Ang umaga ng Lunes ay tila magaan kay Kairah, ngunit sa loob ng opisina, hindi maikakaila ang mga hamon ng kanilang negosyo. Habang siya at si Liam ay nagkikita sa conference room upang pag-usapan ang mga susunod nilang hakbang, ramdam ni Kairah ang bigat ng mga responsibilidad. Kailangan nilang magdesisyon kung anong mga proyekto ang ipagpapatuloy at kung paano haharapin ang mga posibleng pag-aalinlangan mula sa mga investors. Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, hindi nawawala ang ngiti ni Liam, na siyang nagpapagaan ng pakiramdam ni Kairah.“Anong plano natin ngayon, Kairah?” tanong ni Liam habang hawak ang isang tablet na naglalaman ng mga ulat ng kanilang negosyo. Nakaupo siya sa isang upuan sa kabilang dulo ng mesa, ang kanyang mga mata ay masusing tinitingnan ang bawat detalye sa mga reports.“Liam, hindi ko alam kung saan ako magsisimula,” sagot ni Kairah, habang nakatingin sa mga dokumento sa harap niya. “Ang dami nating kailangang ayusin. Hindi ko na kayang isolo ang lahat ng ito.”Lu
Habang patuloy na umaagos ang oras, natutunan ni Kairah na hindi basta-basta makakamit ang tagumpay, lalo na sa isang industriya kung saan ang bawat hakbang ay may kalakip na peligro. Ang presyur na dulot ng Greystone Corp. ay parang isang mabigat na ulap na patuloy na humahapil, ngunit hindi ito naging hadlang para sa kanya. Sa halip, nagbigay ito ng higit pang lakas at determinasyon na magpursige, lalo na sa kabila ng mga bagong hamon na patuloy na dumarating.Sa mga susunod na araw, nagsimula ang team ni Kairah na magbigay ng mga feedback sa kanilang mga bagong ideya at proyekto. Pinagtulungan nilang mapabuti ang kanilang brand image at produkto, gamit ang mga leksyon na nakuha nila mula sa kanilang karanasan at mula sa mga turo na hindi inaasahang ibinahagi ni Valerie Grey. Gayunpaman, hindi pa rin alam ni Kairah kung may mga ulterior motives si Valerie sa mga tips na ibinigay nito. Kahit pa nagsabi si Valerie na walang personalan, pakiramdam ni Kairah ay may layunin ang mga ito.
Ang mga araw ay mabilis na lumipas at sa kabila ng mga hamon na hinaharap ni Kairah, hindi siya nawalan ng pag-asa. Ang kanilang kumpanya ay patuloy na lumalakas, ngunit may mga bagong pagsubok na dumating. Isang araw, nagkaroon ng isang hindi inaasahang tawag si Kairah mula kay Liam. “Kairah, may bagong development. Ang isa sa mga malalaking competitor natin, ang Transco Enterprises, ay naglunsad ng kanilang bagong produkto. At hindi lang ‘yan, kumalat na ang kanilang promosyon at marami nang nakisali sa kanilang programa,” balitang iniulat ni Liam, na nagmimistulang nababahala.Nag-angat si Kairah ng kilay at tiningnan ang kanyang mga katrabaho sa paligid. “Ano ang magiging epekto nito sa atin?” tanong ni Kairah, hindi tinatago ang seryosong ekspresyon sa kanyang mukha.“Kung tutuusin, may posibilidad na makuha nila ang ilang mga customers na naisip na nilang kontakin. At dahil sa laki ng kanilang budget, mas malaki ang chances nilang makarating sa mas malaking audience,” sagot ni
Habang tumutok si Kairah sa pagpapalago ng negosyo, hindi rin nakaligtas sa kanya ang tensyon na unti-unting lumalala sa pagitan nila ni Liam. Habang abala siya sa mga desisyon para sa kumpanya, naiisip niya ang mga hindi nasasabing salita at mga tanong na hindi pa nasasagot sa kanilang relasyon. Sa mga gabing magkasama sila, hindi na gaya ng dati—walang sapat na komunikasyon, at ang mga tinginan nila ay puno ng hindi pagkakaintindihan.Isang gabi, pagkatapos ng isang mahahabang araw sa opisina, nagdesisyon si Kairah na maglaan ng oras para makipag-usap kay Liam. Nais niyang ayusin ang lahat, ngunit hindi niya alam kung saan magsisimula. Hindi na siya makapaghintay pa, kaya't dumaan siya sa opisina ni Liam nang hindi inaasahan. Pagpasok niya sa kwarto, nakita niya itong nakaupo sa harap ng laptop, tila abala sa pagsusuri ng mga ulat. Nang mapansin siya, ngumiti siya ng mahina."May kailangan ka ba?" tanong ni Liam, ang kanyang tinig ay may kalungkutan na hindi nagtatago.Lumapit si Ka
