The Aftermath of Pleasure (SPG)

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen | Preposition

Zachary's hazel eyes looked ruthless as it looked up at me. There was no hint of surprise in his expression, na tila ba ay alam niya na ako ang pumasok sa loob ng office.

Anger was evident in his eyes ngunit bukod doon ay walang emosyon ang kanyang mukha habang nakatitig pabalik sa akin. Walang bahid na kahapon lang ay sinigawan niya na sampung taon niya na akong mahal.

"How can I help you?" His icy voice echoed in the still room.

Sinuklian ko ang mga tumatagos niyang titig.

What's this? Is this how he's gonna play this game? I don't mind playing along!

Napatingin ako sa signage sa kanyang harapan.

Zachary Hercule L. Corpuz, President.
Cognicio Fidel Corpuz V Philippines

Sinapo ko ang aking noo sa isipan. Paano ba ito nangyari? CFCVI? Bakit hindi ako nag research bago nagpasa ng resumé?

Did Lara play me?

I tried connecting the pieces ngunit wala akong makitang posibleng ugnayan sa dalawa kundi si Zeus, na siyang rason kung bakit nasa coma si Stephan.

"I'm leaving," I coldly said. Hindi na ako nag aksaya ng panahon at tumalikod na.

"Stop," Baritono at mababa na boses ni Zach. Awtimatiko akong napahinto at nairita sa aking sarili. Really, Thalia? Hanggang ngayon ay sunud sunuran ka pa rin sa lalaking iyan? I could hear Mamita's mockery in my head.

"I have a proposition for you, Zamualda." Pormal niyang sabi.

My eyebrows raised in curiosity. What could he possibly offer me? A fuck buddy position?

Slowly, I faced him again. Walang nagbago sa batong ekpresyon nito.

"I'll offer you a job, the highest position, even. Alam naman nating dalawa na kailangan mo. Supporting a certain someone, I guess?" His eyebrow rose. Pinaglaruan niya ang ballpen sa kanyang desk.

My jaw ticked.

Now he looks amused. The side of his lips rose as he carefully studied my face. I did not flinch. I wanted to let him think that he had no effect, whatsoever, on me.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Mas lumaki ang mapaglarong ngiti sa kanyang labi. It's like he's mocking me. Jerk!

"I'll give you the worst-case scenario. You don't get this job, and so, you go around looking for other jobs. How long would that take? A week? A month? Say you got into an average company, how much will the pay be? Enough for two, perhaps?" Aniya.

Kinuyom ko ang aking kamay. I fucking want to throw him off the building right now. But in my practical mind, I knew he was right.

This was a good offer.

And a fucking trap.

"Think about it, Thalia... Cecilia," My name sounded so delicious on his mouth.

His mouth, his lips...

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. Focus, Thalia.

"And what do you want in return?"

Nawala ang ngisi sa labi ni Zach.

"You'll know," he said.

"No. I want to know what your sick mind is thinking in return before I accept the terms. I don't want anything under the table." Dire-diretso kong sabi.