Chapter 29: Pieces of Peace

Jhoanna's POV

The early morning sunlight was the first to wake me up, but I didn't move right away. I could still feel Stacey's warmth as she held me close from last night. Her grip on my shirt was tight-like even in her dreams, she refused to let me go.

I smiled as I gently ran my fingers through her hair. Mas kalmado na siya ngayon. The tension on her face was gone, but I knew she was still exhausted-not just physically, but emotionally too.

I took a deep breath bago dahan-dahang kumalas sa yakap niya. But just as I was about to get up, I felt her grip on me tighten.

"Hmm... saan ka pupunta?" bulong niya, halatang bagong gising pa.

"Sa baba lang, magtitimpla ng kape," sagot ko, hinahaplos ang kamay niyang nakapulupot sa bewang ko.

"Five more minutes Jho," she murmured

I shook my head with a small smile, pero hindi ko siya kayang tanggihan. I let myself settle back beside her, allowing her to hold onto me as her breathing slowly returned to a calm, steady rhythm.

Mga ilang minuto pa ang lumipas bago ko siya marahang tinapik.

"Stacey, bumaba na tayo. Baka gutom ka na."

She groaned but eventually let me go. "Fine...."

Dahan-dahan siyang bumangon, inayos ang oversized shirt ko na suot pa rin niya, at sumandal saglit sa kama bago bumuntong-hininga. "I never thought my day yesterday would be this chaotic"

Hinaplos ko ang likod niya. "At least tapos na. Safe ka na ngayon."

She nodded, looking at me with a small, tired smile. "Thanks, Jho."

Kumindat ako. "Always."

Pagbaba namin, naabutan namin si Mama na nag-aalmusal habang si Johan naman ay nagkakape.

"Good morning, Ma," bati ko habang lumapit para kumuha ng kape.

"Good morning din," sagot niya, bago tumingin kay Stacey. "Oh, Stacey, anak, kumusta ka?"

Napatingin si Stacey sa akin, parang gulat pa rin sa pagtawag sa kanya ni Mama na 'anak,' pero ngumiti siya. "Okay naman po, medyo pagod pa rin pero at least safe na."

"Good, good," sagot ni Mama bago sumulyap sa akin. "Ikaw, Jho?"

"Ma??"

"Okey ka lang ba anak?"

"I'm good ma, thankyou for asking"

Bago pa makasagot si mama, may kumatok sa pinto. Napakunot-noo ako bago naglakad papunta roon para tignan kung sino.

Pagbukas ko, si Mikha at Akira ang bumungad sa akin, parehong may bitbit na pagkain.

"Yo," bati ni Mikha, iniangat ang hawak niyang box ng donuts. "May breakfast kaming dala dito"

Si Akira naman ay may dalang malaking thermos. "Dala ko kape. Alam kong kailangan mo 'to, Stacey."

Napataas ang kilay ko. "Teka, anong ginagawa n'yo dito?"

"Grabe ka naman, Jho," sagot ni Mikha, kunot-noo. "Hindi ba puwedeng bumisita? Concerned lang kami kay Stacey."

"Concerned ka o makikichismis ka?" sagot ko.

"Both," sagot niya nang walang kahihiyan.

"Saka may kailangan akong sabihin," seryosong sabi ni Akira, dumiretso ang tingin kay Stacey.

Natahimik kami. Alam naming hindi ito simpleng usapan lang.

"Ano 'yun, Kuya?" tanong ni Stacey.

Huminga ng malalim si Akira bago naupo sa tapat namin. "Hawak na ng authority si Taneo, and this time I'll make sure na hindi na sya makakatakas"

Stacey didn't speak right away. I could see the surprise in her eyes, but along with it came a deep sigh of relief.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya, pinisil ito ng mahina. "That's good news, Stacey"

Tumango siya, bagamat halata pa rin ang pag-iisip niya tungkol dito. "Yeah... it is."

Akira leaned forward, his expression serious. "Pero hindi lang 'yun. Nadagdagan pa ang mga kaso niya."

Nagkatinginan kami ni Stacey. "What do you mean kuya ?" tanong niya.

"Maliban sa attempted kidnapping at harassment na ginawa niya sa'yo, may lumitaw pang ibang kaso laban sa kanya," sagot ni Akira. "Nagkaroon ng bagong ebidensya sa dati niyang illegal na negosyo. May mga lumantad na rin na dating biktima niya. Kasama na rin sa mga reklamo ang fraud, illegal possession of firearms, at even human trafficking."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Stacey. "H-Human trafficking?"