Nagpatuloy ang mga araw at hindi nagtagal ay dumating na ang oras para sa kanilang pinakamalaking desisyon. Habang tinatapos ni Kairah ang mga dokumento para sa susunod na hakbang, ang matinding focus sa kanyang mata ay mas lalong naging maliwanag. Alam niyang hindi pwedeng magkamali. Ang bawat hakbang na tatahakin nila ay magiging susi sa tagumpay o pagkatalo ng kumpanya. May mga pagkakataong ang mga pakiramdam ni Kairah ay magkahalong excitement at kaba. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat ng iyon, alam niyang ang pinakamahalagang bagay ay ang magtiwala sa kanilang team at sa sarili nilang kakayahan.Isang araw, habang nakaupo siya sa kanyang opisina, natanggap niya ang isang tawag mula kay Liam. Tinutok ni Kairah ang kanyang pansin sa telepono, at sabay na nagdapo ang mga daliri niya sa kanyang mesa, kumukusang lumabas ang mga salitang magpapabigat sa kanyang dibdib."Kairah, may mga updates tayo," nagsimula si Liam. "Ipinasa na nila ang kontrata, at everything’s looking good sa ngayon.""Go
As the weeks passed, Kairah’s mind remained in constant motion. The partnership with the international tech firm was gaining traction, but there were still many hurdles to clear before the deal could be finalized. The complexities of the deal, the high expectations from the tech giant, and the looming possibility of delays in other projects weighed heavily on her. Despite these pressures, she maintained a calm composure, never letting her worries show on her face. One afternoon, she found herself pacing around her office, analyzing the details of the contract proposal laid out before her. It was clear that the company she was working with was one of the biggest players in the industry, but their demands were stringent. If the deal were to succeed, it would require an unprecedented level of collaboration and flexibility from her company. The terms were tough, and there was always the looming concern that they could be outbid by another, more established player in the market.Kairah si
Ang mga araw pagkatapos ng matinding meeting kay Sarah at sa tech company ay mabilis na lumipas. Habang ang mga legal team ng bawat partido ay nagsasagawa ng mga huling pag-aayos sa kontrata, ang pressure ay dumarami, at bawat araw ay parang mas lalapit na siya sa isang malaking desisyon. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat ng stress, hindi pwedeng magkamali—masyadong mahalaga ang deal na ito para magkaproblema.Isang gabi, habang si Kairah ay nagrereview ng mga documents sa kanyang laptop, isang email ang dumating mula kay Sarah, ang senior executive ng tech company. Nais nilang makipag-meeting ulit upang pag-usapan ang mga binagong terms ng kontrata. Tumatagilid ang puso ni Kairah sa kaba. Malalaman nila kung makakamtan nila ang deal o hindi.“Liam,” tawag niya sa assistant niyang kasama sa kwarto, “naghahanap sila ng final meeting. Kailangan nating maging handa.”Si Liam, na matagal nang tumatambay sa isang sulok ng office niya, ay tumigil sa pag-papacing at lumapit. “Kairah, sigurado ka? Pa
Nasa parking lot na si Kairah, bitin pa ang hininga mula sa intense na negosasyon kanina. Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala sa mabilis na pagsasara ng deal. Parang nagbago ang lahat ng pagtingin niya sa negosyo—mula sa simpleng pangarap, naging ganap na misyon na ito na kailangan niyang pagtagumpayan.Habang papasok siya sa sasakyan, nakatanggap siya ng isang text mula kay Liam: "Well done, Kairah. I’m proud of you."Ngumiti siya nang bahagya. Alam niyang hindi magiging madali ang mga susunod na linggo, pero para kay Liam, kahit na madalas silang magtunggali sa mga desisyon, ramdam pa rin ang kanilang pagkakasunduan sa trabaho.Habang binabaybay ang daan pauwi, hindi maiwasang sumagi sa isip ni Kairah ang mga susunod pang hakbang. Maaaring tapos na ang unang round ng negosasyon, pero malayo pa ang tatahakin nila bago tunay na makuha ang lahat ng kanilang layunin. Bawat desisyon, bawat hakbang, ay may epekto sa kanilang posisyon sa merkado. Kailangan niyang tiyakin na ang bagong deal na i
