Chapter Text
"HALA EXCUSE ME, WAIT SORRY AY!-"
"JHOANNA DUMAHAN DAHAN KA NGA!"
"SORRY MISS KIT, LATE NA AKO EH"
Hints of worry were traced on Jhoanna's face as she frantically hit the going up button of the Office.
"Please please please kung di lang 15th floor tinakbo ko na pataas to"
Finally, the elevator then opened
"HOY SANDA- ARAY!"
Jhoanna was about to close the elevator when someone inserted their hand to stop it from closing
"Huy sorry ok ka la- GAGO KA TALAGA GIAN"
"Aray sakit naman"
"Ang oa mo! Pumasok ka na"
It was Jhoanna's friend and co-worker Gian; as he went inside the elevator, he hadn't escaped Jhoanna's side eyes to him.
"Ano tinitingin tingin mo dyan? Ako na nga naipit eh"
"Sana nga naipi-"
"BASTOS KA TALAGA NO? As if di tayo parehas late?"
"Ikaw?! Nalalate?!? Jhoanna Robles nalalate?!"
"Oo na! oo late nako, di kasi nagalarm phone ko tas ang sakit ng ulo ko-"
"Tanggalin mo-, ARAY!"
"Di ka talaga matino kausap no?"
She was about to slap the lad's shoulder when they arrived at the floor; panicking, they immediately went inside the conference room wherein the executives were holding a meeting
---
"Oh there you are Robles, Miss Vergara, this is the person that I'm telling you"
"Hi sir good morning-"
"Sabi ko sayo Ms. Vergara, na she is the best in this field!"
Jhoanna wasn't sure how or what to act after being complimented by their head in the field
She then looked at the woman, who was sitting down beside her boss
"Oh, that's her?" The older woman said, a smirk on her face as she stared at Jhoanna, as if she was observing her from head to toe
grabe naman to mangjudge, pero ang familiar nya-
She was wearing a dark green coat and slacks with an inner black blouse which suited her so much. Jhoanna never thought that the color green would suite a person so much.
"Miss Robles, alam kong maganda ako para titigan, ok ka lang?"
"Huh..huh?"
"Oh? Bat nakatayo ka pa Robles? Pati ikaw Gian?"
She didn't realize that she was still standing and her mind flew away, her face flushed of embarrassment
"Ay sorry sorry."
"Sorry sir"
The two then settled down already to their seats as the meeting continues
---
"Ok, so I called you two, Mr. Sanchez and Miss Robles, is because there is an important shift to ABC Network; as we all know, we fell into a deep trench of bankruptcy."
"Bankruptcy, sir?"
"Yes, bankruptcy, so I am thrilled that Miss Vergara is here to propose something, that someoneowould openly be willing to invest big money to our company. It would really save our network, kasi dahil lang sa misinformation na nangyari, kulang nalang iblacklist and kunin na prankisa natin"
Jhoanna has been so passionate about her craft of broadcasting that taking Journalism in college was her dream, and here she is right now, fulfilling it. It was a big dream of hers, and she made it.
Sadly, the company she is working under had hit rock bottom as an accused issue of theirs made ABC Network's reputation stain, leading to laying off a lot of employees, and also putting her career at risk
Her loyalties lies within the company, who helped her shaped into whom she became, one of the best reporters and journalists in the field that made her a name in the industry to how good she is, but with the issues going on, it was getting harder and harder for her.
"By that, I am thrilled to announce that we will have a new CEO for ABC Network!"
Everyone jumped in excitement and hugged each other.
"OH MY GOSH SIR! So we won't be shutting down po ?!? NANDITO PARIN AKO"
"Yes Jhoanna, nandito ka pa rin and we won't be shutting down, Miss Vergara here is a representative of the CEO from the ARC Corporations, who will personally hand everything to the new CEO"
"THE ARC CORP SIR? LIKE THE BIGGEST CLOTHING LINE HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES?"
"Yes Robles, and this is where YOU, come in"
A flush of shock in Jhoanna's face came in
"Ako po?"
"Yes you Robles" The other woman spoke, "My boss would like to reveal themself in a different way, and I asked Mr. Lopez to bring his best journalist out there for a special project"
Special project? Adrenaline came flushing over Jhoanna as she heard this, Maybe this could be her biggest break?
