"A photo of Chaos Zaldivar and a woman in bed who is the alleged girlfriend of Mr. Zaldivar was posted a week ago and now circulating on the social media. Ano ang reaksyon mo sa kumakalat na larawan, Miss Serrano?"

"Is that woman a third party in your relationship?"

"Totoo bang palabas lang ng mga Zaldivar ang relasyon niyo ni Chaos Zaldivar?"

"Is it true that the woman who posted the photo is Mr. Zaldivar's girlfriend? That's what the caption of the photo is implying. What can you say about that, Miss Serrano?"

"Is this a scheme to taint the family's reputation? How about the merging of both companies?"

Those questions welcomed me that I almost lost my patience. Though I still managed to give them a smile but my eyes remained dejected.

The reporters flocked around me the moment I went out of my car. I don't even know if they're allowed here in our company's parking lot.

I cleared my throat and pressed my lips. "T–that woman is my fiance's ex-girlfriend, maybe my engagement with Chaos triggered her." I answered using a soft voice. Kasabay noon ang sunod-sunod na flash mula sa kanilang camera. I was almost blinded by the flashes of it. Kung hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ay baka natabig ko na ang mga iyon.

"The photo was posted recently. Was it an old photo or it really happened recently?"

"Does that mean Mr. Zaldivar cheated on you, Miss Serrano?"

I instantly shook my head at their questions. "That was an old photo, I think when they're still together. She posted it thinking that I'll break up with Chaos because of..." I trailed off and gave them a faint smile.

"She tried to ruin Mr. Zaldivar's relationship with you," one of the reporters stated while nodding her head, urging me to say yes.

But instead, I let the corner of my lips rise for a melancholic smile. "It will be embarrassing for her part. C–can we just ignore it, please. Besides, she's just an ex-girlfriend. She can't do anything and Chaos won't—"

I felt someone's arm around my shoulders even before I finished my sentence, trying to get me out of the reporters' crowd. 

Muling nagkagulo ang mga reporter nang matanto kung sino ang may hawak sa akin.

"Mr. Zaldivar!"

Muli silang nagbato ng mga tanong, ngayon ay para naman kay Chaos. But he just continue carefully pulling me out of the crowd, ignoring all of their questions.

We escaped from the flock of reporters because of the help of Chaos's bodyguard or I don't know maybe that's our guards in this building.

He removed his hand on my shoulder when he pushed the button of the elevator. I silently waited for it to shut closed. Diretso ang aking tingin at ganoon din si Chaos. He let out a harsh sigh the moment our eyes met through our reflection in the elevator.

"Are you alright?" He fully turned to me. Marahan niya akong pinaharap sa kanyang direksyon. 

I nodded but I remained silent. Muli siyang bumuntong hininga. He scanned my body like he's not satisfied with my answer. 

Bakas ang pag-aalala sa mga mata ngunit nahuli ko ang bahagyang pagkunot ng kanyang noo nang huminto ang kanyang mga mata sa aking kanang braso. He held my hand and carefully stretched my right arm. 

Bumaba ang tingin ko roon. 

Oh, shit.

I cursed inwardly when I saw a fresh wound in my arm, about three inches scratch, looked like it came from a sharp nail. My blood's tracing the wound making it more visible. 

I glanced at Chaos and saw him tightly shut his eyes closed. Sa pagbukas ng kanyang mga mata at umigting ang kanyang panga.

"Hindi ko naramdaman. But I'm alright, that's nothing," I assured. I really didn't feel it. But heck, this is a bit of a long wound.

Magsasalita pa sana si Chaos nang bumukas ang elevator at natantong nasa palapag na kami ng aking opisina.

His hand landed on my back, guiding me as we strode out of the elevator.

"Good morning, Ma'am..." The secretary greeted us when we walked past her cubicle. "Sir Chaos, Good morning." 

Tipid akong tumango sa sekretarya. 

"Get us a first aid kit. Thank you," Chaos ordered in a baritone voice.

I walked towards the swivel chair the moment the door of my office shut closed but Chaos immediately caught my wrist.

