Against the Barrier (Magnates Series #1)

Kabanata 16

Kabanata 16

"V-Vera, sigurado ka ba? Bakit parang biglaan naman 'to?"

Nakasunod sa'kin si Vio habang inaayos ko ang mga gamit ko. After what happened three days ago, after my encounter with my dad, I decided to quit the company.

Narealize ko rin na kaya nila naisipang maging shareholder dito ay para na rin sa balak nilang ipagmerge ang company once I get married.

So, all of this was their plan, huh? Everything, every single detail.

"V-Vera, you're seriously quitting?" hinawakan ni Vio ang kamay ko para matigil ako.

Maybe I was so mad that I couldn't hear what she's saying. Raze was also there looking at me, worried. Ngayon ko lang nakita nang masinsinan ang mga mukha nila dahil sa biglaang desisyon ko. I haven't told them properly about it because I was consumed by my anger.

Bumuntong hininga ako habang nanginginig ang kamay dahil sa galit. "Sorry kung biglaan..."

"Tell us what happened please." Vio held my shoulders.

"I-It's just family matters."

I don't think I wanted to talk about it. Baka bigla akong magbreak down dito kapag inalala ko 'yon.

"It's more than that, isn't it?" Raze stood up to look at me. "Babalik ka na ba sa pamilya mo?"

Umiling ako. "I don't think I'll ever come back there."

"W-What? But you worked hard for it because you wanted to lead it right? Bakit biglang nagbago ang desisyon mo?"

"T-They're still pursuing the marriage..." my voice trembled a little. "A-And they're the reason why I was hired here. It was not because of my own hard work."

Naramdaman kong nangilid ang luha ko habang sinasabi 'yon. Agad na niyakap ako ni Vio at hinagod naman ni Raze ang likod ko. I didn't say anything, I was quietly crying.

"I-I loved De Velar, I fell in love with this company because I learned to be independent and to stand on my own. But...after knowing what actually happened, I don't think I deserve this position. I don't think I deserve to be here anymore."

Hindi sila nagsalita at pinakikinggan lang ako. Naramdaman kong paiyak na rin si Vio dahil sa sinabi ko. They know how I worked hard for this and I'm sure they can feel how brokenhearted I am after knowing the truth.

"So I'm sorry if this is so sudden," I muttered.

"We understand, Vera." Vio hugged me tightly again.

"Whatever your decision is, we're still here for you no matter what," Raze said.

I smiled at them. "I hope we could still be friends."

Nakita kong naluha na si Vio dahil sa sinabi ko. Kita ko ang pamumula ng kanyang mata at ilong. "Oo naman, gaga! Sasama ka pa rin sa mga gimik namin! Basta 'wag mo kaming kakalimutan."

"What's your plan after quitting, Vera?" seryosong tanong ni Raze.

I sighed. "I wanted to start anew, maybe somewhere my family wouldn't expect me to be. Kung kailangan ko magsimula sa umpisa, gagawin ko."

"Pero pa'no na 'yong mga pinagtrabahuan mo dito, Vera? Iiwan mo na lang talaga?"

Nakita ko ang paghuhulma ng luha ni Vio. Mukhang nasasaktan talaga siya sa biglaang pag-alis ko.

"Marami naman akong natutunan dito, at paniguradong magagamit ko 'yon."

"But I'm sure your family would still do something about it." pagpupuna ni Raze.