I meant to put sarcasm in every word so they would recognize how I am pissed off seeing them.
"Jill," Cielo called my name and held my wrist. "I am sorry, okay? Can't you just forgive us? Grace and I love each other."
I removed his hand away from me, disgusted by his touch. "Don't touch me! You don't have the right anymore!" I said in a whisper, remembering that we are still in a restaurant to cause a scandal.
"Jill!" Grace exclaimed, reacting to what I did to Cielo. "You are hurting him!"
"What the"
I did not expect for her to push me on the shoulder, and because I was off guard by what she was about to do, the coffee I was holding spilled over my working dress. I exclaimed in pain because of its excruciating hot liquid. I felt my knuckles burning, so I cried out and muttered a series of curses.
“Why would you do that?!” I said to Grace and glared at her. “Do you want a death wish, huh?!”
Caring about the public place and the customers inside the coffee shop was the last thing I would want to do. I attacked Grace by pulling her hair and dragging her head to the floor. She also clawed me with her sharp nails. On the other hand, Cielo also tried to move us apart, but no! I am way too stubborn to let go of this crap.
“You bitch!” I cursed her. “You stole Cielo away from me! You are a fucking traitor!”
“I did not steal him! He just does not love you anymore! He loves me now and not you!”
I pushed her face using my palm. Everyone in the shop watched us and it was too late to realize that they were filming us. Cielo managed to pull me from Grace.
Three hours --- this is the period I have to be seized by the coffee shop’s guard together with Grace and Cielo. I was a mess and could not mumble a coherent explanation to the manager and the guard I could not look at anyone or anything. For now, everything is just a baffle.
My walks were slow as I entered the company building. My shoulders were low, my stance was not confident and straight, and my expression was cold and empty. Even the employees that were greeting me in the lobby must be confused as to why I am being a snob right now.
“Ms. Castro!”
My lips parted as I heard the voice of my boss from afar. He was newly exiting the elevators together with the other members of the board. Oh, shit! My working dress is filthy and stained with coffee; my hair is disoriented, and it is like I just came from a war. I’m gonna be damned by him… and it is gonna be embarrassing if he reprimands me in front of the board.
I hissed. “It is now or never,” I whispered and just chose to face my boss. “Sir-”
“This is my fiance, father!”
My eyebrows immediately furrowed and I gasped without a sound when as soon as I neared Mr. Montenegro, he pulled me closer to his side and dominated my wrist using his massive hand. I widened my eyes as I looked up at him with curiosity and confusion. In front of us were the board directors, especially the chairman who was leading the group. Even the employees around us were like curious cats while looking at us.
“I am gonna marry this woman, and you have nothing to do with that anymore,” Mr. Montenegro said and his grip on my wrist tightened.
My jaw dropped. I looked at the chairman who was eyeing me up and down with a judgmental gaze. His lips even twisted, and I felt my cheeks heating cause of embarrassment.
Oh, no. Please don’t look at me like that.
“You have chosen a woman who cannot even have a presentable appearance. Is this your type nowadays? Disorganized and sardonic?” the chairman said, even though he was talking to Mr. Montenegro, his eyes remained on me.
As an initiative act, I lowered my head and sighed. I could also feel Mr. Montenegro looking at me.
I already went through a bad day. Everyone, give me a break! Or I hope the ground just eats me now!
“E-Excuse me,” I mumbled out of my breath and walked away.
My tears started falling as soon as I turned around and went to the elevators. I pressed the highest button when the elevators started to lift. I was not in myself, and I still have Mr. Montenegro’s coffee. My mind is full of the events that transpired a while ago.
Cielo’s hands were around Grace’s shoulders while we were in a state of interrogation inside the office. He was as if protecting her… and that was in front of me! Their eyes were not guilty enough, and they were just angry that I started the commotion.
I scoffed out of bitterness.
I should have known sooner or later that they are in a relationship behind my back. There is nothing worse than knowing that your best friend and your boyfriend are fucking each other. Not to mention that I trusted them. Shit!
I sobbed and walked outside the elevators when I reached the rooftop. The wind was cold and the stars were already showing up from the night sky. But all I could see is the face of Cielo and Grace in one hotel room when I decided to follow them in secrecy for the last few weeks, the reason why I had to break up with my boyfriend and cut ties with my best friend.
Mr. Montenegro and the chairman saw me being a mess and disoriented and filthy and whatsoever they can’t think about me! They can judge me all they want, but I don’t care anymore!
“Aaaaahhhh!” I shouted and placed my hands on the cemented railings. “Fuck you! Fuck all of you!”
