Chapter 36 back off,lose her.again
Zarya's point of view
The first thing I felt when consciousness slowly crept back into me was the coldness of the sheets beside me.
My eyes fluttered open, heavy and burning from lack of proper sleep, and the bright morning light filtering through the gaps in the curtains made me wince.
. For a second, I just lay there, staring up at the ceiling, my mind still foggy with the remnants of sleep and all those heavy, terrifying thoughts that had haunted me all night.
Hindi ako nakatulog nang maayos, halos buong gabi akong gising kakaisip. My hand instinctively reached out to the right side of the bed, searching for that familiar warmth, that soft weight that always made everything feel right... but my fingers only met cold, empty fabric..
My heart skipped a beat, and in an instant, the drowsiness was gone, replaced by pure, unadulterated panic. Bakit wala siya sa tabi ko? Magkatabi kaming natulog kagabi ah?
Iris...
I sat up abruptly, my breath hitching in my throat, my eyes scanning the room frantically. The bed was made neatly on her side, the pillows fluffed and arranged perfectly, like she had been gone for hours already.
Saan siya pumunta? Bakit umalis nang hindi man lang ako ginising? My mind immediately jumped to the worst possibilities. The messages. The photo. The threat that had been sent right to my phone just last night. Sila na naman.
They are watching us. Alam nila kung nasaan kami, alam nila ang bawat galaw namin. What if they followed her? What if something happened while I was sleeping here, unaware and defenseless? Paano kung may dumukot sa kanya? Paano kung may ginawa sila habang tulog ako at walang kamalay-malay?
My hands started to shake as I pushed myself off the mattress, my bare feet touching the cold floor.
Huwag naman sana, Lord. Huwag naman sana.
I was about to rush out of the room, grab my keys, and drive around the city looking for her, kahit saan, kahit sa kalsada, kahit sa opisina.
I am ready to go crazy searching, my imagination running wild with every dark scenario possible, until my eyes landed on a small, folded piece of paper resting on the bedside table, right where she usually placed her things.
Isang sulat.
I snatched it up immediately, my fingers trembling so hard I almost dropped it, as I unfolded it quickly. Her handwriting greeted me, neat, soft, and familiar, written in her usual style that always managed to make me smile even on the worst days. Buti na lang... buti na lang.
I looked at myself in the mirror above the dresser.
My hair was messy, my eyes were tired and rimmed with dark circles, parang puyat na puyat talaga, and my expression was worn out.
Ang pangit ko tignan. I looked exactly like someone who had spent the entire night staring at the ceiling, thinking of a thousand ways to keep the woman she loved alive and unharmed. Parang nawalan ako ng kulay.
Hindi pwedeng ganito lang. I told myself firmly as I stood up straight, wiping my face with my hands.
Hindi pwedeng umasa lang ako sa swerte o sa pag-iingat niya.
Hindi pwedeng umasa lang ako sa text niya na "okay lang ako".
Kailangan kong gawin ang lahat. Kailangan kong siguraduhin na kahit anong mangyari, kahit anong gawin nila, hindi madadamay si Iris.
I moved to the bathroom, turning on the shower and letting the warm water run down my skin, washing away the last traces of sleep and the cold dread that had settled deep in my bones.
Kailangan kong kumilos ngayon din. I took my time getting ready, though my mind was already fixed on the plan I had formulated while lying awake in the dark hours before dawn.
Wala nang ibang paraan. Ito na lang ang natitira. Every second counted now. Every decision mattered. I dressed in my usual sharp, professional attire crisp white blouse, tailored trousers, and a blazer that made me look every bit the composed, powerful businesswoman I needed to be today.
Kahit sa totoo lang ay parang babagsak na ako, kailangan kong magmukhang matatag. I pulled my hair back neatly, wiped the exhaustion from my face, and made sure I looked calm and collected, even if inside I was a mess of fear and determination.
I grabbed my bag, my phone, and her note folding it carefully and tucking it inside my wallet like a lucky charm before stepping out of my house and heading straight to my parking lot.
The drive across the city was fast and focused. I didn't stop for breakfast, didn't answer any work calls, didn't let anything distract me from where I was going.
Wala nang oras para sa iba. I knew exactly where I needed to be. There was only one place in the city that I trusted enough for this kind of job...Fortress Security Protection, the most prestigious, most trusted, and most elite private security firm in the country.
They handled VIPs, diplomats, high-profile businessmen, and people who needed absolute discretion and safety.
Their reputation was flawless, and their fees were high.
.. but right now, money was the last thing I cared about.
