Chapter 15: One Kiss, One Big Lie

Jhoanna's POV

"Dito nalang po kuya!" sabi ko sa taxi driver nung makita kong malapit na kami sa LSA.Corp building.

He quickly stopped the car and patiently waited for me to get out.

"Thank you po" I smiled bago ako lumabas ng sasakyan.

This is it! Back to work na ulit after taking a leave for the past three days. Medyo weird, pero kahit palagi akong nagrereklamo sa work, I can't deny na may something missing kapag hindi ako nakakapasok. Parang nasanay na 'yung katawan ko sa daily workload, kaya kahit papaano, hinahanap-hanap ko rin siya.

I decided dumaan sa parking lot kasi if I'm not mistaken, today is the visitation of LSA.Corp's owner-aka, Stacey's parents. Dahil dun, the front entrance is closed and heavily secured as part of the preparations.

Mabilis akong naglakad sa parking lot, afraid of being late. I was almost running habang chine-check ang time sa phone ko, pero biglang may something na nakakuha ng attention ko.

I looked again.

Wait-is that a 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium?!

I quickly walked towards it to check kung tama nga ba 'yung nakita ko, and the closer I got, the clearer it became. OMG! I wasn't mistaken! It's real!

Oh my gosh! I can't believe it! Ang ganda niya in person! Grabe, dream car ko 'to! Kahit hindi akin, I'm still so happy to see it up close.

I quickly took my phone out of my pocket. Sayang naman ang moment na 'to! I need to take a selfie with it. And sa owner ng car na 'to-don't worry, hindi ko 'to nanakawin! I just wanna appreciate how amazing your car is. Just let me take a picture, please!

I looked around to check if may ibang tao sa paligid. Since wala naman, I quickly fixed my position and started preparing for my wonderful selfie moment.

Here we go!

One! Two! Three! Pose!

I smiled sa front camera while flashing a peace sign. You know? Typical selfie pose. I was having the time of my life taking pictures with the car when suddenly, someone spoke behind me.

"Hey, what are you doing?" a voice asked.

I ignored it and continued what I was doing.

"May phone sa kamay ko tapos nakapose ako. Oh ano sa tingin mo ginagawa ko? obvious ba?" I said sarcastically habang tuloy-tuloy pa rin sa pagpose.

Damn! I can't get the perfect shot!

"Do you want me to help you take a picture? I can be your photographer," she suggested.

"No, Di ko na kailangan ng tulong. I can manage my-" I stopped mid-sentence nung narealize kong pamilyar 'yung boses niya.

Wait... she sounds like-

My eyes widened as I finally recognized her.

Oh my God! Bakit 'di ko agad narealize?!

I slowly turned around, and just as I expected, a smiling Stacey welcomed my sight.

"Stacey?"

She flashed a wide grin. "I thought it would take you an hour to recognize my voice. God, sobrang slow mo talaga!" Then she let out an annoying laugh.

Tsk! Inaasar nanaman nya ako!

"Anyway, how was your sleep hon? Did I visit your dreamland last night?"

Wait, what?!

Okay, yesterday, I was still convincing myself na Stacey was just acting strangely, but I don't think I can do that this time. I don't wanna think negatively, pero parang she's really on something. I know, I know! She's stressed, pero di yun rason para mag drugs noh!

God, I feel bad for her. She must be suffering a lot. Sayang! She's too beautiful to go through this.

"Stacey, okey lang yan" I said worriedly while patting her back gently. "I know na stressed ka these past few days, so I understand, but please, can you stop using it?"

I hope this works.

Her eyebrows furrowed.

"Huh? Ano nanaman pinagsasasabi mo?" she asked, obviously confused.

Haysst. Don't worry, Stacey. I got you.

"It's okay, Stacey. Alam ko in denial ka pa. I'm your friend and your secretary-you can tell me your problems, but please, stop using drugs. You're too good for this. Kahapon, di ko alam pinag gagagawa mo but now na gegets ko na"

I took her hand and looked her straight in the eyes.

