Chapter 26: New Era Begins

STACEY'S POV

I woke up to the feeling of Jhoanna's arm draped lazily over my waist, her face buried against my neck. Napangiti ako, savoring the warmth and peace of the moment.

She was still asleep, her breathing soft and steady, and for once, walang tension sa mukha niya-walang stress, walang inis. Just pure, rare relaxation.

Sarap sanang manatili sa ganitong moment, pero-

BLAG!

The sudden loud noise from outside made me flinch. Jhoanna, on the other hand, bolted upright, looking ready to commit a crime.

"ATE COLET BAKA MAKASUHAN TAYO NG TRESPASSING DITO!"

"AKONG BAHALA SA INYO, PABILISAN NALANG TUMAKBO!"

"BAT BA KASE SINAMA NYO PA AKONG DALAWA DITO!"

I groaned and covered my ears. "Oh my God, why-"

Before I could even sit up properly, the door swung open with full force, almost knocking against the wall.

"GOOD MORNING, LOVEBIRDS!"

And just like that, peace was ruined.

Napabalikwas si Jhoanna. Standing at the doorway were Colet, Sheena, and Gwen-wide-eyed, open-mouthed, and very much in shock.

...Shit.

Ako? Nakahiga pa rin sa kama, nakayakap kay Jhoanna, mukhang bagong galing sa isang hindi pang-MTRCB na session.

Jhoanna? Still half-dazed but very much aware of the situation now.

Them? Scandalized.

Nagkaroon ng ilang segundong katahimikan na parang literal na may dramatic zoom-in effect pa sa mukha nilang tatlo.

Then-

Colet: "HUY?! HUYYYY?!?"

Sheena: "PUTANGINA!"

Gwen: "Oh?"

OH?! THAT'S ALL SHE HAS TO SAY?!

I groaned and immediately dragged the blanket over my face, trying to disappear. "Why the hell are you guys here?!"

Jhoanna, on the other hand, was fully awake now, rubbing her temples like she was deciding whether she should murder them or just murder me instead. "Tangina, paano kayo nakapasok dito?"

Gwen, still looking scandalized, dramatically pointed at us. "If you wanted privacy, maybe, just maybe-LOCK THE DOOR?!"

Sheena nodded aggressively, arms crossed. "Oo nga! Common sense, mga sis!"

Colet, now fully realizing what she just walked into, smirked like the little shit she was. "So, hmm... confirmed na ganito pala ang morning routine n'yo?"

I grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it at her face. "ARGH! VERGARA!"

A loud BOG! echoed as the pillow hit her squarely in the forehead, making her stumble backward.

"Pigilan mo ako Jho, baka mabato ko din yang girlfriend mo!" Colet gasped, clutching her forehead like she was actually wounded. "Ang bigat ng unan mo, piskit!"

Jhoanna let out a deep sigh, running her fingers through her hair. "Ay naku, Ate Colet Ikaw nanaman pasimuno neto ehh"

Colet dramatically flopped onto the floor, clutching her chest. "Wow. Grabe kayo sa akin. I just wanted to visit my favorite couple, tapos ganito ang welcome n'yo sa akin?"

Gwen, finally recovering from her initial shock, wiggled her eyebrows. "So basically, mukhang kailangan nyo munang magbihis noh?"

Sheena snorted, elbowing her. "True true bebe!"

Jhoanna, now visibly running out of patience, pinched the bridge of her nose before shooting them a glare. "Okay, tama na. Anong ginagawa n'yo dito?"

Colet sat up from the floor, grinning like the devil. "Eh kasi, na-miss namin kayo!"

I squinted at her. "At kelan pa naging valid excuse 'yan para sirain ang umaga namin?"

Gwen raised a finger. "Technically, we did not ruin your morning. You two did, by not locking the door."

Jhoanna sighed, muttering under her breath. "Jusko, di ko na talaga alam kung sinong ipapapatay ko sa inyo."

Sheena, still holding back laughter, shrugged. "Eh, at least naabutan namin kayo na tapos na sa pag-."Jhoanna almost choked on air.

"SHEENA MAE!"

Colet gasped dramatically. "Oh my God, dapat ba namin kayong bigyan ng five more minutes?"

Jhoanna grabbed another pillow, ready to launch it. "LUMABAS NA NGA KAYO BAGO KO KAYO ITAPON SA BINTANA!"

And just like that, another day of chaos officially began.

JHOANNA'S POV

Matapos ang walang-hiyaang paninira ng umaga ng tatlong walang modo, akala ko tapos na ang gulo.

I was wrong.

