Behind Her Innocence (Hughes Series)

Chapter 2: When They Meet Again

"Maam, hindi pa po ba kayo bababa?"

I flinched when I heard my driver spoke. I was sitting at the back seat of my car. Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto na kaming nakarating sa harap ng building. I just didn't feel like going out.

I was nervous. No, I was very nervous.

This was the day wherein I was gonna start training him. That means, I would meet him again after five years. I never wanted to see him again. I loathed him for what he did to me years ago. He gave me too much pain when he decided to leave me.

I never hated a person like this like how I did with Aaron.

If I could only turn down dad's favor, gagawin ko. But I knew dad couldn't turn down his friend's gentle request. I know my dad, what he promised should be done. Hindi ko naman gustong ipahiya siya sa kakilala niya kaya pumayag ako.

Besides, this was one of the ways para bumawi ako kay dad. Sobrang nagi-guilty ako dahil sa dami na ng kasalanan ko sa kanya. He was not aware of all things about me, and I was a bad daughter for lying to my dad. He has been so good to me while here I am, having guts to face him after all the stupid things I had done.

I felt guilty kasi dad loved me so much, and he trusts me so much kaya nga hinayaan niya ako sa America mag aral mag isa. He didn't question me nung natagalan akong bumalik dito sa bansa. He supported me in all my plans and decisions.

I sighed deeply.

"Ah, opo. Bababa nako."

I saw him nodded through the rare view mirror before he went out of the car and opened the door for me.

I grabbed my purse and another bag which contains the files I needed to work on then I went out of the car. I thank him before heading my way to the entrance.

The guards greeted me and even the employees I passed by greeted me. I greeted them back.

I composed myself and sighed as I rode the elevator. My hands were shaking, so I needed to meditate a little to calm myself down. Yun ang natutunan ko sa yoga classes  ko. Thank goodness, my breathing slowed down from hyperventilating before the elevator door opened.

I walked to my office with heavy strides.

"Good morning, Maam Gwen. Nasa loob na po si Sir Aaron Loyzaga at kanina pa po kayo hinihintay." She smiled while informing me.

Usually, I would smile back at her but this time, I didn't have the guts to do so. Knowing that the guy I never wished to see again was just a wall away from me.

Just by hearing his name again made me feel disgusted and annoyed.

"Okay, thank you. Please follow me inside. Ibibigay ko lang ang mga papers na napermahan ko na."

"Okay, maam."

I walked straight to my table when I entered my personal office. I made sure I would not look like I was affected by his presence. I saw him on my peripheral vision looking at me. I didn't know what was his reaction because it wasn't visible in my view.  And I didn't care how he would react to see me again after years of not seeing me.

I put my bag on the table next to where my files were. Binuksan ko ang bag na iyon and gave the documents to Ines. "I already reviewed all of these at home. Ikaw na ang bahala gumawa ng kopya and send the original documents sa clients."

"Sure, maam. Aasikasuhin ko po ito agad-agad."

"What's my schedule for today, Ines?" Sinasadya kong pahabain ang usapan namin ng secretary ko. I didn't want to talk to the guy who had been staring at me.

Yes, I could sense his stare even though I was not facing him.

"Bukod po sa meeting niyo at 4pm, maam, wala na po kayong lakad. You will just train Sir Loyzaga for the most time of the day. Yun ang bilin ng daddy po ninyo."

I silently swallowed my saliva and my face flushed turning it into pink color.

"Okay, thank you, Ines.'

Nagpaalam na siya sa aking lalabas na para asikasuhin ang mga pinapagawa ko.

I seated on my swivel chair.

I turned my laptop on, and scanned some files online. I had no plans of entertaining him. He shouldn't be here anyways. I wonder what kind of guts he had to agree in this kind of set up.

Pero oo nga pala, he didn't care about what I would feel. He only cares about himself and what would benefit him.

Nakarinig ako ng tikhim habang nagta-type ako sa laptop. He began to speak.

"You look different, Gwen."

I stopped with what I was doing the moment I heard his voice again. After 5 years, I heard his voice again. But why there was something stirring up inside of me?

Napakuyom ako ng kamay as I remembered everything that happened in the past. Just like that, parang bumalik lahat sa akin.

Lahat-lahat.

Lahat ng katangahan na ginawa ko at lahat ng mga maling decisions ko.

Suddenly, I felt scared.

Paano kung bumalik ang katangahan ko kasabay ng pagbalik niya? I made a lot of wrong decisions in my life the moment I fell in love with this man. Tapos ayun, nagtuloy-tuloy na.

I should guard myself this time. Hindi na pwedeng maulit ang dati.

30 March 2018
Miss Kae 💋