Chapter 4

That name echoed through the office, making the panic in my chest even harder to calm.

His sudden presence felt like a fever dream I had not prepared for.

“And he is also the co-owner of Khrell,” Orpheus added.

The fuck? 

Sa lahat ng posibilidad na naisip ko, ni minsan ay hindi sumagi sa isip ko na siya pala ang isa sa mga misteryosong may-ari ng kumpanyang iyon.

I stared at him in disbelief. Just moments ago, he had been on my mind, and I had been trying to bury the memories of him deep in my heart, along with what had happened between us a month ago.

My thoughts swirled in agitation as the truth finally sank in. Having him here, and standing this close to my world, felt like my secret and I were balancing on a thin line.

Inilahad ni Khyfer ang isang kamay niya at ngumisi nang bahagya. Agad kong naramdaman ang mapanuksong dala ng pagngisi niyang iyon. 

Tumingin ako sa inabot niyang kamay at sa huli ay wala akong nagawa kundi ang bumuntong-hininga at kumurba ng isang pilit na ngiti bago tuluyang tinanggap ang pakikipagkamay niya sa akin.

“B-Benvenuto all’Istituto di Design Solstice, signor Casteglione…” (W-Welcome to Solstice Design Institute, Mr. Casteliogne.) sabi ko habang pilit na ngumiti.

Khyfer didn't let the distance last. He took a single, predatory step forward to close the gap I had just fought to create. 

“Non vedevo l’ora che arrivasse questo giorno per vederti, amore…” (I’ve been looking forward to this day to see you again, love…)

His breath fanned against my ear as he leaned in, igniting a spark of graveyard heartstrings within me.

Bahagya kong itinaas ang bouquet hanggang sa humaplos ang malalambot na talulot nito sa panga ko. Nagsilbi itong marupok na harang sa pagitan namin.

Sapat na iyon para iparating kay Khyfer na may pagitan na sa aming dalawa. Nagtaas lang siya ng kilay ngunit hindi naaalis ang mapanuksong tingin nito. 

Marahang lang akong huminga at bumaling sa aking sekretarya. “Kelly, could you please prepare some refreshments for our guests?” 

“Yes, Miss Blythe.” Mabilis itong tumalikod at lumabas ng conference room.

Pagkaalis ni Kelly, sandaling nagpaalam din si Orpheus para pumunta sa banyo. Ang tunog ng pagsara ng p***o ay nag-iwan sa akin ng realidad na kaming dalawa na lang ni Khyfer ang naiwan sa silid na ‘to.

“I’ll prepare the portfolio for the meeting,” sabi ko nang hindi nagbibigay ng atensyon sa kanya.

Lumapit ako sa conference table at pinatong dito ang aking bag at ang mga folder na hawak ko. 

I even set up the projector and my iPad to keep myself busy and stop overthinking about his unexpected appearance at my company.

“That night in Italy…”

Shit!

My heart slammed against my ribs. I tightened my hold on the folder until its edges pressed into my palm. I felt the color drain from my face when he mentioned Italy.

Forbidden memories crept into my mind. The taste of whiskey I had savored on his mouth, and the moonlight that had kissed our naked bodies. 

“That night—”

“I think you’re confusing me with someone else,” I cut him off as I forced myself to breathe.

Hanggang ngayon, kinumbinsi ko pa rin ang sarili ko na ang nangyari sa pagitan namin sa Italy ay isa lamang aksidente na walang anumang kahulugan.

A twist of fate fueled by whiskey and moonlight. A mistake wrapped in velvet darkness and reckless surrender.

“Am I?”

“Yes.” I lifted my chin with slight defiance, even though my pulse raced wildly beneath my composed facade.

“But this isn’t a coincidence. It’s destiny with a sense of humor.” Khyfer pushed further.

Naningkit ang mga mata ko sa inis, pero hindi ko magawang magsalita nang masama. Pilit lang akong ngumiti at ipinakita hindi ako apektado sa mga hirit niya.

Kailangan kong kumalma at maging matatag para hindi niya matibag ang pader na itinayo ko sa pagitan namin.

“Destiny is a poetic word for a business meeting, Mr. Casteliogne,” sagot ko.

Khyfer let out a soft breath that was almost a laugh. He didn't look away, but instead his lips curved into a subtle grin.

Sakto naman na bumukas na ang projector at handa na ang aking presentation. Muli ko siyang hinarap para masimulan na namin ang meeting.

“I think we…should…” Namatay ang mga salita sa lalamunan ko nang makita ko siyang ilang pulgada na lang ang layo sa akin.

Biglang nabuhay ang kaba sa aking dibdib. Kalmado ngunit mapanganib ang mga titig niya sa akin.