Katatapos lang namin ni Stacey magbihis (kasi, of course, They just had to barge in while we were still in bed), and we finally made it to the living room. Peaceful na sana.

Until-

DING DONG!

Napatingin ako kay Stacey, who looked just as confused. "Sino na naman 'to?"

Ate Colet, who was still lounging on our couch like she lived here, sat up. "Baka yung kaibigan ni Sevilleja na mukhang angry bird"

I raised a brow. "Angry bird ?"

She shrugged. "Si Mikha, yung makapal ang kilay, apaka low gets mo talaga"

Gwen snorted. "Baka na-curious din sya kung paano kayo sumira ng kama? kaya sya andito"

I threw a pillow at her. "TAMA NA PLEASE!"

Before I could even recover from the urge to strangle these idiots, Stacey opened the door-

And standing there was Mikha, with a woman. Ate Maloi?

"SURPRISE!" Mikha greeted, grinning widely.

Ate Maloi gave a small, awkward wave. "Uh, hi?"

Stacey, ever the CEO, immediately raised a brow. "Wait-Miss Ricalde?"

Ate Colet, who had been sipping her coffee like a judge in a reality show, suddenly froze mid-sip.

Her eyes widened.

Tumingin siya kay Maloi na parang biglang nag-flashback sa kanya ang lahat ng kasalanan niya sa mundo.

"AY!"

Lahat kami napatingin sa kanya.

Mikha raised a brow. "Uy, You're all here pala??"

At Colet ignored her and dramatically pointed at Maloi. "BAKIT NANDITO KA?!"

Maloi blinked. "Uh... kasi may need akong papirmahan kay Miss Sevilleja?"

Ate Colet, still looking like she was experiencing an existential crisis, slowly turned to Mikha. "Bakit mo siya dinala?!"

Mikha shrugged. "Bakit hindi?"

Gwen leaned forward, intrigued. "Wait lang. Sya yun diba Ate Colet?"

Ate Colet pressed her lips together, looking like she just got caught robbing a bank.

"...No."

Sheena scoffed. "Lakas maka showbiz sya nga yun bebe"

Maloi, still confused but slightly amused, tilted her head. "Okay, anong nangyayari? Kasi parang ako lang ang hindi nakakaalam ng chismis dito."

Mikha, suddenly very interested, smirked. "Uy, wait lang. Don't tell me, Vergara, you and Miss Ricalde are?"

And just like that-

Ate Colet turned as red as a freaking tomato.

I swear, the way her soul left her body was worth filming.

I had to bite my lip to stop myself from laughing. "Ohhhhhh, may something palang nanyayare ha?"

Sheena clapped her hands. "We finally meet the mysterious girl bebe!"

Maloi blinked. "Mysterious? Ako?"

Ate Colet, looking completely betrayed, groaned loudly. "KAYONG DALAWA TALAGA, WAG KAYONG MAGINGAY!"

Mikha, enjoying the chaos she created, leaned against the doorway. "Damn. This is better than expected."

STACEY'S POV

Akala ko tapos na ang umagang puno ng kabaliwan after Colet's hilariously tragic reunion with Maloi. Pero hindi-of course not.

Mikha, who was still laughing like a damn hyena, casually plopped onto the couch, stretching her arms like she didn't just witness a scene straight out of a soap opera.

"Grabe, Colet. First time kitang nakitang nag-panic nang ganyan," she teased, barely holding back another chuckle.

Colet groaned dramatically, grabbing the nearest throw pillow and chucking it straight at Mikha's face.

"Patahimikin mo nga tong kaibigan mo Stacey, sasakalin ko toh!"

Unfortunately for Colet, Mikha had fast reflexes. She caught the pillow mid-air and grinned. "Weak throw, Vergara. Parang wala kang kinain."

"Kasi nga nawalan na ako ng gana!" Colet whined, throwing herself onto the couch beside Gwen, who just patted her head like she was some tragic little puppy. " I can't believe na dito pa talaga kami nagkita?!"

"Eh, bakit ka ba kasi nagulat?" Sheena asked, raising a brow. "It's not like she disappeared from the face of the earth."

Colet groaned louder. "Bakit sa LSA Corp. pa sya nagtrabaho?! Ang dami-daming kumpanya sa mundo!"

At the mention of LSA Corp., biglang nagseryoso si Mikha. She sat up straighter, crossing her arms. "Speaking of LSA Corp..." she started.

I immediately felt a shift in the atmosphere.

Everyone quieted down, eyes now on Mikha, who looked straight at me.

"You're officially free, Staku"

I blinked. "Huh?"

