2.

"Have you eaten?"

Ibinaling ko ang atensyon ko kay Zachary. He's standing in front of me habang hawak-hawak ang isang tray ng pagkain. Ever since I started working here, palagi siyang ganito. He's always bringing me food and water. Also, he's constantly checking on me.

"No. I need to polish this, parating na ang investors mo para dito," I answered habang patuloy na nakatutok sa laptop.

"You don't need to. I don't give a damn if they won't invest. I have lots of money and investors."

Naparoll eyes naman ako. "Yabang," I whispered.

"Because I have something to boast. Now, eat this."

Isinantabi ko ang laptop saka kinuha ang tray na hawak niya. I started eating habang siya naman ay kinuha ang laptop ko. He started checking the presentation that I made.

"It's good."

"Good lang?"

"Yeah. What compliment do you want?"

"It's good and you're pretty."

I heard him chuckled tapos ay inilapit ang inuupuan niya sa'kin.

"You're gorgeous as always."

I bit my lower lip dahil sa sinabi niya. Naramdaman ko naman na marahan siyang lumayo sa'kin.

"Wanna go out tonight? Let's have a date."

"Don't ask me right now. I'm nervous. Ako kaya ang magpepresent mamaya."

"I see."

We're now heading at the conference room. Since I am his secretary, ako rin ang in-charge sa gan'to. It's been a week since I started working on his company. I can say that everything's good right now. He's treating me well kaya sino ba ako para pagmalditahan siya? I am just treating him the way he's treating me.

Maya-maya pa ay isa-isang nagdatingan ang mga potential investors. Umupo ako sa upuang katabi ng uupuan ni Zachary. I felt nervous because this is my first time na magpepresent ako.

A few moments passed and all of the expected visitors are now here, even Zachary. I went to the platform. I looked at everyone in this room, they all looked interested.

"Bradford Group of Companies is one of the biggest company right now. For the past few years, this year has been the most successful one and it's still growing from time to time. The sales increased for almost 80%. Not just the sales but also, the services that our company is offering is a hundred percent quality."

I am saying those habang finaflash sa screen ang presentation na ginawa ko. After I discussed, marahang pumalakpak sa akin si Zachary. After that, he stood up.

"Just sign the paper if you want to invest. If not, you can leave the paper there. Let's go."

I immediately picked up my laptop saka agad na sumunod sakan'ya.

"So, we're going tonight?"

He asked me as he faced me. For the nth time, I bit my lip.

"Yeah. Why not?"

It's already 6 p.m, Zachary told me that he will pick me up at my house. I'm wearing a mint dress, white heels and white bag. I am also wearing silver earrings. I also put a nude color of matte lipstick. Ilang saglit pa ay may bumisina sa labas. I immediately went out. Pagdating ko doon ay pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto. He smiled at me tapos ay mabilis na umikot para pumunta sa driver's seat.

"D*mn, you look perfect."

I smiled at him saka itinuon ang tingin sa daan. Familiar sa'kin ang dinadaanan and I'm afraid that we're really going to that place.

And yeah, that's really our destination.

We're here at our favorite restaurant back then. I bit my lip nang makapasok kami. The scent of this restaurant, the ambiance of this. D*mn, it feels like nabalik ako dati.

Noong kami pa.

I sat down at our favorite spot. Good thing, itong spot na 'to ang nireserve niya. This restaurant is located near a cliff. Kaya naman kitang-kita mo ang baba ng cliff dahil windows lang ang nakaharang doon.

This is my favorite spot dahil kitang-kita mo ang kabuuan dito.

"I ordered our food already. Just like the usual."

I just nodded. I can't take off my eyes on the scenery. It's just that it's so beautiful. I can't resist it. And also, I missed this place.

"You really missed looking at the beautiful scenery, huh."

"Yeah."

"Well, so do I."

Lumingon ako sakan'ya at nakita ko namang titig na titig siya sa'kin. He looked at me confusely.

"What are you looking at?"

"I said I also missed looking at the beautiful scenery."

I can't help myself but to chuckle. Kasabay noon ay ang pagdating ng order namin.

Mabilis lang kaming kumain dahil hindi rin naman kami masyadong gutom. I took a sip of wine habang patuloy na pinagmamasdan ang magandang tanawin. I shifted my gaze to him at napansin ko rin na sumisimsim siya ng wine.

I felt my phone vibrated that's why I excused myself. Dumiretso ako sa comfort room at doon ko chineck ang message. It was from Jacob.

From: Jacob

I have here different CCTV footages na pwedeng makapagturo kung sinong mafia boss ang pumatay sa parents mo. When are you free?

I sighed dahil sa message niya. Damn, I almost forgot the reason why I am here! Hinilot ko ang sintido ko bago ako nagreply sakan'ya.

To: Jacob

Let's work it out tomorrow.

