of the routine as I laced up my running shoes.

The sun was just beginning to rise as I stepped out of my apartment, the cool morning air a refreshing contrast to the warmth of my bed. The streets of Miami were quiet, and the city was still waking up as I made my way to the nearby park.

I jog for almost an hour. Napatigil lang ako nang makaramdam na ng pagod kaya umupo ako sa bench malapit at ininom ang tubig na binili bago ako tumigil sa pagtakbo.

Nagsisimula nang maging busy ang siyudad ng Miami. Marami-rami narin ang taong naglalakad papunta sa work nila, or to the grocery stores or what.

May mga nanay ring ginagala ang mga anak sa parke. Napangiti ako habang nakatingin sa mga batang masayang naghahabulan. Their laughter filled the air, a joyful soundtrack to my morning jog. Watching them, I felt a pang of longing in my heart.

I'm turning thirty this year, yet I haven't built a family. Gustong-gusto ko na magkapamilya. But I can't find a perfect man who's willing to understand a hardworking woman. I've been into flings but never been into a serious relationship. The men I've met either couldn't keep up with my ambition or were intimidated by my success. It's hard to find someone who sees past the CEO title and recognizes the person beneath it.

I continued my jog, my thoughts drifting back to Thad. He had been different once. He had seen me for who I truly was, and for a time, we had shared something deep and meaningful. But that was a decade ago, and people changed. Or maybe they don't, and we were simply too young to make it work back then.

"Good morning,"

"Kabayong lumilipad!" I shrieked as someone tapped my shoulder and spoke. I heard laughter from beside me, and I turned, irritated.

I saw Thaddeus laughing like a kid. Umagang-umaga, naninira ng araw!

"Bakit ka nandito?" I asked, my annoyance clear in my voice.

"Jogging, just like you," he said, still grinning. "Sino bang in-expect mong tatapik sa'yo ng ganitong oras?"

I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest at seeing him again. "Di ba sabi ko, ayoko na ng involvement sa'yo?"

He raised an eyebrow, the smile fading slightly. "Hindi pa ba tayo tapos sa usapan natin kagabi? Besides, this is a public park. I have as much right to be here as you do."

I sighed, picking up my pace, hoping he would take the hint and leave me alone. But he matched my stride, effortlessly keeping up.

"You look good, Cali," he said after a moment of silence. "Good."

I felt a blush creep up my cheek, but I kept my focus straight ahead. "Flattery won't get you anywhere, Thad."

He chuckled softly. "I'm not trying to flatter you; I'm just stating a fact."

We ran in silence for a while, the sound of our footsteps the only noise between us. I couldn't help but steal glances at him, noting how he had changed. He looked more mature, and confident. The boy I had loved was now a man, and that realization both intrigued and unsettled me.

I left him as the clock struck seven. I still needed to prepare for work. Upon arriving at the company, Monica greeted me immediately, followed by the board of directors, all eager to update me on the issues from yesterday.

"Good morning, Miss Cali," Monica began, walking briskly beside me as I made my way to my office. "We have some updates on the negative feedback regarding our cruise ships."

I nodded, trying to shift my focus from the morning's emotional whirlwind to the pressing matters at hand. "Go ahead, Monica."

"The team has been working on addressing the concerns. We've contacted the passengers who left negative reviews and offered compensation. Additionally, we're conducting a thorough review of our service protocols to identify any gaps."

"Good. What about the media coverage?" I asked, entering my office and sitting at my desk. The board of directors followed, taking their seats around the conference table.

"We've issued a statement reassuring our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction," one of the directors chimed in. "We're also planning a media event to showcase the improvements we've made."

"Excellent," I replied, my tone firm. "We need to make sure this doesn't escalate any further. Our reputation is at stake."

The directors nodded in agreement, and I could sense their collective relief. This crisis, though challenging, was manageable. As the meeting continued, we discussed the specifics of our action plan, from additional staff training to enhancing onboard amenities.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, I found my thoughts drifting back to Thad and our conversation. His words had left a mark, stirring up old feelings and unresolved questions. But there was no time for personal distractions now. The company needed my full attention.

The board of directors left and left me and Monica alone in my office. Monica mentioned that I had a lunch meeting with the investor from yesterday. I nodded and did my work for hours, replying to emails, scanning documents, and finalizing projects.

"Miss Cali, it's time to go," magalang na sabi ni Monica. Napatingin ako sa digital clock katabi ng monitor ko at nakita kong 11:45 na. Sinarado ko ang laptop ko at inayos ko ang mga gamit ko bago lumabas ng opisina.

Tahimik naming tinatahak ang daan papunta sa hotel kung saan kami magkikita ng investor. It was supposed to be Era's work, but dahil sumang-ayon ako kay Monica ay ako ngayon ang papunta sa meeting place.

I haven't read the proposal yet, siguro mamaya nalang dahil sobrang daming nangyari saakin kagabi at nakalimutan ko ding basahin kanina sa dami ng trabahong tambak.

Nakarating kami ni Monica sa hotel at dinala ako sa pinakatuktok ng building dahil nandoon ang restaurant nila.

I think that the Sierra Hotel is the tallest building in Miami. It has 85 floors, for Pete's sake.

Monica and I arrived at the restaurant, and the receptionist led us to our table. A man was already seated, waiting for us.

I bit the inside of my cheek when I saw Thaddeus. Him? Investing in my company? Was this some ridiculous joke?

"Good afternoon, Cali," he greeted with a smile. I glared at him and was about to walk away when he reached out and grabbed my hand. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through my veins.