Love After Regrets

Chapter XII

Cloud's POV:

"Cloud, pina-patawag ka ni boss."

Tumango lang ako sa secretary ni Hera saka inayos muna yung mga gamit ko bago ako tumayo at tumungo sa office nito. Matatapos ko na din sa wakas yung design na pinapagawa sakin ng isang client ko, konti na lang yun at makapag papahinga na din, sa wakas.

Sobrang bugbog na ako sa trabaho. Tingin ko nga magiging kuba na ako kaka yuko eh.

"Ano na naman ba, Hera?" Walang ganang tanong ko dito saka umupo sa sofa at pumikit. Inantok ako bigla.

"Magandang araw din sayo, Cloud." Sarcastic na sabi nito, "Hindi ako makakasabay mag lunch ngayon. May emergency meeting ako eh." Sabi niya na nagpa rolyo naman sa mata ko.

"Di kita jowa para magpaalam ka." Sabi ko na lang. "Osiya sige, kay Sabine na ako sasabay." Sabi ko sabay tayo at nag paalam na sakanya upang makalabas na ako.

Iyon lang naman pala ang sasabihin niya, pinatawag pa ako. Pwede naman mag text o tawag. Anong silbi ng telepono diba? Trip lang talaga akong pagurin ng ugok na yun eh.

"Sabine, tara lunch na tayo." Yaya ko dito nang maabutan ko siyang nagliligpit ng gamit.

"Sige sandali lang." Sabi niya.

Inantay ko lang siya ng ilang minuto bago kami lumabas at bumaba sa cafeteria.

"Ano bang mga pagkain dito?" Tanong ko sakanya.

"Typical Filipino food." Sagot niya.

"Let's just eat outside. Gusto ko kumain ng seafood." Yaya ko.

Napangiwi naman siya sa sinabi ko at may pag aalinlangang tumingin sakin.

"Allergic ako sa seafood." Nasapo ko ang noo ko, oo nga pala. I sighed. "I can order food na lang sa other restau tas doon tayo kumain sa seaside. Masarap daw seafood dun eh." Suhestyon niya.

My eyes literally sparkled at what she said. I'm really craving seafood eh. Matagal na mula ng huling kain ko don. And it was with Hestia.

"Talaga?" Excited na tanong ko sakanya, she smiled.

"Para ka namang bata." Natatawang puna niya sakin saka tumango. "Osya tara na at baka maubos oras natin dito."

"Hayaan mo. Wala naman ngayon si Hera eh, may pupuntahan."

-------------

"What are they doing here?"

Narinig ko ang masungit na boses na iyon na nagmumula sa sala. Napakamot ako ng batok dahil doon.

Nandito kasi kami ngayon sa mansion ng mga Dela Frontera dahil friday night ngayon. Isa pa nandito si tito Albert and he specifically told us to go here dahil sagot niya ang inumin ngayon.

"Hush, child. I invited them." Sulpot ng matandang Dela Frontera.

Umirap si Hestia sa ama at ipinagpatuloy ang pakikipag usap sa telepono nito.

I didn't even know that she's here dahil kung alam ko lang ay hindi na ako tumuloy pa. But looking at her now... Makes my knees wobble. Napaka ganda, nakaka miss. Sabi ko iiwasan ko na siya pero bakit naman ako pinapahirapan ng tadhana?

"Nandito na pala kayo. Tara na."

Nakangiti si Rien habang pababa ng hagdan kasama nito si Mila. Halata ang pagod at saya sa mukha nito. Having a pregnant wife must be challenging.

"Welcome again, Sabine." Hera greeted as she and Selene emerged from the kitchen, holding two bottles of red wine on each of their hands. Grabe, mamahalin.

Lumapit sila sa amin saka nakipag beso.

"Thank you po." Sagot ni Sabine at nahihiyang nakatungo ito. Hindi pa kasi ito sanay at malamang ay hindi pa ito komportable... Or so I thought.

"Are you okay?" Bulong ko sakanya. Nakangiting tumango lamang ito sakin.

"Hindi makakapunta si Aubrey. May lakad sila ni Miss Alison." Imporma ni Rien sa amin. Lumapit ito sa ama atsaka nag mano tas kay Hestia at niyakap ito. "Nandito ka pala. Akala ko'y hindi kana uuwi dito." Biro ni Rien sa kapatid.

Hestia rolled her eyes, "Of course. It's my house too."

