Solvane: Bound by Sin and Silence

Episode 9: Under His Gaze

(Nyxeron’s POV)

I loosened the cuffs of my sleeves as we stepped out of the boardroom. My head was pounding—the kind of dull ache that comes from crossing too many time zones in forty-eight hours.

“Reschedule the afternoon meetings,” I said flatly, not even glancing at Artem. “Push everything to tomorrow.”

“Jet lag catching up to you?” Artem asked.

“Obviously.”

He didn't argue. He knew better. We walked straight toward the executive elevator, bypassing the other departments. I had just arrived, and yet, I was already losing interest in the usual corporate noise. I stepped out of the boardroom, the glass door swinging shut behind me. Mr. Herrera, the Manager, was already waiting in the hallway.

“Sir, your car is waiting at the main entrance,” Mr. Herrera said, falling into step behind me. “The security team has already cleared the path to the elevator.”he said, clutching a leather folder like it was his most prized possession.. I didn't say a word. I just started walking toward the elevator door. I stopped by a second , looking down at the open office area. My eyes found her immediately sitting at her desk,she looked exhausted, yet she hadn't left her desk.

“Artem, order food,” I said, not even looking back at him.

Artem didn't hesitate. He was already pulling out his phone. “For the whole floor, Sir?”

“For everyone. Just get them something to eat at least .” I confirmed. “They’ve had a long day. Tell them it’s a reward for their hardwork on this company. If they're going to work through the night, I don’t want them working on an empty stomach.”

“I’ll have it here in twenty,” Artem noted, his fingers tapping rapidly on his screen.

“Do that,” I muttered, finally pushing off the railing. I looked at Herrera, who was waiting by the elevator.

“Mr. Herrera,” I called out.

The Manager nearly jumped. “Yes, Sir?”

“Make sure they actually take a break to eat. And make sure everyone gets fed. I don’t want my employee's complaining about the workload on an empty stomach.”

“Understood, Sir! Right away,” Herrera replied, scurrying ahead to press the elevator button for us.

The elevator pinged open. Artem stepped in first, holding the door, while the Manager stood outside, waiting until the doors were fully closed before he dared to turn away.

“He’s terrified,” Artem noted as the elevator began its descent.

“Good,” I replied, checking my watch. “People work better when they’re afraid to fail.”

The elevator descent was silent. I leaned my head back against the cool metal wall, closing my eyes for a brief second. The jet lag was a dull throb behind my temples, a reminder that I had pushed my body past its limit.

“The pizza order is confirmed,” Artem said, his voice cutting through the silence. I hummed in response, not opening my eyes. I finally opened my eyes as the elevator door opened to the lobby. The cool, conditioned air of the building hit me, but it didn't do much for my headache. As we stepped out the security team snapped to attention, their radios crackling as they signaled my arrival. I ignored them, walking straight toward the black sedan idling at the curb.

I reached the black sedan idling at the curb. Before getting in, I took a quick glance back at the building. I remembered the girl at the desk the one who actually looked up when everyone else was busy staring at their keyboards. She doesn't have that frantic, panicked look the others have. She looks like she’s just… doing her job.

“She’s the one, isn't she?” Artem asked as he held the car door open for me.

I slid into the leather seat, the scent of expensive upholstery and cedar filling my lungs. “She’s small. Unimpressive at a glance. But she has a certain… resilience. Most people look away the moment I focus on them. She held it for a second longer than the rest.”

Artem followed, closing the door. “Mr Herrera says she’s fast. Best one in her department for data reconciliation.”

I looked out the tinted window as the car began to move, the city lights of the Philippines blurring into streaks of gold and white.

“We’ll see,” I muttered, leaning my head against the headrest. “Fast doesn't always mean accurate. I noticed she didn't look away immediately. Most of them act like looking at me is a death sentence. She just… stared back for a second.”

“Maybe she didn't know who you were yet,” Artem joked.

“Maybe. Or maybe she just doesn't scare easily. Either way, tell Mr Herrera I want her reports on my desk by eight. I want to see if her work is as steady as her gaze.”

“I’ll send the memo now,” Artem said, his thumbs moving across his screen.

I wasn't interested in her personality or whatever. I just wanted to see if she could actually deliver. Most people look busy when the boss is around, but they crumble the moment the deadline gets tight. I wanted to see if she was the exception.

“Eight A.M., Artem,” I reminded him without looking up. “I want that file the moment I walk in.”

“Understood.”

The jet lag was still there, but the irritation had settled into a quiet expectation. Either she’d prove she could handle the pressure, or she’d be just another name I’d have to replace by the end of the week. Simple as that.

(Serenith's Pov)

Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses akong bumuntong-hininga habang nakatitig sa monitor ng computer ko. Ang sakit na ng likod ko, at parang nanunuyo na ang mga mata ko sa dami ng spreadsheets at report na kailangan kong i-reconcile bago matapos ang shift. Pero kahit anong pagod, hindi ko magawang tumayo.

Simula nung lumabas ako sa boardroom kanina, parang may kung anong ulap na nakadagan sa buong opisina. Ramdam mo ang tensyon sa bawat keyboard na tumitipa at sa bawat bulungan ng mga katrabaho ko. Lahat kami, alam ang dahilan.

“Seren, okay ka pa?” bulong ni Wendy mula sa kabilang cubicle. Halata sa boses niya na pagod na rin siya, pero tulad ko, hindi siya makaalis sa pwesto niya.

“Kailangan matapos ‘to, Wen. Alam mo naman si Sir Mark parang laging nakasindi ang mitsa ng bomba simula kaninang umaga,” sagot ko nang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa screen.

“Listen up, everyone!” sigaw ni Sir Mark habang pumapalakpak para makuha ang atensyon namin. “Mag-break muna kayo. Our Boss ordered food for the whole floor. Pizza, pasta, drinks kuha lang kayo dun sa pantry. It's your reward for being doing your job on this comapny.”

Nagkaroon ng bulungan sa paligid. May mga natuwa, pero marami rin ang naguluhan.

“Reward?” bulong ni Layra mula sa kabilang cubicle. “Parang mas lalo akong kinabahan sa reward na ‘yan. Parang sinasabi niyang ‘busugin niyo ang sarili niyo dahil hindi kayo matutulog.’”

“Kain ka lang teh, wag nang maraming daldal,” Biro ni Wendy kay Layra.

Pagdating ng pagkain, naging maingay ang pantry. Lahat sila ay kumukuha, nagtatawanan, sinusubukang pagaanin ang loob dahil sa pressure na dala ng bagong boss. Pero ako, kumuha lang ako ng isang slice ng pizza at bumalik agad sa desk ko. Nagkaroon ng munting ingay sa opisina. May mga nag-celebrate nang mahina, may mga nakahinga nang maluwag.

“Kain lang, Seren. Mukhang malupit ang trabaho bukas,” biro ni Sir Mark habang dinadaanan kami.

Bumalik ako sa desk ko bitbit ang isang slice ng pizza at 'yung kape na binigay ni Wendy. Tipid akong kumagat habang nakatingin sa monitor. Nawala nga ang gutom ko.

Burp!! super busog talaga !!

Inilapag ko ang huling piraso ng crust sa box at muling hinawakan ang mouse. Wala nang oras para mag-isip ang mahalaga ngayon, matapos ko 'tong handover files bago mag-umaga.

Huminga ako nang malalim at sinimulan ulit ang pag-type. Mas mabuti nang nakatutok ako sa spreadsheets kaysa isipin ko kung anong mangyayari bukas .

Fighting lang Serenith!!