"I need three people from your team to come with me to Cebu," I began, letting my eyes move across the room. "Vanesya, Migo, and Maggy—you'll be coming with me tomorrow. We'll be there for five days, so bring everything you need. We leave early. That's all. You may return to work."
Tomorrow, we were heading to Cebu to handle a serious issue involving our staff there. I chose three employees to assist me with the tasks I would need to manage. Since we were leaving the next morning, I went home right after work to pack.
"You know I really want to stop you from going, Gianna," Gael said with a sarcastic tone. "But I guess I don't have a choice. It's part of your job."
"It's fine," I replied. "It's only five days—and he won't be coming."
I didn't need to mention his name. Gael understood immediately.
He exhaled deeply. "Alright. Just be careful. And hopefully that man doesn't suddenly decide to come along and ruin what little peace you'll have."
"This isn't a vacation," I said.
"Still," he muttered, frowning.
I ignored him and continued packing.
The loud sound of my alarm woke me.
5:00 a.m.
I got out of bed, made coffee, showered, and ate quickly. By 6:15 a.m., I had found a ride. When I arrived at the company, a white van was already waiting.
"So you're coming too," I said when I saw Ken leaning against the back of the van.
He raised an eyebrow. "Of course. If you're going, I'm going."
I froze.
He laughed. "Relax. I'm joking."
I hit his shoulder. "You're impossible."
I didn't know how long the drive would take, but I was already feeling sleepy. I put on my earphones, played some music, and closed my eyes.
I suddenly woke up when someone removed one of my earbuds.
I turned and found Ken sitting beside me, eyes closed, relaxed against the seat, one earbud now in his ear. When he noticed me staring, he opened his eyes.
"I know I'm good-looking," he said calmly, "but please don't stare like that."
"Don't flatter yourself," I replied, rolling my eyes.
"You have an unusual taste in music," he added.
I reached for my earbud, but he stopped my hand.
"I'm kidding," he said with a laugh.
"Be quiet," I said, turning away.
He finally stopped talking.
I closed my eyes again, but a strange feeling settled over me.
It felt like someone had been watching me for a while.
I opened my eyes and glanced around. Everyone else was asleep.
Then I looked at the rearview mirror.
A man wearing a cap was sitting beside the driver, staring directly at me. When he noticed that I had seen him, he quickly looked away.
I leaned forward, about to tap his shoulder, when my phone rang.
"We're almost there? Alright. Thank you."
I ended the call and placed my phone back in my bag. When I looked at him again, he appeared to be asleep.
I let it go.
A few hours later, the van stopped in front of a large house near the sea. It was two stories tall, with a wide, open space surrounding it. As we stepped out, an elderly woman greeted us, accompanied by a younger woman who looked to be only a few years older than me.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Gianna," the woman said warmly. "How was your trip? You must be tired. Please, come inside and rest."
She took my bag from my hands.
"Thank you," I said.
She smiled. "My name is Remy."
"Thank you, Ms. Remy."
She turned to the younger woman. "Jen, please take their luggage upstairs."
"Yes, ma'am," Jen replied as she walked toward the van.
Then—
"Francis? What are you doing here?"
I turned as the van door opened.
Ken stood there, facing Francis.
"I thought you weren't coming," Ken said.
"Be quiet," Francis snapped.
He noticed me watching and turned toward me. He closed his eyes briefly in frustration, then hit Ken lightly on the back of the head.
"You're loud," he muttered before stepping down and slamming the van door shut.
I couldn't move.
Because only then did I realize—
He was wearing the cap.
The same cap worn by the man sitting beside the driver earlier.
It was him.