"Sir laki na ng ngiti ni Robles oh, dyan sya magaling-"
"Inggit ka lang!, so Miss Vergara, what is this task you need us to do?
The woman smirked as she looked at Jhoanna, seemingly making the other girl feel tensed up
"You will be personally interviewing my boss privately Ms. Robles"
Privately? This is huge for them to request a private interview, a big opportunity!
"M..me? Talaga po?"
"Yes!, you may also choose another person to company you, and I think he is here already" The woman said as she nudged her head at the back of Jhoanna's direction
Jhoanna then looked behind and saw Gian
"SYA?"
"WOW HA DIRING DIRI KA NAMAN SAKIN?"
"Shut up! Sir Lopez, kasama talaga yang gunggo-"
"Language Robles!" Her boss warned
"Ay sorry, hays, Miss Vergara kasama talaga yan?"
The woman smirked, probably entertained by how the two bantered
"Yes, I realized that you might need help, and since he is here already and a good Journalist too, is it alright for you, Mr. Lopez?"
"Kaya ko naman mag-isa"
"Do not worry Maam, alagaan ko yan si Robles"
Jhoanna glared at him disgustingly
"Kilabutan ka sana Gian!, jusko, anyways Ms. Vergara, thank you so much and we are eternally grateful for you and to your Boss, please extend my regards."
"Just call me Colet sir, and I will do, so you Ms. Robles and Mr. Sanchez, this will be held at their residence on Wednesday, I will be contacting you two, thank you"
"Thank you, Miss Vergara, meeting adjourn!"
As everyone in the room stood up to leave, Jhoanna sat still as she tried to comprehend to what happen
- - -
"Hey no pressure Ms Robles Kalma"
"AY PU- M....Ms. Vergara! Sorry pala kanina, medyo nalulutang ako palagi-"
"I know"
"Hmm ano po yun Ms. Vergara?"
"Wala Ms. Robles, anyways you can call me Colet, no pressure as interview ok? anyways can I have your phone number?"
"Opo..opo here po oh"
The two then exchange phone numbers
"Ok, thank you. See you again soon, Ms. Robles! Nice meeting you already"
"You to Ms. Vergara, looking forward to working with you!"
Oh sure you are Robles
From: Ms. Colet Vergara
Hello Ms. Robles! Please be informed that the interview will be held oon wednesday, indicated here are some guidelines
- You and Mr. Sanchez are the only one's permitted to enter
- Food, transportation, and if may occur, accomodation will be shouldered
- A personal driver would fetch you both at your office building by 7am, please make sure that you are there already
- lastly, a Non-diclosure agreement contract would be signed
- Thank you and have a pleasant day!
5:45 AM
BEEP BEEP....BEEP BEEP
Jho then turned off her alarm as she went up immediately to prep herself
"Grabe, ang laki nito!"
Gian muttered, holding his camera bag while glancing around in awe
"bahay pa ba to o museum?"
Jhoanna chuckled nervously, adjusting her glasses. “Maybe both. Let’s focus, Gian. Big assignment ‘to.”
They approached the front door, which was quickly opened by a polite guard who let them in with a nod.
“You’re free to set up in the living room,” he said. “The CEO will meet you there shortly.”
Jhoanna nodded, trying to keep her curiosity under wraps, but she couldn’t ignore the odd feeling gnawing at her.
The house was beautiful; it had a modern touch, but the house felt more..homey. The rooves were made out of bricks, and the garden was outstanding! different ferns with a fountain in front. As they went inside, the white interior walls and the beautiful natural lighting greeted them.
Jhoanna's eyes scanned the walls, lingering on the carefully curated art pieces that lined the hall. Vases, paintings, and even a small aquarium were there
Then, her gaze landed on a painting hanging near the living room
hmm...
familiar...
"Ang ganda into hon, look"
It was a painting of a sunrise, with wonderful hues of orange in a swirly style of painting
"You want that one ba?"
"huy hindi, wait...shuta 265k? ako nalang magpapaint-"
"Love if you want, I would buy-"
"No! Huy tapon nanaman pera, I'll buy it nalang sa future hon, so para mas special, magpaint nalang ako-"
"You?? Painting hon? I don't know you are artsy pala ah?"
