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"'Nak, can you cut Miss Valdez some slack? Maayos naman magtrabaho ang tauhan mo. She's helping us a lot sa construction designs natin."

I stomped my feet towards the vacant chair while hearing those words from my very own Dad. Those words made me feel inferior from the rest, and it's giving me the thought of being a second best in this Company that we own.

Lagi na lang si Alyssa.

Si Alyssa na masipag.

Si Alyssa na magaling.

Si Alyssa na magalang.

Si Alyssa na matulungin.

Si Alyssa na lahat.

Si Alyssa na lang kaya maging Lazaro tapos akin na 'yung apelyido niya na Valdez? Baka sakaling bumalik sa akin ang recognition na inagaw niya.

"I'm irritated, Dad." I grimaced and heaved a huge sigh, "Mas ginagalang na siya ng mga tao dito kesa sa akin. How the hell did that happen?!"

Dad shook his head and placed both hands on the table, then stared straight into my eye. "Why don't you look at the mirror and see what is happening to you?"

"Dad..."

"You party every night, halos hindi ka nagpapakita sa bahay pwera kung may okasyon. You do not even come early to work anymore. You've been skipping a number of meetings. You've become rude sa mga employees na dati tinatrato mo ng maayos." Dad abruptly stopped and sighed. Hindi ako makaimik dahil totoo. I watch him stand up and approach to sit in front of me. I kept looking away from him 'cause I can sense his anger that he is trying to keep under, "Dennise, as much as possible we let you do whatever you want."

"For one year, you've been trying to make it difficult for Alyssa to work here. For six months, you've been acting way different mula nang malaman mo ang ginawa ng ex mo." I brushed my hair backwards and bit my lip to keep impending tears from falling. Dad held my cheek and I let him lock his arms around me. "You have to accept employees like Alyssa, these people are the heart of our Company. As for your ex, he doesn't deserve you. God, I don't even want to name him."

"D-Dad, kaloko-loko ba—"

"Hindi, napunta ka lang sa maling tao."

"Pwede naman niya kasi akong hiwalayan bago balikan 'yung babae." I sobbed and felt Dad rub my back in comfort. I'm like a child in a 29 year old body whenever he's like this, "He didn't have to cheat. He's so unfair."

"People are not always fair. Life isn't fair." He kissed my head and wiped my tears, "We're glad you ended it before finding out."

"I know... it's just... unbelievable." I lowly said and shook my head, "I'm sorry, Dad."

"Don't mind us, all we want is for you to be finally okay." He whisphered and I hugged him tight.

"I-I will be, Dad. Pero si—"

He held my cheek and stared at my eye, "Dennise, you need to work hand in hand with her from now on. Try to see through her, Anak."

"Good afternoon po—"

We looked at the door and saw her standing frozen, may dala siyang portfolio. I looked away and nodded at my Dad who gestures for her to come inside. Kumuha ako ng tissue para magpunas ng natirang luha before facing her with a straight face.