Ch. 7: Moretti corporation

Ingrid Alessia’s Point of View

I opened my phone, still hoping maybe it was a mistake. But when I saw the unknown number, I already knew it was her, Ashlie.

Ashlie: “You really think you’re the one he’ll choose, Ingrid? You’ll never be enough. I’ll make sure of it. I have everything you need to know.”

I froze, my fingers barely able to swipe. Pagbukas ko pa lang ng message, nakita ko na agad ang mga larawan, mga litrato nila ni Leonhardt na magkasama, masaya, at walang mga pighati. They looked like they were in a different lifetime, a different world. It was almost like I could hear the joy in their laughter through the images.

May isa noong nasa party sila, nakayakap siya sa bewang ni Ashlie, at ngiting-ngiti siya sa kanya na parang siya na ang mundo niya. Another where they were in Paris, looking at the Eiffel Tower, their eyes locked in a perfect moment, one that should’ve been left in the past.

I felt the knot in my chest tighten. So this was the woman who still had a hold on him.

Hindi naman ako tanga. Alam ko ang nakaraan sa pagitan nila. Pero nang makita ko ‘yung mga litrato, para akong sinuntok sa sikmura. Ang sakit, ang sakit lang. Why the hell was she sending this to me? Was she trying to prove something?

Ashlie: “You don’t stand a chance. And trust me, he won’t forget me. I’m still the one in his heart.”

Bagsak na ang mga kamay ko, pero hindi ko kayang pigilan. I stared at the photos one more time. I could feel the anger and frustration building inside me, and it wasn’t just about Ashlie anymore, it was about how Leonhardt had let her into our lives even after everything.

We are now here at Moretti Corporation Main Office

Hindi pa ako nakakabawi from this morning. I still felt that tightness sa dibdib ko. Maybe it was the way tita Juna looked at me like I was the hired help. Or how Rachel kept whispering something behind her wine glass, clearly about me. Mukha lang talaga ako matapang pero deep inside I'm vulnerable.

“We’re going to the office,” Leonhardt said flatly habang binubuksan niya ‘yung kotse. There was no explanation, no expression of regret, nothing.

I didn’t even bother arguing. Nakakahiya pa kung magtatalo kami sa harap ng valet. Kaya umupo na lang ako sa passenger seat, walang imik at habang ‘yung tension sa pagitan namin ay parang usok sa loob ng sasakyan na makapal at mahirap lunukin.

Nang tuluyan na kaming makalabas, halos lahat ng nasa lobby ay napatingin sa direction namin.

"Is that her?"

"'Yung asawa ni Sir Leonhardt?"

“She looks... young.”

I heard all of it. Pabulong lang naman pero sapat na para marinig ko. I held my head high. Chin up, Ingrid. You’ve faced worse.

Leonhardt didn’t even flinch. He walked ahead like he owned the building which, technically, he did. Ako? Sumunod lang sa likod niya na parang alalay. Or worse, like a well-dressed ghost haunting beside him. Pagpasok namin sa executive elevator, hindi manlang niya ako tinapunan ng tingin. Nagmukha tuloy akong attention seeker. I took a deep sigh.

“Seriously?” I blurted. “Wala man lang, ‘Hey, I’m dragging you to work, ingat sa stilettos mo?’”

He pressed the 49th floor button and said without looking, “You’re my wife. You’re expected to be here eventually. I'm going to introduce you to them.”

Wow. So ayun na nga. Wife lang ako kapag convenient. Sa public. Sa mga camera, sa kumpanya. Pagdating namin sa floor, agad kaming sinalubong ng mga empleyado with cold looks and fake smiles, most of them wore sleek black suits.

“This is Mrs. Dietrich-Moretti,” Leonhardt introduced me stiffly. “Get used to seeing her around.”

Ang awkward naman. I tried to smile politely, pero ramdam kong hindi talaga ako welcome. ‘Yung ibang babae, especially that one secretary with scarlet lips and hawk eyes, sinukatan ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. Gusto ko rin sana siya i-side-eye, kaso first day ko palang dito baka masira na ang image ko kaya 'wag nalang. Masyado na akong maganda para patulan sila. And then I heard her whisper as we passed.

“Ashlie was more elegant.”

Parang may bombang sumabog naman sa tenga ko. I froze mid-step. Ashlie, Ashlie na naman. Puro nalang Ashlie. Puñeta, baka pati pag nag-cr ako maririnig ko pati pangalan niya. Tsk. So, she used her name dito sa office, ha. Which means, either kilala nila siya, or worse she’s still connected here.

I clenched my fists. Gusto kong bumalik at sabunutan ‘yung babae, pero I swallowed it down. Hindi ako pwedeng magmukhang insecure. Not here.

