That One Match

Chapter 23

"NAPAKALAKI nyang traydor!" 

Hindi ko maitago ang galit na nararamdaman ko para kay Trion dahil sa nabalitaan ko. How could he do this to me? He is one of the three people I trusted tapos sasaksakin nya lang ako patalikod?

"I already talked to him. Mr. Salmon is also his friend, Pent. Hindi mo naman pwedeng isisi na lang lahat na ito kay T.A."

I glared at Heptane. I know they have something between them, but it's not right to side with him lalo na ako ang dehado.

"I know you two have a thing, but can't you at least be on my side?"

I rolled my eyes in frustration. I have not come up with a plan yet. Sa araw na ito, ilang beses na akong tinawagan ng lawyer ko para alamin ang plano ko pero ni isa ay wala akong maisagot sa kanya. Up until this point, only Essey and Jeric knew what had happened. I decided not to tell the others. Mas mabuting kami-kami na lang muna.

Heptane and I looked at the door when we heard a knock. Pumasok sina Essey at Jeric dala ang mga papeles.

"Nandito na po ang mga resibo at papeles na napirmahan galing sa mga pinangkuhaan natin ng mga materyales, ma'am."

Jeric put everything on top of my table. 

"I will have a dinner meeting with Mr. Guzman and the other party. Let's pray these papers will stop them from ruining us."

Inilipat ko ang mga iyon sa loob ng itim na black case na dala ko.

"Don't tell the others about this. Hindi natin sigurado baka bigla na lang kumalat. Maaagapan pa naman siguro."

Dagdag ko. I was being hopeful. Ika-nga 'look on the bright side of life' kahit na naninilim ang kabilang parte.

The two promised they would keep this a secret for now before leaving my office.

"Do you want me to accompany you?"

Heptane offered, but I declined.

"No, thanks. I will settle this by myself."

After organizing the things I needed for tonight's dinner, I sat back on my swivel chair, rested my head on the lean and closed my eyes.

"Are you still okay? You've been stressed lately."

I just listened to Heptane's talk. What can I do with the situation I am always in, anyway? I am a business person and I don't have control over things going on and things that will probably happen to me.

Hindi ko naman hawak ang mga bagay-bagay sa paligid ko kaya wala akong magagawa kundi ang maghintay at magdasal na sana umayon naman ang lahat sa ayos.

"Ever since the accident, things are slowly getting rough to you."

True though. Nayanig ang mundo ko nang maaksidente kami ni Asul, at nang mauwi iyon sa hiwalayan namin ni Blank. I've been broken and life started to get shitty every fucking day.

Hexion is not tqlking to me anymore and now, Trion has backstabbed me.

What can I do about it though? Life is a mess, and so am I.

"Have you ever thought—"

My eyes slowly opened. Nakasandal pa rin ako sa upuan pero niliko ko na bahagya ang ulo ko para makita ang pagmumukha ni Heptane.

"What?"

I asked when she paused, and it seemed something is stopping her.

"Paano kung lahat na nangyayari ngayon ay dahil sa ina ni Blank?"