"Tapos na ang issue," Mikha clarified. "Gelo handled everything-sinara na niya lahat ng mga rumors about your 'marriage.' He personally told his family the truth, and they already made a public statement. The whole business industry now knows that the two of you were never legally married in the first place."

Napakagat-labi ako. Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat maramdaman.

"Wait..." Jhoanna's voice cut through the moment, her brows furrowed. "You're saying-wala nang kahit anong complications? Stacey can take back her full position as CEO without any issues?"

Mikha nodded. "Yep. LSA Corp. is back in Stacey's hands, and the board has already acknowledged her return. Lalo na wala na yung kontrabida mong tatay, wala nang drama. She's free. Kaya nga andito kami ni Miss Ricalde to formally welcome you again Staks"

I stay quiet. Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat kong sabihin.

For the longest time, may isang parte ng buhay ko na parang hindi ko kontrolado-this whole arranged marriage mess with Gelo, the rumors, the company, my father . But now... it was all gone.

I was finally free.

Jhoanna suddenly squeezed my hand. I turned to her, and she was just staring at me-really staring-like she was waiting for me to fully process everything.

Then, a small smile formed on her lips.

"Akin ka na talaga."

That snapped me out of it.

Colet groaned in disgust. "Huy, Jhoanna! Mamayang gabi kana uli!"

Mikha fake gagged. "Yuck."

Sheena snorted. "Cringe."

Gwen shook her head, chuckling. "God, get a room."

Pero wala akong pake.

I laughed, pulling Jhoanna closer.

Colet dramatically stood up from the couch. "PISKIT, AKO NA ANG AALIS DITO KUNG MAGLALANDIAN PA KAYO!"

Mikha followed, raising a hand. "I'll come with y'all"

Sheena and Gwen nodded. "Kami rin."

"Sasama na din ako sa inyo" Maloi added

I just grinned. "Wala namang pumipigil sa inyo, 'di ba?"

Jhoanna smirked. "Oo nga."

And just like that, our chaos-filled morning ended with the best news ever-and, of course, with me shamelessly claiming Jhoanna in front of everyone.

Because now, I could.

COLET'S POV

Okay, let's be real-hindi ako handa dito.

The last time I saw Maloi, nasa hospital pa si Jhoanna. We talked, it was chill, walang awkwardness, and then after that, wala na kaming follow-up na usap. Hindi naman siya nawala bigla, pero hindi rin kami nagkaroon ng chance to talk again.

And now? She's here. Nakangiti pa, parang walang nangyari.

"Uy, Colet," she greeted, her voice light, easy, habang inilalapag ang hawak niyang baso sa counter ng kusina.

I blinked, still processing her presence. "Uh. Hi?"

Maloi chuckled, obviously amused by my reaction. "Mukhang nagulat ka."

I scoffed, leaning against the fridge. "'Di naman obvious."

She tilted her head, studying me with a knowing smile. "Akala mo hindi na tayo magkikita, 'no?"

I crossed my arms. "More like... hindi ko in-expect na ganito kabilis ulit tayong magkikita."

She smirked. "Well, surprise?"

I rolled my eyes. "Grabe ka namang magpakita, parang jump scare."

Maloi laughed, at sa totoo lang, medyo nakakainis na ang cute ng tunog nun.

"Busy lang," she admitted, habang kinukuha ang isang kutsara at nilalaro ito sa kamay niya. "Akala ko kasi ikaw 'yung hindi na magpaparamdam."

Napakunot noo ako. Ako?!

"Hoy, teka, ako pa talaga?" I raised an eyebrow. "Hindi kaya ikaw 'yung nawala sa eksena?!"

"Excuse me," she said, crossing her arms. "Nag-message ako sa'yo last time, tapos ang reply mo lang 'HAHAHAH LOKO KA TALAGA'-anong isasagot ko dun?"

I paused.

Shit, tama nga.

"Edi sana nag-reply ka pa rin," I muttered, defensive na lang para 'di ako dehado.

Maloi smirked. "Sige, next time 'HAHAHAH' din isasagot ko para patas."

I stared at her, she stared back, and then-

Bigla kaming natahimik.

Then, sabay kaming tumawa. As in, sabay talaga.

"Piskit, ang babaw natin," I said, shaking my head, habang kinuha ang isang tinapay sa mesa.

Maloi wiped an imaginary tear. "Pero aminin mo, na-miss mo 'ko."

I rolled my eyes, pero hindi ko rin napigilan ang isang maliit na ngiti. "Ikaw na nga 'tong nawala, ikaw pa 'tong may ganang magpa-miss."

