HELLACIOUS VENGEANCE

Chapter 70

A short chapter!!!

- A/n

Maxine's POV

I sat at my desk, my mind a jumble of emotions after Bonjie's unexpected appearance. His presence in my office had been like a sudden thunderclap on a clear day, shattering the fragile peace I had managed to build.

I heard a soft knock on the door, and without waiting for a response, Nathalie entered quietly. Nathalie, my trusted friend, approached cautiously, concern etched on her face.

"Max, can I come in?" she asked gently

I nodded silently, my eyes still fixed on the laptop screen, trying to distract myself with work. She closed the door behind her and came to sit beside me, her presence a comforting anchor amidst the storm of my thoughts.

"I saw Bonjie leaving," her voice a mixture of empathy and concern. "Are you okay?"

I shook my head slightly, tears threatening to spill over again. "I don't know, Nath. Seeing him just brings back everything the pain, the betrayal. I thought I had moved on, but today... today was just too much." Saad ko, I cried hard.

Nathalie reached out and gently squeezed my hand, offering silent support. "I can't imagine what you're feeling, Maxine," she admitted softly. "But I'm here for you, okay? Whatever you need."

I managed a faint smile, grateful for her unwavering presence. "Thank you, I appreciate it." Nagtagal kami sa katahimikan, ang bigat ng aking damdamin ang bumabalot sa hangin.

"Nathalie, sa tingin mo ba pwedeng mabalik ang tiwala ng mga tao?" tanong ko, pinuputol ang katahimikan.

She paused, considering her response carefully. "I believe it can, Maxine. But it's not easy it takes time and genuine effort." Her words struck a chord within me, stirring up a mix of hope and doubt.Could I ever trust him again after everything that had happened between us? After all the chaos and pain?

"I'm not sure if I can ever trust him again, Nath," I confessed quietly, my voice raw with emotion. "The pain he caused..."

Nathalie nodded understandingly, her eyes filled with empathy. "Trust has to be earned, Maxine. Right now, your priority should be taking care of yourself and your daughter."

Umupo ako ng pabalik sa aking upuan, nakatingin sa bintana na nagmamasid sa skyline ng lungsod na pinapasok ng huling sinag ng araw. "Akala ko ay nakalimutan ko na, pero ang pagkakita sa kanya ngayon... parang lahat ng sakit ay biglang bumalik. Hindi ko alam kung kaya ko pang magpatawad."

"Hindi mo kailangan na sagutin lahat ng mga tanong ngayon," payo ni Nathalie nang maingat, hawak ang aking kamay nang mahigpit. "Ang paghilom ay hindi minamadali, at pwedeng magkaroon ng mga pagsubok."

Tumango ako nang paunti-unti, ang pagod ay unti-unting bumabalot sa akin. "Sana nga ay iba ang mga nangyari, Nathalie. Masaya kami noon..."

"Alam ko," bulong niya nang mahinahon, ang kanyang tinig puno ng habag. "Pero lumakas ka dahil sa pinagdaanan mo. At makakahanap ka ulit ng kaligayahan, sa tamang panahon."

As the last rays of sunlight faded from the sky, casting long shadows across my office, I felt a glimmer of peace amid the storm of emotions. Nathalie stayed by my side, a silent pillar of support, reminding me that I wasn't alone in this journey of healing.

Because true friends stand by you, even in the darkest of times.