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Eighteen
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2024-10-29 19:42:56“You’re mine,” he said and it did not stop repeating in my mind. I wondered if he’s always this possessive of his secretary.
“Anna?” sumilip si Lance sa likod ng computer monitor ko. “Coffee break or Soda break? Anong mas gusto mo?”
“Soda na lang,” I said simply.
“Okay, my treat. Think of it as a welcome present,” Lance smiled. “Tara!”
Sabay kaming lumabas ng office at pumunta sa pinakamalapit na coffee shop.
“Do you smoke?” he asked when we were seated at a patio table.
“Dati, pero I quit.”
“Bakit?”
“Health problem – asthma,” I smiled shyly. It’s not something to be proud of.
“Wow, sakit mayaman!” he exclaimed.
“Ano naman ang nakaka-wow sa asthma?” I asked. I hope he could tell that I am offended by his reaction.
“Wala naman,
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“Ano kaya ang issue ni Gabriel at ni Lance? Bakit pati ako nadadamay? If I’ve known how big of a deal this would be, I won’t even consider working here,” I asked myself.“Is she the new slut?” said the girl in the red dress.“Siya na ba ‘yun? I didn’t know Sir Gabriel liked low-class girls now.”“Sana ako na lang,” another girl, who’s wearing a lot of make-up, said. “Mas mukha pa akong tao kesa sa kanya.”“Saan ba napulot ni Sir Gabriel `yan? Wala na ba mapagpilian?” someone from the back said loudly.While walking to my table, I can hear everything they’re saying. I kept my eyes on the floor while they continue talking. I didn’t say anything, I would likely to add fuel to the fire. What’s important is I didn’t do anything bad. Who are they to judge me? I don’t have any clue about what they’re saying. Wh
Stand Still: Please Stay Twenty
I went back to my table right after finishing the food provided. The phone started ringing when I got back. I answered the call immediately.“Come to my office,” Gabriel’s voice echoed in my ears.“Coffee?” I offered.“No,” he said. “Miss Jean already took care of my coffee. You were eating when I called earlier, siya na pinagtimpla ko. I didn’t ask kung sino kasabay mo. I don’t think kailangan ko malaman,” he said before he handed me a red sticky note.“That’s the password you needed, ‘stayawayfromanna’. Please send the file to the e-mail address also written on the paper,” he said while he kept his eyes on the papers in front of him.“Anything else, Boss?”“Nothing more. You can go.”Gabriel didn’t bother me for the rest of the afternoon. I was loaded with paper works, but sometimes, I can’t stop thinki
Stand Still: Please Stay Twenty One
“Hi,” he said when I looked at him.“Hey,” Dianne answered his greetings instead. “You ordered these?”“Yes,” he answered and sat beside Dianne. “I was in the neighborhood, felt hungry, and found this place,” he explained.“If you don’t mind, I’ll go ahead,” I said in monotone. “I’m not hungry anymore.”“Why?” pagtataka ni Dianne.“I’m not feeling well.”“What?” Gabriel almost shouted. “I’ll drive you home. I’ll just get the car.”He was about to stand, but I held him down. “No, don’t bother. Walking distance lang naman `yung bahay ko.”“I insist. I couldn’t bare eat when you’re out there walking on your own. I’m just worried. Please, let me drive you home.”“I’m good on my own. Don’t let me
Stand Still: Please Stay Twenty Two
