All Chapters of The Afterburn of Tempation: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Mabilis na lumipas ang mga araw, hanggang sa hindi ko namalayan na dumating na rin ang gabing matagal na hinihintay. The most anticipated event of the year, the 50th Anniversary of Valeriano Corporation, five decades of success, power, and influence celebrated under one roof.This would be the very first time I would see Zhean again after what happened at my apartment. After all the doors slammed, the blood on my hands, and the painful finality of his last words.Kinakabahan man ang buong sistema ko, pinilit kong ihanda ang sarili ko. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, fixing the last strand of my hair before taking a deep breath. Habang nag-aayos ako sa harap ng salamin, biglang bumukas ang p***o ng kwarto. Pumasok si Cassie, hawak ang kaniyang small pouch, at agad niya akong pinagmasdan mula ulo hanggang paa.“Alessa,” she narrowed her eyes, filled with hesitation.Napatingin ako sa kaniya sa salamin. “Hmm?”“Are you really sure na dadalo ka sa party?” tanong niya.“Yes,” napab

“So tonight, I want to dedicate everything I have accomplished to her memory. Wherever you are... I am so deeply sorry, and I hope you know that this success is still yours.”Warm, solemn applause echoed throughout the grand ballroom. Raphael lowered his head, collecting himself before looking toward a specific table in the VIP area.“Wherever you are, I hope you know that everything we built, everything we accomplished, and everything this company has become is also because of you.”Warm, deafening applause filled the ballroom.Napalingon ako sa direksiyong tinitigan ni Raphael. At naroon pa rin si Zhean. Tahimik. Blanko ang mukha habang nakatitig sa kaniyang ama. But this time, something in his eyes had changed a lethal mix of unresolved anger and deep-seated pain.Then, the massive LED screen behind the stage shifted. A soft, melancholic melody filled the ballroom as a portrait slowly faded into view.It was a woman with long, dark hair gently framing a refined, striking face. But i

Nang sumunod na umaga, pagpasok ko pa lang sa opisina, para nang mga zombie ang mga officemates ko. The atmosphere inside the room felt unusually heavy, and everyone looked utterly drained before the shift even began."Ang aga pa, bakit ganyan na ang mukha niyo?" sabi ko kay Joyce nang makitang mukhang stress na stress na ito habang nakatitig sa kaniyang computer screen.She let out a heavy sigh without turning her eyes away from the monitor. "Paano ba naman, today is the first day na formally i-introduce si Bianca."Bago pa man ako makasagot, biglang sumingit si Helen mula sa kabilang desk. "For sure torture 'to sa atin. Did you all see how she treated Sir Ramos last time? Napakasama ng ugali."I knew that just like me, my other colleagues were feeling anxious as well. Ibang breed talaga ng tao si Bianca, and her notorious reputation preceded her. I honestly don't know why they put her here sa department namin."I don't even know bakit napunta 'yan sa department natin," sabi naman ni

The next few days were tough. Having Bianca as our new department head was far from easy. Ang dami niyang binago sa system namin new procedures, stricter deadlines, additional reports, and rules that none of us were used to.Even when we wanted to argue, we couldn't. We had no choice but to follow her orders. By the end of every day, halos lahat kami pagod na pagod.“Since Bianca took over, parang every day may bagong rule,” reklamo ni Cassie habang nakasandal sa office chair niya.“Dati, manageable pa 'yung workload natin. Ngayon, halos ayaw na tayo pahingahin,” pagsang-ayon ni June habang inaayos ang mga documents sa desk niya.“Even the smallest mistake, pinapansin niya,” singit ni Alexis.“Strict lang talaga siya,” napabuntong-hininga ako.“Strict?” Napalingon sa akin si Cassie.“Girl, that's a huge understatement. Napakasama ng ugali niya. She's plain cruel.”“Parang everyday Russian roulette dito,” dagdag ni Joyce, sabay tingin sa paligid.“Hindi mo alam kung sino ang mabubunot a

After a twenty-minute drive, huminto ang kotse sa tapat ng isang napakalaking gate. As the black iron gates opened automatically, dahan-dahang pumasok ang sasakyan sa isang malawak na driveway na napapalibutan ng maayos na lawn. In front of us stood a grand, two-story modern mansion.Naramdaman ko agad ang matinding kaba sa dibdib ko. My palms started sweating, and I gripped my purse a little tighter.“Hey,” panimula ni Brion softly.“Relax, Alessa. They don’t bite.” He turned off the engine and looked at me with a reassuring smile.“First time ko kasi ma meet family mo, Brion,” pabulong kong sagot, looking around in awe and nervousness.“You’ll be fine. Ako ang bahala sa 'yo,” he promised, stepping out of the car to open my door again.Pagpasok na pagpasok namin sa grand foyer, ramdam na ramdam ang festive atmosphere. Beautiful decorations adorned the high-ceiling living area, and soft music was playing in the background. Maraming tao ang nakadalo, mostly guests and relatives.“Brion,