It was a mistake. I should have not let my anger and sadness take over me when I shouted at Mr. Montenegro. A childish thing. I breathed in and out, now slowly opening the doors of Mr. Montenegro’s office the next days when I decided to attend my job in the company. I peeked through the door’s opening when it made a creak. As usual, I saw my boss reading a paper from his table. It took seconds before he felt that I was looking at him and lifted his head swiftly. Shit! I almost hid from the door, but I know escaping won’t do any good to me. I just sighed and opened the door widely. “G-Good morning, Mr. Montenegro,” I greeted with a squeak when I completely indulged myself in. I played with my fingers and could not stop lowering my head. “Good morning,” he greeted coldly, and I don’t know if he is looking at me or not. “I supposed to know that you can’t go to work when you are still not recovered from your dear friend’s death.” I shut my eyes tightly. “I’m sorry for what happene
“What… What do you mean, sir?”I did hear what he just said but could not quite comprehend it. He tilted his head, his ears started to redden in embarrassment and sighed aggressively.“I want to be your friend,” he repeated. “I admit that you have been bothering my mind a lot for the past few days. Don’t get me wrong, but I sympathize with what is happening in your life.”“Sir, you don’t have to sympathize with me. Profession and personal issues must be segregated,” she said. “I won’t let you in my problems. It will make you stressed out, sir. I don’t even know why you are suggesting such a thing, sir.”“You are talking too much. Stop that.”I zipped my lip.“I am your friend now, whether you like it or not,” he said. “I’ll court you so that you would be my friend.”The hell?He rolled his eyes when he saw my confused expression. “I said, I’ll court you. Like, persuade you to consider me as your friend. Not the other way around, so stop looking at me like that.”Before I could even ap
The last time I confronted Mrs. Margarita Montenegro, she did not like me for his son. And I defended it very well based on my moral perspective. The problem is… she might hate me now, not just ‘she does not like me’ only.I curled my hair in front of the mirror and watched the reflection of my face. I am currently wearing a bodycon dress, but this time, it is sleeveless and color elegant black. It traced my body sexily, motivating me to wear a pair of black heels tonight.“What do you think, Mitch?” I mumbled in the air. “Would I impress your idol by wearing this bodycon, hmm?”At times like this, dressing up for an important occasion, I would call Mitch to ask for her opinion about my outfit and appearance. God, I missed her, so much.“Fuck, don’t cry, Jill. This is not the right time,” I said and looked up at the ceiling while fanning myself with my two hands.After I have composed myself, it was the right time when a familiar car’s horn was heard from my apartment room. It is alre
Somehow, Darwin’s words moved my heart. I mean, he has been there since our fake contract marriage started. I would not say that he has been intrusive; more like indulging into my persona, but not rudely.His hand was on my waist as we went through the pavement where the way towards the garden is located. The ringing of the utensils was more loud than the faint whispers the Family Montenegro was exchanging during their dinner.I saw how the garden was surrounded with Christmas lights. The bulbs were stuck on the expensive plants. Even though it was dark, I could distinguish that at daytime, the assorted flowers from the garden are beautiful. The garden was vast, as if four rooms that are sized with my apartment room would be the right measurement.Darwin cleared his throat so he would catch the attention of his family. Automatically, they turned their heads in our direction. I avoided looking at Mrs. Margarita Montenegro and the chairman. I chose to focus on the obvious smug and welco
The way Darwin drove the car on the road was fast and furious. I kept looking at him, but his eyes are very focused on the road. I could sense his anger through his hardening jaw, veins showing by his strong grip on the steering wheel, and his harsh breathing pattern.I do not know where we are going, but I kept silent because he might bombard his anger towards me. I almost jumped and my heart leaped when he hit the brakes.“Diego!” I exclaimed in shock and gaped at him.But when I gazed at him, his lips were trembling. He then slowly turned to me. His eyes were glimmering, as if he wanted to say something, but he just pursed his lips tightly, shook his head, and withdrew himself from the car. I followed him with my curious gaze, and my eyes widened when he went to the railings of the bridge and held them.“Oh, my god!” I muttered and almost cursed under my breath, not wasting my time to get out of the car so I can follow him. “What are you doing? Sir!”“Fuck, calm down!” he hissed wh
From: Vice ChairmanGood night, Jill. Thank you for your time again.I smiled at his latest text message and typed on my cellphone for a reply.To: Vice ChairmanGood night, Darwin. There are not enough words to express my gratitude for your effort in making time for a wonderful tonight.With a smile, I put down my cell phone on the side table and hugged my pillow so tight on the bed. The handsome face of Mr. Montenegro was on the wall, making my smile widen furthermore.I never expected him to open up with me. And just based on his uncomfortable expression, he is not used to sharing what he thinks and feels. Or maybe he merely thinks of opening up as dramatic and nonsense. That is what I know about him.But just like he said, we are only humans. We get pain and misery. We get hurt when life becomes unfair. However, everything will just be all right at the end of the day.And I know that in no time, I will be healed from the heartbreak and losing my best friend.I miraculously woke up
“What is she doing here?” Mr. Montenegro whispered beside me as we both watched Grace from the counter ordering her hot coffee. “She’s not gonna hurt you, right?”I sighed and shook my head tentatively. “I know that our last encounter was not a pretty sight, but I am sure she would not do something scandalous again in this coffee shop,” I said.“How can you be so sure? She is the current girlfriend of your ex. I mean, see her boyfriend’s ex would infuriate her to the core.”“And she is my best friend. From the past.” I had to prolong the sentence even if I paused from the previous one. “I know her, more than anyone in this world, even if she betrayed me.”Mr. Montenegro looked at me with discerning eyes, so I also cut off my watchful gaze from Grace who is now approaching our table. I smiled at him to assure his doubt.“Trust me. She won’t hurt me,” I said.He shot his eyebrow. “I don’t trust anyone,” he said and glanced at Grace. “I would rather stay here with you and listen to your
“P-Please? Can we just talk for a bit? It’s for privacy concerns,” I said with a trembling smile.There was protest in his gaze, but when I shot my eyebrow and tilted my face to point out that he is not supposed to be here, he sighed and nodded slowly. He looked at his watch.“Fifteen minutes and we are going to go back to the building. Understood?” he said and it was a grave order that if I don’t follow it, he’ll punish me, so I nodded. “Good.”I was stunned on my seat when he leaned over to my face and kissed my forehead. When he moved away, he did not even flinch, unlike me, and just stood up while holding his cup of coffee. I cleared my throat as I watched him go outside the shop and then regarded the pissed Grace in front of me.Okay. That was just an act, Jill. Part of an act of your… fake ‘fiancee’ thingy.
"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