I couldn't even thank the woman who greeted me, I just left and vowed never to come back. I almost hurt myself as I walked out of the building, a mixture of embarrassment and frustration was felt. If I deny that I was not affected by our meeting that is a big lie. He looks so well, as if I’m the only one who’s been miserable these past few years.

And it pained my heart, to think that he was fine and seemed to have forgotten that while I was still left with the wound of yesterday. I'm not being irrational but I think it's true, that games and big nonsense are just past us. I’m the only one affected by it and I’m the only one who can’t forget it. He's fine now. That's enough for me to know. Going back to the unit, I cried so bad. I cried until I felt like I was wasting tears.

"Auntie, find me someone else."

"Why? What's wrong? Have you gone yet? I've already set an appointment-"

"Yes, just find another."

I narrowed my eyes as I leaned on the head board of the bed here at Lourd's condo. I felt the soreness of my body, I didn't do any activity all day but I felt very tired.

"But hija, that's all I've seen capable of handling--"

"Please! Lourd's brother is the CEO of that company tita!"

I sighed. The line is quiet. I didn't mean to shout at her. He was not at fault because most likely if he knew Levi was the CEO of that company he wouldn’t have suggested that to me. She doesn’t know anything about me and Levi, all she knows is the issue of my brother in that family.

"Sorry, I didn't know. I'll send another address."

What he said calmed my mind. I massage my temple while talking to her about my errands today and my issue. He just preached to me and said goodbye afterwards. There are also some text that I haven't replied yet, so I have already answered them. I’ve caught my brother surprisingly because I’m not bombarded with calls or texts.

I was about to say that I met his brother today but I think It will be better if I don't say it. I will also look for another company and we will not meet again. I don’t want to exaggerate that thing anymore. My only prayer was that the news would not reach his mother because I did not know what could have happened. I lighted a candle to help myself ease the stress I'm feeling.

I tried to concentrate on good things, I repeatedly mentioned the things I was grateful for. Whenever I'm feeling sad and being eaten by anxiety I always do this routine. It is true that if you are sad, no one can help you but yourself. That's why it's important to find happiness within yourself and not to other people. For the latter you also know what will make you happy whenever sadness engulfs you. After a few minutes of relaxing I decided to search for the address that tita Matilda sent me.

I already know the backgrounds of the companies and maybe I can see another Vidalio in them. Gladly, I didn’t see any Vidalio. VREC I went back to the name of the company I had gone to earlier to answer the questions in my mind. I searched for it and some results came out there. I close my eyes emphatically when I see what those letters mean.

Vida Real Estate Company. Great. I'm so dumb. Only a few letters were removed and Vidalio meant it. My lips are twitching reading some of the articles about that company. VREC, it was launch 3 years ago. Some of the statements I read were just all about how this company is rising and climbing to the top in just a span of years. It is new but it is well known and looked up to.

No wonder, the Vidalio group of hotels are one of the well known estates of this day so if Levi is the owner of this new company it is no wonder. Some of the articles about him are wholesome. Thrifty and just about often he manages his established company. I tried to dig more into it, but I also didn’t find what I was looking for. I can't believe I'm just seeing it all now, a few years ago. He's an intimidating successful business man before but now, he's out of reach. The more he couldn't reach. And in those past years, it’s obvious that he probably had someone in life while I’m away.

Damn, I was never a part of him probably, I'm just assuming. Why do I even need to know if he has a girlfriend or is he married? I shifted my gaze to the cellphone next to me. He said he'll call me, or maybe his secretary. Yeah, I should stop expecting anything from him. Whatever we have you have long since finished. He seems to be happy with what he is achieving in life, I'm ... happy for him.

I woke up late the next day, what time did I fall asleep again last night, I was just rolling around in bed and didn't know what to do, my eyes just hurt because my mind was wide awake. I visited a few units I was scheduled to visit. Life is not hard in New York, I've earned just enough for my needs because I can't spend money there. I also receive a lot of financial support from the company, and of course all my hard work from tons of projects are paid for. I never know that I could have that much on my bank.

Then a simple life was enough for me, it's still the same today. So now that I have something to provide for what I have worked for, maybe it is not bad to reduce it a little.

"This is nice."

Out of all the units I’ve visited, the latter is the one I liked the most. It's not that grand for a single person, it has 2 rooms and it was simple and fully furnished, the walls are white, the. ceilings are high and it's modern. The masters bedroom has its own glass walk in closet.

The accent are touch of dust pink, the furniture are gray. One thing I realize is the interior is not that common, can't help but to admire the interior designer of this building. There's no veranda but I'm happy with the large wall windows, anything as long as I can see the size of the city is fine with me. I can imagine the look of this unit with plants, definitely more comfortable to the eye. We had a good conversation with the agent, I just have to wait for a week and I can move in.

