Whisper of the Heart

Chapter 10

In the days that followed, the Wyatt Chloe once knew had all but disappeared. Gone were the days when he would look at her with warmth and trust. Instead, his gaze now held only bitterness and disappointment. Chloe couldn't understand how things had turned so dark so quickly. Every interaction felt like a punishment, a reminder of a mistake she couldn't undo.

Una sa lahat, pinahirapan siya ni Wyatt sa workload. Every morning, she'd arrive at her desk to find a daunting list of tasks, each one more demanding than the last. Kung dati'y efficient at organized ang pag-assign ng mga tasks, ngayon, he piled on unrealistic deadlines and gave her projects that usually required a team. Kaya mo 'yan, Chloe, she kept reminding herself, refusing to complain kahit sa sobrang pagod na ng katawan niya. But deep down, she felt like she was being crushed under the weight of his silent anger. Gusto niyang magtanong o mag-reklamo, pero alam niyang wala rin naman itong patutunguhan.

Then came the meetings. In front of her colleagues, Wyatt began finding subtle ways to humiliate her, pointing out small mistakes or questioning her judgment in a tone that left her feeling embarrassed. One afternoon, sa isang importanteng meeting kasama ang ibang department heads, Wyatt suddenly paused, eyes sharp as he looked at her.

"Chloe, I thought I asked for the report on our last project. Did I receive it, or are you too busy with... personal matters?" His tone was icy, and the insinuation was clear. Her face turned red as everyone's eyes landed on her, and she forced a shaky smile.

"Nagawa ko na po, sir. Nasa email po ninyo," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Good. Next time, make sure it's on my desk before the meeting," he replied, dismissing her in front of everyone. As the meeting continued, she sat there feeling small, invisible, and humiliated. Afterward, she rushed to her cubicle, finally allowing the tears to spill over. Dati, ako yung tanging taong pinagtitiwalaan niya. Ngayon, parang wala akong kwenta.

Sa gitna ng lahat ng ito, may mga usap-usapan na nagsimulang kumalat. Rumors began to swirl, mostly about her character and her so-called "relationship" with Noah. Sinabihan siya ng iba na may sinasabi daw si Wyatt tungkol sa kanya—implying na siya'y madali o madaling makuha. The rumors hurt, especially because Wyatt was behind them.

One day, Noah invited her to a coffee shop in BGC after work, sensing her need for comfort. They found a quiet spot by the window at a popular café, and he looked at her with a mix of concern and empathy.

"Chloe," Noah began softly, taking her hand across the table. "Alam kong mahirap ito. Alam kong naririnig mo ang mga usapan... but I just want you to know, none of it matters. I don't believe any of it." His gaze was gentle, and for a moment, she felt the weight lift from her shoulders.

"Thank you, Noah," she whispered, a small smile finally finding its way to her lips. "Minsan, parang... parang ang hirap na huminga. Para akong wala nang halaga."

He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You're more than the rumors, Chloe. You're talented, kind, and deserving of respect. Anyone who says otherwise is a fool." They spent the rest of the evening talking, with Noah doing his best to lift her spirits. And for a while, she felt like herself again, even if just for a moment.

Then Wyatt hired another secretary, assigning Chloe to train her. Each day was a constant push, a reminder that she was being replaced. She barely had time to breathe, let alone confront Wyatt about the way he was treating her. Kaya't kahit gutom na, wala nang oras para kumain. Isa pa, she was too nervous and too hurt to eat. She threw herself into her work, hoping that by some miracle, things would go back to the way they were.

Chloe ordered lunch for both of them out of habit. It was something she'd done countless times before. However, when she brought it into his office, Wyatt barely looked up from his desk.

"You don't have to do that anymore, Chloe," he said flatly, setting the food aside without a second glance.

Her heart sank, but she forced a small smile. "I... I thought you might be hungry," she murmured.

He didn't respond, and she left his office with the food, quietly handing it to the security guard on her way back to her desk. Her mind raced with self-doubt, and she tried to reason with herself. Siguro busy lang siya, baka masyado lang akong emotional.

Chloe forced herself to keep going, reasoning with herself that the business was growing, and Wyatt simply needed space. She tried to focus on her tasks, to remember that not everything revolved around her. But no matter how much she told herself this, a quiet ache grew in her chest, deepening each day, knowing Wyatt was slipping further and further away.

After a week, Wyatt and Ava found themselves wrapped in the warmth of budding romance. They spent evenings exploring the city, enjoying candlelit dinners at a cozy Italian restaurant, "Ristorante Bella Notte," where twinkling fairy lights adorned the patio. The aroma of garlic and fresh basil filled the air as they shared plates of creamy fettuccine Alfredo and indulged in decadent tiramisu for dessert. Each meal was filled with laughter and tender glances, creating a world that felt separate from everything else, especially Chloe.

One evening, while they sat across from each other at a small table, Ava looked at Wyatt, her eyes sparkling with appreciation. "Thank you for being so patient with me, Wyatt," she said softly, brushing her fingers against his hand. "I really needed this time together, away from distractions. It feels like we finally have peace, you know?"

Wyatt smiled, but a knot twisted in his stomach at the mention of Chloe. "Yeah, it's nice," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "No more distractions." But guilt crept in like an unwelcome guest. Despite his love for Ava, a part of him was haunted by the way things had ended with Chloe. He couldn't shake the feeling that his past actions might still impact his relationship with Ava, and that thought gnawed at him.

As their connection deepened, Wyatt welcomed Ava into his home more often. He enjoyed having her there, their evenings filled with movies and long talks that stretched into the early hours of the morning. One Saturday night, he decided to host a small gathering for his friends, eager to introduce Ava to the people who mattered most to him.

The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter and music as Wyatt's friends filtered into his house. Ethan, with his easy charm and playful attitude, was the first to greet Ava. He leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to her hand, a mischievous grin on his face. "Wow, Wyatt, you really outdid yourself this time. She's a keeper!" he teased, and the rest of the group chimed in with playful banter.

Kael raised his glass, smirking, "Yeah, Wyatt! Look at you, lucky guy. You've got the prettiest girl in the room!"

Asher nodded, adding, "No offense, but we all thought you were going to end up alone, man. What's your secret?"

Zephyr and Orion laughed, joining in the playful ribbing, and Wyatt felt a swell of pride. They were genuinely happy for him, and it made him feel like he was on top of the world. He was thrilled to have Ava by his side, the girl who had long been his dream, finally in his arms.

Ava blushed under the attention, smiling shyly as Wyatt wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He couldn't help but feel grateful for her presence, her laughter like music that filled the gaps left by Chloe. Still, even amidst the joy, the shadow of his past loomed large. The guilt that lingered reminded him that he'd made mistakes, and though he was grateful for Ava's patience, he couldn't shake the worry that his past actions would one day catch up with him.

As the night went on, Wyatt tried to focus on the moment. He watched Ava interact with his friends, her laughter ringing in his ears. It felt right. She was right. But beneath the happiness, the guilt simmered, making it hard for him to fully embrace the joy he should have felt. He wanted to believe that they could build a future together, but the thought of Chloe, the girl he had hurt, and the mess he had created weighed heavily on his heart. Would his past forever linger, casting shadows on his newfound happiness?

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