A Week Later…
In every day that passes in our lives, there is never a moment when we do not make mistakes. This is part of what we call balance in a person's life. Because with every mistake you make, there is a lesson you carry with you until the very end. You simply have to accept it.
But how long can you keep accepting all your mistakes in life?
"Can you forgive the person who is the reason you're crying right now?" Gael read aloud loudly, making me turn toward her.
"What is wrong with you? You're so noisy. Can't you just use your eyes?" I snapped irritably. She knew I had a lot to do, yet she kept talking nonstop.
"Sorry. The question is just really good—so intriguing. Look." She was about to shove her phone in my face, but I turned away and continued working.
"I'm not interested," I said.
"You're such a killjoy. You're acting like you're—"
"Gael, if you don't quiet down, go home already. I have so much work to do." I faced her, but the brat only rolled her eyes. It was Sunday, and I was unusually busy—there were a lot of things I still needed to check for tomorrow's meeting. And here she was, ruining my focus with her nonstop chatter.
It was already getting late, yet she still hadn't gone home. She'd been here since morning, insisting that we go out—something I refused—so she had no choice but to loiter in my room. Good thing the apartment owner allowed her to stay here often.
Still, sometimes, she really had a lot of nerve.
I was in the middle of working when she nudged me. She was already lying on the bed, pouting as she stared at me. My table was close to the bed, so whenever she wanted to annoy me, it was easy.
I raised an eyebrow at her. "What now?" I asked.
"I'm hungry. When are we eating?" she complained. I could only roll my eyes. A few moments later, someone knocked on the door.
"Gianna! They said food's ready!" someone shouted from outside.
"Finally," Gael said immediately. She stood up at once and went out ahead of me. So shameless—she didn't even pay rent or for food, yet she acted like she owned the place. Why was she even my cousin?
"Well? Aren't you eating?" she suddenly asked from the doorway. "I thought you forgot about me." I simply organized the things on my desk, stood up, and followed her.
After dinner, I took a shower, changed, and went back to work. As for my cousin? She decided to stay overnight. As if that was anything new.
I finished everything and checked the time—9:25 PM. I'd spent nearly three hours working. I glanced at Gael and realized she was already asleep on the bed, wearing pajamas—my pajamas, at that. I smiled and grabbed a blanket to cover her.
"Haa…" I stretched and smiled. Finally, I could rest. I fixed my things and closed my laptop. Just as I was tidying up, my phone vibrated. A message popped up on the screen.
Locan: Still awake?
I smiled when I saw who it was and replied immediately.
Reply: About to sleep.
Locan: Don't be late tomorrow.
I frowned, but smiled again when another message followed.
Locan: Because I fucking miss you.
Idiot.
Reply: Fine. Good night.
Locan: I love you.
I bit my lip as I read that.
Reply: I said good night.
Locan: I said I love you.
Damn it.
A few moments passed, and I didn't reply anymore.
Locan: Fine. Good night.
That was his last message before I turned off my phone. When I lay down and fell asleep, I was still smiling.
---
I woke up early and prepared for work. Gael also left early.
The weather was nice today, so my mood was good as well. The sun rose early, I caught a ride early, and I arrived at the company early too.
The best part? Our meeting with the new investors went well. We secured new contracts with three companies—another big celebration for the company.
I was walking back to the office when Gael suddenly pulled me aside.
"I have some juicy gossip!" she said.
"What now? Do you know it's work hours?" I replied.
"Well… remember those two kids who came to the company?" she asked. I thought for a moment. Two kids? Sir Carl's children?
"Yes. Why?"
"Damn! They're actually Sir Handsome's kids!" she exclaimed.
"Oh. And?" I said casually.
"What?! You're not even shocked? No 'What? Really? How?' Nothing like that?" she complained. I sighed and pulled my arm away.
"You already knew?" she asked. I nodded.
"And you didn't even tell me?!"
"Why would I tell you?" I answered.
"I don't know you! You're so disappointing!" She stormed off.
"What was that about?" I shook my head and walked away.
As I approached the office, I ran into Ms. Gada. She called me inside.
"Mr. Reil and Mr. Jim will be arriving tomorrow. Prepare yourself," she said. I nodded.
"Who is Mr. Reil?"
Her expression turned serious.
"The former CEO of this company, Gianna. And Mr. Locan's father. This is his first visit since Mr. Locan became CEO. I want everything to go smoothly. Do you understand?"
"Yes, ma'am."
She held both my hands.
"Listen, Gianna. I know you don't know anything about this yet… but please help Mr. Locan. This is very important to him."
It was the first time I'd seen Ms. Gada look so serious. Even though I didn't fully understand, I nodded.
As I stepped out, I noticed that Francis's office door was slightly open. I was about to knock when I heard voices arguing inside. I peeked through the small gap and saw Rachelle and Francis facing each other.
"Rachelle—"
"No! This is so unfair, L. We have a deal."
"I told you to stop—"
"Why? Where's your precious secretary now? Why are you defending her, L? You said just one fucking month and everything would end! So what is this?"
I didn't understand what they were talking about, but something stopped me from entering.
"Rachelle. You're drunk. Just go home and we'll talk—"
"No! I'm just reminding you that you approached her because you needed her! Because you needed something from her! We planned this, remember? We planned to make her get close to you because of your therapy—"
"Stop it!"
"No! If you don't go through with the wedding, fine! But I'll make sure your secretary finds out that you never really loved her—that you only used her for your own sake! You fucking used her!"
W-what is she saying?
"Rachelle!"
"You never loved her, am I right? What do you think she'll feel when she finds out that everything her boss said, showed, and made her feel was all planned?"
Shit.
I didn't know why my tears started falling on their own the moment I heard that. My grip on the doorknob loosened, and I could barely breathe as pain slowly wrapped around my chest.
W-what was that? I don't understand.
My strength gave out, and the papers slipped from my hands. I picked them up one by one.
"Gianna…" Francis called when he noticed me. I wanted the truth to slap me awake—hoping this was all just my imagination. I wiped my tears and forced a smile as I faced them. I saw the shock in both their eyes.
"I have to go."
I stared at Francis as the door closed behind Rachelle. I tried to hold his gaze, but my tears won in the end. I was about to leave when he tightened his grip on my arm.
"Gianna… let me explain—"
"What was that? I—I don't understand, Francis. W-what was that?" I couldn't stop crying.
He held my hand.
"Gianna—"
"Is it t-true?" He didn't answer, so I pulled my hand away. "Why?" I asked. But he remained silent. I couldn't explain the burning pain searing through my heart. It was happening again—the same familiar pain from when my ex left me.
This was it.
The pain I was afraid of feeling again.
But why…
"Answer me, Francis."
It felt like fire ignited in my chest. My fists clenched.
He reached for my hand again, but I violently slapped it away.
"Gianna—"
"Answer me! Is it true? Why? Why was it like that? Huh? For what?!" I screamed. It hurt so much. I wanted to slap him, but I couldn't.
"I'm sorry…"
Those words ended everything.
"I hate you."
I walked out of the office, every step heavy. I clutched my chest, feeling the ache. I blamed myself. I was stupid. Useless. Idiotic. Damn it. I was such a fool to believe any of it was real.
Such a fool for believing his sweet words.
And an even bigger fool for the part where…
I truly loved him.