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

CHAPTER 9

Umaga na. Medyo masakit pa ulo ko sa nainom kagabi, pero mas masakit ang iniisip ko ngayon—si Mr. Ismael, ang mga sinabi niya, at ang paraan ng pagtitig niya sa akin na para bang... may gusto rin siya.

Habang nakaupo ako sa dining table, walang gana sa pandesal at kape, pabalik-balik lang ang eksena kagabi sa utak ko. That ride home, that gentle stare. Yung tono ng boses niya.

Then a knock—no, a bang—on the door snapped me out of it. Napakunot ang noo ko. Maaga pa para sa bisita.

Pagbukas ko ng pinto, and there she was—Callie Torres. Arms crossed, eyes like daggers, and lips pressed in a tight line.

"Can we talk?" she said, voice tight.

"Wow, good morning to you too," I replied, forcing a smirk kahit kabado ako. "Coffee muna?"

"Cut the act, Pinky," she snapped. "I know you were with Ismael last night."

Napahawak ako sa doorframe, trying not to show my surprise. "Okay... and bakit parang galit ka agad?"

She stepped closer. "Don't play dumb. You're always around him. Smiling like a flirt. Answering his text late at night. At nag-iinuman pa kayo?"

"Wow, stalker much?" I muttered, but I knew I hit a nerve. Her eyes flared.

"Listen, Pinky. I'm warning you. Whatever game you're playing, end it now. He's mine. We’re engaged. Hindi ka makikipaglaro sa akin at lalampas lang na parang wala lang."

I held her gaze, swallowing the lump in my throat. "What if I’m not playing?"

She blinked, stunned for a second. "Anong sabi mo?"

"I mean..." I exhaled sharply. "What if I really like him? What if this isn’t just flirtation? What if this is real for me?"

"You don’t get to fall for someone who’s already taken," she snapped.

"Then maybe he shouldn’t be looking at me like I’m not," I shot back, my voice rising.

Tumahimik si Callie, pero ang galit sa mukha niya, kitang-kita.

"You think you’re special?" she said quietly. "You think dahil may panata ka, dahil galing ka sa angkan na may kung anong weird na tradisyon, you're entitled to him?"

That hit me. Mas malalim kaysa inaasahan ko.

I straightened my shoulders. “Hindi ko sinabi ‘yon. Pero hindi ko rin naman itatanggi na may nararamdaman ako. Hindi ko rin kayang kontrolin ‘yon.”

Callie stepped back, but her eyes were burning. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Pinky. If you ruin this—if you ruin us—I will make sure you regret it.”

She turned and walked away, her heels clacking against the pavement like gunshots.

After she left, I sank into the couch, heart racing, hands cold. Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako sa tapang ko o maiiyak dahil sa guilt.

Napapikit ako. What am I doing?

Then a message buzzed on my phone.

From Draemon. “Let’s meet later. I have updates on the project.”

Perfect timing. Exactly what I need. Distraction. Work. Clarity.

But I couldn’t ignore the storm inside me.

Later that afternoon, nasa conference room na ako with Draemon. Nakaupo siya across me, crisp in a gray suit, calm and confident as always.

“We’re finalizing the sponsors for the webinars,” he explained. “The branded content is ready to be deployed next quarter. And the merch—well, your idea of featuring Rivera-themed items? Genius.”

“Thanks,” I said quietly, sipping my coffee. “I’ve just… been distracted.”

He tilted his head. “By Callie?”

I looked up at him sharply. “How do you know?”

“Word travels,” he said with a half-smile. “Especially in companies full of writers.”

I chuckled bitterly. “Of course.”

He leaned forward. “Pinky, can I be honest?”

“Go.”

“You deserve better than someone who’s unsure of you. Or stuck in an engagement out of duty.”

I stared at him. “You don’t even know me that well.”

He smiled softly. “Maybe not yet. But I’d like to. And I see how hard you work. How passionate you are. How you light up when you pitch ideas. I see you, Pinky.”

Bigla akong natahimik. My heart stuttered.

I wasn’t used to being seen that way. Hindi dahil sa panata. Hindi dahil sa kagandahan. But me—as a woman. As a person.

“Thanks, Draemon…” I said softly. “That means a lot.”