"Hello, Sabine!" Hindi na pinansin ni Rien ang pagsusungit ng kapatid at binaling ang atensyon kay Sabine. "Kayo na ba ng Ulap namin?" Ngiting asong tanong niya dito.

Nasamid ako sa sariling laway at hindi ko mapigilang maubo.

"Kalma ka naman, Ulap. Masyadong kinikilig eh." natatawang turan ni Hera.

Tito Albert looked at me with a serious face. "So, it's true? Nililigawan mo nga si Sabine?" Tanong niya.

Bigla akong kinabahan. Hindi ko alam kung galit ito o hindi dahil napakaseryoso ng mukha nitong nakatitig lang sakin. Napalunok ako. I saw Hestia looking intently at us in my peripheral vision habang abala pa din sa telepono.

"I told you dad. Ayaw mong maniwala eh." At mukhang proud pa si Rien.

Magsasalita pa sana ako pero naunahan ako ni Hera.

"Oo nga tito. Ang ganda diba? Hindi nga sila mapag hiwalay sa opisina eh."

My eyes shoot daggers at Hera dahil sumabat pa ito tas kung ano ano pa ang sinasabi. Hindi naman yun totoo, ni hindi nga kami masyadong nag uusap ni Sabine these past few days dahil sa pareho kaming busy gumawa ng plan at design.

"Very well. She's beautiful, Cloud ha." Puri ni tito Albert. I could feel Sabine getting tensed beside me. Para bang gusto na nitong lamunin ng lupa.

"Bullshit!" Narinig namin ang biglang pasigaw na galit ni Hestia sa kausap sa telepono.

Lahat kami ay napatingin sakanya. Pabagsak niyang ibinaba ang telepono at umalis sa sala ng walang pasabi. Sinundan ko ito ng tingin, she's fuming. I wonder what happened?

Nakita ko pa ang pag high five ng mag pinsan sa harap ko habang nakangiting tagumpay.

"Talo ka dad." Natatawang turan ni Rien sa ama saka inilahad ang palad tila may hinihingi ito.

The old man scratched his head as he chuckled. Nakakunot ang noo kong tumingin lamang sakanila habang nagbigay ng tig dalawang libo si tito Albert sa mag pinsan.

"Anong ginagawa niyo?" Tanong ko ng hindi ako makapag pigil.

Hindi nila ako pinansin, bagkus ay lumapit silang dalawa kay Sabine saka binigay yung tig dalawang libo sakanya. I looked at Sabine who was smiling from ear to ear now.

"What's going on?" I asked again.

"Sa susunod na pustahan ulit." Natutuwang sabi ni Sabine.

"Oy ano yan? Bakit di niyo kami sinali?" Sumbat ni Mila.

The f**k?

"Don't worry, Cloud. Labas ka na dito." Hera put her arm on my shoulder as she lead me to the sofa.

"Pinagpu-pustahan niyo ba ako?" Curious na tanong ko sakanila.

"Not you. My cousin is." Sabi niya sabay upo saka nilagay ang dalawang bote ng wine sa center table. "We love to tease her."

Umupo na din sa sofa sina Sabine at Rien. Si tito Albert naman ay nagpaalam ng magpapahinga na daw at may business trip siya bukas.

"How is she, by the way?" Tanong ko. Matagal tagal na din naman simula nang magkaroon ako ng pagkakataon to check up on her. But I still consistently giving her lunch boxes pero as usual, si Renzo ang nakikinabang doon. She always rejected it.

"She's doing great, I guess. To be honest, this is the first time we've seen her again. Mga 1 week din siyang hindi naglalagi dito."

"Bakit?" Tanong ko.

Nagkibit balikat lamang si Hera at tumingin kay Rien na ngayon ay nagsasalin ng wine sa baso namin.

"She's busy with Hugo." Tipid niyang sagot. Tumahimik na lamang ako dahil doon.

Hugo is so lucky, Hestia's giving him her attention. Nakakainggit, nakakapang selos.

"If you're thinking if they're a couple, you're wrong." Binigay sakin ni Rien ang baso ko na agad ko din namang kinuha.

I smiled sheepishly, "Well, you can't blame me. I saw how she cares about Hugo."

"That doesn't mean they're a couple, though." Sabat ni Sabine na agad tinanguan ni Hera. Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako.

Couple or not, it's making me jealous.

"Ewan ko ba dun sa kapatid kong iyon. She's worse than before." Sabi ni Rien saka sumulyap sa taas kung san ang kwarto ni Hestia.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" Tanong ko.

