7:30pm: Metro Manila Philippines

De Gusman Company.

"Boss, this is the file you asked from the HR

Department," Trisha exclaimed as she gave me the file.

"Thanks," I mumbled.

"What's the sudden interest in an intern, Babe?" asked Cristina as she sat on my office sofa.

"It's her." I sighed as I threw the file at her.

Once she read it her eyes went wide..

"Gosh, how is she even hired here," she mumbled quietly.

Who might it be?

The one who bullied me, my old crush's Girlfriend.

Wow, I mean, I didn't even know he had

a girlfriend. But I did suspect tho.

"So soon, whatcha gonna do about her? Teach her a lesson? Fire her? What about—" I stopped her.

"No. She's nothing but a past. I'm in my future," I said with confidence. Pushing the memories at the back of my mind and focusing more on my paperwork.

"You're worried," she said seeing my face. She reads me well.

"Why? Well, I don't know. That woman I despised so much is here. Working for me. Sigh..." I held my head...

Right where the stab mark was. That woman was crazy, Obsessive fuck. She stabbed me right here... my right Eye... with a pen...

Talk about a past with a pen.

Right now I don't even use pens anymore...

 Just fountain pens...

"You know, you can fire her for...you know...about that?" she said...as she avoided looking to my right eye...

Oh, yeah? My eye? Yeah, it was not treatable. Since I was...stabbed there…and to make matters better, my vision was already blurring on that side so… I'm fine…

"I'll be fine. I might need her in the future, since... I mean look at her résumé…" I said as I threw her a file of that woman's résumé.

"She's...talented." Cristina said as she looks through the papers... Bunch of achievements…and some other experiences...

"She's experienced. Your type of people. The ones you need in this company. But. I might watch her for now. That's my advice. She's been charged with assault by the laws and juvenile detention for 4 months." Cristina reminded.

"It's best that we should be cautious around her." she mumbled in the end...

She's saying the truth… Why should I trust a woman who can harm others as well. She had traumatized me once...she can do it again.

"Now that I remember it… Damien broke up with her after that….incident. Good for him..." She whispered...

As we continued on, I ignored her while I sign some papers...while she was typing on her laptop…work probably.

"Oh, my god…. He…he came back…. Damien's back…." she screams at the top of her lungs...

He...he's back?.. I thought he won't be back...

"Have you read the news?" asked Trisha, who left 20 minutes ago…

"SHA! Get out of my way! Girl did you see the news!?! It's all over the internet! Damien Dominic De Leon is coming back! Here! In the Philippines!!!!" Kenzie exclaimed… Excited?

"He even said on the news that he's coming back to court the woman he loved…." mumble the smart Trisha...

"No he posted that he's coming for some vacation at his Hometown as well." I mumble

"vacation my ass, he's here for you dumb a$s!" said the supportive one, Cristina.

"Maybe he's here for another beating.." said the strong one, Kenzie.

"No, no, he won't be...unless he's here for her right?" asked the smart one, Trisha…

Ophelia knew who she was talking about.

"Guys, fill me in would you!" said Kenzie looking at both of me, Trisha, and Cristina as she seems to know too.

"… Diana Kimberly Rosales is working for me." I mumble…

"What the fu-!" she shuts up at the look Trisha gave...

"Don't cuss in front of children." she mumbled as she stroked her 3 months belly bump.

"They're not even born yet~" Cristina said laughing.

"But even so, I read that children can hear from outside the stomach~" she said with pride.

"You read too many fantasy books." I said as I continue on signing papers.

"Hey! You read too you know! You even have a library here!!"

Yeah... I had a big bookshelf at the side of my office...where I store my books of different genres. So what?

"Girl like you don't have a library in your home." Cristina mumbles as she types on her laptop.

"Okay guys... I'm done, I want to eat some dinner... I'm hungry." I mumble ...

"yeah sure, basta free food okay lang! Hahah" Cristina laughed as she spoke in Tagalog.

"Ay nako Naga salita nanaman sha." mumbled Trisha.

"Free food would be fine for me~" said the Englishera of the group.

"where's Ryanna?" I asked...where my female best friend is..

"She's busy with the HR... something about the worst...intern ever." Trisha said as she arranged the papers...

"Don't carry anything, Trisha." I reminded.

