My mind was flying away as I rode a taxi just beside the street of my apartment building. I kept watching the video Grace sent to me before she left my apartment and left me thinking about the things she revealed to me.The woman who was turning her back from the camera was wearing a fabulous white coat dress and her hair was I think faint ash brown color. That could be any woman I meet in our building, so it would have been hard to distinguish who it was.But after the nth time of watching the footage, I finally noticed something so interesting. I got up in sitting from the backrest and furrowed my eyebrows as I squinted my eyes in looking at a butterfly tattoo on her neck. It was a black one, a little bit lopsided on its position, and even if it is faint, I could see it through the footage.Black butterfly… huh?“Ma’am?” the taxi driver called me, making me avert my gaze from the cellphone to him.He looked outside the window of the car. I also followed his gaze and realized that we
I looked up and saw Darwin holding me close beside him. That distracted me to be discerning about the visitors in the party that are clearly not in favor about me. He then leaned me closer to the side of my face so he can whisper.“I’m sorry…” he said that made me furrow my eyebrows. “I don’t want you angry, sad, or upset with me. I am not comfortable, and I can’t let my pride be that more powerful over our forming friendship.”For the record, he is not the type of man who would say sorry. He would rather be an enemy to everyone than to bow his pride to anyone, even when he is at fault. ‘He stared at me as we approached his family’s table, like I was the only one who he could see in his eyes. At that time, there was nothing I could think about is how his complete attention is on me now. Not to the highfalutin socialites around us and how grand the engagement party we are having.“Hijo, Darwin!”We both cut off our gazes on each other when Margarita Montenegro called his name that als
I was not comfortable at all as I clamored with the whole Montenegro family and suffered the common introduction with the guest. Darwin was holding my waist for all the time, and because it is needed for us to act like we are a fine couple, I had to endure the awkwardness, even if inside me, I wanted to punch him in the face.Two hours had passed since we have done the grand dinner and toast. For me, everything was so fast, but I know that everyone has been satisfied that they came to the party, not because of me but because of the Montenegro family.Meh.
It was hell --- the whole party, I must say. Forcing my smile was a lot to take in and a difficult thing to do when you are surrounded with people who are only being vigilant when you make mistakes. But I was not bothered by the visitors, nor the Montenegro family --- it was Darwin who is making my mind crazy at the moment. “The investors of the company are active, while the directors are taking risks with them,” the chairman said from the capital while he is talking to a significant businessman, not far away from me. I sipped on my wine while eavesdropping his conversation with the visitors. Everyone looks so expensive at the party, and they were all clamoring with each other… except me. Right. This is my engagement party, and how ironic to sound that no one even wants to engage a conversation with me. The orchestra was engulfing the whole place, and I am barely enjoying it. It is actually too formal. Not for 21st century ladies like me. While shaking my head and watching the peo
“First of all,” I mumbled and stood up straight, “for the past five years, I never had the intention to seduce my boss. We have always been professional, until we got close because the destiny made us connect with each other. Riches? Money? Properties? I don’t need them, because I am already satisfied with whatever I have right now. I don’t need Darwin to live, but I love him.”Everything I said was true, except the last words of my statement. I just hate the accusation he is making towards me. He is the reason why Darwin and I are having a misunderstanding right now.“I don’t believe you,” he said and lifted his thumb slowly, placing it under my chin. “Why don’t you marry me instead, Ms. Castro? I assure you that you would be in the right hands.”I stared at him firmly. I was glaring, while he was giving me a playful gaze. Jerks like him should be punched in the face, so he would know how it is so irritating to be played. My eyes ventured to the chairman’s direction and caught him wa
I gulped at the fact that my lump in my throat is getting bigger every minute that passes by. I missed my mother… very much. And it is just so disappointing to hear that she is asking questions that is not related for our relationship as mother and daughter.Because it all changed the moment she had found a new foundation of love --- her new family. And it felt like her first children are treated second options now, since we are now all grown-ups.Funny.“No, mom,” I said and smiled bitterly at nowhere. “I just want to know if you are okay, that is why I called… to check on you.”Before she could even respond, I had already ended the call. I whispered a curse at the wind, thinking why life is just so lifeless and listless with no purpose to be fulfilled.“Jill!”I turned around after I jumped because of a thundering voice that I recognized immediately. It was Darwin. When I watched him approaching me, his shoulders were tensed up, his fists were clenching hardly, and his jaw was ticki
