LILY STOOD IN FRONT OF THE DRESSER TABLE'S MIRROR. Tutok ang kanyang mga mata sa sariling repleksyon, pinapanood ang pagsuklay ng buhok sa parteng natututukan ng blowdyer. Her eyes swayed from her reflection when she saw someone else's moving from the background.

Hindi nakaligtas sa kanyang paningin si Jared, ang hubad nitong katawan na bagong punas ng tuwalya. The sly beast gave her a sneak peek of his butt only to quickly hide them with a towel. Huminto ang lalaki sa tapat ng pinto ng banyo pagkalabas mula roon. Yumuko para itali sa bewang ang tuwalyang gamit na galing sa hotel na tinutuluyan nila. Droplets of water still clung on the tips of his shiny, tousled hair and randomly fall on his bare shoulders... on his hard chest...

Kanina pa pala siya nakapihit mula sa pagkakatayo sa tapat ng dresser, buka ang mga labing hinahangaan siyang tinititigan.

Jared glanced her way, caught her eyes. His eyes lit with satisfaction from the quick bump and grind they just had minutes ago, yet his lips remained firm, shut tight. He resumed his strides, stopped beside the night table.

"I'm sorry if it had been too quick, Jared baby," baba niya sa blowdryer na nagbubuga pa rin ng mainit na hangin. "Alam mo namang..." her eyes already flipped from his head down to his bare feet. She just couldn't resist this need to enjoy viewing his hot body with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waists...

"Kailangan ko nang makabalik agad sa Variant," sipat nito sa relong dinampot mula sa night table. "Ilang minuto na lang at one o'clock na."

Lily smirked in a fashion that did not reach her eyes. Nasa salamin na ulit ang kanyang tingin, walang pagmamadali sa pagsuklay sa buhok habang bino-blowdryer iyon. She stood there wearing her razzmatazz pink high-waist straight pants and white tube crop top. Nakasampay sa sandalan ng upuan ng dresser ang razzmatazz pink niyang blazer.

In her peripheral vision, she watched Jared get dressed up. He moved gracefully. Hindi halatang nagmamadali ang lalaki sa sobrang solido ng mabilis nitong pagkilos. He put on his pants in one swift pull-up, fluttered his black button-down shirt in the air before clinging against his back as he put on each sleeve and folded them to reach half of his forearms. Tinapos ni Lily ang pag-aayos sa buhok. Nilapitan niya si Jared na nakayuko, nagbubutones ng damit nito.

She just could not help herself. Yumakap siya sa likuran nito, nilapat ang pisngi sa isa sa mga pakpak nito. Naramdaman niya ang pagtigil saglit ng lalaki, humilig sa kaliwa ang ulo para lingunin siya pero hindi tumuloy nang hindi maabot ng paningin nito. He resumed buttoning his shirt, not minding her arms that wrapped on his waists.

"Kanina," malumanay niyang kwento sa lalaki, "I did that breathing technique you taught me. It's not working at all. Kakalma lang ako saglit. Tapos maya-maya, kakabahan na naman ako."

Naghintay siya. Hindi basta-basta binasag ni Jared ang katahimikan sa silid.

Malulungkot na sana si Lily. But just in time, she felt Jared's hand securely laid on top of one of her hands while she still hugged his waists.

He stroked the back of her hand tenderly, gazing at the way his fingers massaged while gently sliding his fingers between the gaps of hers.

"Ano ang mga inaalala mo tungkol sa meeting?"

Sasabihin ba niyang isa sa mga iyon si Jared? Na natatakot siyang mahalata ng mga ito mamaya na nasasaktan siya kapag mas pinili ng binata na umakto nang naaayon sa propesyon nito kaysa sa nararamdaman nito para sa kanya?

Lily had been preparing herself for that ever since she stayed in this hotel room bathed in tangerine-cream colored walls and furnitures. And yet...

Her heart still ached at the very thought, what more when that happens in the meeting?

"You are just going to speak your truth there," he said soothingly, slowly unchaining her arms to have room for turning around to face her. Napatingala siya sa lalaki kaya nagtama ang kanilang mga mata. Na kay Jared ang mapang-unawang tingin. Nasa kanya naman iyong takot na umaasa pa rin. He placed a cool palm against her cheek, and Lily found herself leaning her cheek against his palm, letting him cradle her with that touch.

"No one believes me when I speak." Nakakainis. Hindi niya inasahang maluluha sa mga sinabi. Awtomatiko siyang ngumiti para pagtakpan ang emosyong hindi maitago ng kanyang mga mata.

"But I do, right?"

Nagbaba siya ng tingin. Tumango-tango habang paunti-unting dumidistansya sa lalaki. She held his hand that cradled her cheek so that it wouldn't just drop as she stepped back. Hawak niya ang kamay ng binata at iyon na lang ang nagdidikit sa kanila nang muli siyang mag-angat ng tingin dito.

He squeezed her hand. "Do you want me to stay?"

