Chapter Eight
Valeria
"Hindi ka pa rin umuuwi?" tanong ni Claire habang sumisilip sa cubicle ko.
I looked up, rubbing my temples. "Kailangan ko pang tapusin 'tong projection deck. Wala na rin akong gana umuwi sa condo."
"Val, hindi mo kailangan patunayan sa kanila na karapat-dapat ka. You already are."
"Tell that to Selena," I muttered.
Claire sighed, walked over, and placed a paper cup of coffee beside me. "She's trying to break you para ikaw na ang sumuko. Huwag mo siyang bigyan ng ganung satisfaction."
I forced a smile. "Thanks, Claire."
She hesitated. "And Aiden?"
My body stiffened.
"Don’t," I whispered. "Hindi ko na alam kung anong totoo sa kanya."
---
Conference Room A – Next Morning
Everyone’s eyes were on me.
Selena sat at the far end, her posture pristine, her voice calm as she pointed out every delay, every potential flaw in the campaign I led.
And yet, I stood my ground.
"We’ve hit our KPIs consistently for the past four weeks," I countered. "Even your revisions show improved conversion rates."
"But with an unstable lead," she said sweetly, "the board might question our long-term execution."
Aiden cleared his throat. "We’ve reviewed the metrics. Valeria’s performance is well above expectations."
Selena raised a brow. "So you’re defending her despite the clause?"
Silence fell.
I met Aiden’s eyes. He looked torn.
"This isn’t about personal ties," he said finally. "It’s about results. And Valeria delivers."
The board members nodded in quiet agreement. I bit my lip, suppressing the trembling in my chest.
This wasn’t a victory.
It was survival.
---
Later that day – Fire Exit Stairs
I needed air. Again. This place was suffocating.
I didn’t hear him come in until the door clicked shut.
"Valeria."
I didn’t turn. "If you’re here to explain why you let her talk to me like that in front of everyone, don’t bother."
"She’s playing a game I’m trying not to lose."
"At my expense?"
A beat of silence.
"I didn’t want this. Any of it."
"Then why did you let it happen, Aiden?" I finally faced him, eyes burning. "Why did you let her push me this far?"
He looked like he wanted to close the distance between us but stopped himself.
"Because if I chose you openly, I’d lose everything. And I thought if I waited a little longer…"
"You’d find a cleaner way to keep me without fighting for me."
His silence was confirmation enough.
"You’re a coward," I whispered.
"Maybe I am. But you’re the only thing I’ve ever wanted without calculating the cost."
My breath hitched. My anger wavered.
"Then why does it feel like I’m the only one paying it?"
He stepped forward. "Val, I—"
"Don’t," I said, backing away. "I don’t need more promises. I need proof."
He reached into his pocket and handed me a flash drive.
"What’s this?"
"Everything. Selena’s proposed plans, the manipulations, her intent to push you out. I’m taking it to the board next week."
I stared at it, stunned.
"You’re risking your position for me?"
"No," he said. "I’m risking it for the truth. And for you, if you'll still have me."