Chapter 5 : Fear

The days had passed and Zhean was extremely busy traveling overseas for his international business meetings. It was a blessing in disguise. I finally got the chance to take a rest physically and mentally. 

"Saan ba talaga tayo? Is it La Union or Palawan?" tanong ni Alexis habang sumusubo ng pasta.

Nasa isang cozy cafe kami malapit sa office para mag-lunch. Kasama ko sina Alexis, Karen, Cassie, Joyce, Dave, Vince, and of course, Brion.

"Kahit saan, basta may dagat at preskong hangin," nakangiting sagot ko.

Brion, who was sitting beside me, chuckled softly and leaned in. 

"Kung gusto mo ng relaxation, Palawan is the best choice."

"Palawan it is then!" deklara ni Vince, adjusting his glasses while checking his phone for flights.

 "Sakto, the long holidays are coming next week. I'll book the flights and the beach resort for us."

Everybody cheered. Just the thought of leaving Manila's heat and traffic made me feel lighter.After a grueling, tiring week of rushing reports and endless deadlines, the holiday finally came.

We all met up at the airport early in the morning, buzzing with excitement. The flight to Puerto Princesa was quick, and by the time we boarded the private van toward our resort in El Nido, the salty breeze of the ocean was already welcoming us. 

"Grabe! Ang ganda rito!" Alexis screamed in excitement

"This is exactly what we need. Fresh air!" sabi ko, letting out a deep, contented breath as I stepped out onto the balcony.

The ocean stretching out before us was a majestic shade of blue, glittering under the afternoon sun. 

"Hey," Brion walked up to the balcony, leaning beside me. "You look peaceful."

"I am," I smiled genuinely, looking back at him. "It's been a while since nakavacation ako."

"Then let's make sure you enjoy this trip to the fullest "

The second day of our trip was nothing short of legendary. Palawan had this magic that made you forget about the heavy chains of reality back in Manila.

We rented motorcycles in the morning to explore the rugged, scenic roads of El Nido. Sumubok kaming mag-surf kahit na halos lamunin ako ng mga alon. We also tried the trending tourist activities from clear kayaking in the lagoons to cliff jumping. We spent the afternoon eating local seafood by the shore, taking aesthetic group photos, and just living in the moment. 

Around midnight, when the bass of the music got a bit too loud, I sneaked away toward a quieter, dimly lit part of the shore just to feel the cold sand beneath my feet.

"Hey,why are you here?" a voice called out.

I turned to see Brion walking toward me, holding two bottles of cold beer. He handed one to me.

"Salamat," I said, taking a sip.

"Medyo maingay na kasi roon sa loob. I just wanted some quiet time."

I sat down, pulling my knees close to my chest as the cold ocean breeze wrapped around us. For a long time, we just watched the waves crash under the moonlight. 

"You know, Alessa," Brion started, breaking the comfortable silence

 "I'm really glad we got this trip. I really want to get to know you more," he murmured.

"I want to know everything about you."

I stared at him, and for a second, my heart skipped a beat. He was a genuinely good guy, gentle, respectful, and safe. But instead of feeling thrilled, a sudden, heavy wave of sadness hit me.

I just smiled. Deep down, my mind was a chaotic mess. These past few weeks Brion has constantly showing me interest and coudn't bare to entertain anyone at this moment but I genuinely happy that I met a person like him. It just that after what my ex did to me, and now with my current, toxic situation with Zhean my life is messed up. 

"I'm really glad we had the chance to know each other too, Brion," I said .

He just smiled, clinked his bottle against mine, and looked back at the ocean. 

Monday came, and with it, the cold slap of reality. The holidays were officially over, and it was time to go back to work.To my relief, Zhean hadn't messaged or called me once since he left for his international trip. 

"Alessa, are you alright? May lagnat ka, ha," Joyce remarked, leaning over her cubicle divider to look at me.

"Ang putla-putla mo."

"I told you, cause of being a workaholic yan," Cassie chimed in.

