Embracing the Cold

Prologue

The only thing that's left to me is my ego. I need to save it. I want to prove to everyone that I am still that bitch. That bad bitch who shows no mercy. That bad bitch who cares no one but herself.

No man could ever change me. No man could ever hurt me, in any way. I am still the woman they used to know.

Well, atleast my feeling is not visible. They can only feel it, so I am going to make them feel like everything is alright.

Wearing my black deep-v ruched slit bodycon dress, with my black stiletto, ang natural wavy brown kong hair na medium length ay nakalugay, dala ang aking black purse ay pumasok ako sa isang elite restaurant. Iginiya kaagad ako ng isang staff patungo sa isang private room after kong sabihin ang pangalan ng pinsan kong nagpa-reserve.

I didn't smile, I couldn't fake a smile.

"Hello.. am I late?" tanong ko kaagad nang nakita ang tatlong taong nagtangkang baguhin ang pagkatao ko para mapalambot ako for their own benefits.

Sabay-sabay silang napatayo.

Isa-isa kong tinitigan ang mukha nila.

Huminto lamang ang titig ko sa pangatlong tao.

The root cause of all my hatred. The reason why I am never going soft again even for a day, which kind of happened before.

He was staring at me with the same intensity my eyes was giving him.

He checked me out first before clenching his jaw and looking at me again with anger in his eyes.

"You're just on time, have a seat Quish..." basag ni Anthony sa tensyong namumuo sa amin ng kaibigan niya. Ibinaling ko sa kanya ang atensyon ko at naupo na ako.

The table is good for four at ako lang ang hinihintay. The waiters immediately got and served our orders.

Tahimik lamang sila, pinapakiramdaman ang paligid.

"So, what do you want me to do?" I asked and looked at them pagkatapos mai-serve ng waiter ang aming pagkain.

The room was so silent as to how it should be.

"Listen Quishanette... gusto namin na i-give up mo ang posisyon mo sa kompanya temporarily---" panimula ni Andrea.

Mariin kong pinukol ang tingin ko sa kaniya.

"Ayoko." Mariin kong sagot. Nakita kong suminghap siya sa pagputol ko sa pagsasalita niya.

Nilingon niya si Bryce na nasa tabi niya na kaharap ko. Hindi ko na sila pinagtuonan ng pansin at tinapunan ko lang ng tingin si Anthony na nasa gilid ko.

"Ton, iyon lang ba ang pag-uusapan natin?" Tanong ko at nagsimulang kumain. Nagsisimula na rin sila.

Nahagip ng mga mata ko ang plato ni Bryce na nilalagyan ni Andrea ng ulam at kanin. Palihim akong napairap.

"Quish, hindi mo kaya ang kompanya. Wala kang sapat na experience---" ani Anthony.

"That's why I'm handling the company as early as I can. I'm still young and I am capable of learning the things I needed to know. Mas bata pa nga kayo sa akin." Sagot ko, nakadirekta ang paningin kay Andrea.  

"Quish, we just want the best for the company. I can temporarily handle it, Andrea can, too." Pangungumbinsi ni Anthony.

"Sure you both can, but I also can." Matapang kong sagot kahit na wala akong kaalam-alam sa family business namin.

All I know is that it is an Investment Banking. As far as I know rin, Bryce's family business, Securities Dealing and our family business will be merging as soon as possible. And it will be impossible when I am handling the company. It will be impossible because my decision matters. After all, the company was named on me.