جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 40

Winston's POVThe house was unusually quiet.Unlike the mansion, where silence often felt cold and empty, this one carried a different kind of peace. The old wooden walls creaked every now and then as the afternoon breeze slipped through the open windows. Somewhere outside, children were laughing. A rooster crowed in the distance, followed by the faint barking of a dog.I sat alone in the small living room, absentmindedly turning the cup of coffee in my hand.Three-in-one. Still not espresso. Eh baka daw kasi masaktan pa ko kung ipipilit kung espresso. What the heck!Yet somehow, it no longer tasted as bad as I remembered. Nakaka-adjust naman kahit papaano ang dila ko para sa kape na ‘to. Akala ko nga, hindi ko makakayang inumin."Alam mo, Sir. Hindi mo naman kailangan pilitin ang sarili mo na inumin yan kung hindi mo talaga kaya.”I looked up. Ate Liza had just stepped out of the kitchen, carrying a plate of freshly sliced mangoes. Nakangiti pa itong tumingin sa’kin. Parang alam niy

WINSTON POVThe drive back to Manila felt longer than usual. Normally, I welcomed silence during business trips. Mas gusto ko pa ngang tahimik because it gave me time to think to prepare and to plan.Today... My thoughts kept drifting somewhere else."Sir?" Benjamin's voice pulled me back."We'll arrive at the headquarters in ten minutes."I gave a small nod. "Understood."I shifted my gaze toward the window. The scenery outside had long changed from endless rice fields to towering buildings and heavy traffic.Somehow, the city suddenly felt much colder than I remembered.~The moment I stepped inside Domingo Group Headquarters, everything returned to normal. Employees straightened their backs. Conversations stopped. Greetings echoed throughout the lobby."Good morning, Sir Winston.""Good morning, Sir.""Welcome back, Sir."I acknowledged them with brief nods before heading straight toward the executive floor. Nothing had changed. Everything was exactly where it belonged.So why did

Winston's POVThe next morning began exactly the way every morning had for the past several years. At precisely seven-thirty, I walked into the executive elevator.At exactly eight, I entered my office. By eight-oh-five, the first set of reports had already been waiting on my desk.Nothing had changed. Everything was running according to schedule. Yet for some reason, it no longer felt satisfying."Good morning, Sir." Benjamin entered the office carrying a stack of folders. "Your schedule for today." He placed the tablet in front of me. Nine o'clock, executive committee meeting. Ten-thirty, signing ceremony. One o'clock, lunch meeting with the investors. Three o'clock, interview with Forbes Asia."I skimmed through everything before handing the tablet back."Cancel the interview."Benjamin looked surprised. "Sir?""I don't have anything new to say.""Yes, Sir."He made a quick note before quietly leaving my office. The moment the door closed, silence settled over the room once again.

The moment I stepped out of the car, I was greeted by the familiar scent of fresh grass and the cool afternoon breeze. It had only been a few days. Yet somehow, returning to the province felt more like coming home than simply visiting.Benjamin quietly closed the car door behind me."I'll bring your luggage inside later, Sir."I gave him a slight nod before my attention drifted back to Windy. She was still standing a few steps away, smiling.Not the polite smile people gave me in the city. Not the practiced smile I often saw during business meetings.Just Windy."Akala ko next week ka pa babalik." There was genuine surprise in her voice."I thought so too."She tilted her head. "Hmm?""The meeting ended earlier than expected."That wasn't entirely a lie. The meeting had ended. But I could have stayed in Manila. No one had asked me to return immediately. It had been my decision."Kuya Winston!"A familiar little voice suddenly echoed across the road. Nica. She came running toward us as

WINSTON POVI had negotiated with some of the most difficult businessmen in Asia. I had faced hostile takeovers without losing my composure. I had remained calm while competitors tried to provoke me during meetings.Yet...A single conversation between Windy and her childhood friend had somehow occupied my thoughts longer than it should have.It didn't make sense. And I didn't like things that didn't make sense.~The celebration continued as the sun slowly disappeared behind the mountains. Warm lights were hung across the street. Children chased one another beneath them while the adults remained gathered around the long tables, exchanging stories and laughter.Benjamin quietly approached me."Sir.""Hm?""I've already brought your luggage inside."I gave a small nod. "Thank you."He hesitated. "Would you like me to prepare tomorrow's itinerary?"I glanced at him. "There isn't one."His brows lifted slightly. "None?""We're staying another day."Benjamin wasn't easily surprised. But t