CHAPTER 3: OFFICE SCANDAL

Everyone was staring.

Kinabukasan, 30 minutes pa lang bago ang mag-start ang trabaho namin ay nandito na ako sa opisina, walang pang mga imployee maliban sakin. Mas pinili kong pumasok ng maaga para makatakas sa mga nanyaring hindi ko lubos maiisip. At ang tanging paraan para maibsan man lang ang inis ko sa sarili ko ay ang pag-alis ng maaga para magkaroon man lang ako ng space sa kanya lalo na’t kung maalala ko ang paghalik niya sakin sa harap ni Lolo na para bang ako yung buong mundo niya.

Nanginginig pa rin ang kamay ko nung in-swipe ko yung ID ko sa elevator. Masakit pa rin ang katawan ko sa mga parte na ayaw ko nang isipin. Yung mga hickey sa batok ko nakatago sa high-neck na blouse, pero ramdam ko pa rin na parang tatak nang isang patunay.

Walang tao sa elevator at nakahinga ako ng maluwag at para na rin makapag-isip kung anong gagawin ko mamaya kong nandito na sya sa harap ko at kong kaya ko pa bang makasama sya sa trabaho. Sumandal ako sa malamig na pader ng bakal at pumikit. ‎12:20 AM sa marble bar. 4 AM na text galing St. Luke's. 7 AM si Lolo sa lobby. Parang lagnat lang lahat. ‎Pero nung bumukas yung p***o sa 58th floor, alam kong may mali.

Masyadong tahimik. Lahat nakatingin sakin. ‎

"That's her," A secretary whispered behind her laptop, hand covering her mouth. "The new Mrs. Monteverde."

"She looks so plain. How did she trap him?" Another one said, eyes dragging over my thrifted blazer and old flats.

"Did you see the company memo? Lolo announced the marriage at 6 AM. With pictures."

My stomach dropped. Pictures?

Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang ID ko at dumiritso sa desk ko kung saan wala na doon sa pwesto ko dati. Na baling ang tingin ko nang makita ko ang lugar kung saan may glass office, floor to ceiling at may pangalan kong nakasulat ng gintong letra na kumikinang sa liwanag nang umaga

KAIZHYNE MONTEVERDE

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE CEO

Nagpipicture yung mga tao sakin, narinig ko rin ang mahinang pag-click nila sa kani-kanilang mga ibat-ibang social media, may naka-open sa tiktok, i*******m, twiter at iba pa.

Napaigtad ako nang makita ko si Zach nan aka 3-piece nany suit. Perpekto ang pagkakaayos ng buhok, makinis, red lips na amoy cedarwood na parang makapangyarihan. Na parang bang walang bakas ang lalaking niyakap ako nang buong gabi at tinawag akong baby habang tulog.

"Morning, Mrs. Monteverde," He said, loud enough for everyone to hear. His voice echoed across the floor. "You're late."

"I was here early—" I started, heat crawling up my neck. "My desk—"

"My office. Now." He turned and walked back inside without waiting for an answer.

Nagkukunwaring nagtatrabaho ang mga katrabaho ko pero ramdam ko parin ang hundred eyes on my back  habang sinusundan ko sya.  Binigyan ako ni Maria nang nakakaawang tingin  galing sa HR, at umiling rin si James galing IT.

Nang nakapasok na kami ay sinara ang p***o sabay nang paghinang lock. Diniin nya ako sa p***o na may matulis na tingin sakin.

"What the hell was that, Zach?" I pushed at his chest. My voice was shaking. "You announced us? To the whole company? To the whole world?"

"Lolo posted it on the company website at 6 AM." His hands were on my waist, gripping hard. "With our wedding photo. Did you think we could keep it secret, Kaizh?"

"I thought we had a choice!" My voice cracked. Tears were threatening. "I thought this was just between us and Lolo! I thought I could still have my life!"

"We don't." He cupped my face, thumb brushing under my eye where I hadn’t slept. "Not anymore. You're mine. And everyone needs to know it. Especially Damon."

His phone buzzed. Once. Twice. Three times. He ignored it.

"Did anyone touch you? Talk to you?" His eyes scanned my face like he was looking for bruises. "Did anyone look at you wrong?"

"Zach, it's just gossip—"

"Name." His voice went cold. The mask was back. "Who."

"Mark from Accounting. He asked if I needed help with my new access card—"

Zach was already dialing before I finished. "HR? This is Zachary Monteverde. Fire Mark Delgado. Effective immediately. Reason: Harassment of an executive."