Khyfer leaned closer, making me instinctively step back until my spine met the edge of the table. Without breaking the eye contact, he braced his arms on either side of me, caging me in his presence and leaving me nowhere else to go.

That sent my senses into chaos.

Nawala sa ritmo ang paghinga ko at napatitig lang ako sa kanya.

Now, there was nothing between us. No masks. No distance.

Just his piercing ocean-blue eyes, mesmerizing my hazel ones, which shimmered with gold under the sunlight.

“Oh, mi dispiace, Signore.” (Oh, I’m sorry, Sir.) Mabilis na yumuko si Orpheus bilang paghingi ng paumanhin. 

A cold wave of paranoia swept through me. Mabilis kong naitulak si Khyfer, pero sapat lang iyon para mapaatras siya.

Patay malisya akong nag-ayos ng aking sarili para itago ang kahihiyang bumabalot sa akin ngayon.

Bumuntong-hininga lang si Khyfer at bumalik sa upuan niya na tila ba walang nangyari. 

Sakto naman ang dating ni Kelly kasama ang pantry staff na may dalang snacks at refreshments para sa lahat.

Once everyone was settled, I initiated the meeting by introducing Solstice Design Institute, highlighting our expertise and work ethic. After my presentation, Khyfer took the floor and presented the proposal for the Luminara Estate project.

His voice carried dominance and intelligence as he discussed structural layouts, façade direction, and spatial flow of the project. The confidence in his tone made it clear he knew exactly what he was building and why. He looked completely in his element.

Habang patuloy sa pagsasalita si Khyfer, lumilipad na naman ang isip ko. Unti-unti na rin akong dinadalaw ng antok, pero may dalang pananakit sa sentido ko.

“What do you think, Miss Montreal?”

Napalingon agad siya sa harap nang marinig ang boses ni Khyfer. Tapos na ba siyang magsalita?

“Ha?”

“You’re out of focus—”

“I mean, I’m… happy with the proposal of this project, Mr. Casteliogne,” I cut him off with a smile, hoping to mask my embarrassment at having missed part of his explanation.

His stormy eyes bore into my soul, and I saw his jaw tighten with displeasure and confusion.

“You used to call me Khyfer back then… or love.”

My eyes widened. 

From the corner of my vision, I noticed Orpheus and Kelly exchanging curious glances at us.

Napalunok ako nang wala sa oras. Ang lamig mula sa aircon ay unti-unting nanunuot sa aking kalamnan. 

His careless innuendos felt like an invisible pressure threatening to expose my secret.

I bit my lower lip, trying to calm my nerves. I couldn't let him bring up anything unrelated to business. 

Also, I had no intention of entertaining Kelly's inevitable questions if she grew curious about how Khyfer and I seemed to know each other.

“It was a long time ago. Besides, you’re here for business, aren’t you? So it’s only proper to address you formally,” I explained calmly.

The teasing glint in Khyfer’s eyes vanished and was replaced by a cold, unreadable stare. His expression settled into a composed indifference as he leaned back in his chair.

“Yeah, you’re right. It was a long time ago...” He intertwined his hands while the corner of his mouth lifted into a taunting smirk.  “I thought both of us were free from the shackles of our history.”

Kusang umarko ang kilay ko, ngunit hindi na ako nangahas na makipagtalo. Sa halip, tumayo ako upang ibigay naman ang insights ko tungkol sa project.

I had barely taken a single step when a sudden, stabbing pain shot through my head. Ginagap ko ang swivel chair na inupuan ko at kumapit doon para hindi mawalan ng balanse.

Damn it!

Huminga ako nang malalim para pakalmahin ang sarili ko, pero biglang kumirot nang matindi ang tiyan ko kaya napaigtad ako at napahiyaw.

“Ah! It hurts!”

I let out a yelp, unable to endure the throbbing pain in my stomach any longer. The nausea surging up my throat left me feeling completely helpless.

Hindi ko na rin mapigilang umiyak dahil sa kakaibang sakit na nararamdaman ko sa aking tiyan at ulo. Literal na nanlalambot na rin ang mga tuhod ko.

“Orpheus, prepara l'auto. Subito!” (Orpheus, prepare the car. Now!) Khyfer’s tone sharpened with concern as he leaned closer to me. “Love… stay with me. I’m taking you to the hospital.”

Fear consumed me as I thought of my unborn child. I had never experienced such excruciating abdominal pain before, and the strange tightening in my womb only heightened my growing anxiety.

“H-Help…” bulong ko, halos sa hangin na lang.

My vision became blurred as sweat trickled down my temples, stinging my eyes. My breaths came shallow, and strength drained from my body, leaving deep terror settled in my bones.

My hands slowly slipped from the edge of the chair as pain and vertigo overtook me. My knees buckled, and I collapsed, unintentionally sending the papers and laptop tumbling with me.

“Blythe!”