Tumango si Akira. "Mukhang matagal na niyang ginagawa 'to. May mga taong lumapit sa pulis, mga biktima niya dati na natatakot magsalita noon. Pero ngayong nahuli na siya, nagkaroon sila ng lakas ng loob na magsampa ng kaso"

Nagkatinginan kami ni Mikha. "Holy cow, di lang pala gago yun ehh," bulong ni Mikha

"Sobrang mali na nakipag sosyo ako sa pamilya nila" Sabi ni Stacey

"It's okey, atleast ngayon everything is under control" sagot ni Akira. "Kung may choice lang ako, matagal ko na 'yung sinapak."

Napangiti ako kahit seryoso ang usapan. At least, ngayon, tapos na ang bangungot na dulot ni Taneo.

Mikha, who had been quiet the whole time, finally spoke. "Okay, enough heavy stuff. Let's eat. I brought donuts for a reason."

Napatawa ako, finally feeling the weight lifting off. "Tama. Kain na tayo."

As we started eating, hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti. Despite everything, we were still here-whole, safe, and surrounded by people who were always ready to support us.

And honestly, that's more than enough for me.

_

Timeskip...

Stacey's POV

When I got back to LSA Corp., it felt like I had been gone for so long-kahit na ilang araw lang naman 'yon. The moment I stepped inside the building, almost everyone turned to look at me, as if they were trying to assess if I was really okay.

I couldn't blame them.

News about what happened spread fast. The CEO getting kidnapped by some lunatic from her past? Of course, it made waves-kahit hindi pa 'yon pinalabas sa media. I knew Gelo and Mom already did some damage control to keep it from going public. Pero internally, I was sure everyone was talking about it.

"Goodmorning!" Jhoanna greet me, with a polite yet worried smile. "Okay ka na ba talaga?"

I nodded, giving her a small smile. "Yeah. I'm fine, Jho. Don't worry."

"Sigurado ka?" she asked, crossing her arms. "Kasi 'pag hindi pa, pwede naman kitang ikandado sa condo mo para makapagpahinga ka muna."

Napangiti ako. "Tempting, pero hindi puwede. Maraming kailangang asikasuhin."

She sighed before stepping closer, lowering her voice. "Just... take it easy, okay? Alam kong ayaw mong aminin, pero na-trauma ka rin sa nangyari."

I held her gaze for a moment before nodding. "I know. Kaya nga nandito ako-para bumalik sa normal."

Jhoanna looked at me like she wanted to say more, pero bago pa siya makapagsalita, bumukas ang pinto.

Hindi na ako nagulat nang makita si Gelo na pumasok, hawak ang isang cup ng coffee. As expected, may pag-aalalang nakapinta sa mukha niya.

"Busy ka?" tanong niya, placing the cup on my desk.

"Oh hi Gelo, long time no see, I'm tarting to be busy," I answered, picking up the coffee. "Alam kong may sasabihin ka, so just say it."

Nagtagal ang titig niya sa akin bago siya huminga nang malalim. "Are you sure you're okay to be back this soon?"

Napairap ako. "Gelo-"

"I mean it, Stacey," he cut me off. "You barely had time to recover from everything. Kung gusto mong mag-leave pa, we have ways"

Umiling ako. "Ayoko. The more I stay away, the harder it gets to come back. Besides, I need to keep things moving."

"You don't need to prove anything, you know?" he said, crossing his arms. "Nothing will change in how we see you if you take a rest."

I sighed, placing the coffee down. "I know. Pero, Gelo... I just want to feel normal again."

Nagtagal ang titig niya sa akin bago siya tumango. "Okay. But if you go overboard, I won't leave you alone."

Ngumiti ako. "Noted."

He shook his head with a small chuckle bago tumayo. "Alright. Balik na ako sa office ko. Text mo ako 'pag may kailangan ka."

Pagkaalis niya, bumaling ako kay Jhoanna, who was still watching me like a hawk.

"Tumigil ka sa kakatingin nang ganyan," I muttered, taking another sip of my coffee.

She raised an eyebrow. "Ano namang klaseng tingin 'to?"

"It's like you're waiting for me to give up or run out of the office."

