More Than Words

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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You'd think I'd have life easier with the various international awards and recognitions I've received in the course of my career.

Well, you thought wrong.

Isinara ko ang folder na inabot niya sa akin bago ito ibinaba sa kanyang mesa. I pursed my lips before looking at her with all the cuteness I could muster.

"Julianna naman o, kahit ano lang please," pagsusumamo ko. "Wag lang yung may kinalaman sa politika."

Her eyebrows raised. Marahil ay dahil sa pagsusumamo ko o sa pagtawag sa kanyang pangalan para sana'y ma-kumbinsi siya.

I heard it works for other people, but by the look on her face it seems like she's not one of those.

"That was years ago, Therese. If he wanted to file a case against you, he has all the resources a person would need."

"My article wasn't libelous!"

Nang tinaasan niya ako ng kilay ay tumungo na lamang ako nang napagtantong mas lalo lamang nauudyok si Julianna na ibigay sa akin ang trabahong ito.

The thought of seeing him again made me shiver. Over the past years, I've done everything to keep him out of my mind dahil paniguradong hindi lamang ako makakatulog nang maayos.

That unsettling feeling I always felt when he's around settled at the pit of my stomach, putting me once again, on edge. Just like how it's almost always been when it's with him.

"Hindi naman pala libelous, bakit natatakot ka?" nakahalukipkip na tanong ni Julianna bago itinulak palapit sa akin ang folder.

Against my better judgment, I reached for the folder and stared at its contents. His dark orbs met mine at kahit na litrato lamang ang mga ito ay napupuno pa rin ng kaba ang aking puso.

My gaze lowered at the other pictures attached which highlighted a silver band he wore on his ring finger. I bit my lower lip to stop them from trembling when another wave of nostalgia hit.

"P-pwede namang trip niya lang suotin diba?" I tried once more.

Nang muli kong tiningnan si Julianna ay binubuksan niya na ang isa pang folder na nakatambak sa mesa. She reached for her glasses and I thought she was going to ignore me then as a sign that I should leave but she spoke.

"He hasn't been spotted with other women on dates since he started wearing that years ago."

"So?" I pushed on. "Ibig sabihin ba nun may asawa na siya? Please naman, this is useless!"

Agad kong itinikom ang aking bibig nang inilipat niya ang tingin sa akin. Unlike a few moments ago, this one was sharper with a warning underneath.

Kaya kahit na gusto ko pang umangal at sabihing mas maraming staff na mas gustong kunin ang trabahong ito ay hindi ko na lamang ginawa.

I sighed in defeat as I walked out of the door. Isasarado ko na sana nang nagsalita siya ulit.

"Find the owner of that ring's pair, Therese. Your promotion depends on it."