I

"You don't understand, miss," Jules' voice was full of urgency and frustration. "I need to talk to Mr. Mitchell. Pakisabi sobrang importante!"

"I'm so sorry, ma'am, but he doesn't want to be disturbed. You should call his assistant and make an appointment." sagot ng unipormadong babae sa kanya. She doesn't seem sorry at all! Jules ground her molars. She knew there was a smirk hiding there somewhere!

"This is an emergency." mariing sabi niya.

Umiling ang receptionist.

"Tell him--" naikuyom niya ang mga kamao sa ibabaw ng mesa. She isn't sure if it's a good idea to tell him it was her. But she had no other options. It's now or never.  Humugot muna siya ng malalim na hininga at nagdasal na sana tama ang gagawin niya. "Tell him it's Jules Vera Cruz."

May ilang pahina na tiningnan ang babae sa logbook bago muling umiling. "Hindi talaga pwede, ma'am. Wala po kayo sa listahan ng appointments niya."

Mariing naisara ni Jules ang mga mata dala ng matinding pagkabigo. Si Jake na lamang ang natitira niyang pag-asa sa ngayon. With drooping shoulders, Jules turned her back from the receptionist. Nanghihinang napaupo siya sa isa sa mga itim na couches sa paligid ng napakalawak na opisina. Itinukod niya ang siko sa mga tuhod at sinapo ng palad ang mukha.

Desperada na siya.

Yes, she had to be so fcking desperate para puntahan si Jake at hingan ng tulong. She had to be fcking desperate para pairalin ang kapal ng mukha at ibaba ang ipinagmamalaki niyang pride. Desperada na nga talaga siya dahil kung hihilingin ng pagkakataon, luluhod siya sa harap ni Jake Mitchell, makuha lamang niya ang kailangan niya.

She rubbed the heels of her hand against her eyes to stop the tears that are threatening to spill.

No! Hindi ka iiyak, Julianna!

Hindi niya pinagdaanan lahat ng hirap para lang ngayon siya sumuko. Lahat ng hirap at pagsasakripisyo ang nagpatatag sa kalooban ni Jules. Pinatigas ng panahon ang kalooban niya, pinatuyo ng problema at hinanakit ang mga luha niya, ginawang bato ang puso niya.

Hindi ganitong bagay ang magpapaiyak sa'yo! Hindi mo pa ginawa ang lahat! Alalahanin mo, iiyak ka lang pag tapos na ang lahat.

Jules looked at the door with the sign CEO plastered on it. Was it locked? Sinulyapan naman niya ang mga receptionist na busy sa pakikipagdaldalan sa isa't isa.

Nilaro niya ang ibabang labi sa pagitan ng mga ngipin. Kumuha siya ng tiyempo bago tumayo sa kanyang kinauupuan at dumiretso sa opisina ni Jake. Nang marating niya iyon ay agad niyang pinihit ang seradura. It was open!

"Ma'am! Teka lang po! Bawal po kayo diyan!"

Bago pa makalapit sa kanya ang babae ay naitulak na niya pabukas ang pinto. She came to a halt inside a friggin humongous office space. The walls were painted white with black accent. All furnitures were modern and.. Black. Except for the mahogany table in the middle. But it was painted with the darkest shade of brown so it wasn't that out of place. On top of it were folders that are neatly filed and an iMac. It was a little bit too organized except for the brown messy hair of the man who looked up from his blackberry and pierced her with the coldest black eyes Jules had ever seen.

Those weren't eyes she remembered.

Halos hindi na niya ito makilala. He was only twenty five when they last saw each other. And that was seven years ago. Seven years and the pictures from the internet and broad sheets did not give him any justice. There was a familiar tugging on her chest when their eyes met. His ebony irises are a perfect match to the furnitures of his office. It was like a blackhole she was getting involutarily sucked into.

"Mr. Mitchell, I'm so sorry for the interruption!" humahangos na sabi ng babae sa reception nang makapasok ito sa loob ng opisina. Hinagip nito ang braso niya at pilit syang hinihila palabas. "Sinabi ko na sa yong bawal nga istorbohin si Mr. Mitchell! Ipapakaladkad kita sa guard, eh."