"Well, for starters—" she sipped on her wine before continuing, "She doesn't spend time with us, anymore. She's always at Hugo's."

"Yeah, and she can't even reply to my messages." Dagdag ni Hera.

"Isn't she always like that?" I asked.

Umiling silang dalawa, "Kahit naman busy yun ay nagagawa pa niyang kamustahin ako and spend time with me and dad. But ever since you two broke up, she's been aloof."

Kumunot ang noo ko, "Para bang lagi na lang siyang may problema." Dagdag ulit ni Hera.

"I thought she's been great?"

"I'm not certain, Cloud. Sabi ko nga ay hindi siya naglalagi dito. And you're break up still confuses me. I could've sworn Hestia's madly deeply inlove with you. What happened?"

Kumibot ang puso ko sa tinuran ni Rien. Kahit katiting ay nabuhayan ang patay kong puso. It's not a secret that I'm still hoping for us. I'm just letting her be.

"She fell out of love, that's what happened." Simpleng sagot ko.

Napatawa si Sabine sa tabi ko. Kanina pa ito nakikipagdaldalan kina Sabine at Mila eh, may sarili din silang mga mundo tas ngayon tatawa tawa na. Mukhang nalasing ng red wine tong mga to.

"Akala ko pa naman daming naf'fall sayo. Fall out of love pala." Sabay tawa ng malakas. Agad ko naman siyang binatukan. Wala na akong pakialam kung babae to, basta mabatukan ko lang. "Aray!" Parang wala lang sakanya dahil humahagikgik pa siya.

Katabi ko si Sabine sa left side ko at sa right side ko naman si Selene tas sa harap namin sina Rien, Mila tas nasa single couch si Hera.

"Ba't parang ang sikip naman?" Parinig ko sa dalawang katabi ko dahil akala mo sardinas kami sa sobrang lapit nila eh. Dikit na dikit na sila sakin.

Napahagikgik lamang silang dalawa ngunit wala silang ginawang pag adjust sa upuan. Aalis na dapat ako sa gitna nila pero pinigilan nila akong dalawa sabay hila sakin paupo ulit. I sighed,

"Stay put ka lang jan, Ulap." Bulong ni Selene. Amoy ko na ang alak sa hininga nito, mukhang may tama na nga sila. Ang bilis naman kasi nilang uminom.

"Sobrang dikit. Nakakairita yang mga pawis niyo." Reklamo ko. Syempre nagbibiro lamang ako sa part na namamawis sila.

"So," Umpisa ni Rien habang nakatingin sa aming tatlo, "If you're given a chance. Would you rather go back to an ex or entertain a new lover?"

Kumunot ako sa mala Miss Universe nitong tanong, "Ano na namang mga tanong yan?"

"Just answer. Besides, wala din naman tayong mapag uusapan."

"Idagdag mo naman sa choices ang 'f**k a random stranger'." Natatawang dagadag ni Hera. Napairap ako. Napaka-manyak talaga ng isang to.

"Laswa naman." Ismid ni Mila, "Pero oo nga. Idagdag mo yan." Bwesit.

"Yeah, that." Sang-ayon na lang ni Rien.

"If I still love my ex, I'd rather go back to her than those two other choices. Specially not the last choice."

Hera rolled her eyes, "Boring."

"Hindi naman kasi ako hayok sa laman tulad mo."

"Do you still love your ex?" Biglang tanong ni Selene habang nakatingin ito sa akin sa mapupungay na mga mata.

Bumuntong hininga ako saka inisang lagok yung isang baso ng red wine. "Of course." Tipid na sagot ko.

Natahimik naman sila at tila nag iisip ng maitatanong.

"How to let go of someone you're holding onto dearly?" At dahil wala na silang maisip na tanong, I asked them instead.

Hera and Rien stared at me. Others were just listening.

"Depends if you want to let go or not." Sagot ni Rien.

"What do you mean?" Tanong ko dahil medyo hindi ko ito naintindihan,

Nagsalin muna ito ng wine sa baso niya at baso ko, "If you're willing to let go, you'll know the answer. Otherwise, maghahanap ka lamang ng madaming rason upang hindi bumitaw which is why you're asking us that question."

I let her words sink in. Does that mean, I'm still not willing to let go? Napailing ako. Of course, I still don't want to let go. Hestia is— it's safe to say that she is my haven and letting her go is like letting my peace walk away from me.

