Running From Fire

Prologue

"You consider this fucking substandard work satisfactory? Maybe it's 'bout time we update the dictionary, isn't it?" the brunette growled at the poor man in front of her.

It's another gruesome day in the office. She doesn't even know why she bothers coming to office everyday.

Massaging her temple, she waved her hand as a motion for him to leave.

He has not been any quicker in his entire life.

Pumasok si Richard pagkalabas ng lalaki. Umiiling ito habang nakangisi. The blue-eyed girl thought of firing him as her Operations Manager and wondered if he will still be able to smile after that.

"Well, well, mukhang mag-aasikaso na naman ng resignation ang HR natin," komento nito.

"Ibibigay mo ba 'yang folder na hawak mo sa'kin?" she asked, laced with sarcasm.

He chuckled as he laid the folder on the CEO's table.

It was the Leporidae Enterprise sales and revenue report for this quarter.

She has not opened it yet but she already feels the incoming headache, knowing full well what's in the report.

She envies her employees. She could really use a sick leave right now.

Nasa pinto na si Richard nang huminto siya at muling humarap sa babae. "You know you don't have to deal with this alone... right?"

She kept quiet. She knows what he's referring to.

And he's wrong.

"I don't pay you to meddle in my affairs, Richard."

Tumawa uli siya, na akala niya yata ay isang malaking biro ang sinabi ng babae.

"Suit yourself, Chaise." He left the office.

And she was left alone again with her dark thoughts.

She opened the drawer to her desk to take out an eyeglass. It's already 6 pm and there's still so much to do.

It was inside that she found a taffy-colored pillar candle with a ribbon tied around it. Chaise was suddenly struck by memories from two years ago.

And there are people like you and my mother who seem to think they can fill their empty selves with wealth. But no matter what we fill it with, it's never enough.

It was as if she was stabbed by a thousand needles.

She remembered brown eyes staring at her like she is an undiscovered treasure. The same brown eyed girl who betrayed her.

There was a surge of overwhelming panic inside her, as if she's losing all sense of control.

The same control she's struggled her whole life with to gain.

Her heart is palpitating like crazy, it feels like she's going to pass out.

Tumayo siya nang biglaan. Mabilis niyang binuksan ang handbag niya at hinalugad ito.

Nilabas niya rito ang isang banig ng Xanax at nilunok ang isa rito bago mabilis na uminom ng tubig sa isang bote.

Saka siya muling naupo, pagod at nanlalata. Nakatingala sa kisame habang humihinga nang malalim.

She really does need help.