Lahat ng Kabanata ng Owned By Contract : Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 40

Leonhardt Dietrich’s Point of View Pagkapasok pa lang sa Romano residence, ramdam mo na agad ang formality. Everything was perfectly set, 'yung mahogany table polished to a mirror shine, wine glasses already filled, and the air scented with rosemary at beef stew. But none of us were here for the food. “Ingrid, Leonhardt. Welcome,” bati agad ni Mr. Romano habang sinasara ang pinto. Mrs. Romano followed with a practiced smile. “Let’s make this quick and comfortable, shall we?” Tumango naman ako sa kanila. Bumungad naman agad ang presensya ni Tita Juna, suot ang perlas na palaging suot niya pag may business talk at ang pinsan kong si Rachel na nakakunot agad ang noo sa akin. “Leonhardt, Ingrid,” bati ni Tita Juna habang inaayos ang scarf niya. “Come, sit. We started serving na.” Rachel gave us both a quick nod, not so warming, pero at least civil. “Thank you for agreeing to this dinner. Alam ko pagod pa kayo from the whole mess online.” Tumango lang si Mrs. Romano. “We’re grateful

Ingrid Alessia’s Point of View I was just about to thank him, you know, in a professional and polite way, but then I noticed his gaze drop to my lips, and he flicked his tongue out to wet his own. Tangína, hindi ko alam kung napagtripan ako ng hormones ko, or if it was the way he leaned back on his desk, tie loosened and sleeves rolled. “You’re doing that thing again,” I said. “What thing?” Umiling-iling naman siya while smirking. “Yung nanlalanding naka-power stance habang ang gwapo mo tapos naka-loose tie ka pa. I swear, marketing tool ka ng mga CEO.” He chuckled. “You’re the one imagining things, asawa ko.” He brought his face in closer. I caught my breath. He reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Tapos 'yung kamay niya humawak sa batok ko like he was anchoring me it was soft but firm. “Bawal ba?” he whispered, voice warm against my cheek. I felt a tingling sensation on my skin. “Office to, Leonhardt. What if someone walks in?” He grinned, leaned in

Ingrid Alessia's point of view The moment I stepped into the boardroom, I immediately felt their eyes on me. I was no stranger to doubtful stares, but it still felt different when it happened inside my husband’s own company. Si Leonhardt ay nakaupo sa dulo ng mesa, composed as always, parang walang makakabasag sa presensya niya. Beside him, si Clarisse naman na busy sa pag-aayos ng files, Rico checking his tablet, at si Silvano? well, as expected, malamig ang mga mata niya habang sinusukat ako. “Alright,” Leonhardt started, nang makita niyang nakaupo na ako, “we’re flying out tomorrow for the Southern Asian partnership deal. Ingrid will be joining us as corporate counsel.” The air grew heavier. Even if they didn’t say it out loud, I could already feel what they were thinking: Why her? Isn’t she suspended? Silvano leaned back and crosses his arms. “We’ll be trusting someone whose name is c

The conference room smelled faintly of coffee and bagong bukas na printer ink. Papers were already spread across the long table, projectors humming, and Rico hunched over his tablet like it was a life-support machine. Meron kasing idinagdag ang Southern Asian, kaya need namin mag review talaga ng todo and gather all the info needed. “Okay,” Rico started, mabilis na 'yung boses niya, kung ikaw ba naman kabahan hindi ba na parang machine gun 'yung kinalabasan? “Gusto ng kabilang panig ng full financial projection na covered ang limang taon, may breakdown pa bawat region. Kaya ba matapos nang isang gabi? Halos imposible, diba? Pero kailangan pa rin nating subukan.” Si Clarisse naman na laging maaasahan, slid a stack of neatly printed reports across the table. “I already compiled the last three quarters’ data. Hindi pa siya perfect, pero at least may base na tayo.” “Good job,” Leonhardt said simply, scanning the first page without missing a beat. Niño leaned back on his chair, sipp

Ingrid Alessia's point of view Habang naka-set up pa ang laptop ko sa mesa, I was scanning the draft contracts over and over, baka meron pang ibang butas. Pero wala naman na, 'yung clause 17 lang talaga. Habang nililibot ko ang paningin sa loob ng room, isa-isa ko silang tinitigan. Then I saw something, out of the corner of my eye. Si Niño na nakaupo sa desk chair niya near the window, nakatagilid 'yung phone niya just enough to hide his screen. Pero hindi naman anti spy 'yung tempered glass niya, kaya nahuli ko 'yung parang may tinatype siyang message. Hindi ko lang sure kung ano, ang suspicious niya kasi, then his screen went dark. Parang gusto ko namang iuntog 'yung sarili ko. Bakit ba si Niño 'yung binabantayan ko? Kahit ang light niyang makisama, mas masama pa rin ang kutob ko sa kanya, kaysa kay Silvano na kulang nalang ibully ako at ingudngod sa sahig. Nahagip ko naman kung paano 'yung tagong nakakalukong ngisi ni Niño. Parang bigla namang sumikip 'yung dibdib ko, k