She leaned in slightly, voice softer. "So... na-miss mo nga?"

Tangina, bakit parang biglang uminit dito?

I cleared my throat, crossing my arms. "Hmp. pag iisipan ko."

Maloi grinned. "Hmm. Noted."

At sa kung anong dahilan, medyo nawala ang angas ko dun.

_

Timeskip-

STACEY'S POV

Walking back into LSA Corp after being away for so long felt... surreal. Everything looked the same-sleek offices, busy employees, the faint hum of printers and keyboards clicking-but the atmosphere? It was different.

The moment I stepped inside, all eyes were on me. Some were surprised, some relieved, and others? Well, let's just say may mga nag-aabang ng drama.

"Good morning, Ma'am Stacey," one of the employees greeted nervously.

I gave them a small nod. "Good morning."

Kasabay ko si Jhoanna, walking right beside me. My secretary. My very attractive, no-nonsense.

"You okay?" she asked, voice low enough na ako lang ang makarinig.

I glanced at her. "I should be asking you that. Mukhang mas tense ka ngayon ehh"

"Well," she smirked, "considering everything? Medyo oo."

Fair point.

Dumiretso kami sa elevator, at the moment the doors closed, I exhaled.

Jhoanna chuckled. "Overwhelming?"

"A little," I admitted, rolling my shoulders. "Pero I'm happy na makabalik dito"

"Sana lang hindi ka na uli magpapagod nang sobra."

I smirked. "Bakit, worried ka?"

She gave me a deadpan look.

I laughed, holding up my hands. "Fine, fine! Magpapahinga ako ng tama. Ikaw secretary ko eh, wala akong choice."

"Exactly."

Dumating kami sa top floor kung nasaan ang office ko, and the moment I stepped inside, everything felt right again. Mikha had done a great job keeping things together, pero iba pa rin ang feeling na ako mismo ang nakaupo rito.

"Welcome back, CEO." Jhoanna teased, leaning against the doorframe.

I grinned. "Welcome back my Lewser Secretary!"

_

I never thought I'd be officially taking over everything my father left behind.

Not just LSA Corp. Lahat. Every business, every investment, every corrupt little empire he built-I was about to dismantle and rebuild them the way I wanted. The way they should've been.

And today? Today, I was going to announce it to the world.

"You're scowling," Jhoanna pointed out palabas kami ng office papunta sa conference hall

I sighed. "Hindi ko lang inexpect na ganito kabilis 'to mangyayari."

"You deserve it," she said firmly. "Alam kong ang dami mong pinagdaanan, Stacey. Pero ngayon,You're finally reaping the rewards of your hard work. "

I turned to her, meeting her steady gaze. "And you're with me, right?"

She smirked. "Of course. Secretary and girlfriend mo ako, 'di ba?"

I chuckled. "Right."

Pagdating namin sa Conference Hall, the media was already waiting. Cameras flashed the moment I stepped out of the car, reporters immediately swarming the entrance.

"Ma'am Stacey, totoo po bang hindi talaga kayo kasal kay Mr. Rivera?"

"Ma'am, paano po ang transition of power sa lahat ng businesses under LSA?"

"May plano po ba kayong baguhin ang pamamalakad ng kumpanya?"

"Ma'am ano pong tunay na nanyare kay Mr. Sevilleja?"

I kept my expression calm, Jhoanna right beside me as we walked towards the entrance. This was my moment.

The press conference was set up in a grand hall-huge stage, a long table with microphones, and a large screen behind it displaying the words:

LSA CORPORATION - NEW ERA UNDER CEO LINDTSEY STACEY AUBREY SEVILLEJA

As soon as I sat down, Jhoanna took her place beside me, hands folded, looking like she was ready to tackle anyone who asked a dumb question.

I leaned into my mic, offering a confident smile. "Good afternoon, everyone. I know you all have a lot of questions, so let's get started."

The moment I spoke, the whole room went silent, waiting for me to drop the bomb they've all been dying to hear.

"First, let me clarify something," I began, my voice steady, sure. "The rumors about my marriage to Mr. Gelo Rivera? Completely false. It was an arrangement made by my father to strengthen the company power between the Sevilleja's and Rivera's, and now that he's gone, I can confirm that there is no legal marriage between us, and it's all fake."

The room erupted with whispers. The reporters, kahit halatang ready na sa issue na 'to, were still scrambling to take down notes, while the cameras flashed like crazy.

"Then who will be your business partner now, Ma'am Stacey?" someone asked.

I smirked. "I don't need one."

Jhoanna, sitting beside me, subtly smirked at my answer.

