FEAR
2259 Words
The sun had shifted westward by the time they returned to the field, casting long shadows across the open land. The breeze had cooled, but the quiet between Gavin and Shane was thicker than the noonday heat they had just escaped.
Ang grupo na lang nila ang bumalik sa site — the mayor’s team had already headed back to city hall, leaving the field quieter, emptier, and somehow more revealing.
Shane walked a few steps ahead, tablet in hand, posture straight and purposeful. Too purposeful. Para bang may invisible line sa pagitan nila — she kept just the right distance to remain professional… but not far enough to draw suspicion.
But of course Gavin noticed. Of course he did.
“Let’s check the southwest markers,” he said, voice calm, neutral.
“Yes, Boss,” she replied, tone clipped and controlled.
Naglakad silang magkatabi, halos magkadikit ang siko pero hindi nagtatama. One wrong move and the tension between them might snap.
Behind them, the engineers measured slopes and checked soil density, but the quiet tension between Gavin and Shane felt like its own private conversation — one no one else could hear.
She knelt beside a marker, fingers pressing into the earth. “Kailangan pa nitong dagdag na compaction,” she said, almost a whisper.
Gavin stood behind her, hands in his pockets, observing — not just the work, but her. The way she avoided looking toward the old road. The way her stance shifted every time a familiar landmark entered her peripheral vision.
Her voice was steady, but her shoulders were far too tight.
“You really know this terrain,” he said quietly.
Shane’s hand froze for half a second. Almost invisible — except to him.
She rose quickly, clinging to her tablet like a shield. “I just studied the data, Boss.”
Gavin didn’t argue. He only hummed softly. But the slight tick of his jaw gave him away.
He didn’t believe her. At alam iyon ni Shane.
Umihip ang hangin — dala ang amoy ng alat at ng mga alaala na pilit niyang nililibing. She turned, walking faster. Gavin followed, keeping his distance — not chasing, but not letting her run either.
“Shane,” he called — not loudly, but with weight.
She stopped. Slowly turned.
For the first time that day, their eyes locked — no shields, no pretending.
And that’s when it hit her again: this was the same man from that night. The same gaze that once felt like fire against her skin. he way he made her feel both exposed… and strangely safe.
She swallowed. “Yes, Boss?”
“Are you sure you’re okay working here?”
Her chest tightened. “I’m fine, sir. Bakit naman hindi?”
Gavin studied her face — too carefully. Too knowingly. “If there’s anything I should know,” he said softly, “just tell me.”
She drew a quiet breath. “Wala naman po, Boss.”
Just a short nod. A small step back. He gave her the space she was silently begging for.
But as they continued the survey — exchanging data, avoiding glances — the distance between them only grew tighter, thinner, more fragile.
Bawat tingin ni Gavin ay tanong na di niya sinasabi. Bawat hinga ni Shane ay sikreto na ayaw bitawan.
And as the afternoon sun dipped lower, painting the site in shades of gold and shadow, one thing became painfully clear: They were working the same land… but walking two very different storms.
In the midst of their busy day, dumating ang isang SUV. Bumukas ang pinto at bumaba si Vice Mayor Carl Atega naka-long sleeves pa rin kahit mainit, may dala pang folder.
“Good afternoon,” he called. “I wanted to check the progress. Sabi ng engineering team, this side might need recalibration.”
Gavin nodded. “We were just about to review it.”
But before they could continue, Carl’s gaze drifted — instinctively, unintentionally — to Shane.
And he stilled.
Not because he recognized her. But because he couldn’t look away.
May pamilyar sa tikas ng tindig niya. Sa paraan niyang humawak ng clipboard. Sa munting pagkuyom ng labi bago magsalita.
But her face… was far different from the girl he remembered. But then again, for some reason… mas lalo siyang hindi makalingon palayo.
“Miss Shane,” Carl greeted. “Good to see you again.”
Shane mustered a professional smile. “Good afternoon, Vice Mayor.”
Gavin, who had been quietly observing, shifted subtly closer — a protective line drawn without words.