“What the –” I exclaimed. “Is this real? Or did you learned photoshop when I wasn’t looking.”“Photoshop? You know I hate computers,” Dianne rolled her eyes.“I don’t want to go to work, Dianne!” I covered myself with the blankets and screamed.“Pumasok ka, mahiya ka naman sa boss mo!”“Ayoko! It’s too late for not being shy”“Well, at least call him to tell him you’re thankful.”“Good idea. I’ll call him and tell him that I’ll skip this day.”I picked-up my mobile phone and pressed the speed dial to Gabriel Anderson’s number.“Damn!”“What is it again?” Dianne, who is now beside me again, asked.“My line’s cut. Can I use your phone, please?”“I would, but I don’t have any signal. My phone’s still for Spain
Stand Still: Please Stay Twenty Three
“I’m home,” I announced when I entered the house.“You’re early. I just started cooking dinner.”“I don’t have anything else to do in the office. Gabriel also let me go early because he’s busy with Gene.”“I hear jealousy.”“God! I’m not jealous, Dianne!”“Okay, if you say so,” she winked. “How did it go?” she asked while I was taking my shoes off. I looked at her blankly. “The thank giving.”“Oh, that. I didn’t have a chance to do it,” I said. "I assume he knows how thankful I am.”“Maybe,” she said and made her way back to the kitchen to continue her cooking.“Okay,” I said simply and without gusto. “I’ll just change into something comfortable and come back to help you.”---“Anna!” she called. “Dinner&rsq
Stand Still: Please Stay Twenty Four
“Good morning, Gabriel. You alright?” Miss Jean greeted when he came in.“I'm fine.”“You look so stressed. Anong nangyari? Nakatulog ka ba?”“I tried, but…”“But? What happened?”“Thank you, Miss Jean, but I think I’ll tell you when I know how to solve it. For now, I have to keep it to myself.”“You know I'm here for you, right?”“Yes, thank you.”---“Good morning,” I smiled at Gabriel and Miss Jean. I tried to walk past them.“Anna?” Miss Jean called.“Do you need anything, Miss?” I asked innocently.“Why are you always late?” she sounded strict.“I’m not late, Miss,” I looked at my wristwatch. “It’s only seven forty-five pa lang.”She looked disappointed. “Don’t you remember? You s
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I hear the doorbell ring. I ignored it because Dianne’s downstairs and she ought to answer it. I’m in my room getting dressed. Gabriel invited me for a date and it’s obvious, I accepted his offer.“Hi,” he greeted Dianne when she opened the door. “Si Anna?” Bungad ni Gabriel kay Dianne.He’s wearing a simple black v-neck shirt, faded jeans, and a pair black of converse shoes. It’s simple yet appealing.Dianne smiled with a different meaning.“She’s still in her room,” she said. “Come in. I’ll let her know you’re here.”Dianne gave way for Gabriel to enter. She also motioned to the sofa to let him know he could sit while waiting. I heard her footsteps after a few seconds while I’m applying lipstick.“Will it take you longer, Cinderella?” she asked while peaking through the door. “Your prince charming is downstairs waiting fo
Stand Still: Please Stay Twenty Six
“Hey, sleepyhead,” Dianne hugged me, but I ignored her. “Breakfast is ready. It’s already seven-thirty, you're gonna be late.” “I'm not going to work,” I grumpily said. “Why? Is the Anderson Company a bad place to work?” “It’s fun. I think it’s me who‘s not okay in it,” I said with a shaky voice. “What do you mean?” “It’s nothing. Forget it. Maybe I’m being paranoid.” “Okay, but you should call your superior. Whoever it could be, just not Gabriel.” I nodded and buried myself under the sheets. I felt like crying and confused as hell – confused if I am still in love with Joshua or I'm falling for Gabriel? My tears landed on my pillows. Joshua’s gone. He won’t come back for me. I wouldn’t fall for Gabriel, I can’t fall for him, not if he’s my boss. --- “You kissed her?” wide-eyed Lance asked. Gabriel nodded while smiling. He’s touching his lips like he’s reminiscing the kiss he had with me.
