The office meeting room greeted Valeria with the refreshing coolness of the air conditioner. Good thing na hindi niya nakakalimutan na magsuot ng coat na hanggang tuhod. Maliban sa lalamigin siya, palagi rin siyang nakasuot ng maikling dress.
May labing-limang tao na nasa loob ng office meeting. Ngayon na dumating na si Valeria, naging labing-anim na. There were fresh faces, a usual occurrence for Valeria due to the company's global presence. Therefore, it's not unexpected for her to witness individuals arriving in the Philippines from foreign nations to invest or take on shareholder roles.
"Welcome, Ms. Caruso." bati sa kaniya ng isa sa mga shareholder.
"Mr. Blencowe, it's a pleasure to meet you," Valeria said with a smile, extending her hand for a handshake.
It kept occurring. Valeria repetitively engaged in socializing, making use of her lips and hands. Nakaupo na ang lahat ng mga shareholder kaya uupo na rin sana si Valeria nang tawagin siya ni Maximus Viasco.
The fucking old man hag.
"Valeria Agatha Caruso! Ang pinaka-maganda at pinaka-sikat na Italyanang CEO sa balat ng lupa." tinitigan siya nito at ngumiti nang makahulugan. Valeria retained her poise as she saw him examining her body with his gaze.
Sgradevole.
Akmang yayakapin pa siya nito pero agad niyang inilahad ang kamay niya, dahilan para tumigil ito.
With a sardonic grin, Valeria remarked, "I have my doubts, Mr. Viasco. Your wife's beauty is beyond comparison, not even by me."
Matagal itong sumeryoso, kapagkuwan ay ngumiti ng pagkalaki-laki. Weirdo. Pinigilan ni Valeria ang sarili na mapairap sa salitang lumalabas sa maruming bibig nito. She had no desire to please him, and certainly not for this repugnant elderly man. Hindi niya sasayangin na ibigay ang ngiti niya rito at makipag-usap na para bang isang santo knowing na binabastos na siya.
Tumawa ito na parang tanga, palibhasa'y singkit, halos mawala na ang mga mata nito.
"I know, I know." he said, reaching for her hand and giving it a firm squeeze. Valeria clenched her teeth. "But you know, beauty fades. Sino bang lalaki ang gugustuhin pang mapanood ang isang babae na kulubot na ang balat sa katawan?" he answered and about to plant a kiss on the back of her hand when she withdrew it upang pigain iyon.
Valeria made sure she squeezed every part of his hand, from the palm to the knuckles and fingers. Nagtitimpi lang siya rito. Talagang hinahabaan niya lang ang pasensiya niya dahil nga sa kadahilanang isa ito sa mga shareholders. Pero, ang sabihin niya ang mga salitang iyon sa sariling asawa? Hindi na siya nahiya! Ang kapal!
Nakita niya ang magkahalong gulat at sakit sa mukha nito at ang kagustuhan na maalis ang kamay nito sa kamay niya. Pero hindi iyon pinakawalan ni Valeria at mas lalo pang diniinan.
"Last time I checked, there were viral pictures and videos of you with some unknown woman," Valeria said softly. "What does she look like again? Oh, she's young, right? I think... she's 34 years younger than you? Slim, small waist, gorgeous, and definitely... no wrinkles. Let me ask, is that girl.... your mistress?"
Natahimik ito at walang ibang ginawa kundi samaan na lang siya ng tingin. Dahil siya si Valeria, tinitigan niya rin ito ng masama---- triple sa ginagawa niya. She made it clear that his maneuvers held no power to intimidate her.
VOCÊ ESTÁ LENDO
SIN: Valeria Caruso
RomanceCheating, a calculated choice rather than a mere misstep, unravels trust like a thread pulled too tight. Just as when one strays into sin, it's a path consciously chosen, veering away from the light of righteousness. Its impact echoes beyond the per...