She just smiled and sigh, continuing to arrange the papers.

"Should we check on her girls?" asked Kenzie.

"Yeah, I need to know what's the problem in my company…" I mumbled, worried...

We walked to the HR floor of the building...talking about what to eat on the way...

When we heard screaming and crying...

Ryanna was screaming... and the crying...oh... Diana...

"Ano na naman ginawa ng babaeng toh…" mumbled Cristina...

"talk about being a sychopath.." mumbled Trisha

"Ryanna, what's happening here...?" I asked...as I entered the glass door.

"wha- boss! This girl over here was accused of stealing by another intern..sigh.." she sigh frustrated.

"and why the screaming though?" I asked..as I looked Diana up and down...

She..still the same... that..that necklace... The one Damien gave..wow. They did broke up...but he.. he's probably looking for her.

"Well...she refused to admit it even though we showed the CCTV footage that she stole a file...and added her name on it..." she said as she played the video...

"What can you say about this..." I asked the intern... Diana…

"That's not me in the footage. The camera angle is bad. Someone must have tampered with the file and framed me." She said with confidence….

"What acting ..." Cristina mumbled ...watching the drama.

"Shush!" Trisha said shushing her.

"Kenzie, hack all the CCTV cameras from that room and bring it here." I said…to the IT head… Kenzie.

"Sure~ with great pleasure." she smirked and hacked the whole CCTV.

In just a few hours... Diana's reputation of being a good intern and a real deal for the company was ruined.

As I was about to say that she's fired she interrupted me.

"You can't fire me!... Please! I have a daughter at home! A-and she is very sick!…. I…I need the job please!" she had crocodile tears in her eyes...

"What the hell..." Crisha, Cristina's twin came in and saw this...amazing.

“Ms. Rosales, as much as I don’t want to interfere, but you didn’t tell me you had a child?” Said Trisha as she looked at Diana with a glare.

“This company asks if women and men are married and have children… because we give special holidays and permissions to leave if, and if the child is in any health and danger issue. Now Ms. Rosales, why didn’t you tell us you had a daughter at home…” I asked as she looks at my eyes… the blue ones…

I knew immediately she recognized me.

“U... Um…h-hello Nicole…” trying to give me apologetic gazes huh?

“I’m your Boss miss. Not your senior in school Diana.” I reminded… my anger was still not satisfied from nine years ago.

“Ophelia is angry…” I can hear Crisha whisper to her twin Cristina…

Those two always knows how to read me…

“I-I-I… I’m sorry… ma’am...” urggg the crocodile tears…

“Please, please I beg of you don’t fire me… please don’t fire me be-because of the incident….”

God…she’s rubbing salt on my memories….

“Ms. Diana… don’t forge the rules of the company. No, Ryanna, please give her a copy of our Company laws… and Ms. Roxanne, thank you for speaking up, you will receive a bonus for excellent work and being true to your work. Ms. Diana, your salary of this month would be deducted by 10 percent. Please renew and include everything in your resume and data. Do this today. Or else your fired.” I said without a thought. My voice calm and professional….

I always remind myself... never show anyone emotions... unless their friends…

“Let’s go, Ryanna. We’ll be eating lunch together.” I said as I walked out of HR and went to the elevator with my friends.

“Lia… are... are you still mad?” Asked Kenzie.

“I am…. I’m angry at two things... one, the first week of her work, she starts to do misconduct. I would have fired her, but I still need her for something. Two, I’m angry that you guys didn’t tell me… Ryanna, you can tell me if there’s trouble in your department or you guy’s Department, ok?” I said to them, receiving many nods.

“Did she recognize you Rhy?” I asked my best friend, to which she nodded her head yes.

“Yeah… she seemed to recognize all of us.” She mumbled, to which they all agreed.

“But why didn’t you fire her? Yeah, you need her for something but what?” Trisha asked stroking her belly.

 “If Damien is looking for her, I’ll rip some benefits in their relationships… Information is important for the reporters, don’t you think? And maybe I can even have my revenge while she’s here” I mumble as we walked out of the elevator to the parking lot.

“So, keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer?” Crisha grinned.

“Maybe” I mumbled showing my smirk.

