A/N: Let's aim for five comments :)

Prince and I's relationship became solely professional. Strikto parin siya sa'kin at marami pading bawal, pero puro negosyo na ang namagitan sa amin. He never took me to the Business Ball again—for two straight years ako ang plus one niya—at hindi na niya ako kinakausap kung hindi tungkol sa trabaho. He barely gives a damn about my personal life, pero madalas ay hindi niya ako pinapayagang mag day off.

That year, nag-blossom din ang Clishique. Kaya mas naging hectic din ako. Alas otso ng umaga ako pumapasok tapos alas-cinco na ako nakakauwi, minsan ay alas-sais na. When I get home, I eat with Papa tapos ay diretso agad ako sa home office ko para gawin ang mga paper works ko sa Clishique. Ayoko namang iasa lahat kay Ari, lalo na't sa'kin nila binigay 'yung pinakamataas na posisyon. I can't be the CEO and do nothing at all. I'd rather quit as Prince's secretary than let my friends down. I'm just relieved na suportado ako ng mga kaibigan ko at hindi nila hinihingi na mamili ako. Dahil kahit sila ang pipiliin ko, masakit parin na mawala sa'kin 'yung tanging pagkakataon ko para makalapit kay Prince. He may hurt me with his words and actions, but he won't break me that easily. Hindi ko ugaling sumuko agad.

When the clock stroke 11:50 a.m., tinigil ko muna ang ginagawa ko. Out of habit, tinignan ko ang daan papunta sa office ni Mina pero hindi na siya nagpakita. Mina migrated a couple of months ago kaya talaga mag-isa na ako dito. Mababait naman ang mga tao dito, pero wala lang akong panahaon na makihalubilo sakanila. If I wasn't busy with my job as a secretary, I'm doing my responsibilities as the CEO of Clishique.

Sighing, I dialed the number at the cafeteria downstairs. Madalas na kasi akong nagpapa-deliver, e. Ayoko nang magsayang ng panahon na tumaas-baba kung p'wede ko namang gamitin 'yung oras para gawin ang iba ko pang paperworks. So it's what I did. For the next hour, I wrote and typed with my right hand while eating with my left. It was a routine for me already and I got used to it. Sobrang nasanay ako na hindi ko na napapansin na unti-unti na palang nawawala ang dati kong sarili. I barely went out with my friends because I was too busy with both my demanding works. I never really realized how much I gave to Prince—not until there was nothing left.

=•=

One year later...

"This Andres wedding will be grand," saad ni Jasmine habang tinitignan ang designs ni Erella para sa gowns and dresses ng kasal ni Sandra Reyes at Raymond Andres.

"But Sandra wants it to be simple and intimate at the same time," dagdag naman ni Erella na naging kaibigan ng kliyente namin.

We were at Clishique headquarters and it was a rainy Sunday afternoon. Typically, free day namin lahat ang Sunday pero dahil nga big project ang Andres wedding, kailangan present kaming lahat at sa Linggo lang ako libre. Mas naging demanding na ang trabaho ko kay Prince, pero okay lang. Nakakasama ko parin naman siya. But as of right now, main focus ko ang wedding na 'to. It's the first full wedding we are doing—from the gowns to the venue and reception. Everything is on us and the mere fact na ang mga Andres ang kliyente namin... Well, we can all expect Clishique to skyrocket in the business industry.

"I'll look for venues and suppliers," sabi ni Ari habang nakaharap sa laptop niya. She frowned and looked at all of us. "Do you guys want me to be the one to visit the venues? I'm free."

"I'll go with you," agad na presenta ko at napatingin silang lahat sa'kin. We all knew how strict Prince was when it came to my day offs, pero iba naman 'to. Handa akong sayangin lahat ng day off ko basta ba't maging hands-on ako sa wedding na 'to. This is a huge thing.

"Are you sure?" taas-kilay na tanong ni Jasmine sa'kin.

"Of course I am," sagot ko tapos ay napahilot sa sentido ko. "Look, I'm sure papayagan ako ni Prince. Hindi naman ako madalas mag day off , e."

"Correction," singit ni Erella, "magda-dalawang taon ka nang 'di nagde-day off. Tinalo mo na 'yang boss mo sa pagiging workaholic."

Natawa si Jasmine. "Leave our dear Belle alone. You know how whipped she is with her Prince."