Kahit ubusin ko pa ang lahat ng meron ako, kahit mabaon pa ako sa utang, basta masiguro ko lang na ligtas siya, gagawin ko. Walang halong pag-aalinlangan.
When I pulled up in front of their building, it was sleek, modern, and imposing, located in one of the most secure districts of the city.
I walked in with long, purposeful strides, my heels clicking against the polished marble floor, my expression serious and unreadable.
The receptionist looked up immediately, surprised by my presence but professional as she greeted me.
"Good morning, Ma'am. How may we help you?"
"I need to speak to your head of operations or your chief security officer immediately," I said, my voice steady and authoritative. "This is a private and urgent matter. I am willing to wait, but I will not leave until I speak to someone in charge."
It didn't take long. Within ten minutes, I was escorted into a large, well-furnished office at the back of the building, where a man in his late fifties stood up to greet me.
Mr. Lorenzo, the director himself. He had a stern face, sharp eyes that missed nothing, and a presence that commanded respect. Ito 'yung taong kailangan ko.
"Ms. Zarya," he said, gesturing for me to sit. "I was informed you require our services. Please, tell me exactly what you need. We handle matters of all kinds here, strictly confidential. Walang lalabas na impormasyon mula rito."
I sat down across from him, placing my hands neatly on the desk, leaning forward slightly to show just how serious I was. There was no time for beating around the bush.
"Mr. Lorenzo, I need ten of your best, most highly trained operatives," I said clearly, my tone professional and firm.
"I want the ones with experience in close protection, surveillance, and discreet operations.
Walang baguhan, walang palusot. I need the best you have—'yung handang gawin ang lahat para sa kaligtasan ng inaalagaan nila. "
He raised an eyebrow slightly, taking notes on the pad in front of him. "Ten personnel? That is a significant detail, Ms. Zarya. May I know the nature of the assignment? And the duration?"
"Indefinite duration," I answered immediately.
Hangga't hindi tapos ang lahat, hangga't magulo pa ang lahat.
"And the nature of the job is simple but very specific.
I want these ten men assigned to protect one person.
One person only. But here is the most important condition, Mr. Lorenzo.
.. the person they are protecting must never know they are there. "
He paused, looking up from his notes, studying my face carefully.
"Discreet protection. Unseen security. That is a delicate task, Ma'am.
It means they will blend into the background, follow from a safe distance, monitor every move, be ready to intervene at a moment's notice, but never make their presence known.
Ganoon ba ang ibig ninyong sabihin?"
"Exactly," I said, nodding firmly. "She must feel like she is going about her normal life, completely alone, completely free.
Huwag na huwag ninyong hahayaang mapansin niya.
She must not suspect anything. She must not see them.
She must never have a clue that there are eyes watching her every second, ensuring that no harm comes her way.
Kung may kailangang tulungan, doon lang sila lalabas.
Pero kung wala... mananatili silang nakatago.
Parang anino lang sila, nandiyan pero hindi nakikita. "
I paused, swallowing the lump in my throat before continuing.
"She goes to work, they are there. She goes to meetings, they are there.
She drives anywhere, they follow, kahit saan siya pumunta, kasunod nila.
She goes home, they secure the perimeter.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Walang pahinga, walang kakulangan.
I want shifts arranged so that there are always two or three within immediate reach at all times, and the rest positioned strategically around her location.
I want routes monitored, locations checked, and every single person who comes too close to her observed.
Kung may kahina-hinala, kung may sumusunod, kung may sinumang susubok na lumapit nang masama.
.. pigilan ninyo sila. Agad. At hindi ko pakialam kung paano ninyo gagawin, basta't siguraduhin ninyong ligtas at walang galos siya. "
I don't care if I sounded like a psychopath dito, ang importante ay ligtas si Iris.
Mr. Lorenzo was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of what I was asking.
"You are asking for maximum security, Ms. Zarya, but completely covert.
This is the kind of detail we provide only to heads of state or people under serious threat.
May I ask... is this person in danger?"
I looked him straight in the eye, my expression hard and unwavering. "Yes, and I will do everything to make sure that danger never touches her skin. Kaya pakiusap... huwag na kayong magtanong ng mga bagay na hindi ko masasagot. Just tell me you can do this."
He didn't hesitate. He closed his notepad and stood up, extending his hand toward me.
"We can do this, Ms. Zarya. We have done this many times before.
Your requirements are strict, but we are the best for a reason.
We will select the team personally. They will be equipped with the best technology, vehicles, and communication systems. Walang makakalapit sa kanya nang hindi namin alam.
And as you requested... she will never know we are there. "
I shook his hand firmly, relief already starting to flood through me.
