Chapter 3

Flynn's Point Of View

I wake up to emptiness, the silence deafening without her laughter. My kids' giggles are the only sound that brings me back to life. I'm just trying to survive, to be the dad they need. But it's hard when every day feels like a weight is crushing me.

I see my wife's smile in my daughter's eyes, and it feels like a punch to the gut. I miss her so much it hurts. I wish I could turn back time, do things differently. But life doesn't work that way.

I'm Flynn Rourke, a single dad of two, trying to navigate the ups and downs of life after loss. I'm not perfect, but I'm doing my best to raise my kids, Vince and Venice, on my own. I'm still figuring things out, but one thing's for sure. I'll do whatever it takes to give them a happy, stable life. I'm a bit rough around the edges, but I'm genuine, and I'll always put family first.

But now i have a big problem that i face, that janitor girl Veronica, I still remember the day I met her like it was yesterday. I feel sorry for her, but my pride wouldn't let me back down. Now, I'm stuck with the guilt of knowing I contributed to her almost getting fired. And to make matters worse, her boss is my best friend Gabrielle.

Watching her tears well up in her eyes still haunts me. I'm not used to making women cry, in fact it's never happened before. But there I was, sitting like a statue, unsure how to react. My instincts screamed at me to comfort her, but my pride held me back.

Days have passed, and I still can't seem to find the words to apologize. I'm torn between wanting to make things right and fearing she'll see it as a weakness. Gabrielle words keep echoing in my mind.

"Dude you need to make things right with her"

He said, But how do I do

He said, But how do I do that without admitting fault? Hays For the first time in a long while, I feel like I'm not in control. Veronica's presence has stirred up emotions I thought I'd long buried. I don't know how to navigate this, but I know I need to find a way to apologize for what i did to her.

"Nandito kana naman"

Gabrielle said.

"Yup, why? I'm not allow here"

"Di naman sa ganun dude, but you have a work also."

"Yeah i know that, still not busy that's why I'm here"

"Wow! Ginagawa mo ng tambayan ang office ko ngayon. Di naman ganyan si Flynn Rourke dati haha. I guess my bina balikan ka dito sa hotel haha, sabi ko sayo unti-unti kana kinakain ng karma sa ginawa mo sa employee ko. Look at you now, parang di mapakali haha"

"Stop it dude, wag mo na ipa alala sakin ang nangyari i know it's all my fault. That's why im here everyday to see her try to figure out what happen if i have a chance to talk to her."

"Yan kasi subrang taas ng pride mo, wooh lupet! Hanggang tingin kalang sa kanya ni di mo nga malapitan"

"Dude she always snub me, kaya di ko sya malapitan"

"Then bahala ka, basta ako out na dyan. Mabuting employee si Veronica at wala akong masabi sa kanya. Dinamay mo pa ako muntikan ko na syang tanggalin sa trabaho nya buti nalang di sya nag give up. Nakaka awa pala ang situation nya at subrang hirap ng buhay. Hays i feel sorry for her. "

"Dude stop it! Ikaw mismo pumapatay sakin sa guilt."

"Hay nako Flynn,mabuti pa mag bar nalang tayo mamaya col ko."

"Hindi pwedi, hahanapin ako ng mga anak ko"

"Hindi pwedi, hahanapin ako ng mga anak

"Teenager naman si Vince kaya nya ang sarili nya, saka patulogin mo nalang muna si Venice bago ka umalis ng bahay nyo. Dating gawi ba"

"Alam mo ang kulit mo Gabrielle, my children's needs me, gusto mo multohin ako ng asawa ko dahil pinabayaan ko ang mga anak ko"

"Kilala ko si Vanessa dude mabait sya and i'm sure na Maintindihan ka nya. Saka di mo naman pinapabayaan ang mga anak mo. Need mo din mag relax kasi stress ka this few days~

Ang ingay nya talaga. Di pa sya tapos mag salita.