Dali-dali akong lumabas ng comfort room at bumalik sa table namin. He looked at me confusely kaya naman ngumiti ako.

"Let's go to the bar?"

"Is there something bothering you?"

I bit my lip because of that. He used to accompany me sa bar noong kami pa. I used to asked him na pumunta kami sa bar kapag problemado ako.

"Well, you can say that."

Bahagya naman siyang ngumiti saka tumayo. He guided me hanggang sa makarating kami sa kotse niya. Ilang saglit lang ang itinagal ng byahe at nakarating na rin kami sa favorite bar namin or should I say ako lang. It's just a 5-minute drive lang mula sa restaurant na kinainan namin.

He ordered me some drinks na agad ko namang ininom. D*mn, I want alcohol to take over my body. Pakiramdam ko ay ang bigat bigat ng pakiramdam ko. Tomorrow, I'll start figuring out the person behind my parents' de@th. And that thought is k*lling me.

"Come on, Zaleah, I'll take you home. You're drunk."

"No."

"Let's go."

"I said no."

"Zaleah. I'm warning you."

"Why are you acting as if you're my boyfriend? You cheated on me right? Yeah, you f*cking cheated on me! You left me when I needed you the most."

I felt my tears started falling dahil sa sinabi ko na 'yon. Sh*t, that's right. They all left me. He left me at pinagpalit sa cheap na babae na 'yon!

Naramdaman ko nalang na binuhat niya ako papunta sa kotse niya. Hindi na ako makapanlaban pa because I felt weak. Marahan niya akong iniupo sa driver's seat. Inayos niya ang seatbelt ko saka mabilis na umikot. He started driving kaya naman napairap ako.

"I am f*cking beautiful. Sexy din ako. Matalino. I'm also cool! Assassin kaya ako baka nakakalimutan mo? Pero pinagpalit mo ako sa isang cheap na babae. How cheap."

I felt the tears in my eyes again but I didn't care.

"Why did you cheat on me? Anong kulang sa'kin?"

"All I did was to love you! Pero bakit gano'n?"

"You left me when I needed you the most. You weren't there, Zachary. You left me all alone. Not just you left me, but you also broke my f*cking heart."

"Is there something that I didn't satisfy you? Is that my f*cking lips, huh? Is that it?"

I felt that he glanced at me pero agad niya ring itinuon ang atensyon niya sa daan.

Agad kong tinanggal ang seatbelt ko at saka pumunta sa pwesto niya. I reached his lips. I brushed it against mine. Tapos noon ay humiwalay ako.

"Sh*t."

Rinig na rinig ko ang mga malulutong na mura niya.

"Am I not good enough at kissing you, Zach?"

He stopped the car at the roadside then he stared at me intently. Within a second, I felt his hug.

"I never thought you felt that way. I'm sorry, baby."

My tears started falling again. D*mn, how I missed how he used to call me baby.

"I didn't mean to f*cking cheat on you. You are so fu*cking perfect. You know how much I love your f*cking flaws and imperfections. You know how f*cking important you are to me. God knows how much I f*cking love you, baby. I just, I just have my f*cking reasons. Oh f*ck it! I f*cking want you back to me."

"I have my reasons, baby. Trust me. I never wanted to cheat on you. I swear to God, baby. Maybe I just f*cked up, you're right I left you when you needed me the most. But now I am here. I'll do everything to protect you. I'll stay by your side. I'll never leave you again, baby."

"I don't give a d*mn about those f*cking asshøles. I'll protect you no matter what."

And with that, I reached his lips. Naramdaman kong gumapang ang mga kamay niya sa'kin. My heart started pounding. My breathing became heavy. It suddenly felt hot.

I woke up in a familiar place. This is his condo unit. I am pretty sure. Marahan kong hinawakan ang ulo ko. I looked at the bedside table, at as usual, may tubig, pagkain at medicine doon na pang-hangover.

And with that, memories from last night started flashing back. D*mn, we had sēx in the car for Pete's sake!

I was so damn aggressive last night.

Naramdaman ko naman na sobrang pula ng pisngi ko dahil sa naiisip ko. "Good afternoon, baby."

I looked at Zach, papalapit siya sa'kin. Bagong paligo lang siya. He gave me a quick kiss at saka patuloy na tinutuyo ang buhok niya.

"You should eat, it's already 4:30 p.m."

Napabalikwas naman ako. D*mn, I forgot na may usapan pala kami ni Jacob! Agad kong hinanap ang cellphone ko. I saw Zach at my peripheral view na sumandal sa wall.

I faced him tapos ay inilahad ang kamay ko. He smiled at me then he fetched my phone to his pocket. "You dropped this in the car last night."

Dali-dali ko itong kinuha at shoot, maraming missed calls from Jacob.

"I doubt that he's your new guy, based on what happened last night I can tell the man you love." He said then he smirked. Napairap naman ako.

Binasa ko ang latest na message ni Jacob dahil sobrang dami no'n.

