Chapter 1

Mavis Estrella

"Mavis..." usal ni Kaiden nang makita ako. I noticed how his eyes trembled as I silently walked towards them. The way he touched the other woman's hand irked me so much that I couldn't control my sardonic laugh. "I-I can explain. I made a s-stupid mistake. This i-sn't like w-what you're thinking."

Nanginginig ang kanyang boses habang sinasabi iyon, halatang natatakot sa magiging reaksyon ko pero hindi ko kayang paniwalaan ang sinasabi niya. Ito ay dahil kahit titig na titig siya sa akin mahigpit pa rin ang pagkakahawak niya sa babae na para bang takot na takot siyang umalis ito.

"Kaiden," tawag naman ng babae sa kanya, tila nagsusumamo. Her gentle eyes only looked at him as if she wanted to comfort him there and then.

How sweet.

For two years, I have known who he is- a great guy who never ever makes mistakes. He's cool, collected, easygoing and yet he never ever hurt me.

Not until this.

I frowned at the girl who was with him. She's a friend of mine. No, scratch that. She's a stranger now. How dare she covet what's mine when she just became my friend a few months ago? Tsk.

Dinamay-damay pa niya si Kaiden. Hindi halata sa inosenteng mukha ng babae na ahas ito. Inakit niya ang boyfriend ko at hinalikan sa mismong kwarto ko noong birthday ko pa talaga. Nagpaakit naman ang lalaki. Kung hindi ko pa na-check ang camera na nakainstall sa kwarto ko dahil sa pagkabagot ay baka hindi ko malalaman. And I'd end up still blindly dating a guy like him who easily made a fool of me.

It would be alright if she was the only one who kissed him but in the raw video, I saw him lose control and pushed the girl on the bed, my bed.

Nakakasukang isipin na nakipagmake-out siya sa kaibigan ko sa mismong kwarto ko dahil ano? Hindi ko siya mapagbigyan?

I already burned that bed together with the sheets. I'm having nightmares just by being in that room, what more on that same bed? Baka mamatay akong binabangungot.

But enough reminiscing their mistake. It's time for the consequences.

"You know me, Kaiden," nakangiti kong sabi sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero gusto kong masuka sa kalmado kong disposisyon. Para bang hindi ako nasasaktan sa nangyayari. "I never give second chances." Tears formed on the corner of his eyes as he bit his soft red lips. I looked at his forehead instead. Hindi ko maatim na titigan ang mga labi niyang ginamit niya sa babae niya.

"Mavis, please..." Tinitigan ko lang siya nang maigi nang walang emosyon. "Lasing lang ako."

"Don't give me that crap," mahinahon kong sabi at pinagkrus ang aking mga braso. "Sa tiyan napupunta ang alak Kaiden, hindi sa ulo. Kung ayos pa 'yang ulo mo, hindi mo sana dinuraan ang tiwala ko. Kahit gaano ka pa kalasing, kung may natitira ka pang respeto sa akin, hindi mo gagawin iyon."

"I'm sorry," he mumbled while shaking like a leaf in front of me. I noticed how he gripped the other woman's hand tighter so I rolled my eyes.

Really, really sweet. Sana ay naisip ko na noon na kung kaya niyang maging sweet sa akin, malamang ay natural na niya iyong gawain sa ibang mga babae.

"I accept your apology," balewala kong sabi at nginitian sila ulit. "Do you want a copy of your video? Apparently it lasted 8 minutes. Nahiya pa kayo. Sana ginawa niyo nang 10." Namutla sila pareho sa narinig. "I can upload it in the internet too and for as long as you live, you'll be branded as cheaters."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ng babae at biglaang napaluhod. Kaagad naman siyang inalalayan ni Kaiden.

"Please, Mavis!" pagsusumamo ng babae. "Please don't do it!"