Napangiwi ako. "Buti sana kung may progress. Kaso wala. Stuck at step one parin kaming dalawa."

"I'm telling you, just tell him the truth," sabi ni Erella. She smiled at me. "When he finds out who you are, makikita niya kung gaano ka kabeneficial para sakanya at sa kumpanya niya."

Huminga ako ng malalim. "See, that's the thing. I don't want to be seen as an asset to him, bi. Gusto ko na magustuhan niya ako dahil sa'kin—hindi dahil sa kung ano'ng meron ako." Mapait na napangiwi ako. "You would think na hindi ko na 'to aalalahanin dahil mayaman naman siya. But, heck. Power and money work together, but they're two different things to worry about. Damn."

Natahimik kaming lahat, dahil alam kong lahat kami ay nakakarelate. It's one of the main reasons we stuck together, the four of us. People always had a hidden agenda when they approach us. Of course, hindi naman lahat ng tao na lalapit sa'min in the future ay ganon din, pero nasanay na siguro kami na mag-ingat. It has always been a challenge for all of us to be loved for who we were and not for the amount of money in our trust fund or bank account.

"Leaving the nega vibes..." sabi ni Jasmine at napangiwi. She sat up straighter and opened a folder. "Kailangan pa natin pag-usapan ang muse ng Clishique. Ari, ayaw mo ba talagang ikaw nalang?"

The tension disappeared and everyone was more relaxed. Ari shook her head. "Jas, alam mo namang hindi ako komportable sa mga ganyan, e. At ayaw din ni Erik na magsuot ako ng ganon."

Jasmine rolled her eyes. Ayaw niya talaga kay Erik. "Fine. Then I guess our next choice is Miss Candice Swanepoel."

Natawa si Erella. "Sobrang taas na talaga ng standards natin. And wow, I can't believe Clishique can finally afford Ms. Swanepoel."

"Malayo na narating natin," mahinang saad ko at napaisip. Clishique is a dream I share with my best friends, and I'm so glad that it's now a part of our reality. Thinking about it, lahat kami naabot ang mga gusto namin sa buhay. Jasmine now owns her own bar—Metro Bar—and Erella is happily running T-Zone and Clishique. I didn't really plan on being a secretary, pero pangarap kong mapalapit kay Prince at andito na nga ako. Ari... Well, Ari always wanted to be a housewife. All that's missing now is a husband. We're all where we want to be—together.

"Pupunta ba tayo sa Business Ball this year?" tanong ni Erella sa'min. "Kasi kung oo, tell me now. Gusto ko i-design ang mga damit natin."

"I'm going." Tumango ako. "Required akong pumunta every year."

"Last year hindi ikaw ang date ah?" nagtatakang tanong ni Ari sa'kin.

Nagkibit-balikat ako at pilit na hindi iniisip 'yung model na dinala niya last year. "I still need to go—as his secretary. Alam niyo naman na mostly para sa mga business deals 'yung ball na 'yun, e. The charity is just a front."

"Either way, we're making a statement this year," taas-noong saad ni Jasmine.

"What statement?" tanong nj Ari.

Our most mischievous friend smirked. "That the business princesses are attending their first official Business Ball together."

Nanlaki ang mata ko. "But, Jas—"

"Shut it, Belle," putol niya sa'kin at inirapan ako. "I don't give a shit if Prince Not-so-Charming finds out. Actually, I want him to find out. Three years is long enough to hide behind a mask. Kung hindi ka niya magugustuhan, well it's gonna be his lost. Not yours."

Alam kong tama siya, dahil 'yun na din ang sinabi sa'kin ni papa. Na kung hindi niya ako magustuhan sa kung sino ako, ano pa ang punto na hinahabol ko siya, diba? Pero kasi... Mahal ko siya. Ayoko siyang mawala. I spent so many years pinning for him and so many years trying to win him, tapos ngayon pa ako susuko? Sayang naman. Hindi ko pa naman nari-reach ang limit ko, e. Kaya ko pa. Kung hanggang kailan, 'yun ang 'di ko alam.

"Jasmine is right," mahinang sambit ni Ari na agad tumabi sa'kin at yumakap. I sighed and hugged her back. "As much as I support you, I don't want you to end up hurt and broken, Belle."