Si Rien talaga ang may utak sakanila, maliban kay Hestia. As far I as I know, Hestia is the most brainy one.

I looked up to where Hestia's room is and sighed.

What happened to us?

Just then her door burst open as she strides out as if she's being chased after. She rushed down the stairs with her phone in her ears, talking to someone. Her face contorted with worry and fear.

Ako naman ay biglang napatayo upang alalayan siya. Mala flash pa ang bilis ko ng sandali lang ay nasa tabi na ako nito.

"Are you okay?" Agad na tanong ko. That's when I saw tears forming in her eyes as she looked at me with worry.

"Drive me, please." She pleaded, her voice cracked.

Hindi ko namalayan ang pag lapit ng mga kasama ko sa amin, specially Rien as she worries for her sister too.

"Not now, Rien." Pigil ni Hestia ng akmang lalapitan siya nito upang komprontahin.

No doubts in my mind. Kinuha ko ang car keys niya sa lagayan nila sa table at dali daling inalalayan siya palabas.

"Wait here." Utos ko sakanya at lakad-takbong binuksan ang garage nila. "Shit." I cursed.

I forgot how loaded the Dela Fronteras are. This garage is massive! Napakadaming mamahaling sasakyan ang nakaparada.

Kaya naman pinindot ko ang unlock button sa keys and followed the sound of the car. When I saw it, I immediately rush to the car and carefully drove it outside the garage.

Agad namang pumasok si Hestia sa kotse at pinasibad ko na ito.

"This location." Turo niya sa gps ng kotse.

Hospital?

Kahit pa man nakainom ako ay parang pakiramdam ko nawala ang pagkatipsy ko the moment I saw her face running down the stairs.

"Please make it fast." Pakiusap nito.

Sinunod ko na lang ito.

"Calm down, Hestia."

I've never seen her shed this deep emotion before, this is actually the first time.

Hindi naman niya ako pinansin at patuloy sa pagtipa sa phone niya. Her hands were trembling as tears freely escaping her teardocks.

Nasasaktan ako sa nakikita ko but I have to compose myself and deliver her safe to her destination.

I have a hunch that this is all about Hugo. If I'm being honest, the jealousy I'm feeling right now could explode any second pero pilit kong pinipigilan ang sarili ko and hoping he's going to be alright. Dahil kung hindi, baka hindi kayanin ni Hestia and seeing her in pain is hurting the s**t out of me.

Fifteen minutes later nandito na kami sa lobby ng hospital. Pagkatapos magtanong ni Hestia sa nurse ay dumiretso kami sa E.R.

Doon ay sinalubong kami ni Miss Eunice at dalawang matanda, whom I'm guessing is their parents. Eunice hugged Hestia, siya din ay umiiyak.

"How is he?" Tanong ni Hestia.

"I don't know. He suddenly passed out while we were eating, he was choking on his food." naiiyak na imporma ni Miss Eunice.

"Tita." Hestia went to hug the old woman and caressed her back.

"I thought we lost him, Hestia." Her voice was full of remorse.

"Calm down, Imelda." Lapit naman ng asawa nito sakanya at hinawakan ito sa balikat at ikinulong sa mga bisig.

I was just standing here, watching them as they waited— and waited.

"Cloud." Narinig kong may tumawag sakin sa likuran, paglingon ko ay ang nag aalalang mukha ng mga kaibigan ko.

Sumunod pala sila.

They looked over my shoulder.

"Hugo?" Tanong ni Rien sakin.

Tumango lang ako bilang sagot.

Mag i-isang oras na din simula ng dumating kami ni Hestia dito and not a single time did she give me her attention. Nandoon lamang siya kay Miss Eunice, trying to calm each other.

I stayed sitted in one of the chair.

I hope you're well. If not, I'm gonna kill you for hurting Hestia. I silently prayed.

Maya maya pa ay lumabas ang doctor, napatayo kaming lahat. Naunang lumapit ang mag asawang matanda. The doctor hold grieve in his face kaya kinutuban ako.

Wag naman sana.

"How is he, doc?" Garalgal na tanong ng matandang babae sa doctor.

"Are you his mother?" Tanong ng doctor. The old lady nodded. Nakita ko ang paghigpit ng hawak ng kanyang asawa sa balikat nito for the possible worst news.

I saw how the doctor looked at them— I saw how he's bearing a grieving news.

"I'm sorry, your son didn't make it."

I heard them wail in anguish.