"Don't kneel. Don't force my pity on an undeserving bitch like you." I caught Kaiden's complicated gaze so I bit the inside of my lips to keep myself in check. I should not be swayed by anything that could hurt me again. "Be thankful I'm merciful. Kayang-kaya kong sirain ang buhay niyo pero hindi ko iyon gagawin. Cutting my ties with the likes of you is enough of a punishment for my mistake of choosing you and for your mistake of cheating on me."

"N-No, Mave..."

I flinched at the nickname but managed to stand dignified.

"Kaiden, this is the end."

"Hindi, hindi pwede," he dumbly mumbled so I chuckled. "Mahal natin ang isa't isa. You can't leave me."

"Love is irrelevant when it comes to hurting someone," I told him with the same calm voice that I practiced so hard to make when it comes to cutting ties with people I love. "I can leave you, Kaiden because that is the choice that you gave me."

Sa wakas ay binitiwan niya ang kamay ng humahagulgol na babae at lumapit sa akin. I didn't step back.

It's too late. I've given him a month to tell it to me or even consult me but nothing happened.

How could I be with someone who fears me? Someone who shields another woman in front of me...

"Why are you always like this, Mave? Why do you push people away because they made mistakes?! People can change for the better," he spat while crying in front of me. "Just give us a chance! Please... Please, don't leave me, Mave."

I wanted to caress his cheeks like last time but it's too late now. Kinuyom ko ang mga kamay ko habang pinipigilan ang sariling yakapin siya.

"I really wonder why people should make mistakes just to learn when they already knew what's good for them," sabi ko at natawa nang umawang ang bibig niya matapos marinig ang sinabi ko. "Why do you have to commit mistakes?"

"Mave, babe..."

"Don't call me that." Lumamig ang boses ko. "We're done."

Before he could see me shed a tear, I already turned around and left him. May bigat sa bawat hakbang ko pero tila niyanig ng kasunod niyang linya ang puso ko.

"G-Goodbye, Mavis." His smooth voice sounded really pained but I didn't dare look back.

If he chased me that time, I would've ran back to him.

-

This is on 3rd Person's POV.

Mavis opened her eyes with a frown. The same old memory always haunted her in her dreams as if taunting the very first time she wanted to give someone a second chance. Nakakatawa lang isipin na hindi niya iyon ginawa dahil hindi siya hinabol ng dating nobyo.

She slowly sat on her wide circular queen-sized bed. The white sheets were in a tangled mess, indicating how she twisted and turned in her sleep. She got used to it already. It was always uncomfortable for her to sleep alone.

It just felt so lonely once in while...

She touched her cheeks and felt her already cold tears. She must have left the room colder than the usual. Maybe that's also why she had a nightmare.

Iyon na lamang ang inisip ni Mavis bago tumayo. Habang marahang pinupunasan ang mga luha, naglakad siya palabas ng kwarto. Nagtungo siya sa sala at humarap sa transparent na dingding. Tahimik niyang tinanaw ang nagkikislapang mga ilaw ng mga nagtataasang gusali.

Madilim pa pero sigurado si Mavis na hindi na gabi. Lagi kasi siyang nagigising nang maaga. Bago pa sumisikat ang araw ay marami na siyang nagagawa kumpara sa ibang mga babaeng kaedaran niya.

Sa edad niyang bente kwatro, hindi mo malalamang bata na bata pa siya sa bawat senswal na kurba ng kanyang katawan. Her wide hips and thick slender legs always earned lustful stares from all types of men, even women. The ways her ass sways in her tight corporate skirt left her employees with dirty imaginations. Hindi rin kayang pagtakpan ng kanyang blazer and kanyang malalaking dibdib na naging pantasya maging ng mga kasosyo niya sa negosyo.

She looked so mature for her age, always looking so fuckable that nobody would believe she's still a virgin.

Nobody would dare ask though since they'll all be greeted by her cold stiff face. Isip-isip ng mga kakilala niya na nakakahinayang na para bang sa bloke ng yelo inukit ang perpekto niyang mukha.

Kung sana'y ngumingiti ito ay baka marami na itong naging nobyo.