Salamat naman. "Good. I want them deployed today.
Today, Mr. Lorenzo. Hindi bukas, hindi mamaya.
.. ngayon na. As soon as we finish the paperwork and I provide her details, I want them in position.
I will pay whatever deposit you require, whatever the cost is.
Huwag ninyong isipin ang presyo, isipin ninyo lang ang kaligtasan niya.
Just make sure they start watching over her immediately. "
"Consider it done," he assured me. "We will have the team briefed and in place within the hour. You will receive regular updates, and you can contact me directly anytime you wish kahit anong oras, kahit gabi o umaga."
It took about 45 minutes to finalize everything, contracts, payments, giving them Iris's full name, her address, her office location, her usual routes, her car plate number, and every small detail they needed to track her perfectly.
Wala akong iniwan na detalye. I told them everything, because every little thing mattered when it came to her safety.
When I finally walked out of the building and back into the bright sunlight, I felt something I hadn't felt in days... peace.
A heavy, huge weight that had been sitting on my chest since the first message arrived finally lifted, just a little bit. I leaned against my car for a moment, closing my eyes and taking a deep, long breath. Sa wakas.
She didn't know it. She was probably sitting in a meeting right now, discussing with her clients.
completely unaware that ten highly trained, armed, and skilled men were already moving into position around her, surrounding her with an invisible wall of protection.
Wala siyang kaalam-alam. She had no idea that wherever she go, whatever she do, there were people watching over her, ready to step in and shield her from anything bad that tried to come near her.
She will be safe... a small, genuine smile finally touching my lips. Hindi na siya nag-iisa. Kahit hindi niya alam, nandiyan sila. Nandiyan sila para bantayan siya, para protektahan siya, para siguraduhing makakauwi siya nang ligtas palagi.
For the first time since this nightmare began, I felt at ease. I felt like I had done something real, something effective, something that actually made a difference.
Now, no matter what those people from Sterling or whoever was behind this tried to do... they would have to go through ten of the best security agents in the country first. Hindi sila basta-basta makakalapit. They would have to get past a team trained to protect lives at all costs.
I opened my eyes and looked up at the clear blue sky. My heart was still heavy with worry, yes, and the threat was still out there... but now, I knew she was safe. Now, I knew I had done everything humanly possible to keep her out of harm's way.
"Mahal kita, Iris," I whispered into the quiet air, my voice soft but filled with so much love and determination. "Gagawin ko ang lahat. Kahit anong kapalit, kahit gaano pa kahirap... sisiguraduhin kong wala kang masasaktan. Everything will be fine, my love. You're safe now."
I got back inside my car, started the engine, and drove away with a lighter heart. I still had to face the rest of this mess, I still had to fight the bidding war, I still had to find out exactly who was trying to use her against me... but now, I could face it all with a clear mind.
Because I knew, deep in my bones, that no matter what happened next... Iris was safe. And that was enough. That was everything I needed.
I felt a little lighter knowing she was protected, but the anxiety was still there. I fixed my blazer, smoothed my hair, and stepped out, walking in with that composed, professional stride everyone expected... even though deep down, wasak na wasak na ako sa loob.
When I opened the conference room door, he was already there.
He sat at the head of the long table, relaxed, legs crossed, one hand resting casually while the other held a thick folder. The lights reflected off his glasses, hiding his eyes, but I felt his gaze lock onto me the second I entered.
I walked in fast, heels clicking sharply, and immediately lowered my head in apology. I needed to look like a dedicated partner who just had a small hiccup... not a woman terrified for the life of the person she loved most.
"Mr. Sterling," I said, voice steady and clear even though my heart hammered hard against my ribs. "I am so sorry. I had an urgent matter to attend to earlier. I Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."
He didn't stand up. Just waved his hand dismissively, like my tardiness was nothing.
"Nothing, Miss Zarya. It's nothing at all," he replied smoothly, deep and calm.
"I understand perfectly. In this business, things happen.
Emergencies come up. We are used to it, aren't we?
Now... come, have a seat right here. Let's not waste any more time.
We have a lot to go over, and as you know.
..Mancano 10 giorni" (10 days left)
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat, and sat down across from him. I opened my files spreadsheets, maps, proposals covering the whole table.
For the next 3 hours, I forced every part of my brain to focus only on work. We went through every detail, projected costs, market value, possible counter-moves, legal permits, construction plans. He was sharp, asking hard questions, challenging every number, checking every source.
Every time he spoke, every time he mentioned the bidding, the weight pressed harder on my shoulders. Ten days. Just ten more days. Ten more days of pretending. Ten more days of danger. Ten more days of living in fear that someone would hurt Iris just to get to me.
