Begin Again

February 14th 2018

The summit wrapped up after three exhausting days, and by the next morning, I was standing outside the Century building, steeling myself for my new reality. I wondered if any of my old colleagues were still around, but the lobby was filled with faces I didn't recognize.

"Feny!"

Martha's voice cut through the air. As she approached, she didn't just greet me; she performed a full-blown introduction. "Everyone, meet my best friend, my former workmate, and the wife of our COO, the one and only Mrs. Feny Magdua-Martè!"

I froze. COO? Philip was the Chief Operating Officer? And my marriage was public knowledge? Before I could process the shock, Martha leaned in and whispered, "He's here. And we are so talking later! You're a witch for keeping all the 'fun' parts a secret!"

Before I could run, a pair of arms circled my waist. Philip kissed my temple and pulled me flush against him right in the middle of the lobby. I winced at the spectacle, but he was unfazed.

"You're here," he murmured, cupping my cheek.

"I have to report to the project head, Philip! Let go!"

"You're not going anywhere but my office, mahal ko," he said. He dragged me toward his "magic door," and before I knew it, we were inside his office. He sat in his chair and patted his lap with a look that dared me to argue. I walked over, my heart racing.

"Philip, this project is important," I started, trying to sound professional while his hand began to trail up my thigh.

"This is important, baby," he countered, nuzzling my neck. "I've been so lonely. You're going to make me happy from now on, aren't you?"

"I need to work..." I protested, though my resolve was melting as he licked my earlobe.

"The deal is closed," he whispered. "You report here every day until this project is done. My signing the papers can wait, but this... this can't." He paused, looking at me intensely. "I'm the COO now. Soon, I'll manage the whole company, and by then, you won't need to work at all—you'll just stay home and be my loving wife. Is that okay, baby?"

I pushed him back slightly, stunned. "You're the COO? Since when?"

He explained how his father had tried to step down, but after his mental breakdown, the position went to his uncle. Now, he was finally reclaiming his life. "And this project?" he confessed, twirling a strand of my hair. "It was my evil plan to get you back. I wanted you so bad, and your boss was too stubborn to let you go."

Tears pricked my eyes. It was overwhelming—the house he'd prepared, the desperation in his gaze. I reached into my shirt and pulled out my necklace, revealing the ring I'd kept all this time. "I've been wearing you every day," I whispered.

He took the ring from the chain and slid it onto my finger. "Fits perfectly," he grinned.

"Happy Valentine's Day, mahal ko," I teased, feeling brave. He dived in to claim his kiss, and for a moment, the world outside didn't exist.

Then, the door opened.

"Ace?"

My blood went cold. The voice was cold, polished, and arrogant. I spun Philip's chair around to face the intruder. I'd recognize that voice anywhere.

I gave her my sharpest, most dangerous smile. "Hi, Miss Arva Rodriguez."

The "other woman" had just walked into the lion's den.