QA1: - (Claude and Nathalia) GxG

Prologue

Three knocks echoed against the office door.

"Miss Roberts?"

Dahan-dahang bumukas ang pinto.

Melody, her newly hired secretary, cleared her throat.

"Why?" Claudette asked coldly, lifting her gaze to the woman who had dared to interrupt her.

Napalunok ang sekretarya.

'Did I scare her? Better be,' Claudette thought, smirking inwardly.

"A-ah... may b-bisita po kayo. Clyde daw po," Melody answered, avoiding direct eye contact with the intimidating, boyish-looking woman.

"Let him in. Sa susunod na pumunta siya rito, papasukin mo na agad. Don't ask for permission."

Tumango ito.

"Yes, Miss."

'Miss.'

Of course, everyone called her 'Miss.'—because she said so.

Being the CEO and President had its perks. Hearing people call her 'Ma'am' only irritated her. She wasn't some old, uptight boss that every company seemed to have.

Jennica Claudette Roberts was different.

Young.

Beautiful.

Intimidating.

The moment her secretary stepped out of the office, Clyde entered without hesitation. Dire-diretso itong naupo sa sofa sa gilid ng opisina at ipinatong ang isang paa sa coffee table.

"New s*x-retary again?" he teased with a grin.

"Fvck off."

Tumayo si Claude at naglakad papunta sa floor-to-ceiling glass wall. Though heavily tinted from the outside, it gave her a perfect view of the city's towering skyline.

She loved this view.

Especially at night.

That was exactly why she had designed her office this way.

Humalakhak si Clyde.

"Claude, sa buong pamamalakad mo sa kumpanyang 'to, halos lahat—babae man o lalaki—nahuhumaling sa'yo."

Napangisi lang si Claude.

Sa tagal nilang magkaibigan, alam na nito halos lahat tungkol sa kanya—pati ang sexuality niya.

She liked both men and women.

But if she had to choose...

She'd always prefer women.

Maya-maya, napansin ni Clyde ang mukha niya.

"What the hell? Anong itsura mo?"

Napabuntong-hininga si Claude.

The dark circles beneath her brown eyes were impossible to hide. Even the expensive makeup she wore couldn't completely conceal the exhaustion etched across her face.

"Just tired last night. I didn't get to sleep well."

Bumalik siya sa swivel chair at binuklat ang mga dokumentong nasa mesa, hoping the conversation would end there.

Hindi na ito nagpumilit.

Sa halip, tumingin ito sa relo bago nagsalita.

"Anyway, nandito lang ako para sabihin na babalik na si Grae sa Canada. Magpaparty muna siya bago umalis. Friday night, sa bar natin. Gusto niyang kumpleto tayo."

"I'll be there."

Tumango si Clyde.

"Sige. Hindi na kita aabalahin."

Pagkaalis nito, muling nabalot ng katahimikan ang opisina.

Napasandal si Claude sa swivel chair at ipinikit ang mga mata.

Silence.

Ito ang matagal-tagal na niyang nakasanayan.

The Jennica Claudette Roberts everyone knew today was nothing like the woman she used to be.

The old Claudette—

Kind.

Gentle.

Always smiling.

She died the night everything changed.

Kung sana naging mas matapang lang ako...