CHAPTER 6 Under The Blood Moon
Seraphine's POV:
TUESDAY AGAIN
Ang bilis ng araw parang nung Friday lang, pagod na pagod akong umuwi, tapos ngayon Tuesday na naman actually, may pasok ako kahapon, Pero biglang na message si Miss Stella.
Instagram notification :
Miss Stella:
Miss Reyes, don’t come tomorrow. Miss Greene will be joining Miss Walls for a two-day business meeting in Korea. Also, fix the papers and send them on Monday; I don’t like delays. Do your work at home, send the emails to Miss Greene, and come back on Tuesday. Take a rest and enjoy your weekend.
Yan yung message niya, oh. Diba? Parang naka 3 days sick leave pero may work pa rin, Hindi na ako nakatanggi dalawang araw din akong nagpapahinga.
Isa pa, hindi ko pa naaayos ulit yung passport ko, so goods na rin yun pero ngayon, ramdam ko talaga yung difference. Parang may bagong battery yung pagkatao ko. Alam mo yung iba yung energy ko today? Mas magaan yung pakiramdam parang may glow at ito ako ngayon papunta ako sa office nya.
Kakatok pa lang ako sa office ni Miss Walls para magbigay ng updates, Tuesday na. She just came back from Korea last night.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
Gano'n pa rin ang boses niya, Calm, Controlled, and Intimidating in a way na hindi mo ma-explain. Kahit ilang araw ko siyang hindi nakita, walang nagbago maganda parin pakinggan kahit nakakatakot.
Pagpasok ko, nandoon siya sa likod ng desk niya. Black blazer hair perfectly in place pero mas halata ngayon yung pagod sa ilalim ng mata niya-subtle lang, pero napansin ko.
" Welcome back, Ma'am." I said softly before I could stop myself, She looked up.
For a second just one second may flicker sa expression niya, Not surprise, Not exactly happiness, Something quieter.
"Yes, Miss Reyes." Professional as always.
Lumapit ako sa desk niya at inabot ang folder.
"Here are the revised contracts. I already sent the soft copies to Miss Greene last night, Ma'am." I said. She took it, our fingers brushing for half a second. Half a second, Pero parang masyadong matagal.
"Efficient as usual, Did anything urgent happen while I was away?" She said, flipping through the papers.
"Nothing I couldn't handle. Ma'am" I said. Confidentiality she glanced up at that there was that look again, Not boss to assistant, Something else.
"You handled it well," She said. I nodded.
"I tried."
A small silence settled between us, Hindi awkward pero may weight.
"You should sit," She added.
"Ma'am?"
"You look like you haven't slept properly either." She said. Napaupo ako nang hindi ko namamalayan.
"I slept."
"Not enough." She stood up from behind her desk.
Every time she moves closer, parang umiiba ang hangin sa paligid ko hindi siya aggressive hindi rin flirtatious pero may control siya sa space.
She stopped a few steps in front of me.
"Korea was exhausting, Too many meetings, Too many expectations." She said quietly. Hindi siya madalas mag-share ng ganito.
"You did well?" I asked before I could filter it, A faint curve touched her lips.
"Of course." She said. I smiled.
For the first time since I walked in, she looked less like the CEO everyone feared and more like a woman who just got back from a long trip.
"Did you miss the office, Ma'am?" Tanong ko, half teasing. She didn't answer immediately, Instead she held my gaze.
"I missed efficiency." She said softer-
My heart dropped.
"And routine." She added, Hindi ko alam kung bakit parang may ibang ibig sabihin.
"You could've rested today, Ma'am" Sabi ko.
"And let things pile up? You know me better than that." She raised an eyebrow.
Yes.
I do.
And that realization felt... intimate. Tumayo ako para umalis na.
"If there's nothing else, I'll-"
"Miss Reyes." Tawag nya huminto ako.
"Yes?"
She stepped closer again, This time mas malapit kaysa kanina, Close enough to notice the faint scent of her perfume. Close enough to see the slight tiredness in her eyes.
"Did you take care of everything while I was gone?"
"Yes."
"I meant," She corrected gently, "did you take care of yourself?"
My breath hitched. It was such a simple question, But from her? It felt like something else.
"I... did." She studied my face, as if checking if I was lying. Then, without breaking eye contact, she reached out-
And gently adjusted the collar of my blouse, Professional,and Innocent. But her fingers lingered a second too long.