Near the end, he closed his folder with a loud, satisfied snap and leaned back, eyes shining with pure ambition and absolute certainty.
"Ten more days to go, Miss Zarya," he said slowly, emphasizing every word like it was a promise... or a threat. "Ten days... and then, that land will be ours. Not Valenti, not anyone else. We will win that land. Mark my words."
"I know we will, Mr. Sterling," I answered, smiling a smile that never reached my eyes. "We are fully prepared."
"Yes, miss De Luca," he said, standing up and adjusting his coat. "Let's keep it that way. I'll be in touch tomorrow morning."
He shake his hands with mine, and walked out of my office. and the moment the heavy door clicked shut, I slumped back in my chair, letting out a breath I felt like I'd been holding for hours.
Silence filled the room. Sobrang tahimik, pero nakakabingi.
I rubbed my temples, exhaustion settling deep in my bones. Finally. That was done. Now I could go back to the only thing that really matters...Iris.
I reached for my phone on the table. Too busy during the meeting to check it, and as I unlocked the screen, I saw a message that came in three hours ago.
It was from the security company.
My heart skipped a beat, I leaned forward fast, fingers already trembling slightly. This was the update I waited for. This was the thing supposed to give me peace.
I read it once, twice, three times, just to be sure I wasn't dreaming.
And then... that massive, suffocating weight on my chest finally, finally lifted.
I let out a long, shaky, deep sigh of relief, shoulders sagging completely. My eyes closed, and for the first time in forever, my muscles relaxed. Ligtas siya.
It was real. Done. I hired the best, most discreet, most highly trained men in the country.
Ten of them. Ten guards, invisible to her eyes, surrounding her, protecting her, following every move nang hindi man lang siya naghihinala.
She was walking around, working, living her life.
.. completely unaware she was inside a fortress I hired just for her.
Thank God.
I rested my head back, staring at the ceiling, a small, genuine, tired smile forming.
Finally, I did something right. Finally, I found a way to protect her.
Now, no matter what they try to do, whoever they were, they had to go through ten elite guards first. They couldn't touch her.
Couldn't scare her. Couldn't hurt her.
Everything is going to be okay now. I told myself over and over, calm washing over me. Everything is fine. She is safe. Kaya ko na huminga ngayon.
I sat there a few more minutes, enjoying the silence and relief, letting my heartbeat slow down. I felt light, almost happy. Like I could finally face anything because I knew she was safe.
But then...
My phone buzzed again. Short. Sharp. Loud in the quiet room.
I looked down, and every drop of blood in my body turned ice cold in a split second.
That Unknown Number.
No name. No profile. Just that same number. The one that sent the photo. The one that threatened me. The one that turned my life into a nightmare.
My hands started shaking — violently, uncontrollably — nanginig ang buong katawan ko parang may lagnat, as I reached out and picked it up.
I didn't want to open it. Deep in my gut, I knew whatever was inside would destroy every bit of peace I just found.
But I couldn't stop myself. I pressed the screen, and the message opened.
Time stopped. The words blurred, but I read them again, and again, and again.
They know.
They know exactly how many I hired. Exactly what I did. Every single move I made.
And then... I snapped.
"FUCK! TANG INA!" I screamed, loud, raw, broken and with every ounce of strength and rage I had, I threw the phone across the room.
It flew, hit the wall with a deafening crack, and fell. I didn't care. Didn't even blink.
I stood up so fast my chair fell over backward with a loud crash, but I didn't hear it. All I heard was blood rushing in my ears, my heart pounding, the sound of my own sanity cracking apart.
HOW?! HOW DID THEY KNOW?!
I paced back and forth, hands gripping my hair, pulling hard, breathing in short, ragged, panicked gasps. I trembled so bad I could barely stand, and I just wanted to scream until my throat gave out. I felt like I was going to explode. Like I was going to lose my mind completely.
Ten highly trained men. Best security company. Top secret arrangements. Private payments. Sealed instructions. And they knew. Everything.
"Paano?! Paano nila nalaman lahat?!" I shouted at the empty room, voice cracking, high and desperate. "What do they want from me??!"
I walked to my desk and punched it hard. Once. Twice. Three times. Hit it with fists, palms, slammed my hands down over and over, not caring my knuckles turned red, stinging, bleeding. Physical pain was nothing compared to the agony tearing me apart inside.
I fucking don't know what to do! For fuck's sake! Wala na akong maisip na gagawin pa!
I felt so stupid. So useless. So weak.
