CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
BITTERNESS
★HOPE RYKER LEE★
"No!" mariin at pinal na sagot sa 'kin ni Elisse, halatang inis habang nakatayo ako sa harap ng desk niya rito sa opisina namin. I barely finished the proposal, mentioning the maternity leave ng isa naming news anchor sa Lee Entertainment and who might replace her, nang biglang nag-init ang ulo niya.
"Hindi mo ba alam na may naging bullying issue si Alicia a few months ago? Ang dami nga n'yang endorsement na nag-cancel sa kan'ya, tapos gusto mo s'yang kunin? For what purpose?" Her voice sharpened, each word hitting like a quick jab. I watched her brows furrow in irritation, her lips pressed together in that adorable way she always did when she's truly upset.
Gusto ko na sanang humalakhak sa reaksyon niya—mission accomplished. To be honest, wala naman talaga akong planong kuhanin si Alicia Dy bilang pansamantalang news anchor. Niloloko ko lang 'tong asawa ko, testing the waters to see if I could still get under her skin. I missed this—missed her—this fire, the way she'd take me down, even for a simple suggestion like this.
Isang linggo na kasi ang lumipas simula no'ng nagkainitan kami dahil lang sa water guns na binili ko na katuwaan lang sana, at sa hindi ko pag-share ng pagkaing ipina-deliver ko. I mean, shineyr ko naman sa kaniya. 'Yon nga lang ay siya ang naghugas ng lahat ng pinagkainan namin.
Pagkatapos ng insidente na 'yon ay bigla na siyang naging cold at mailap sa 'kin. Cold naman talaga siya noon pa, pero mas lumala pa. Nakakapag-usap lang kami kapag narito na sa opisina at kapag lang tungkol sa trabaho.
Sa bahay naman, I find myself talking more with her siblings—Edward and Ella. Of course, I'm closer to Edward. He's easy to get along with, and we click naturally. Si Ella ay close ko na rin, nagagawa ko na rin itong biruin minsan, and she's getting used to my antics. But Elisse? She's the one I still can't figure out.
"Si Nikki ang kailangan natin makausap para ipalit." Annoyed, Elisse leaned back in her chair, arms crossed over her chest. "Tutal hindi naman na bago sa kan'ya ang trabahong 'yon. Kinukuha n'yo na rin naman siya noon kapag hindi p'wede si Anastacia, 'di ba?"
Her voice had that familiar edge again, the kind she used when she was already frustrated but trying to stay professional. I bit back a smirk. She's right, of course, but where's the fun in agreeing with her so easily?
Saglit ko siyang pinagmasdan. She was clearly irritated. She hated inefficiency, especially when it came to work matters. Pero hindi ko mapigilang bwisitin siya. I liked pushing her buttons, seeing that sharpness in her eyes flare up.
"Elisse," I began, feigning innocence, "I didn't think you'd be this invested in the replacement."
Her eyes narrowed at me, the annoyance bubbling just beneath the surface again. "Of course I do! And Nikki is the obvious choice. She's experienced, reliable, and already familiar with the system."
"P'wede namang i-train si—" I didn't even get to finish my sentence before she hit me with that look—the one she's perfected, her iconic glare. The kind that could stop anyone in their tracks.
And me? It didn't stop me—it knocked me out. That look was paralyzing. Nakakamatay. Ng. Puso.
"Yes, Señorita. Nikki it is." I raised my hands in surrender bago pa man siya ma-highblood sa 'kin. Hindi naman 'yon ang goal ko ngayong araw. Ang goal ko ay inisin lang siya nang kaunti, pero medyo lumagpas yata ako sa limit niya. "Coffee, Señorita?" I asked, flashing her a small grin, hoping it might cool her down a bit.
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