I stopped myself from raising my brow when I realized he's wearing his formal wear, the usual he's wearing in his office. Why is he even here instead of in his company?

"Why did you tell them that Hazaiah is my ex-girlfriend?" he asked. I slowly pulled my wrist away from him.

My lips parted when I saw how dark his eyes were. I blinked. "She's–" 

Huminto ako nang tumagilid ang kanyang ulo. 

"I told you, she isn't. She was my employee. Not my ex-girlfriend." He emphasizes every word like he wants me to remember every bit of it.

Naitikom ko ang aking bibig. Ex-employee. Not an ex-girlfriend.

"And you lied," he stated in a matter of fact tone. Mariin at nang-aakusa. Dahilan kung bakit kumalabog ang aking puso.

What did I do?

"It happened recently, you know that. You don't have to lie! Damn. You don't even have to answer them."

Oh, that's what he's pertaining to.

I bit my lower lip. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin dahil sa pagtaas ng kanyang boses. "They won't let me go if I didn't." 

Why is he even mad? I just answered them! I didn't do anything wrong. Yes, I lied! Why the hell did he even have to hear that. Besides, what did he want me to answer? The truth? Hindi ko nga alam kung ano ang totoo!

I bit the side of my cheek, stopping myself from saying words I'll instantly regret.

"You answered. Did they let you go?"

I calmly inhaled and avoided his gaze. Calm down. Come on, calmly answer him. "T–they would, eventually." 

He groaned. "They won't. They'll harass you more, demand for more answer. Look at what happened?" Bumaba ang tingin niya sa braso kong may sugat dahil sa kalmot ng hindi ko alam kung sinong reporter.

"That's nothing, Hon. You don't have to worry. It was just a small scratch. B–besides, what do you want me to tell them? T–that you cheated on me?"

Bumuka ang kanyang labi tila gulat sa narinig mula sa akin. A pained expression is evident in his face. "You think... I cheated on you?" His voice was laden with emotion I can't describe—I refuse to name it.

I tried to equal his gaze but I failed when I saw his eyes darkened with pain. Hindi ko naiwasan ang pagkunot ng aking noo kaya't muli akong napaiwas ng tingin. "I didn't k–know what really happened."

"You know I won't cheat on you, Rieselle. No matter what happened, I won't look for another woman." Marahas na hangin ang pinakawalan niya. "Heck, I won't even give them a single glance!"

"I'm sorry," I whispered in an almost inaudible tone.

"Damn it," he cursed and shut his eyes closed. He tilted his head upwards. At sa muling pagdilat niya, may halong pagsisisi na ang kanyang mga mata. His hand found mine and slowly pulled me closer. He encircled his arms around me, caging me in both of his arms while I remained stiff. 

Pinigilan ko ang sarili na mapapikit nang maramdaman ang marahang halik niya sa tuktok ng aking ulo.

"I'm sorry for raising my voice," he whispered. 

"I'm s–sorry too, for what I've said in the media. Just deny that she's your ex-girlfriend." 

"And what? Make you a liar? I won't do that, Hon. Let's just—" Napahinto siya at tila napaisip. "Stop worrying about that. I'll fix it." 

He started caressing my back when I encircled my arms around him. But my head remained stiff and have a few inches distance from his chest. 

"That photo... it almost cost us our relationship." I sighed.

"My friend, Clyde booked me a room in a hotel 'cause I was too drunk to drive myself home."

I frowned upon hearing his words. Bahagya akong lumayo at sinilip ang mukha niya. I eyed him, questioning why he's suddenly telling me that.

"Clyde left me there. When I woke up, I was alone and my clothes were on."

Tuluyan akong lumayo kay Chaos nang matanto kung ano ang tinutukoy niya. His grip loosened but his hand cascaded down my elbow.

"I can't remember anything that's why I was confused when you asked me who's the woman I'm with and you want us to break up and call our engagement off." His eyes were directly looking at me. A glint of pain crossed his eyes.

I lowered my head, remembering what happened that day. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for, k–kissing that man in front of you. I w–was hurt that I badly wanna break up with you."