“Let’s go girls, time to hit the road.” I said as the other five readied their engines, while Trisha sat comfortably in my car’s passenger seat.

“Hold on tight Trish” I said as I sped my car out of the parking lot and into the empty streets in a highway.

As we drove our way a restaurant by the beach.

When we arrived, we got out of our cars and into the receptionist.

“Reservation in Ms. De Gusman’s name.” I said and the receptionist guided us to our private room, which had a great view of the beach.

“Nice place you reserved Lia…” Cristina immediately asked Crisha to take her a picture.

“I already ordered your favorite dishes and some famous deserts here…” I mumble as I look at my phone through social media.

“I’ll go to the Restroom for a moment.” I said loud for them to hear me.

“Want me to come babe? ~” Cristina asked teasingly.

“No, Tin. Just no.” I said frustrated…

She likes to call me that… even when in our senior year in Maria Clara…

When I walked out the Restroom, I bump into someone…

Red eyes… I Froze… shivering…

“Excuse me… I need the restroom.” He said… quite coldly…

He doesn’t recognize me…

That... broke a little…

Wait why though? He’s just a crush from the past. Get over it, Ophelia.

“Sorry…” I mumble as I moved away and walked opposite.

“Wait.” He said… that voice… Cold like ice… but… for my 16-year-old self is a cool type that fell from the heavens.

I ignored him and left to our private room…

“Ophelia, wait!” I ignored his desperate plea and locked the door.

“Who’s that Lia?” asked Trisha, sensing my nervousness.

“No one…”

But the voice says otherwise

“I’m not no one… Ophelia…” the voice cold and desperate as he banged through the door.

“Leave… right this instant Domenic.” I said coldly.

“Please… at least let me explain?”

“No- “but Crisha opened the door and came outside.

We heard mumblings and talking… then a slap… then a punch…

“Are they... killing each other or something…” Asked Kenzie, eavesdropping through the door.

“Ophelia, I set you out to a date with him” Crisha said as she came in the room.

“where’s he… and what the hell do you mean by date?” I asked cautiously.

“Give him a chance to explain… Ophelia… I know he had… done something… disastrous, but he clearly likes you…” Crisha spoke softly, sitting me down in one of the sofas in the room.

“I… I just want to forget it… that… that he defended her…while she…” I said… subconsciously touching the scar on my right eye…

“Ophelia… please withdraw your case against Diana… please… for my sake… please...” He kneeled… in front of the whole school…

While I was there… thinking he would ask me out… or even ask if I’m ok in my situation now… An eyepatch on my right eye.

How naive of me...

“You… you can’t be serious… she tried to kill me?! Is this so-called love of yours too blinding to see what type of psychopath she is?!” I was in rage.

How could he… he’s one of my first friend… my first best friend.

“Damien… Don’t talk to me anymore… Don’t even think of calling my name. And don’t try to come closer to me anymore.” I said as I left his kneeling figure in the rain.

Damien Pov:

“Crisha?” my red eyes met her burnt brown one’s.

“Damien Dominic De Leon. And why you decide to show your face in front of Ophelia now.” She said, she has that look of furiousness in her.

Who can blame her? I was a total jerk… I thought Diana loved me very much but look at her now… but that’s for another time.

Anyways, back here.

“Crisha, you know why I’m here… your sister too didn’t she? Same with the rest of your friends too. Except her, probably…” I said with confidence and a cold tone, I was serious. Very serious.

“of course we do. Yet now we know you had child with Diana, didn’t you?!” she said with fury.

“A what? I did not sleep with her?! Heck, I didn’t even know she was pregnant! - “but she cut me off with a slap.

Wha-

“You… who do you think you are slapping at.” I said angry.

“I’m talking to my cousin, who’s a stupid idiot for picking a witch of a fake instead of the one you truly loved?!” She says as she looked at me in disappointment.

Well, I am a disappointment… My parents also said the same thing too…

I choose a person who clearly wanted what I had, a complete psychopath, and completely ignored the woman I loved… and she clearly loved me back…

I’m stupid.

“I know I’m stupid, so please, at least give me a chance to prove that I changed… please?” I’m begging by now. Wow if my enemies saw this, they’ll definitely rub this to my wounds.

 “No. it’s not me you should prove it… it’s her. She still likes you, but who were we and my friends to stop her… you two were inseparable- “I cut her off.