"ZACHARY!" I grabbed the phone from his hand and ended the call. "You can't fire someone because they talked to me! He was being nice! He's got two kids!"

He stared at me. His expression was blank, but his jaw was ticking. The vein in his neck was throbbing.

"I can. And I will." He took my wrist and pulled me to his desk. "Anyone who looks at you, talks to you, breathes near you... they're gone."

"That's insane!" I yanked my hand away. "You can't run the company like that! This isn't a monarchy!"

"That's possession, wife." He pulled me between his legs as he sat in his chair. Papers scattered to the floor. "And I'm very possessive."

Nasa leeg ko na ang bibig nya bago ko pa makasagot. Sinipsip nya nang mariin mismo dun sa hickey kagabi na para bang kailangan ng lahat makita yun bukas. Parang kailangan niyang angkinin ako.

"Zach, the glass walls—" I gasped, pushing at his shoulders. "Anyone can see—they're all out there—"

"Let them watch." He ripped the top button of my blouse. It popped and hit the floor. "Let them know who you belong to."

"Stop—" But my hands were already in his hair. God, why was my body betraying me. "People will talk. They'll post it."

"Good." He pushed my skirt up, hands rough on my thighs. "Let them talk about how the CEO can't keep his hands off his wife."

Magaspang, mabilis, desperado para bang kailangan niyang burahin lahat ng lalaki sa opisina sa isip ko at palitan nang isa kundi sya lang. At parang bawat segundong wala sya sa loob ko ay may ibang pweding magkaroon sakin.

His name tore out of me. "Zachary," I cried, digging my nails into his shoulders. "Not here—someone will hear—"

"Here," He growled, thrusting into me. "In my office. On my desk. Where I work 16 hours a day thinking about you."

Tumagal lang ng ilang minuto ay magulo na, subrang ingay at walang nakikialam. Yung mga ungol ko napipigilan sa suit jacket niya. At nang matapos ay nanginginig sya, hindi dahil sa sarap kundi dahil sa galit at takot. Pero hindi pa sya bumitaw, nanigas pa rin ang katawan niya sa ibabaw ko habang ang noo niya ay nakadikit pa rin sa leeg ko. Hinihingal sya na para bang pagbumitaw siya ay bigla akong mawawala sa kanya.

"Kaizh," he whispered. Just my name. Over and over. Like a prayer. He brushed my cheek with his thumb. We were both drenched in sweat.

"Are you mad at me?" he asked. His voice was breaking. I shook my head. I couldn’t speak.

He slowly fixed the hair that had fallen over my face. His fingers were still trembling.

"I’m sorry," he said again. "I can’t control myself when it’s you."

Humilig siya at hinalikan ako. Hindi yung madiin kanina kundi malambot na may paiingat parang bang humihingi ng tawad, halik sa noo, sa pisngi, sa labi hanggang sa leeg at dun mismo sa mga bakas na ginawa niya kanina. Parang bang gusto niyang burahin yung galit gamit ang lambot niyang labi. Niyakap niya ko ng mahigpit nung bumaba na siya mula sakin. Hindi niya ko binitawan kaagad, nanatili kami dun sa gitna ng mga kalat na papel, parehong hingal, parehong durog. At sa sandaling yun hindi ko alam kung sino mas natatakot. Siya ba o ako.

He fixed my clothes with trembling hands and kissed my forehead. Soft. Apologetic. "Sorry."

"For what?" I whispered, still trying to catch my breath. My legs were jelly.

"For being jealous." He rested his forehead on mine. "For not being able to control myself when it comes to you. For making you pay for it."

Nang biglang bumukas ang p***o nang hindi man lang kumatok at lumitaw ang mukha ni Damon ang pinsan ni Zach na naka-tailored gay na suit. Nakangising mayabang, perpekto yung buhok at dun niya nakita ang lahat, yung gusot naming damit, yung papel na nakakalat habang ako sira yung lipstick, magulo ang buhok at isang butones yung kulang.

Napunta yung mata ni Damon sakin tapos kay Zach, balik na naman sakin ulit tapos ngumiti siya ng mabagal na para bang nanalo nang lotto.

"Well. Looks like Lolo got his wish." He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "The marriage is... very real."

Zach stepped in front of me instantly, shielding me with his body. "Get out."

"Can't, cousin." Damon held up his phone. On the screen was a notification: EMERGENCY BOARD MEETING - 10 MINUTES. "The board called an emergency meeting. About the 'unprofessional conduct' of the CEO. Seems someone recorded it.”

