“This is wrong, Ismael,” I stated.
I remembered her fiance and the fact that he was getting married. I do not want to be his mistress. I don’t want to disrupt someone else’s relationship.
“I’m here as a marketing associate because of LMC’s collaboration with Safira. I’m not here for this,” I said, still regaining my breath. Again, a wave of emotion almost carried me away.
I noticed the movement of his lips. He appeared disappointed with what I said. “Right,” he expressed. “I apologize for being aggressive,” he added. “Thank you for reminding me, Miss Alvandra.”
I was the one who gulped when he called me by my surname.
“Just like what I was supposed to do, Sir Mondalla,” I replied.
He stared at me thoughtfully. Now I can feel a significant difference between us. Something’s changed. I expected everything to be fixed when I saw him again, but it wasn’t. I thought all of my questions would be answered, only to get confused.
This is very awful timing. I should not come here anymore.
Three knocks on the door caused Ismael and me to turn around.
Ismael responded, “Come in,” as the door slowly opened. Miss Levanier walk inside and my consent quickly spoke to me, because her fiance and I had done something earlier that we shouldn’t. He looked at Ismael and me as if she were analyzing us. This isn’t good.
“I apologize. I should be leaving now,” I said as I moved away from everyone, but I was stopped because of the arrival of Mr. Roize.
He observed me before shifting his attention to the other individuals inside. “Why does the atmosphere here feel a little heavy? Is this about teamwork or something else? What happened?” I clearly see the frown in Mr. Roize’s face.
“I don’t know,” Miss Levanier replied before ultimately heading inside. “What the hell is this, Mael?” she asked, noticing Ismael’s broken desk nameplate on the floor. That’s what had fallen earlier.
I feel heavier. I remember Mrs. Enciso’s confrontation before and I fear that it’ll happen again now. I should take my steps and never return.
Mr. Roize got inside just as I was ready to walk away. “Aren’t you here to collaborate? Why are you leaving?”
Didn’t they hear I was leaving?
“Where is the loyalty and commitment, Miss Alvandra?” he sarcastically asked pointing out the words I used in my interview when I applied here at LMC.
“Don’t call her that,” Ismael stated at Yves. “No, don’t ever call her.”
“I’m just calling her,” Mr. Roize remarked cynically.
“And why would you call her?” Miss Levanier interrupted madly.
“What?!” Mr. Roize asked incredulously, his brow wrinkled. He let out a sigh and looked up at the ceiling. It appears that he is finding his patience. “What is wrong with you? Let us just start the meeting on this collaboration!”
Mr. Roize stared at me again. “You,” he said, pointing at me with his index finger. “Come here,” he added, gesturing to the meeting table, where they were.
“I said, I’m leaving,” I said in a firm tone that silenced them all. “Let’s forget about it. I don’t want to participate in your practical pranks. This isn’t funny.”
I’ve abandoned them. It appears that they are not serious about the collaboration they proposed with Safira, especially given my rejection of LMC. I burst out with a heavy heart. I should not come here anymore. Seeing him with his soon-to-be-wife only makes me feel worse. How can he kiss me when he is ready to marry someone else? If I do not stay away, something will undoubtedly happen to us again. I know myself. When it came to Ismael, I proved to be an idiot and weak.
I pulled out my phone to call Miss Sapphire. I should apologize. I understand how important it is to her, but I can’t bear to see Ismael, especially with his fiance. Crushing me. And I’m quite disappointed in myself because I was too disrespectful to bring my personal matters into business. I should not have reacted like that.
I was waiting for Miss Sapphire to answer the phone when someone took it from me. I was ready to react when I noticed Ismael holding it. He instantly grabbed my hand and drew me away.
“W-what are you doing?!” I asked. “Let go of me! For the sake of heavens?!”
But instead of listening to me, he intertwined his fingers with mine. I was terrified as I saw those employees, who had been astonished to find their boss holding someone’s hand. What will people think?
“Ismael! I said, let go of me.” I couldn’t stop screaming because I was so hurt by his tight grip on me.
“Why? Why are you acting like this?!” He asked as if he had the right to do so, which I should be the one acting that way. “Why are you walking away? Why are you leaving me?”
I blinked at his queries. I can’t stop crying. He was the one who left me. Why do I hear questions as if I was the reason of all these bullshits happening around us?
I turned away from him, but his hands continued to grab mine. “Where are you going?”
“I’m leaving!”
He asked me, agitated, “Can we just talk first?”
“What else are we going to discuss? Aren’t we done long ago?”
We were done when I saw him with someone else.
I attempted to remove his hand before turning away from him again.
I will not allow myself to go through it again. I do not want to be a mistress to any man in this world because no woman deserves to be one.