Pero hindi. Sa limang taon nito sa business world, kailanman ay wala pang usapan na nagkagusto ito sa isang lalaki. Because of that, there were rumors of her being a lipstick lesbian or being asexual. There were also rumors of her having a bad breakup but only few people know the story.

Now, the always topic for gossips and sexual fantasies stood so lonely while gazing at the buildings. The black silky dress hugged her alluring figure and yet her silhouette looked like a mourning woman. She sighed, her cold gaze slowly crumbling while a tear escaped from her left eye.

"Happy 24th birthday, Mavis," she murmured and touched her not so visible reflection on the cold glass. Yumuko rin siya dahil ayaw niyang tingnan ang kalungkutan sa kanyang mga mata.

It always made her skin crawl. People would think she have cold eyes yet she thinks otherwise.

Her eyes always made her feel pity for herself.

She always confidently saunters wherever she went but nobody saw how it was all a facade. That she was just a small girl inside, uncertain if the choices she made in her life were worth it.

Kahit ilang damit, alahas, pera ang maangkin niya, para bang lagi ay may kulang. Lagi siyang may hinahanap na gusto niyang pumuno sa blangkong pakiramdam ng kanyang puso.

She lost her family in her teens. She lost a lover. She lost so many people.

And now, Mavis is thinking that the only thing she'll ever lose is herself.

Inihilig niya ang ulo. Komplikado ang emosyon sa kanyang grey na mga mata. Misteryoso at malamig ngunit sa katotohanan ay malungkot...

Mavis decided to stare at the picturesque view for a long time. The lights from the rising sun would be the best site to keep her from hating this day, the day she lost the past, her family, her love.

Pinaparusahan ba siya dahil sa walang pusong pagputol niya sa mga ugnayan niya sa mga tao dahil sa isang pagkakamali? Hindi niya alam. Ang alam lang niya na sa bawat paglipas ng taon, hindi niya na maramdamang humihinga pa siya.

-

Late na dumating si Mavis sa kompanya niya. Wala namang sinumang nagreklamo dahil siya naman ang may-ari. Isa pa, wala namang importanteng meeting na naka-schedule para sa araw na iyon. No one had a clue about Mavis' birth date. From the get go, she changed her birth date in her papers a long time ago.

Ayaw niyang magdiwang at magluksa sa kaparehang araw. Kahit purong kapaitan ang nararamdaman niya sa totoong kaarawan, ayaw niyang kalimutan ang araw na sinilang siya ng ina.

Nakakalungkot na siya lang mag-isa ang nagluluksa sa pagkamatay nito. Binayaran niya kasi ang napakaraming tao para itago ang dulot ng aksidente.

Her mother and father got into a car accident. Binangga ng Mom niya ang kotse ng ama niyang kasama pala ang kabit nito. They all died and Mavis was left hiding the truth to stop people from talking about her mother's madness.

Nakakatakot talaga ang pagmamahal. Binabaliw ka nito sa parehong sarap at sakit.

"G-Good morning, Miss Mavis," biglaang bati ng isang babaeng empleyado sa kanya kaya nabalik ang isipan niya sa kasalukuyan. "You look great, M-Ma'am!"

"Good morning po! Bagay na bagay po sa inyo ang style na 'yan!" another lady said while staring at her with a dreamy expression.

Mavis was used to it though. Dahil sa clothing line para sa mga babaeng damit ang business niya, karamihan sa mga empleyado ay babae. They often praise her when she goes to work wearing a corporate attire.

"Good morning," Mavis returned the greeting and walked past them, her cheeks slightly reddening.

Kahit ilang beses siyang sabihan niyon, hindi talaga siya nakakakontrol kapag nagustuhan niya ang narinig. Hindi rin naman klaro ang pamumula ng kanyang pisngi dahil para lang iyong blush on.

Mavis went inside her private elevator and pressed the button for her office. She tried neutralizing her expression and checked her clothes.