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Stand Still: Please Stay Epilogue
Dianne married Lance Anderson for two years. It would have been three, but they chose to wait a year because Lance didn’t have a best man. Lance didn’t want any other best man. He only wanted his brother, Gabriel. Dianne gave birth to a lovely daughter, who is three years old. It turned out she was pregnant before Anna went away.Dianne named her daughter Annie as a tribute to Anna, her best friend. Annie is just like Anna. In her early years, she’s been brave and carefree. She doesn’t like the smell of her mother’s tea but she’s addicted to the smell of her dad’s coffee. Surprisingly, Annie also likes cheese and grapes. She reminds Dianne so much of Anna.Dianne was five months away from her second baby with Lance. I’m thinking of naming him after Gabriel but she wasn’t sure if Lance would allow it.Gabriel thought he couldn’t make it without Anna, but turns out he could. He realized more people are willing to stay beside him, even in his darkest times. It’s a good thing he has Lance
Stand Still: Please Stay Thirty Nine
“What are you doing?” Anna asked Joshua, who was following her.“I just want to talk to you.”“I don’t want to talk to anyone. Especially not you.”“Why? Are you that angry?”“You’re making me crazy. I don’t want that.”“I just want to explain.”Anna stopped and faced him. Her face was turning red from anger.“Explain? After all, that’s happened? How dare you? Do you think your explanation would change what’s already happened? After how I’ve felt, do you think I would believe you?”“I just want you to know why I left. You deserve to know.”“Well, you should have thought of that before you went AWOL. And what’s the point of that? Are you here to make me feel bad or do you just want me to forgive you?”Joshua did not react. Anna could see tears welling up and when a tear fell, he looked down as to not let Anna know how he was losing his faith.“If it makes a difference, I forgave you the moment you left.”“Then us alone – Alexandra and me.”Anna did not hold back when he slapped him. Sh
Stand Still: Please Stay Thirty-eight
“What do you think? Come out and let me have a look at it,” Dianne shouted and tried to wait, but in the end, she barged into the fitting room. Anna was startled but did not mind the company. “I like how it fits me,” she said while removing the creases. Dianne looked at her with teary eyes. “Look in the mirror,” she pulled Anna. “It looks good on you,” she added while Anna continued with what she was doing. Anna was in awe when she saw what gown she was wearing. “Dianne, this isn’t a bride’s maid dress,” she looked at Dianne. “I am not the bride. This is a wedding dress.” “I just wanted to see you wear a wedding dress. I might not be able to see you wear one soon, and that’s why.” “Dianne!” Anna protested along with another familiar voice outside the cubicle. Dianne quickly responded. “Honeyboo!” Dianne left me and run to greet Lance. Even at the distance, Anna could make out the silhouette of the man Lance was with. Anna wanted to walk away, but her feet seemed to have a life o
Stand Still: Please Stay Thirty Seven
“Are you okay? What’s on your mind?” Dianne asked when she saw Anna staring blankly at her cup of coffee.“Nothing,” she answered.“Nothing? Daydreaming is one thing, but smiling while daydreaming is another,” Dianne pointed out.“Yes, this is nothing,” she denied and went up to get an apple from the fruit basket on the table.“Fine,” Dianne admitted her defeat.*** “It looks like your prince charming misses you,” Dianne pointed at Anna's cell phone. It was ringing to Gabriel's call.“Shut up!” Anna said mockingly while grabbing and answering the call.***“Hello?” Anna answered the call shyly.“Hi,” an unfamiliar woman’s voice came from the other line.Anna pulled the phone away from her ears and looked at the screen. She made sure it was Gabriel's number.“Hello?” she said again, hoping to hear Gabriel's voice.“Anna? Anna Miller?” asked the woman on the other line.“Yes. This is she.”“Gabriel asked me to tell you that you are fired. He said you don’t have to bother going to the o
Stand Still: Please Stay Thirty Six