*****
I sighed deeply as I got out of the cab. I’m here in front of Safira’s company, embarrassed by what I did at the LMC. Perhaps my face is thick enough to confront Miss Sapphire and explain what happened earlier.
I resolved to accept responsibility for the repercussions of bringing my personal troubles to the business. I just couldn’t handle it. The fact that Ismael was present exacerbated the situation. He made no mention of the collaboration, which is excellent proof that he did exactly that for me.
But why?
Does he truly want me to be close to him? Does he want me to be his affair while he is destined to marry someone else?
I shake my head. I had no idea I was in front of our office, and both of my team members were surprised to see me.
I gulped. I appear to have forgotten what explanation I was going to give Miss Sapphire.
“Jothea? Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be at LMC?” Erl responded who was still standing in her seat.
They glanced at me with wrinkled brows, as if they wanted to know why my shoulders were sagging. I simply shook my head before informing them that I was going to Miss Sapphire’s office.
I knocked three times. Miss Sapphire responded promptly. “Yes, come in.”
Her reaction was identical to my teammates’. Her brow furrowed as she lowered her glasses.
“What brought you here, Jothea? How is the collaboration?” hse inquired.
I bit my lip and shook my head. “I’m sorry, Miss Sapphire.” I informed her of what had happened. I tried to be honest, and she was astonished to learn that the CEO was connected to me. She appears disappointed, yet she maintains a professional demeanor when dealing with me.
“I understand, Jothea, but as you can see, Safira needs this opportunity. This chance is not often available for a small brand like ours. Also, I doubt the LMC would see the collaboration as a joke, considering they were the ones that contacted us. Miss Levanier even came here to get you. It may seem silly to hear it, but I want you to take it seriously. I’d like you to apologize to Miss Levanier and the CEO of the Loeisal Malmdan Company.”
I nodded in obedience. Miss Sapphire was correct, but I could not bring myself to do it. Am I being stubborn again? How am I meant to face Ismael and get things back for the collaboration after what I did?
“I am giving you time until today to reflect, Jothea, but do what you think you must do for the sake of our company,” she replied. “Also, don’t jump to conclusions. Let them explain first.”
Miss Sapphire seems to be talking about more than just the collaboration. I didn’t mention that Ismael and I had a previous relationship; instead, I told her that he was my professor, whom I despised the most.
I simply fell on my table while thinking. Fortunately, my teammates stopped questioning me. They left me in a situation I created for myself.
I decided to start by going to the building’s rooftop to get some fresh air. I wasn’t expecting my tears to fall again. My hands quiver as I recall them touching Ismael’s body, even our lips meeting. I feel feeble.
What caused me to behave that way?
I corrected myself multiple times while repenting. I wish I had just hugged him; then I wouldn’t have had this problem, but what can I do? I don’t want to be someone else’s playtime.
I didn’t recognize the time. It’s dark out. I was on the rooftop a while ago, thinking about how to apologize to Ismael. I’ll just call him once I get home.
I went down to the office and found that they had left. What time is it? I looked at the time on the biometrics when I checked out. Quarter to eight.
I left our building and used the opportunity to walk home. It’s still early, so there will undoubtedly be more drivers on the road. It’s okay if I stroll alone.
But that was my mistake. I felt like someone was following me again. It worries me to see the same guy I saw before. He was dressed in a black hoodie and mask. I felt scared.
I attempted to walk quickly, but I sensed that someone else was doing the same. I tried to merge with the crowd, but it seemed as if he knew my motions and where I was heading, so he followed me right away. My heart was racing as I walked away from that terrifying individual. I attempted to deceive him by taking a different road, but even that appears to have been a mistake on my part.
There is no way out.
I’m not sure if there is anywhere to go because I’ve never been down this lane. I attempted to walk back, but someone appeared in front of me, holding a sharp knife in his left hand-the person who was following me.
My heart pounded with panic as I saw his terrible smile. That may certainly cause trauma. He went gently towards me, and here I am with shaky knees, unable to move because I am statued.
“No escape for now, Miss Mendez,” he replied, making me grimace. I was certain he was a man. My brow wrinkled as I wondered how he knew my middle name.
“What do you need from me?” I stammered and took a step back. I never believed I’d have an experience like this. I feel scared. I was able to fight before, but now that I see him wielding a knife, I appear to have lost my bearings. If I wasn’t terrified of death before, I’m not sure why I am now. Afraid: All I can think of is Ismael.
My heart is filled with regret. If I had known what was going to happen, I would have just accepted him. I didn’t even get the chance to apologize for slapping him again earlier.
“Something you have that you won’t know when I take it.”
That is my life.
He is after my life.
“Say good bye to your miserable life, Miss Mendez, as I end it for you.”
He eventually approached me, and all I could do was close my eyes and wait for the knife to penetrate my side.
I’m sorry, Ismael. I should have embraced you when you extended your loving arms to me earlier.