Ch. 26: Slap

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• Owned By Contract    Ch. 34: Make out

  Ingrid Alessia’s Point of ViewI was just about to thank him, you know, in a professional and polite way, but then I noticed his gaze drop to my lips, and he flicked his tongue out to wet his own. Tangína, hindi ko alam kung napagtripan ako ng hormones ko, or if it was the way he leaned back on his desk, tie loosened and sleeves rolled.“You’re doing that thing again,” I said.“What thing?” Umiling siya while smirking.“Yung nanlalanding naka-power stance habang ang gwapo mo tapos naka-loose tie ka pa. I swear, marketing tool ka ng mga CEO.”He chuckled. “You’re the one imagining things, asawa ko.”He brought his face in closer. I caught my breath. He reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Tapos 'yung kamay niya humawak sa batok ko like he was anchoring me it was soft but firm.“Bawal ba?” he whispered, voice warm against my cheek.I felt a tingling sensation on my skin. “Of

• Owned By Contract    Ch. 33: First day

  Ingrid Alessia’s Point of ViewFirst official day ko sa Moretti HQ. And yes, kahit sinabihan akong assistant, alam kong hindi ito basta-bastang trabaho. Hindi ngayon na parang habang nakabitin pa sa leeg namin ‘yung bigat ng eskandalo, na  habang ang apelyidong Romano ay nasa gitna ng damage control, at lalong hindi matapos tapos yung issues kung marinig mo ‘yung mga bulungan sa elevator paakyat kanina.Everyone was polite. Too polite. Yung tipong may ngiti nga pero parang may subtext na, "So, siya 'yon?" binabaliwala ko nalang, hmmp flipping hair ganun.Leonhardt’s office on the top floor looked sleek and quiet. Pero sa tahimik ng paligid, parang mas malakas pa ang kalabog ng kaba ko sa dibdib.“Joanna texted,” I whispered to Leonhardt habang nakasunod ako sa kanya papasok ng office. “There’s no update yet kung sino nag-leak. But Jhoco’s threatening a full audit.”Leonhardt didn’t stop walking. “Let them audit. Kung wala silang makitang

• Owned By Contract    Ch. 32: Talk

  Leonhardt Dietrich’s Point of ViewPagkapasok pa lang sa Romano residence, ramdam mo na agad ang formality. Everything was perfectly set, 'yung mahogany table polished to a mirror shine, wine glasses already filled, and the air scented with rosemary at beef stew. But none of us were here for the food.“Ingrid, Leonhardt. Welcome,” bati agad ni Mr. Romano habang sinasara ang pinto.Mrs. Romano followed with a practiced smile. “Let’s make this quick and comfortable, shall we?”Tumango naman ako sa kanila. Bumungad naman agad ang presensya ni Tita Juna, suot ang perlas na palaging suot niya pag may business talk at ang pinsan kong si Rachel na nakakunot agad ang noo sa akin.“Leonhardt, Ingrid,” bati ni Tita Juna habang inaayos ang scarf niya. “Come, sit. We started serving na.”Rachel gave us both a quick nod, not so warming, pero at least civil.“Thank you for agreeing to this dinner. Alam ko pagod pa

• Owned By Contract    Ch. 31: Parents

  Ingrid Alessia's point of view It was a rare moment that the penthouse felt quiet. Subrang tahimik, para bang hinihintay lang ang isang pagsabog. And true enough, dumating na ang mismong mga taong matagal ko nang hindi nakaharap mula nang ikasal kami. Ding. The elevator doors slid open, and there they were, my Mom in her usual pearls and pastel blouse, and Dad in his crisp barong, looking uncomfortable in a space too modern for their liking. “Anak,” Mom breathed, stepping forward with a small smile. “This place is, bigger than I imagined.” Tumango lang ako ng marahan. “Welcome po. Leonhardt’s in the study, lalabas din siya in a bit.” Her eyes roamed the living room like she didn’t know whether to be impressed or guilty. Dad didn’t say anything at first. But I saw the slight clench of his jaw. “How are you holding up? Sa mga nangyayari online?” I forced a small smile and gestured for them to sit. “We’re managing. Nothing we can’t handle.” Liar. I could barely eat yesterday. Th

• Owned By Contract    Ch. 30: Contract

  Ingrid Alessia's point of view The clink of cutlery and the soft classical music in the background did little to ease the heaviness in my chest. I tried to focus on the lamb dish in front of me, but each bite felt like chewing glass. Leonhardt was seated to my right, his hand occasionally brushing mine subtle and reassuring. Across the table, Niño Sarmiento smiled with perfect composure. Too perfect na parang kinikilabutan ako."Natanggap mo yung tawag na ‘yon privately, ‘di ba?" Niño asked, swirling the wine in his glass like he wasn’t talking about a professional ambush.Tumango ako, placing my fork down gently. “It was my personal account, direct line sa firm dapat 'yung tawag. Hindi dapat umabot kahit kanino pa ‘yong sa personal number ko. Confidential dapat yun, pero somehow, my client already knew, like may someone tipped them off.”Niño tilted his head, eyes narrowing sa bit. “You think may mole sa firm nyo?”“Or sa paligid k

• Owned By Contract    Ch. 29: Gut feeling

  Someone’s point of view Tumawa ako nang mahina habang pinapanood ang replay ng audio file sa maliit kong device. The voice was clear, Leonhardt’s so strong and furious: “You come for her again, and I’ll ruin you so thoroughly you won’t remember who you were.” Grabe. He actually thinks it was Ashley. Perfect. Hindi ko maiwasang mapangisi habang iniikot-ikot ko ‘yung flash drive sa pagitan ng mga daliri ko. Ang sarap pakinggan. His pride. His desperation. And All for that is para kay Ingrid. “Poor Ashley,” I murmured but still grinning. “You played your part well, kahit hindi mo alam. Well done talaga. Thumbs up.” Sa ilalim ng conference table mismo nakaipit ang maliit na recorder. Nakadikit sa gilid, sinigurado kong kahit magpalinis pa sila ng opisina araw-araw, walang makakahalata. It’s been there for weeks. And finally, it paid off. Nang marinig kong inamin ni Leonhardt kay Ashley ang ga