Jules wouldn't budge no matter what the woman do. Nagpatawag pa ito ng guard ngunit nanatili lang siyang nakatitig kay Jake. There was no hint of recognition from his face. He just fixed her with a cold stare and nothing else. Sumiklab ang galit sa puso ni Jules. I used to be the only woman you see! Your world used to revolve around me!

The woman tugged in her arm once again but she jerked it off. "Bitawan mo 'ko." mariin na sambit niya.

"Ano ba, miss? Kailangan mo na umalis! Guard!"

Noon lumapit ang isang unipormadong guard at hinawakan naman siya sa kabilang braso. They were playing tag team on her now but she wouldn't leave this place without talking to this man! "Bitawan ninyo sabi ako eh! Kailangan ko siyang makausap!"

She said all that without breaking eye contact with Jake. After a few seconds of struggle he finally expelled a long breath.

"Sinabi ko nang hindi ninyo ako mapapalabas dito hanggat hindi ko siya nakakausap! Kahit kaladkarin pa ninyo ako! Let me go!"

"You heard her." amidst her struggle, her back went rigid when she heard his baritone voice. Kasing lamig ng mga mata nito ang boses nito. "Let her go."

"Sir?" may pag-aalinlangang tanong ng babae.

"Leave us." ikinumpas nito ang kamay. Hudyat upang bitawan ng dalawa ang mga braso niya at nakayukong lumabas ng pinto.

Jules stood straighter as she faced Jake Mitchell. Sa tagal ng huli nilang pagkikita ay tila isang estranghero ang kaharap niya ngayon. He used to be so warm and..happy. Now, he just seems like a cold shell. So scary and intimidating. But she would not let him do that to her. Ipinahid niya ang namamawis na kamay sa gilid ng pantalon niya saka huminga ng malalim. Humakbang siyang palapit sa mesa ni Jake habang ito naman ay nakatitig lag sa kanya at nilalaro ang hawak nitong ballpen. Binalewala niya ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso dala ng pagkainis sa receptionist at security guard at kaba narin ngayong kaharap na niya ang kanyang pakay.

"Jake.." tumikhim siya. Her voice sounded too desperate. Too weak for her liking. She licked her lips before she started once again. "Jake--"

He brought his attention back to the iMac as if making her feel inconsequential. "Please call me, Mr. Mitchell."

Pakiramdam niya ay sinampal siya nito. Ngunit hindi nagpaapekto si Jules. She knew better than to show weakness to your enemies, because that's when they strike you. And God forbid if Jules will allow anyone--not even this arrogant son of a bitch--to see her weakness and exploit it.

Nagbago na ang isip niya sa planong pagluhod at pagmamakaawa dito. No, she wouldn't do that. She shouldn't do that. Karapatan niya na magdemand dito dahil siya ang inaagrabyado. Kung noon ay pikit mata niyang tinanggap ang lahat ng pasakit ng pamilya nito sa kanya ay hindi na ngayon. Lalaban na siya! Dahil hindi na basta reputasyon ng mga ito at kinabukasan niya ang pinaglalabanan dito. Buhay na ang nakataya. Buhay ng taong mahal niya.

She lifted her chin trying to exude the confidence she's does not possess at the moment. Fake it till you make it. She kept telling herself.

"Mr. Mitchell,"

"Yes, miss..?"

She pursed her lips in annoyance. "How long are you going to pretend you don't know me, Jake? Coz seriously? You're just making a huge fool out of yourself!" hindi na napigilang bulyaw niya dito.

With a lackluster smile, Jake turned to her. She shivered at how cold his dark eyes were really. This is so not the Jake she knew before. Muntik pa siyang makonsensya thinking it was her who did this to him. But no. Walang lugar ang konsesya niya sa oras na ito. "I'm sorry I was not able to recognize you at once, Ms. Julianna Vera Cruz, you look rather...different."

Her face flushed red with irritation and fists clenched on her side. How dare he! Alam naman niyang marahil hindi na siya ang dating Jules na natatandaan nito. She was... Different. He's right. Dahil noon, walang taong hindi nanakaw ng pangalawang tingin sa kanya. If there was anything she prided herself of before, it was her stunning looks and guts.

But although she didn't look the same. Alam niyang wala namang gaanong ipinagkaiba. Sure she weren't wearing the same branded clothes and expensive shoes--coz it wouldn't be wise to spend too much money on trivial things--but she sure as hell doesn't look at all that different.

