CHASE
Dissociative amnesia.
Dissociative amnesia is a condition where a person loses memory of important personal information, usually due to trauma or severe stress, without a physical cause.
It is usually temporary, with memories returning gradually...
But in rare cases, it can be prolonged or even permanent, especially if the underlying trauma remains unresolved.
She has fucking amnesia.
I couldn't make myself look away, even if I tried. I drank in the sight of her, taking my fill, searching for anything that changed, anything that would explain why she was looking at me like a stranger. The curve of her lips, the way her hair framed her face, it was all the same, and yet everything was different.
Because this time, I was nothing more than a familiar face. Familiar, but not enough to remember. Not enough to matter.
Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala. This all feels like a nightmare. Inasahan ko na ang pinaka-masamang pwedeng mangyari sa muling pagkikita namin, pero kahit kailan, hindi ko naisip na ganito ang magiging sitwasyon.
"I'm sorry," Mom said, breaking the silence. "Hindi namin alam..." She turned to Jasmine, "I'm sorry, hija. I hope this isn't too much for you."
Jasmine smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine."
Sinungaling.
"So, you're fine with marrying someone you don't remember?" The words came out before I could stop them.
Her gaze met mine, and my breath caught. It had been so long since I last saw her. Years of anger, pain, and unanswered questions. But now, she was sitting right across from me, looking at me like I was a complete stranger.
She doesn't remember me. She doesn't remember us.
My fists clenched at my sides. How is that fair? Ilang taon akong nagdusa, pasan-pasan ang sakit ng nakaraan. Pero siya? Basta na lang nakalimot. Malaya, walang bigat na dinadala. Habang ako, naiwan sa impyernong iniwan niya.
Jasmine's lips parted slightly, but she didn't look away. Instead, she let out a soft breath and said, "Kung ito ang makakabuti sa akin, bakit hindi?"
Something in her voice twisted the knife deeper. The words sounded simple. Practical, even.
"In fact, to be honest, if we're talking about convenience... I think it would be more beneficial if I marry you instead. Tutal, ikaw naman ang bagong CEO, diba?"
Natahimik ang lahat. Leon opened his mouth, probably to say something stupid, but stopped when Tita Belle slapped his mouth.
"It will be more convenient, yes," I agreed, shocking everyone. Nilingon ako ni Enzo na parang inagawan ko siya ng candy. "But it will be an inconvenience for me."
But instead of being offended, Jasmine smirked. "Why? Are you planning on marrying for love?"
I smirked back sarcastically. "Even if I am, it's none of your business."
"Chase," pigil ni Dad.
But Jasmine just shrugged, na parang wala lang sa kanya ang sinabi ko. Even when I meant it as a jab to her.
"Fair enough," she said. "Now that I think about it... Hindi rin naman kita type."
I scoffed. Sabay pang natawa si Leon at Chesca.
"Hindi mo 'ko type?" Ulit ko. Ako pa yata ang maiinsulto. "Bakit? Ano bang type mo?"
Her gaze slid to Enzo. I could feel my blood pressure spiking up. Chesca might be right after all. I am having a stroke.
She shrugged. "Pati 'yon, hindi ko maalala eh."
Kumunot ang noo ko. I can't tell if she's serious or just mocking me about it.
"I just know that it's not you," dagdag niya. "No offense though."
I smirked to play my irritation off. "None taken."
Chesca chuckled. "Some things just never change noh?"
Jasmine looked confused.
Dad cleared his throat, steering the topic away. "Kung tungkol sa posisyon sa kumpanya, walang problema. I heard you finished your masters abroad?"
She nodded.
"After the wedding, I will promote Enzo as the deputy CEO, and appoint you as the company's new COO," he said. "But in the meantime, Chase will train you."
Kumunot ang noo ko. What? "Absolutely not."
"It's just until before the wedding," Dad said, as if that would make it better. "To help her prepare for the role. She has no experience yet. She will need your help."
Mapait akong natawa. My help? Ako talaga ang kailangang tumulong?
"I can do it," presinta bigla ni Enzo.
"No," nasabi ko na bago pa ako makapagisip.
