His Breakup Checklist

Chapter 1 - That woman's innocent eyes

Altair’s POV

“Why am I required to go there? I didn't get my master's degree at Harvard just to become an ordinary employee,” inis na reklamo ko.

Pumihit paharap sa akin ang swivel chair ng aking kausap. The man crossed his legs and tapped the arm rest with his long fingers.

“Hmn. I didn't say you'd be managing one of our companies once you finish your master's degree. You have to learn first...And learning is a process. You must work your way up the corporate ladder,” balewalang sagot niya.

I scoffed in shock. "Are you serious, Dad?! You're going to make me work like an ordinary employee? None of my friends have to go through that! They are now the CEOs of their company!"

“Then go to your friend's dad. Beg them to hire you as their CEO,” he said sarcastically.

Mataman kong tinitigan ang kaharap. He is Walter Werner. He is, unfortunately, my Dad. He just stared back at me, unconcerned by the fact that I am currently extremely annoyed. As a matter of fact, he seemed to enjoy watching my reaction. He's smiling arrogantly at me, and his dark eyes are teasing me. Mayamaya ay napailing na lang siya.

“That's why young businessmen like you are so arrogant. Their parents never allowed them to experience what it was like to be an ordinary employee,” komento pa niya.

I scoffed in disapproval. As if he is not arrogant himself!

Of course, I had heard a lot of stories about him when he was younger! How many businessmen has he offended in the past? Gayunpaman ay pinigil kong magsalita. Despite those stories, I admire him. He has grown into a wonderful father and provider. In fact, this is the first time we've had a disagreement. Nalaman kong plano niya akong ipatapon sa isa sa mga kompanya niya, ang M&F Semicon. At ano mang pagtutol ko ay alam kong wala akong magagawa laban sa kaniya….

AND NOW I am here at M&F Semicon…Submitting my work requirements like normal employees do.

F*uck! I am so ready to lead this company yet I ended up in Public Relation Department. Why is everything so hard these days?!

Inilibot ko ang mga mata sa gusali. The administration building has three floors. Adjacent to the administration building is another facility where semiconductor manufacturing takes place. Werner Corporation has recently acquired this company. I never imagined that Dad would be interested in this sort of business. Naglakad ako patungo sa Admin building at agad akong binati ng babae sa reception area ng gusali.

“Hmn, Altair? What a nice name,” komento niya habang nakangiti at malagkit ang tingin sa akin. I took a deep breath of annoyance as my eyes landed on her face. I know she's flirting with me. But I have no time for her. It's six thirty in the evening already. I was told that my new boss would be waiting for me to orient me, even though it was already past office hours. That's the benefit of having Dad's recommendation. Pinagbigyan nila ako kahit pa walang nakaaalam na ako si Altair, the son of the biggest stockholder of this company.

I went straight to the third floor.

F*uck! I grumbled irritably. Naupo ako sa isa sa mga sofa na bumungad sa akin sa ikatlong palapag ng gusali. Pilit kong sinupil ang iritasyon na nararamdaman habang hinihintay si Miss Annie, ang aking magiging boss. Habang nakaupo ako ay namataan ko ang pagdating ng isang babae na nakakuha ng atensyon ko. The woman is wearing a plain dress. Mahaba ang itim na itim niyang buhok at hindi ko mapigilang mapansin ang maamo niyang mukha. The expression in her eyes, however, caused me to crease my brow. Kaylungkot niyang tingnan. Nagpalinga-linga siya sa paligid na para bang may hinahanap siya. Sinulyapan niya ako at hindi ko iniwas ang tingin sa kaniya. I know it’s rude to stare, but I did it anyway. Napansin ko ang pagkailang niya nang titigan ko siya. Tila may gusto siyang itanong sa akin ngunit marahil nag-alangan siya dahil sa tinging ipinukol ko sa kaniya. Sa halip ay nagbawi siya ng tingin. Mabilis siyang tumalikod at nagtungo na muli sa hagdan pababa sa ikalawang palapag. Napasandal ako sa sofa nang mawala na siya sa aking paningin.

The vibe here is terrible!

Natigilan ako nang bigla akong makarinig ng mga ungol. Inilibot ko ang mga mata sa paligid para alamin kung saan nagmumula iyon. Until I saw a closed room.

“Ahh! Harder! Harder! Oh my gosh you’re so good Adrian!” ungol ng boses babae.

“Oh, yeah? You want this huh? Huh?” hinahapo at paos ang boses na tanong ng lalaki.

Naikuyom ko ang kamao pagkarinig sa mga ungol nila. How unethical! Tumayo ako para sana kumprontahin sila ngunit bigla akong napatigil nang maalala ko kung bakit ako naririto. I'm not in a position to confront them! This is most likely one of the challenges that Dad wanted me take on. Dahil sa naisip ay muli akong naupo sa sofa. Ilang saglit lang ay bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto na pinagmamasdan ko at iniluwa noon ang lalaki na nag-aayos pa ng pants. Taliwas sa inaasahan ko ang hitsura niya. Matangkad siya, maputi at disenting tingnan. He is also wearing glasses, which give him the image of a serious and professional man. Napansin niya ako at tipid siyang ngumiti sa akin. May bahid ng pagmamalaki ang mga ngiti niya. It's clear he and whoever he's with are aware that I heard them. Kakatwang hindi pa lumabas buhat sa silid ang babaeng kasama niya.

“Adrian!” bigla ay narinig ko ang pagtawag ng boses babae sa kaniya. Nalingunan kong papalapit sa pwesto namin iyong babae na nanggaling dito kanina. Matamis siyang ngumiti sa lalaking katatapos lang ayusin ang nagulong damit.

“K-Kanina pa kita hinahanap,” may bahid ng pagtatampong salubong ng babae kay Adrian. I watched as she embraced and kissed the man on the cheek.

“Jane, b-babe, what are you doing here?” halata ang kaba at pagkagulat ng lalaki. Pasimple siyang lumingon sa nakapinid na pinto na pinanggalingan niya.

So, his name is Adrian huh? And this woman is his girlfriend, but he is f*cking another woman in that room. Gusto kong masuka sa kagag*uhan na ginagawa niya.

“Dito kasi ako inihatid ni manong driver pagkatapos ng official business travel ko eh! Alam ko naman na nandito ka pa. Kanina pa ako tumatawag, bakit hindi mo sinasagot?” tanong ng babae.

“I’m sorry, babe. I got so busy,” sagot ng lalaki saka pasimpleng sumulyap sa akin. Alam ko kung anong pinagkakaabalahan niya.

“Mr. Altair Riego?” bigla ay may tumawag sa akin dahilan para mawala ang atensyon ko sa magkapareha. Nalingunan ko ang babae na naglalakad palapit sa akin. She seemed to be in her late thirties. She is pregnant, and she looked like she was about to give birth at any time. “I am Miss Annie. Ako ang magiging boss mo,” pakilala niya sa akin. “I will inform you about your duties and responsibilities.”

Wala na akong nagawa pa kundi sumunod sa kaniya. Bago ako tuluyang makapasok sa opisina ni Miss Annie ay muli kong nilingon ang magkapareha. How many times have I witnessed such infidelity? But I usually don't give a f*ck. I don't give a damn about other people, and I just do what I want to do. But why do I feel sorry for that woman?