She smirked. "Well, kung bumigay ka, sasaluhin naman kita, so..."

Napailing ako, but I couldn't help the smile forming on my lips.

"Fine," she sighed, leaning on my desk. "Pero isang sign lang ng pagod mo, Stacey, susugod kita pauwi. At hindi mo ako mapipigilan."

"Noted, Ma'am Jhoanna," I teased, making her roll her eyes.

She shook her head pero ngumiti before stepping closer and gently pressing a kiss on my cheek.

And just like that, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

_

I was quietly reading reports in my office when someone suddenly knocked. I immediately looked at the door, expecting it to be Jhoanna or Gelo again.

"Come in," I called out, not bothering to look up.

I heard the door open and the soft sound of heels clicking against the floor as someone walked in. Pero nang marinig ko ang boses niya, I immediately turned to look.

"How are you?"

Aiah.

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by her presence here at LSA Corp. Hindi ko inexpect na dadalaw siya-lalo na ngayon.

"Aiah?" I blinked, slowly setting my pen down. "Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

She smirked slightly, closing the door behind her. "Just past by, to check how you doing."

Tumayo ako at nilagay ang kamay ko sa bewang. "I appreciate the concern, but I'm doing well now Ms. Arceta"

She shook my head, pero bago pa sya makapagsalita ulit, the door suddenly swung open.

"Staku, can you signed this I need-"

Mikha.

She stopped talking and froze the moment she saw Aiah. Kita sa mukha niya ang shock-parang nakakita siya ng multo. Meanwhile, Aiah remained composed, though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes.

"...Maraiah?" Mikha blurted out, halatang hindi makapaniwala.

Nagtaas ng kilay si Aiah. "Oh? Mikhaela ."

My gaze shifted between the two of them, and I immediately felt that something was off. Mikha looked like she just saw her past flashing before her eyes, habang si Aiah, calm as ever,

"Mikha," I narrowed my eyes at her. "You know Aiah?"

The few seconds of silence were almost deafening before Mikha finally spoke.

"You're Aiah?" she muttered, still looking stunned.

Napataas lalo ang kilay ko. "What do you mean?"

Bago pa siya makasagot, sumingit na si Aiah, crossing her arms. "Well, that's an interesting reaction. I didn't think I left that much of an impression on you, Mikha."

Halos mabulunan si Mikha sa sinabi ni Aiah. "You-you never told me that you're Aiah!"

Ngumiti lang si Aiah. "You never asked, And besides it's only my nickname"

I slowly turned to look at Mikha, and that's when the pieces started to click together in my mind.

"...Wait." Napahawak ako sa noo ko. "No way. Don't tell me-"

"Yeah," Mikha cut me off, mukhang gusto na lang lunukin ng buo ng lupa. "She's the Maraiah that you know-"

"Yung naka-one night stand mo?" I finished for her, looking absolutely bewildered.

Kitang-kita ko kung paano napuno ng kahihiyan at panic ang mukha ni Mikha. "Stacey, oh gosh this is embarrassing!"

Meanwhile, Aiah's smile grew even wider, obviously enjoying the chaos.

"Wow," I muttered, crossing my arms. "Small world, huh?"

At as if on cue, muling bumukas ang pinto.

"Stacey, na-send ko na 'yung-"

Jhoanna.

She stopped mid-sentence and raised an eyebrow upon seeing us looking like we were in a full-on drama scene. "Uh... may naistorbo ba ako?"

Before I could answer, Mikha groaned and dropped onto the couch at the side, holding her head like it was aching. "Oh my God, please lang. Can this day get any worse?"

Pinanood ko lang siya, amused. "Sige nga, Lim . Explain."

Jhoanna sat beside me, looking between us. "Ano bang meron?"

Aiah cleared her throat, looking completely unbothered. "Apparently, Mikhaela and I have... a past."

"A past?" Jhoanna repeated, her brows furrowing.

I smirked. "Mikha's past hook-up."

"STACEY!" Mikha whisper-yelled, facepalming.

Jhoanna blinked. "Wait, ano?!"

I leaned in, whispering conspiratorially. " Remember the girl that Mikha tells about yung naka one-night stand nya, Jho."

"Hoy-!" Mikha glared at me, before turning to Jhoanna. "I didn't know she was Aiah! Ang alam ko lang, 'Maraiah' ang pangalan niya!"

Tumingin si Jhoanna kay Aiah. "You used a different name?"