Kairah sat on the couch, the soft light of her living room spilling across the walls, casting gentle shadows. She wasn’t sure how long she had been staring into space, her mind buzzing with everything that had happened. The conversation with Liam felt like a moment suspended in time, something she hadn’t quite processed yet, but it lingered in her chest, warm and heavy, like a promise she hadn’t quite made. She hadn’t been expecting such a shift. Not tonight, not with him. And yet, here she was—aware of everything she had been hiding from. Her phone buzzed on the coffee table, startling her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen—Liam’s name flashed across it. Her heart skipped. It was late, too late for a casual call. She picked it up, her fingers hovering over the screen before she swiped to answer.“Hey,” she said, her voice softer than usual, still raw from everything she had felt earlier.“Hey,” Liam’s voice came through, warm and comforting. “I just wanted to check in. You
The following morning, Kairah woke to the gentle light filtering through the curtains, casting soft shadows on the walls of her apartment. The warmth of the sun felt like a quiet promise, one she wasn’t sure she was ready to accept yet. But it was there, undeniable. It was a new day. She sat up in bed, her thoughts still swirling from last night. The conversation with Liam kept replaying in her mind. His words, his touch, the weight of the silence between them—it all felt different. It was as if something had shifted, not just in the air, but within her. She wasn’t sure what to do with it yet, but she couldn’t ignore it. Kairah ran a hand through her hair, feeling the lingering tension in her shoulders. She had always been good at keeping her distance, at controlling what she could. But last night had been different. The walls she’d built around herself had cracked, and for the first time in a long while, she felt exposed. Vulnerable. And as much as she wanted to pull the covers bac
As they drove through the quiet streets, the rhythmic hum of the engine was the only sound between them. Kairah glanced at Liam from the corner of her eye, unsure of how to fill the space that now seemed so pregnant with meaning. The night had unfolded in ways she hadn’t anticipated. The conversation had been more profound than she had expected, yet comforting in its simplicity. And as they neared her apartment, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was different—something important had shifted within her.Liam pulled up to the curb and parked the car, his hands lingering on the wheel as he turned to look at her. There was a soft intensity in his gaze that made her heart beat a little faster. She met his eyes, suddenly feeling more vulnerable than she had all night. “You okay?” he asked, his voice gentle, as if sensing the change in her mood.Kairah swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. She wasn’t sure how to articulate what she was feeling, but she knew she needed to say somet
The night was just beginning, but the air between them had already shifted. Kairah sat back in her seat, feeling a mixture of nerves and something else she couldn’t quite name. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been this open with someone, or allowed herself to feel this much. As they enjoyed their meal, small sparks of connection ignited in the pauses between conversation. Liam’s steady gaze, his occasional teasing smile, and the way he seemed to listen so intently made her feel seen in a way she wasn’t accustomed to. She took another sip of wine, allowing it to settle the butterflies that had begun to stir in her stomach again. As Liam casually shared a funny story about his childhood, Kairah found herself laughing more freely than she had in ages. It was strange to feel so at ease, especially with someone she barely knew.Liam, noticing the change in her demeanor, leaned forward, his eyes softening. “You’re more fun than you let on, you know that?”Kairah chuckled, brush
Liam opened the car door for Kairah, his smile warm as he watched her slip into the passenger seat. The car was sleek and polished, a stark contrast to her slightly rumpled thoughts. She settled in, pulling her seatbelt across, the familiar scent of leather and the faint hint of cologne making her heart beat a little faster. He slid into the driver’s seat, starting the engine smoothly before pulling out of the parking lot. The streetlights flickered in the distance, casting long shadows as they drove.The night was quiet, and for a while, neither of them spoke. Kairah's eyes drifted to the window, watching the cityscape pass by. The streets were lively, full of energy, but she felt an odd sense of calm. Being in Liam’s presence felt natural, like it was supposed to be this way. But with that calmness came the unsettling feeling that things were moving faster than she anticipated. *What am I even doing?* she thought, her mind racing again. She barely knew this man, yet here she was, go
