جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 80

The city lights of Singapore shimmered outside the hotel window, their reflections gliding over the glass like restless thoughts. After few weeks in NYC, he had to go back to Singapore.Jerome sat by the desk, eyes fixed on the laptop screen filled with financial reports and board memos. But no matter how many times he reread the numbers, one name kept pulling his focus back—Kaella Ponce.He exhaled sharply, leaning back in his chair. “Focus, Jerome,” he muttered to himself. “Hindi ka pumunta rito para lang magpadala sa damdamin.”Pero kahit anong sabihin niya sa sarili, hindi niya kayang itanggi—mula nang iwan niya ang Pilipinas, there was an ache that no corporate victory could fill.Every night after the endless meetings, he found himself scrolling through the company’s internal updates, pretending to check regional reports when in truth, he was looking for her name. When he saw her listed as “Regional Sales Head,” napangiti siya kahit sandali. She did it. She’s still shining, he th

Madalas nang tahimik ang mga gabi ni Kaella. No more late calls, no work messages from Jerome, no shared laughter over project revisions that lasted till dawn. Ang tanging tunog sa apartment niya ay ang mahinang hum ng aircon at ang pagtik-tik ng wall clock na parang paalala ng oras na patuloy lumalayo sa kanila.That night, nakaupo siya sa couch, laptop sa harap, reviewing sales reports na halos kabisado na niya. Pero wala na siyang naintindihan sa binabasa. Her mind kept drifting back—sa email, sa name na lumalabas sa company bulletins, sa mga lugar na minsan nilang pinagsaluhan.The doorbell rang once, breaking the silence.“Delivery for Miss Kaella!”Pagbukas niya ng pinto, bumulaga si Trina—hawak ang dalawang cup ng milk tea at isang box ng fries. “Surprise! Alam kong overtime ka na naman, kaya dumaan na ‘ko. Hindi healthy ‘yan, puro kape.”Kaella smiled weakly. “Wala ka talagang patawad sa diet ko, no?”“Eh ikaw, wala kang patawad sa sarili mo,” Trina shot back, sabay pumasok na

Mainit ang hapon sa opisina. Halos lahat ng empleyado ay nakatambay sa lounge area, nag-aagawan sa iisang kopya ng glossy business magazine. Rinig ang kilig na tili ng mga staff—parang may artista sa cover, hindi corporate heir.“Grabe, si Sir Jerome pala ‘to?!” tili ng isa sa mga admin staff. “Ang gwapo! Parang ibang tao!”Sa gitna ng ingay, tahimik lang si Kaella sa cubicle niya. Naririnig niya ang mga bulungan, pero pilit niyang ibinabaling ang atensyon sa laptop screen. Hindi siya kailangang tumingin para malaman kung anong issue ‘yon. Kilala niya ang boses na ‘yon, kahit pa nakasulat lang sa pahina.“Kaella, tingnan mo!” sabi ni Trina, halos sabik habang hawak ang magazine. “Si Jerome ‘to—he’s the new CEO of Roque Snacks Inc! As in the Roque Snacks Inc. Oh my gosh, ikaw ‘yung nag-train sa kanya, ‘di ba?”Kaella smiled faintly, pero hindi niya iyon abot sa mga mata. “Yeah,” mahina niyang sagot. “I trained him.”Hindi niya inasahan na ganoon kabilis magbago ang lahat. Parang kailan

Ang garden venue ay kumikislap sa ilalim ng mga fairy lights, parang mga bituing bumaba sa lupa. May halong tawanan at musika sa hangin, at amoy ng fresh roses na dumadampi sa gabi. Kaella adjusted the hem of her pale blue dress, forcing a polite smile habang nakikipagkwentuhan sa mga kaibigan ng bride.Hindi talaga siya mahilig sa weddings nitong mga nakaraang taon — masyadong maraming speeches about forever, masyadong maraming love songs na parang gustong pukawin ang mga alaala na matagal na niyang sinubukang kalimutan.Pero she had promised her college friend na pupunta siya. At si Kaella, once she gives her word, tinutupad niya.“Kaella! Later I’ll introduce you to some of the groom’s friends, ha? Mostly business people,” sabi ng bride bago ito mabilis na nawala para salubungin ang ibang bisita.Kaella just nodded, taking a sip of her champagne. Corporate people. Great. Another night of polite smiles and empty talk.She was about to grab another canapé when a familiar voice floate

The evening lights of the hotel ballroom glimmered like gold against the crystal chandeliers. It was a night of celebration—Roque Snacks was hosting a corporate dinner to welcome back their new CEO, Jerome Roque. The entire team was buzzing with energy, and everyone came dressed to impress. Kaella, in a simple yet elegant navy dress, blended professionalism with quiet grace. Pero kahit pa anong pilit niyang maging composed, she could feel the heavy weight in her chest just thinking that Jerome would be there.“Kaella, dito ka na sa table five, ha?” sabi ng event coordinator habang inaayos ang seating plan. Kaella nodded politely, trying to stay calm. “Sure, no problem,” sagot niya, kahit deep inside, she was silently praying that fate would be kind enough not to seat her near him.Pero parang sinadyang hindi siya pakinggan ng universe.“Wait—someone just switched tables,” sabi ng coordinator, flipping the chart. “Kaella, actually… you’ll be seated beside Mr. Roque. Sorry, last-minute