Chapter 1

‎STANDING outside the president's office, Zein looked like a portrait of calm, She's elegant and composed in her sleek black heels. Pero sa totoo lang, she was drowning. The chill clung to her skin like frost, cold and biting, pero mas malamig pa rin ang nararamdaman niya sa dibdib. Her hands, hidden behind her back, trembled slightly, but her face—oh, her face was still. Flawless. 

‎

‎She raised her hand, and knocked twice on the door. A low, deep voice answered from within.

‎

‎"Come in."

‎

‎Pagbukas ng pinto, naamoy niya agad ang halong mamahaling cologne at leather-bound folders. The scent that used to bring her comfort, now made her stomach twist. She walked in, smile faint but perfectly placed, as if today was just another normal day sa buhay nila.

‎

‎"Are you busy? These documents need your signature," she said, her voice smooth and steady. Inilapag niya ang folder sa harapan niya and turned the pages to where the signatures were needed. As if everything was fine. As if she hadn’t just finalized the one decision that would end everything.

‎

‎Elio barely looked up. 

‎

‎Kakauwi lang niya galing Switzerland, at halatang pagod pa rin. His usually sharp features were dulled by exhaustion, his tie slightly loosened, sleeves rolled up. He signed everything quickly, without reading.

‎

‎"Thanks for your hard work," he mumbled.

‎

‎She smiled again, tighter this time. "Are you coming home for dinner tonight?"

‎

‎"I have something to do. Don’t wait for me."

‎

‎Of course. Hindi na nakakapagtaka. Alam niya naman ang sagot, pero tanong pa rin siya just to keep up appearances. She gave him a small nod, turned, and walked away with the signed documents. Tahimik ang mga hakbang niya.

‎

‎Pagkalabas niya ng opisina, nawala agad ang kanyang ngiti. Her fingers clenched the folder tightened, kulang na lang ay magusot iyon.

‎

‎WHILE passing the lounge area, may narinig siyang mahinang kaluskos. Her eyes scanned the room and darted on the coffee table, may mga naka-kalat na balat ng biskwit at isang half-drunk milk tea. And on the floor, there was a nude pink stiletto.

‎

‎That was all it took. Bigla niyang marealialize lahat.

‎

‎Kasama niya ang babae sa business trip. Hindi lang basta kasama.

‎

‎Dinala pa niya dito.

‎

‎She kept herself up, walang luha, walang sigaw. Pero ang puso niya, para siyang dinudurog. The pain was no longer sharp. It was dull, dragging, as if something inside her had long accepted this day would come.

‎

‎Pagbalik niya sa opisina, pakiramdam niya’y para siyang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. She collapsed on her chair, heels kicked off without care. Her perfectly ironed blouse felt suffocating now.

‎

‎She opened the folder again. Sa pinakailalim, nandoon ang divorce agreement—at andun na rin ang pirma niya. Sa isang tingin lang, confirmed na ang lahat.

‎

‎She stared at it for a second, her finger hovering above the page. Sunod-sunod pumasok sa isip niya ang mga alaala, kung paanong sinabi nitong mahal na mahal siya, kung paano siya tiningnan at pinamukha na siya lang ang mundo nito. Ang pagtutol ng biyenan niyang akala mo hindi siya karapat-dapat. At ang sarili niyang paniniwala na "we're different."

‎

‎Well, they're not.

‎

‎He’s just like the rest.

‎

‎She took a picture of the signature and sent it to his mother.

‎

‎He signed it.

‎

‎One week ago, may deal na sila. She would divorce him quietly, keep the marriage a secret, and walk away with ten billion. One month from now, tapos na. Walang scandal. Walang press. Just silence.

‎

‎She leaned back on her chair, eyes closed for a moment. Nagsimula nang sumikip ang dibdib niya, hindi dahil sa sakit kundi dahil sa wakas, malaya na siya. Or at least, she will be.

‎

‎Knock knock.

‎

‎"Come in."

‎

‎Pumasok si Lee, ang assistant ni Elio, hawak ang isang velvet green box.

‎

‎"President Elio asked me to give you this."

‎

‎Binuksan niya ito nang walang interes. Inside, a diamond set. Mukhang mamahalin, rare, and worth millions. It was carefully cut, sparkling under the office light. Isa lang ang ibig sabihin nito—guilt gift.

‎

‎Pero wala siyang naramdaman kundi nasusuka.

‎

‎Ang unang pumasok sa isip niya? Ang isang batang babae. Nakasuot lang ng bathrobe, hawak ang kwintas na parang laruan lang, gulo-gulo ang kama, at halatang may masamang nangyari.

‎

‎She fought the nausea. Her throat tightened.

‎

‎"Thank you, Assistant Lee," she said, her eyes cold and sharp.

‎

‎Kinabahan si Lee. "This was personally chosen by President Elio. Only one in the world."

‎

‎Only one.

‎

‎She gave a sarcastic smile. "Wow. That’s so sweet. I’m touched. Talagang he made time to buy me a gift. Classic."

‎

‎Lee stiffened, nagmadaling lumabas ng office. Naiwan siyang mag-isa sa loob, staring at the diamonds like they were trash.

‎

‎She took a photo and sent it to the shop owner from the tag. With her simple words she gave an order.

‎

‎'Sell this. Donate the money to a foundation for mentally challenged kids.'

‎

‎The shop owner didn’t even reply. Doesn’t matter.

‎

‎She sat in silence, eyes fixed on the table, wondering—kailan siya nagsimulang mawala? Was it when he stopped texting good night? When he started making excuses? Or was it from the very beginning, a game disguised as love?

‎

‎FIVE o’clock. Sa parking lot.

‎

‎Kakabukas lang niya ng pinto ng kotse niya when her eyes caught movement sa kabilang dulo. A car had just started.

‎

‎Sa loob, she saw him—Elio.

‎

‎At katabi niya ang babae, she was short haired, young, and full of life.

‎

‎Magkadikit sila. Halatang close, super close. The girl was giggling, leaning toward him with that innocent kind of boldness only someone untouched by heartbreak could wear.

‎

‎Biglang preno si Lee. "President—!"

‎

‎Through the windshield, nagkatinginan sila ni Zein. Mata sa mata. No one moved, No one spoke.

‎

‎Just silence.

‎

‎And in that silence, a thousand truths passed between them.

‎

‎He looked away first.

‎

‎She turned around, opened her car door, and stepped inside like she hadn’t just been stabbed by the reality she already knew.

‎

‎And that was it.

‎

‎No confrontation. No drama. Just quiet.

‎

‎She's finally done.

‎

‎This wasn’t heartbreak. It was closure dressed as pain.