*Unexpected turn of event*

Ria didn't know how she managed to go to the office.

She only remembers, telling Mrs.Daisy to take care of herself.

Next thing she knew she was already sitting on her chair staring at her small potted cactus plant astounded.

Her mind was in chaos, too many things to rethink and she knew she had to plan everything carefully.

Especially now that she's alone again and has nobody to lean on.

She felt like she went back from the very start.

The dejavu she's feeling right now made her a heavy sigh.

" Fine! There's a benefit also for being alone.." she tried to pacify herself.

A few minutes later she heard Ms. Jen calling for her.

She immediately knows it's time to face her boss. She felt nervous but told herself not to waver and stay focused. A muddlehead will not bring her anywhere so she stood up and took the documents Mr. Cuenca gave to her yesterday.

When she passed in Secretary Jen's office she knocked on her table and the latter gave her a timid smile. She smiled back and motion in hand that's she's going, Ms. Jen nodded her head and went back to her desktop typing on the keyboard at a fast pace. Anyone who would see her will surely admire her dedication to her work.

Still a bit uneasy, she took in and out deep breaths to ease the twirling tension going around her tummy. Today in a span of a few hours she can't believe she experienced too many things. The fact that she turns out as Micheals mistress makes her want to vomit. She can't accept the awful feeling of having a relationship with a married man. If only she knows. How many women have fallen victim to this kind of scheme from a man? She doesn't want to generalise it but it sure as hell unfair especially if an innocent girl or woman is involved. Though there is also someone of the opposite gender who does cheating but still deceiving others can really cause a huge impact emotionally and mentaly. The fact that she gave her purity, trust, and love to him but in the end she only got hateful words and a feeling of indignation.

She felt so stupid of herself! She really wanted to break down, to cry till her body went numb and there's no more tears to shed. Her soul feels empty like it's in an abyss of darkness. Her dream and her love, was just thrown in the bin just like that!

Although now she can get a chance to prove her worth but the price to pay for it is so big if she doesn't have a strong will to survive she thinks she won't be here anymore.

This just proves that this world is filled with everything!

Cruelty, love, un loyalty, desperation, hunger for money and fame.

People are indeed imperfect.

She felt victimized by Michael but she can't blame it all on him.

In her mind, she's admitted that a part of this fiasco is also her fault.

She was too naive to believe there are still good honest men in this world and the fact that she didn't even investigate him for safety precaution was her big mistake.

There are some flaws but she turns a blind eye to this. If she looked thoroughly into it, maybe just maybe she would have caught him much earlier than two and half years!

She felt a new wave of headaches coming in.

She fisted her free hand and avert her mind to the task that she needs to do today.

Throw all the negative thoughts away.

Be professional.

You can do this Ria!

You're strong!

You're brave!

She keeps on uttering those words until she reaches the elevator going one floor up. Her boss likes to be alone most of the time so Secretary Jen stays one floor lower than him.

All of her colleagues have their own small office; she is the only one without it.

They just gave her a table and a chair in the corner next to a decorated yellow-green snake plant. It was very unfair, but because she doesn't have any real identity in the office, she can't complain about it. She was already happy to see the office room of the interior design team. She would sometimes imagine herself pointing a stick or using a laser to point out the detailed map and blueprints taped on the whiteboard projected on the wall. It just saddens her sometimes when they notice that she's glancing at them while they tackle a task, some would close the blinds so she won't see what they are doing. If it happened, She would only smile and think of them acting very childish.

Even though she can see it through the glass wall, the room is soundproof and she isn't blessed to read words coming out through their mouth without hearing it.

The ding sound of the elevator brought Ria back to reality.

She quickly walks to her boss's office door, she knocks twice but her brows furrowed when she heard a woman's voice inside. It seems like they are arguing. One moment later she was a bit startled when saw the door swing open . She quickly stepped aside and bowed her head when she saw Ms. Cindy Cuenca the head of the interior design team, based on her observation Ms. Cindy is fuming with anger.

"So this woman here is the one you appointed to this task?" Ms. Cindy crosses the distance between them tilting Ria's chin with force.

"I'll tell you what bitch, remember my face well because this might be the last time you would see me. You're just a nobody in this company. Don't think for a moment that your dirty tricks will succeed." Hearing how Ms. Cindy looked down on her. She slapped her hands off from her chin. They can despise her for all she cared. But no one is allowed to hurt her physically. Last night was enough! Ms. Cindy was shocked by what she did and took one step backward while holding her reddened hand. Based on rumors around the company that she heard about Ms. Cindy's attitude towards other people. She's the type of person who used her position and connection to step on others. Especially to a new employee like her. That surprised look says everything. It might be her first time to experience that someone would dare fight back against her or worst physically return back what she did. Well, today she chooses the wrong one to mess with. She took one step closer to Ms. Cindy and says.

" I may be nobody in this company and I know you look so tiny of me Ms. Cindy but I never step nor degrade others just because I'm angry. Please excuse me, I have an appointment with Mr. Charles." Ria saw how Ms. Cindy's face turned reddish like at any moment she would explode in anger. But just by luck, her boss caught a glimpse of what was about to happen so he quickly stood up and ordered her to go in.

"Ms. Santiago please come inside, I am eager to hear your answer. Please don't mind that witch, and shut the door. Ohh wait, do it with a loud bang please." There's a devilish smile on Mr. Cuenca's eyes. Without hesitation, she did what she was told to do and they all heard how Ms. Cindy shouts like a madwoman outside.

" You dare fucking insult me! Just wait until I get home Charles..I'll let the whole clan know your dirty secret! faggot!" After that, Ria heard no more sounds coming from the outside. She was a bit shocked when she saw Mr. Cuenca was clapping his hand.

" Oh dear, Yesterday I was surprised by your gutsy attitude but today you impressed me. No one dares to speak with that witch cousin of mine. Only you dear, Now I'm confident that you will get this proposal done squeaky clean." Mr. Cuenca taps his table. On top of it was another manila envelope. She gave him a small smile, she's not yet accustomed to how casual her boss is talking to her.

" May I know what's inside of this Sir?" She went sitting on the chair next to her boss office table.

"Jen booked a hotel accommodation wherein Mr. Villar building is situated, it's good for a month but it's up to you if you like to stay in your parent's place. There's money for food and other necessary expenses are included. Oh, and let's not forget your travel ticket back and forth." She nods her head and gladly holds the manila envelope from her boss's office table.