Dirty Little Secret (GxG)

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

3RD PERSON'S P.O.V

The office buzzed with the usual activity, but for Lia, everything felt amplified. The D Empire Annual Ball was fast approaching, and as the person in charge, she was drowning in preparations. Her desk was scattered with notes, color swatches, and vendor contracts. The clock was ticking, and she could feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on her shoulders.

"Okay, Lia, focus," she muttered to herself, flipping through seating charts. "Kailangan kong ma-finalize ito before lunch."

Her phone vibrated, but she ignored it, too engrossed in her task. She grabbed her notepad, jotted down a few reminders, and hurriedly placed her phone on the table without locking it.

Candice strolled in casually, carrying a bag of takeout. "Uy, girl, lunch break na. Hindi ka pa rin tapos?"

Lia didn't even look up. "Maya na, I need to finish this first."

Candice set the food down on the table and peered at her friend, noticing how frazzled she looked. "Ano ba 'yan, parang hindi ka na natutulog! Kain na tayo, para naman makapagpahinga ka kahit konti."

"Wait lang, I just need to send this email," Lia said, her fingers flying across the keyboard.

As Candice waited, her eyes wandered and eventually landed on Lia's phone. The screen was still lit up, and there it was—an image that piqued her curiosity. It was a selfie of Lia, but next to her in the picture, smiling and looking unusually close, was Sandra. Candice blinked, her brows furrowing as she stared at the screen.

"Uh... Lia?" Candice's voice was a mix of confusion and curiosity. "Sino 'tong kasama mo sa wallpaper?"

Lia froze, her hand hovering over the keyboard. Her heart raced, but she forced herself to play it cool. "Oh, uh... that's just a friend," she replied quickly, keeping her eyes on the screen in front of her, avoiding eye contact.

Candice squinted at the phone, leaning closer. "Friend? Parang hindi naman," she teased. "Mukhang masyadong sweet para sa 'just a friend.'"

Lia swallowed, her mind scrambling for an excuse. "No, seriously, friend lang talaga. You know... matagal na kaming magkakilala, kaya close kami."

But Candice wasn't buying it. She picked up the phone and examined the photo closely, then raised an eyebrow. "Lia, 'yung 'friend' na 'to, parang kamukha ni Sandra... yung president natin."

Lia's face flushed, and she chuckled nervously. "Grabe ka, Candice. Nagkakamali ka lang siguro, hindi siya si Sandra."

Candice crossed her arms, smirking. "Ah, ganun ba? Eh bakit parang pareho yung ngiti nila? At saka, Lia, seryoso? Kung hindi siya si Sandra, bakit hindi mo maipaliwanag nang maayos?"

Lia shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Alam mo naman, Candice, mahilig lang kami mag-picture... wala lang 'to."

Candice tilted her head, clearly enjoying the chase. "Picture? Ganito ka-close? Come on, girl, you can do better than that."

Lia's mind raced for a better alibi, but Candice wasn't giving her any time to think. She leaned in, her tone playful yet knowing. "Lia, let's be real. 'Yung kasama mo sa picture... si Sandra, 'di ba? Our boss. Am I right?"

Lia sighed, realizing there was no way out. Candice was too observant, and there was no denying it anymore. Her shoulders slumped in defeat as she finally looked at Candice.

"Okay, fine," she admitted softly, glancing around the office to make sure no one was listening. "Yes... si Sandra 'yun. But you can't tell anyone. Please, Candice."

Candice's eyes widened in surprise, then softened with understanding. "Oh my God. So, kayo ni Boss? Since when?"

Lia hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her notepad. "It's... complicated. Matagal na kaming magkakilala, but it just happened a few weeks ago. We didn't plan this."