His Broken Gem

HBG 22

Stella's POV

"Ali," she said in her very annoying voice.

What is she doing here? How did she get my address?

I scoffed at her, and look at her from head to toe. She wearing a bodycon burgundy dress paired with a black 3-inch stiletto. She also wears makeup and bold red lipstick.

"Where are you last night? I didn't see you at the bar, eh," she said as she walk in Sebastian's direction. Bago pa siya makalapit kay Sebastian ay agad kong hinarang ang katawan ko.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked her, raising one of my brows at her.

"I'm here for Ali, now if you'll excuse me—"

I didn't let her finish her words as I grabbed Sebastian's hand and pushed her aside to make our way towards the unit.

"You're not excused," I said blankly.

When we reached the unit's door ay hinila niya ang kabilang braso ni Seb. I glare at her, hoping that if glare can kill a person, I hope she'll die now.

'That's bad, but I agree with you. She's such a b***h,' Megan commented.

"I told you, I'm here for Ali so can you please let him go? I have something important to tell him eh," maarteng wika nito.

I huffed as I flip my hair to the side.

'She's getting on my nerve! Let me handle this b***h,' Megan announce.

"Well, I'm sorry to tell you sweetheart but I get to decide who's allowed to talk with him, and obviously, I'm not allowing you."

I guess this won't hurt. Megan and I can be similar sometimes, but she's more sassier than me.

"He's not your possession so how dare you restrict him from talking to me?" she whined, crossing her arms below her chest, making her cleavage visible than before.

"If you forgot, I'm the girlfriend here so stop acting like one," I said stepping forward towards her.

"You're just a girlfriend, not a wife. And also why are you so praning ba? Are you afraid that Ali will realize that I'm better than you?" she mocked with an ugly smug face.

"Oh no, sweetheart. I'm not afraid of you..." I trailed off as I step much closer to her, intimidating her with my height.

Obviously, I'm much taller than her. I lean towards her, putting my lips on her right ear.

"I trust Sebastian so much, but I don't trust a b-tch like you," I whispered as I finished my words. I saw her mouth gape when I step backward. Hate is visible in her eyes.

"W-what did you call me?" she asked.

"What? You mean bítc—" I didn't have a chance to finish my word when she raised her hand on the air.

"How dare you!" she shouted as her hand landed on my left cheek. I was bewildered by what happened when Sebastian holds the b***h, stopping her to do something.

"Lavenia!" he said.

I look at them. That's it! I've already reached my limit. She'll have to learn her lesson now. Binasa ko ang mga labi ko bago humarap sa kanila ng maayos. I smile bitterly.

"Did you just slap me?" I asked her.

"Yes! And I want to slap you again!" she declares while trying to break free from Sebastian's hold.

"Really?" I said as I scoffed. I look down at my hands, looking at the jewels on my fingers. When I look at her, my aura already changed.

I look at her eyes with no emotion at all. Anyone would be intimidated by this kind of glare from me. I saw her gulped and her face turns white as a paper.

Afraid now, kitty?

Without a prior warning, I lift my hands and slap her hard. Sebastian immediately let go of her and hold me instead.

"No one ever tried to hurt me! How dare you lay a finger on me!" I snarled at her. As I saw her crying and covering her cheek with two hands.

"Stella, stop!" Sebastian yelled as I continues to struggle from his hold wanting. "I said stop!"

He hold me at my shoulder, keeping me in place as he faced me. He's angry. Why? She's the one who started it!

"Are you crazy? She's only 19!" he said.

I look at him in disbelief. It's like she's a minor for me to feel guilty. And also he saw what she did to me! He also knows that I don't like being touched!

Is he siding with her?

I'm his girl— I'm his boss. He should be siding with me.

Hindi ako nakasagot sa kaniya. Lavenia was still crying, complaining about how painful my slap is.

Maya-maya lang ay sumigaw ito.

"Oh my gosh! It's blood! I'm bleeding, Ali," she cried out. He immediately face her and checked her bleeding nose.

"Let's get you to the hospital," he said sweetly to her. Tumango naman si Lavenia habang umiiyak pa rin.

Bago pa man sila umalis ay humarap sa akin si Sebastian. "Let's talk later, okay?" he said before turning his back on me, not waiting for my response. They leave me in the hallway, alone. I swallowed down the lump on my throat and wipe the tears that slip down my cheeks.

Why am I crying?

I went inside the unit and no one is inside. Which is favorable for me, I went inside my room and lock it. I don't care if he'll end up sleeping in the living room. I'll never let him in inside my room. Hours already passed when I heard a knock on my door.

"Stella?" It's him.

I just ignore him and focused my attention on my laptop, doing some work at home. I just read the report from my secretary about the problem my company's facing. I should go back to work tomorrow, they should start on preparing their resignation letter.

He knocks on my door again but I still ignore it. Sumuko rin naman siya kalaunan.

Tomorrow came and I woke up early and prepare myself for work. I wear a white sleeves top and beige color slacks and coat. I choose my white Gucci bag and my limited edition heels.

