Taped-Up Heart

XLIII. Filthy Rich

Chapter Forty Three

Filthy Rich

I smiled as I looked at the ring on my finger. Kitang-kita ko ito lalo na ngayong nakahawak ang kamay ko sa manibela. Papunta na ako ngayon sa important meeting ko, dahil ito ang magiging pinakamalaking project na nakuha ng firm namin sa ngayon.

Mas lalo ko lang napapansin ang pagkinang ng maliit na diyamante sa singsing ko dahil sa mga ilaw na nagmumula sa poste na tumatama rito.

I'm happy. I really am. I'm thankful that someone like Daffin came into my life. And now, he asked me to marry him—to spend the rest of my life with him.

And who am I to say no, really?

The client chose to dine at one of the most famous fine-dining restaurants in the country. Hindi naman ako kinakabahan. Sa pagkakatanda ko, sila ang may kailangan sa akin—hindi ako.

I should be confident. I know deep down that I'm a great engineer. So far, all of my projects have been successful.

When I finally got there, I handed the key to the valet and prepared myself. I was wearing a black sleeveless and backless satin dress. My hair was down, and I had curled the ends earlier. I gripped my silver pouch before stepping inside the restaurant and walking as if I were on a runway.

"Engineer Dela Cuesta," I introduced myself.

Ngumiti ang babae sa akin at tiningnan ang pangalan ko sa computer. "This way, Engineer," she said, leading the way.

I followed her. Hindi gaanong marami ang tao sa loob, at halata mo na puro mayayaman lang ang nandito.

She guided me to an exclusive room reserved for us. Nang pumasok ako, wala pa roon ang kliyente. It was only a table for two. May mga bodyguards na nakatayo sa paligid. They were all wearing a suit and tie. Medyo kinabahan na tuloy ako ngayon.

Mukha bang sasaktan ko ang kliyente ko ngayon?

Bakit ang daming bodyguard?

Baka mamaya delikado buhay ko rito ah.

One of the bodyguards pulled out a chair for me. I simply said thank you and sat down properly. May malaking bintana sa room, at kitang-kita mula rito ang view ng isang lake. The view was beautiful, with lights reflecting on the water.

"Sir, she's already here." Kaagad akong napalingon sa nagsalita. Hawak na ngayon ng isang bodyguard ang tenga niya, at doon yata kinakausap ang Sir niya. "Yes, Sir. She's a she," paglinaw pa niya.

After a few minutes, the door finally opened.

Dahan-dahan akong lumingon.

I stiffened when I saw who it was. Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. The trouble just walked in. He was wearing a dark blue tuxedo, his hair was brushed up neatly.

He looked different.

Very different from the last time I saw him.

Hindi pa niya ako nakikita dahil kinakausap niya pa ang bodyguard niya.

And right now, the only word left to say was: fuck.

Kaagad akong umiwas ng tingin at ibinaling ang mga mata ko sa view sa labas. Narinig ko ang pag-upo niya. Dahan-dahan kong nilingon siyang muli. I saw the shock in his face and how his jaw dropped, pero kaagad niya rin iyong binawi nang mapagtanto kung sino ako.

Hindi niya rin siguro ineexpect na ako ang makikita niya rito.

I smiled before standing up. After all, 100 billion ang nakasalalay dito sa project na 'to. I'm only doing this for the firm. I extended my hand confidently. "I'm Engineer Dela Cuesta, and I will be the head engineer for the project."

Ilang segundo pa bago siya natauhan at tumayo. Tumango siya. "I'm Achaia Tiu, the vice chairman of TIU Group of Companies," he said before sitting down.

Natigilan ako. Para akong tanga na naiwan ang kamay sa ere. Hindi ko alam pero nasaktan ako dahil hindi niya ako hinawakan o tinanggap man lang ang kamay ko.

Maybe everything was really a lie—all of it. Years ago, he said that I was the only girl allowed to touch him. But now he wouldn't even accept my hand.

Umupo na rin ako, naiinis na. Ang bastos niya. Kahit pa client namin siya, wala siyang karapatang tratuhin ako nang ganito. Dahil sa pagkakaalala ko, sila ang may gusto na kuhanin ako. Hindi ako nag-aral ng ilang taon para lang bastusin niya ngayon.

"I don't know why you're here," he said, signaling a bodyguard something.

I rolled my eyes. "I don't know why I'm here either."

"Why did you accept the offer?" he asked as the servers began setting down the food. His eyes bore into mine, challenging me. Hell, I wouldn't back down. Who does he think he is?

He's just an asshole to me.

"Why wouldn't I?" I shot back. Gusto ko sanang sabihin na sila ang nag-request na ako ang maging engineer ng project—na sa tingin ko ay hindi pa niya alam. Parehas kaming uninformed na kami pala ang magka-meeting.

He chuckled. "I'm your ex," he said before taking a sip of red wine.

I forced a smile. Ang kapal ng mukha niyang ipaalala sa akin na ex ko siya. Matapos lahat ng kagaguhan na ginawa niya sa akin? Sa tingin niya ba talaga deserve niya na maging ex ko?

"Mr. Tiu, I'm not unprofessional. I don't care if you're my ex or not. I'm just here to do my job."

Napataas ang kilay niya sa sinabi ko. "You knew that it's my family's project, yet you still accepted it? How come?" he asked, sarcasm dripping from his voice.

I smiled politely, holding onto my patience. "For your information, it was your family who requested me. Kaya kung mayroong may kailangan sa ating dalawa, ikaw 'yon—hindi ako."

I took a deep breath. "I'm here as the head engineer of the project, not as your ex. Stop being so unprofessional, Vice Chairman Achaia Tiu."

The side of his lips lifted into a smirk. "I see you're still the same. Bold and daring. Aren't you even scared of me? I can cancel this project with a single snap."

I crossed my arms and legs, looking at him with sheer boredom. "Why would I be scared of you? Who do you think you are? You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth. So basically, you've never worked hard for anything in your life."

I leaned forward. "I crawled my way just to be where I am now—to be one of the best engineers in the country. Cancel the project if you want. I don't care."

I stood up, grabbing my purse. "I don't need this project. I don't need your money. I'm already filthy rich."

I was about to leave the room when his voice suddenly stopped me.

"Asia."

It didn't sound the same.

I looked back and smiled at him. "It's Engineer Dela Cuesta," I said before finally turning my back on him.

It's been four years, and still—fuck you, Achaia Zaavan Tiu. Fuck you for breaking my heart.