"Hazel, can you provide me with an update on the latest audience engagement metrics for our upcoming concert?" I asked the moment I arrived at the office, trying to shake off the lingering feelings from earlier.
After Wayne wiped the crumbs off my face earlier, things got awkward, and I immediately left for work. I couldn't stand being that close to him any longer. It felt suffocating, and it became difficult to breathe, knowing I still love him.
"Miss Amarra, our social media engagement has been steadily increasing, especially after the recent artist interviews we posted. Fans are excited about the concert and are sharing their enthusiasm across platforms," Hazel replied confidently, her eyes bright with enthusiasm as she led me to the meeting room.
"That's great to hear! Have we finalized the marketing strategy for ticket sales? I want to ensure we reach our target audience effectively," I said, focusing on the task at hand, even as my thoughts kept drifting back to Wayne.
"Yes, Miss Amarra. We have a comprehensive marketing plan in place. We're leveraging targeted digital advertising, influencer partnerships, and email campaigns to reach both our existing fan base and potential new attendees. Additionally, we're exploring collaborations with local media outlets for wider coverage," Hazel responded, her voice steady and professional, reflecting her dedication to the project. She glanced at me to gauge my reaction, her expression attentive.
I nodded in response, appreciating Hazel's thoroughness. As we entered the conference room, the familiar hum of the projector starting up filled the air. The room was bright, the morning light streaming through the large windows, casting soft shadows across the table. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the meeting ahead, trying to push aside the thoughts of Wayne that threatened to distract me.
.......
I was reviewing emails, responding to urgent messages, and delegating tasks for the next day when Hazel interrupted me by connecting a call from home. I promptly answered it, barely pausing in my work.
"Hello," I said, my voice distracted as I continued to focus on the task at hand, my eyes scanning the screen.
"You better be here on Saturday," the voice on the other end was cold and strict, instantly pulling my attention away from my work.
I sighed deeply, feeling the familiar weight of expectation settle on my shoulders. "Mamang, I told you, I'm not marrying anyone," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, though the exhaustion seeped through.
"Are you really going to be like this?" Her voice rose, a mix of anger and hurt that cut through me. "After everything I've done for you? This is how you're going to repay me? After all the money I spent on your education, this is what I get in return? Your disobedience? How could you?!"
Her words were like daggers, each one sharp and pointed, digging into the guilt that had been festering for so long. I could hear the pain behind her anger, the disappointment she felt, and it made my chest tighten.
For a moment, I couldn't speak. The silence between us was thick with unspoken resentment, regret, and the complicated love that had always defined our relationship. I could picture her, standing in the kitchen of our family home, clutching the phone tightly as she tried to make me understand, to force me back into the life she had always envisioned for me.
I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to find the right words, but all I could feel was the overwhelming pressure, the expectation that had followed me for years. "I appreciate everything you've done for me," I said softly, the weight of unspoken emotions heavy in my voice. "But I can't do this. I can't marry someone just because it's expected of me."
There was a silence on the other end, a silence filled with unspoken words, with the years of sacrifice and love that had been twisted into something suffocating. I knew this conversation wasn't over, but I also knew I couldn't give in, not this time.
"I never wanted to hurt you," I added, my voice trembling now, raw with the emotion I had been holding back. "But I need you to understand... I have to choose my own path, even if it means disappointing you."
The line stayed silent for a few more moments, and I wondered if she was going to hang up, if this was the breaking point in our relationship. But then she spoke, her voice softer, tinged with a sadness that made my heart ache. "You've always been so stubborn. Just like your father and your sister."
And with that, the call ended, leaving me sitting there, the phone still pressed to my ear, feeling a mixture of relief and profound sadness. I stared at the screen in front of me, the words blurring as tears welled up in my eyes. I had stood my ground, but it felt like a hollow victory, one that came with the loss of something I had been trying so desperately to hold onto.
"Miss Amarra, aren't you going home yet?" Hazel's voice broke through the heavy silence as she entered my office, her tone tinged with concern.
I blinked a couple of times, pulling myself out of the daze that the phone call had left me in. Slowly, I placed the phone back in its cradle, swallowing the lump in my throat as I tried to regain my composure. I cleared my throat, forcing myself to focus as I turned back to my work, the documents on my desk suddenly feeling overwhelming.
