OXYGEN

LI

Every breath I took after you,
was not like breathing

---

"I think it's final."

Xylex rested her arms in the table and she gently brushed her hair. Napatingin si Herriene sa akin at kita ko sa mukha niya ang pagtataka.

"Magta-trabaho ka kay Mrs. Fitz?" Tanong ni Herriene.

I nodded my head and took a sigh. It has been two days since the last time I talked to Jack. Hanggang ngayon hindi parin mawala sa isip ko ang mga sinabi niya sa akin. I could refuse to take this job kasi dalawa na ang trabaho ko. But after what Jack have told me, 'yong iniisip kong possibilities biglang naglaho.

"Kailan mo ipapa-alam kay Mrs. Fitz at Jack? Nabalitaan ko na bumalik na sa West ang mga lalaking doctor at detectives." Dugtong ni Herriene at nagsimula na sa pagkain.

"Connected ang account ko sa account ni Mrs. Fitz, siya mismo ang nagbigay ng access sa akin. Sasabihin ko sa kanya mamaya pagkatapos ng dinner," I answered.

Natahimik muna kaming tatlo bago ako hinawakan ni Xylex sa kamay. He rubbed it gently to remind me na nandiyan sila para supportahan ako sa lahat ng desisyon ko.

"Huwag kang matakot, Cora. I know mahirap para sa 'yo ang nangyari noon, but who knows, baka ito na ang simula ng healing process mo. There might be chances na makita mo si Doctor Elliott doon, but never forget na hindi ka nando'n para sa kanya. You are there because you are working for Mrs. Fitz, not for him," mahabang litanya ni Xylex na siyang nagpangiti sa akin.

"Hindi lang dapat kay Doctor Elliott umiikot ang mundo mo, Cora. Makakaramdam ka ng pagkailang, pero normal 'yon. Nagkita naman na kayo, 'di ba? Pero kung magkakaroon ka talaga ng pagkabahala sa sarili, alam mo naman kung saang parte ng white palace ako hahanapin." Napangiti ako sa sinabi ni Herriene at naramdaman ko ang pagmamahal nilang dalawa.

I gave them assurance na magiging okay lang ako dahil alam kong nariyan sila para bigyan ako ng supporta. I gave them both a hug and after ng dinner ay saka ako umakyat sa kwarto ko.

I opened my computer and started receiving different messages from the government and some emails from the girls.

I opened the connected account in my computer and I saw Mrs. Fitz composing a message for me.

G/O-ReitaFitz1600:

Good evening, Cora. How's your night? Jack told me you have something to tell me.

Napakunot muna ang noo at mga kilay ko bago nag-sink in sa akin ang message ni Mrs. Fitz. I never told Jack about my decision, and he confidently said this to her mother assuming na papayag talaga ako.

Wow! Jack will always be Jack.

Cora_Memoir:

Good evening, Mrs. Fitz. Sorry to message you this late, but whatever Jack told you is all true. I already made up my mind and decided to take your offer. I'm hoping to meet you tomorrow in your office.

I sent the message while clenching my hands together to ease the tension I'm feeling right now. This is another step for a new path I'm taking and no one knows what awaits me.

G/O-ReitaFitz1600:

You have no idea how happy I am at this very moment, Cora. Come see me tomorrow, I'll assign someone to pick you up. Thank you for your trust. Have a good night, dear.

Our conversation ended after I said good night to her. She also told me to wear a corporate attire dahil magsisimula agad bukas ang training para sa akin. Dali-dali ko ring sinabi kay Coleen ang tungkol sa bago kong trabaho at agad niya akong tinawagan sa voice call. We talked for a few minutes at halos hindi rin siya makapaniwala. I told her about Mrs. Fitz, and thankfully she managed to understand everything.