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"I don't need them in our company, Francine. As much as I know, they are the ones who need us. They need big names behind their projects; one of those is my family and the Vejars. Give them a message containing my response to their needs."

"Alright, Miss. I'll inform you after this."

I followed my assistant until my eyes could no longer see her. I let out a deep breath and massaged the bridge of my nose. I can't believe that those cheapskate will really want me to sign those papers of projects they proposed; as far as I know, that is bullshit. They want to construct new condo units near Makati at a low cost.

What a damn businessman with their trashy proposal! 

If I'm not mistaken, it was a good project; my older sister, Fayra, approved that idea. But on my behalf, she assigned me to monitor what those cheapstakes needed.

I studied the contract carefully. Even our recording session, because the company will release a lot of money by chance. Fortunately, I immediately found a loophole in their words. When I sign the contract, only our company will release millions, and those who ask for favors will not spend anything.

Annoying. Out of the many jobs I've done at this company, that's the one I don't want to encounter the most. I don't want to waste time or be bothered by a pointless project that only wants to screw us over. My god, at the size they want us to release, our share is only 20%.

I shook my head. Maybe they thought they could make a move on me.

I've been in this position for years now, since my sister Fayra settled down for peace. At first, she was hesitant to give me the title of "new CEO" of this company. She said that I might chase my dreams; she will not force me to sit if I'm not ready. I was so touched by that, but I know that it would be great for her to be with her family, being a mother and a wife to Kuya Mateo.

I still fumbled at first, but my sister was by my side and persistently helped me learn.

In my first month, the board of directors warned me that if I don't give them a performance of being a good CEO, they will decide to elect a new one. I know how much they don't trust my moves. They ruled me like a toy, trying to sabotage my position.

I thought they were our allies, but they betrayed us. They think that I don't have brain of who can ruled like a queen, but they got me wrong. They rob our company, they give our blue prints for our future projects that this company have plan since then, they try to dig us down, but of course, I'm may not fully related by blood to Fabians, but I'm still one of them, and I know how to make a move that can bring down my enemies.

I will not let what my family has worked so hard for disappear just like that. My sister, Fayra, and Dad sacrifice blood, sweat, and tears for this company, and I promise them that I will pursue being on top.

"Take a leave, Mira. You're too absorbed in the company; you also need to rest. Your brother Seb and I are also there; take a leave, and we'll take care of it first."

I shook my head at Ate Fayra. I watched her cook and serve in front of me.

Dinner: I really meant to go here instead of going straight to my condo because I know I can eat this kind of food. This past month, if my food wasn't cup noodles, I would order online. My eating routine becomes a cycle, and sometimes I just skip the water because I get bored of the taste.

"Now I can eat home-cooked food. Thank you, Sister!" My heartfelt thanks.

My sister Fayra smiled widely at me and continued her cooking. I started to eat little by little. I was really hungry a while ago. Just in time, her husband, Kuya Mateo, appeared, followed by their children. I immediately smiled when my nephew Ace and I met our eyes.

"You're here!" Ace's eyes widened, and he ran to hug me. I could hardly breathe because of the tightness.

"You're so big," I said as I messed with his hair.

"Aunt!" He disobeyed me and pulled his mother's chair. It ended just as well, and her baby was already carrying her.

"You're not gaining a lot of weight, Mira. You're neglecting yourself," Kuya Mateo commented to me. I just smiled at him and didn't answer.

"It's obvious, Babe. It was wrong for me to leave her to handle the company alone. If that's causing you a bad effect on you, I'd better just go back so you can have an assistant." Ate is serious with her four words.

"I'm okay, Sister, Brother. There are just too many problems this month. I need to focus on that matter so it doesn't grow any further."

"Did you talk to Dad about it?" 

I nodded. "He was mad; I'm expecting that. But I do promise him that I'll work on to file them a case that they deserve. We have proofs, and I already talked to Kuya Seb about it. He'll handle the rest."

"Well, that's good. I already told Mateo about it; he'll work through the remaining process for those bounced contracts."

I nodded and turned to my brother-in-law, who was busy feeding baby Faith. He can't even eat anymore because he is constantly taking care of their little daughter. I smiled out of spite.

I didn't think that, in the end, they would still be together. Back then, I just accepted that maybe some people are not really meant for each other. Apparently, they were brought together on purpose but not destined; that's what was on my mind when everything between them messed up. I really like Kuya Mateo for Ate Fayra. It's not just because Kuya was kind to me when they didn't get along. But because I'm holding on to something. I never got that out of my mind, so even though I knew how much my sister Fayra was hurt by Kuya Mateo, I still forced her to come back.

That time, when my sister left us all alone in the Philippines, Kuya Mateo immediately asked me where she was. I tried convincing him that I really don't know, because that's the truth.

