Player 1 | MIKHAIAH AU

Part 40

"Mackie, have you handed in your resignation letter?" Mr. Lim asks, his tone sharp and unyielding.

It had been a week since Mackie and Addison returned to Manila, and not a day had passed without Mr. Lim bringing up her resignation.

"I already did, Dad," Mackie replies, keeping her eyes on her phone. "I'm meeting Ms. K later to finalize a few things."

"Good, that's good," Mr. Lim says, nodding. "We'll have a meeting with business partners and a few investors this Friday."

"I'll be there," Mackie replies, her tone flat and detached.

"Good. Bring your girlfriend," Mr. Lim adds, glancing at her. "Dior should be familiar with this business as well. I expect you both to be on time."

Mackie finally looks up, putting her phone down. "Dad, Dior isn't my real girlfriend."

"As long as that's what the press release says, that's what I'll believe," Mr. Lim retorts, his voice firm. "You need to start owning up to your name, Mackenzie. This family depends on you."

Mackie's jaw tightens. "I'll clear things up—"

"Until then, Dior is your partner. She's who you'll bring," Mr. Lim interrupts, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Without waiting for her response, he stands and walks away, leaving Mackie alone at the table, her hands clenched into fists as frustration simmers beneath her composed exterior.

"Twiny, sige na, please?" Mackenzie pleads, practically clinging to Sab's arm.

"Eh bakit ako? Andyan naman si Jhai, si Gab, o kaya sila Ate Mandy at Shan," Sab says, listing their friends without looking up from her phone.

"Eh ikaw yung twiny ko, kaya ikaw dapat gumawa nito," Mackenzie insists, her tone desperate.

"Eh ayoko nga," Sab replies flatly.

"I'll buy you a new pink car," Mackenzie offers, trying to sweeten the deal.

"Kaya ko bumili sarili ko," Sab smirks, obviously enjoying her sister's struggle.

"Para kang hindi kapatid, eh. Ikaw na lang kumausap—dati mo namang best friend!" Mackenzie groans, flopping dramatically onto the couch.

"Che! Pag buholin ko pa kayo ni Dior. Pagalitan ka sana ni Ate Addison!" Sab says, walking away.

Left alone in the living room, Mackenzie sighs. "Fine. I'll just write my last will and testament."

"What are you even talking about, Mack?" Gab asks, walking in with Jhai and Shan.

"Wala, eto, naghahanda na sa huling hininga. Feeling defeated, parang teleserye," Mackenzie mutters, throwing her arm over her eyes.

"Ha? Anong drama yan, Mahal?" Addison's voice cuts through as she enters, her presence grounding Mackenzie instantly.

"Ah, love, nag e-emote lang ako. May pangit kasi d'yan sa kwarto," Mackenzie says, raising her voice so Sab can hear.

"Che!" Sab shouts back from behind the door.

"What's the problem this time?" Jhai asks, clearly entertained.

Mackenzie sits up, hesitating as Addison approaches. "Uhm, Addi, may kailangan kasi akong sabihin..."

Addison sits beside her, tilting her head gently. "What is it? You can tell me anything, love."

Taking a deep breath, Mackenzie finally blurts out, "Love, there's this important meeting, and Dad asked me to invite... Dior. Would that be okay?"