ANG SUPER TIGANG KONG BOSS [THAT MANYAKIS CEO SERIES 2] SPG 🔞

CHAPTER 11

Soft jazz music drifted through the open ballroom as Mr. Ismael Rivera gently took my hand. For a moment, the entire ballroom faded. His warm palm against mine, the weight of his gaze—steady and unsure at the same time—made my heart stutter.

“Sabi mo, one dance lang ‘to, ha,” I whispered, trying to mask the kilig swirling inside me.

“Just one,” he said, voice low. “Pero honest.”

His hand slid to the small of my back, and I followed his lead. Our bodies swayed slowly in sync with the music. He wasn’t the best dancer, but he was steady—and with every turn, every light step, it was as if he was memorizing how I moved. I bit my lower lip, conscious of how close our faces were.

Damn it, Pinky. This is your boss. This is your panata. This is Callie’s fiancé.

But he was looking at me like I was the only woman in the room. Like he’s been waiting to do this.

“Hindi ko alam na marunong ka ring sumayaw,” I teased lightly, hoping to lighten the moment.

He chuckled, “Hindi ako marunong. Pero sayo, natututo.”

Boom. As in literal boom sa puso ko.

Then, over his shoulder, I saw him—Draemon—leaning against the glass wall just by the curtain. Dressed to the nines, his drink untouched, and his eyes... locked on me. He didn’t look angry. He didn’t even flinch. But there was a sadness there, a weight.

Guilt swept over me like a crashing wave.

Pero ano ba ‘to? I wasn’t committed to Draemon. He’s been sweet, yes. Caring. Pero hindi ko pa siya... pinipili. Hindi ko pa kayang mahalin siya.

But still. Seeing him like that made my chest tighten.

“Okay ka lang?” tanong ni Mr. Rivera, sensing the shift in me.

I nodded weakly. “May nakatingin lang.”

He followed my gaze and saw Draemon. Their eyes locked for a second. Ismael’s jaw clenched ever so subtly, then he looked back at me, softer now.

“Do you like him?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” I whispered. “Ang gulo.”

Before he could respond—

“So this is what you do when my back is turned?”

The sharp voice cut through the music. People nearby turned.

It was Callie Torres.

She stood near the curtain, her gown shimmering and hair perfectly curled—but her face? Pure rage.

“I gave you everything, Ismael. Loyalty. Time. My f*cking trust!”

“Callie, not here,” Ismael said quickly, stepping in front of me.

“Move,” she snapped.

She marched up to me and without warning—SLAP!

The sound echoed. My head snapped to the side, and my cheek burned.

A few gasps followed. A waiter dropped a tray.

Callie glared at me. “You little flirt! You think you can sneak behind my back? You think this dress and that smile make you better than me?”

My lip trembled. I wasn’t sure if it was the pain, or the humiliation.

“Enough, Callie!” Ismael pulled her back, his voice firm. “Don’t do this.”

“Don’t protect her!” she screamed. “You danced with her! In front of everyone!”

“I danced with her because I wanted to. And maybe—just maybe—I’m tired of pretending I want you when I don’t!”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Callie froze.

I froze.

Everyone stared.

He just... said it.

Then Callie laughed—a broken, bitter sound. “Wow. So this is how you humiliate me.”

She looked at me again, but her fire was gone. “I hope he ruins you,” she whispered. “Like he did to me.”

Then she turned and walked out of the ballroom.

People started whispering. Phones out. Cameras flashing. My ears rang from it all.

“Pinky,” Ismael said, stepping closer.

“I—I need to go,” I said, voice cracking. “I can’t…”

I took off the coat he draped over me, handed it back with shaking hands, and left the place. I didn’t even look at Draemon as I passed him. I just needed air. Space. Silence.

Because even in that whirlwind of truth, romance, and jealousy…

I didn’t feel victorious.

I felt... broken.

Tumakbo ako palabas ng ballroom, hindi alintana ang mga matang nakatingin. I didn’t care if people saw me leave. If their cameras followed. My heels clicked against the marble floor, but I barely felt them. Ang nararamdaman ko lang ay ang hapdi ng pisngi ko, ang bigat ng dibdib ko, at ang napakagulong emosyon sa loob ko.

Paglabas ko sa, huminga ako ng malalim. Maliwanag pa rin sa labas, may mga lanterns at ilaw mula sa garden, pero sa loob ko—lahat madilim. Pumunta ako sa gilid ng fountain, tinanggal ang heels ko, at naupo sa malamig na tiles.

Napahawak ako sa pisngi ko. Mainit pa. Tila ba ang sampal ni Callie ay hindi lang sa balat, kundi sa pride ko. Sa puso ko.

“Anong ginagawa mo, Pinky?” bulong ko sa sarili. “Ano ba talaga ‘tong pinapasok mo?”

I never imagined myself in this position. The other woman. The flirt. The scandal in stilettos. Pero bakit parang ang sakit? Bakit parang ako ‘yung nasaktan, when I knew all along what I was doing?

I hugged my knees and let the tears fall. Hindi ‘yung tahimik lang—pero ‘yung malalim, masakit, halos mapahikbi. The kind of cry na parang gusto mong alisin ang bigat sa puso mo pero hindi mo alam kung paano.

“Hindi ko ‘to gusto… Hindi ganito dapat ang panata ko…”

Then I felt a shadow beside me.

“Pinky,” a deep voice said.

I didn’t have to look. I knew it was him—Draemon.

I wiped my tears quickly. “Huwag ka dito.”

“Hindi ako aalis,” he said simply.

Umupo siya sa tabi ko, leaving just a bit of space between us. Tahimik lang siya. Hindi nagtatanong. Hindi nagpipilit. Naroon lang siya. At sa kung anong dahilan, ‘yon ang pinaka-kailangan ko.

“Bakit mo pa ako sinusundan?” I asked bitterly, trying to sound strong kahit basag na basag ang boses ko.

“Because you looked like you were about to break,” sagot niya. “And I don’t like seeing you like this.”

I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. “Eh ganyan naman talaga ako, ‘di ba? Laging sumasabit. Laging pumapapel. Trying too hard.”

“You’re not trying too hard,” Draemon said, voice calm but firm. “You’re just trying... to love the wrong man.”

Napalingon ako sa kanya. “You don’t know that.”

“I don’t need to. I saw how he looked at you tonight,” he said. “But I also saw how broken you were when it ended.”

“Draemon…” I looked down, voice softer. “Hindi ko sinasadya. Hindi ko ginusto ‘to. I didn’t expect to feel this way.”

“I know,” he said. “But Pinky... maybe you should stop chasing pain and start choosing peace.”

Tumigil ako sa pag-iyak. That line... it hit something.

“You don’t understand,” I whispered. “May panata ako. Isa lang ang dapat naming gustuhin. Isa lang ang dapat naming sundin. And I chose him. I gave my word.”

“Then maybe,” Draemon said gently, “you gave your word too soon.”

Tahimik ulit. Hangin lang at ingay ng fountain.

“Masakit, Draemon,” I admitted. “Na akala mong ikaw ang pipiliin, pero hindi pala.”

“And yet here you are,” he murmured. “Still worth choosing.”

Napatingin ako sa kanya.

His eyes weren’t smug. Walang yabang. Wala ring pressure. Just quiet care.

“Let me take you home,” he said. “Not as an investor. Not as a suitor. Just someone who wants to make sure you’re okay.”

I hesitated.

But then I nodded.

“Okay.”

He stood and offered his hand. I took it.

And this time, kahit basag pa rin ang puso ko... I felt a little steadier.

A little less alone.