"You look lighter, It suits you." She murmured. Heat rushed to my cheeks.
"Thank you, Miss Walls." There was a moment. Where neither of us moved, Where the distance between us felt thin. Then her hand dropped. She stepped back.
"Prepare the 3 PM briefing, And clear my afternoon after that." She said, tone back to controlled.
"Yes, ma'am." I turned to leave, but before I could open the door-
"Miss Reyes."I froze again.
"Yes?"
A pause. Then-
"Next time I travel... you're coming with me." My heart skipped.
"Understood." I left the room with my pulse louder than my heels against the floor. Paglabas ko ng office niya, napahinga ako nang malalim.
Almost lunch na rin kaya medyo chill na ang paligid tahimik na ang hallway, Yung iba nagkukumpulan na, yung iba nag-aaya na mag-cafeteria.
Kukunin ko lang sana bag ko sa desk ko tapos pupunta na ako sa cafeteria, Gutom na rin ako pero hindi pa ako nakakalayo sa office area nang-
"Amor." Tawag sakin ng kung sino napahinto ako at paglingon ko Mommy ni Collie.
Elegant as always, Simple lang suot niya pero may dating, Yung tipo ng tao na hindi mo kailangan tanungin kung mayaman o ano basta ramdam mo nalang.
"Are you going somewhere?" She asked softly.
"Wala po, lunch lang." Sagot ko.
"Come with me, Let's eat outside." Aya nya sakin. Outside? Libre?
"Don't worry, on me." She said again.
"Opo," Sagot ko agad syempre libre eh.
Pagkababa namin ng building, dumiretso agad kami sa sasakyan habang nasa biyahe tahimik lang.
Yung klase ng katahimikan na hindi awkward, Yung may background music na soft jazz tapos malamig yung aircon, Nakatingin lang ako sa labas ng bintana habang dinadaanan yung mga puno.
Then she spoke.
"You know, Amor... Collie is being louder and naughty again," She said calmly.
Napalingon ako sa kanya, medyo nagulat sa sinabi niya.
"Po?" Mahinahon kong tanong.
"For the first time in a very long time, bumabalik yung pagiging bata niya."
Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero may something sa tono niya. Parang may pinagdaanan. Parang may lungkot na matagal na niyang dala at ngayon lang unti-unting gumagaan. Hindi siya galit. Hindi rin siya nagrereklamo. Pero ramdam ko yung bigat sa likod ng mga salita niya.
"Masigla naman po si Collie nung una ko po siyang nakita," Mgumiti ako nang bahagya.
"She's not like that to other people. We're only a few who can make her smile and laugh again. She always talks about you," She said, smiling softly.
Sandali akong natahimik. Hindi ko agad alam kung anong isasagot ko. Hindi na rin ako nagtanong pa.
"Ganun po ba? Nakakatuwa naman po," Sabi ko na lang. Ayokong magmukhang chismosa o masyadong interesado.
I always have encounters with Collie, at kadalasan tawa lang kami nang tawa. Simpleng kwentuhan. Kulitan. Minsan asaran. Hindi ko inakalang may ibig sabihin pala yon sa kanya.
"She admires you. She talks a lot about you," She added, still smiling.
Ngumiti na lang din ako, Kahit sa loob-loob ko gusto kong malaman kung bakit naging ganun si Collie. Kung ano ang nangyari sa kanya noon. At kung bakit, sa dami ng tao sa paligid niya isa ako sa nakakapagpasaya sa kanya ulit.
Tahimik ang byahe pagkadating namin sa restaurant umupo agad kami.
Pagkatapos naming umorder, medyo gumaan na yung usapan namin. Nagkuwentuhan kami tungkol sa school ni Collie, sa hobbies niya, at sa mga random na bata moment niya. Natawa kami nang minsan ikwento ni Margaret kung paano raw nagtatampo si Collie kapag hindi nasusunod ang gusto niya.
"Mana po sa mommy," Biro ko. Napatawa siya.
"Siguro nga." She said. We both laugh.
"By the way just call me Margaret," Sabi niya bigla. Ngumiti ako.
"Po?"
"Margaret nalang, We're not in a board meeting." Ulit niya. Tumango ako, medyo kinakabahan. Okay. Margaret.