Kairah’s mind was a whirlwind as she sat in her car, staring at the reflection of the building in front of her. The morning light was creeping in, casting a warm golden glow over the glass and steel. Her phone buzzed in the passenger seat, a message from Zara once again. Zara: Have you seen him again? How are you feeling?Kairah hesitated for a moment, biting her lip. She had barely slept, tossing and turning, and when she did sleep, it was filled with dreams of Liam—his smile, the way his eyes softened when he spoke to her. There was an unsettling calmness in her chest, like something was brewing inside her that she couldn't quite name. Kairah: I don’t know yet. It’s complicated.She pressed send quickly, not allowing herself to overthink it. She knew Zara would understand, but she didn’t want to burden her friend with all the emotions she couldn’t even make sense of herself.Kairah grabbed her things, stepping out of the car with a sigh. The office building in front of her seemed
As the quiet night stretched on, Kairah leaned back against the car, her hands gripping the door for support. Her mind raced, replaying everything that had just happened. There was something in Liam's eyes, in the way he spoke, that made her feel seen, understood. It was both comforting and overwhelming. She wasn’t used to this—this raw, honest connection that seemed to have blossomed so quickly between them. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the cool night air kiss her skin. The sounds of the city were distant, muffled by the walls she had put up around herself. She had spent so many years building those walls, thinking they would protect her from heartache. And yet, here she was, feeling the pull of something she had sworn off for so long. When she opened her eyes, she saw Liam’s figure disappearing around the corner, his broad back fading into the darkness. A strange emptiness settled in her chest, but it wasn’t one of regret. It was a longing—an undeniable urge to close
Liam, her heart still racing from the evening. She tried to keep her composure, but his presence made her feel a mixture of warmth and nervous excitement."Thanks for the dinner, Liam. It was really nice," she said, her voice softer than usual.Liam smiled, his gaze steady and genuine. "I’m glad you had a good time. I did too."There was a moment of silence between them, a quiet tension hanging in the air. Kairah felt her pulse quicken as Liam stepped a little closer, his expression more serious now. "I’d like to do this again," he said, his voice low but clear, the sincerity in his words unmistakable. "Get to know you better, outside of work. If you’re open to it."Kairah’s heart skipped a beat. She had been wondering if he felt the same connection, and now, hearing him say it out loud, made everything feel more real. She was hesitant, still unsure of what it would mean for her personal and professional life, but there was something in his eyes that made her want to take the chance.
Kairah couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty as she sat in her car, the engine running while she stared out the window at the dark streets ahead. The evening had been… different. She had enjoyed the dinner, but more than that, she had felt a connection with Liam that was hard to ignore. It was as if the dynamic between them had shifted in a way she hadn’t expected. She had always admired him professionally, but now, there was something else. She felt drawn to him in a way that went beyond their work relationship.As she drove home, her thoughts wandered back to their conversations. Liam had been genuine in his compliments, and the way he listened to her, really listened, made her feel heard in a way she hadn’t experienced in a long time. She couldn’t help but replay his words in her mind—how he had called her driven and passionate, how he seemed to understand her in a way that few people did. It felt nice, but it also scared her. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to let her guard d