Falling Twice for My Billionaire Boss のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 31 - チャプター 40

The Roque Snacks headquarters was alive with music, laughter, and the scent of catered food. Colorful string lights crisscrossed the ceiling of the small function room, and a cheerful “CONGRATS, TEAM!” banner hung above the buffet table. The festival booth project had been such a huge success that Mr. Hector Roque himself had sent a congratulatory email, praising the entire department for their efforts. Kaella arrived in a pale blue blouse and fitted slacks, her hair down in soft waves. She wasn’t one for loud parties, but she knew how much this meant to the team. She greeted a few officemates, then slipped toward the snack table, already hoping to stay under the radar. But of course, Jerome spotted her almost instantly. Wearing a crisp white shirt with rolled-up sleeves and dark slacks, he looked annoyingly good for someone she was still trying to keep at arm’s length. He was laughing with Trina and a few others, holding a soda can like he was already the life of the party. “Kaell

The office was unusually tense that Thursday morning. Phones rang off the hook, emails pinged non-stop, and the usually lively chatter at Roque Snacks’ sales floor was replaced by frantic whispers. Kaella sat frozen at her desk, eyes locked on the urgent email flashing on her monitor.Subject: URGENT – Incorrect Shipment to B&W DistributorsHer heart sank. B&W was one of their biggest clients—at the last festival, they’d trusted Roque Snacks with a major restock. But the email confirmed their worst nightmare: half of the shipment contained the wrong products, and the delivery deadline for their weekend promotion was in less than 24 hours.“Kaella!” Trina’s voice cut through the chaos. “The boss wants an update—now.”Kaella stood, clutching the report. “I’m on it.” But as she strode across the floor, she nearly bumped into Jerome, who was juggling his phone and a stack of invoices.“Mentor, I heard,” Jerome said quickly, reading her panic. “How bad?”“Bad enough that we could lose B&W

The office buzzed with its usual morning chaos—phones ringing, keyboards clacking, and the smell of brewed coffee drifting through the air. Kaella settled into her desk, determined to push through her tasks. Pero kahit anong pilit niyang mag-focus, her eyes kept wandering toward the far side of the room.Jerome was there—leaning over Lianne’s desk, laughing at something the younger staffer said. Lianne, one of the bubbly marketing assistants, was known for her bright energy and quick wit. Today, she was giggling non-stop, her hand brushing Jerome’s arm in that casual, friendly way.Kaella felt a tiny twist in her stomach. Oh, come on. Don’t be ridiculous. He’s just being friendly.But as Jerome leaned closer to help Lianne with a spreadsheet, Kaella noticed how relaxed he seemed, how easily he smiled at her. That same warm, charming smile he often gave Kaella herself.Her fingers tightened around her pen. So what if he’s friendly? That’s just who he is. Hindi ibig sabihin nun na may i

That Friday afternoon, the office buzzed with its usual energy—papers shuffling, keyboards clicking, at mga boses na halu-halong parang palengke. Kaella was buried in her emails, pretending to be calm kahit ang totoo, distracted siya. Sa kabilang desk kasi, tawa nang tawa si Jerome habang kinakausap si Denise mula sa Marketing. Nakayuko ito, may pinapakita sa phone, at sabay silang tumatawa.Kaella clenched her pen a little too hard. “Focus, Kaella. Focus,” she muttered, typing aggressively. Pero hindi talaga mapigilan ng mata niya na lumihis paminsan-minsan. Ang hirap i-explain pero may kurot sa dibdib tuwing nakikitang komportable si Jerome sa ibang babae.“Uy, Kaella.” Trina suddenly appeared, dropping by her cubicle with a knowing smirk. “Bakit parang galit ka sa keyboard?”“Hindi ah,” Kaella replied too quickly. “May urgent report lang.”“Urgent report o urgent jealousy?” Trina teased, then winked. “Don’t worry, bagay naman kayo ni Jerome.”“Trina!” Kaella hissed, cheeks heating.

Nararamdaman ni Kaella na mas nagiging mahirap na ang pagtatago ng kanyang nararamdaman. Sa bawat araw na lumilipas, hindi niya maiwasang mapansin kung paano nagiging mas visible na si Jerome sa opisina—hindi na lang bilang “rookie trainee,” kundi bilang taong lahat ay napapansin, lalo na siya.Isang umaga, habang papasok si Kaella bitbit ang ilang folders, muntik na siyang matapilok sa hagdan dahil nagmamadali. Agad na nasa tabi niya si Jerome, hinawakan ang braso niya bago pa siya tuluyang matumba. “Careful, mentor. Hindi bagay sayo ang clumsy entrance,” biro nito, may kasamang ngiti.Napatingin si Kaella, ramdam ang init sa balat niya kung saan nakahawak si Jerome. Mabilis siyang umatras. “I’m fine. Salamat,” sagot niya, pilit na pinapakalma ang sarili. Pero hindi nakaligtas sa mga mata ng mga kasamahan nila sa lobby ang eksenang iyon. Narinig pa niya ang bulungan ng dalawa: “Uy, parang teleserye. Ang sweet.”Kinagabihan, habang nasa pantry siya at sinusubukang ayusin ang reports,