"May problema ka noh? I know you didn't mean what you said to me yesterday. It was just the effect of the drugs, right? And you're still using them, so you're acting weird again. Stacey hindi yan ang solution. Pwede ka pa naman tumigil pag gamit,before you get too high and addicted-"

I didn't even finish my sentence when she suddenly pushed me away.

Huh?! I was just trying to help!

"You really know how to ruin our moment, don't you?" she said, glaring at me.

Okay, there she is! That's the Sevilleja I know-the badass one.

"What are you talking about? Drugs? Sa tingin mo gumagamit talaga ako nun?" she yelled angrily.

"Ahh... eh-h..." I panicked. "You've just been acting really strange lately, kaya akala ko-" I trailed off, lowering my head to avoid her piercing gaze.

Stacey suddenly laughed-like, loudly-until it started to sound sarcastic.

Oh no.

I winced nervously.

I already know what this means. Galit na galit nanaman sya.

"Tsk. Oh yung susi!" she suddenly threw the car key at my face before walking away.

I stared at her, confused.

Wait, gusto ba nyang ayusin ko yung pagka park neto?

"Hey, Stacey! Para saan tong susi?" I called out from afar.

She stopped for a second.

"Of course, use it to drive your new car!" she said. "Please, wag kanang maraming tanong, and wag mo akong susundan. I don't wanna see your face right now. If you value your life, listen to what I just said."

And just like that, she disappeared.

I was left completely dumbfounded.

Did I hear that right?

She said... it's mine?

My eyes slowly shifted to the Mustang in front of me.

It's already mine?!

I slapped my face multiple times.

Nananaginip ba ako, Stacey?? Giving me this car?!

I was still in shock when I suddenly felt someone tapping my back.

I quickly turned around to see who it was.

"Jho, ano pang ginagawa mo dito?"

Biglang tanong ni Taneo

"Huh?" Sagot ko, clueless sa sinasabi niya.

Napabuntong-hininga siya. "Andyan na 'yung owner ng LSA.Corp sa loob ng building. Bakit nandito ka pa? Dapat nasa loob ka na, the meeting is about to start any minute."

"Huh? Do I really need to be there? Hindi naman sinabi ni Miss Sevilleja sa'kin."

"Of course! You're the CEO's secretary, dapat present ka to take down important details sa discussion. Hindi ba yun sinabi ni Stacey sa'yo?"

Oh my God! Ibig sabihin, late na talaga ako?! Bakit di niya sinabi sa'kin?!

"Taneo, thanks for letting me know! Kailangan ko nang tumakbo!"

Di na ako naghintay ng reply niya at mabilis akong pumasok sa building. Halatang nagtataka ang ibang employees habang tinitingnan ako na parang nasa marathon, pero wala akong pake. Alam kong mukha na akong tanga, but I don't care! If I don't make it on time, I'm dead. I can already imagine kung gaano na ka-badtrip si Stacey ngayon-Haysst, patay na naman ako!

"Guys! Guys! Sorry, pero paunahin n'yo na ako! I'm in a hurry!" Pasimple kong tinulak ang pila, and luckily, sakto namang nag-open ang elevator. Hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip at sumakay agad.

"Ano ba 'yan?!"

"First come, first served! Hindi mo ba gets 'yun?"

"Lahat tayo nagmamadali dito oh!"

Nag-bow ako ng slight at nagpa-cute na sorry look sa kanila. "Sorry guys! Promise, di na mauulit. Let me in first, please! Thank you!"

Pinindot ko agad ang 10th floor-kung saan nandoon ang conference room.

Oh my God! Sana hindi pa ako late. Lord, please, pakinggan mo 'ko kahit today lang!

Ting!