"Ikaw nalang mag bar kung gusto mo. Sige na, i have to go need na nila ako sa hospital."

"Aalis kana?"

"What do you think"

"Pilosopo ka talaga Flynn. Alis na nga!"

Natawa ako sa kanya para itong bata na nag tampo.

"Hahaha bye dude see you next time"

"Wag kana bumalik, alis na."

Di na ako sumagot sa kanya. Lumabas nalang ako ng office nya at sumakay ng elevator. Bigla itong nag stop sa next floor, pag open ng elevator sakto nakasalubong ko si Veronica, my dala itong Janitor's Cart. Nag smile ako sa kanya pero di ito nag response. Tinulongan ko ito sa pag pull papasok sa elevator.

"Salamat Sir, next time wag nyo ulit hawakan ang Cart ko kasi madumi po ito."

"It's okay no worries"

Tahimik sa pagitan namin. Napatingin lang ako sa kanya at subrang pawis ito at mukhang pagod na pagod sa work nya. Nakaramdam ako ng awa sa kanya. Tila nag sink in na naman sa utak ko ang pag luhod at pag iyak nya sa harap ko. Na gui-guilty na naman ako sa ginawa ko sa kanya.

Nag stop na naman ang elevator sa next floor at maraming lalaking guest ang pumasok kaya siksikan sa loob ng elevator. Nakita ko ma's lalong nahirapan si Veronica kaya hinila ko sya papalapit sakin. Napatingin ito sakin.

"Bakit po Sir"

"Baka mapano ka puro pa naman lalaki ang kasama natin dito"

"Okay lang po ako Sir, saka wag nyo akong hawakan madumi ako at amoy pawis pa."

I smiled at her. Subrang lapit ng mukha namin. Mataas lang ako nag konti kaya naka tingala ito sakin.

I wrapped my arms around Veronica pulling her close to me. She fit perfectly against me, her soft curves molded to my chest. Our eyes met, and I was struck by the fear and panic reflected back at me. dug dug dug ramdam ko ang lakas ng tibok nya. I just smile, But as I gazed deeper, I noticed the shape of her eyes, the curve of her lips, and the way her hair framed her face. She was beautiful, even with sweat-dampened hair and no makeup. My heart skipped a beat as I felt a spark of attraction. For a moment, we just stared at each other, our faces inches apart. I tightened my grip on her, feeling a sense of protectiveness wash over me. What was happening to me? Flynn wake up!

*ting*

Nagsilabasan ang mga guest, don nalang ako bumalik sa katinuan ko.

"Oh! I'm sorry for my behavior"

Di na ito sumagot dali-dali itong lumabas ng elevator. Parang nag panic ito.

What happen to her? Bakit nagmamadali sya, tsk chance ko na sana para kausapin sya pero di manlang lumingon. Tsk never mind. Next time i will talk to her. It least now i try to approach her parang okay din naman sya. Di na galit Hopefully next time we can talk so that i can formally say sorry for what i did.

Palabas na ako ng hotel bigla naman nahagilap ng mata ko si Veronica. I stop walking and watched her, bigla nya tinulongan ang babaeng nasa 60's at maraming itong dala. She helped the woman with her groceries. The way she carefully balanced the bags and listened attentively to the woman's stories was captivating. And then, she said something that made the woman's face light up with laughter. I couldn't help but notice the warmth in her smile, the sparkle in her eyes. As I stood there, observing the scene unfold, I found myself smiling along with her. It was as if her kindness and compassion were infectious, and I felt a pang of admiration for this beautiful stranger.

Gabrielle is right, Veronica is very good employee. Κανα sya ηaging Most Οutstanding employee dahil sa kabutihan na ginawa nya. Hays what's going on with me. Bakit puro nalang Veronica ang iniisip ko this day. Tsk siguro dala na ito ng guilt sa ginawa ko. Hays I need to go back to hospital and i make myself busy so that i will not think of her.