HIDING HIS DAUGHTER (UNDER EDITING)

CHAPTER 16

ANGELA'S POV

Today's my birthday, but honestly? I don't have the energy to be happy about it. Everything just feels heavy - like there's a rock sitting right on my chest, and I can barely breathe.

"Good morning, Miss Angela. There's an invitation for you at your siblings from Velasquez Company." Xianna, my assistant, said quietly as she placed a sleek envelope on my desk. Maaasahan talaga siya - alam na niya kung kailan kailangang magsalita at kung kailan kailangang tumahimik.

"Talaga? Paki-cancel na lang yan," I said without even looking up from the stack of papers I was signing. The Velasquez name alone makes my jaw clench - Jaiden Velasquez is their youngest heir, and hindi ko kayang makita siya ngayon.

My phone suddenly buzzed on the desk, and the ringtone made me flinch - it was a number I didn't recognize. I answered it anyway, thinking it might be a client.

"Ikaw pala ang kahinaan ng Rank 1 at Rank 2." The voice on the other line was deep, rough around the edges, parang binibiro pero may bigat sa mga salita.

"Good morning - baliw ka po ba?" I asked, furrowing my brows in confusion. What rank was he even talking about? Hindi naman ako estudyante para may ranking pa.

He laughed - a low, mocking sound that made my skin crawl. "Mababaliw sila pag hawak na kita," he said, then hung up without another word.

"I think this person is losing his mind," I muttered, slamming my phone back on the desk.

"W-what was that, Miss Angela?" Xianna asked, looking worried. She must've heard the frustration in my voice.

"May tumawag sa'kin - sinabi niya ako ang kahinaan ng Rank 1 at Rank 2. Ano yan, school? Para bang may rank na binabanggit - talagang nababaliw na siya," I said, shaking my head. Ang kapal naman ng mukha ng taong 'yon, calling me out of nowhere with nonsense like that.

Days like this really drain whatever little mood I have left. I just wanted to get through my work nang walang ganitong abala.

I went back to signing documents - contracts, payroll sheets, mga bagay na kailangang tapusin bago maglunch. But before I could finish the third page, my phone rang again. This time, I recognized the caller ID.

"Miss you," he said the moment I picked up - boses pa lang alam ko na si James 'yan, at kahit kelan nga naman hindi siya tumitigil sa pagbibiro.

"Tigilan mo ako," I snapped, already feeling irritated. Why does everyone keep bothering me today?

"Hahaha! Good morning! Bad mood ka ata?" he laughed, like my annoyance was just some joke to him.

"Hindi - good mood ako," I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes so hard I thought they'd get stuck that way. If only he knew how much I wanted to be left alone.

"Narinig ko invited daw kayo sa Velasquez Company's anniversary gala! Ang laki nun ah," he said, his voice suddenly more serious.

"Oh tapos? Wala akong planong pumunta," I said flatly, already reaching for my pen again.

"Puwede bang ikaw nalang ang ka-date ko dun?" he asked, and I could almost hear the smile in his voice. He knows I can't say no to him for too long.

"Ayoko," I said sharply. For sure nandoon si Jaiden at si Catherine. The thought of seeing them together - him looking at her the way he used to look at me - makes my chest burn with anger and something else I don't want to name.

"Tatanggihan mo ako? After all we've been through?" he said, faking a hurt tone. I could picture him putting on his best puppy-dog face right now.

"Oo," I said firmly, but even I knew I was going to give in eventually.