Chapter 1
Stacey Sevilleja's hands went cold when she heard the voice of the person on the other end of the line.
“Hello? Hello?” said the person on the other end.
She tried to answer, but she just couldn't do it. She just hung up the line. She will never forget the woman who owns that voice.
She stood up, and from the lobby of the president and CEO of Robles Inc., she headed to the pantry. She opened the refrigerator and took a bottle of water. She quickly took a series of steps. She was leaning against the counter when Sheena, one of her two assistants, suddenly walked in.
“Ma’am Stacey, ipinatatawag po kayo ni Ma’am Robles.”
She has been Jhoanna Robles' executive assistant for five years. At the age of 29, she is now running her family's company.
“Lalabas na ako,” she said after a while.
Sheena nodded and then turned to leave.
She headed to the sink and splashed her heated face with water. A few moments passed before she was able to step out and return to Jhoanna's office. It was obvious that she was waiting for her.
“Stacey, what happened?”
“Ma’am?”
“Pinapatawagan ko sa ‘yo si Mikha Lim, hindi ba?”
“Y-yes, Ma’am.”
She looked at her, as if waiting for her to say something more.
“Hindi ko pa siya nako-contact. The line was busy when I called her up.” How will she say and explain to her that instead of a woman answering when she called Mikha's house in Batangas, he heard the voice of her ex-girlfriend, Aiah Arceta?
“Sa’n ka ba nagpunta?”
“Sa pantry, Ma’am.” She can’t look at Jhoanna.
The conversation she had with Aiah on the phone came back to her memory.
“Si Mikha Lim ay si Janna Lim. Mikhaela Lim. You remember her?”
Her feelings grew heavier upon hearing that name. “S-si J-Janna?”
“Yes.”
“You mean you’re still together after all these years?”
“We saw each other five years ago. We taught at the same university. After that, well, we sort of picked it up from where we last left off.”
It seemed like her heart was torn apart by what she heard. She tried to cheer up her voice. “This can work in my favor.”
“I’m sorry, but Janna can’t come to the phone right now. She’s not feeling quite well today. If you have something to say to her, you can tell me.”
“Gano’n na ba kayo ka-close?”
“Yes.”
“My boss wants to have an appointment with her. She is very impressed with her murals in the office of Mr. Tolentino in Davao. Ms. Robles would like her to do some paintings for her. A mural, a portrait, and a handful of paintings for her house.”
“That’s a very tall order, don’t you think?”
“Kaya nga si Mikha ang gusto kong makausap.”
“I will relay the message to her.”
“When can I call her to set an appointment?”
“Leave your boss’ number. Kapag okay na siya bukas ay patatawagin ko siya first thing in the morning.”
“I’m not allowed to give her private number. You can call me here during office hours.” She gave the office number.
“Paano kung magdesisyon si Mikha na tawagan ka at makipag-usap sa ‘yo mamayang gabi? She is a night person. If you can give me your cellphone number—”
“That’s personal.”
“But it's favorable for you, don’t you think?”
She didn't respond immediately. In the end, she finally gave the woman her cellphone number. “Thank you for the time, Aiah.”
“Wait!”
Her grip on the receiver tightened again. “Yes?”
“Kumusta ka na? After all these years, I keep wondering what happened to you. Kung nasaan ka na... kung ano na ang ginagawa mo.”
“I’m fine and I have totally forgotten about you, Aiah. Tapos na ang lahat sa atin. Matagal ka nang nabura sa isipan ko.” She tried not to let her voice tremble.
“Marami pa tayong dapat pag-usapan.”
“Tungkol kay Mikha Lim? Oo, marami pa tayong dapat pag-usapan dahil desidido ang boss ko na makuha ang serbisyo niya. I’ll call again tomorrow. Bye for now.” She didn’t wait for Aiah to speak again. She put down the line and leaned back in her chair, panting.
She composed herself before going to Jhoanna’s room.
“Ma’am?” She was thankful that her voice didn’t waver.
“Yes, Miss Sevilleja?”
“Natawagan ko na si Mikha Lim,” she informed her boss as she approached her desk. “She’s sick at the moment. I left our number here. I’ll call her again tomorrow so I can set an appointment with her.”
“Good. Anything else?”
“Ma’am—” She took a deep breath. “I know Miss Mikha Lim.”
Jhoanna was stunned by what she said.
“We were schoolmates during our college days and my ex-girlfriend was the one who answered my call.”
“Ex mo?” Her eyebrows rose. “This is interesting. Go on.”
“This is a personal matter, but I’ll say it anyway.” She couldn’t look at her boss but decided to continue what she had started. “Janna is Mikhaela Lim in real life. She took up architecture in college. She’s one year older than me. I know you’re very familiar with this information already.”
