Chapter 5

Auri stepped into the office with a tight breath and a tighter chest, clutching her tote bag like a shield. Monday mornings were always chaotic, but today felt different—buzzing, electric, almost suffocating. Everyone was talking at once, voices overlapping in excited whispers.

“May bagong CEO daw.”

“Appointed from the board mismo.”

“Baka foreigner? Or anak ng may-ari?”

“Grabe, ang aga ng catering. Parang fiesta.”

Auri kept her head down, walking straight to her cubicle. She’d been staying with Lira for the past week, avoiding the house she shared with Selene. Too many memories. Too much betrayal. Too much noise in her head.

Her phone vibrated nonstop the moment she sat down.

Emails.

Texts.

Voicemails.

All from the same people– the wedding suppliers.

Ms. Mercado, we need the remaining balance.  

Ms. Mercado, your cancellation f*e is due.

Ms. Mercado, please settle your account immediately.

She closed her eyes, massaging her temples. She didn’t have the emotional bandwidth for this. Not today.

Another vibration.

Damian.

Again.

Voicemail.

Email.

Missed call.

Please, Auri. Talk to me.  I made a mistake.  Give me another chance.  I love you.

She deleted everything without listening.

Her chest tightened. She inhaled sharply, forcing herself to focus on her monitor. Work. She needed work. Something predictable. Something that didn’t hurt.

“Auri.”

She looked up. Jan stood beside her cubicle, eyes wide.

“Boardroom. Now. All managers were called.”

Auri blinked. “Kasama ako?”

“Yes. Ikaw ang lead sa dalawang campaigns. Of course kasama ka.”

Her stomach twisted. She grabbed her notebook and followed Jan, trying to ignore the pounding in her chest. The hallway was buzzing with employees trying to peek at the catering setup—silver trays, floral arrangements, photographers adjusting their lights.

This wasn’t just a CEO introduction. This was a full production!

Inside the boardroom, the managers were already seated. Auri slipped into a chair near the back, keeping her head low. She didn’t want attention. She didn’t want questions. She didn’t want anything except to get through the day without falling apart.

She opened her notebook, pretending to review her notes, but her mind drifted.

To the house in Tagaytay. The soft sheets. The way Ian whispered her name. And the way he held her like she wasn't broken. Her cheeks warmed. It had been a week. A full week. And she still couldn’t forget. She swallowed hard, pushing the memory away.

The door opened. Everyone straightened.

Mr. Augusto Villaverde, the current CEO, walked in with his usual commanding presence. Tall, silver-haired, intimidating. He scanned the room, then clasped his hands behind his back.

“Good morning. Thank you for coming on short notice.”

Auri sat up straighter.

“As you all know, I am stepping down as CEO of LuzVita Holdings. Today, I am formally introducing the new head of this company.”

The room held its breath.

Auri’s heart thudded painfully.

“Please welcome my son— Cassian Villaverde.”

The world stopped.

Auri’s breath caught in her throat as the man stepped into the room. Tall. Sharp suit. Cold, unreadable eyes.

Ian?

No— Cassian.

Her one-night mistake.

Her heart slammed against her ribs so hard she thought she might faint. Her fingers dug into her notebook, knuckles turning white.

Cassian’s gaze swept across the room. Then it landed on her. Locked. Held.

Auri’s lungs froze.

His expression didn’t change. Not a twitch. Not a flicker. Nothing to reveal what he was thinking.

But his eyes—

His eyes said everything.

I found you.

Auri wanted to shrink into her seat. Melt into the floor. Disappear. Anything but sit there while the man she slept with—her new boss—stared at her like she was the only person in the room.

Cassian spoke, voice smooth and controlled.

“Thank you for the warm welcome. I look forward to working with all of you.”

Auri barely heard the rest. Her pulse roared in her ears. Her palms were sweating. Her throat was dry. She couldn’t breathe.

When the meeting ended, everyone stood, buzzing with excitement. Auri remained frozen in her chair, staring at the table.

“Auri,” Jan whispered, “okay ka lang?”

She nodded stiffly. “Yeah. Just… overwhelmed.”

“Same. Ang gwapo ng bagong CEO, no? Parang artista.”

Auri nearly choked. “H-ha?”

“Girl, hindi mo napansin? Half the room was drooling.”

Auri forced a laugh. “I was… taking notes.”

“Sure ka?” Jan teased.

Before Auri could respond, a staff member approached her.

“Ms. Mercado? The CEO would like to see you in his office.”

Her blood turned to ice.

Jan’s eyes widened. “Uy, bakit ikaw agad?”

“I— I don’t know.”

Her legs felt numb as she followed the staff member to the executive floor. Every step echoed in her ears. Every breath felt too loud.

The assistant opened the door.

“Sir, Ms. Mercado is here.”

Cassian stood behind his desk, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.

“Thank you. Leave us.”

The door closed. The click of the lock echoed like a gunshot and that made Auri swallowed hard.

“Sir…” Her voice cracked. “You wanted to see me?”

Cassian didn’t speak. He just stared. Slow. Intense. Unblinking.

Her knees nearly buckled.

“Have a seat,” he said quietly. Itinuro nito ang isang bakanteng silya sa harap ng mesa. He remained standing for a bit then sat down on his swivel chair. Every inch like a boss. Her breath hitched. Naupo s'ya sa visitor's chair na itinuro nito. 

As she sat there, Auri felt her heart hammering. Pasimple niyang sinulyapan ang bago niyang boss. Suot pa rin nito ang Patek watch katulad nang gabing una silang nagkakilala. Ngayon niya naisip na hindi peke 'yon. The Villaverde family was wealthy, and they can afford the expensive watch he's wearing. 

He didn’t move or smile. He simply reached into his pocket.

Auri’s stomach dropped.

He placed something on the desk.

A small scrap of lace.

Her lace.

Her underwear!

Auri’s face drained of color.

Cassian’s voice was low, controlled, and devastating.

“I think this belongs to you.”