Bedazzled (BL)

PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE
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ALEX'S POV

"Congratulations, Engineer Alex! More projects to come!" Bati sa akin ni Mayor Paul pagkatapos namin mag-ribbon cutting sa opening ng longest bridge dito sa city.

"Thank you for trusting Crete Construction, Mayor."

"Sayang wala ang papa mo. He was a good man. Kamusta na pala siya? Matagal na kaming hindi nakakapag-unwind." He meant golfing.

Pilit akong ngumiti kay Mayor. "Ganoon pa rin. But hopefully, he'll get better soon."

"Sa awa ng Diyos," tanging naisagot lang nito. "Sige, maiwan muna kita. Marami pa akong kailangang kausapin. Pakikamusta na lang ako sa ama mo."

I nodded and said goodbye before he finally walked away. Marami rin akong kinausap na malalaking pangalan na tao. No matter how much I want to avoid getting close to these political figures, I just can't as our business is on the line. I've come to realize it's part of building connections and opening up more opportunities for the company.

Hindi rin ako nagtagal doon. Next destination ko naman ay balik na sa main office. May maliit na pagdiriwang din kasing gagawin bilang pagdiriwang sa successful na turnover sa isa sa biggest project na natanggap namin.

The little celebration was not that formal. Pakain lang for all the employees and a brief speech from me. The day felt way too long, so I rushed home the moment work ended. While driving, I got caught at a red light and ended up stopping right next to a pedestrian.

Then came the people crossing the pedestrian, a crowd of different faces and genders. Couple after couple walked past, holding hands. But what caught my attention was a pair of men crossing sweetly together. The taller one had his right arm wrapped around the shorter guy's shoulders, and both of them were smiling, whispering to each other like they were in their own little world.

That reminded me of him... of us.

Magiging ganyan kaya kami kasaya kung hindi ako nagpakaduwag? Kung naniniwala ako sa kanya, hanggang ngayon ba'y yakap-yakap ko pa rin siya?

Muling bumalik sa akin ang mga regrets and what ifs ko. Ang dami kong gustong baguhin lalong-lalo na ang mga naging desisyon ko sa nakaraan.

If I could just turn back time...

Peep! Peep!

The honking of nearby cars snapped me out of my reverie of the past. Masyado na pala akong natulala na hindi ko namalayang naka-go signal na pala. I drove off, knowing the car behind me was probably pissed.

It was almost midnight when I got to my penthouse. We have a house in one of the most well-known villas in the city, but it's all the way uptown. When the company was handed down to me, I decided to buy this place instead. The reason's simple—whenever I'm too lazy to drive home, I can just crash here. Honestly, it's been a huge help.

I quickly took a shower and dried my hair. Just as I was done, my phone vibrated—it was a call from one of my dad's caregivers.

Kumunot ang noo ko dahil hatinggabi na at gising pa rin ang mga ito. Hindi ko mapigilang mag-alala kaya dali-dali ko ring sinagot ang tawag nito.

"Yes, Alex speaking."

"Sir Alex! Salamat sa Diyos at gising pa kayo. Pasensya na sa pagtawag sayo ng ganitong oras."

"Ayos lang, Manang. Napatawag kayo? Ayos lang ba si dad?"

Bago pa makasagot si Manang Beth, narinig ko ang mahinhing sigaw ni daddy. Hindi ko mawari kung sigaw ito o iyak. Mukhang nagta-tantrums na naman ito.