This is how fast when you hold the ace, unlike the island back then. Mom and Dad still have to kneel down just so we won't be sent away, they still have to disappear ... just to fight for that island.

They might look like they've lost because they lost without winning the match, but they're together. There is no equal there. I was in the middle of contract signing when my phone rang. It was from an unknown number. My forehead furrowed, unknown number? I don't just give my number because it's my personal number. If it is a client, it will contact Aunt Matilda. I excused myself from the agents and answered the call. I looked at the entire city in the tall and wide mirror of the unit.

"Hi, this is Cyreese Suarez speaking."

I heard a sigh from the other line. I looked at the screen again because I didn't hear anything from it. I went back to my ear.

"This is Levi."

My cheeks turned cold hearing his voice. My jaw dropped when I realized that I had given him my number yesterday. But I thought her secretary will call me?

"Just ... About your internship."

He cleared his throat. My spirit was awakened by what I heard.

"U-uh, yeah! Yes? W-why?"

Why can't I even do this right?

"We have an available position for your application."

I close my eyes tightly, it is very difficult for me to hear his voice. It sounds deep and husky, just like how it sounds before. It feels nostalgic and it's digging deep into my soul.

"Do you have time? You can drop by to our building and settle this matter."

I bit my lip.

No! I just gave my number because I want to get out of there and not to enter his company. What do I do now that he's the one calling me and confirming my application? I searched for the words and I didn’t know what to say, would I refuse? I just let him think that I'm going but I won't really show up? I heard some breathing and shrug from the other line. I went back to trance.

"I have a schedule."

Schedule? Where did that come from? You have no job! The other line was quiet, my teeth bit my lip hard. Liar Ava! Liar!

"Then when is your free time? We can just meet and ..."

My heart boom real hard. Definitely no! I refused because I didn’t want to go to his company, clearly because I didn’t want to see him. And now that I've lied for that is even worse what he wants to happen? Now I know why it is bad to lie. Karma returns to you worse.

"I'm not sure yet ..."

I turned to the two agents who were talking. I smiled at them as if I wasn't buried because of what I was talking about.

"Oh." I just nodded. All I could hear was breathing.

"Okay ..."

"Thank you."

Fast forward to 4 o'clock I turned off the call, did I sound rude? No? But what he said was okay- ending the conversation, isn't that also goodbye? And do CEOs really have the one to call their intern? Ugh! I settled all the paper works for the unit, before I went home to Lourd's unit I went through the company again to hear any updates regarding the issue.

"Are you free this Friday? Join me at the salon, Jade is kind of- you know, busy with her man."

Sorry Olivia said. Olivia is a good friend of mine. Not only is Lucy and I close but we're pretty close, I also know her best friend Jade. Which I find amazing, because I remember back then that he and his wife went to Mar De Vena. I only realized that, because he looked so young then. I just didn't tell him because it didn't matter anymore.

After some updates from her mother, here she is, teasing me. Earlier, Ma'am Evangelista reprimanded her because she was completely mean to me while I was also talking to the IT who was hired for this matter. Olivia is two years older than me, the same age as Lucy. When she's in New York they would always pursue me to come with them whenever they have night outs.

I'm going but I just can't, that's not the night out I had in mind. There was even a time when I just locked myself in the rest room of the bar we went to. They would always make me drink liquors, I tasted it once and I never did it again. I'm fine being alone and enjoying tranquility. Lucy and I have a good temper.

"All right, I still don't have a job and classes."

She cried and even hugged me as if that was the happiest thing that had happened in her life. Her energy, I can't argue with that. He told me a lot more, as well as other models we both knew that he hated, he told me. I just nodded at what he was saying, I'm used to the two of them and Lucy, if it was here now the story of the two of them would probably be eternal again.

She laid the plans she has for Friday, she invited me to go to the salon too, as well as her other skin appointments. I just said that I will think about it because I am not the type who likes to give time to my external appearance. I don't even know if I have something to enhance, besides I'm fine being simple.

"Tell that bitch to come back here! She's been out for 4 months already!"

"She's with Lourd." I moved a few pages of the magazine I saw here in her mommy’s office.

"Lourd, Lourd, Lourd! Lourd again! They're just the same as Jade, so thirsty for dcks !." She made face.

My eyes widened at what he said and looked at the people here, I don't think he heard. Her mouth ...

"That's why I'm not in the thought of falling in love. You won't even realize that it's slowly changing you. I don't like the thought of surrendering your all just because you love that certain person. Duh."

He struggled in the air. I stopped at what he said. He knows the story of his friend trying to chase after a man who is also known here in the country. Lucy the Lourd? They are fine now but just like her friend Jade, Lucy also chased after Lourd when she was young. Like ... she just hit some point on that.