Nagulat siya nung una. Humalili agad ang lungkot sa kanyang ngiti rito. "What happened to acting like there's nothing between us—"

Tinawid nito ang kanilang distansya. Something in his eyes told Lily that it's just too unbearable for him to be away from her no matter how short or long that separation might be.

"I can't just leave you here, knowing that you're still afraid of what's going to happen in the meeting."

Pagak siyang natawa. "It's not that I am really scared of Miss Jackie and Basil. In fact, I just hate them. I really, really hate them kaya hindi ko kakayanin kapag napahiya ako. Kapag sila na naman ang nanalo."

"Do you really hate people? Or are you just afraid of people because you know up to what extent they can be evil?"

Napaisip siya sa mga sinabi ni Jared. He spoke as if he understood how mean Basil and Miss Jackie had been to her... and that she wanted to avoid what they did to her to happen ever again.

"You know you are strong. You know you are smart. Hindi ka magtatagal sa teritoryo ng mga taong iyon, sa Variant, kung hindi," his gaze was reassuring and Lily felt safer as his hands reached hers and squeezed them approvingly. "You always find a way to defend yourself against those who hurt you."

"That's just how you see me, Jared," she sighed. "I don't see myself in that way. I can act strong and smart. And even confident. But like what I said, it is all just an act. I get sad and insecure," she looked away from him, her gaze fell on the carpeted floor. "And scared too."

Jared let go of her hands. Bago pa pangunahan si Lily ng kanyang takot na iwanan siya nito, o magpaalam dahil male-late na sa trabaho nito, siyang kabig ni Jared. He caged her in his arms.

It was an embrace so warm and safe it made her close her eyes.

.

.

LILY'S WHITE HIGH HEELS CLICKED POWERFULLY. DOMINANTLY.

Once again, her presence demanded everyone's attention. Bulung-bulungan na naman siya ng mga emplyeado ng Variant.

Diretso ang kanyang tingin, walang pakialam sa bahagyang pagtulak paatras ng kanyang buhok dahil sa bilis ng mga hakbang. Her hands swung freely on her sides. Hindi niya na dinala ang pouch dahil nasagaan kaninang umaga ng nagdaanang mga sasakyan nung nahulog niya.

Lily took a turn and reached the thick white door towards the conference room on the ground floor. Pagpasok niya, may isa pang pinto. As soon as she slid the frosted-glassed sliding door open, she was welcomed by Jared.

Mabilis itong tumayo sa kinauupuan. Lumingon sa paligid si Lily, sumilip sa labas ng sliding door bago lumapit sa pwesto ni Jared.

He stood in front of a gray swivel chair that is three seats away from the one at the head of the long rectangular white table.

"Matatagalan pa ba sila?" simangot niya."Habang tumatagal, lalo lang ako nakakaisip ng kung anu-ano. I want to get this over with already."

Bago pa nakasagot si Jared narinig na nila ang mga hakbang palapit sa sliding door. Naiwan iyong bukas ni Lily kaya kita agad nang tumapat doon si Miss Jackie at Basil. Sa tingin niya, sinundo ng HR Head ang kanyang kapatid kaya mag-isa lang si Jared nang madatnan niya.

Lily put her head high and proceeded to the other side of the table. She intended to occupy the very seat close to where Basil usually sat. Pagkaupo niya, umuupo na rin si Basil sa kabisera ng conference table.

Basil looked problematic, downturned lips and appeared slimmer physically, also washed out, in his charcoal gray suit. Pansin niyang may dala itong isang folder. Mga tatlo naman ang dala ni Miss Jackie na umupo katapat niya sa mesa.

"Let's get started," walang patumpik-tumpik na saad ni Basil, sinabi ang mga iyon kahit hindi pa nakakaayos ng upo.

The cue was for Miss Jackie. She opened the top folder, glanced at it then directed her eyes on her.

"This will serve as your final interview, Miss Lily," pormal ang tono nito, walang kabuhay-buhay at bagot ang mga mata. "As agreed upon between the HR Department and Sir Basil, instead of termination, all you are required to do is submit a resignation letter."

No matter how prepared, no one really feels ready for war when it starts.

It starts now. Wala man lang ice breaker o briefing mula kay Miss Jackie. Diretsahan na nitong sinabi sa kanya na i-pinal ang pag-alis niya sa Variant. Magpasa na siya ng resignation letter.

Lily sat straight. Hindi sumasayad ang likod niya sa backrest ng upuan.

"I am not resigning," malamig niyang pakikipagtitigan sa babae.

Miss Jackie did not immediately reply. Naghintay ito kung may sasabihin si Basil. O Jared. Pero walang umimik sa kanila. Miss Jackie begrudgingly took charge.

"Because you don't want to leave?"

"Because I am not supposed to," she retorted in a hard note and shifted glances between the three. "Paaalisi  ako rito nang dahil sa isang bagay na hindi ko ginawa? That doesn't sound right." Mas tumagal ang pagkakatitig niya kay Basil. "That's not fair. Imagine the real culprit," she stared back at Miss Jackie, "still roaming around this place when I leave. Walking around, laughing for making a fool out of all the people in this company."

"But there's already proofs that you're the one behind the malicious post on social media."