"No! You're lying!" Galit na pasigaw ng matandang babae sa doctor. Wala namang ginawa ang doctor kundi ang tignan lang ito ng may pag simpatya sa mukha.

The older guy hugged his wife as he also tears up at the loss.

Hindi ko sila kaano-ano ngunit ramdam ko ang sakit. It's like I've been stabbed by a million knives, and brought me back to that same situation years back.

I remember crying my eyes out as my heart squeezed in agony. That was the first and the last time I cried— the loss of the mother.

Tinignan ko si Hestia. She was hugging Miss Eunice na ngayon ay todo hikbi na. Umiiyak din si Hestia but it was silent, her tears just falling in her cheeks.

I know the pain they're feeling right couldn't be measured. I don't want to be here, it's suffocating.

I felt a warm arms enveloped me from behind. Hindi ko namalayan ang pagtulo ng luha sa aking mga mata.

"Hush now, Cloud." It was Selene, "Stay with us." Bulong nito.

Sumisikip ang dibdib ko. Ang hirap yata biglang huminga.

"Breathe, Cloud. You're here. You're okay. You've moved on from the past. Stay here." I heard her say more.

-------------

"Are you okay?" Yan ang bungad na tanong sa akin pag mulat ko ng aking mga mata.

"Sabine?" Tanong ko at tumingin sa paligid. "Where am I?"

"You passed out earlier. Nandito ka ngayon sa isang hospital room para makapag-pahinga."

Napabangon ako bigla, "What? Where are the others?" Tanong ko ng hindi ko sila mamataan dito sa loob.

"Rien and Hera is with Hestia and Miss Eunice's family. Tinutulongan nila ang mga ito sa pag asikaso kay Hugo." She said, "Selene and Mila went home about five minutes ago. Babalik din sila maya maya."

"Oh god, nakakahiya." bulong ko dahil sa nangyari. They're grieving and here I was, fainted. Ano na lang ang sasabihin ni Hestia?

"Wag kang mag alala, hindi naman kapansin pansin ang pagkawalan mo ng malay. Hera and Rien immediately carried you whilst no one was looking."

I sighed a breathe of relief.

"I'm fine now. Pwede na tayong lumabas." Sabi ko dito.

Tumango naman siya at inalalayan akong tumayo. I looked at the my wristwatch. Mag a-alas tres na pala ng madaling araw.

The family decided to crimate the remains of Hugo and will not hold a funeral— it was one of his requests before. His ashes will remain in their old house at it was where he began his life— it is where his life would end.

Hestia has never looked so stressed and devastated but now. Para akong nakatitig sa isang taong nawalan na ng kaluluwa. I wanted to approach her and comfort her but I don't think she needed that now kaya naman pinag kasya ko na lang ang sarili sa pag alalay sakanya sa malayo.

Hestia is a strong woman, she'll get by.

Her eyes are swollen from crying. We never left their side—me, Rien and Hera. Eventhough I'm a total stranger to this family, I'm supporting them while they mourn.

"Go home and take a bath." Nagulat ako ng bigla akong binalingan ng tingin ni Hestia.

Nandito kami ngayon sa lobby ng isang funeral homes at nag hihintay sa mga nag aasikaso kay Hugo.

"I'm fine." Sabi ko dito. Nakipag titigan lamang siya sa akin ngunit agad din naman niyang binawi ang tingin.

She crossed her arms against her chest and closed her eyes. Halata ang antok at pagod sakanya.

"You've lost weight."

Hindi ko inaasahan ang mumunting pag uusap namin ngayon ni Hestia and despite what's happening now, I'm kind of relieved that she's talking to me right now.

Rien and Hera went to buy food dahil mag a-alas sais na din ng umaga. Meaning we've been here for almost 8 hours now.

"I haven't noticed." Sagot ko sakanya.

"That girl— Sabine," She paused. "She's beautiful."

Tumango tango ako kahit na hindi niya ako nakikita.

"Yes, she is." Sang-ayon ko dahil totoo naman. Sabine is beautiful. Dinig ko nga ang mga kasamahan namin sa trabaho ay may gusto sakanya.

"You two look good."

Sasagot pa sana ako nang biglang sumulpot sina Rien at Hera at may dala dalang pagkain at coffee.

"Mag kape muna kayo." Sabi ni Hera.

"Hestia." Tawag ni Rien sa kapatid. "Dad called."

Hestia opened her eyes and looked at her sister. She nodded and fished out her phone.

