Dear Boss: Wounds of The Past

CHAPTER 12

Liovanni stood in his office at the top floor of Hotel El Mirador, looking out over the city with a smug expression. He knew he had Brian exactly where he wanted him—helpless, alone, and defeated. The once-proud CEO was now a mere shadow of his former self, while Liovanni had risen to become one of the wealthiest men in Spain.

Liovanni continued his sinister plot, keeping his connections with Emma. He handed her another envelope full of money, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Emma, asegúrate de que Brian no pueda olvidarse de ti. He has to fall in love with you completely. Patricia… she’s out of the picture for now. Pero cuando magising siya… I’ll make sure the hotel will be hers, but only if she’s mine."

Emma hesitated, her fingers trembling as she took the money. "Liovanni, I’ve done everything you’ve asked, pero hindi na kaya ni Brian na makita ako. He blames me for Patricia being taken away…"

Liovanni smirked, leaning in closer. "No te preocupes, Emma. Just keep pushing. Sooner or later, he’ll forget Patricia, and you’ll have him. Make him yours completely, and he’ll never think of her again."

Emma nodded, swallowing her doubts. She knew she had to follow through—there was no turning back now.

In the beginning, Brian was resistant. He argued with Emma, his eyes filled with pain and anger every time he saw her. "Why do you keep doing this, Emma? Patricia is gone because of you! Every time I see you, I’m reminded of what I’ve lost…"

Emma’s face would soften, but she never backed down. "Brian, I didn’t want things to turn out this way. Pero what happened to Patricia wasn’t my fault. I was just… there. And now, you have to move on. She’s not coming back."

Brian’s anger would flare up, and he’d ignore Emma, pushing her away whenever she tried to get close. But Emma was determined, never giving up on her mission. Slowly, bit by bit, she wore down Brian’s defenses. She was always there, providing comfort when he needed it, offering a shoulder to lean on.

**Brian sat in the corner of Vincent's restaurant**, his eyes focused on the paperwork in front of him. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, but he barely noticed it. His mind was elsewhere—partly on the work at hand, but mostly lost in thoughts of the past. Patricia's face still haunted him, even after all these years.

Emma walked in, her eyes immediately finding Brian. She hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and approached him. "Brian, mind if I join you?" she asked, her voice soft and inviting.

Brian looked up, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he nodded. "Sure, Emma. Have a seat."

Emma smiled and sat across from him, placing her bag down beside her. "Vincent told me you’ve been working here a lot lately. I thought I’d drop by and see how you’re doing."

Brian shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just trying to keep busy. It helps to stay occupied, you know?"

Emma nodded, her gaze never leaving his face. "I get it. Pero, Brian, you’ve been working non-stop. You need a break—maybe a little company wouldn’t hurt?"

Brian sighed, leaning back in his chair. "It’s not that easy, Emma. I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but…"

She cut him off gently, reaching across the table to touch his hand. "Brian, I’m not asking you to forget everything. I just want to be here for you. Let me help, even if it’s just by being around."

Brian looked down at her hand on his, the warmth of her touch stirring something inside him. It wasn’t the same as what he had felt for Patricia, but it was something—comfort, maybe. "Alright, Emma. I guess I could use some company," he admitted, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.