I really don't know anything. I'm still confused about why it happened like that. Until a few days passed, it became a month. Kuya Mateo ran to me whenever he wanted to see Ate or whenever we talked via video call.

I learned Kuya Mateo's thoughts. He wants my sister back. He wants to hug her tightly and ask her to marry him again, but he knows it's not like he can just talk to her. I lost hope for them because my sister made it clear that they would only be civil to Ace. Not until this happened. It's all in the right place for their relationship. Everything is settled in peace.

"How is your heart? Somehow you don't remember your past.

I turned to Ate Fayra, who suddenly appeared beside me. She was leaning against the fridge while I was washing up our dishes.

I looked away from her. "I'm busy at work; I hardly have time to think about it, especially since there are problems at the office. I'm having a hard time, and I feel like giving up, but I prefer this rather than to think about the memories coming back to me. That's it. I'd rather be able to sleep from exhaustion than be awake and cry every night." I said, revealing what's really in my mind.

Throughout my life. I don't want to remember that part. I felt betrayed every time I went back to that scenario. I want to cry. I cry and cry, but when I do that, I just go back to being weak.

"He's with the company's next project, Mira. Next month, you'll definitely be together; do you want me to pull out those contracts—"

"I'm okay now, Ate. Also, it's work. I will never mix work and my feelings." I stopped her.

From the corner of my eye, I could see that Ate Fayra was uncomfortable with my answer. I sighed and faced him. This is what I don't want, so sometimes it's better to own what I resent in life. I don't want to see her affected by any of my problems.

"I'm fine, Ate Fayra. Also, it's been a long time. Whatever I'm feeling now, it's just a part of the past that I'm slowly burying in oblivion. It's normal, so don't think about me."

"I believe in you, Mira. As long as you don't want to, you have the right to remove him from the project. Just talk to your Kuya Sébastien; he will take care of the money to be returned to him."

I just nodded and didn't talk anymore. After a while, we were talking about another topic. I breathed a sigh of relief because somehow I felt better. Ate Fayra's house is really the one that can get rid of my worries. Their house is full of love and life, and the only thing that can be heard in the whole house is the laughter of her husband and children.

"Don't you intend to follow Faith?" I asked.

We are in the living room. I was carrying Faith on my lap, who was smiling at me. She still only has a few teeth, so she looks cute.

"Not for now. Your brother-in-law has so many tasks in his office, I might just find it difficult by chance."

"But you want Faith to be followed?" I tease her.

Ate Fayra blushed when I said something that made me laugh. It happened that her husband had just come down, and we looked at each other in surprise. When Kuya Mateo got close to my sister, he kissed her first.

"It's a good day for you to come here, Mira; your sister looks very happy that you're here."

"When my schedule allows me to be free, Kuya, I'm always here. I've missed my nieces and nephews, especially Ace. It used to be that I just carried him; now, I can hardly carry that firstborn of yours, I said.

"Time flies. I can't believe it, even Faith, it's been three years. It looks like I'll need another job to do for the third one—Damn it, babe!"

"Shut up, Mateo!" Ate Fayra said when she finished pinching him on the side. My brother-in-law's face is almost unremarkable. Maybe her wife really got stronger to made him feel that way.

"Anyway. Are you planning to stay here tonight? I cleaned your room." Ate Fayra's attention was swiftly directed at me.

"I'm going back to the office today. I'll get the files I left behind, then I'll go straight to my unit. Zari is probably waiting for me," I pointed out to my friend.

The three of us had a long conversation. We have almost reached three hours of chatter. During that whole time, we just kept laughing. It feels especially good inside. I feel like I don't have a problem anymore.

I didn't stay long; I went back to the office and just took some papers that I needed for the final contract that Kuya Seb and Kuya Morgan were asking for. I went straight to my unit with Zari. When I entered, I was immediately greeted by Zari's deafening voice.

I didn't have a hard time looking for her because she was definitely in front of the sink again, and she was constantly with herself.

I just got used to this girl. I wanted to laugh since she is a woman, but the voice she produced is broken. But like she always says, embrace your flaws. I am happy with Zari. She was my best friend from when I was in high school up until these days. I didn't expect to find someone who was like a sister to me.

"I thought you wouldn't take me home tonight; I'm really going to sulk with you, Amira Angelyn!" She yelled when she saw me.

I laughed at her. "Don't give me that kind of reaction, Zari. Maybe you'll be happier if I'm not here because you can have your boyfriend come here." I smirked.

Her eyes widened and pointed at me. "Excuse me, my dearest best friend. Just so you know, I don't have a lover. And if I do, it's a miracle!" She snorted.

"You're a miracle there. Hey, what do you call a bunch of roses in the living room, anyway?" I raised my eyebrows, giving her a malicious grin and stare.

She gaped. In my mind, I was laughing at her. I continued drinking water, but I almost threw it out if I hadn't been shocked by what she said.

"That's not mine. That's for you. It's from Giovanni."