I put on powder and lipgloss, curled my lashes, and put mascara on them. I style my hair into a high ponytail. I opted on wearing some jewelry today.

I looked at my reflection. Nang makuntento na ako sa ayos ko ay lumabas na ako ng kuwarto, sakto naman paglabas ko ay ang siyang pagbukas ng front door. Niluwa no'n si Sebastian.

It looks like he's from his work and probably didn't spend a night here. I made my way to the kitchen, pretending that I didn't see him.

"Stella—" he tried to approach me but I just walk past through him. I drink some water and left. Lalabas na sana ako nang bigla niya akong hinawakan sa kamay.

"Wait. Galit ka ba sa akin?" he asked. I furrowed my eyebrows at him looking at his hands holding mine. I slap his hands away.

"Don't touch me," I said.

"Stella, let's talk, okay?" he started as he tried to hold me again. I was about to snap at him when I heard the guestroom's door open.

I immediately smiled at him and kiss his cheeks, "I'm sorry, Hon, but I really need to go. Mamaya na lang, okay?" I told him sweetly at hinaplos pa ang pisngi niya while smiling from ear to ear. Kunot noo naman siyang nakatingin sa akin at nalilito sa ginawa ko.

"You're already leaving for work, Sweetie?" I heard Mom say as she look at my appearance. I turn my gaze towards her.

"Yes, Mom. May problema kasi sa company so my presence is needed," I said sweetly.

She returns my smile, which means kinagat niya ang sinabi ko.

"Okay, take care, sweetie," she said.

"Bye, Mom," I big my goodbye.

"I'll just send her off, Tita," Sebastian said.

I smiled at him before turning my back. My smile immediately disappear, rolling my eyes as I left my unit. I immediately walk towards the elevator, ignoring him.

"Stella," he called me.

Nang makarating ako sa elevator ay agad ko itong sinara, not giving him a chance to talk to me. Manigas siya!

"Is this what I'm paying you for?!" I shouted at the people inside the conference room. When I reached the company, I immediately called a meeting with my architects and engineers.

"Ma'am, hindi po talaga namin alam kung bakit naging ganiyan. We made sure na high quality materials po talaga ang gagamitin," one of the architects said.

I huffed as I throw the paper in front of them.

"So what? Is it my problem? Do you want me to find out what happened? Huh! It's already been 3 days but you didn't do anything! How can you let them file a lawsuit against us!" I snapped at them.

"Ma'am, sorry po talaga—"

"Shut up! Fix this or else you're fired! Get out!"

Isa-isa naman silang nagsilabasan ng conference room. I sat down on my seat as I close my eyes and massage the bridge of my nose.

Ghad! This is day is frustrating me!

I felt the door opens and someone's walking in my direction. I look at the person who dares and tried to add fuel to my rage.

"Get ou—" Napatigil naman ako nang mapagtanto ko kung sino iyon.

"Hi," he said as he put his designer shoes above the conference table. Maybe just to flaunt his shoe.

"What are you doing here, Mr. Gonzales?" I asked him, he obviously noticed my sour mood so why isn't he leaving me alone?

"Ah. Mr. Gonzales is too much. Just call me Angelo, saka si daddy 'yong Mr. Gonzales," he said, laughing.

I gave him a short sarcastic smile. "No, I'll stick on the surname, Attorney Gonzales would be fine right?" I inquire.

"Fine, you're still uptight like before, does having a boyfriend didn't teach you to be soft or kind?"

"Kindly say your intention here and stop meddling in my relationship," I firmly said.

"Wait, did you guys fight?" he asked, amused.

"I told you to stop meddling in my personal affairs." He raised both of his hands as if he was surrendering.

"Now? Can you tell me your intention? You know I'm a very busy person and I hate wasting my time," I said looking at the watch on my wrist. He laughs at my remark and removes his feet from the table. "I know, I know. I'm just thinking that you might need my help," he said while fixing his coat.

"What help is that, Attorney Gonzales?"

"Help with the lawsuit you just received."

I look at him wondering if where did he heard about it. I sigh as I sit straight up to my chair.

"Don't bother, it's a corporate problem and that is out of your league for being a criminal lawyer," I told him.

He just smiles at me, tilting his head to the side.

"I didn't say that I'll be the one handling the case, I know some trusted corporate lawyer's at our law firm. And I can also lend a hand because even though I'm a criminal lawyer doesn't mean I don't have any knowledge about corporate law," he stated leaning over the table.

I look at him, testing if he is sincere. But his eyes scream determination.

"How can I trust your words, Attorney Gonzales?" I asked him.

He hummed as he looks up, thinking. "If failed then I'll tell my Dad to stop pestering you," he smiled.

"And if you win?"

"You have to do me a favor," he said.

Favor?

"And what is that favor of yours?" I asked him.

"Well it's kinda personal so I prefer to say it after the deal," he said. I laugh at his statement. The deal, huh?

"So, do we have a deal?" He asked.

I don't even know why am I entertaining him, I already have a lawyer so there's no need for me to look for one. But, yeah. I did agree on the deal.

"Deal."