Carl cleared his throat. “So, about the recalibration—”
“We’re on it,” Gavin cut in, cool and precise. “Shane is preparing the site assessment.”
“That’s good,” Carl replied, eyes drifting to her once more. “I’ll be expecting more from you, Miss Shane.”
Gavin’s eyes narrowed slightly. “We should proceed, Vice Mayor. Sunset is in two hours. Marami pa kaming ia-adjust.”
“Right, of course.” Carl stepped aside.
As the two walked past him — Shane stiff, Gavin tight-jawed — Carl watched them, brows furrowing.
May hindi siya alam. May hindi sinasabi ang dalawa. And deep in his chest, something tugged — something oddly painful, oddly familiar.
Later, During the Assessment
Shane knelt again at a marker when—
“Miss Shane?”
She stiffened instantly at the familiar voice.
Turning, she forced a polite expression. “Yes, Vice Mayor.”
Carl smiled, gentle but hesitant. “Kanina sa lunch… sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
“Hindi naman po,” she said quickly. “Work lang po talaga ang iniintindi ko.”
“I noticed.” Carl chuckled softly. “Still — I apologize.”
“It’s okay po,” she said, though her pulse spiked. “It’s nothing.”
“But it matters to me,” he said quietly.
Her heart stumbled. “Ano pong ibig ninyong sabihin?”
Carl looked at her — searching, uncertain.
“I should’ve been more professional earlier,” he admitted. “And… I want to make up for it.”
He lifted a small invitation envelope.
“I’m hosting a dinner tonight. I’d like you to be there.”
Shane froze.
Before she could respond, a shadow fell between them.
Gavin.
Expression neutral. Tone flat. “Is there a problem here?”
Carl stepped back, clearing his throat. “Wala, Mr. Villalobo. Just… inviting her.”
He hesitated for a beat—parang nag-iisip kung itutuloy ba o hindi—before adding, “Inviting the whole team, actually. I’m hosting a dinner tonight to officially welcome your group… and formally introduce Villa Builders to all the men behind this project.” His tone was polite, diplomatic — but his eyes says otherwise.
Gavin caught that, too. Shane could feel it in the rigid calmness of his stance beside her.
“Formal introduction?” Gavin asked, voice steady but carrying that subtle steel underneath. “That sounds… important.”
Carl nodded. “It is. This project took years in the making. A lot of stakeholders. A lot of politics behind the scenes. I want everyone on the same page.”
“Understood,” Gavin replied.
For a moment, none of them moved. The late-afternoon light cut sharp lines across the field, hanging heavy between the three of them. Then Carl’s gaze returned to Shane — softer than before, halos may paghingi ng dispensa. “I hope you can come Shane. Well, of course 'cause your part of the company."
My heartbeat stumbled. “O-opo, sir.”
Gavin’s jaw ticked.
“Good,” Carl said. “So, see you both tonight?”
Gavin glanced at Shane — sharp, unreadable — then turned back to the vice mayor.
“Sure, Vice Mayor,” he said. “We’ll be there.”
Carl smiled, nodding. “Details were sent to Miss Agnes. She’ll update your team.”
But before stepping away, his eyes lingered on Shane — gentle, confused… longing for a memory he could not reach.
Then he walked back to his SUV and drove off.
The moment he was gone, the wind shifted — and the silence between Shane and Gavin fell heavy again. Gavin’s gaze lingered on her one second too long, unreadable, before he finally turned toward the direction of the vehicles.
“We’re done here for now,” Gavin said quietly. “Let’s wrap up.”
Shane swallowed the tension tightening her chest. “Yes, Boss G.”
But as she followed behind him, one truth clung stubbornly to her ribs:
Whatever tonight’s dinner was supposed to be… it wasn’t going to be simple.
And somewhere behind them, Carl drove off — thinking of a girl he once knew… and a woman he couldn’t stop staring at.
Not realizing they were the same person.
Shane tightened her grip on the tablet as she walked behind Gavin. Bawat hakbang ay tila bumibigat. Parang mas kumakapal ang hangin sa pagitan nila habang papalapit ang araw sa pagtatapos.
