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

CHAPTER 13

Mula nang inilunsad namin ang bagong branded content project, halos hindi ako makapaniwalang gano’n kabilis ang naging impact. May increase na agad sa engagement ng site, advertisers were lining up, and the revenue graph—isang bagay na dati ay parang abstract lang sa akin—ay bigla na lang nag-spike paakyat. Lahat ng meetings naging upbeat. Lahat ng email may “Congratulations” at “Well done.”

Pero ang totoo? Ang nasa utak ko habang binabasa ko ang mga success reports, ay hindi kung gaano kagaling ang proposal. Hindi kung gaano karaming sponsors ang na-secure namin.

Ang nasa isip ko… si Draemon. At si Mr. Rivera. At ang panata ko.

Nasa boardroom ako, kasama si Draemon. He was standing beside me habang iniisa-isa ang milestones ng proyekto. I was presenting—confidently, proudly—but somewhere in between explaining the new member perks and the exclusive webinar lineup, naramdaman kong tinitingnan niya ako.

That kind of look that burns softly—hindi pilit, hindi bastos. Parang tinititigan ka hindi lang dahil maganda ka, kundi dahil gusto ka niyang makita kung paano ka mag-isip, magdesisyon, mabuhay.

After the meeting, habang naglalakad kami palabas, tinapik niya ako sa balikat. “You were amazing in there.”

Napatingin ako sa kanya. “Teamwork ‘yon. Kung hindi mo rin sinimulan lahat ng ‘to—”

“Pinky,” he interrupted, chuckling softly. “You need to learn to take credit.”

Napatawa ako ng mahina. “I’m trying.”

Tahimik kami habang papunta sa elevator. Maraming nagsasabi na perfect kami bilang partners sa project. Complementary daw kami—ako 'yung grounded at relatable, siya 'yung strategic at visionary.

At sa lahat ng iyon… parang may parte sa akin na na-appreciate. Na finally, may lalaking hindi lang nakatingin sa panlabas, kundi sa buong effort ko. Hindi ko kailangang magsuot ng red lipstick para mapansin niya. Hindi ko kailangang ipilit ang sarili ko.

With Draemon, I felt… seen.

But it scared me.

Kasi sa kabila ng lahat ng 'yon—success, recognition, companionship—hindi pa rin nawawala ang panata ko. Ang panatang ginawa ko kay Mr. Rivera. Isang tahimik na pangakong ako lang ang nakakaalam, pero araw-araw ay bumubulong sa akin.

Hindi ako titigil. Hangga’t hindi ko siya nasusubukang mahalin at mapanalunan.

Pero paano kung habang nilalabanan ko 'yon, meron nang isang taong dahan-dahang hinuhubog ang puso ko?

That evening, nasa rooftop kami ng building. Celebration daw ng buong success ng launch. May inumin, soft lights, jazz music. Hindi ‘yong masayang party na maraming sumisigaw. ‘Yong tipong tahimik pero classy, andun ang buong upper management, si Sir Rivera—at si Draemon.

I was trying to keep my distance, pero syempre, hindi talaga puwedeng ‘di kami magkasama.

“Can I get you a drink?” tanong niya, holding a glass of red wine.

“Sige, kung hindi ka pa sawa sa’kin,” biro ko, trying to lighten the mood.

“I’m never tired of you,” sagot niya, diretso, walang kaartehan.

Napatingin ako sa kanya. Gano’n lang ‘yon. No drama. No attempt to impress. Parang totoo.

Naglakad kami papunta sa isang maliit na table sa gilid. Medyo malamig ang hangin. Hindi ko alam kung dahil sa gabi o dahil kabado ako sa kung anong susunod na mangyayari.

“Ang ganda ng gabi,” bulong niya habang nakatingin sa mga city lights.

“Oo,” sagot ko, pero hindi ‘yon ang iniisip ko.

Kasi kahit gaano kaganda ang view, hindi ko maiwasang maalala ‘yong tingin sa akin ni Mr. Rivera kanina sa meeting. Hindi siya lumapit. Hindi siya nagsalita. Pero ramdam ko—gusto niyang kausapin ako. Maybe he couldn’t. Maybe he chose not to.

And somehow, that hurt more.

“You’re quiet,” ani Draemon. “Something wrong?”

I shook my head. “I’m just… processing.”

“About earlier?” tanong niya.

I nodded.

And then I looked at him—really looked at him. His eyes, his calm presence, the steadiness of his voice. I realized… this man isn’t just here for the project. He’s here for me.

And yet, a part of me still wanted someone else to fight for me.

“Draemon,” mahina kong sabi, “thank you, ha. For being with me through this whole thing.”

“You don’t have to thank me. I want to be here.” His gaze held mine. “Pero may tanong ako.”

My chest tightened. “Ano ‘yon?”

“Is there a space for me in your life? O may tao ka pa ring hinihintay?”

Hindi ako agad nakasagot. Kasi ang sagot ay… hindi ko alam.

“I don’t want to pressure you,” dagdag niya. “Pero gusto kong malinaw tayo. Kasi kung maghihintay ako… gusto kong alam ko kung may patutunguhan.”

Tumingin ako sa baso ko. Tinipon ko ang lakas ng loob. “Draemon… may panata akong ginawa. Kay Mr. Rivera. Matagal na. Before pa kita nakilala.”