Pagbukas ng elevator, hindi na ako nag-aksaya ng oras. I ran as fast as I could, hinanap agad ang conference room. Hindi na rin ako nahirapan kasi from afar, I could already hear someone speaking.

Habang papalapit ako, mas lumilinaw 'yung boses. I slowed down, nakinig muna saglit bago pumasok.

"I'm getting old. Alam kong sooner or later, I'll be gone. Kaya nandito ako ngayon sa harap n'yo, as the owner of LSA.Corp, para i-announce na starting today, my daughter Stacey will take over all the responsibilities of this company. I am officially passing down my legacy and declaring Ms. Lindtsey Stacey Aubrey Sevilleja as the new owner of this company."

Palakpakan ang lahat sa loob.

Napangiti ako. Damn, I feel so proud of Stacey. Finally, she's getting what she deserves. She worked hard for this, and now, unti-unti na niyang naaabot ang success na matagal niyang pinaghirapan.

"Stacey will continue our legacy, and with the help of my dearest son-in-law, alam kong magiging possible ang lahat ng 'to," he continued.

" Stacey and Gelo are already preparing to give me my first grandchild to continue the Sevilleja's and Rivera's bloodline. Alam kong hindi na 'to magtatagal-sooner or later, I'll see a young Sevilleja running around here. As a token of my gratitude, gusto kong magpasalamat sa inyong lahat for trusting and staying loyal to our family. Sana magpatuloy pa ang support n'yo, especially for the next generation of our family. Let's work together for success-to the success of LSA Group!"

"To the success of LSA Group!" sabay-sabay nilang sigaw.

I lost my balance as my knees suddenly felt weak.

Tama ba yung narinig ko? Stacey and Gelo are planning to have a baby?

Parang tinusok ng kutsilyo ang puso ko nung marinig ko 'yung announcement ng tatay niya.

Alam kong wala akong karapatang masaktan. Sa lahat ng anggulo, kitang-kita naman-I'm nothing but her secretary. She's already married, so what else did I expect? Syempre, magpaplano talaga silang magka-baby, and as her secretary, all I have to do is support them and keep my mouth shut.

Wala akong karapatan!

Palagi kong iniisip 'yon. Paulit-ulit kong sinasabi sa sarili ko, pero bakit ganon? Masakit, tangina! I know this is wrong-this feeling! I need to stop, pero bakit ang hirap? Haysst! Stacey, bakit mo 'to ginagawa sa'kin? Hindi mo ba alam na hirap na hirap na 'ko?

Mabilis kong pinunasan ang luha ko bago may makakita sa akin. I need to be strong. Kahit gusto ko man o hindi, haharapin ko pa rin siya araw-araw kahit sobrang sakit. I can't let this affect me. If I want to stop these feelings, I should start now bago pa 'to lumala. I have to stop this!

"Jho, what happened? Bakit ganyan ang itsura mo?" Taneo asked worriedly when I saw him in the hallway.

I just gave him a weak smile. Wala na akong energy para ikuwento pa 'to. Sa lahat ng nangyari today, paano ko sasabihin na si Stacey ang dahilan ng lahat ng 'to?

But what he did next totally caught me off guard. Bigla niya akong hinila sa isang mahigpit na yakap.

Yes, Taneo is hugging me right now.

"I don't know what happened, pero gusto ko lang malaman mo na nandito lang ako-not as your ex, but as a friend. Alam kong strong ka Jho."

Hearing that, hindi ko na kinaya. The tears I've been holding back finally fell. Ayokong umiyak sa harap ng iba, pero wala akong magawa-pumatak na lang bigla ang mga luha ko.

Taneo tightened his hug and rubbed my back to comfort me. I was still sobbing-damn it-and kahit gustuhin kong pigilan, hindi ko kaya.

"Gusto mo bang ihatid na kita sa office? Baka mas okay kung hindi ka makita ng shareholders na ganito after ng meeting," he suggested.

I nodded weakly.