Sabay kaming napalingon sa pinto. Hindi ko alam bakit, pero sinundan ko yung tingin niya. At doon... pumasok si Miss Walls. Kasama ang boyfriend niya.
Hindi ko maipaliwanag, pero biglang nagbago yung vibe ng restaurant. Parang may invisible spotlight na tumama sa mesa namin, Awkward. Hindi ko alam kung ako lang ba yung nakakaramdam, pero parang ako yung center ng attention.
Yung boyfriend niya, napatingin sa akin saglit at ngumiti. Si Miss Walls naman... calm pero sharp ang mga tingin. Parang kaya niyang basahin lahat ng galaw ko sa isang tingin.
"Ah, nandito pala sila," Mahinang sabi ni Margaret.
"Po?" Tanong ko, medyo nagulat. Ngumiti siya sa akin. Casual lang, parang wala lang.
"Walls is my cousin," Dagdag niya. Magpinsan?! Parang sumabog sa utak ko yung realization.
Ibig sabihin connected silang lahat? Si Collie, si Miss Walls, si Margaret. Kaya pala familiar lahat sa office.
Biglang nag-flashback sa utak ko yung lahat ng interaction ko kay Collie kaya pala may blueprint siya.
Napansin kong papalapit sila sa table namin. Tumayo si Margaret.
"Walls." Tawag nya.
"Cousin," Sagot ni Miss Walls. Tapos lumingon siya sa akin.
"And you're here." Hindi tanong, statement.
"Invited po," Sagot ko, pilit na kalmado.
Yung boyfriend niya ngumiti.
"Oh, so this is Amor." This is Amor. Parang may laman yung tone ng boses niya-hindi ko ma-describe.
Umupo sila sa table, pero ramdam ko yung tension.
Paminsan-minsan, nahahawakan ng tingin niya yung akin.
Hindi ko maipaliwanag. At sa simpleng lunch na dapat libre at masaya, conscious na conscious ako sa bawat galaw ko, tipong bawat sipit at bawat ngiti dapat perfect.
Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero parang mas lumakas ang tunog ng kutsara ko sa plato.
Clink. Clink. Clink.
Parang bawat galaw ko may echo. Sa kabilang side, si Miss Walls at ang boyfriend niya, relaxed, composed, perfect as always.
Pero ramdam ko yung mata niya sa akin. Pag-angat ko ng tingin-sakto.
Hindi siya umiwas, hindi rin ako. Seconds passed.
One... two... three. Ako ang unang umiwas.
Ang kapal mo, Amor. Bakit ka nakikipagtitigan sa CEO mo?
"Are you okay?" Tanong ni Margaret, siguro napansin yung aura ko.
"Opo," Mabilis kong sagot, sabay inom ng tubig.
"Can we get another glass of water?" Narinig ko yung boses niya. Calm, Controlled. Pero may diin na hindi ko ma-explain.
Paglabas namin ng restaurant, nag-offer si Margaret na ihatid ako pabalik sa office. Pero bago kami tuluyang makalayo-
"Amor."
Bumalik yung pamilyar na lamig sa batok ko. Paglingon ko, nandoon siya. Mag-isa. Wala ang boyfriend.
"Yes, ma'am?"
She stepped closer, Professional distance. Pero bakit parang mas lapit?
"I didn't know you were close to my cousin."
"Hindi naman po masyado. She just invited me for lunch."
"For lunch," Ulit niya. Parang may ibang ibig sabihin sa tone niya.
"Is there a problem, ma'am?" Tanong ko carefully.
"You're part of my team."
"Yes."
"I prefer knowing who you spend time with." She said. Napakurap ako.
"Work-related po ba 'yon?"
"Everything is work-related when it concerns my people." My people. Hindi ko maintindihan bakit may kumirot sa dibdib ko. Hindi ko dapat iniisip 'yon. May boyfriend siya. CEO ko siya. Pero ramdam ko yung intensity, yung possessiveness, kahit hindi niya sinasabi.
"I'll give you a ride," Sabi niya bigla. Napalingon ako kay Margaret.
"Margaret is busy. Right?" Margaret just nodded.
"Bye, Amor." Sabi ni Margaret.
Tahimik kami buong biyahe. Mas tahimik pa sa lunch.
Pagbalik ko sa office, hindi ako makapag-focus. May shift sa vibe niya. Bandang hapon, pinatawag niya ako.