She wore a white long-sleeved shirt under a dark blue striped blazer, partnered with a tight pencil skirt that reached her mid-thigh. Nadepina ng kaiklian nito ang kanyang mahabang binti pero hindi maintindihan ni Mavis kung bakit masayang-masaya ang mga mukha nito kapag nakikita ang mga suot niya.

Maybe they're just being polite or they want a raise. Iniisip na ngayon ni Mavis kung hindi ba sapat ang sinisweldo niya sa mga ito.

It took two minutes before she came out of the elevator, her black heels clinking with every step. She was still pondering on her employees' wages when the door to her office slammed open.

She paused and took in the sight of a man who came out of it. His blonde hair was combed meticulously on top of his head while his sword-like brows raised at seeing her.

"Mavis!" Kuminang ang kulay asul nitong mga mata at eksaheradong binuka ang naglalakihang mga braso, tila naghihintay ng isang mainit na yakap. "Come to me baby!"

Pero tahimik lamang siyang nilampasan ni Mavis. There was no use entertaining a moron like him.

She just casually strode inside her office and saw the blushing face of her secretary. She was sure the poor woman became subject to that guy's antics as a glorified Casanova.

"Liz, what's my schedule for today?" Mavis asked in a cool voice as she sat on her large swivel chair. Nilabas niya ang phone na nasa loob ng kanyang blazer at binuksan ito. "I didn't receive a call for today's schedule. You're being too lax. Bago ka nga palang."

Her secretary paled at her words.

"I'm sorry, M-Ma'am. I-I just thought I didn't need to inform you since there are no-"

Mavis clicked her tongue and gave her an icy stare.

"Didn't you think I need it double checked? You could've informed me then. Naghintay ako kanina ng notification pero walang dumating." Her voice was stern and very intimidating that the employee's knees wobbled a bit. "I won't see you out. Kunin mo ang sweldo mo sa HR Department."

"P-Please, Ma'am! Please!" Mavis didn't look at her and went back to checking her phone. "I-I won't do it again! I won't do the same mistake again!"

"Sure. Tell that to your next employer," Mavis heartlessly told her.

"B-But-"

Mavis looked at her again so Liz clamped her mouth tight. Hindi niya alam bakit pero natigilan siya sa determinado nitong mukha. She sounded desperate to keep her job and her eyes were clear and honest.

Mavis thought for a while and remembered that dream she had.

Cutting ties with people and not giving them a chance to redeem themselves was a norm for her yet for the first time in a long time, she felt confused.

"Don't give her a chance Mavis," nasisiyahang sabi ng blonde na lalaki sa kanya. "Palayasin mo na 'yan dito. Ang pangit ng sinerve niyang kape sa akin," sumbong pa nito sa kanya.

Mavis put down her phone and clasped her hands together and silently wondered about what's happening inside her chest.

Something's telling her she should give her secretary a chance. It'll be something different happening in her monotonous life. Plus, she already felt weary after having that dream that night.

She couldn't forget Kaiden's crying face and his clear eyes.

Mavis shook her head and decided to piss the man in front of her but it will be just an excuse to her growing curiosity.

What if she gave a chance to those people she cut off her life for years?

It was an impulsive thought and yet she chose to know if a person she gave a chance with would really keep her words.

"Okay. Just do your job well. Don't disappoint me again."

"P-Pakiusap, huwag niyo po akong tanggalin-ah? A-Anong sabi niyo, ma'am?"

"What did I actually hear? Am I dreaming?!" The man excitedly went towards Mavis and checked her forehead. "May sakit ka ba?"

"M-Ma'am, are you alright?"

Parehong hindi makapaniwala ang dalawang tao sa narinig.

"This doesn't count. I was just making a fuss over a tiny thing," paliwanag ni Mavis. "Now shut up if you don't want me to change my mind."

The man and her secretary were in a daze. They didn't know what happened to Mavis overnight. How the hell did the great Mavis Estrella who hated mistakes the most give someone another chance?

No one knew but that little break in the chain could be the beginning of something crazy in her life.