"Hey! wag ako hinahamon!"
"Ok, ok love haha, so...Promise?"
"No I promise!"
"HUY! Tulala ka nanaman dyan"
Jhoanna came back to her senses as she did not realize herself spacing out.
"Ano ba!, nagandahan lang naman sa painting"
"Sus, lagi ka na tulala since dumating tayo rito, sino kaya nasa isip mo hmm?"
"IKAW! Nangigigil ako sayo-"
"Wow, I am honored to be living rent-free inside Ms. Jhoanna Robles' mind-"
"Minsan mandiri ka nga Gian-" Jhoanna said annoyingly as she slapped his shoulders
"ARAY! Abuse na talaga yan, love language mo talaga physical attack!"
"Hoy hindi kaya" she said as she pinched Gian
"ARAY! ETO TALAGA-"
She was about to slap him when her heel caught a floor rug, pulling her down, tripping her and pulled the small table with a vase
but before Jhoanna could retort, the vase crashed and broke with a loud clang!
“Jo!” Gian hissed, staring at the broken shards with wide eyes. “Ano ba?! Ang galing mo talaga!"
“Shut up, Gian,” Jhoanna muttered, Her heart pounded as panic set in. “Kailangan natin ayusin ‘to bago pa—”
“Baka milyon to!” Gian interrupted, his voice growing more frantic. “Paano na? Bayad tayo dito!”
“Pangit naman kung milyon di naman kagandahan?, anyways an you stop panicking and help me clean this up?” Jhoanna whispered harshly, trying to sound composed even as her hand is shaking.
"Wait salamin ko, Gian pahanap- Ow! Tang-" In her haste, she accidentally grabbed a sharp shard, cutting her palm.
“Aray!” she hissed, pulling her hand back. Blood welled up instantly.
“Great! Sugatan ka pa,” Gian groaned, handing her a handkerchief. “Ang galing mo talaga, Jo. Pinagsama mo na ang clumsy at disaster!”
"Shut up!, wait salamin ko nasan na Gian pahanap-"
"Is everything alright in there?"
"Jo, ano ba? Hanapin mo na 'yung salamin mo!" Gian whispered sharply, his voice tense. "Nakakahiya na tayo!”
Jhoanna’s breath hitched as she squinted through the blurry haze of her surroundings, her glasses having slipped off her face during the commotion. She could make out a tall figure standing in front of her, backlit by the warm glow of the hall.
The woman’s silhouette was commanding yet familiar. Her long, straight hair cascaded neatly down her back, with a few strands framing her face.
She was still fumbling when a smooth, calm voice broke through the tension.
“Are you looking for these?”
Jhoanna froze.
The voice was familiar, yet matured—low and steady, with a soft edge that sent chills up her spine.
“Ah… Salamat po,” Jhoanna mumbled, her hands trembling slightly as she took the glasses. She slid them on, and the world came into focus.
.
.
.
It was Aiah.
Her Aiah.
Jhoanna’s heart stopped as she took her in. Aiah Arceta stood before her, sharp and stunning, her tailored suit a perfect match to her poised, commanding aura.
Her features had matured over the years—her cheekbones more defined, her jawline sharper—but her eyes, once soft and radiates sunshine, is now dark and expressive.
Aiah had always carried herself with grace, but now there was an air of authority around her, a weight to her presence that hadn’t been there before. She looked exactly the same—and yet entirely different.
“AIAH!” Gian’s voice cracked as he finally pieced it together. He stared at Aiah, then at Jhoanna, his gaze bouncing between the two like he was trying to solve a riddle. “Sorry po, I mean Ms. Arceta?” Gian asked, his voice full of surprise. “Wait, kayo po pala ang CEO ng ARC Corp?”
ARC?? oh... ARC...Arceta...
Her eyes, however, were on Jhoanna. “What happened here?”
Jhoanna’s throat tightened, her voice catching as she stammered, “Ai—” She hesitated, then quickly corrected herself, “…Ms. Arceta, I would like to apolo-"
“Nasira po vase nyo ma'am!” Gian interrupted, his nervous laughter filling the room. “Nadulas po siya—pero promise, babayaran namin! Kahit hulugan! Uh...uhm gcash? Sorry po"
Her authoritarian aura was suddenly replaced with concern, "What? Wha-, are you ok?"