Nang makarating sila sa sasakyan, tumigil si Gavin sa tabi ng Land cruiser, reviewing the last notes on his phone. His profile was calm — too calm — pero ramdam ni Shane ang alon ng tensyon sa ilalim nito.
She cleared her throat softly. “Boss G…”
No response — not immediately. He finished typing something before lowering his phone, turning to her with that unreadable expression.
“Yes, Shane?”
She forced a steady breath. “Pwede na po ba akong sumama kay Miss Agnes? Tapos na rin naman po tayo sa field for today, and… I need to help her with the documents for tonight’s event.”
For a split second, something flickered across Gavin’s face — hesitation, calculation… maybe even a hint of displeasure. But it vanished just as fast, replaced by his usual controlled calm.
“Are you in a rush to leave the site?” he asked quietly.
The question hit harder than she expected.
Shane swallowed. “No, Boss. Hindi po. I just thought—”
“You’ve been… distant,” he said. Not harsh. Not accusing. Just painfully honest. “Since lunch.”
Her pulse jumped. “It’s not like that,” she whispered. “I’m just… maintaining professionalism.”
Gavin’s jaw tightened — subtle, but impossible to miss. “Aren’t we professional here?”
“We are, Boss.”
“Then why do I have this feeling that you’re avoiding me?”
Shane’s breath stuttered — caught between guilt, fear, and all the things she couldn’t possibly tell him.
“I’m not avoiding you, Boss,” she said softly, eyes lowering. “I’m just doing my job.”
A long beat of silence followed — the kind that felt heavier than scolding.
Then Gavin exhaled slowly, a controlled release of something he wasn’t letting himself say.
“Fine,” he murmured, voice cooler now, but gentler around the edges. “Sumama ka na kay Tita.”
She nodded a little too quickly. “Thank you po.”
She took a step back — but before she could fully turn, his voice cut quietly through the fading afternoon.
“Shane.”
Her feet halted on instinct.
“Tonight,” he said, eyes locked on hers with a calm intensity that felt almost protective, “stay close to the team. There will be a lot of politics and politicians at the dinner. I don’t want you… caught in the wrong crowd.”
Her heartbeat stumbled again. She didn’t know if he meant Carl, local officials, the stakeholders — or all of them.
She tried to lighten it, offering a small, nervous laugh. “Wala naman po sigurong magkaka-interest sa akin doon? Sa itsura ko bang ’to?”
Gavin’s brow inched up, just a little. “Bakit, ano bang problema sa itsura mo?”
“Boss G naman eh!” Shane huffed under her breath. “Do I really need to say it? Tingnan niyo ’tong mukha ko — kayo na ang magsabi kung anong nakikita niyo.”
Gavin didn’t scoff. Didn’t dismiss her. Instead, he looked at her — really looked — as if she hadn’t said a single self-deprecating word.
His gaze held hers, steady and unflinching.
“I see a rare kind of beauty,” he said quietly, “that’s been hiding behind imperfections.”
She forgot how to breathe.
For a moment, the world shrank down to the space between them — sun dipping low, wind threading through silence, and his words lingering in the air like something forbidden.
Shane forced herself to look away, heart pounding too loudly.
“Boss…” she whispered, unsure of what she was warning him about — or herself.
But Gavin only stepped back, returning to that careful distance.
“Go,” he said softly. “I’ll follow in a bit.”
And Shane walked away — each step heavy, each breath uneven — with one thought echoing in her chest:
He saw her. Not as the girl she used to be. Not as the woman she’s pretending to be. But as someone she didn’t know how to face.
Not tonight. Not yet.
As Shane walked toward Miss Agnes’ vehicle, she could feel Gavin’s gaze following her — steady, heavy, unspoken. And with every step she took, the tension didn’t fade.
It followed her. Wrapped around her. Tethered to him.
And she didn’t know which scared her more — the feeling of being watched… or the fear of wanting him all over again.
- Writer
