Kabanata ika-labing Apat

Lance's POV

"Sir?" Natawag ang pansin ko ng aking bagong hired na secretary na si Mr. Lee. Mahigit isang buwan na siyang nagta-trabaho sa akin matapos kong papuntahin ang dati kong sekretarya na si Nanci sa asawa ko.

That woman, Onie, doesn't have someone she can trust on. Sariling kilos lang siya, magmula sa pagpapalakad sa maliit nitong bussiness hanggang sa personal na schedule ng buhay niya.

So, I decided to assign Nanci to her, she should not be stressed, as it would affect the baby, my child.

"Sir. Ms. Corpuz just sent a text message for you." Inabot ko ang telepono na inilahad na niya sa may harapan ko.

Jeyn wanted to meet me after office hours. It drew a wide line in my lips. I really wanted to spend more time with her. She's so precious to me. Eversince, we were at grade school our bond never cut off. She is all for me.Kaya naman kahit na mali ay nakikipagkita pa rin ako sa kaniya. if only she accepted my proposal that night ay hindi sana makakagulo ng ganito. Hindi siguro ako nagkaroon ng pleasuring time with anyone.

I typed a message telling her to wait for me at our favorite restaurant. Maybe she's not busy for the past week kaya naging sunod-sunod ang pagtawag at pakikipag-usapa niya sa akin.

"Cancel my appointment this afternoon Mr. Lee, reschedule it for tomorrow morning," I told him as I lifted my head up to him.

"But sir, this meeting with Mr. Bonaobra is very important, we can't just postpone it-"

Hindi ko na pinatapos ang sasasbihin pa ng aking sekretary. "Just do it Mr. Lee."

Natahimik siya at saka tumango sa akin. "Yes, sir."

He excused himself and left me there dealing with my laptop. There were a lot of work to do but I still should give Jeyn time. I don't want it to happen again the cause why I lost my child to her.

Yes! I impregnated my best friend, but I am also the cause of why we lost our precious Annabelle. I was too scared at that time, I didn't know what to do. I escaped my responsibility to them which caused Jeyn's breakdown. She was ready to be a mom, and Jeyn was very much willing to sacrifice her blooming career back then for us. I was just too stupid. And now I can't blame her for refusing my wedding proposal. I was to blame for everything.

Now, I need to give her more extra time. Just found out she has a heart disease.

And that was f*ck!

I was now busy checking some stuff when my phone beeped for a notification. Damn, I forgot to give back my phone to Mr. Lee.

Hermione Cortez posted a picture.

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko sa nabasang notipikasyon galing sa email account ko. Connected nga pala ang email account ko sa isang social media account na ginawa ko years ago pa.

Medyo na-intriga ako sa kung ano ba ang pinost ng babae na iyon. Pero ang mas nakakapagtaka ay papaanong lumabas ang ganoon sa telepono ko?

Did that woman hack my phone when I was asleep? I dunno.

I immediately checked for it. And to my surprise, I found her post . . . why on Earth did she put the tomato sauce on top of the pancake? Is she crazy?

I dialed her number to scold her for what she was doing. She is embarrassing, not just herself but me, too.

Pero habang naghihintay ng sagot mula sa kan'ya ay bigla akong napa-isip. Nakalimutan ko nang nasa stage nga pala siya ng kaniyang paglilihi. I ended the call and just send her a text message.

I am harsh to her even though she is not doing anything to me. I was full of anger and regret to what had happened between us. I've lost the chance I have for Jeyn because of that one-night stand. If only she had never gone near me, I wouldn't have drank and tied myself to her.

Damn, I hate her but I want my child to be safe. I can't run now, especially since I already exchanged vows with that woman.

That stubborn and pestering Hermaonie.

'Want something for dinner?' It's kinda funny but I sent that message to her number.

'I'll bring one if you have anything in mind.'

Sent.

I put back my phone and focused my eyes on my monitor.

But, I throw a glance every now and then on my phone.

'Why isn't she replying?

I again sent a text message telling her to go home early tonight. The stubborn wife of mine really goes to work today, as I've already told her to just focus on her pregnancy and I'll do the thing about money.

I picked up again my phone and for the last time composed a message for Hermaonie.

‘Don’t be late tonight, the news tells it’s gonna rain. Don’t you dare get my baby on cold?

Buong araw ko talaga siyang sisigawan kapag nagkasakit siya kasama ang anak ko! But then, a guilty feeling run through my veins.

I shouted at her last night kahit hindi naman dapat. I am just carried away by what Jeyn told me. I just want to protect Jeyn, that's all.

At isa pang guiltiness na nararamdaman ko ngayon, makikipagkita ako sa iba habang siya pinapauwi kong mag-isa.

Argh! Nahilot ko na lang ang aking sentido sa sakit ng ulo na nakuha ko sa ganitong sitwasyon.

There are many what ifs running through my mind. Pero hindi namang mangyayari lahat ng ito kung hindi dahil sa mga desisyin ko, so in short, I am the one who should be blamed off.

D@mn!

I straight on my back the moment I remember my wife's face. Yeah, she's pretty but short and nagger. She's weird sometimes, but cute when she's in silence. I can surpass the nine months with her, I think.

Our contract will end after my child's birth, so it will not be that hard for me to let go of her as a wife. We already talked about the set-up, and it's final. All I need to do is to keep them both safe and secure. And I should do it.

I sighed and called Mr. Lee again.

"Call Ms. Corpuz, and tell her we should schedule our dinner some other time. I have some important matter to do before the day ends."