"Excuse me." Umalis na ito upang siguro ay tawagan ang dad niya.

"Kamusta?" Tanong ni Hera sa akin.

"I'm fine." Sagot ko.

Tahimik na kumain ako at nag kape habang nag hihintay. Nag uusap din naman kami nina Rien at Hera dito dahil wala naman kaming magawa. Katulad ko ay hindi pa sila umuuwi.

Ilang minuto pa ang nakalipas ay bumungad na sa amin ang pamilya ni Hugo hawak hawak ang isang marble urn. Ito na nga ang abo ng kanilang namayapang pamilya.

They're obviously at loss and as if all the happiness in the world has been suck out of them. Nakakalungkot.

Losing someone you dearly love and knowing that you couldn't get ahold of them anymore is another level of pain.

"Eunice." Lumapit si Hera sakanila, "Be strong, babe." Sabi nito.

They must be friends as well but I don't see them together. Must be an old friend.

Ngumiti si Miss Eunice, "Thank you, Hera." she looked at us, "We can go home now. Hugo is already at peace." Her voice cracked as she swallowed a lump on her throat. "Thank you, all of you." dagdag pa niya.

---------

2 weeks later.

Hestia's POV:

"Magpahinga ka naman, Hestia." Vera said, nandito ako ngayon sa study room ko sa mansion and Vera decided to be with me at this hour for a reason that she misses me. "You work too much."

"Don't mind me, Vera." Sabi ko na lang sakanya dahil busy ako sa pag pirma at pag study sa mga proposals sa harap ko.

"What are your plans now that Hugo is gone?" She asked.

Natigilan ako dahil sa pagbanggit nito ng pangalan niya. It still hurts me of this loss. I didn't expect it to be that fast, akala ko ay may progress sa kalusugan nito dahil maayos ko pa naman siyang iniwan sa bahay nila nung gabing iyon.

Little did I know, that would be the last time I'll see him alive. And it hurts me everytime. Sana ay hindi na lang ako umalis sa tabi niya.

"Nothing."

"I don't mean to be soul less b***h but you're free now, Hestia."

I didn't bother answering her dahil wala akong sasabihin sakanya. My thoughts aren't organized yet. Hindi pa ako nakaka move on sa pagkawala niya.

"Let's not talk about him."

I raised my eyebrow at her and decided to give her my full attention. I crossed my arms against my chest and leaned on my swivel chair.

"You're the one who brought that topic up." I said.

Vera's belly is getting bigger now. Ilang buwan na lamang at lalabas na ang magiging unang pamangkin ko. I'm excited for it. If God took a life, at least He's giving us one back.

"I've been meaning to ask you this, Hestia." Umpisa niya, may pakiramdam akong hindi ko magu-gustuhan ang sasabihin nito.

"What is it?"

"What really is the reason why you broke up with Cloud?"

I knew it. I rolled my eyes at her.

"I fell out of love. Even if you turn this whole world upside down, my answer will always be the same." Sabi ko. I'm getting tired of that question already.

Vera looked at me as if she's expecting me to say something else.

"Seeing her with someone else doesn't bother you?" She asked.

I clicked my tongue and shook my head in disbelief.

"It would make me happy. I want her to move on." I said, honestly. "Isa pa, aren't she dating Sabine?" I asked.

No, I'm not curious.

"Sabine is a friend." I didn't know what my reaction to that but I saw Vera smiled triumphantly, "But she's dating Monique's friend, Agatha."

Kumunot ang noo ko, "And who is this Agatha?"

I am not curious.

Umayos ng upo si Vera saka uminom ng gatas na nasa table.

"They met last week and Agatha fell at first sight." I snickered, who falls that fast? That's a complete BS. "Hera told us that Agatha's been visiting Hera's firm a lot lately."

"And Hera's okay with that?" Huli na ng maisipan kong alisin ang inis sa aking boses.

And I didn't even know I was irritated for some reason. I cleared my throat and started to continue my work.

I saw Vera's smirk which made my blood boil pero hinayaan ko na lamang ito and tried to focus.

Hindi ko namalayan ang paglapit ni Vera sa likod ko.

"Agatha is not your name." She said, kumunot ang noo ko at tumingala sakanya.

Her finger pointed at the paper I was signing. She giggled. And there I saw the name I've written on that paper.

Agatha.

Fuck!

I need to call my secretary and have this printed out again.

What is wrong with you, Hestia?