“On the contrary, Stacey, I told you, she is a very private person. Sa isang gallery lang siya naglalabas ng kanyang mga gawa. This gallery is owned by Aiah Arceta.” Jhoanna looked at her closely. “I assume na ito ang ex-girlfriend mo.”
“Y-yes, Ma’am.” She bit her lips.
“At silang dalawa na?”
“I cannot answer that, Ma’am.”
“Siya ang nakausap mo. Magkakakilala kayo noon pa. Does this mean that there was a previous love triangle involving the three of you?”
“It’s not like that.” Her face heated up. “Magkakabarkada sila. They’re closer to each other than with the rest of their group.”
“Hmm…”
“All their friends were expecting na sila ang magiging mag-on. That’s why they were shocked when Aiah courted me instead.” It was as if the things she was talking about had just happened. “At sinagot ko siya.”
“Gaano kayo katagal naging magkasintahan nitong Aiah na ‘to?”
“Four years, Ma’am.”
“I’m just curious. May I ask why you broke up? I mean, four years is four years. Hindi ba’t nakakapanghinayang naman kung basta na lang kayo naghiwalay?”
“She had to leave for her hometown, Cebu, and stay there for an indefinite period of time.”
She looked at her. “Well, I hope your relationship with these people will work to our advantage. I was told that Mikha is very picky with her decisions to accept projects. Her paintings are very expensive, but when you see them, it’s all worth it.”
“I understand. I will call her first thing tomorrow morning so I can set a date for you to meet her.”
Her professionalism automatically returned as she faced her boss. “Is there anything else, Ma’am?”
“Contact Attorney Vergara. I want to see the Memorandum of Agreement for our contract with Valron Innovations.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” That was all and she turned away.
“Ah, Stacey.”
She stopped and turned around. “Yes?”
“I’m having a business meeting with my American associates tonight. I’ll appreciate it if you can come.”
“Of course.”
She smiled.
She didn't want to misinterpret her kindness. But in recent months, she noticed that she had been taking her on her walks more often. She was also asking her personal questions about her. Often after their meetings, she would even invite her for a nightcap, which she couldn't refuse.
She was no stranger to the countless women who had fallen for her. She also knew when she was interested and not in a woman. She could see her interest in her, and she didn't mind the possibility that she might be the one to replace Aiah in her heart.
“Ma’am, a certain Ms. Arceta called you up while you were talking to Ms. Robles.” As soon as she sat down, Sheena immediately approached.
“Ano’ng sabi niya?”
“Kung puwede daw po kayong mag-return call agad.”
She didn't expect Aiah to respond so quickly. “Call her up and transfer it to me when you get through.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
She was nervous again about the impending conversation with Aiah. She just decided to call Atty. Vergara. She hadn't even managed to press the trunkline when Sheena spoke.
“Ma’am, line four.”
She immediately pressed the button for the line Sheena had said. “Hello, good afternoon. Aiah?”
“Yes, Stacey?”
“Here. What can I do for you?”
“Nagkausap na kami ni Mikha.”
“And?”
“She agreed to see your boss.”
“Excellent! When?”
“On one condition.”
Silence on her part. She waited for her to say the next thing.
“She’ll see Ms. Robles provided that you’ll have dinner with me tonight.”
"Are you crazy?"
"That's one of her conditions."
"I'm only acting on behalf of my boss."
"And imagine her anger kapag nalaman niyang hindi makikipagkita si Mikha sa kanya dahil ayaw mong pumayag na magkita tayo."
Her blood boiled at Aiah’s arrogance.
"It's very unprofessional to do this."
"I'm not doing any business with you yet, am I?"
She could no longer contain her sophistry.
"Bakit ba kailangang magkita pa tayo, ha, Aiah? Tungkol ba ito sa ating dalawa?"
"What else?"
"Tapos na tayo, matagal na."
"I just want to clear some things with you. Hindi kita pipilitin, pero alam mo ang consequence ng magiging desisyon mo."
"And you're not leaving me any choice!"
"Ah, Stacey, despite your cool and professional façade, you're still hot as pepper inside." Her laughter was irritating.
Her ears tingled even more. "Gano'n? Fine, let's have dinner para masiyahan ka! But I'm sorry I'm not available tonight. May importanteng meeting ang boss ko and I need to go with her."
"Tomorrow then. I'll pick you up at eight. Doon pa rin ba kayo nakatira sa bahay ninyo sa Phase 9?"
"Nakahiwalay na ako sa parents ko, Aiah. I have a new address."
"Where?"
All the warning bells in her brain went off at her question. "Puwede bang magkita na lang tayo sa ibang lugar?"
"I'd rather pick you up."
"And I'd rather not."
"It's your choice."
"Fine, sa Makati ako nakatira ngayon and this is my address." She gave it to her annoyed. "Now, are you happy?"
"Eight o’clock tomorrow. Don’t forget," was her answer instead.
Her hands were shaking as she ended the call.