My Coldhearted Boss

Return of the Past

(Zach's POV)

Nag-ring ang aking cellphone at napakunot ang noo ko ng makita kong unregistered ang number ng tumatawag. Sinagot ko iyon at di ko inasahan ang boses ng nasa kabilang linya.

"Hi Zach. It's me Monique. Kamusta ka na? I heard, you're also here in Palawan. Can we meet up?", wika nito.

Hindi agad ako nakapagsalita. Nang marinig ko ang boses nya ay tila isa isang nagsulputan ang mga alaala ng aming nakaraan.

(Monique's POV)

"Where's Zach? May meeting ba sya?", tanong ko sa secretary ni Zach.

"Wala po mam. He's inside the office po", sagot nito.

"Okay, thank you", sagot ko sabay lakad patungo sa opisina ni Zach.

"Hi Babe", bati ko kay Zach na kita ko ang pagkagulat sa mukha. Di ko kasi sinabing pupunta ko sa opisina nya.

"Oh, babe, hi. I wasn't expecting you. You surprised me! San ka galing?", tanong nito sa akin.

"Well, it's good that I managed to surprise you. I'm with Mom. Galing kami sa mall. Nagpasama kasi syang bumili ng gift para sa birthday ni Daddy. You'll be coming right?", sabi ko sa kanya then kissed him in the lips and sat down on his lap.

"Yeah, of course. I'll be there, don't worry", sagot nito habang nakayakap sa bewang ko.

"Dapat lang. You know naman that Dad was expecting you to be there. Oowhh, I missed you so much baby. Nagtatampo na ko ha? Nawawalan ka ng time for me", sabi ko sa kanya while having the face na tila naghihinanakit.

"Babe, alam mo naman na marami akong inaasikaso dito sa office. El Grande is starting to make its way up the industry and inaasahan ako ni Dad to fulfill his dream for this company. And I don't want to fail him. I hope you understand", paliwanag nya sa akin.

"Of course I do! Well then, hindi na kita abalahin pa. I have to go. I just passed by to see you. Pupunta pa kasi kami ni Mommy sa salon. Alam mo na, shouldn't be any less pretty," sagot ko sa kanya.

"Okay. Enjoy kayo. I'll be in the party on time. I love you!", Zach.

"I love you too. I'll go ahead. See you later", I said then kissed him. Pagdaka'y tumayo na ako at lumakad palabas ng opisina.

(At the party)

"Happy birthday Sir", bati ni Zach sa daddy ni Monique sabay abot ng regalo niya para rito

"Thank you iho. Hindi ka na sana nag-abala pa. Nagkita na ba kayo ni Monique?, tanong nito.

"Hindi pa po Sir. If you will excuse me, I will just be looking for her?" tanong ni Zach.

"Oh sure, no problem. Just see us then when you find her", sagot naman nito.

Zach started looking and asking for Monique. He was starting to lose hope of finding her nang mapadako ang kanyang tingin sa isang kwarto doon. He doesn't know what took him to go there pero parang hinihila sya ng mga paa nya para pumasok doon. Hindi nya inasahan ang nakita nya doon. It was Monique! And she's having sex with another guy, which he thinks is anak ng isa sa mga bisita ng ama nito.

"Monique!!! What the f--k!", sigaw ni Zach na agad nakapagpalingon sa dalawang naroroon.

Nagulat si Monique at agad na hinila ang kumot upang matakpan ang kanyang kahubdan. Ganun din naman ang lalaking kasama nito na agad nagbalot ng tuwalya.

"P-pare it's not what you th-", at hindi na natapos ng lalaki ang sinasabi nito dahil sumadsad na ito sa sahig dala ng lakas ng pagkakasuntok sa kanya ni Zach. Napasigaw naman si Monique.

"Z-zach, stop it! I'm sorry, let me explain! Please let me explain", paiyak na sabi ni Monique.

"I don't need your explanation Monique. I've seen enough! I did everything for you. I have loved you that much na kahit ayaw sayo ng parents ko, I kept fighting for us. Monique!!! I can't believe this!", sigaw ni Zach at mabilis itong umalis sa kinatatayuan nya. Nakasalubong nya ang ama ni Monique ngunit nilagpasan na lamang nya ito.

(Zach's POV)

"Zach, Zach, are you still there?", untag ng boses sa kabilang linya na syang nakapagpabalik sa akin sa kasalukuyan.

"Ah, y-yeah. I'm here", sagot ko.

"I said, can we meet up? Are you free?", muling tanong ito.

"I-i'll think about it. I have an official business that's why I'm here. And I'm not alone, I'm with my secretary", sagot ko.

"Was it Meanne? I'll be glad to see her too", Monique.

"No, she already left the company when she got married", saad ko.

"Ah, okay. Well, just text or call me when can I see you", Monique.

"Okay, bye Monique", tanging sagot ko.

"Bye, I missed you Zach", sabi ni Monique kasunod ng beep tone tanda na binaba na nya ang kabilang linya.

During my conversation with Monique, I knew I saw Alex at the veranda. But now, my thoughts were occupied by the person I had a conversation awhile ago. Why did she come back? Anong meron at nagparamdam sya ngayon sakin? May lakas pa sya ng loob na makipag-communicate sakin after what she did to me? I trusted her. I loved her. Pero sinaktan nya ko. Niloko nya ko. Eversince that incident, it's hard for me to trust anybody again.