Zaldivar Series #1: Weaving Lies and Chaos

Kabanata 1

"A photo of Chaos Zaldivar and a woman in bed who is the alleged girlfriend of Mr. Zaldivar was posted a week ago and now circulating on the social media. Ano ang reaksyon mo sa kumakalat na larawan, Miss Serrano?"

"Is that woman a third party in your relationship?"

"Totoo bang palabas lang ng mga Zaldivar ang relasyon niyo ni Chaos Zaldivar?"

"Is it true that the woman who posted the photo is Mr. Zaldivar's girlfriend? That's what the caption of the photo is implying. What can you say about that, Miss Serrano?"

"Is this a scheme to taint the family's reputation? How about the merging of both companies?"

Those questions welcomed me that I almost lost my patience. Though I still managed to give them a smile but my eyes remained dejected.

The reporters flocked around me the moment I went out of my car. I don't even know if they're allowed here in our company's parking lot.

I cleared my throat and pressed my lips. "T–that woman is my fiance's ex-girlfriend, maybe my engagement with Chaos triggered her." I answered using a soft voice. Kasabay noon ang sunod-sunod na flash mula sa kanilang camera. I was almost blinded by the flashes of it. Kung hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ay baka natabig ko na ang mga iyon.

"The photo was posted recently. Was it an old photo or it really happened recently?"

"Does that mean Mr. Zaldivar cheated on you, Miss Serrano?"

I instantly shook my head at their questions. "That was an old photo, I think when they're still together. She posted it thinking that I'll break up with Chaos because of..." I trailed off and gave them a faint smile.

"She tried to ruin Mr. Zaldivar's relationship with you," one of the reporters stated while nodding her head, urging me to say yes.

But instead, I let the corner of my lips rise for a melancholic smile. "It will be embarrassing for her part. C–can we just ignore it, please. Besides, she's just an ex-girlfriend. She can't do anything and Chaos won't—"

I felt someone's arm around my shoulders even before I finished my sentence, trying to get me out of the reporters' crowd. 

Muling nagkagulo ang mga reporter nang matanto kung sino ang may hawak sa akin.

"Mr. Zaldivar!"

Muli silang nagbato ng mga tanong, ngayon ay para naman kay Chaos. But he just continue carefully pulling me out of the crowd, ignoring all of their questions.

We escaped from the flock of reporters because of the help of Chaos's bodyguard or I don't know maybe that's our guards in this building.

He removed his hand on my shoulder when he pushed the button of the elevator. I silently waited for it to shut closed. Diretso ang aking tingin at ganoon din si Chaos. He let out a harsh sigh the moment our eyes met through our reflection in the elevator.

"Are you alright?" He fully turned to me. Marahan niya akong pinaharap sa kanyang direksyon. 

I nodded but I remained silent. Muli siyang bumuntong hininga. He scanned my body like he's not satisfied with my answer. 

Bakas ang pag-aalala sa mga mata ngunit nahuli ko ang bahagyang pagkunot ng kanyang noo nang huminto ang kanyang mga mata sa aking kanang braso. He held my hand and carefully stretched my right arm. 

Bumaba ang tingin ko roon. 

Oh, shit.

I cursed inwardly when I saw a fresh wound in my arm, about three inches scratch, looked like it came from a sharp nail. My blood's tracing the wound making it more visible.