“Shall we find another bar or shall we crash at my place?” Lance asked.“I think we should go to your place. So, Anna won’t complain of any smell,” Gabriel suggested, thinking he was funny.“You think you're funny, right?” Anna said, still feeling feisty after the scene in the bar. “Continue that and you'll regret having met me.”“But, of course, I’m just kidding,” he hugged Anna from behind and she wasn’t sure if Gabriel's turned on or he was hot from alcohol. She could feel his warmth amidst the cold air.Their laughs echoed in the almost empty parking area. This night, they are just normal people having fun. Who would think they are a CEO, a sibling of a CEO, a multi-billionaire businesswoman, and a friend of a multi-billionaire businesswoman? Who would think they are all connected while should usually be fighting over power and other company issues? No one!***Anna was impressed when they arrived at Lance’s condo unit. It looked stunning in its black and white interiors and furni
Stand Still: Please Stay Thirty Five
“Congratulations, Dianne!” Anna hugged her. “I’m excited for you!”Anna looked at Gabriel who was smiling from ear to ear and also looking at her.“Good job, Dude! I’m happy for you,” he said, averting his eyes from Anna.“Kuya, I’ll be first this time.”“Don’t worry, Kid. I’m not too far behind,” he smiled and looked at Anna.Don Miguel cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. “Let’s enjoy the night people. Hit it, DJ!”***Anna and Gabriel went out. The party’s getting a bit noisy for them. Old people went home to rest, leaving the party to younger people. The speakers blasted electric music, almost blowing them out“I envy them,” Gabriel said.“Why do you envy them? Once upon a time, you’ve also been married.”“So, you’re the one who should envy them.”“Me? Why me? I’m perfectly fine. That’s why I’m still single. Why should I envy them?”“What?”She knew he'd react.“You heard me right, Mister Gabriel Anderson. Besides, I don’t have anyone courting me, so, I don’t have any b
Stand Still: Please Stay Thirty Four
“Okay, that was unexpected,” Don Miguel smirked. “Let it be a reminder to those social climbers, gold diggers, and cheaters. You might have met your karma already. You wouldn’t know when they’ll strike.”Everyone laughed, except Alexandra, Madamé Rebecca, and Joshua.“Don’t leave yet, I still have my announcement,” Don Miguel added when he saw Alexandra leaving.“It has been twenty-six years since I started the Anderson Group of Companies, and I think it’s about time I give my throne to someone worth my trust. To someone who also worked hard for the company. It’s time for him to take over. Gabriel, son, prove me that I'm doing the right thing. And if you want to ask why not Lance? It’s because he has a different announcement. For now, I'm calling Gabriel for an impromptu speech. Gabriel?”“Wow! I don’t know what to say,” he looked at Don Miguel who just exited the stage. “Thanks, Dad. I’ll make you proud dad. You would not regret giving me your throne, but honestly, Dad, this is terri
Stand Still: Please Stay Thirty Three
Everyone in the room made a fuss. She didn’t hear but she knew they were judging her.“It was him, the man of my dreams. Unbelievable, isn’t it? Anna Hemsworth Miller had a love life even though she wanted a private life, but you heard me right. I met the man of my dreams in that blogging team. He was kind and sweet. He was caring and thoughtful. He does not pretend to be anything that he’s not. He was just a humble blogger waiting for the right time to shine. And what brought me closer to him? He was not rich.”Everyone went quiet, even Dianne and the Anderson Family. Joshua, however, was sweating like a pig.“Yes. Once upon a time, I fell in love. I loved someone who was not rich. I know you’re wondering why I’m saying this, but this is just to prove that I was not a gold digger or a social climber to get to where I am. My family belonged to the lower class, but we were lucky enough to afford three meals a day. I was attracted to that guy because he understands me and because I thou
Stand Still: Please Stay Thirty Two
In Anna’s eyes, everything slowed down – the music and the people dancing. Even Alexandra was in slow motion. Anna could see Alexandra talking, but she could not make any sense of it. Gabriel was calling me and pulling me away. Dianne was crying and Lance was comforting her. All of a sudden, it was only her and Joshua left in the ballroom.“Anna?” Joshua said softly.“I thought you’re…” she said – voice breaking. “I thought you were dead.”Everything became blurry. Her eyes welled with tears. She’s confused and wanted to run. She’ll leave everyone and everything. She thought she was invincible. She made it through four years of her life without him. She was successful without him. She could not understand why she was feeling weak.“Anna…” Joshua said, almost out of breath. “I’m sorry. Let me explain.”He was trying to touch her, but she moved away. Joshua continued to try, but Gabriel push his hand away.Gabriel looked at Anna. He’s now her knight in shining armor. Anna saw anger in G
