WHAT YOU RUINED

CHAPTER 4

After the meeting with Arevallo’s Empire, I decided not to go back to the office.

I needed a break—kahit saglit lang—from everything that had happened that day.

Instead, I went straight to our usual café, where Ria, Chloe, and Giselle were already waiting for me.

The moment I walked inside, I immediately spotted them sitting at our usual table.

“Finally! Akala ko hindi ka na pupunta,” Ria complained, raising an eyebrow at me.

“Sorry. Traffic,” I said simply before sitting beside Chloe.

The moment I settled down, Chloe immediately turned to me.

“So?”

I blinked. “So… what?”

“Kumusta?”

“Kumusta saan?”

“Don’t play dumb, Max.” Giselle crossed her arms. “Obviously, we’re talking about the meeting.”

I sighed.

Of course.

I knew this was coming.

“Well…” I started, taking a sip of my coffee. “It went okay.”

“Okay?” Ria repeated, looking at me like I had just said something ridiculous. “That’s it?”

“Yeah.”

“Girl, you literally had a meeting with Arevallo’s Empire! Hindi ka lang nakipag-meeting sa ordinary company!” Chloe exclaimed.

I stayed quiet for a moment.

I honestly didn’t know how to tell them.

But eventually, I gave in.

“And Adrian was there.”

Silence.

Complete and utter silence.

I slowly looked at the three of them.

Their expressions were priceless.

“Wait…” Ria’s eyes widened. “Adrian Arevallo?”

I nodded.

“The Adrian Arevallo?” Chloe asked, as if there were another Adrian Arevallo in existence.

“The Adrian na matagal mong crush?” Giselle added.

I groaned.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

The next thing I knew—

“OH MY GOD!”

“NO WAY!”

“MAX!”

I immediately covered my face with both hands.

“Can you guys calm down?”

“How can we calm down?!” Ria almost shouted. “After all these years, nakita mo ulit siya—and sa freaking business meeting pa?!”

“Exactly,” I muttered.

I knew there was no way out of this conversation, so I finally started telling them everything.

I told them about the moment I entered the conference room.

I told them how I immediately noticed Adrian sitting at the head of the table.

And, of course, I told them about that awkward moment when our eyes met.

I still remembered the feeling.

For a second, I forgot why I was even there.

But Adrian?

He looked completely composed.

Professional.

Calm.

Like seeing me after all these years didn't affect him at all.

We eventually talked during the meeting, and I couldn't help but notice how different he seemed from the Adrian I remembered.

He was more mature now.

More confident.

And definitely more intimidating.

“So basically,” Chloe said after listening to my entire story, “you were nervous because your long-time crush was sitting right in front of you.”

“I wasn't nervous.”

All three of them stared at me.

I sighed.

“Fine. Maybe a little.”

“HAHA!” Ria immediately burst out laughing.

I rolled my eyes.

Giselle leaned forward with a mischievous smile.

“And?”

“And what?”

“Did he recognize you?”

I paused.

“Yes.”

Their eyes immediately widened.

“Did he remember you?”

“Yes.”

“Did he ask about you?”

I hesitated.

“Yes.”

The three of them exchanged looks.

Then Ria slowly smiled.

“Interesting.”

I pointed at her. “Don't.”

“I’m not saying anything.”

“You're literally saying everything with your face.”

They all burst out laughing.

I couldn't help but laugh with them.

For the next few hours, we talked about the meeting, my unexpected encounter with Adrian, and everything else that had happened that day.

Of course, they teased me every chance they got.

Eventually, the sun had already set, and I decided it was time to go home.

Later That Evening

The moment I arrived at my apartment, I dropped my bag onto the couch.

“Finally…”

I kicked off my shoes and immediately collapsed onto the sofa.

It had been a long day.

A really long day.

I closed my eyes, hoping I could finally relax.

But before I could even get comfortable, my phone started ringing.

I frowned when I saw the screen.

Unknown Number.

Who could possibly be calling me at this hour?

I hesitated for a few seconds before answering.

“Hello?”

“Good evening, Ms. Maximilian. I'm calling regarding today's meeting.”

I immediately sat upright.

“Yes?”

There was a short pause.

“We've received the final decision regarding the proposal.”

My heart started beating a little faster.

“And?”

“The outcome is positive.”

For a moment, I couldn't believe what I had just heard.

“Really?”

“Yes. The management has approved the partnership.”

A huge smile immediately appeared on my face.

“That’s great news.”

Finally.

All the preparation, pressure, and stress from the meeting had paid off.

But then the person on the other line spoke again.

“There is one more thing.”

My smile slowly faded.

“What is it?”

“The project will be handled jointly by your company and Arevallo’s Empire.”

I sat up straighter.

“Jointly?”

“Yes.”

My mind immediately started processing what that meant.

“What kind of project?”

“The construction and development of a luxury hotel and resort in Palawan.”

I froze.

Palawan.

A huge project.

A major opportunity for our company.

This could be one of the biggest projects I'd ever handled in my career.

But then one thought crossed my mind.

I already knew who would be involved.

“Who will be handling the project from Arevallo’s side?” I asked carefully.

The answer came almost immediately.

“Mr. Adrian Arevallo will be overseeing the project personally.”

I froze.

Again.

“Adrian… personally?”

“Yes, Ms. Maximilian.”

I slowly lowered the phone from my ear.

For several seconds, I simply stared at the wall in front of me.

Of all the people I could work with…

Of all the projects I could possibly get…

Why did it have to be him?

I slowly sat back down on the couch.

The call ended shortly afterward, but I barely noticed.

My mind was already somewhere else.

I let out a long sigh and buried my face in my hands.

“Seriously?”

I stayed like that for a few seconds before muttering,

“This is going to be a problem.”

And yet…

Despite everything I had just said, I could feel the small smile forming on my lips.

Because deep down, there was a part of me that wasn't completely upset about the news.

Maybe this project wasn't just going to change my career.

Maybe…

It was going to change everything between Adrian and me, too.