"Y..yes maam, I would like to apologize, I..I would pay for tha-"
"Sensya na talaga Maam! Promise, we’ll take care of it—hulugan, cash, credit card, lahat ng paraan, kaya namin!”
Jhoanna started to fix up the vase, but Aiah suddenly bent down too.
Instead of acknowledging the vase, she gently reached for Jhoanna’s hand, her fingers brushing against Jhoanna’s skin as she looked at her hand.
“Your hand…” Aiah said, her voice softer now, with an edge of concern. “You’re hurt.”
Jhoanna’s heart skipped in her chest. Her pulse raced as Aiah’s fingers brushed lightly against her hand, turning it over with delicate care, inspecting the cut.
Jhoanna didn’t know what to do with herself. The touch, so gentle yet so purposeful, sent an electric jolt through her.
She unintentionally pulled her hand back quickly, trying to hide the shock she was feeling. She then stood up
“That vase,” she said quietly,
"Im sorry ma'am, I..I would pay for it-"
“wasn’t just decorative...It was special.”
Jhoanna felt her chest tighten. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides as guilt threatened to consume her.
“Special?” Gian echoed, his voice rising in panic. “Oh my god. Maam, I swear babayaran namin kahit magkano pa—”
"No need" Aiah interrupted, her voice firm but calm. Her gaze remained fixed on Jhoanna, and for a moment, the tension in the air was palpable.
"So...you guys must be here for the interview, right?"
“Yes, ma’am! Pasensya na po ulit sa abala. By the way, I’m Gian Sanchez, reporter for ABC Network, and this is Jhoanna, journalist din po namin, ang pinakamagaling sa lahat!"
"I know, well it's my turn to introduce myself now...
The woman said as she shook Gian's hand first
"Hi Mr. Sanchez" she said as she shook his hand
She then went on to Jhoanna, a flush of heat rushed into her face, almost breaking the barrier of her professional aura
"And...Hi Ms. Robles..."
The woman said and she took Jhoanna's hand, she felt pain but chose to hide it, thankfully it didn't bled out
"Jhoanna Robles Maam, Head Journalist of ABC Corp. and weekend Anchor for ABC News
"I am Aiah Arceta,” she said, her tone steady but polite, “CEO of ARC Corp. It is an honor to be interviewed, lets take a seat na"
.
.
.
The living room was sleek and modern, with large glass windows revealing the skyline of the city beyond. Jhoanna shifted in her seat, glancing around the room nervously. The calm, minimalistic décor only made her feel more out of place as she tried to focus on the interview ahead. Gian was busy setting up his recorder, but Jhoanna’s mind was elsewhere—on the woman about to sit across from her.
Breathe, Jho. Just breathe.
She kept repeating the words in her head, but it wasn’t helping much.
“Okay, okay, you’ve got this,” she muttered under her breath. Gian didn’t miss it.
"So, are we ready?" Gian asked, giving her a quick glance. "Don’t worry, Jho. You got this."
Jhoanna gave a small, anxious smile, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Aiah. She knew that this interview would be more than just a professional exchange. But still
Professionalism over personal feelings
"Jho, okay ka lang?” Gian asked, noticing her fidgeting.
Jhoanna forced a smile and tried to shake off the nervous energy. “Oo, okay lang, Gian. Let’s just get this over with.”
The tension in the air was palpable as they set up the interview. Gian worked on adjusting the camera angles while Jhoanna busied herself with her notes, though her hands still trembled slightly.
“Jho, okay ka lang ba talaga?” Gian asked, lowering his voice. “Parang hindi ikaw ‘to. Kanina ka pa tensiyonada"
“I’m fine,” Jhoanna replied, though the crack in her voice betrayed her.
"Akin na kamay mo, Tingin nga ng sugat" Gian then held Jhoanna’s hand, scanning and rubbing gently "masakit ba?"
"Di, ok lang talaga, kaya pa-"
“Sure ka ha? Kasi parang—”
“Let’s start,”
Aiah interjected, her sharp tone cutting through their conversation. She stood by the window, her arms crossed as she gave Gian a pointed look.
Gian suddenly went pale but didn’t press her further. Instead, he gave her a reassuring smile and gave her a little pep talk.