 Zach's jaw clenched. "Then let them come."

Damon looked at me over Zach's shoulder and winked. "Careful, sister-in-law. You might be the reason he loses everything. And then what? Back to Tondo?" He closed the door.

After he left, I was shaking. "Zach, what did we do?"

He pulled me into his arms. "We survived, Kaizh." He kissed my temple. "And we fight. Together."

Pero sa labas nag-uusapan ang buong opisina, pagdating ng 9:15 AM nasa company group chat na ang video, na di ko inaasahan na may nag-record pala sa kabila nang salamin.

By 9:30 AM, my name was trending on the company intranet. #MrsMonteverde #OfficeScandal --- ### BOARD MEETING –30 MINUTES LATER

Sa subrang lamig ng boardroom, labing dalawang matandang naka-suit nakatitig samin na para bang criminal kaming dalawa kung makatingin. Si Lolo nakaupo sa dulo habang si Damon naman nasa kanan niya na halatang subrang saya.

"Mr. Monteverde," Chairman Tan said. "Care to explain this?"

He pressed play on the TV.

Nasa ibabaw kami ng desk habang bukas ang blouse ko at nasa bewang ko ang palda, umaalingawngaw ang ungol ko sa tahimik niyang opisina, nang makita at marinig ko iyon ay nanlamig ang buong katawan ko, namula ang mukha ko dahil sa hiya na dinulot naming sa buong company ng Monteverde na halos gugustohin ko nalang maglaho sa harap nila or mas gustohin ko nalang mamatay.

Nasa tabi ko naman si Zach habang di kumukurap, tumayo siya at pinatayo rin ako sa tabi niya at pinagsalikop  ang mga daliri naming. Mainit ang kamay niya at matatag niyang sinabi sa lahat.

"Yes," He said. "My wife and I were... indiscreet. In my office. On company time."

Napasinghap ang lahat.

"And?" He continued, voice dangerous. "She's my wife. Legally. As of 36 hours ago. I don't need permission to touch what's mine."

"That's not the point!" Another board member slammed the table. "This is conduct unbecoming of a CEO! The shareholders will—"

Zach smiled. Cold. Calculating. "Then fire me."

Silence. "See what happens to your stocks when the market finds out the CEO of Monteverde Holdings was fired for loving his wife." He squeezed my hand. "Go ahead. Tank the company. See if Damon can save it."

Napawi ang matagumpay na ngiti ni Damon nang walang nagsalita kahit isa sa board

"Good." He looked at me, and for a second the CEO mask dropped. Just for me. "Meeting adjourned."

8 PM – PENTHOUSE

Nanginginig pa rin ako nang nakauwi na kami nang makita kong umabot nasa 400+ views na yung video internally ng 3 email galing sa HR and 2 galing legal at nakarating na rin sa t*****r.

#MonteverdeScandal

Nagbuhos ng dalawang basong whiskey at inabot sakin ang isa.

"We're trending, Kaizh," He said, trying to joke. It fell flat.

I took the glass and downed it. "I hate you." "I know." He pulled me to the kitchen counter. "I hate me too."

This time it was slow. Devastating. Para bang humihingi siya ng tawad  gamit ang katawan niya na parang takot siyang iwan o kamuhian. Pagkatapos nakahiga na ako sa mga bisig niya sa couch, pagot na pagod na parang umiiyak.

His phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number:

You just made it so easy for me. – D

Nakita ito ni Zach at biglang nanigas ang buong katawan niya.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Nothing." He tossed the phone. "Sleep, wife. Tomorrow will be worse."

He was right.

Because at 6 AM, the news broke. MONTEVERDE CEO CAUGHT IN OFFICE AFFAIR WITH NEW WIFE STOCKS PLUMMET 12%

Naalimpungatan ako nang sunod-sunod ng notify ang phone ko, alas 7:02 na pala ng umaga, dali-dali akong lumapit sa table kung saan nandoon ang phone kong kanina pa nagva-vibrate.

@randomemployee58: so the new mrs monteverde is THAT girl from accounting???

@hr_girl_maria: she's so lucky but also... rip her privacy

@anonymous_it: someone leaked the video in our dept gc. 30 seconds. delete delete

@damonstan2026: this is why we need Damon as CEO. Zach is too emotional

Binato ko ang phone at bumagsak sa carpet.

