Episode 003
1347 Words
My heart pounded so painfully that I jolted awake.
"Andres?" I let out a gasp.
He appeared unsure of whether to enter or flee as he stood motionless in the doorway. His brows furrowed, and his lips slightly parted, as if he was calling my name.
Then, suddenly, he turned and silently closed the door.
What was that?
I blinked frantically, trying to figure out what was going on. I had a hot face, My heart pounded, I had the impression that I had just woken up from an all-too-real dream.
Once more, it was him.
Miguel.
That dream…
His mouth grazed my neck. I'm too close to his hands. His voice whispered my name.
Why was he in my dreams once more?
Why now?
Like the memory of his touch was still there, my skin tingled. I sat up and wrapped the surrounding sheets to hide my mess.
No. Nobody intended for that dream to come true. Now, I had tied the knot.
Even if it was only a fictitious union,
Without turning around, I slipped out of bed and made my way to the loo. I didn't want Andres to see me in that state. What would happen if I uttered Miguel's name while I was asleep? What if he did hear?
No, God. It would be worse than passing away.
The shower was hotter than usual when I turned it on. Allow the steam to rise and envelop me. I added rose oil to the water. Usually, the smell soothed me.
It's not the right time.
I felt cold on the inside, even with the hot spray on.
That dream was a warning, not merely a recollection. I continued to fall into this trap.
Grace, the housekeeper, grinned at me as I got dressed and entered the dining room.
"Good morning, Ma'am Althea. Sir Andres is in a meeting. "Start breakfast without him," he said.
I nodded slightly and took a seat. A plate was waiting for me, full. The plate was filled with garlic rice, longganisa, and scrambled eggs. I gazed at the delicious meal.
No hunger.
My mind was circling itself.
Was my face visible to Andres while I was asleep? Did I speak while I was asleep?
Oh no.
I used my fork to push my food around. The quiet in the house only intensified my mental noise.
I had to leave.
I let the sun shine on my face as I stepped onto the tiny patio. I tried to breathe while I closed my eyes. But that dream was all I could see behind my lids.
Miguel.
I gave up on it two years ago.
Everything returned in a flash.
that evening. I fled the wedding that night.
Nobody had uttered the vows yet. I was trembling and wearing white as I stood behind the backroom door of the church. My heart wasn't perfect, but my makeup was.
Then I took action.
I took off running.
Not even my phone charger was with me. I simply picked up a suitcase and called the first taxi I came across.
I knocked on Bea's door and fell into her arms as soon as I arrived at her flat.
"Althea?" she asked, her eyes wide.
I whispered, "I'm over it." "I broke up with him."
She didn't inquire as to why, Didn't raise any doubts. He simply gave me a hug and allowed me to cry until I was completely dry.
I spent weeks with her.
She made sure I ate every night. She reminded me to take a shower every morning.
I started breathing again slowly.
Then one day, as if it were a golden ticket, she bounded into the room with her phone.
"A position is available. You must submit an application.
I moaned as I turned over. "Thanks, but no."
"You can't lie in this bed all day."
"Observe me," I whispered.
However, she threw the phone in my face. "Marketing Assistant" Makati. Good compensation. You used to be excellent at things like this.
I let out a sigh. "I'm not prepared."
"Try. Try it.
And I did.
We chose the same week for the interview.
Bea assisted me with selecting my attire. I chose a light pink blouse. Wear a gray skirt. The skirt should not be overly ostentatious.
She said, "You got this," as I got into the taxi.
I had no sense of possession.
I was extremely nervous when I arrived at the building. I had perspiration on my hands. My stomach turned over.
He was there when I entered the waiting area.
He read something on his phone while sitting with one leg crossed. His dark hair and tall, sharp suit made him look like he belonged in a movie.
He saw me.
"Are you also here for the interview?" he said in a smooth, low voice.
I gave a nod. "Yes... You?
He gave a slight smile. "Perhaps."
My mouth moved more quickly than my brain when I was around him.
I blurted, "You ought to have dressed more casually."
He tilted his head. “Excuse me?”
"You appear to be the CEO. Most bosses dislike it because it gives them a sense of danger gives them a sense of danger.
He chuckled once. "That's good to know."
Inside, I winced. Why was I speaking in this way?
He arched an eyebrow. “And what makes you think I’m not the boss?”
I opened my mouth. I closed it. I shrugged. "I guess I'll find out soon."
With a slight nod, he left.
I wanted to burrow into the ground.
The assistant called me in a few moments later.
I entered the interview room after smoothing my skirt.
On the opposite side of the table were three people.
And the man was present in the middle...
It was him.
Then I told the guy to "dress down".
The guy I told to “dress down”.
God, oh God.
I went cold.
As I sank into the chair, my legs swayed.
His face was unreadable as he gazed directly at me. Was the friendly smirk he had earlier displayed still present? Lost.
One of the women introduced herself as Althea Cruz. "Applicant for the position of marketing assistant."
He gave a tiny nod. "Let's begin."
I took a deep breath. I had a dry throat.
They inquired about my experience. My abilities. My motivation for resigning from my previous position was clear.
Even though my voice trembled occasionally, I answered as best I could.
Then he asked the one question I hoped he wouldn’t.
"Why did you apply here?"
I blinked.
I ought to have told a lie.
But I had to tell the truth because of something in his tone.
"I needed a new beginning."
He gave me a look. I mean, I looked.
He was silent for a moment. sat there looking at my face. His jaw tightened, then relaxed.
"Noted," he muttered.
The remainder of the interview went by quickly.
I was having trouble breathing by the time I went outside.
"You fool, Althea," I muttered as I leaned against the wall. What did you do?
In front of the CEO, I looked foolish.
He should not dress like the boss, I told him.
I told him that wealthy men were conceited.
And now?
He was a possible employer of mine.
I tried to forget everything by closing my eyes.
However, I was unable to.
He did not show his face.
Not his eyes.
The way he gazed at me when I expressed my desire for a fresh start was not what I expected.
He noticed me.
I have found the true me.
And more than anything else, that frightened me.
Because if he saw too much...
He could see what I was trying to conceal.
I included what I believed to be my buried past.
And just when I believed I could get away with it...
He came walking right back into my life.
It's not just a memory.
This was not a dream, but as my supervisor,.
- Writer