"If that's true love, why are you the only one who loves?" She asked.

"If that's true love, why are you the only one hurting? Its 21st century. They're too outdated to be martyrs."

Straight from the heart it hit me. She just spoke all my unsaid thoughts. That love, changed me a lot, I didn't even realize that it had changed me. When you love, there is a feeling that you are willing to give up everything because you think that is the right thing to do. You surrender everything even you have nothing left anymore.

You will give wholeheartedly, the trust and emotion you have spent. But love is not a one way street. If that is true love, why are you the only one who loves? Why are you the only one capable of surrendering yourself and resisting? Why would you settle yourself alone in a battle? Is your sacrifice worth to die for? Is that battle worth to fight for? Or maybe you're fighting the wrong person.

It's hard. Our creator surely knows how to discipline his children. You have to know if it's the right person or just the wrong time, or the wrong time and then just the wrong person. 

I rubbed my forehead when I went to the last company on the list given to me by aunt Matilda. Third company and all of that has him — his reason why they won’t accept. Either there's no available slot for me, or the information they're still receiving is outdated. I always call Aunt Matilda whenever I fail at the company I go to. He has nothing else to give me, so here it is and my head hurts.

"Okay, I'll just take care of this aunt. I'm sorry."

"Sorry hija, I'm really taking care of a lot here, those were the only companies I know."

I also don't want my aunt to be bothered because I know she also has a lot of work. It's for my internship and it's only natural that I should take care of it, why do I still rely on others? I spent the whole day re-researching the company, but of course, when destiny plays you there is nothing you can do. I stumbled upon two choices, either I won't intern. Or I'll play with the dangerous fire taking the risk. If I stop, time will be wasted.

It's only been a year and it's okay, I'll leave the modeling industry. But at the same time I can't just take the risk, I have to think not only of myself but also of my brother. It is not impossible to reach his family that I have returned to the Philippines and what is worse is that I will still work under their son's management.

I let out a big sigh. I've never been torn like this in my entire life. It is difficult to decide even though the choice is both important. I stared at the number who called me last time. Is this his personal number? Or maybe his business number? I don't know. Will I call and say I will proceed with the application? Oh no. I'll just go there and find their HR so that's what I can talk to.

Yeah, definitely. To make sure that with the size of that company, our paths will never meet again, I am just an intern and I am not his regular employee. The next day, that’s what happened. I ate my own skepticism and headed to the VREC Building. I even assured myself on not meeting him today because if that happens I will not really continue. If their HR or anyone else will assist me is better. Just don't let him. Wearing a mid-calf nude slim jumpsuit, I paired it with my one and only black talons.

For some reasons, I had time to put light make up, well ... I kind of had time so ... yeah. I always looked around at the people I would meet as I walked down the hallways of the building, as if some were stopping to look at me, making me uncomfortable. I don't know if it's normal, but for as long as I can remember, people here didn't think of me like this when I last went. I walked over to the clerk's desk and when I stopped in front of them they were gently startled. The smile I gave was raw.

"Uhm, I don't have an appointment but I was informed to go back here-"

"On the 40th floor, ma'am? For Mr. President?"

My eyes widened and I was confused inwardly. I raised my hand and denied what he had promised. I breathed a laugh.

"No, uhm, can it be just HR or those who handle Interns?"

The woman's judgmental eyes shifted to hers, the eyes seemed to have a conversation causing me to be even more uncomfortable. It called the phone and whispered the trembling of my heart, this is my last call, if I am not accepted here it will be up to you.

"Mrs. Madrigal is still on a meeting. She's on the 23rd floor ma'am."

The pressure on my chest slightly loosen, that means ...

"Then I can wait, where can I wait?"

"You can just proceed on the 23rd floor ma'am."

I almost celebrate what he said.

"Thank you, thank you so much." I smiled at her but her faint smile says otherwise. I just didn't pay attention to that, you can't please everybody. You also have the problem if you are affected. I entered the lift and I can't wipe of the slight hope in my face. Floor 23, far away from the 40th floor he occupies. I don't know if we will ever meet again.

"What floor miss?"

Asked a man, wearing a casual clothes and holding a cup of Ice coffee.

"23."

"Oh, you're 23 too?"

I noticed the sincere smile he gave me. Other than what the woman in the lobby showed me earlier. I just nodded slowly at him. There are only two of us here in the elevator, he seems friendly and warm. Somehow my nervousness was dispelled because of the stares that people had given me earlier.

"What are you doing on our floor? Are you from here, or visiting someone?" I was taken a back when he started a conversation but it wasn't that bad.

"I have a purpose in HR." He frowned at what I said.

"But that's not the HR floor."

I gasped at his statement. Was what the woman told me wrong? He tilted his head and seemed to be thinking.

