The Mayor's Paragon | ✓

12

⚠️ MILKY AREA AHEAD. PROCEED WITH CAUTION. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. ⚠️

TAKING Mang Andoy's words into my heart, I've decided that I would do everything on my best to make Riez feel something for me, which is hopefully, love, if everything gets well. I've heard Jhaaja and Mang Andoy's words of advice and I know I'm stupid but I really don't want to give up now.

Hanggang kaya ko pa, susubukan ko. Ayaw ko magsisi sa huli dahil sumuko ako agad. Kapag wala pa ring nagbago pagkatapos kong ibigay ang lahat, at least alam ko sa sarili kong ginawa ko ang lahat at wala akong pagsisisi na mararamdaman dahil hindi ako lumaban.

I know it's a stupid thing to do but I have this feeling inside me that wants to push through him. You know when you're taking an exam in school and you're looking at the choices and your guts tell you something about them? It's the same. My gut is telling me something is definitely going on with Riez.

I sighed before leaning against my chair when I finished reading the twentieth document placed on my table. Sa dinamirami ng mga papeles na nakatambak sa mesa ko, wala pa ako sa kalahati. Masakit na rin ang leeg ko at ang mga mata ko.

"Kitten."

Mabilis akong umayos ng upo bago napatingin sa pintuan ni Riez na nakabukas at nakita kong nakatayo siya doon habang nakatingin sa akin.

"Yes. Do you need anything?"

"The fund report. Have you read it?"

Mabilis akong tumango sa kaniya. "Yeah."

"Good. Bring them to me," sambit niya bago bumalik sa loob ng kaniyang opisina.

Napakunot ang aking noo at napatingin sa teleponong nakalagay sa aking mesa. Why didn't he just use this to call me? Kinailangan niya pang puntahan ako but that's better, I got to see him.

Mabilis kong kinuha ang folder kung saan nakalagay ang report bago ako pumasok sa loob ng opisina ni Riez. Kaso pagkapasok ko sa loob, natigilan ako noong tinignan ko nang husto ang loob ng kaniyang opisina. I wasn't able to look at it a while ago because I was too focused on him but now that I am inside his office for the second time, I could already notice and see a lot of changes ever since my last visit here.

Noong bumalik sa alaala ko ang lahat, napayuko ako dahil sa kahihiyan. I started to feel very uncomfortable going here. It brings horrible memories. I unconsciously touched my neck and swallowed.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin at nakita kong tahimik at taimtim akong pinapanood ni Riez habang nakaupo. Mabilis kong ibinaba ang aking kamay at itinago na lang iyon sa aking likuran.

"Are you just going to stand there?" he asked me making me jolt.

"S-Sorry," nauutal na saad ko bago unti-unting naglakad papalapit sa kaniyang mesa.

Mabilis kong inabot sa kaniya ang folder na hawak-hawak ko.

"The report contains all the costs for this month and all the materials they have used. I've summarized every expenses, printed it and put it on the first page," sambit ko noong binuksan niya ang binigay kong folder.

He tilted his head to the side. "Any gaps in between?"

"No gaps. I've checked every account and nothing is suspicious. Everything adds up and nothing is missing," I reported.

He flipped some pages, running through the report of the monthly expenses of his ongoing project. I saw him nod a little before finally closing the folder when he finished scanning through them.

"Okay, good. How about my schedule for today?"

"You are clear for this week but next week, you are scheduled to have a meeting with the Vice Mayor on Monday, and two days after, you will have to attend a seminar. On Saturday, next week, we will check the renovation of the Vista Qurencia Hospital."