Nakasado ang p***o sa banyo ngunit narinig ko ang bawat pagpatak nang shower, at si Zach iyon, dapat naka-relax ako kasi wala siya dito para makita ito pero hindi mas lalo akong nangungulila. Mainit pa yung gilid ng kama kong saan siya natulog pero wala siya dun.

My I*******m DMs were worse.

Stranger: gold digger

Stranger: how much did lolo pay you

Stranger: you're gonna ruin his company

One message made me freeze.

Unknown number: Nice performance. See you at the board meeting next week. -D Damon.

Nag-umpisa ng nanginginig ang mga kamay ko nang masaba ko ang text ni Damon sakin. Sa labis kong takot ay hinila ko ang kumot hanggang sa dibdib na parang makakaprotekta sakin.

Tumigil yung shower, nang ilang segundo lang ay bumukas na ang p***o ng banyo ngunit hindi ko masyadong maaninag ang mukha nito nang sumabay ang usok nang paglabas niya, napapikit ako habang pinapakalma ang sarili ko at inisip ko nalang na hindi iyon si Damon kundi guni-guni ko lang iyon dahilan narin sa walang tulog. Gumaan ang pakiramdam ko nang lumabas si Zach na nakatapis lang ng tuwalya habang pumapatak pa rin sa kanyang dibdib ang tubig mula sa kanyang basang buhok.

Bakas sa kanyang mukha ang pagod, may eyebags pa, mahigpit yung panga na para hindi rin siya nakatulog. Napatigil siya nang nakita niya akong nakaupo habang hawak ang phone ko na mapupungay mata.

"You're up," He said. His voice was rough.

"They have the video, Zach." My voice was small. "The whole company. Maybe the whole internet."

He crossed the room in 3 steps and sat on the edge of the bed. Didn’t touch me yet. Just looked at me.

"Give it here."

"They're calling me names—"

"I said give it here."

Inabot ko sa kanya ang phone ko at nag-scroll siya, ngunit parang walang nagbago sa mukha pero nakita kong namutla yung mga knuckle niya sa kahigpit nang hawak.

Ang tahimik ng kwarto pero naririg ko parin ang AC.

Tumayo siya at pumunta sa dresser, kinuha ang phone niya. Binuksan niya ang lahat nang social media niya at nag-post.

@ZachMonteverdeCEO: The woman in that video is my wife. Legally. The man in that video is her husband. If you touch her online, my legal team will touch you in court. Good morning.

He tossed both our phones on the dresser and came back to bed.

"They won't stop," I whispered. "Even after that."

"I know." He pulled me into his arms. I was still in his t-shirt from last night. "But now they know who you are."

"And who am I?"

"Mine." He kissed the top of my head. "And I'm not letting them take you from me. Not in this company. Not anywhere."

Nagtagal kami sa ganong posisyon habang nagpapahinga. Sa labas ng floor-to-ceiling na bintana ay natatanaw ko na halos gising na ang buong city. May mga nagsisipunta na sa kanilang trabaho, may mga nagwo-work-out ngunit di parin mawawala sa isip ko na pinag-uusapan na kami ng mga tao sa labas pero dito sa loob kaming dalawa lang at yung gulong ginawa namin.

"Are we going in today?" I asked against his chest.

"Yes." His arms tightened. "Together. Head high. Let them stare."

"What if they say something?"

"Then I’ll fire them." He said it so matter-of-factly I almost laughed.

"Zach—"

"Kidding." He pulled back to look at me. Thumb wiped under my eye. "Mostly."

Kalaunan ay tumayo na siya at nagbihis nang naka-navy suit ulit na parang armor. Pinanuod ko siya nang pagngisog ng panga niyang tumingin sa phone niya habang nagbubutones sabay iwas tingin.

"You're scared," I said.

He paused. "Terrified."

"Of what?"

"Of losing you. Of losing the company. Of Damon winning." He turned to me. "Pick one."

I got out of bed and walked to him. Fixed his tie with shaky hands. "Then we don't lose."

He stared at me for a second. Then he smiled. Small. Tired. But real. "Deal."

Nang nasa company na kami ay tahimik lang kaming sumakay sa elevator pababa ni hindi niya binitawan ang kamay ko kahit minsan. Pagbukas ng p***o sa 58^th floor ay nag-umpisa na namang nanginginig ang mga tuhod ko dahil para bang thousands of eyes ang nakatitig samin. Ngunit hindi nagpapatinag si Zach at tinaas pa niya ang magkahawak naming kamay.

"Morning." His voice echoed. "This is my wife."

At isa lang ang masasabi ko ngayon, sa unang pagkakataon.