Ngumiti si Aiah, tila natutuwa sa nangyayari. "It wasn't a lie. pasalamat pa nga sya tunay na pangalan ko yung sinabi ko sa kanya eh "

Jhoanna looked between Aiah and Mikha before bursting into laughter. "Oh my God, Mikhs,"

"Jhoanna, I swear-!"

Napailing ako habang pinanood ang gulong nangyayari. This was NOT how I expected my day to go.

"Okay, enough," I finally said, rubbing my temples. "Aiah, you came here to check on me, right? Not to give Mikha a heart attack?"

She chuckled. "Well, I was genuinely here for you. This was just... an interesting bonus that Mikhaela is also here."

Mikha groaned again, burying her face in her hands. "This is a nightmare."

Jhoanna, still laughing, patted her back. "Nightmare ba talaga? Batuhin ko kaya ng asin yan baka ginayuma mo ehh"

I shook my head. This was going to be a LONG day.

_

Timeskip-

Jhoanna's POV

After a long day at work, instead of heading straight to my apartment to rest, naisipan kong dumaan sa boarding house nina Colet, Gwen, at Sheena. It's been a while since I last hung out with them, and knowing them, sigurado akong kahit saglit lang akong dumaan, I'd forget all the stress from work.

Pagdating ko sa boarding house, hindi na ako kumatok. Bukas ang pinto at rinig ko na agad ang tawanan nila sa loob.

"Mga bruha, may bisita kayo!" sigaw ko habang pumapasok.

Pagkabukas ko ng pinto, sigawan na agad ang sumalubong sa akin.

"ANO?!"

Halos mapatalon ako sa sobrang lakas ng boses ni Gwen. Akala mo may nasusunog sa loob.

"ATE COLET! ANONG SINABI MO?!"

Napakunot-noo ako habang isinasara ang pinto. "Ano na namang kaguluhan 'to?"

Paglingon ko, nakita kong nakatayo si Sheena sa ibabaw ng sofa na parang mananapak. Si Gwen naman, nakatakip ang kamay sa bibig na parang may balitang hindi matanggap. Si Ate Colet? Ayun, mukhang gusto nang maglaho sa hiya habang nakaupo sa gilid, halatang napasubo sa sariling mga salita.

"Jho!" Napalingon ako kay Gwen, na agad akong hinila paupo sa tabi niya. "Perfect timing! Alam mo ba kung anong inamin ni Colet?!"

Napatingin ako kay Colet, na parang biglang tinamaan ng takot. "Ano?"

Nagbuntong-hininga siya bago ako tiningnan nang diretso. "Nilili-" pero bago pa sya makapagsalita inunahan na sya ni Sheena.

"Remember Ate Maloi? Yung ka office mate mo Ate Jho! Nililigawan na sya ni Ate Colet!!!!"

Nanlaki ang mata ko. "ATE COLET! SERYOSO?!"

"Oo nga! Alam mo bang buong buhay namin, hinihintay naming umamin 'to?!" singit ni Gwen, sinisiko si Ate Colet.

"Dapat may fireworks! May confetti!, milagro 'to!" dagdag ni Sheena, exaggerated na pinupunasan ang hindi naman umiiyak na mata.

"Gago kayo," reklamo ni Ate Colet, pero halata namang hindi siya talaga galit. "Seryoso 'tong sinasabi ko, piskit naman."

I watched her closely. It wasn't just because she was pressured or forced by our teasing before. Totoo 'yung sinasabi niya.

"Gosh, Ate Colet," sabi ko, tinapik siya sa balikat. "Anong nangyari at napaisip kang ligawan siya?"

"Wala," sagot niya, pero kita sa mukha niya na marami siyang gustong sabihin. "You know that feeling when you're with someone, and you don't have to pretend? Hindi mo na kailangang itago kung ano talaga 'yung nararamdaman mo?"

Bigla kaming natahimik.

Si Gwen ang unang bumasag ng katahimikan. "Ang lalim nun ah."

"Huy, parang di mo yan branding Ate Colet" sabay tawa ni Sheena.

Napahawak ako sa baba ko, tinitigan si Ate Colet. "So... kelan ang plano mong gawing 'official'?"

"Hindi ko pa alam," sagot niya, pero may ngiti sa labi. "Pero I don't mind waiting. Maloi's special, and I just want to make sure she feels that way."