"Ah, maybe because of the company meeting."

My eyes lit up at what he said and I nodded slightly as well.

"That's what they told me in the lobby."

"Oh, you have an accent." He pointed at me and he smiled. My cheeks warmed at what he said. I stayed in New York for 4 years, I can't help it. I just bent down and avoided looking at him, I was shy to respond so I looked at him again when I heard his little laugh.

"I'm Steve." I looked at the hand he held out to me. I accepted it without hesitation.

"I'm a Section Chief." Obviously he works here.

"Cyreese. I'm applying for internship." His lips parted.

"The reason why you're not familiar, and with that outfit, you won't fit on our floor." I paled at what he said. He must have seen how I reacted.

"Oh nonono! Don't get me wrong, you're more suitable on the 40th floor. You look like an elite model."

My lips parted at what he said, okay, it's a good thing. This person does not know me. The elevator tings and I am stunned by what he said. He unfolded the open elevator and led me out first. I looked at what I was wearing and I couldn’t help but be self -conscious.

The floor is quite busy. Three rows of wings and busy people. They are quiet and have her-her world. Only a few were distracted as we exited the elevator.

"Hey Cyreese, you can sit here and wait, Mrs. Madrigal is still in the conference room." I smiled at him.

I couldn’t help but rejoice at the reception he made. He said goodbye to me and headed to the left wing of the hallway. In the distance I could still see him winking at me before he sat down in his cell and I never saw him again. Numb, I am used to the kind of attention given to me. That's their norm. I made myself comfortable in the long sofa given in the space at the side of this floor. I feel a little relieved. This is not bad after all. I waited a few minutes and the surroundings became a bit noisy. There were people coming out where that was coming from in the right aisle.

That's probably the conference room Steve was talking about earlier. Some look at me every time they see me before going straight to the elevator, and others don't seem to be talking to their peers. After a while a middle age woman approached me.

"Were you the one the lobby called me earlier?"

I quickly stood up and immediately I towered over her. I'm not tall but maybe because of the heels I'm wearing.

"Yes please." She warmly smiled at me and state some instructions.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, but come let's proceed on my floor."

I nodded and slowly followed him but he stopped and stepped aside. I stopped due to confusion, I stared at him lying on one side while I was still on the road. Our eyes met and it gently bewilderedly pulled me to the side towards his side. The smile he gave behind me was raw. My white bag swayed because of what she did. I looked back at the path of his gaze and almost dropped my jaw at what I saw. A group of corporate men walking so proudly, not after the greetings of those who had previously been just quietly working in their cell. My breath hitched looking at the man in front.

His eyes are dark and he’s looking so intimidating with his corporate attire walking so proudly in this hall, on her side is a slender woman wearing a fitted red tube dress, her hair is short and she has a big smile while talking to him. Like the whole world has slowed down, the sluggish caress of the woman on his arm could not escape my sight and was followed by the laughter of the two of them.

I just want to disappear suddenly because I'm sure they'll pass by here because they're going to the Elevator. And obviously! I don't want him to see me. Damn. Instead of avoiding my gaze, I can't even take my eyes off the woman next to him, is she his girlfriend? Wife? Oh yeah, what do I care? Her lips are fuller and she is busty, really perfectly curved and you have nothing to blame. I gulped the swollen pressure on my throat, unfamiliar heat on my face started to build up. I have yet to determine what. I closed my eyes tightly and when I opened my eyes our eyes met.

I saw a hint of amusement and puzzlement in his eyes, his lips parted but he just continued on his walk. For some reason I was so annoyed to see him now, so I'm not sure why my eyes seemed to roll when I avoided looking at him. Damn, what makes me angry? I just dropped my gaze when they passed us, the woman's soft voice was like iron clinking in my hearing, I started to get pissed just by hearing her soft laugh plus the man next to her. Until the elevator closed I didn’t look back. Because why would I?

"Sorry, we have to take the lift after the President take it."

Sorry Mrs. Madrigal. Something inside my stomach splashed like an ice cold, the more I felt how far he was, then in Mar De Vena it was hard for him to reach, especially now in the world he leads. It was very different from my world back then in Mar De Vena, so why did I believe him back then that we felt the same way. He clearly just want something from me, ang it was for his family and not because he reciprocated my feelings. If I have to deal with this for months then so be it. He doesn't seem to care anymore, he seems to have forgotten everything.

The way he smiled talking to the woman beside her gives a conclusion that he doesn't care about my presence at all cause he's happy and contented. I was the only one buried in yesterday's wound. My first week in that company was great, I thought I would suffer entering there but I didn't. At least once our paths never met again in that building which leads me to an assurance that it’ll be like that the whole time. I'm an intern, the President doesn't need anything from me so why would our paths meet?