Prologue

"Ate, sige na please?"

Si Vixen, pinsan ko, na nakatingin sa'kin habang nagmimix ng ingredients ng cake.

"Ayaw ko nga," sagot ko nang hindi siya tinitingnan.

"Eh, paano ba 'to, kailangan talaga ni Daddy, e."

Nagpakawala ako ng marahas na hangin. At mariin siyang tiningnan. "Bakit hindi nalang ikaw? Tutal, maganda ka naman. Siguradong mapapa-oo mo 'yung client n'yo."

"May kailangan pa akong ayusin sa mga report bukas. And your Father asked for you to do it, too." she replied.

"Ano?! Bakit ako? Maraming babae diyan! Magaganda naman ang mga employee's sa kompanya natin, ah? And besides, busy ako sa café. Marami rin ang mga orders."

She groaned. Halatang iritable na sa'kin. Nagpatuloy ako sa ginagawa ko. Naroon lang siya sa harap ko, nakatayo. She crossed her arms as I glanced back at her.

"Please? Babawi ako sa'yo, promise!"

I sighed and stopped. "I don't know how to seduce men, Vixen."

Humalakhak siya. I glared at her. What's funny about it? I rolled my eyes as I waited for her to finish.

"Hay naku, nakakatawa ka talaga, Ate. You're not going to seduce him, you're just going to convince him to invest in our future projects. Or maybe, both." she smirked.

"Maraming empleyado ang kompanya, Vixen. Bakit ako? I'm on leave. I should be enjoying doing the things I like right now. Minsan lang nga lang ako makapunta rito. Masasayang pa ang araw ko!"

Tumalikod ako para ilagay ang cake pan sa oven. Naramdaman ko siyang lumapit sa'kin. Nilingon ko siya nang matapos na ako.

"So, does that mean you're going?"

Pumikit ako ng mariin at tumango. Dahilan para mapasigaw siya sa tuwa. I rolled my eyes.

"So, what time?" I asked.

Kumuha siya ng isang cupcake na nakahilera sa counter. She took one bite before replying to me.

"8 PM. Conference room. All of the board member's including the client will be there. Make sure to have dinner first before going there. Wala rin ang secretary mo para bigyan ka ng pagkain. On leave at wala rin ako-"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Bakit?"

She smirked. "Nasa office ako. Doon rin ako matutulog. Pinasa ni Daddy sa'kin lahat, e. Since on leave ka."

"Maniwala ako sa'yo." sagot ko.

Tumawa siya.

"It's true though."

Umiling ako. This girl is really something. Ewan ko ba kung totoo ang pinagsasabi nito. I am beyond confused. Bakit pa kailangan ako? Surely, there is someone in our company who knows how to convinced some clients.

"You should go, may aasikasuhin ka pa 'di ba? "

"Basta, pumunta ka, ah? You already agreed into it."

Tumango ako.

"Oo na, pupunta ako."

***

Nakatunghay ako sa naglalakihang building sa harap ko. Wearing a corporate attire. A knee length skirt, a blouse and heels. May naka-ukit na letra sa harap na BREFEW INC.

As I went inside the elevator, I contemplated whether to wear a make up or not. Knowing myself that I'm always wearing make-up, so I did.

May malaking double doors sa pinakadulo ng hallway pagkalabas ko sa elevator, 20th floor. Nagpakawala ako ng marahas na hangin bago kumatok at pumasok.

Nakita ko sina Papa at Tito na nag-uusap. Pero sa pagtataka ko, tatlo lang silang nandito sa conference room. Kunot noo akong lumapit kay Papa at Tito para magbigay galang.

"O, hija, salamat at nakadating ka. I'm sorry for ruining your time alone but-"

Somebody cleared his throat. Napalingon kami ni Papa kung sino 'yon. The man who seemed emotionless, mysterious, staring darkly at me like it's staring at my soul. Wearing a suit with a rolex watch in his hand. This man is something else. His demeanor screams wealth and power.

Now, I understand

"Oh, I'm sorry Engineer Edralin." Tiningnan muli ako at binigay sa'kin ang documents.

"My daughter will explain everything to you."

My Father leaned to my ears to say something. "Just don't let me down on this one, Ember. I really want this project done. Goodluck."

I nodded.

As I head towards the projector, I can feel all of their gazes on me. Sinaksak ko sa laptop ang flash drive na binigay sa'kin.

