Chapter 4: Hurt

"Surprise," Vanessa answered, she said to Zack with a smile. There seemed to be a subtext to what he said—like there were things playing on his mind that he wasn't saying directly. He looked back at Amy, as if wondering why the woman was still there.

Beneath his professional treatment, Amy was surprised by a mixture of discomfort and pain that hit her. He knew he had no right to be jealous, but he couldn't explain the pain he felt in his heart. In those moments, the weight of the secret he was carrying, the secret about the child he was carrying, seemed to intensify.

"Amy, you can go now. Alexandra will discuss your role further tomorrow," said Zack, trying to fix the situation. The tension was obvious to him, but he was trying to bring the situation back under control.

Amy nodded, smiling gently, but inside, she felt a turmoil of emotions. As he was leaving the office, he heard Vanessa's low voice, as if she was being removed from Zack's world. "I didn't know you needed a new secretary," Vanessa said, obviously meaning every word.

As Amy walks away, she knows this won't be the end. In his mind, it's clear that Vanessa's return will bring more complications, and the secret she carries will continue to threaten him with every step he takes.

'How long can I keep this secret?' he asked himself, Amy grabbed his stomach.

As he walked home, the events of his life returned to his mind. First, His uncle's plan to sell him.

Second, her pregnancy was unexpected. Although full of worries, she couldn't deny the joy that this new life brought to her womb.

And lastly, the feeling that he doesn't know how long it will last. Despite the one-night stand, she didn't know that she was slowly falling for Zack. Amy had no idea that just one night would bring her deeper feelings.

After their unexpected meeting in Zack's office, Amy quietly returns home, carrying the weight of the day's events. As she thinks about things she can't explain—her feelings for Zack, the child in her womb, and the seemingly huge distance between them now—she knows she has to be strong for her son and herself.

On the other hand, Zack is also restless. As he sat in his office, the image of Amy kept coming back to his mind—her eyes, and their unexpected meeting. He knew something was going on, but he couldn't tell what it was. He also couldn't deny to himself that Amy was constantly troubling his mind, despite the return of Vanessa, the girl he had been with for many years.

At night, Amy lies in her bed, holding a small necklace she inherited from her mother. A simple piece of jewelry engraved with the word "Hope," For Amy, this necklace is a symbol of her mother's love for her.

As he stroked her stomach, Amy couldn't hold back the tears.

"Baby, I don't know what will happen to us," he whispered softly, feeling the weight of the responsibilities. But despite everything, he knew one thing—he was ready to do anything for his son. She is determined to have a good life, not only for herself but for the child. And no matter how difficult the situation is, he wants to fight.

Meanwhile, Zack is restless in his condo. He was looking out the window, the city lights twinkling like stars in the distance. He couldn't deny his feelings for Amy. But the question that always comes back to him: "Why him?" Why can't he seem to be able to get that simple girl out of his mind? He has a girlfriend, he has a life in order. But why does it seem like something is missing?

The next day, Amy returns to Zack's office, now more ready to face the job and her future boss. When they meet again, they are more in control of their emotions, but the tension between them is still undeniable.

"Miss Quizon, I'm expecting nothing but professionalism between us from now on," Zack said seriously, trying to hide his feelings.

"Yes, sir. I understand," Amy answered, but inside she wasn't sure if she could avoid her feelings for Zack.

In the following days, while Amy works as Zack's secretary, she gradually learns the company's systems at least using the course she took in college.

Despite the tension between her and Zack, Amy proves to be reliable and good at her job. He has shown that he can succeed despite personal emotions.

At one time, there was a big project in the company. Zack and Amy had to work together to ensure the success of the deal. During the nights they were together, working, their gazes could not help but meet, and in every moment, it was as if something was being said by their lips that could not be uttered.

One night, while they were relaxing after a long day at work, Zack decided to talk to Amy more personally. "Amy, we need to talk," he began, his voice filled with doubt.

"About what, sir?" Amy asked, trying to steer the conversation away from their personal feelings.

"About us," answered Zack. "About what happened to us,"

Amy stopped, her heart racing. He wasn't sure how to answer Zack. He knows he has feelings for her, but the sheer number of complications in their situation—his daughter, Vanessa, and their past—are like walls blocking them.

But before he could answer Zack, the call came from the hospital. Quen, Zack's brother, suddenly called Amy. "Amy, you need to come here. You need to know something," Quen said seriously.

That calling seems to push Amy in a direction she never expected.