I thought I won. Thought I outsmarted them. Thought I built a wall no one could break. But they just laughed. Watched me do it. Counted every man I hired. Then messaged me... just to show me it meant nothing.
Nothing I did was enough. Nothing could stop them. And that realization broke me.
My knees turned to jelly. I stumbled back, grabbing the desk edge to keep from falling, and that's when I felt it...hot, burning, stinging in my eyes.
I didn't even notice when the tears started. They just came fast, heavy, endless pouring down my cheeks, dripping on my shirt, on the floor. I didn't wipe them. I was too far gone. Completely out of sanity, consumed by rage, fear, frustration, absolute helplessness.
"What do I need to do?!" I sobbed, voice breaking, shaking my head over and over like trying to shake the thoughts out. "Do I really have nothing left to do para protektahan siya?!"
I was crying uncontrollably now, loud, ugly, heart wrenching sobs tearing from my throat. Everything hurt. My chest felt so tight, parang may nakadagan na mabigat na bato. I felt like drowning. Like suffocating. Every breath hurt. Every thought hurt.
I was still there, leaning over the desk, shoulders shaking violently, tears streaming, lost in misery, when the broken phone buzzed again.
Another message.
My blood ran cold again. Didn't want to look. Didn't want to know. But my body moved on its own. I walked slowly, legs heavy as lead, heart pounding like a drum, knelt down and picked up the shattered device.
Screen cracked, but still working, I could still read the words.
That was it. That was the final blow.
The rage now was different, darker, deeper, mixed with pure, raw pain.
I screamed, and threw the phone down again, harder this time, kicked it across the room until it hit the wall and stopped.
"ANO BA?!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, clutching my chest right over my heart because it felt like someone was squeezing it, crushing it, twisting it until I could barely breathe. "What do they want from me?! Ano pa bang kailangan kong gawin?"
It was him. Mr. Sterling. 100% sure now. He was behind everything. Watching me. Watching her. Testing me. Threatening me. And all he wanted was simple...for me to quit.
He wanted me to step back from the bidding. Give up the project. Lose. And he was using Iris to make me do it. Using the woman I loved as leverage, as a weapon, as a hostage.
And I couldn't do anything about it.
I slid down the desk until I sat on the floor, knees pulled up to my chest, arms wrapped tight around myself, crying so hard my whole body shook. Ang sakit-sakit na. Sobrang bigat na ng lahat. I felt like a little girl, scared and alone, trapped in a nightmare I couldn't wake up from.
"Why?"I thought, over and over. "Why us? Why can't we just be happy? Bakit hindi ko lang siya pwedeng mahalin nang payapa?"
After what felt like hours, I forced myself to move. Needed to see myself. Needed to see how broken I really was.
I stood on shaky legs and walked slowly to the tall mirror on the far wall.
And what I saw staring back... destroyed me even more.
My face was bright red, burning hot, swollen from crying so hard.
Eyes puffy, bloodshot, filled with so much pain and fear they looked like they belonged to a stranger.
Hair messy, sticking to wet cheeks and neck.
Lips trembling, jaw clenched tight to stop more screams. I looked wild.
Insane. Like someone who lost every single battle they ever fought.
Tears kept falling, one after another, tracing wet lines, and I didn't wipe them. Just stared at that broken reflection, and the questions kept coming, endless, unanswered, tearing me apart from inside out.
What else do I need to do? Ano pa bang kailangan kong gawin para lang maging ligtas siya talaga? How long do I have to keep suffering like this?
Gaano pa katagal bago matapos 'to? How long until I can finally feel safe? Gaano pa katagal bago kami maging masaya?
I just want to be happy. That's all I want. Why is it so much to ask?
I trembled again, hands sliding down the glass, and whispered, voice cracking and weak:
"FUCK... I fucking don't know what to do anymore. For fuck's sake... ano na bang gagawin ko?"
I am trapped.
If I stayed in the bidding, they would keep threatening her, keep hurting her, keep using her against me.
If I backed off... I lost everything I worked for, everything I built, everything I fought for... and my father's legacy.
And worse... how could I let her go?
How could I distance myself from the only person who made me feel alive? How could I push away the woman I loved more than life itself, just to keep her safe?
I looked at my reflection one last time...red, tear-stained, exhausted, broken, and completely out of sanity and sank down to the floor again, burying my face in my hands, crying harder than ever.
Everything hurts. Everything is a mess. And I don't know how to fix it.
I thought about the plan I have been thinking...I know this would be a big and risky decision to make. But for the best, gagawin ko. For the better, for her...for us.
Bahala na.