Tahimik siya. Hindi siya nagalit. Hindi siya na-offend.

“Alam ko,” bulong niya.

Napatingin ako sa kanya, gulat.

“I saw it. I see it when you look at him. But I stayed… dahil alam kong kahit papano, nararamdaman mo rin ako.”

“Hindi ako sigurado sa nararamdaman ko,” sagot ko, halos pabulong. “At ayokong saktan ka.”

“I’d rather be here confused with you… than leave and wonder what if.”

And with that, tahimik kaming tumingin sa gabi. Wala nang dagdag na salita. Wala nang pressure. Just two people… in the middle of something delicate, beautiful, and terrifying.

At sa gitna ng lahat ng ‘yon, napaisip ako—

Baka hindi sa panata ko lang umiikot ang kwento ko. Baka ako rin… may karapatang pumili kung sino ang talagang nakakakita sa’kin.

Hawak ko pa rin ang baso ng red wine habang nakatayo kami sa rooftop ng Rivera Publication. Ang lamig ng hangin, pero para bang mas malamig pa ang kaba sa dibdib ko habang nasa tabi ko si Draemon. Tahimik kami. He didn’t press me with questions. Wala siyang sinabing kung anu-ano. He just stood there, arms crossed, staring at the city lights like he belonged to it.

“You’re right. Maganda dito sa taas. Maganda ang gabi.” I finally broke the silence.

He nodded, his eyes still on the skyline. “It clears the mind. Lalo na kapag gulo ang puso.”

I looked at him, then looked away agad. Gulo nga ba, Pinky? O sadyang ayaw mo lang harapin kung anong totoo?

“Congrats nga pala sa campaign,” sabi niya,turning to me. “Your concept worked. The branded content deal will run for six months. That’s a big win.”

“Thanks,” ngumiti ako. “Honestly, I couldn’t have done it without you. Ikaw ‘yung nag-push na i-present ko ‘yun sa board.”

“Because I saw something you didn’t.” Lumapit siya ng konti. “Your worth.”

I laughed a little, defensive. “Corny.”

“I mean it.”

Before I could respond, narinig namin ang pagbukas ng pinto. A familiar silhouette stepped out, closing the metal door behind him.

“Sir…” napalunok ako. “Mr. Rivera.”

Ismael. Suot pa rin niya ang dark navy blazer niya, but it was unbuttoned, tie loosened. Mas rare ‘to. Hindi siya usually ganito — informal, relaxed... approachable?

“I was looking for you,” he said, eyes darting between me and Draemon. “You weren’t answering your phone.”

Napatingin ako sa phone ko—silent mode. “Sorry po, Sir. I just needed some air.”

He looked at Draemon, then at me again. “Is this a private meeting?”

Bago pa man makasagot si Draemon, ngumiti ito, hindi natitinag. “We were just talking. Nothing official. Unless you want to join us?”

Ismael took a step forward, diretso sa tabi ko. His presence was magnetic. Nakaka-pressure. At somehow… protective?

“I’ll take it from here,” he said coldly.

Wait, what?

Draemon raised an eyebrow, his voice still calm. “She’s not your property, Ismael.”

My breath hitched.

“I never said she was,” sagot ni Ismael, this time turning his gaze to me. “Pinky?”

“I—” natigilan ako. Napatingin ako kay Draemon, na tahimik pero attentive. Then kay Ismael, na ngayon lang ulit tumingin sa’kin nang ganito. Hindi bilang secretary. Hindi bilang tauhan niya. Pero bilang babae.

“I was just about to leave anyway,” sabi ni Draemon, placing his glass down sa bench nearby. “Thanks for the night, Pinky.” Tumango siya sa akin, then kay Ismael, before turning away.

At naiwan kaming dalawa ni Ismael. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako titingin.

He took a step closer. “Are you okay?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“After what happened sa gala, then with Callie—”

I cut him off. “Sir, I’m just your secretary.”

“Stop calling me ‘sir.’”

Napatingin ako sa kanya. His eyes, for once, weren’t distant. They were... conflicted. And vulnerable.

“You don’t have to pretend na wala kang nararamdaman,” he whispered.

I blinked. “Anong ibig mong sabihin?”

“I saw the way you looked at me. The way you always try to hide it. And yet… you make me feel something I shouldn’t.”

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa baso. “You have a fiancée, Mr. Rivera. Don’t do this.”

“Callie and I... we’re not what everyone thinks. We’re falling apart. And I—” napabuntong-hininga siya. “I thought I had everything figured out, until you came along.”

I stepped back. “Don’t make me choose. Not when I’m still figuring things out. Not when there’s someone like Draemon who—” I paused, “…who actually sees me.”

“Tingin mo ba ako, hindi?”

Hindi ako sumagot. My silence said it all.

He looked down, frustrated. “I just wanted to talk to you. That’s all.”

“Then talk to me like I’m not someone you want to steal moments with behind Callie’s back,” I said, firmer this time. “I deserve better than to be someone’s guilt.”

Tahimik.

Hangin lang ang narinig namin.

Then, softly, he said, “You’re right.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll back off… if that’s what you really want.”

I turned away before he could see my eyes. “I don’t know what I want yet.”

At iniwan ko siya sa rooftop. With my heart pounding, confused, and caught in between two men—one who made me feel seen, and one who made me feel alive.