Tumaas ang kilay ni Leon sa gulat. I tried not to wince at my own stupidity. Kani-kanina lang ang tigas ng pagtutul ko. Tapos sa isang iglap, nagbago na agad ang isip ko?
Not even a day after meeting Jasmine again, and I'm already a mess. Gulong-gulo na agad ang isip at desisyon ko.
"Your knowledge about the company's protocols are shit. Ano namang maituturo mo sa kanya?" Lusot ko.
"So, ikaw na nga ang mag-train sa kanya?" Tunog pangaasar ang tanong ni Chesca, sinusubukan ako.
I let out a heavy sigh and met Jasmine's gaze, my jaw tightening.
"Yes."
How the hell did I get myself into this?
And amnesia? She has fucking amnesia!
"A what?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Gregg nang ikwento ko sa kanya.
"Dissociative amnesia," ulit ko.
Kumunot ang noo niya na parang nag-iisip.
"Hindi mo alam?" Tanong ko.
He shook his head. "Isang buwan matapos mamatay si Angie, sinama siya ni Archer sa US—"
I blinked in shock. For a moment, I wasn't sure I'd heard him right. "What?"
He stiffened, as if guilty of saying something he shouldn't have. But I heard it. O mali lang ba ako ng pagkakarinig?
"Angie's dead?" Tanong ko nang hindi pa rin siya sumagot.
His expression didn't change. The sorrow in his eyes confirmed it: I hadn't misheard.
I exhaled sharply, my mind scrambling to process the news.
Si Jasmine agad ang una kong naisip. Alam ba niya?
Kahit ilang beses ko pang sabihin na wala na akong pakialam sa kanya, siya pa rin agad ang una kong naisip. Ang nararamdaman niya pa rin ang una kong inisip.
"Jasmine... does she know? 'Yon ba ang dahilan kaya siya umalis?"
"She found out a month after the accident," he answered.
Kumunot ang noo ko. "I don't understand."
"Magkasama sila nang mangyari ang aksidente. But Jasmine was..." he shook his head, as if remembering everything. "She was unconscious for a month, while Angie died on the spot. Hindi na siya umabot sa ospital."
Accident?
"Jasmine found out about it the moment she woke up and she... crashed," naiiling na kwento niya. "Sunod na balita ko, sinama siya ni Archer sa US. Matagal akong nawalan ng balita sa kanya. Kay Esme ko nga lang nalaman na nakabalik na pala siya."
"Kailan nangyari ang aksidente?" I was almost too afraid to ask.
He sighed. "The night you left," sagot niya. "Hinabol ka niya. Si Angie ang nagmaneho."
My chest tightened, a sharp, suffocating pressure pressing down on me. My throat went dry, and for a moment, I couldn't speak. Couldn't think.
But it was all I could think about.
And to torture myself, I looked it up. There were so many news reports about it that I couldn't understand how I never found out.
Golden Hyatt Heiress Jasmine Pangilinan in Devastating Car Crash – Friend Killed, Pangilinan in Critical Condition
Golden Hyatt Heiress Survives Devastating Accident – Close Friend Dies at the Scene
Fatal Car Crash Shakes Pangilinan Family – Jasmine Pangilinan Critically Injured, Friend Killed
Daughter of Tycoons Donny and Belle Pangilinan Fights for Life After Horrific Collision
What Went Wrong? Authorities Investigate High-Profile Crash Involving Jasmine Pangilinan
I slammed the laptop shut when I couldn't take it anymore. Most articles came with pictures of the crash. Of Jasmine, unconscious on a stretcher, blood staining her clothes.
And the videos... The medics were pulling her out of the wreckage, working quickly, but the scene was so raw, so brutal, I couldn't watch any longer.
I could feel my stomach turn violently.
Before I could stop it, I vomited, the contents of my stomach splashing into the bathroom sink as the shock of it all hit me like a wave.
I leaned heavily against the counter, my hands gripping the edge as I struggled to steady my breathing, the images of Jasmine trapped in my mind.
Wala na dapat akong pakielam. Hindi ko naman hiniling sa kanya na sundan ako. I was clear that night that I was leaving... and for a good reason! Niloko niya ako! Nagsinungaling siya.
So why should I feel guilty?
That's what I've been telling myself since last night, ever since I found out.