I thoroughly explained the project. What are the outcomes if we use the design and how long will it take to finish? I even stated the back-up plan in case something will go wrong with the first one. I have put so many suggestions that will make up his mind and what he stands for and how I will try to make a plan for if he's against one of the designs I've suggested.

Naramdaman ko ang madilim niyang tingin sa buong pag-presenta ko. I gulped as I finished presenting all of the tasked that are given.

"That's all for tonight Engineer Edralin. Is there something you want to change about the plan, Engineer?" Tanong ko.

Imposibleng wala siyang apila sa mga design ng project. He's known to be cruel and meticulous when it comes to work. Kaya hindi na ako magtatanong kung bakit madedenied 'yong project ng company namin.

I awkwardly stood in front of the men. I caught him scanning at me up and down. Which made me nervous. Is my oufit not appropriate?

Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko nang hindi siya sumagot. I am a confident woman, pero ngayon? Parang nalamon na ng buong sistema ang confidence ko at naetsapwera lang.

My father cleared his throat. Lumipat ang tingin ko sa kaniya. His eyes are almost out of hope. Na para bang naghihirap na kami. Pilit akong ngumiti saka ibinalik ang tingin ko sa client namin.

"Sir?" I asked hoping to get a response.

"I want to talk to her alone, gentlemen. If you may allow me."

Nagkatinginan kami ni Papa. He just nodded. Tinapik niya ang balikat ni Tito saka tumayo.

"Sure, Engineer." Sagot ni Tito.

Pagkasara ng pintuan, tumayo si Engineer saka mahinang lumapit sa'kin. His eyes are burning like fire with so much intensity. I nervously swallowed a lump in my throat and tried to look at him, faking my confidence.

My eyes widened a bit when he suddenly held his hand to me. I dumbly stared at it. While waiting for him to speak up.

"I'm Engineer Hidalgo Edralin,"

"I know-I-I mean... Please to meet you, Engineer Edralin. I'm Architect Ember Brefew."

Tinanggap ko ang kamay niya. For a moment, I felt the awkward atmosphere or is it just me? Agad kong kinuha ang kamay ko sa takot na baka maramdaman niyang kinakabahan ako.

"So, what are your say about the design, Engineer? May gusto ka bang baguhin?"

"No, I'm actually okay with what your design is,"

I felt the relief wash over me. E 'di anong problema? Bakit kailangan pa kami ang mag-usap nang kaming dalawa lang?

"But sadly, I am not up for any projects right now."

What the actual fuck?

Did I just heard it right? Kung hindi pa pala niya gusto ng projects, bakit hindi siya nagsabi kaagad. He could've just straightforwardly. Hindi 'yong pinapaasa niya ang tao.

I could imagine my father's disappointment if he finds out. He expects good news. Paano ko ito sasabihin ngayon sa Papa ko?

I smiled fakely. "I understand, Engineer Edralin-"

"But you can have dinner with me for approval of your company's future project, hm?"

A dinner? Hindi ako basta-bastang pumapayag na makipag-dinner kahit kanino man. I was pretty reserved when it came to my personal time. I don't like anybody evading my personal time. But... It's for the company and I have to do this. I don't want to disappoint my father.

"Sure, Sir."

He chuckled darkly as he leaned towards me. I slightly flinched when I felt his hot breath on my neck. Parang tambol ang puso ko sa kaba.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Eight PM sharp."

With that, he turned his heels and went outside the conference room. Napahawak ako sa desk. Nangatog ang binti ko sa paraan ng pakikipag-usap niya. The way his eyes bore into me intimidated me.

I closed my eyes. Cursing myself why am I feeling this way. Hindi ko naman gusto na maging ganito ako. I don't know why... I've been confident all my life. Pero... bakit pagdating sa lalaking iyon. It was like all of my confidence was thrown away like garbage.

The door opened. Nakita ko ang Papa ko at si Tito na papasok. The laughed at me. Lumapit sila, abot tainga ang ngiti sa kanilang mga mukha.

"Anak, good job! We've sealed the project!"

"Good job, hija."

Sa tuwa ni Papa ay hinalikan pa ako sa pisngi at h******n ako. I smiled at the feeling. I felt home. For a second, nawala ang iniisip ko dahil sa ginawa niya. I looked at Tito who's smiling at us. He raised his thumb, showing me that I did a good job.

"I'm so glad that we got the biggest client in the country! I'm so grateful that I have you, Ember. You're really a gift from god. You're making my work so easy! You never disappoint me." He said happily.

Ngumiti ako at hinalikan siya sa pisngi.

All for you, Papa.