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.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 sa biglang bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto. Pumasok si Cassie, hawak ang kaniyang small pouch at agad niya akong pinagmasdan mula ulo hanggang paa.“Alessa.” she narrowed her eyes.Napatingin ako sa kaniya sa salamin. “Hmm?”“Are you really sure na dadalo ka sa party?”“Yes.” napabuntong-hininga ako bago muling humarap sa salamin.“Because you can still change your mind.”Napalingon ako sa kaniya. “Why would I

“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.”The audience responded with warm applause.Napalingon din ako sa direksiyong tinitigan niya.At naroon pa rin si Zhean.Tahimik.Blanko ang mukha habang nakatitig sa kaniyang ama. But this time, something in his eyes had changed.Hindi ko matukoy kung galit ba iyon, sakit, o kung ano mang bagay na hindi ko maipaliwanag.Then, suddenly, the massive LED screen behind the stage changed.A soft instrumental melody filled the ballroom as another photograph slowly appeared on the screen.Isang babae. Mahaba ang kaniyang maitim na buhok na malayang bumabagsak sa kaniyang mga balikat, binabalangkas ang pinong mukha at elegante nitong mga katangian.But it wasn't her beauty that made me stare.It was her eyes. Those familiar eyes.Unti-unting napunta ang tingin ko kay Zhean.Hindi siya gumagalaw.Nakatitig lamang siya sa screen.Bahagyang nanig

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 kanyang 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.“Hindi mo alam kung sino ang mabubunot at ipapahiya next.” sabay

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. In front of us stood a 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 smile. ”Baka maging awkward lang ako sa loob. 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 foyer, ramdam na ramdam ang festive atmosphere. Beautiful decorations adorned the high-ceiling living area, and soft music was playing in the background.“Brion, iho ! Dumating ka rin!” bati ng isang matandang babae habang lumalapit sa amin.“Tita Kara! Happy to see you,” bati ni