Tied to a Cervantes

Chapter 1

Abrianna

I close the door in my office and heavily sit on my swivel chair.

Binuklat ko ang folder na nakapatong sa table ko. It is a business proposal from a clothing line company. They want to be our partner in our rising clothing brand but just after reading the executive summary and scanning some parts, I throw it into the bin.

"A fucking trash talk" I open my laptop instead and read some emails.

That proposal speaks lie and deception. Our company willl not benefit from it. They intently created that for their own good only.

If you are not keen, you will surely think it is a win-win situation. But joke is on them. I am not anyone. My team may have been persuaded  but not me.

I scoff just thinking how hellish business world is.

"Nakakatanga"

Kaya nga ako nandito eh.

I had escaped my fate countless times, opted to hide until I die, but still I got caught.

The phrase is indeed fucking true. You can run but you cannot hide.

Two years ago after the marriage, I ran again. I flew to States and worked as a manager in a fine diner. Everything was going smooth until one day, I made an eye contact with the devil. That alone implied that he had found me, which I already expected to happen. So I ran again.

I moved few miles away from the city and applied as a personal assistant of the owner of a cow-milk production. It isn't as huge and fancy like my previous work but it is so far the most decent and acceptable work in the town.

Akala ko okay na, na hindi na niya ako matutunon pero nagkamali ako. Just few months later, I saw him again.  He is inside his black car. He might be wearing a shade that time pero alam kong siya iyun. He had found me again.

Tangina lang. Kelan ba ako matatahimik. Alam kong mahahanap at mahahanap niya ako ngunit bakit hindi pa rin ako masanay sanay. It felt like a beast was chasing me.

That's when I had decided to fly to New York. This time I won't run again. If he found me then let him be. I don't fucking care. If he drags me back then goodluck to him.

I won't satisfy him with chasing. My life will not revolve in escaping him.

When I landed here in New York, my life here didn't go easy. Nahirapan ako sa paghahanap ng trabaho. Lahat ng pinag-applyan ko ay tinuturo ang staff room. I am not going to be a fucking janitress. That will never gonna happen.

Unti I applied in this company. I was hired but in a low position. Linunok ko ang pride ko at tinanggap ang trabaho. This is better than the previous. Kaya kong magtrabaho bilang taga print and edit ng report rather than to clean someone's mess.

My first week was difficult. They treated me like their personal assistant. Until a chance was opened. I gave my best shot and fortunately, I was chosen. Starting there, my life got better. I got promoted fast within just a year and a quarter. And lately, I became the associate manager of this company.

And within my stay here in New York,  I have seen Cervantes many times. In fact, I see him every month. Sa mga panahong iyon wala siyang ginawa. He didn't drag me back. He didn't force me to come with him. He would just stare at me then leave. He stayed silent which make me fear greatly.

What if he is just letting me taste freedom then surprise me with a dungeon after?

What if he is playing me right from the beginning and he is subtly telling me that through his constant appearance?