"Awww, ang may soft side naman pala si Anger ehh!" pang-aasar ni Sheena

"Okay, enough about me," sabat ni Ate Colet, umirap. "Ikaw Jho, bat ka napadpad bigla dito"

"Oo nga Ate Jho akala ko nakalimutan mo na kami!" Dagdag pa ni Sheena

"OA naman neto" natatawa kong sagot habang naupo sa tabi ni Colet. "Busy lang sa trabaho. Unlike you guys, may CEO akong kailangang bantayan."

"Bantayan? eh mas mukhang kailangan kang bantayan eh?" tukso ni Sheena, sabay taas ng kilay.

"HOY!" I rolled my eyes habang nagtatawanan sila. "Grabe kayo sa akin. Napadaan lang ako, pinagtutulungan n'yo na agad?"

"Eh kasi naman, Jho," singit ni Ate Colet habang nakangisi, "aminin mo, kaya bihira ka na rito kasi laging kay Stacey ang oras mo."

Napangiti ako nang marinig ang pangalan niya. "Well... hindi ko naman dini-deny."

"Tingnan mo 'tong si Jho, dati 'pag inaasar sya kay Stacey nag-aalburoto," sabi ni Gwen, natatawang umiling. "Ngayon, all smiles na siya!"

"Ganun talaga, guys," sagot ko, nagkibit-balikat. "Minsan, hindi mo talaga maiiwasan."

"Pero seryoso," biglang sabi ni Sheena, mukhang curious. "Kamusta kayo ni Stacey? After everything na nangyari?"

Huminga ako nang malalim bago sumagot. "Honestly? Mas lalo akong naging sure sa kanya."

Nagkatinginan silang tatlo bago sabay-sabay na lumapit sa akin.

"Weh?!"

"Patingin nga ng mata, may hearts ba 'yan?" tukso ni Gwen.

Napailing ako pero hindi ko na rin napigilan ang tawa. "I don't know. The more I'm with her, the more I realize na wala na akong ibang gustong makasama for the rest of my life."

Biglang natahimik sila.

Tapos-

"Ang corny nyo palang mainlove ni Ate Colet" Sabi ni Gwen

"WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! HINDI 'YAN BASTA STATEMENT LANG!" sigaw ni Sheena habang halos alugin ako.

"Jho... anong ibig mong sabihin?!" tanong ni Ate Colet, mukhang biglang na-excite.

Huminga ako nang malalim bago ngumiti. "Magpopropose na ako kay Stacey."

Saglit na katahimikan.

Tapos-

"ANO?!"

Sabay-sabay silang tumili, at si Gwen muntik nang matapon ang iniinom niya. Si Sheena, biglang lumapit at sinunggaban ang braso ko, habang si Ate Colet ay napaayos ng upo na parang hindi makapaniwala.

"WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! SERYOSO?!" sigaw ni Sheena.

"As in, may plano ka na?!" dagdag ni Ate Colet

"Oo," sagot ko, hindi mapigilang mapangiti. "I've been thinking about this for a long time, pero after everything, mas lalo akong naging sure na si Stacey na talaga 'yung gusto kong makasama"

"TANGINA, KAKAKILIG!" sigaw ni Sheena habang hawak ang dibdib niya na parang siya ang na-propose-an.

"Piskit ka, Jho," natatawang sabi ni Ate Colet. "Pero good for you. Deserve mo 'yan."

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "Gusto ko lang na maging perfect 'to para sa kanya."

"Well, kung may kailangan ka, andito kami," sabi ni Gwen. "Dapat may role kami sa proposal na 'to!"

"Tama! Kahit taga-ayos lang ng surprise" singit ni Sheena.

Tumawa ako. "Sure! Basta 'wag n'yong sirain kilala ko kayong tatlo Ang gugulo nyo"

"HELLO? Kami pa?" sagot ni Ate Colet, kunot-noo pero nakangiti. "Kami pa ba ang sisira sa dream proposal mo?"

"Trust us, Jho, gagawin naming unforgettable 'to," dagdag ni Gwen.

As we laughed and messed around, na-realize ko kung gaano kasaya magkaroon ng friends like them. Sila 'yung tipo ng tao na, no matter what happens, will always have your back.

And I know that when the time comes for my proposal to Stacey, siguradong nandito sila to make sure everything turns out special.

⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ── End of Chapter 29 ── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