"Oh my god, Alessa! Ang init mo! I think you should rest na. Umuwi ka na kaya?"Alexis dramatically said.

Reluctantly, I just nodded, lacking the strength to argue.Gathering what little energy I had left, I packed my things. I stood up, clutching my thick knit jacket tightly against my shivering body.

I pressed the button for the elevator, my head throbbing with every beat of my heart. When the metallic doors slid open there, standing inside, was Zhean.The moment his eyes landed on me, he was about to say something, but he stopped mid-sentence. His expression instantly changed 

"Good afternoon, Sir Valeri—" I weakly muttered,

"Hey, are you sick?" he asked, his voice sharp with immediate concern, stepping forward.

"Alessa, look at me," he commanded.

Suddenly, I felt a warm, large hand pressing his palm directly to my temple. "Shit," Zhean muttered under his breath.

When the elevator doors finally opened at the basement parking lot, I expected him to let me go, but instead, his hand wrapped firmly around my wrist, gently pulling me along with him.

"Sir, uuwi ako...".

He didn't listen. Without a word, he guided me to his sleek black SUV, carefully opening the passenger door and placing me inside.The next thing I was in his bedroom 

"Alessa."

"Sir Valeriano..." I murmured, my voice raspy.

"Call me by my name," he said quietly

"We're outside the office."

Before I could reply, he turned and went out of the room. A minute later, he returned carrying a small tray. On it was a bowl of steaming soup and a glass of water.

"You don't have to do this," I whispered, trying to sit up, but the pounding in my head made me wince.

"Just sit up and eat," he replied, ignoring my protest as he sat on the edge of the coffee table in front of me, placing the tray down.

"When did you arrive in the Philippines?" I asked, my voice thin.

"This morning ," he replied shortly.

"I was asking because—"

"Stop asking and eat this," he interrupted, shoving the spoon gently toward my mouth.

I'm too weak to argue, and obeyed. I slowly ate the warm soup, the heat of it soothing my aching throat. 

"I heard you spent your holidays with your friends in Palawan."

How did he know? My mind raced. We didn't follow each other on any social media platforms, and I knew for a fact my accounts were private. Is he stalking me?

"And specifically... that Brion," he added, his voice dropping into a dangerously low, tight tone.

I didn't answer. I kept my mouth shut, staring down at the soup, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. Zhean let out a quiet, frustrated sigh. 

"Take this and take a rest," he said, standing up. He looked down at me one last time, his jaw tight. 

"I'll be in the study room. You should Sleep."

Pagkasara na pagkasara ng p***o, nanatili akong nakaupo, nakatitig sa kawalan. Ngunit ang katahimikang akala ko ay magbibigay sa akin ng kapayapaan ay biglang nabasag ng tunog ng aking cellphone.

"Hello?" mahinang sagot ko.

"Hindi lang pala sa office may nangyayari, Alessa... pati na rin sa penthouse niya,What's really the score between you and your boss ?" malamig na wika ng boses sa kabilang linya.

Napatayo ako at halos mabitawan ang phone. Nanlamig ang buong katawan ko. 

"Paano... paano mo nalaman?" nanginginig kong tanong.

"Sino ka ba at anong kailangan mo sa akin?Pera ..kailangan mo ba pera?" pilit kong pinatatag ang boses ko kahit nanginginig na ang mga kamay ko.

"I don't want your money, Alessa," tugon niya, tila nasisiyahan sa takot na nararamdaman ko.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko. "Edi kung hindi pera, ano?! Ano ba talaga ang kailangan mo sa akin?"

Tumawa siya nang bahagya, isang tunog na nagpataas ng lahat ng balahibo sa katawan ko. "You'll know it soon."

Bago pa man ako makapagsalita, naputol na ang linya. Hindi mo ma identify kung babae or lalaki ang caller dahil gumamit siya ng isang voice changer kaya hindi ko siya mabosesan.

I paced the floor, my phone trembling in my hand. Fear wasn't just a feeling anymore it was a physical weight crushing my chest. I couldn't afford to be careless, not when my mother’s life and my entire future hung in the balance.