Pero hindi ko pa rin mapigilan. I feel responsible for it all. At hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na hindi ko man lang nalaman mula sa kahit na kanino ang tungkol sa nangyari sa kanya.
But had I known about the accident back then, would I have changed my mind? Would I have stayed?
The knowledge clings to me as I step into the conference room, but I shove it down, forcing my expression into something neutral. This isn't the time. May trabaho akong dapat gawin.
Jasmine is already there, standing by the window, staring out at the city. Nang marinig ang pagpasok ko, lumingon agad siya sa'kin at ngumiti. Her smile was easy and effortless. Like we're just two professionals working together. "Good morning! Anong agenda natin today?"
For a second, I just stare at her.
Wala man lang pag-aalinlangan sa boses niya. As if the past five years never happened. As if she wasn't in a hospital bed while I was drowning in my own anger.
Ni hindi niya alam na buong gabi akong gising, iniisip kung dapat ba akong makonsensya.
I clear my throat. "We'll start with the basics. Fort Front's company culture, operations, and departments."
She nodded, interested. "Sounds good. Lead the way."
I took her around the office and gave a rundown of each department. When we passed by HR, she asked about employee retention. When we passed by Marketing, she shared insights about branding strategies. And I have to admit, she has a point.
Throughout the whole tour, pansin kong madali siyang makisama. Employees warm up to her instantly. And even though, technically, they knew our history, no one dared to ask. Ramdam ko ang tingin ng bawat empleyadong malalampasan namin, probably wondering how we're both taking this all so casually after all the history we have together. On the outside, I might look as if it's all just casual to me. That everything's fine.
But on the inside? I was in shambles.
And that's what's frustrating. It's like she's slipping back into my world so easily, kahit pa hindi niya naaalala ang naging halaga niya sa'kin. That at one point in our lives, she became my world.
"Welcome to Fort Front, Ms. Pangilinan," said one of the new sales team lead. "Ang swerte naman ni Sir Enzo. He's marrying a smart woman."
I freeze. The other employees did too. Ramdam ko ang tingin nila sa'kin, but I didn't dare show any emotion. Jasmine just laughs lightly, not noticing the sudden tension around the room.
"I'm the lucky one," sagot niya.
Bullshit.
I keep my face neutral, pero may kung anong kumukulo sa loob ko. Siya pa ang swerte kay Enzo? That man is a fucking plague.
And that smile... How can she give it so easily after everything that's happened, and everything she's been through?
Would she still smile like that if she remembered everything?
Hindi ko alam.
At 'yon ang problema.
I stayed at the office for a few more minutes after I let her go, sa takot na baka magkasabay pa kami. I don't want to have to interact with her after working hours. 8 hours with her is enough torture. I don't need more.
But as luck would have it, she was still at the parking lot when I came down. Standing by a car right beside mine.
Nakayuko siya at may sinisilip na kung ano sa gulong. Palapit na ako nang umangat ang tingin niya sa'kin.
"Something wrong?" Tanong ko.
"Flat," she sighed.
Kumunot ang noo ko at tinignan na rin ang gulong ng sasakyan. "Don't you have a spare tire? Where's your driver?"
Tumaas ang kilay niya. "I don't have a driver."
My eyes snapped to hers. "This is your car?"
She blinked, confused. "Yes."
"But you don't have a driver?"
Kumunot na ang noo niya. "Kailangan ba meron?"
"Ikaw ang nagmaneho nito?" Turo ko sa sasakyan.
She looked more confused now. "Oo. Hindi naman 'yan aandar 'pag hindi ko minaneho, diba? Or am I missing something here?"
"You know how to drive?"
Natawa siya. "Hindi ba halata sa'kin?"
"Yes—" I shook my head, catching myself. "I mean, no. But you..." were scared of driving. You didn't even want to learn.
Kailan ka pa natuto? Pagkatapos ba ng aksidente? Why did you want to learn all of a sudden? Sinong nagturo sa'yo?
The questions were at the tip of my tongue, but I couldn't make myself say them. Instead, I shook my head and meant to tell her that I was leaving.
But instead, I said: "Ihahatid na kita."
Gulat niya akong nilingon. "What?"