Maybe it was the fact that I was bothered what happened last night that I was spacing out when I went to the office the next day of work. “Secretary Castro? Are you okay?” an employee asked me when she approached me. “The paperworks you are holding are being blown away from your table.”“Huh?” I said and turned my head to the direction of my cubicle. My eyes widened when I saw that my papers are being blown away from my table that is caused by the huge air conditioner’s fan. It made me curse and ran towards it. “Shit!”The employee also lurched forward to help me get them. She kept raining me with questions if I am okay, or why I have not noticed my paperwork. I just kept nodding because I just want everything to be organized, and yet I a messing it all up. “What about your coffee, ma’am?” the female employee asked me again innocently.“Fuck…” I murmured and dropped all of the paperwork on my table. “Why is my day doing this to me?”Without wasting time, I approached the coffee machi
I don’t even know how to react. What I know is that the hair on my skin rose as I stared directly at the vice chairman. ‘Cause, how could he tell me that he likes me now? That he liked the kiss we had last night? It is too surreal and unbelievable. ”You’re kidding…” I said and started to step backward. “You can’t like me, Mr. Montenegro. I am your secretary, and have you forgotten that we are only pretending a couple?” He shook his head. “Will you be mad if I say that I can’t pretend that you are not affecting me when in fact even standing here in front of you makes me weak?” he said emphatically yet so slower in tone. “Because this is before, within three years, I only held back because of my pride. Because you are too… simplified by a complex man like me.” I fell silent and merely chose to listen to him. He inhaled sharply and the flickers in his eyes glimmered due to the lamppost above. The wind whistled again, and I could sleep now due to its soothing sound. Despite the tension
"Wow, congratulations, Jill! Highest ka sa reporting, ah?" komento ng isang kaklase ko nang magsabay kami sa paglalakad sa kalsada. "Ang galing mo rin kasing mag-English. Nakakadugo sa ilong, alam mo iyon?"Tinawanan ko lang siya. "Hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit sa English ko pa kung pwede naman sa delivery of speech, ate," aniko. "Pero thank you po!"Hoooo, nakakapagod kahit isang klase lang ngayong hapon. Marami kasing tanong ang instructor namin sa MSTE-1 tungkol sa topic ng reporting ko, at dahil ayokong mapahiya ay sinagutan ko lahat ng iyon kagaya ng pinag-aralan ko kagabi. I have always been competitive when it comes to academics without creating competitions against anyone. Gusto ko lang na mataas ang grades ko at malayo sa posibilidad na bumagsak ako. Nasa college na ako, kaya kailangan kong pagbutihan, lalo na at kasali ako sa scholarship program ng Cornelia Foundation College. Kumaway ako sa kaklase ko sa second year na pumunta sa waiting shed kung saan ang bus stop. Ako
"Lagi ka talagang aabusuhin dahil sobrang bait mo," sabi ni mama sa akin habang kumakain kami ng hapunan. "Hindi pwedeng ikaw nalang lahat, Jill. Magtira ka naman para sa sarili mo." Nadiin ko ang pagtusok ng kutsara sa karne ng isda dahil sa irita ko. Nakatalikod si mama sa akin dahil nasa upuan ako, habang siya at ang dalawang kapatid ko naman ay nasa lamesa. "Oo, mama. Oo," sagot ko nang matigil siya. Mukhang nahalata niyang ayaw kong pinapangaralan ako ngayon dahil sa pagod kaya natahimik din siya. Hindi sa padabog ako kumain ulit, pero nagpatuloy ako nang nakasimangot. Ramdam ko pa ang tingin ng kapatid kong babae sa akin, pero hindi ko na siya tiningnan pa. Umalis ako sa boarding house dahil gusto kong matahimik ang buhay ko. Tapos paparangalan pa ako rito? Ano, dahil lang sa tumigil ako sa pagtatrabaho at wala na akong naibibigay na pera, gaganituhin na nila ako? Huminga ako nang malalim matapos kong isubo ang panghuling kanin at tumayo rin para ilagay ang nagamit na kubye
I grew up as an obedient girl until I became a teenager who is known to be cool and silent to many. I have struggles when I communicate with other people since I am not immune to any forms of socializing. Maybe because I never really understood the concepts of camaraderies and friendships. For me, I am content to be alone, even if there is a saying that no man is an island. "Are you okay?" one boy asked when he saw me watching the kids at my school playing in the playground. He was wearing our school uniform that looked cute in him. "You look lonely. Don't you want to play with the kids?"I furrowed my eyebrows and scanned his body up and down while sitting on the bench. "Do I know you?" I asked boredly, having no idea why he was approaching me. "How come that you don't know me? I'm your classmate," he said and chuckled. "You know what, maybe our classmates are saying the truth. You are very distant and mean.""I don't know why you have to nose your business with me.""I just want t
"Shit! Fucking shit! How do I fucking do this shit?""Anong ginagawa mo?" rinig kong tanong ni Irise sa aking likod."Wait lang, Irise. Baka hindi ko mapantaya-- FUCK!"Kung may mas mailalakas pa sa pagmumura ko, iyon na ang malakas na halakhak ni Irise. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin mula sa salamin, pero hindi siya natigil sa paghahampas sa akin habang natatawa. "Tigilan mo nga ako, Irise!" naiinis na sambit ko at nagpatuloy sa ginagawa, ngayon ay sinusubukan ulit makapokus. Humalukipkip naman siya. "Bakit ka ba kasi nag-e-eyeliner? Sampung minuto ka nang nasa labas ng kwarto natin. Akala ko kung ano nang ginagawa mo, pero nakaharap ka lang pala sa salamin!"Kung maputi lang ako, baka sa pag-init ng aking mga pisngi ay namula na ako sa pagkapahiya. Gusto kong maapektuhan sa tanong ni Irise, pero binalewala ko lang ang katotohanan sa magiging sagot ko. "Wala lang. Sayang kasi ang eyeliner na nabili ko sa SM noon, so... ano... nagta-try lang," rason ko.She snorted. "Hmmm... talaga lan