"I'll just finish this real quick," I answered, my voice a bit distant, eyes fixed on the screen in front of me. I couldn't bring myself to look at her, not wanting her to see the turmoil I was trying so hard to hide.
I heard Hazel sigh softly, a sound filled with understanding and a hint of reluctance. I could feel her gaze on me, probably noticing the tension I was trying to mask. "Then I'll go first, Miss Amarra," she said gently, her voice carrying a quiet empathy that made me wish, just for a moment, that I could confide in her.
"Okay, take care, Hazel," I replied briefly, finally glancing up at her with a small, forced smile. It was all I could manage, and I hoped it was enough to reassure her.
She hesitated for a moment, as if she wanted to say something more, but then she nodded and turned to leave. The soft click of the door closing behind her left me alone once again, the room feeling even more empty than before. I stared at the screen, the words blurring as my mind replayed the conversation with my aunt, the weight of it settling heavily on my chest.
.....
After a long day at work, I retreated to my only refuge—my bedroom. The familiar, comforting space greeted me as I stepped inside, the soft glow of the evening light filtering through the curtains. Without wasting a moment, I collapsed onto the bed, the mattress giving way under my weight as if it understood the exhaustion I carried.
I lay there, my body sinking into the sheets, and placed my arm across my forehead, the coolness of my skin a small comfort. My eyes fixed on the ceiling above, staring intently at the familiar patterns, as if they held the answers to the turmoil swirling inside me. The room was quiet, but my mind was anything but—thoughts of the day's events replayed in an endless loop, the conversation with my aunt echoing in my ears.
The ceiling, usually so plain, seemed to take on a different quality tonight, almost like it was absorbing the weight of everything I was feeling. The soft hum of the city outside was distant, muffled by the walls that enclosed me, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I let out a slow, shaky breath, trying to find some semblance of peace, but the heaviness in my chest remained.
I got up and walked towards the veranda, needing the fresh air to clear my mind. As I stepped outside, the cool night breeze greeted me, carrying the faint sounds of the city below. The sky was a beautiful canvas, glittering with city lights and the stars above, blending into a serene yet vibrant spectacle that momentarily eased the tension in my chest.
"Tired for the day?" came a familiar voice from the veranda next door, breaking through my thoughts. The voice was warm, teasing, and it sent a shiver down my spine. I turned quickly, and my heart nearly jumped out of my chest when I saw who it was.
"Wayne?" I exclaimed, my voice a mix of surprise and disbelief as I pointed at him. My pulse quickened as our eyes met, and I felt a rush of emotions I wasn't prepared for. "Why are you in that veranda?" The words tumbled out before I could stop them, my surprise evident.
Wayne looked at me with a questioning expression, his brow furrowed as if he didn't quite understand why I was so startled. A smirk played on his lips, the familiar, almost infuriatingly charming smirk that made my heart skip a beat. "Why? Is this condo building yours?" he asked, his tone light, teasing, the smirk growing a little wider as he watched my reaction.
I felt my face flush, partly from embarrassment and partly from the absurdity of the situation. Of course, he could be here; it just never crossed my mind that we were living so close to each other.
"How long have you been living in that unit?" I asked, trying to sound casual despite the surprise and curiosity bubbling inside me.
Wayne leaned against the railing of his veranda, the city lights casting a soft glow on his face. He looked thoughtful for a moment, then responded with a hint of casual satisfaction in his voice. "I bought it earlier today," he said, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. "I heard from the staff that it was still available."
His answer was delivered with a nonchalant ease that seemed to mask a deeper satisfaction. The casual way he spoke, combined with his confident stance, made it clear that he was pleased with his new place. He glanced around, taking in the view as if it were a new prize.
I blinked, trying to process the information. The thought of Wayne living so close, in the same building, was both intriguing and unsettling. "So you just decided to move in here without mentioning it?" I asked, unable to keep a trace of surprise out of my voice.
Wayne chuckled softly, a sound that seemed to blend with the gentle night breeze. "Well, I didn't think it would be a big deal," he said, his tone light and teasing. "Besides, I figured you'd be busy enough with your own things not to notice."
His playful tone only heightened the tension between us, making it harder to ignore the unspoken feelings that lingered just beneath the surface. I tried to keep my composure, but the proximity and the unexpected encounter made my heart race a little faster.