Lily's eyes narrowed at Miss Jackie.

"Alam mo bang," maawtoridad nitong patuloy, "under Cybercrime ang pwede naming isampang kaso sa'yo? Libel?" When she did not reply, Miss Jackie confidently resumed. "We have that option, but Sir Basil chose a more humane one. That is, alisin ka na lang sa kompanyang ito."

Lily turned to Jared. Hindi na siya makapaghintay na mapahiya si Miss Jackie. "You are hired here to solve that social media post shit. Ano ang kinalabasan?"

Now all eyes were on him. Jared looked at her as if he was in disbelief she would do such a thing, call him out when he's not yet even ready!

Nagbaba ito ng tingin sa dalang planner. He flipped it open and stayed on a specific page. He skimmed whatever he wrote there before glancing at Basil. Obviously, asking for permission to speak.

"Tell us," tango ni Basil dito.

Sinara ni Jared ang planner. "Ever since I was offered to work here, I already knew something's not right."

Napuno ng katahimikan ang silid. Pakiramdam ni Lily, kahit ang mismong mga pader at bawat sulok ng conference room ay nananainga sa bawat katagang binibitiwan ni Jared.

"First of all, I am not the right person for this job. Your HR Head, at least, should be aware of that," ani Jared, diretso lang kay Basil ang tingin. "I thought, not accepting the offer will make you all realize the mistake. But instead, pinilit niyo akong tanggapin ang trabahong ito. So, I did."

"How come you're not the right person for this job?" kunot-noo ni Basil.

"Your case is something to be investigated internally. Putting me into this won't solve anything. That should be pretty obvious already, right?" he sideglanced at Miss Jackie who remained stone-hard and poised. Jared returned his eyes on Basil. "I won't be able to because all a Psychologist can do is sit here. Talk to your employees. Get to know your employees. A process that will prolong your wait to find out the truth. At isa pa, sinong empleyado ang aamin sa akin na sila ang may kagagawan nung post?"

Basil grew concerned, slightly fidgeted in his seat as he adjusted in his position. "How come you hired the wrong person for this Miss Jackie, I--" he faced the HR Head, "--don't understand it. Wala na ba tayong iba pang option kaya ganito?"

"You thought this is a good idea, Sir Basil." Walang bahid ng pag-aalala sa katawan ng babae. "You're the one who decided on this."

Napatitig si Basil kay Jared.

Tapos sa kanya.

"You presented the idea to me, Miss Jackie," balik nito ng tingin sa HR Head. "I just approved it because it sounded logical to me. Hindi maa-alerto ang may kinalaman sa post kung ipapaubaya natin sa psychologist ang pag-assess sa behavior ng mga empleyado rito. Kung sino sa kanila ang may sama ng loob sa kompanya para makagawa ng ganito. Tapos iisa-isahin natin sila."

"Exactly," Miss Jackie shot her eyes on her. "And isn't Miss Lily that very person who openly hates us here?"

Nagpanting ang tainga niya sa narinig.

"Yes, I don't like all of you. But that doesn't mean, I'll sabotage Variant just because of that!" Lily in a controlled voice. "I have other plans!"

"Like what plans?" Basil asked.

"To own Variant."

Jared remained unaffected and reserved. Yet a hint of smile sparked and shadowed in his eyes. Nangingiti rin si Miss Jackie.

Ngiting nang-iinsulto.

"To own it for what?" kalmado pero duda si Basil sa kanya. "Lily, stop telling lies. You never cared about this company. You even dodged managing it." Pumihit na rin ito ng pagkakaupo para humarap ng tuluyan sa kanya. "You don't have to reason like this just to get you off the hook on this one."

Pinanlakihan niya ito ng mga mata. "But this is the truth!"

Gumusot ang mukha nito sa kanya. Hindi pa rin ito naniniwala.

Hindi.

Hindi pa rin.

"The one who made that post," matapang na patuloy ni Jared, and he got everyone's attention once more, "must be the one who knows the ins and outs of HR Department to be able to come up with heavy accusations about the low wages, violated labor codes and such." The more he says, the more he turned colder. "That person should also know how you think, Sir Basil. So sure that you'll deal with the post exactly the way that person wanted to."

Nagtaas-noo si Jared. He gave that predator look in his eye, its time for the kill.

"And for your convenience, I managed to get a copy of the CCTV in the HR Department on the day the post was made."

His nonchalance made Lily's mouth drop open. Sa hawak na ganoong klase ng ebidensya, paano nakaakto si Jared na parang wala itong kamuwang-muwang? How did this goddamn man managed to hold in his excitement from telling anyone too soon about his discoveries?

"The only person who had been on Lily's table that day, using her desktop is Miss Jackie," rebelasyon nito.

"You rely on a CCTV footage?" walang tinag na lingon ni Miss Jackie kay Jared, ulo lang ng ginang ang gumalaw, may nakakakilabot na lamig sa makumpiyansa nitong ngisi. "On a video na hindi mo naman kita ng malinaw kung ano ang nasa screen ng desktop nung time na nakita mong ginamit ko?"