"Wow, congratulations, Jill! Highest ka sa reporting, ah?" komento ng isang kaklase ko nang magsabay kami sa paglalakad sa kalsada. "Ang galing mo rin kasing mag-English. Nakakadugo sa ilong, alam mo iyon?"Tinawanan ko lang siya. "Hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit sa English ko pa kung pwede naman sa delivery of speech, ate," aniko. "Pero thank you po!"Hoooo, nakakapagod kahit isang klase lang ngayong hapon. Marami kasing tanong ang instructor namin sa MSTE-1 tungkol sa topic ng reporting ko, at dahil ayokong mapahiya ay sinagutan ko lahat ng iyon kagaya ng pinag-aralan ko kagabi. I have always been competitive when it comes to academics without creating competitions against anyone. Gusto ko lang na mataas ang grades ko at malayo sa posibilidad na bumagsak ako. Nasa college na ako, kaya kailangan kong pagbutihan, lalo na at kasali ako sa scholarship program ng Cornelia Foundation College. Kumaway ako sa kaklase ko sa second year na pumunta sa waiting shed kung saan ang bus stop. Ako
I grew up as an obedient girl until I became a teenager who is known to be cool and silent to many. I have struggles when I communicate with other people since I am not immune to any forms of socializing. Maybe because I never really understood the concepts of camaraderies and friendships. For me, I am content to be alone, even if there is a saying that no man is an island. "Are you okay?" one boy asked when he saw me watching the kids at my school playing in the playground. He was wearing our school uniform that looked cute in him. "You look lonely. Don't you want to play with the kids?"I furrowed my eyebrows and scanned his body up and down while sitting on the bench. "Do I know you?" I asked boredly, having no idea why he was approaching me. "How come that you don't know me? I'm your classmate," he said and chuckled. "You know what, maybe our classmates are saying the truth. You are very distant and mean.""I don't know why you have to nose your business with me.""I just want t
Maybe it was the fact that I was bothered what happened last night that I was spacing out when I went to the office the next day of work. “Secretary Castro? Are you okay?” an employee asked me when she approached me. “The paperworks you are holding are being blown away from your table.”“Huh?” I said and turned my head to the direction of my cubicle. My eyes widened when I saw that my papers are being blown away from my table that is caused by the huge air conditioner’s fan. It made me curse and ran towards it. “Shit!”The employee also lurched forward to help me get them. She kept raining me with questions if I am okay, or why I have not noticed my paperwork. I just kept nodding because I just want everything to be organized, and yet I a messing it all up. “What about your coffee, ma’am?” the female employee asked me again innocently.“Fuck…” I murmured and dropped all of the paperwork on my table. “Why is my day doing this to me?”Without wasting time, I approached the coffee mach
"Wow, congratulations, Jill! Highest ka sa reporting, ah?" komento ng isang kaklase ko nang magsabay kami sa paglalakad sa kalsada. "Ang galing mo rin kasing mag-English. Nakakadugo sa ilong, alam mo iyon?"Tinawanan ko lang siya. "Hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit sa English ko pa kung pwede naman sa delivery of speech, ate," aniko. "Pero thank you po!"Hoooo, nakakapagod kahit isang klase lang ngayong hapon. Marami kasing tanong ang instructor namin sa MSTE-1 tungkol sa topic ng reporting ko, at dahil ayokong mapahiya ay sinagutan ko lahat ng iyon kagaya ng pinag-aralan ko kagabi. I have always been competitive when it comes to academics without creating competitions against anyone. Gusto ko lang na mataas ang grades ko at malayo sa posibilidad na bumagsak ako. Nasa college na ako, kaya kailangan kong pagbutihan, lalo na at kasali ako sa scholarship program ng Cornelia Foundation College. Kumaway ako sa kaklase ko sa second year na pumunta sa waiting shed kung saan ang bus stop. Ako
I don’t know if I am just being paranoid that I keep noticing the vice chairman slowly having a fondness in hanging out with me. He would just casually arrive in front of my apartment, because he would like to watch movies and cook meals in the kitchen. And even if I am working late at night in front of my laptop, I could see him falling asleep on my sofa while hugging my squared pillow.“Want some coffee?”I looked up and saw Darwin who is placing a hot mug that contained black coffee just beside my laptop. I hung my jaw and looked around in the lobby, discerning if some employees are watching us, and thankfully, they are busy.“Mr. Montenegro,” I called him with almost shutting my eyes in fluster when I turned to him. “You have to understand that you are not supposed to do this.”He frowned and sighed boredly. “Let me guess; because you are my secretary and it is not my job to serve you on the other hand,” he said and crossed his arms. “But this does not concern anyone, Jill. You ar