Kabanata 1

Huminga ako nang malalim habang lumalabas mula sa private dining room ng isang high-end na hotel sa Makati. The lunch meeting with our new client—a luxury hotel chain—had been a resounding success. Bilang Senior Marketing Manager ng Madriaga Enterprises, isang kompanya na pagmamay-ari ng pamilya ni Zed, kailangan kong siguraduhin na walang sablay, walang kulang. Is it because I was under them, under him? Or was it just me?

The contract was sealed with a firm handshake from Mr. Alcantara, the CEO of the chain. His sharp suit matched his sharper smile. "You've truly outdone yourself, Ms. Reyes," sabi niya, with eyes sparkling in approval. "That campaign for the women's shelter was inspiring, and now this. Madriaga Enterprises is lucky to have you."

I offered him my professional smile—the one I’d perfected over years of meetings and negotiations. “Thank you, sir. I’m just doing my job. The whole team worked hard on it.”

Nang umalis sila, I caught my reflection sa glass wall ng restaurant. The polite smile faded, replaced by my real face—serious, pagod, pero determined. Ganon na ba talaga ako kapagod? I was good at my job. Competent, efficient, successful. Ito ang mundong kaya kong kontrolin, isang lugar kung saan malinaw ang rules at rewarded ang effort. A stark contrast sa personal kong buhay… doon, halos wala akong control.

My phone vibrated. A text from Lana, my secretary.

Subject: WMN Magazine

Ma’am, the team from WMN is setting up. Your interview is in 30 minutes.

Ayun na naman—yung pamilyar na kurot ng kaba. I took one last deep breath, adjusted my cream blazer, and stepped out.

I’ve done dozens of interviews before. Kaya ko ‘to. Or at least, iyon ang mantra ko habang nasa harap ng lights setup ng WMN magazine. Sa harap ko, isang basong tubig na hindi ko man lang nagalaw, droplets of condensation sliding down its surface. My blazer felt a bit too warm; my smile, a little too rehearsed.

“So, Ms. Reyes,” the host leaned forward, her tone softening, almost conspiratorial. “We’ve talked about your latest campaign for the women’s shelter, and of course, the groundbreaking ‘Elysian’ line. It’s truly a testament to how Madriaga Enterprises is embracing social responsibility and modern consumer demands. It’s brilliant how you manage to balance profitability with purpose.”

I nodded, projecting calm. “Thank you. It’s a core value of the company. We believe a brand’s success is tied to its relevance. The ‘Elysian’ line is about connecting with people who want more than just a product—they want a story.”

“And you tell those stories so well,” she said, tilting her head. “But people also want to know—” she paused dramatically, milking the moment for the cameras, “about you.”

My smile tightened. “About me?”

“Your love life.” She said it like it was the most delicious secret. “Are you seeing anyone?”

Here we go.

I gave a soft laugh—the kind you use to buy three extra seconds. “My focus has really been on my career lately, pero I think everyone deserves to find their happiness, whether it’s in their work or with a special someone.”

She didn’t back down. “I understand completely. But with your profile, it’s only natural for people to be curious. There have been many questions about the absence of a partner in your public life. You are, after all, a catch.”

I tilted my head, still smiling. “Curiosity is natural. Pero para sa akin, not everything has to be shared. My life is an open book, but I think it’s important to keep some pages private. After all, a little mystery is good for the soul, right?” I gave a knowing, showbiz smile that said this is all you're getting.

The host smiled, but I knew she’d reached the wall I built. She moved to a safer topic. I answered smoothly, all while my heart thudded under my blazer.

As soon as the cameras stopped rolling, my phone buzzed. The name on the screen made my stomach drop.

Mrs. Madriaga:

Family dinner tomorrow at 7 p.m. Your presence is expected.

Expected.

Not invited.

Not we'd love to see you.

A dull ache settled in my chest. I stared at the message for a few seconds, as if the words might rearrange themselves into something warmer. They didn’t. I typed back a polite confirmation.

The next evening, I could already picture it—Zed sitting beside me in silence, his mother’s eyes scanning every gesture, every smile, looking for cracks. And me, in my best dress, playing the role I never auditioned for.

Pagbukas palang ng pinto ng Madriaga estate, bumungad na sakin ang pamilyar na eksena: a long dining table dressed in porcelain and silver, the oil portrait of Zed’s father watching over the room, and that quiet, almost oppressive air of old money.

Zed gave me a curt nod as I sat next to him. Around the table sat his parents, his younger sister Sofia, and an uncle and aunt who also held high positions in the company.

“Aya, your new marketing campaign for the hotel chain has been well-received,” boomed Mr. Madriaga. “A brilliant move. Sales projections look promising.”

I straightened. My smile was genuine this time. “Thank you, sir. The team is very proud of the outcome.”

“The team is proud,” Mrs. Madriaga repeated slowly, her voice silkier, colder. “What about you, Zed? Did you approve of the campaign?”

Zed placed his fork down. “The campaign is excellent, mom. That’s why I approved it.” His tone was flat, final. The topic shifted to Sofia’s wedding.

I glanced at him, catching that small flicker—his way of acknowledging me.

Dessert plates were being cleared when Mrs. Madriaga’s gaze locked on me. “Aya, dear. May I have a word with you in the study?”

My pulse quickened. I followed her, my heels clicking against the marble floor. Inside, the study smelled of leather and old paper.

“Have a seat.” She closed the door, smile fading. “I just wanted to remind you of the importance of your role.”

“I understand, Ma’am,” I replied quietly. “The company’s reputation is my top priority.”

“Not just the company’s, Aya. But our family’s. We cannot have… distractions. You’ve been discreet, and I appreciate that. A marriage between a senior manager and the CEO—it would be a feast for gossip. It could damage our credibility.”

I nodded, the ache returning. “I have no plans of disclosing our arrangement.”

“Good. Your performance is exceptional. Just keep it that way.”

When she opened the door, Zed was at the far end of the hallway. Our eyes met—his face unreadable, but something in his gaze lingered before he turned away.

Silence filled the car, thick and heavy. The city lights blurred past the window.

“You don’t have to always do what she says, Aya,” Zed said finally, his voice low and tight. His knuckles were white on the steering wheel.

I turned to him, my voice softer than intended. “I know. I’m fine, Zed.”

It was a lie—one I told for him, for the company, for the family. Dahil sa utang na loob, sa guilt, sa responsibilidad. I’d made this choice. I had to live with it.

“She’s just… cautious.” He said the word as if it was a curse. His jaw tensed, the muscle twitching visibly. I felt he wanted to say more—that he knew what I was giving up, that I was enough—but the words stayed trapped. "Don't mind her."

It wasn’t much, but it was something. His way of saying he saw me. And for now… it was enough.