Thread of Fate

4

-Third Person-

Lea barged in, still soaking wet from the rain, not minding the eyes that were gawking at her. The aircon from Michael's car wasn't enough to dry her clothes, it just made them cold. She headed directly to Alex's office to report, as per his order.

Upon reaching his office, she didn't bother to knock anymore. She saw him staring at the city hence she was facing his back. She walked closer to his table and before she starts to speak, she remembered her phone in her pocket. She fished it out and placed it on the table to dry it.

"Anong klaseng report ba ang kailangan mo ngayon?" With trembling hands and blazing eyes, she started.

Alex faced her and was surprised to see her state. "W-Why are you dripping?"

"As if you care, Alex. Now, tell me what kind of report you wanted to hear from that conference and I will do it in front of you." She is seething so much. She doesn't know why he delegated her to attend that conference albeit being available.

"You don't have to do that. You don't need to do it anymore. I know everything that has happened in that conference." He looked away, trying not to feel pity.

"Bullshit!" She can't contain herself anymore. "If you already know what happened then why didn't you inform me ahead of time not to go here anymore? Why are you treating me like this? What the hell is your problem with me!?"

"I don't have any problem, Ms. Solomon." He replied calmly although deep inside, he isn't.

"No! Don't address me formally because, from the start, you never treated me as someone who is respectable, and don't tell me you don't have a problem with me. We all know you are lying! For weeks, Alex, I endured whatever shit you're throwing at me, may it be a part of my job or not. But this time, I won't let it pass. So, tell me what the hell is your goddamn problem!" Tears are now welling up in her eyes but this isn't because of her pain, it's because of too much anger building up inside her system.

"Again, I don't have any problem with you, Lea. Another, it's already past 10 pm. I thought you need to go home before the clock strikes 10?" He shifted his seat uncomfortably. Maybe some of what he's saying is true. Maybe he doesn't have any problem with her at all, he's just being influenced.

"Kanina pa lagpas 10 pm so we have all the time in the world para pag-usapan at sabihin sa akin kung ano yung dahilan bakit mo ako tinatrato na parang alila."

"I don't have any reasons. I was just evaluating the executives."

Lea scoffs. She looked up to suppress her tears again. "Were you evaluating the executives or were you just evaluating me? How about Vien? I can't seem to see an effort when you're evaluating her. Where are you evaluating her ba, in bed?"

"Lea!" He called her as a warning. "You're just tired. Go home."

Lea knew to herself that she will not get any answers tonight so she decided to turn her back on him and leave. Another reason is it's already past 10 pm, and the ones who will worry are already worrying.

3 minutes after Lea left, Alex heard a ringing phone. He traced where the sound is coming from and saw that it was Lea's. She left her phone where she placed it to dry it.

He doesn't really want to meddle in her personal life but it is already presenting itself. On her lock screen is displayed the most unexpected person on his list. He also tried to read some of the messages and that's when he knew the real reason why she can't stay outside her home past 10 pm.

Alex decided to give it back to Lea because he knows how important a cell phone is to a person. He runs as fast as he can so he can catch up to her. He looked around the parking lot but he can't see her. Not until he saw two figures, one man and a woman, not that far from his current location.

He was about to walk closer because he is so sure that that was Lea, but he was stopped by the scene he witnessed. It was Michael putting on a jacket on Lea's shoulders and even hugging her to keep her warm. They both entered his car and leave. Alex's grip on Lea's phone becomes tighter.

Alex felt something unexplainable again. Was it jealousy? Was it anger?

"Damn you, Lea!" With gritting teeth, he whispered harshly to himself. That one particular moment ruined his entire day.

---------

The next day...

Alex just went out of his car. Holding on to his bag, he started to walk but his attention was caught when he saw Lea's car. He stopped for a moment and thinks of a reason why she is so early.

"Sir Alex!" He shifted his gaze towards the person who called him. He raised his eyebrows as an answer. "Pinapasabi po pala ng kasambahay nila Ma'am Lea na hindi po makakapasok si madam at inaapoy raw po ng lagnat."

"Then why is her car here?"

"Ah, sir, hindi po nagamit ni ma'am Lea kahapon yan papuntang conference kasi butas po yung mga gulong. Nag-commute lang po siya."

"W-What?" He went nearer to her car and confirmed that what Hanna told him is indeed true. Now that he knows the real reason why she was soaking wet, his anger lessens a bit.

"If your boss isn't here, you know what to do and what will happen to you." That was the last thing he said before entering the building.

When he reached his office, he saw Vien there, patiently waiting for him. "Hi, honey!" She greeted him.

"Are you the one behind Lea's flat tires?" He immediately asked, not minding her greetings.

"So what?"

"Great! You're really great!" He means it in every sarcastic way possible.

Vien laughed not getting the sarcasm. "I know right!"

"Leave me alone for now!" He raised his voice. Vien was shocked by his sudden outburst.

"What the hell is your problem?"

He threw a deadly glare. "Do I need to repeat myself?"

"Damn, what the hell is happening to you?" Vien murmured while leaving his office.

When he was assured that she wasn't there anymore, he threw his bag and pulled his hair. At this time, he is really confused about what to feel. What Vien did overpower the anger he was feeling because of his jealousy.

If it wasn't because of Vien, he wouldn't have witnessed that scene he saw.

He knows he loves Vien, or does he? But what is this jealousy he is feeling whenever Lea's with someone other than him?

Alex sat at his swivel chair and faced the city to help him calm down. He thinks of a solution to his problem. Hindi pwedeng nagmamahal siya ng dalawang babae. He needs to disregard his feelings for the other one, but how and who?

With an idea running through his mind, he picked up his phone and messaged Vien.

To: Vien

Do you want to get married?

A few minutes after he sent the text, Vien came rushing in.

"What is the meaning of this?" She was crying because of so much joy.

"Does it have to have other meaning aside from the meaning itself?"

She jumped with so much joy. She even hugged him tightly and kissed him but he didn't answer which she didn't notice.

"So, when are you planning to do this marriage thing?"

"As soon as possible but before that, can you please call Hanna first?"

"Why?"

"Nothing. I just want her to suffer the consequences brought by her boss's absences."