"But what about LSA Corp?" another reporter pressed. "You're taking over everything under your father's name, tama po ba?"

"That's correct," I answered smoothly. "LSA Corporation and all its subsidiaries are now under my leadership. Effective today, my father's influence is gone. Any under-the-table dealings, any corrupt business practices-lahat ng maduming kalakaran niya? Tapos na."

The reporters went wild.

"Ma'am Stacey, does this mean you'll be reforming the entire company?"

"Ano po ang unang hakbang ninyo bilang CEO ng buong business ng Sevilleja?"

"Paano po ang mga dating kasosyo ng daddy ninyo?"

I took a breath, letting the silence stretch before answering. "I will be restructuring LSA Corporation from the ground up. That means new leadership, new policies, and a clear-cut rejection of everything my father stood for and let me add-those who benefited from his corruption? You better start running."

"My priority is to rebuild, not just LSA, but everything connected to it," I continued. "For years, this company operated under fear and manipulation. I refuse to let that continue. We're entering a new era-one that values integrity, innovation, and accountability."

Silence.

Then-applause.

I glanced at Jhoanna, who was looking at me with something more than just professional pride.

JHOANNA'S POV

The applause was still ringing in my ears when I noticed it-the look on Stacey's face.

Oh, hell no.

Alam ko na 'tong itsura na 'to. This was the I'm-about-to-do-something-crazy-so-just-roll-with-it look.

Napatingin ako sa kanya, scanning her expression. What the hell are you planning?

Then she spoke.

"Before we move forward, I have one last thing to clarify," she announced, her voice smooth but dangerously sure. "And I know this is something people have been speculating about for a while now."

Wait. WAIT.

Biglang bumigat ang pakiramdam ko. The reporters went dead silent. The board members looked like they were about to pass out.

And then-she turned to me.

Nakita ko yung slight smirk niya, that subtle challenge in her eyes-as if daring me to stop her.

My brain short-circuited.

Before I could even react, she reached for my hand.

In front of EVERYONE.

Hawak. As in, full-on intertwined fingers.

Oh my God. Oh my God. OH MY GOD.

The gasps. The murmurs. The literal sounds of people choking on their own air.

"I want to officially introduce Jhoanna Christine Robles," she declared, her grip firm on my hand, "not just as my secretary, but as my girlfriend."

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?!

I felt my soul leave my body.

The entire room exploded in chaos.

"Ma'am Stacey-!"

"Since when?!"

HOLY SHIT. HOLY SHIT. HOLY SHIT.

My heart was beating so loud, I swore it was louder than the reporters screaming over each other.

I turned to Stacey, eyes wide. "Stace, what the fuck-?"

She just smiled, as if she didn't just turn my entire life into a goddamn headline.

I was stunned. Not because I was ashamed-hell no-but because... SHE DID THIS SO CASUALLY?!

"You okey Jho?" she asked softly, too low for the mics to catch.

I blinked at her. "I- You-ANO 'TO?"

"Hard launch ba" she teased, she's enjoying this.

"STAKUUU-!"

"Relax," she chuckled. "They were gonna find out sooner or later."

"Sooner OR LATER, HINDI AGAD-AGAD!" I whisper-yelled. "ANO 'TO, PRESS CONFERENCE OR FAN MEET NG LOVE TEAM NATIN?!"

She shrugged. "Would you rather I denied it?"

I shut up.

I mean... fuck, no.

And she knew that.

Napanganga na lang ako, bago napairap. I sighed heavily before leaning toward the mic, still gripping her hand.

"Since forever."

And just like that, the whole room exploded again.

Stacey turned to me, raising an eyebrow. "Since forever? kala mo kinilig ako dun?"

I sighed. "Psh. Wala namang ibang tamang sagot, 'di ba?"

She smirked. "Smart girl."

Kahit gusto ko siyang sakalin sa ginawa niya, hindi ko mapigilang kiligin.

REPORTER MODE ON:

"Miss Jhoanna! Kailan pa po kayo naging official?"

"Ma'am Stacey, was this why you rejected all arranged marriage proposals before?"

"May balak ba kayong magpakasal?"

TEKA LANG!

I squeezed Stacey's hand hard, hoping she'd get the message-STOP MAKING ME PANIC.

But no, syempre hindi.

Stacey, the menace that she is, just smirked.

"Hmm," she hummed playfully. "Let's just say... everything is falling into place."

I froze.

WAIT. WAIT. WAIT.

I turned to her, horrified. "HUH? ANONG FALLING INTO PLACE?!"

She laughed, her grip on my hand tightening. "Shh, secret."

⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ── End of Chapter 26 ── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