He was just trying to insult her and he's winning! This brute! Your family did this to me!

"What do you want, Ms. Vera Cruz?" he clasped his fingers together on top of his desk. "Please make it quick, I have a very important meeting."

Her lips involuntarily curled with disgust. Two people can play this game. "Why so formal, Jake? Afterall we have history. Don't tell me nakalimutan mo na agad?"

"That was seven years ago." he pointed out. He can pretend all he want. That he's this cold and emotionless man but Jules knew better. She knew there was still feelings hidden in there somewhere.

Kahit pa galit iyon o pagkamuhi, wala siyang pakialam. She's determined to unravel this man. "Sabihin mo na kung anong kailangan mo, I have work to do."

"Gusto kong itigil na ninyo ang pagpapahirap sa pamilya ko."

That's when Jake blinked and he looked as if he was really confused but Jules knew better. What a jerk! "What do you mean?"

"What do I mean?!" oh, she was enraged. "Tinanggalan ako ng opportunity ng nanay mo na makapagtapos ng pagaaral pagkatapos akong mapatalsik sa university na pinapasukan natin noon!"

"Lahat ng trabahong pwede kong pasukan, hinaharang niya! Your family ruined my life! At sa pagkakataong ito, hindi na ako papayag na ituloy nyo pa ang kalupitan ninyo! My mother is sick and I need help. Walang gustong tumulong sakin dahil sa nanay mo!"

"My mother is long dead!"

"But the stigma remains.." tahimik na sagot niya. Her hands shook as she stared at them with her head bowed down. "Tama na..Jake.. It's mamay's life at stake here. You know I can't let anything happen to her. Tatanggapin ko lahat ng gusto ninyong gawin sa akin. Hwag lang siya, Jake. Please keep her out of this. Hindi..hindi ko na kaya."

Dinig niya ang paginginig ng boses niya tanda ng nagbabadyang luha sa mga mata niya. Napatiim bagang siya at ikinuyom ang nanginginig na kamay. Hindi ka iiyak, Jules! Hindi!

Namayani ang katahimikan sa pagitan nilang dalawa ni Jake. It was as if he was waiting for her to continue, like he was waiting her to beg. But he would have to wait for a very long time. Because that ain't gonna happen.

Napapitlag pa siya nang biglag tumunog ang intercom sa mesa nito.

"Mr. Mitchell, your wife just entered the building."

Nahigit ni Jules ang hininga matapos marinig iyon. Of course she knew Jake is married now. Nagsearch siya tungkol dito sa internet at iyon ang isa sa mga natuklasan niya tungkol dito. Sharmaine Yunchengco Mitchell, was one of the most famous supermodel internationally, who willingly gave up her career to be a domestic diva. Anak na lamang ang kulang sa dalawa at sila na ang matataguriang perfect family.

Napabuntong hininga siya. Tinapunan niya ng tingin si Jake. She found him clenching his jaw. Kung anuman ang ibig sabihin niyon ay hindi na niya alam. Umiling siya dito na tila nadidismaya saka ito tinalikuran.

Mainit ang sinag ng araw na tumatama sa balat ni Jules nang makalabas siya sa JFM Tower, ngunit hindi niya ginawang sumilong. She needed to feel something other than the pain inside her chest. She's worried sick of Mamay. Natatakot siya na unti unti nang nababawasan ang oras nilang magkasama. Na lalo pang umiikli hanggat wala siyang naiisip na paraan para mailigtas ang buhay nito.

Sinipat niya ang relo. She needed to go to work. Pilit niyang ibabaon sa limot ang pinagusapan nila ni Jake. Kung wala mang maitutulong ang paguusap nila, at least nailabas niya ang mga hinanaing dito.

Tumunog ang telepono sa bulsa niya na agad niyang sinagot.

"Ano ba Jules?! Papasok ka pa ba?! Late ka nanaman!"

"Pasensya na Leslie, oo papasok ako, wait lang--" sabi niya habang papatawid sa kalsada. Tumatagaktak ang pawis niya sa noo, leeg at likod. "Pasakay na ako ng jeep."

Napalingon siya sa malakas na tunog ng busina sa kaliwa niya at ang isang lumang Toyota Corrolla ang huling naalala niya.