CHAPTER 5

Aya’s POV

The next morning felt heavier than usual. Hindi ako halos nakatulog kagabi kakaisip. Sa tuwing ipipikit ko ang mata ko, the same scene kept replaying in my head.I stared blankly at the mirror in my small apartment while fixing my hair. 

“Get it together, Aya.” Bulong ko sa sarili ko. Today was just another workday. Nothing more. Nothing less. Wala na akong magagawa. Adrian Vale is my CEO now. I am his employee. It’s either I face this head on or walk away…again. Napabuntong hininga ako. I stood up and grabbed my bag before thoughts wandered any further.

The office was unusually lively when I arrived. Some of my coworkers were already gathered near the coffee machine, whispering among themselves.

“Good morning,” bati ko habang dumadaan.

“Morning, Aya!” sagot ni Marie. 

But the moment I reached my cubicle, Dani suddenly appeared beside me.

“Aya.” Her voice sounded serious. Napalingon naman ako sa kanya.

“What?”

“Wag ka magugulat, okay?” My stomach immediately dropped.

“The CEO’s assistant called earlier.” Nanlamig ang kamay ko.

“Oh, bakit raw?”

“She said Mr. Vale wants to see you.” My heart skipped. 

“Me?” Dani nodded slowly. For a moment, I couldn’t sleep. Did he remember something? Did someone tell him about us? Or worse, did he already find out everything?

“Aya?” Dani called softly. I forced myself to breathe normally. 

“Maybe it’s work-related,” sabi ko kahit hindi ako kumbinsido. 

Thirty minutes later, I found myself standing outside the CEO’s office. My palms were sweating. His secretary smiled politely at me.

“You may go in, Ms. Reyes.” I knocked gently, chest tightened.

“Come in.” That voice sent shivers down my spine. I inhaled softly before pushing the door open. Adrian was standing near the large window behind his desk. His back was facing me. For a moment, naisip ko na umalis na lang. But it was too late. He already knew I was here.

“Sir, you were looking for me?” I said quietly. And the moment our eyes met, something strange passed through his expression. For a moment after then, he held the back of his neck, slowly rubbing it. I know that mannerism. “Was he feeling unwell?” Bulong ko na may halong pag-aalala sa sarili ko.

“Please take a seat.” He said calmly.

I obeyed him but my heart was beating so loudly I thought he might hear it. 

“I reviewed your file last night.” My fingers tightened slightly on my lap. “You started working here eight months ago. You’re quite new.”

“Yes, Sir.” Every answer was short, careful, and neutral. He leaned back in his chair pero hindi pa rin bumibitaw ng titig sa akin.

“I see potential in you.” I blinked. Potential? So hindi ito about sa nangyari sa amin noon. It only mean na hindi niya ako naaalala. Kahit ganon, parang may kung anong sakit na dumaloy sa puso ko. 

“I’m assigning you to a new campaign…under me.” My head snapped. Am I hearing him correctly because certainly, this is not how I expected this meeting to turn out.

“W-with what?” Nabubulol kong sabi. He nodded, still composed.

“You’ll report directly to my office starting today.” My mind immediately went blank. This is bad. Working directly with him meant spending everyday with him. And the more time we spent together, the more likely he might remember.

“But, Sir–”

“No buts. This is final.” His tone was firm and professional. “I should have just run.” Nagsisising bulong ko sa sarili.

I lowered my gaze. “Yes, sir.” 

“Good.” He returned to his seat. 

Ngunit bago niya ako idismss, he said one more thing. “Miss Reyes.” 

“Yes?” His eyes met mine again. And there was something unsettling in them. 

“I still feel like we’ve met before.” My chest tightened painfully. But I forced myself to stay calm. 

I let go an awkward laugh. “That’s impossible, sir.” I stood up and bowed slightly. “Thank you for the opportunity.” Then I walked out of the office as fast as I could without looking suspicious. The moment the door closed behind me, I leaned against the wall. My heart was racing. 

“Great job, Aya,” I muttered quietly. “Now you’re working directly with the one person you’re trying to avoid.” But what scared me the most wasn’t the project. 

It was the look in Adrian’s eyes earlier. I need to know what happened during those five years. Dahil kahit hindi niya ako maalala, something inside him was already starting to recognize me. And I had no idea how long I could keep pretending that we were strangers.

Adrian’s POV

I don’t know what came inside my mind when I told her I was including her in my campaign. Pero the moment she stepped inside my office, something inside me reacted again. That same tightness in my chest. That strange familiarity I could not explain. And when she left the room a few moments ago, parang may kulang.

“What is wrong with you?” Bulong ko sa sarili ko.

I’ve met thousands of employees since I took over the company but none of them made me react this way. None of them made my mind restless. Yet one conversation with her and suddenly my thoughts wouldn’t stop. 

My fingers slowly tapped against the desk. Then something flashed again. 

A brief image. A small apartment. A warm light. Someone laughing. A woman’s voice. 

“You’re late again.” The memory disappeared before I could grasp it. I suddenly straightened in my seat. 

“Damn it.” I rubbed my temple as the faint headache returned. Not as painful as last night, but enough to remind me that something inside my head was still…broken. Or hidden. And somehow— Aya Reyes was connected to it. If I really knew her before, I would remember. Right? 

A knock suddenly interrupted me. “Come in.” 

Ms. Cruz stepped inside. “Sir, the documents you requested for the campaign are ready.” 

“Leave them there.” She placed the folder on my desk before leaving immediately. 

I picked up the folder containing the campaign documents. But before opening it, my eyes suddenly landed on something sitting on the corner of my desk. My hand froze. 

A thin silver bracelet. 

I frowned. I don’t remember owning this. Slowly, I picked it up. The moment my fingers touched the metal— 

Another memory struck. 

A girl laughing softly. Her hand in mine. “This is too expensive.” And my own voice answered— “Then don’t lose it.” My heart pounded violently. I turned the bracelet over. And saw something engraved on the inside. Two small initials. 

A & A 

My breathing slowly grew heavier. 

“A… and A?” 

Aya. Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang bracelet. Then a dangerous thought crossed my mind. What if— This belonged to her? 

And what if… She already knew me and just hid it from me? 

My eyes slowly darkened as the pieces in my head began forming a clearer picture. 

Aya Reyes. You can pretend all you want. You can deny everything. But if you think I’ll just let you be— You’re wrong.