He nodded. “Whatever happens with your panata… or with Ismael… just know I’ll be here. Not to pressure you. Just to support you.”

Ngumiti ako, weak but genuine.

For the first time in weeks, I felt steady.

But that night, alone in my room, nakatingin ako sa ceiling habang bumabaha ng thoughts sa utak ko.

Ismael... Draemon... the panata... Callie’s words…

My heart was caught in the middle of it all.

And for once, I didn’t know where to run.

The next day came in a rush. Wala pang tulog, and yet here I was, standing in front of the Rivera Publication building, naka-high heels at body-hugging silk dress. The gala night was a big deal—sponsored by the very project Draemon and I worked on for weeks: a merger of media and business, with brand-sponsored webinars, merch exhibits, and flashy presentations.

The press, the lights, the CEOs, and all the big names—nandoon. And I had no choice but to show up. Secretary man ako, but I was also Draemon's project partner.

“Wow,” bulong ko sa sarili habang papasok. “This is it.”

Pagpasok ko, agad akong sinalubong ng malamig na hangin ng aircon at mas malamig na aura ni Callie, standing near the registration desk. She scanned me from head to toe like she was judging a fashion show she wasn't invited to.

I just gave her a tight smile, “Hi, Miss Callie,” then walked right past her like I owned the carpet.

Sa loob ng grand ballroom, andoon si Draemon—suave in a black tux, talking to investors. Nung nakita niya ako, he excused himself and walked toward me, offering his arm.

“You look... unbelievable,” he whispered, eyes scanning me with admiration.

“Flirting in public, Mr. Investor?” I teased, but a small blush crept to my cheeks.

“Only with the woman who brought this project to life.”

We walked to our table, all eyes on us. For a moment, it felt good. Parang ako ‘yung bida sa sariling pelikula. Until…

“Pinky.”

My heart dropped. That voice.

I turned and saw Mr. Ismael Rivera.

He looked too good for someone I last saw half-drunk. Suited up, formal, but his eyes—those same eyes that softened in the car, in front of my house—now looked conflicted.

“You clean up well,” I said, trying to keep it casual.

“So do you,” he replied. Then a beat. “Can we talk?”

I hesitated. Draemon was watching. Callie was somewhere in the room. But… “Sure.”

We stepped aside, doon sa veranda overlooking the city lights. Tahimik. Walang ibang tao.

“I didn’t expect you to come with him,” Ismael said, hands in his pockets.

“Draemon? We’re working together. Big project. You approved it, remember?” I said lightly.

“Still. I thought…” he trailed off, then met my eyes. “I thought you’d notify me.”

I looked away. Anong notify me? Mix signals ka boy! “Why would I? May fiancé ka.”

He sighed. “That’s... complicated.”

“Isn’t it always?”

Then silence. Heavy.

“I’m not sure about Callie anymore,” he confessed. “We’ve changed. She’s changed. Or maybe I did.”

My breath caught.

“And you?” he added. “How about you? With Draemon?”

“He sees me,” I whispered. “He values me. He makes me feel like I matter, even outside the office.”

Ismael flinched slightly. “Do I make you feel otherwise?”

I turned to face him. “No. But I’m tired of chasing a man who only sees me when he’s unsure about another.”

Then a voice from behind interrupted us.

“Pinky,” Draemon said softly, holding a glass of wine. “You okay?”

I gave a tight nod. “Yeah. We’re just… clearing something up.”

He looked at Ismael, eyes unreadable. “I see.” Then to me, “When you're ready, the brand showcase is starting.”

I nodded, and he walked away.

Ismael watched him go. “I know what you did. That panata you made…”

Hindi ako sumagot. And who am I to doubt that? He's a powerful human being kaya malamang alam niya ang lahat ng nagaganap sa surroundings niya. Even my panata that was all about him.

“I don’t know what you saw in me to give such a sacred promise,” he said, “but I’m scared I’m realizing it too late.”

I closed my eyes, overwhelmed.

When I opened them, I stepped back. “If you really feel something, Mr. Rivera, then fight for it. Don’t expect me to keep waiting. I’m not a second option.”

And with that, I walked away. Leaving behind the city lights, the man I once thought I’d give everything to… and heading back to the one who actually showed up.