Tinapos ni Leonhardt ‘yung quick introductions, then dumiretso siya sa glass-walled boardroom para makipag-meeting. Naiwan ako sa lounge na parang trophy na hindi alam kung saan ilalagay.

Thirty minutes passed. Tiningnan ko ang sarili ko sa salamin ng hallway. Reflecting on my appearance in the mirror is something I enjoy doing so much that I consider it to be a hobby.

As soon as I noticed him leaving the room by himself, I made my way toward him. Diretso na agad sa elevator. Pagpasok namin, tahimik ulit. Hanggang hindi ko na napigilan.

“I heard them, you know,” I snorted, facing forward. “Ashlie. They still talk about her here.”

There was no response from him. Of course he didn’t. As I continued, my voice became softer. "I am not jealous," I said. “Pero sana, just once, you’d consider how all of this looks. Na ako ‘yung mukhang intruder. Ako ‘yung palaging panggulo sa perfect image mo with her.”

He turned to me, jaw tight. “This is not about her.”

“Hindi?” I looked at him now. “Then why does it feel like I’m the one chasing after your ghost?”

The elevator dinged. Wala manlang siyang sinagot. Tumalikod lang siya at naunang lumabas. At sa unang pagkakataon mula nang ikinasal kami, napagtanto ko na, mas masakit pala ang binabalewala kaysa sa kinamumuhian.

I think he’s seriously practicing how to ignore me. And me? I’m out here practicing saint-level patience. Tsk. Hindi naman sa titigilan ko siya, ano. Good luck sa kanya. Kung ako nga ginugulo ng ex niya, edi siya naman ang guguluhin ko.

“Can we drop by at the law firm?” tanong ko sa kanya habang nakatingin sa labas ng bintana. “May importante lang akong kailangang kunin.”

Please lang, this time, sana sagutin niya ako nang normal.

“Sure.” Progress. At least may sagot. Feeling ko naiiba na 'yung ugali ko kapag siya 'yung kasama ko. Just don't push the button magiging mabuti talaga akong tao. I gave him the directions and may uwak na naman na dumaan sa pagitan namin buong byahe. Grabe, parang road trip ng dalawang statue. Walang sound effects, walang background music, puro ego lang ang bumubunggo sa hangin.

Pagdating namin sa law firm, lumingon ako sa kanya. “Wait ka lang ha, quick lang ‘to. As in mabilis pa sa five minutes. Promise.”

Tumango lang siya. Wala pa ring emosyon. Tsk. Seryoso, minsan feeling ko robot siya with anger issues.

Pagpasok ko sa loob, si Wayne agad ‘yung bumulaga sa akin. Mukhang bagong gising pa as usual.

“Wayne!” bati ko sabay kiss sa cheek niya. “Buhay ka pa pala? Akala ko nilamon ka na ng deadline.”

“Gising pa lang ako, gusto ko na ulit matulog,” reklamo niya, rolling his eyes.

“Naku, dapat may loyalty card ka na sa pagod. Libre ka na sa next breakdown,” tukso ko sabay kurot sa braso niya.

Tumawa naman siya tapos inabot ‘yung folder na kailangan ko. “Ito na ‘yun. Huwag mong i-lose ha, confidential ‘yan.”

“Naks, parang ikaw lang. Confidential at complicated,” biro ko. Nagkwentuhan pa kami saglit, well, dapat saglit lang talaga pero si Wayne kasi, walang preno ‘pag nagsimula na.

Napalingon ako sa pinto after a few minutes. Ayun na nga. Nando’n si Leonhardt, nakasandal sa pader. Mukha siyang poster boy ng 'I’m seconds away from killing someone.'

Kinabahan ako ng slight. Uh-oh. I have a feeling that Wayne is going to be murdered today. Si Wayne, oblivious pa rin. “So ayun nga, sabi ko dun sa client—”

“Wayne,” putol ko kaagad. “I need to go. The monster got out with his den. Baka mag-transform na ‘yun sa supervillain kung matagalan pa ako. Sabi ko kasi sandali lang ako.”

“Nandiyan siya? Where?” tanong niya, and lean to the right. “Don’t. Look,” bulong ko, hawak ko na ‘yung folder. “Pero feeling ko gusto ka na niyang ipalibing nang buhay.” I tease him.

Tinapik ko nalang siya sa balikat at naglakad na palabas, trying hard not to laugh or panic. Nasa pinto pa rin si Leonhardt, 'yung tingin niya parang gustong ipasara buong law firm dahil kay Wayne.

“Let’s go,” sabi ko, seryoso na ako pero may konting sindak sa boses. Binuksan niya ‘yung pinto ng sasakyan. Gentleman pa rin kahit mukha siyang kakagaling sa purgatoryo. Well then, Mr. Ice Prince. Kung patigasan ng pride at hintayan ng unang bibigay, game ako.