Kasama ko siyang naglakad papunta sa office ni Stacey. Hindi niya ako iniwan hanggang makarating kami. And honestly, I'm really glad na may kasama ako ngayon.

"You'll be okay soon, Jho I know it," he said, smiling.

"Sana nga."

After saying goodbye, dumiretso na ako sa office ni Stacey. I don't care kung magalit siya. Kung mas lalo lang akong masasaktan sa meeting na 'yon, mas pipiliin ko pang pagalitan niya.

"Why so serious? Have you been here for a long time?"

My thoughts quickly faded when I felt someone's presence beside the door. Hindi ko na kinailangang tingnan kung sino 'yon-I already knew it was Stacey.

"Hey, Jho, I'm asking you!"

I ignored her and continued what I was doing.

"I'm asking you! Why aren't you answering my questions?" she confronted me.

Still, I didn't answer her.

"Okay, ayaw mo ba nung kotse na binigay ko sa'yo? Gusto mo bang palitan ko? I can change the model if you don't like it," she asked continuously.

I placed my index finger on her lips to cut her off.

"There's nothing wrong with the car. It's just that... I can't accept it," I explained.

Her expression quickly changed. "Bakit ayaw mong tanggapin? Wala namang masama kung bibigyan kita nun diba" she reasoned out.

Really, Stacey? Wala talagang mali?

"We both know there's something wrong, Stacey. Why don't you just take care of your husband? Just fucking plan your baby thing with him kesa guluhin mo ako"

I couldn't help but raise my voice. Alam niyang mali 'to, pero tinutuloy pa rin niya? She's making everything more complicated-can't she just stop this bullshit?

Her face turned serious. "Narinig mo ba lahat?"

I didn't answer.

"Jhoanna I'm asking you, have you heard about it?" she asked again, this time her voice slightly rising.

Ano bang gusto niyang palabasin? May mangyayari ba if I answer her question?

"Paano kung Oo narinig ko lahat? Does it even matter if I didn't?" I asked bluntly, trying to hold back my tears.

Damn it, tears, wag ngayon! Please!

She didn't say anything. She just looked at me, sadness all over her face habang ako naman ay pilit na pinipigilan ang luha ko.

Fuck! Bakit ang miserable ng love life ko? May kasalanan ba 'ko sa past life ko?

"It matters because I know it hurts you." She cupped my face gently. "I'm sorry if wala pa akong magawa ngayon. It's just that... right now, I still don't have the power to do what's right for us."

"Pero tandaan mo-when the right time comes, I promise you, Jho... you will never get hurt again. Just wait for it."

"That time will never come! Fuck, Stacey, nalilimutan mo na ba? You're already marr-"

Before I could finish my sentence, Stacey abruptly grabbed my waist and pulled me close to her. My eyes widened when I felt her lips crash onto mine. She's kissing me torridly.

I tried pushing her away, pero-what the hell?-parang nawala bigla ang lakas ng mga braso ko. I had no choice but to let her continue.

She started kissing me slowly at first, but the longer it lasted, the deeper and more desperate it became. Shit! Ano bang nangyayari?!

I wanted to curse myself when I realized that my hands had automatically moved to hold her nape for support. Like, what the fuck? I wanted her to stop, but why the hell is my body not listening to me?

My heart started racing-like it was planning to jump out of my chest.

I was starting to feel... different. I can't explain it. I can't even think properly right now!

Our lips finally parted when we both ran out of breath. We just stared at each other for a while, and I swear, her face was red. Kahit hindi ko makita ang sarili ko, alam kong namumula na rin ako sa puntong 'to.

"Tell me, and promise me Jho-kahit anong mangyare, you will always trust my words."

I didn't know what was happening to me, but it felt like my body had its own mind. My head automatically nodded.

She sighed deeply and looked directly into my eyes.

"Gelo and I... we are not married."

⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ── End of Chapter 15 ── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