Flaws Within

THE SPEECH EVENT

"What? Have you forgotten to give the medicine?" Javier exclaimed, standing up in concern.

"No! The patient is fine. But the bad news is that there's going to be a speech this Monday, and all the biggest CEOs are invited!" Carlos explained, panting heavily from his hurried run to reach Javier.

Javier handed him a glass of water and offered him a seat, urging him to calm down and explain the issue clearly.

"But I don't see why this is bad news," Javier replied, trying to understand why a mere speech would be a cause for concern.

"The bad news is that all the doctors from our ward have been chosen to give speeches about maintaining hygiene and consuming nutrients to stay healthy," Carlos exclaimed, finally calming down a little.

"I still don't see the issue. Why are you so worried about a speech?" Javier asked, appearing confused about Carlos' anxiety.

"Don't you see? It's a speech in front of the biggest millionaires. I'm already trembling at the thought of performing," Carlos explained, his stage fright evident as he appeared incredibly nervous.

"You didn't spend your whole life studying and endure sleepless nights just to be too scared to give a simple speech, did you?" Javier asked, a trace of annoyance in his voice at Carlos' limited perspective.

"Remember, you are so much more than this," Javier reassured Carlos, smiling at him and explaining that he shouldn't be worried about a simple speech.

Carlos nodded, feeling reassured. He tried to calm himself, realizing that it was just a speech after all.

ANDRIEL'S POV:

"Why did you call me here? Have you finally stopped partying every weekend?" Thyra asked Andriel, Javier's ex, who had called her to talk about something.

"I need to borrow some money, I'm in need," Andriel pleaded with Thyra.

"I don't have any! You know the majority of my salary goes towards my mother's hospital bills. I received a call yesterday that her condition is getting worse. Do you even care?!" Thyra yelled at Andriel, informing him about her financial troubles.

"Why do you care about her now, huh? You seemed so confident when you left the house at 14. Why are you suddenly taking responsibility for her?" Andriel yelled, raising his eyebrow and looking at Thyra with disgust for her past mistakes.

"Whatever I did... was just to make your and mother's life better, Andriel. Things don't always work out!" Thyra yelled back at Andriel as she grabbed her bag and stormed out of the restaurant, fighting back her tears.

JUANDRE'S POV:

"Everyone has been working really hard for the past week, so I want to arrange a party for everyone! We can discuss the dates among ourselves, is that okay?" Juandre announced as he left the cabin.

"Really!? That's awesome!" The employees exclaimed with excitement and shock, as this kind of behavior was not common from their rigid boss.

As Juandre reached his office with a bright smile on his face, he seemed to be in a great mood.

"Hey, how are you?" Juandre asked as soon as he received a call from his ex, Aaron.

"All good since I heard your voice," Aaron replied, chuckling a little.

Juandre laughed, noticing that Aaron's behavior hadn't changed much.

"Right, any specific reason for calling me?" Juandre asked, his voice low.

"Oh yes, I wanted to ask if you were going to appear at the upcoming speech event?" Aaron asked, reminding him about the invitation they had both received.

"I don't know, man. I'm quite busy nowadays," Juandre replied, giving the impression that he might not attend.

"But I really wanted to see you, so I think meeting at this speech event is a great idea. Plus, the young doctors from City Hospital are performing speeches. We should definitely go," Aaron pleaded, hoping to reunite with Juandre after a long time.

"What? Young doctors from City Hospital?" Juandre repeated the sentence as he retrieved the invitation letter and read the names of the doctors performing.

As he read, he noticed Javier's name and without a second thought, he changed his mind and accepted the invitation.

"Okay, I think I will go if you insist," Juandre replied, trying to avoid admitting that Javier was the reason he wanted to attend the event.

JAVIER'S POV:

"Cheers!" Javier and his group of friends exclaimed with excitement as they clinked their glasses, celebrating their first day at work.

"Let me tell you guys, I expected it to be easier since it's our first day, but I couldn't be more wrong. Patients after patients," Javier exclaimed, expressing how exhausted he was after just one day.