“You’ve done interviews like this before. Kung ano man yan, Professional lang. Focus on your job, okay?”
Jhoanna nodded, trying to steady her breathing.
“Thanks, Gian,” she said softly.
She then turned to Aiah, who was now glaring at them.
"Oh!..uhm yes ma'am, I...Im sorry, we'll start already"
.
.
.
Good Afternoon Miss Arceta, I am Jhoanna Robles from ABC News and it is an honor for us to hold a personal interview coming from you, so...
"Ms. Arceta, what motivated you to take on the role of CEO at ARC Corp?”
Aiah’s lips curved into a small, professional smile.
“Taking on the role was a challenge I couldn’t resist. I wanted to lead the company to greater heights and prove to myself that I could handle the responsibility.”
Her voice was steady, almost detached, but her next words felt deliberate.
“There’s something fulfilling about taking control of your own destiny, don’t you think? About making choices—even difficult ones—that shape your future?”
Jhoanna’s breath hitched slightly. She forced herself to write down the answer, her pen scratching faintly against the paper. A memory tugged at the edge of her mind, but she pushed it away.
“What do you think has been the key to your success in leading ARC Corp?”
Aiah tilted her head slightly, her eyes locking onto Jhoanna’s with a familiarity that made the latter’s stomach churn.
“Success is never achieved alone. It takes collaboration, trust, and a shared vision.”
She paused, her gaze softening. “But sometimes, the hardest part of success is letting go of things that no longer align with your path. It hurts, but it’s necessary.”
Jhoanna’s throat went dry. Is she talking about me? The thought gnawed at her, but she forced herself to nod.
Gian, oblivious to the tension between the two women, was just watching as things unfold in frong of him
"uhm..uh...ehem, uhm ok well let us continue, What’s been your biggest challenge as CEO?”
Aiah folded her hands neatly on her lap.
“Building trust.”
The simplicity of her answer lingered in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning.
“It’s hard to rebuild something once it’s been broken. I don't trust people easily and the closest people of mine has gone through alot for me to trust, it takes time, effort, and honesty to repair. And sometimes, even if you give everything, it might not be enough.”
Her words hung like a heavyweight. Jhoanna shifted uncomfortably in her seat, feeling as if the statement pierced directly through her.
Gian glanced up briefly, sensing the growing tension but staying silent as he continued to take notes.
Jhoanna took a deep breath, steadying herself.
“What inspired you to save ABC Corp from bankruptcy?”
The room seemed to still. Aiah’s gaze sharpened, but her expression remained unreadable.
Instead of answering, she leaned forward and pressed the button to turn off the recorder.
"Ai- I mean Maam, what-"
“You want the truth?” she asked softly, her tone gentle yet loaded with something unspoken.
Jhoanna froze, her heart thudding loudly in her chest. “Yes,” she whispered, barely able to speak.
Aiah leaned back, her eyes locking with Jhoanna’s.
“I didn’t want someone’s sacrifices to go to waste,” she said, her voice low but firm.
“Sometimes, you need to save something because it’s worth saving"
"Because it would not be worth it if all your efforts would just go to waste, even sacrificing...some people...for you to achieve it, and I could not bear to have it if I could do something pala rather than just doing nothing, especially if you still care for that person"
"Because I am in this position because of that sacrifice, as this was not supposed to be my destiny,"
Her words sliced through Jhoanna’s resolve, guilt pooling in her stomach. She felt the weight of their history in every syllable, the wounds she thought had healed, but guilt arises from her system again
"And it would not be worth leaving me if the reason would just go down to waste-"
But just as quickly before Jhoanna could compose herself, Aiah turned the recorder back on, her face now composed and businesslike.
“I saw potential in ABC Corp. It was a smart move to expand my company’s reach and diversify our portfolio, and also a lot of employees would be compromised, so it was a win-win" she said smoothly.
The contrast between her earlier words and her professional response left Jhoanna reeling.
Jhoanna blinked, not expecting that answer at all. Her heart pounded in her chest, unsure of how to respond. Aiah had made it personal, and it was hard to ignore the weight of those words.
She did sacrifice a lot
Even if it was meant to lose everything
Even the person she loved...in the process
"and that would be all Ms. Arceta, thank you for your time"
"It's my pleasure Ms. Robles, anytime"
She quickly wrapped up the interview and thanked Aiah for her time.