"You wanted to see me, ma'am?" Nakatayo siya sa may window. Tanaw ang city.
"Yes," Sagot niya. Lumapit ako.
"I've noticed something," Sabi niya.
Heart skipped.
"Po?"
"You're different today."
"Different?"
"You look... lighter."
Hindi ko alam kung compliment ba 'yon o observation lang.
"I rested for two days po." I said. She nodded slowly.
"Good."
Silence, mabigat. Parang may gustong sabihin pero pinipigilan.
"Amor."
"Yes, ma'am?"
"If anyone makes you uncomfortable even unintentionally you tell me."
Napatigil ako.
"Uncomfortable po?"
"Like earlier." Ahh. Napansin niya.
"Hindi po ako uncomfortable." Half-true. Mas uncomfortable ako sa presence niya kaysa sa boyfriend niya. Sa paraan ng pagtitig, sa paraan ng paglapit, sa paraan ng my people.
She stepped closer. Hindi ko alam kung sinasadya o natural lang sa kanya.
"Good," Sabi niya softly. At sa split second-hindi CEO ang kaharap ko. Hindi boss. Kundi isang taong may gustong itanong pero hindi puwedeng itanong.
Our eyes met again.
Mas matagal.
Mas tahimik.
Mas delikado.
Then she stepped back.
"You may go." Professional ulit. Parang walang nangyari. Pero habang palabas ako ng office niya, ramdam ko pa rin yung titig niya sa likod ko. The whole afternoon puro papers kaharap ko.
Pagod na pagod ako.
The kind of pagod na parang pati kaluluwa mo nag-overtime. I checked my phone 6:37 PM. Late na naman ako makakauwi nito.
"Grabe, Amor alipin ka ba ng kumpanya?" Bulong ko sa sarili ko habang naglalakad papuntang parking lot.
All I wanted was a hot shower, oversized shirt, at tulog na walang alarm Pero siyempre hindi kumpleto ang buhay ko kung walang plot twist.
Pagdating ko sa kotse ko, doon ko nakita ang flat tire ko as in flat na flat. Nakadikit na halos sa semento.
"Wow," Tumawa ako nang pilit. "Universe, ikaw ba to?" Huminga ako nang malalim at kinuha ang phone ko para mag-book ng cab.
"Car problem?" Napahinto ako.
That voice Malalim, Calm, and Controlled. Paglingon ko, nandoon siya. Leaning casually against her black car.
Si Miss Walls in her white polo sleeves rolled up her hair quite straight today. Effortlessly intimidating.
"Ah... yes po. Flat tire." I tried to sound professional, casual or sabihin nalang natin na normal. She walked closer, heels clicking against the concrete.
"I can drive you home." She said.
Ang bilis nanaman ng tibok ng puso ko.
"Hala, no need po. I can manage-"
"It's late, Come." She cut in gently.
Hindi siya nagtatanong she was offering na but it felt like an order so I nodded and go with her.
"Okay po."
Habang nasa daan sobrang tahimik namin. The kind of silence na maririnig mo yung sarili mong paghinga.
I sat sa passenger seat, hands clasped sa lap ko. She was driving, focused, jaw slightly tight.
I hate silence. So of course... I tried.
"Alam niyo po, first time kong ma-flatan ng gulong. Feeling ko rite of passage to ng adulthood." I chuckled awkwardly.
She didn't look at me.
"Is that so?"
"Maybe next time engine failure naman para kumpleto set." Dagdag ko. pero wala parin she was silence.
Abort joke mission.
I looked outside the window, Wait. This wasn't the usual route papunta sa bahay ko.
"Uh... Miss Walls?" I glanced at her. "Parang hindi po ito papuntang-"
"I want to see something." She said.
I just blinked and Nod.
"...Okay po." Sabi ko nalang
Kung sino man ang nag-control ng utak ko that moment, pakibalik. Bakit ako pumayag agad?
After ilang minutes, we stopped.
We were on top of a field not too high, but high enough to see the city lights glowing below like fallen stars. Mahina pero malamig ang hangin at amoy damo napaka tahimik ng mundo mula dito sa kinakatayuan namin.
Lumabas siya ng kotse kaya sumunod ako. She looked up at the sky.
"Almost time," She murmured.
I followed her gaze at doon ko nakita.
