To Love Him Once More (USFIL Book 2) - REVAMPED

Chapter 1

Until She Fell In Love published book is still available in Summit Books shop on Shopee and Lazada. Thank you to those who bought a copy of my first published book.

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LAXER

I am at a loss for words; I couldn't say anything. She's right in front of me now. She's Zanya, and she looks exactly like Jearri. The only difference is their hair, but apart from that, one would surely have a hard time telling them apart. Just like my bodyguards I was unable to move. Kung sila na hindi naman madalas makasama si Jearri noon ay nagulat na kamukha nito ang nasa harapan nila, paano pa ako? Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali, sa bilis ng tibok ng puso ko ay masasabi kong si Jearri nga siya.

"What?" she sounded so angry. "Now you realize that what you did was wrong, and that you might have killed us?" She arched a brow and almost rolled her eyes, if she hadn't stopped herself. I watched her every move. Dammit. She's just like Jearri, so much.

"Jearri..." muling tawag ko sa kanya. Pinanood kong maigi ang magiging reaksyon niya, wala akong nakuha. It seemed that the name sounded so foreign to her. Wala siyang pinakitang kahit anong emosyon. "Jearri..." sumubok akong abutin ang siko niya, subalit maagap niya itong inilag sa akin.

"Are you drunk? Don't touch me! I don't even know you." Hindi niya na itinago pa ang nararamdaman niyang iritasyon sa akin. "Let's go, Sir Fred and Leigh. We're just wasting our time with people like them. Very arrogant," dagdag pa nito bago muling sumakay ng SUV.

"Jearri, sandali!" subok kong paghabol sa kanya.

"Don't you dare touch me or we'll see each other in court. Also, stop calling me that name. Obviously, I am not Jearri, and you are wasting my time, Mister." Padabog niyang sinara ang pinto ng SUV.

Napaatras ako, agad namang umalalay sa akin si Jameson. Tinaas ko ang kanang kamay ko upang sumenyas na ayos lang ako. "Mr. Del Valle..." si Jameson na madalas ay tahimik lamang ay hindi na rin siguro kinaya pang manahimik na lang dahil sa kanyang nasaksihan.

"I know Jameson. I know. How could someone look so much like her?" my voice broke. Paulit-ulit kong naihilamos ang mga palad ko sa aking mukha. How did this happen in just one day? Pinaglalaruan na ba ako ng tadhana dahil sa mga pagkakamali ko noon. Is this my karma now? If it is, I am very much willing to welcome it with open arms and even embrace it.

Hindi ako nakatulog nang gabing iyon. Pabalik-balik sa aking isipan ang tagpong iyon. She's not Jearri, I could be right or wrong. Sa kilos niya pa lang ay malabong siya si Jearri, maging sa pananamit at pananalita. They only share the same face, but other than that I don't think I can still list one more thing they have in common.

It felt like I only close my eyes that night. Bumangon na lang ako nang matantong hindi ko kayang ituloy pa ang pagtulog. After Jearri's death I became a light sleeper, may mga gabi kasing dinadalaw niya ako sa aking panaginip. Paulit-ulit, it hurts so much to only dream of her while she's asking for my help. Wala akong nagawa at wala na akong magagawa pa.

I went into the bathroom for a cold shower before heading straight to my office. I almost forgot that today is my formal meeting with Zanya. Damn it. I've already made a poor impression on her, but I haven't lost hope. Despite the initial setback, I can still make a strong impression with my presentation. There's nothing they wouldn't want from AJD Cruise Ship.

"Everything is set, Sir." Ms. Garcia told me through the intercom. Her brows shot up, likely due to my demeanor today. "Ms. Wilson said she's on her way and should arrive in less than 20 minutes. She's a bit stuck in traffic."

"Alright, thanks."

I've never been this nervous about presenting AJD to my investors. Although she's not the primary investor—her parents are—it still feels like a formality. However, I shouldn't be complacent. She has a say in this matter as well, and if she doesn't like me from the start, she could easily convince her parents not to invest.