"I agree, it's really tiring, but as long as we have these little parties at this lively bar, everything will be okay," Carlos exclaimed, looking genuinely happy about the new friends he and Javier were making.

Everything was perfect until Javier received a call from Juandre. He noticed the time, and it was already 11pm. His friends insisted that he should not take the call because they were having such a good time. So, Javier decided to text him instead.

"Why aren't you answering my calls?" Juandre texted just as Javier was about to respond. Even through a text, Javier could hear the cold tone in Juandre's message in his mind.

"I'm at my friend's place, don't worry, I will be home soon," Javier replied, hoping that Juandre would understand and be okay with it.

"You didn't even think to inform me?" Juandre texted back.

Javier could feel his hands shaking as he tried to figure out how to reply. He didn't want Juandre to get mad over such a trivial topic.

"I'm sorry, it won't happen again," Javier hesitated as he replied, his heart beating fast.

"Where are you? I asked," Juandre texted, giving the impression that he might show up wherever Javier was.

"I'm on my way back, please," Javier texted, deciding to head home as quickly as possible. He knew the consequences he could face if he didn't.

"I'm really sorry, everyone, but I think I have to leave," Javier told his friends, who noticed the fearful expression on his face.

"No, we're not letting you go, it's our first party, man!" Carlos insisted, grabbing Javier's arm to prevent him from leaving.

"Do you want to see me alive tomorrow?" Javier asked, his voice changing slightly.

"Of course, I do," Carlos replied, confused as to why Javier would ask such a question.

"Then I have to leave right now," Javier replied, picking up his things and hurrying out.

As soon as Javier reached home, he found Juandre reading a book, still fully dressed in his perfectly tailored gray suit.

"Took you long enough," Juandre said, looking at Javier, who was soaked from the heavy rain due to his quick rush home.

Juandre slowly walked towards Javier, who was shivering intensely. Javier appeared terrified as he couldn't meet Juandre's gaze. Juandre gently touched his chin, causing Javier to lift his eyes, which were now filled with tears.

"What's wrong?" Juandre whispered, looking at Javier's distressed state.

"I... I'm really scared of thunderstorms," Javier stuttered, explaining his fear that he had just encountered.

"And what about me?" Juandre asked, stepping even closer, still captivated by Javier's doe eyes. He was close enough to hear Javier's frantic heartbeat. A small smile spread across his face as he placed his warm hand on Javier's wet cheek. Javier flinched at first, until he heard the words that followed.

"Go get some rest." The relief washed over Javier as he quietly made his way back to his room.

THE NEXT MONDAY:

"Are you going somewhere?" Javier asked Juandre, entering his room and seeing him getting dressed up.

"Yes, I am," Juandre replied, adjusting his tie. He then looked at Javier and stood stunned for a moment. He couldn't tear his gaze away from the mesmerizing sight in front of him. Javier stood there in his red suit, with a touch of femininity and delicate jewelry. His skin tone perfectly complementing his attire. His slicked back, black hair giving him a professional look. And of course, his name badge shining effortlessly, as if that was all he needed.

"Oh, I see. Where are you going, though?" Javier asked, breaking the silence with a hint of confusion as to why Juandre was looking at him as though he wanted to devour him.

"To the same place you are going. How could I leave you alone among so many people when you look like this?" Juandre replied, walking towards Javier.

"W-What?" Javier stammered, trying to process how he would be able to give his speech in front of Juandre. It was one thing to perform in front of a million people, but having Juandre in the crowd was a different task altogether.

"Did you forget that I'm a CEO too?" Juandre asked, looking at Javier, who seemed lost in his worries.

"Yes... no, I mean... I did," Javier struggled to find his words as he left the room and made his way towards his bike, cursing himself for forgetting such a silly thing.

But before he could start his bike, he felt a strong hand on his back. Of course, they ended up in Juandre's car, going together. Juandre wouldn't let Javier go in a separate vehicle when they were both heading to the same place.