.
.
.
As Gian packed up the equipment, Jhoanna lingered near the corner of the room, her thoughts in disarray. She stared at her hand, the sting still there and it was slightly bleeding.
She tried to cover it with her handkerchief, but then-
“Jhoanna,”
Jhoanna turned to see Aiah standing nearby, a first aid kit in her hands, walking towards her.
“Is the cut still bleeding?” Aiah said, gesturing to her hand.
“It’s fine po Ms. Arceta, uhm di naman ganun kalala-"
“Sit down,” Aiah said firmly
And for some reason, Jhoanna obeyed.
The touch of Aiah’s hands as she cleaned and re-bandaged the wound sent a jolt of electricity through Jhoanna, one she tried desperately to ignore.
“You’re still clumsy as ever,”
Aiah murmured, her lips quirking into a faint smile.
Jhoanna opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out. The lump in her throat was too large, and the weight of unspoken words between them felt unbearable.
The rain poured heavily outside the library as Jhoanna sat on the steps, nursing her scraped knees after her slip. Aiah crouched in front of her, pulling out a small first-aid kit from her ever-organized bag.
“Anong ginagawa mo, love?” Aiah asked, "Hindi ka ba nag-i-ingat... ingat-ingat...?”
Jhoanna bit her lip to keep from laughing but failed miserably. “Aiah, anong ‘ingat-ingat’ ka dyan? Tama na yung unang ‘ingat.’ Pinahaba mo pa!”
Aiah shot her a half-playful, half-exasperated look, her cheeks faintly pink. “I’m trying, love. You’re always teasing me when I speak Tagalog.”
“Eh kasi naman! Ang effort mo, pero ang cute mo kaya,” Jhoanna teased, grinning widely despite the sting on her knees.
“Ikaw na ang future doctor na grammatically incorrect.”
Aiah sighed dramatically but couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips. “I just don’t want you to hurt yourself again. You’re always so... clumsy and reckless ah”
“Reckless? Grabe ka, love,” Jhoanna replied, feigning offense. “Nasaktan na nga ako, sinisisi mo pa ako?”
“I’m not blaming you. I’m just saying you could be a little more—what’s the word?—ingat..uhm maingater?"
“Maingater?!” Jhoanna burst out laughing, clutching her stomach as tears formed in her eyes. “Grabe, ikaw ata yung dapat mag-ingat sa grammar mo!”
Aiah rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress her smile. “Okay, okay, tama na. Let me fix your knees before you laugh yourself to death.”
Still chuckling, Jhoanna watched as Aiah carefully dabbed at her wounds with antiseptic. Her hands were gentle, her focus entirely on Jhoanna, as if the rest of the world didn’t exist.
“Masyado kang serious, love,” Jhoanna said, her voice softening. “You’ll be a good doctor someday, pero sana hindi ka masyadong strict sa mga patients mo.”
“I won’t be strict,” Aiah replied, “But if you were my patient, I’d make sure you never got hurt in the first place.”
Jhoanna’s teasing grin faltered slightly at the sincerity in Aiah’s voice. “Grabe ka naman,” she mumbled, looking away to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks.
“Para kang hero, laging nandyan to save the day"
Aiah’s laughter was soft, a comforting sound against the storm outside. She then leaned and gave a peck to Jhoanna, chuckling as she saw how red her lover's face became
“Maybe. But only for you, love.”
As Aiah tied off the bandage, her movements paused for the briefest moment. “You should be more careful,” she said softly.
Jhoanna nodded wordlessly, her mind swimming with thoughts. She glanced at Aiah, wondering—not for the first time—what could have been if things had turned out differently.
“Thank you,” Jhoanna said awkwardly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Aiah’s lips curved into a faint smile, but her eyes carried something deeper. “Always.”
As she stood to leave, Aiah’s voice stopped her.
“Tin...”
Aiah said softly, her tone, like hiding something unspoken.
“I’m proud of you"
Jhoanna froze, her back still turned to Aiah.
"Was it worth it?”
The question hit her like a tidal wave, leaving her unable to respond.
Before she could muster the courage to say anything, Aiah added
“It was nice...seeing you again...”
You too Ayie...you too...