The moon slowly turning red.
Deep, Burning, Beautiful Moon
"Lunar eclipse..." I whispered.
The Blood Moon.
Parang may kung anong humigpit sa dibdib ko. Katahimikan ulit ang bumabalot sa aming dalawa.
Pero this time, the silence felt heavy.
Miss Walls wasn't looking at me.
She was staring at the moon like it held memories. Like it held someone.
Then she whispered enough for me to hear.
"This is my fourth lunar eclipse without you. my love." She said. Soft, Almost breaking. Nanlambot ang tuhod ko.
I don't know if it's just me, pero parang may luha akong nakita sa mga mata niya.
She suddenly turned her face to the other side. As if she didn't want me to see. As if she wiped something away before looking back at the moon. She kept her face neutral and controlled.
Magaling siya doon that's what I noticed about her magaling siyang magtago.
I watched her profile instead of the moon. The way her eyes reflected the red light. The way her jaw clenched..The way her fingers curled slightly as if holding on to something invisible.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" She asked, still looking up.
"Mm." I nodded. "She is." Pero hindi yung moon ang tinitingnan ko. Siya.
"Your first?" She asked, finally glancing at me. For a second, nag-meet ang mga mata namin.
"Yes," I said before looking back at the moon. My voice came out softer than I intended.
"It's overwhelming," I added quietly. Crossing my arms.
"Overwhelming how?" She asked. I could feel her eyes on me, so I looked back.
I hesitated.
"Like... you're witnessing something that doesn't happen often. And you don't know if you're lucky or just... passing by."
Her gaze lingered.
"Some things are meant to be witnessed with someone." She said slowly,
"Did you... used to watch this with him?" I asked before I could stop myself.
She inhaled sharply. I know that she knows what I'm talking about.
"Yes." One word. Pero parang buong kwento ang dala.
"He loved the moon," Miss Walls continued.
"He said it reminded him that even when you're in the dark, you still shine... differently." She said. And for the first time that night, I saw her smile genuinely, soft but kinda painful.
"And now?" I asked.
"And now," She smiled faintly, eyes still red from the moonlight,
"I watch it alone."
"Not tonight," I whispered before thinking. She looked at me. And something shifted.
"Thank you," She said.
"Miss Walls" I said quietly. I swallowed.
This is it. If I don't say it now, I never will.
"Yes?"
"I think l like you." The words escaped, clear, terrifying. Her eyes widened slightly.
"Amor"
"I know," I rushed, heart pounding.
"I know you're still healing. I know I shouldn't feel this way. But I do. I tried not to. I tried to ignore it every time you look at me like I matter." Silence. The moon above us glowed deeper red.
"You don't understand what you're stepping into," She said softly.
"Then let me," I replied.
"Let me stay. I'm not asking you to forget him. I'm just asking... if I can stand beside you." Her hand slowly lifted. For a second, I thought she would pull away. But instead, her fingers brushed against mine
"You're dangerous," She whispered.
"Why?"
"Because for the first time in years... I don't feel alone." She said. My chest tightened. The moon slowly began turning silver again. The red fading. She squeezed my hand. And I thought-
Maybe this is the beginning.
"Amor?" She say my name. I blinked.
Miss Walls was still standing beside me.
Her hands were by her side.
She was still looking at the moon.
She never touched me.
"I said," She repeated softly, "Thank you" My throat suddenly felt tight.
"No problem. Miss walls." That was all I said.
I never confessed.
I never told her I like her.
I never asked to stay.
Ano ba, Amor?
Ano bang iniisip mo? Mali 'to.
Ilang linggo pa lang kayo magkakilala.
Okay ka lang ba, self?
I just stood there beside her while the red moon slowly faded away. Unti-unting bumalik sa dati ang kulay ng langit. Parang walang nangyaring kakaiba. Parang walang muntik na masabi.
We both watched the beautiful luna in silence.
After that, she drove me home.
Tahimik pa rin ang biyahe.
But this time, mas maingay ang utak ko kaysa sa mundo sa labas. The whole ride, iisa lang ang iniisip ko- What if I actually said it?
Do I really like her?
Happy crush lang ba 'to?
Infatuation?
Love at first sight?
Or am I just confusing admiration with something deeper?
Napabuntong-hininga ako habang nakatingin sa bintana ng kotse niya. At the end of t