"So you won't be sorry if you kissed him behind my back?" tanong niya. Sinalubong ko ang mga mata niya, sinubukang tignan ang emosyong naroon. He doesn't looks like demanding though.

"H–huh?"

"You said you're sorry for kissing him in front of me."

Napakurap ako. "I w–won't kiss him if you're not there..." I trailed off and bit my lower lip. Pahina nang pahina ang aking boses sa bawat salitang binabanggit. Lalo na at hindi ko kayang depensahan ang sarili.

Though... why the hell am I even saying sorry? I didn't kiss that man!

"W–why did you even get drunk... that day." I asked, trying to change the focus of our conversation.

He sighed as his eyes narrowed, tila alam kung ano ang aking ginagawa. "You know I'm always jealous of your friend named Levi. I can't fucking stop myself, I'm sorry."

I pressed my lips. "He's just a friend."

"Hmm. But you... lied. That day, you told me you're in the office when I clearly saw you in a coffee shop with Levi."

I frowned. "What?!" My voice rose. He was taken aback and that made me oblivious of what I've done. "I–I mean, y-you saw us?"

"Ye–" Hindi niya naituloy ang sasabihin nang mag-ingay ang kanyang phone. 

He immediately cancel the call without looking at who's the caller. Ngunit ilang ulit pang may tumawag doon bago pa muli kaming makapag-usap.

"Answer it."

"We're talking, hon."

I nodded. "But maybe that's important. We can talk after that." I let the corner of my lips rose to assure him.

A curse escaped his lips before accepting the call. "Guerdon," he greeted. Sandali siyang sumulyap sa akin. 

"What? How's Grandma?" He lowered his head and massaged his temple. "Fuck. I'll go."

Nanatili sa kanya ang aking mga mata, lalo na noong agaran niyang tinapos ang tawag. "Grandma's rushed in the hospital. I need to go. I'm so–"

"It's okay. Let's talk later, huh?" 

Early in the morning and I felt like this is a long day already. Ibinagsak ko ang sarili sa swivel chair matapos lumabas ni Chaos sa aking opisina.

I let my elbow rest on the table as I leaned and massaged my temples.

Nasa ganoon akong posisyon nang may kumatok sa pinto ng aking opisina. 

"Come in." I signalled.

My secretary came on my view when the door opened. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa hawak niya at nakita roon ang kaninang ipinakuha ni Chaos.

"Here's the first aid kit, Ma'am. I... tried to give this earlier but no one answered when I knocked."

I shifted on my seat and straightened my back. "Just place it here." I pointed to the side of my table using my palm.

Agad na sumilay ang tipid na ngiti sa aking mga labi nang tumalima siya.

"Thank you. And please, can you find the actual post–" I bit my lower lip. "The one with your Sir Chaos and the other woman… in bed." 

Napakurap siya. "M–Ma'am?" She stuttered. Bahagya pa siyang nagulat, tila gustong ipaulit ang aking sinabi.

"I was informed that it is currently circulating on social media. You'll find it immediately. Thank you." 

Her lips parted but nothing came out of it. Tumikhim siya at muling sumubok magsalita. "R–right away, Ma'am." 

"Send the link to me, please." I smiled.

And just like I thought, it only took her a few minutes to find it. 

I stared at the picture of Chaos with the woman named Hazaiah. This is obviously captured while in bed. Chaos is naked. Or I assume he's at least just topless because it's only their face until shoulders that is visible on the photo. His eyes were closed, sleeping. While the woman is kissing him on his cheek, topless too. 

The photo was posted on the woman's account with a caption, "sleep tight, babe."

Marahan akong napailing habang sarkastikong nakatitig sa larawan.

Ridiculous.

I laughed with no humor while looking at the photo. 

This woman, did she really think that she could destroy us just by posting this picture? 

No one can break my relationship with Chaos because I won't leave him. Unless it's him who wants a break up.

I need more than that, Hazaiah. I'm not even moved by that picture. Siguro, kahit pa totoong may nangyari nga sa inyo ni Chaos, wala pa rin akong pakialam. 

__________