“But I broke it. I choose a psychopath instead of someone who clearly loved me, I know… I know…” I mumble looking down.

“Look, tell me first, did you and Diana do the deed? She’s been hiding the fact that she has a child. Did you get her pregnant or something?” she asked as if she’s getting ready for a disappointing answer.

“No, we didn’t touch or even hold hands….” I mumble, thinking.

“Then who’s that child…” she looks confused.

“Look, we never slept. All I know she cheated on me with that guy at the back of our class, Gerald.”

“Shit… Lia might think you and her… and that your… here to marry her…”

“What, no, I’m here to make things right with Ophelia, and I need to discuss with uncle about my upcoming launch in guns and drugs- “she punched me, like literally.

“Walls have ears you idiot. And for starters, I’ll trust you on this one, make her disappear. Diana, I mean.” She says as if it’s an easy job.

“Why not you do it? It’s not like you’re not the top assassin here…” I said with a confuse face.

“I can’t, I don’t want Ophelia to suspect my job, and besides, me and Cristina can get involve in mafia work. Grandpa is too strict with old rules and etiquette to not let us participate. So, get going. Also, I’ll set you two up in a business date. She needs land in America. And you had what she needs.” The long paragraph, sigh.

“Ok, as long as I get to talk to her, I’ll prepare land.” I mumble as I sent a message to my assistant.

“As for Diana, I’ll send some men to get the child some hair, maybe I need to confirm something first.” I said crossing my arms.

“If that child is yours or not?!” she asked furious.

“No, if the child is worth saving.” I mumble, yeah, worth saving my ass.

“If not worth saving, just send it to the orphanage or something. Be ready, your date is on Sunday, she’s free by that time.” She said as she texted something on the phone.

“Ok, I’ll meet her here.” I said and left to my own private room at the restaurant, my mind clouded with thoughts about her…

God, I miss those blue eyes…

‘don’t worry Ophelia, I’ll make it up to you…’

I thought as I grab the pendant on my neck…

It was the gift she made herself.

“Cristian, do me a favor and investigate all about Diana Kimberly Rosales.” I mumble out an order.

“Boss, you still Interested with this woman?” this guy seemed worried. Why?

“No, I want to know how she has child.” I said as I drink the whiskey.

“Ok!” he left immediately.

“Now, do speak Mr. Chu, why decide to meet here if you had a club~” I asked, holding the gun in my hands, rubbing it with my towel.

“About the deal, should we send the money now Mr. De Leon~”

After long hours of talking back and forth, he actually got my attention about his new product.

“that’s a Deal!” I said, I knew this product could benefit me and my family…

Especially her…

Soon, I rode my car to my Villa, meeting my sister there.

“What are you doing here…” I asked as I went to my bar.

“Here for the same thing.” She said coldly as she pours herself drink.

“Grandpa got angry…” she drunk the drink in one gulf.

“Why?” I asked calmly.

“He saw a photo of me kissing my girlfriend, no, ex-girlfriend.” She said pouring another glass.

“He said he found me a Perfect marriage partner…” She spoke as she drunk the glass and pouring another.

“I’ll take care of it.” I said as she looked at me, tearing up and came into my arms.

“That old guy’s time is up” I mumble.

It’s time for me to get my inheritance.

Time for me to establish my power.

I carried her body to one of the spare rooms in my mansion.

Then I went to my office.

“Hello everyone, sorry to start this meeting midnight, but do bear with me on this one.” I said facing my cousins in the computer. We were having a zoom meeting.

“So, what’s up cuz? Enjoying the Philippines? Or enjoying her~” my cousin Maria asked, teasingly.

My cousins are the only ones I trust in the family…

Not my mother or even my father…

“Yeah, and don’t worry about the time, its still early in the morin here in New York” mumbled the oldest cousin of mine, Calix.

“Whatcha doin people!” someone said in the background.

“Ok everyone, about the plan- “I was cut off

“I’m well planned here in manila.” Said the youngest… Monique…

“Get ready everyone… I’ll proceed by the time April starts in.” I said… the plan was simple, those who were overseas send money and men for support, while those who where close, they’ll prepare for inner war.

One goal was placed…

Make me inherit the family… all of it.