It is not my nature to cuss and shouts, but I am just very frustrated. I don’t want to cry, but the tears betray me. Look, I was absent the whole last week, and I won’t have a choice but to work this week. I won’t have a salary, right? But I am not in the mood to work, the reason why Mr. Montenegro is rumbling about my spacing out behavior and mistakes.“Do you have to shout like that in my company?”I turned around abruptly and expressed my fear when I saw my boss standing in front of the door where I went in just for me to get here on the rooftop. His pompadour hair was being swished softly by the cold wind, his business suit tracing every muscle of his body perfectly, and his dark virility scaring the shit out of me. It was his austere and strict eyes that are indicating that he is not happy.“M-Mr. Montenegro…” I called and gulped.“Where is my coffee?” he asked.“Huh?”“I said, where is my coffee?”I bit my lower lip and panicked and looked around. Thankfully, I brought the plast
I smiled and reached out my hand. “It is a deal, sir,” I said. “But I would like to know about the benefits I can have if I have to perform this pretentious scheme.”“Sure. We will talk tomorrow regarding this contract. For now, I want you to go home, fix yourself, and be more alert for your work tomorrow.”And of course, as an obedient secretary, I followed Mr. Montenegro and went home to the apartment where I am staying just near the building of company. I showered, placed my filthy and stained clothes on the washing machine behind the kitchen, and worked out the statistical data for tomorrow that I have to pass to Mr. Montenegro.Amidst my silent work, I remembered how Mr. Montenegro showed up when I was shouting and hyperventilating like a lunatic. I just really hope that he is not thinking that I am a psycho.But as his secretary of him for three years, he is not the type of boss that would judge an employee based on his or her emotional vulnerability. Unless it is about the busi
“But they know that I am your secretary. Everyone has seen us being professional with each other. How would they expect that we fell?”Oh, my goodness. How did I grasp the audacity to ask him that?!“Well, it is not like I am not good-looking. I will just have to tell them that you fancy me,” he casually suggested.And I won’t accept that suggestion, though, so I placed the folder on my lap.“That is a little bit absurd, vice chairman,” I said and shook my head. “Let me suggest an acceptable yet interesting story…”“Let me hear it, then.”I squinted my eyes when I saw a challenge in his eyes. There was even a tease in his mouth as if the sides of his lips are slowly rising. He is like this when he is testing my capability and knowledge.“Hmmm,” I hummed. “Let’s just say that you found me extraordinary. More than a secretary and an employee. As time passes by, you found yourself enjoying my company, because I am your only friend in your life.”“My friend?”“Yes, because you don’t have
Just like what the vice chairman requested, I canceled all of his appointments and cleared his disorganized things from his table in his office when he was talking to the executive director of the committee outside. When I was done, I approached my bag on one of the tables and swiftly retouched myself so we can go. I looked at my foundation’s mirror and saw that my eyebags were getting bigger, so I sighed.I wonder when I will stop crying over a jerk who does not even give a shit on me. Like, Jill, chill, okay? You have a job to do and your salary will be triple if you just get into your senses!I breathed in deeply, getting it together, so I can be prepared in going out.“Ms. Castro?”I abruptly turned my back to see the vice chairman, Mr. Darwin Montenegro, opening the door of his office. His hands were stashed on his grey slacks, looking handsome with his newly cut pompadour hair, and his business suit looking neat and tracing the muscles in the right places beneath it.“I hope you
“Do you have a boyfriend at the current time?” he asked me when we arrived in the parking lot. He has already let go of my hand, so I was back in following him behind. Just the topic of having a boyfriend made me remember what happened yesterday. I shook my head, so I cannot be fazed by its memory. Instead, I chose to give the vice chairman a practical answer.“I just newly broke up with a man for the past few weeks, sir,” I said, staying in the context. “And we did not get back together, so there will be no obstacles while we are participating in this pretentious act.”I saw him a nod and subtly looked over his shoulder, his pursed lips a little bit twisted. “Is that the reason why you were spacing out for the past few days?” he asked, even though the volume of his tone is uninterested.“Honestly, yes, sir,” I said. “So I am sorry-““You kept apologizing, especially since yesterday. I am so sick of it.”“I’m so-“I stopped myself from speaking up, zipped my lips tightly, and gulped
While thinking about the unspoken rumbles mentally, my irritation suddenly subsided when I picked a white bodycon dress. It is a long sleeve but I know it would look good on me. It is also a turtle-neck type one, too. It was color white; the texture was soft; and it is suited to a woman who has a curvy body.Well, one thing I liked about my appearance is the coca-cola shape of my body. Any kind of dress will be suited for me, which I am grateful for.“How about this one, sir? Wait.. sir?”I turned the other sides of the boutique, finding Mr. Montenegro around. Where is he? The sofa was empty and an opened magazine was on the glass table.I went out of the dressing room and decided to look for him. I was about to go to the front desk to ask the saleslady, but before I could even approach her, I bumped into someone busy holding a bag on sale.“Oh, I’m sorry –“ I almost exclaimed if I just did not look up.Grace’s eyes also widened as she looked at me. “What are you doing here?” the firs
The buildings in the city were a good sight under the light of the sun as I watched them all while riding in the backseat of Mr. Montenegro’s car. But despite my astonishment, while watching the environment of the city, I was slightly bothered by the series of gazes of Mr. Montenegro from the driver’s seat of the car he was giving me. When I was completely driven by the confusion he was giving me, I finally looked at him.“Who were they?” he asked as if that was the question he was thinking about since we left the boutique store.I was confused. He does not give a damn about the people he meets. Weird. But even though I did not expect him to ask, I still answered him with as half-life as I could. Knowing Mr. Montenegro is that he is never interested in my life, so let's just try.“Just like what I said, they are my, you know, friends,” I said tentatively and tried to smile truthfully.He made a long stare before he looked at the road with a brief sigh. “Let me guess. The lad was your
“Don’t do that again,” Mr. Montenegro said when he opened the door for me from the car. “I hate people crying.”Before I could even apologize, he had already turned his back on me, so I scratched my head, not knowing if I messed up again. I mean, he was the one who made me cry, right? After saying some stupid sentiments to me and hitting them through my heart, he would rumble about my tears? Is it my fault that he has some wisdom in his mind that he shared with me while I am having my pathetic drama?“Ms. Castro!”“Yes, coming right up, sir!” I said when he was already glaring at me and realized that I was not following him inside the company.I was able to forget what happened in the boutique for the whole day of work because I want to not disappoint my boss again. I changed the bodycon dress I am supposed to wear tonight into the corporate dress I wore last morning since I do not want to spoil the excitement I look forward to.Well, who would not be excited when I am going to the g
"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