"I know," saad ko. Huminga ako ng malalim at tinignan silang lahat. "How about we finish the wedding, then I'll tell Prince all about me before the Ball? May two months naman sa pagitan ng dalawang events, e. That's enough time for him to ponder whether he likes me or not. I think."

"It is," pilit ni Jasmine tapos humarap kay Erella. "Speaking of guys, what's up with you and Richard Andres?"

Agad namula si Erella at lahat kami ay natawa. Kung tutuusin kasi, si Erella ang sumusunod kay Jasmine pagdating sa prankahan at diretsahan, e. So to see her act so virginal is amusing dahil si Ari lang ata ang pinakamala-birhen sa amin, kahit siya naman ang may pinaka-active na sex life.

As we spent the rest of the day chatting and planning, I felt myself become more determined to tell Prince everything. Dadating din naman ang panahon na malalaman niya, e. Aagahan ko lang ng konti.

=•=

"Miss Roxas, in my office. Now," utos niya mula sa intercom at napabuntong-hininga nalang ako. Sobrang demanding niya talaga. Pero okay lang, nasanay na ako na hindi siya marunong mag-"please" man lang. That's how bossy and demanding he is.

Pagpasok ko sa office niya ay agad akong umupo sa harap niya. Hindi man lang siya tumingala para batiin ako, nakatuon parin ang atensyon niya sa desktop niya. Mahinang napabuntong-hininga nalang ako at hinintay siyang magsalita.

"Miss Roxas, you filed for a one week leave," sabi niya. Hindi siya nagtatanong, nagsasabi siya.

Kahit medyo kinabahan ako ay tumango ako. "Yes, sir. I did."

Naningkit ang mata niya. "Why?"

Shit. I can't say the real reason! Alam kong pumayag na akong malaman ni Prince, but not right now. It's too soon. "Sir, private matters na po 'yan."

"There is no such thing as a private matter with you, Miss Roxas," giit niya at kita kong naiinis na siya.

Whatever. Mainis siya kung mainis! Ayoko pang sabihin. Ayoko pang malayo sakanya—huwag muna. "Sir, kahit ito lang po. I haven't used any of my day offs last year. I'm just asking for a week."

"And who will pose as my secretary?" pagalit na tanong niya. Nanlilisik ang mga mata niyang nakatingin sa'kin. "You are the only one qualified for that position, Miss Roxas!"

Medyo napangiwi ako. "Sir, hindi lang naman po ako ang qualified, e. Tsaka may nakuha na po akong sub—"

"I don't want anyone else!"

Natahimik kaming dalawa at wala akong nagawa kundi ang titigan siya. Sa sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko, akala mo tumatakbo ako, pero hindi. Hindi ako tumatakbo—kinikilig lang. Tama ba 'yung narinig? Siya ba talaga nagsabi nun?

"Clear your thoughts, Miss Roxas," demanda niya sa naiinis na tono. "You know what I mean."

Nanlumo ako pero pilit na ngumiti padin. "Yes, sir. I get what you mean." Huminga ako ng malalim para i-compose ang sarili ko. Kainis na paasa 'tong lalaking 'to. "Anyway, nakahanap na nga po ako ng substitute. Isang linggo lang naman—"

"No," agad niyang putol sa'kin. "I will allow you to take a leave only once per week. No consecutive days."

Napasimangot ako at halos mapa-padyak na pero hinayaan ko nalang. Wala namang silbi kung makikitalo pa ako, e. Siya din naman ang masusunod sa huli dahil 'di ko din naman siya matitiis. "Okay, sir. I'll fix it as soon as possible."

"Good." Tumango siya.

"May kailangan pa po ba kayo?"

Tinignan niya ako ng matagal bago umiling. "No. Go back to work."

"Yes, sir," sambit ko at umalis na. Pero bago ako makalabas ay tinawag niya ang pangalan ko. "Sir?"

Hindi siya nakatingin sa'kin. "Order a gown for the Business Ball. Buy it under my name."

"Sir, hindi na po kailangan. Hindi naman bongga 'yung damit ko dapat, e."

Tumingala siya para irapan ako. "Yes, you do. You're my secretary and I want you to dress properly." Magsasalita sana ako pero hindi na niya ako pinagbigyan pa. "No buts, Miss Roxas. Just go and order a damn dress!"

I sighed. "Okay, sir."

Napaka-demanding! Parang si Jasmine lang 'yung baliw na 'yun! Kainis!