From: Jacob

I guess I'll just see you next week. I have something to do for the whole week. I'll just message you. Make sure you're safe.

I sighed, buti naman hindi siya nagalit. I apologized to him at nagpalusot ako na nabusy ako sa office.

Bago pa man ako magsalita ay naramdaman ko sa likod ko si Zach. He's standing behind me, after a few seconds, naramdaman kong nakaback hug na siya sa'kin.

"How I missed doing this to you, baby," he whispered in my ears.

It's been a week since that incident happened. Everything seems fine though. Pero ngayon, he's treating me just like how he's treating me two years ago. Per syempre, wala kaming label. I don't want to put any label pa, siguro okay na muna na friends kami. Friends na mag-ex, well, siguro I just want to stay like this for a while.

I am currently here sa coffee shop na binanggit ni Jacob. Sinadya ko rin na mauna akong makarating dito kesa kay Jacob. Of course, I don't want him to wait after ko siyang hindi siputin the last time.

I sipped the iced coffee at nagslice ako ng black forest cake. Maya-maya pa ay dumating na rin si Jacob. He's wearing a casual outfit.

"Kanina ka pa?" he asked worriedly.

Tumango-tango naman ako.

"Why didn't you text me?"

"Eh ayaw ko namang paghintayin ka. Isa pa, you waited for me the last time."

Napailing naman siya sa'kin. He smiled at me nang makita na inorder ko na siya ng cappuccino at red velvet na cake. "Thank you, Z."

Inilabas niya naman ang laptop niya. I sat beside him para makita kong mabuti ang kung ano man ang ipapakita niya.

"That's the guy, as you can see he's seen driving his motorcycle. Based on my research it is Neiman Marcus Limited Edition Fighter. There's only 45 of this released in the market. It costs roughly around $11 million."

"D*ng, that guy must be really rich."

"And as you can see, after 30 minutes he came back."

"I get it now. But how did you get the copy of it? I thought it's a dead road, how come there's a CCTV?"

"This footage is from the mansion that's living near that road. Well, I pay for this. You know, money is the weakness of everyone."

"No, just most of us."

He chuckled tapos ay tumango sa'kin.

The area where my parents have been killed is an abandoned one. It's kind of suspicious dahil bakit pupunta sa lugar na 'yon ang lalaki gayong dead end na 'yon? At the same time, he went there kung kelan pinatay ang parents ko. Walang duda, he's the one who killed my parents.

"There's only one owner of that kind of motorcycle here in the Philippines. But I don't know who owns that. But I guess that would be easy for you."

"Sh*t, can you tell me again the model?"

"Neiman Marcus Limited Edition Fighter."

"D*mn!"

I shouted in frustration.

"Are you really sure na isa lang ang may ganyan sa Pilipinas?"

"Yeah."

Hindi ko mapigilang sabunutan ang sarili ko. Pakiramdam ko rin ay magsisimulang pumatak ang mga luha ko.

"Is there a problem? Kilala mo ba ang may-ari niyan?"

"Oo. Hindi ako pupwedeng magkamali. That was the motorcycle that my ex-boyfriend bought before we broke up!"

And with that, my tears started falling.

I caught him cheating that day, at his condominium in Pasay. When I caught him, he broke up with me tapos ay umalis siya sakay ng motorcycle na 'yun. F*ck!

I immediately stand up, I was about to walk up nang maramdaman kong para akong nahihilo. Sh*t! Pakiramdam ko ay mahihimatay ako.

I woke up at a familiar place, obviously nandito ako sa hospital. When I opened my eyes, nasa tabi ko si Zach katabi ang doctor. Samantalang sa kabilang tabi naman ay si Jacob. The doctor smiled at me nang makitang nagising ako.

"What a perfect timing. The patient's now conscious."

"The reason why you fainted is because of over fatigue. I guess you've been stressing yourself lately and been thinking a lot. I advice you to stop being too harsh for yourself. Don't bombard yourself with too much work and thoughts."

"It's not healthy for you, and for your baby."

"Congratulations."

Tapos noon ay lumabas na ang doctor. F*ck! Ano raw? For me and for my baby? Sh*t! I am pregnant? I felt Zach na parang nanunubig ang mata. He sat beside me tapos ay tumitig sa'kin.

"D*mn, am I dreaming? F*ck, I'm going to be a dad!"

I felt my heart beats faster. Seeing how happy he is makes me happy too. I suddenly felt excited after knowing it. We're going to have a family. We will soon be a happy family.

But that excitement suddenly disappeared when I glanced at Jacob. He's shaking his head. He's also looking at me and I could see his eyes that's full of disappointed. And with that, I remembered what I just discovered.

D*mn, the guy who k*lled my parents is also the father of my baby.

I bit my lips as tears started escaping on my eyes. How can I k*ll the guy that I love the most? How can I k*ll the father of my baby?