I cleared my throat to mask my unease. Mas lalo lang akong mapapahiya kapag binawi ko pa.
"Ihahatid na kita," kaya pinanindigan ko na lang.
Her eyes widened. "Hindi na kailangan! Mag-book na lang ako ng taxi."
Kumunot ang noo ko. And then what? Get into another car accident?
I massaged my temples and closed my eyes, trying to block the thoughts away.
"Hindi na," I sighed and opened my eyes to look at her again. "Nandito naman ako. Ihahatid na lang kita."
"Are you sure?"
I clicked my tongue in irritation. "How many times do I have to repeat myself?"
She blinked in shock. "Sorry. Ayoko lang naman na ma-hassle ka pa—"
"Hindi naman ako mag-ooffer kung alam kong hassle sa'kin," sagot ko.
Nilingon niya ang sasakyan niya bago ako binalikan ng tingin. "But my car..."
"I'll have it fixed and delivered to you by tomorrow," sagot ko.
"Are you sure?"
I stared at her impatiently, not wanting to repeat myself anymore.
"Okay, fine," aniya nang mapansin ang iritasyon ko. "Just send me your bank details. Babayaran kita—"
"Hindi na kailangan—"
"Babayaran kita."
"I said I don't need it."
"I know you don't need it, but I want to," she said stubbornly.
I sighed. Lalo pa yatang tumigas ang ulo nang mabangga.
"Fine," suko ko na. "Just get in the car. It's getting late."
I started rethinking my decisions as soon as she stepped inside the car and I realized we were alone... together.
Suddenly, the air was thick. Suffocating.
"Where are you staying?" I asked just to break the silence. "Sa mansyon ba?"
"No. I have my own unit."
"Pin it here," I said and handed her my phone.
She quickly typed and handed the phone back to me. One look at it and my brows furrowed in confusion.
"Did you pin it?" Tanong ko.
Kumunot ang noo niya. "Wala ba dyan?" Tanong niya at kinuha ulit ang phone. "I did. It's here," pinakita niya pa sa'kin.
I blinked.
But that's my address.
"You live here?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.
"Yeah. Out of the way ba?" Tanong niya. "Sabi ko naman sa'yo, magta-taxi na lang ako eh."
I didn't answer. Instead, I drove in silence, cursing the universe for playing me like this. Because as luck would have it, again, apparently, we live in the same building.
"Kahit dito na lang..." she said, but paused as I drove the car all the way to the parking lot. At nang patayin ko ang makina, kumunot na ang noo niya. "Bababa ka rin?"
Napailing ako, sabay buntonghininga. "Well, as it turns out, I live here too. Lucky me, right?" The sarcasm rolled off my tongue effortlessly, but there was no real amusement in it.
Binuksan ko ang pinto at bumaba, marahang hinilot ang sentido ko. Of all the buildings in the city, of all the places she could have ended up in... of course, it had to be mine.
I rounded the car and opened the door for her. She muttered a thanks, but my mind was too full to even comprehend the rest of what she said. The next thing I know, sabay na kaming naglakad at pumasok sa elevator.
Nauna ko nang pinindot ang floor ko. I was expecting her to press hers, pero nang hindi niya ginawa ay nilingon ko siya.
"Which floor?" Tanong ko dahil baka nakalimutan niya lang pindutin.
"Same floor," she answered with a small smile.
I froze in shock just in time as the elevator door opened to our floor. At kung hindi pa siya lumabas ay baka nakalimutan ko na ring lumabas.
Tahimik lang ako habang nakasunod sa kanya. Well, it's not that I was following her, dahil dito rin naman talaga ang daan patungo sa unit ko. And apparently, it was also the same way to hers.
Iisipin ko na sana na baka nagkataon lang. This building is our property, and her family must have gotten a unit here for her because it's more accessible and near the company.
I sighed and shook my head before continuing to walk past her. Hindi ko na kailangang isipin pa ang lahat ng 'to. She lives in the same building... and on the same floor.
So what, right?
But just as I opened the door to my unit, my peripheral vision caught sight of a figure. Lumingon ako, at agad natigilan nang makita si Jasmine, kabubukas lang rin ng pinto... ng unit niya... na katabi ng unit ko.
You have got to be fucking kidding me.