CHAPTER 42: What is Right from Wrong?

Atilla's POV.

I decided not to go to work the following day, because, honestly, my mind is in a whirlwind about what I learned about Ang.

I still can't believe that the person who helped me could do something so shady just to earn money.

"Are you sure you're not going to work yet? Ang will surely wonder if you don't show up," Nicole asked, already dressed for work while I remained in bed, still keeping her in the dark about what I learned about Ang. I didn't want to ruin his image in my best friend's eyes.

"I'm quite sure, Nicole. Sorry, I don't think I can face Ang in this situation. Please tell him that I'm not home because of an emergency if he asks," I pleaded, and after that, she bid me goodbye.

I was left alone in my unit, unable to understand the reality that someone like Ang would accept a bribe for a large project from a firm, despite the fact that it would not benefit the company due to the second-rate materials supplied by Raymundo Mendez's company.

"Why Ang, of all people?" I couldn't help but feel weak at the news since, even though our time together was limited, I considered him a friend.

I was at a loss for what to do since if I reported him, Henry's problem would be solved, but if I did, Ang would lose his job and possibly go to jail.

I didn't even feel hungry because of my overthinking. I was still thinking about what I should do, knowing that whatever decision I made would be detrimental to someone.

At around eight o'clock, my phone suddenly rang, and I saw Ang's name register. I froze, quietly staring at my phone as it continued to ring until it stopped.

I decided to get up from bed and try to focus my attention on something else, away from what I learned and the decision I needed to make.

I tried to focus my attention on the movie playing on TV in the living room, but nothing could distract my thoughts.

"Enough, Atilla!" I said to myself in frustration as I decided to turn off the TV and take a walk, hoping that it would help me forget the decision I needed to make.

I quickly showered and dressed for the walk. I did everything I could to divert my attention to other things.

I went to the same zoo I visited during my first trip to Australia, watched Wicked again, and tried different foods that I came across, but it didn't lessen my worries. So, around seven in the evening, I decided to go home because Nicole was probably already home and worried.

I was waiting for a taxi to go home when I heard something that suddenly made my heart race.

"Wait for me, Ram!" I heard someone shout from behind me, and I didn't know what to do at that moment.

I slowly turned to where the voice came from and saw Miranda running after someone; upon closer inspection, I confirmed that it was her, and I saw the reason why I decided to go here.

"Ram..." Suddenly, it felt like a new wound had opened, and I stared at his face with a pained expression.

I wanted to go towards him and be wrapped in his arms, but I held back. I'm terrified of seeing the anger and reproach in his eyes again, and I'm afraid of being hurt as a result of it.

Luckily, a taxi stopped in front of me, and after the passenger alighted, I quickly hopped in. I saw Miranda with Ram, who had a smile on his face, and I admit that I was hurt because it seemed like he didn't really feel love for me, while I was a prisoner of my love for him.

Life is so unfair. Why do I have to suffer while the person I love doesn't seem to care if I disappear from his life?

"Enough, Atilla!" I scolded myself as tears filled my eyes. I tried to wipe them away, but they just kept flowing.

I thought I had cried all my tears, but I was wrong.

I didn't even realize that we were already in front of the building where my condo unit was. After paying, I quickly rode the elevator to my unit.

"Where did you go, Atilla? Don't you know I was... What happened to you?" Nicole asked worriedly, but instead of answering, I just went straight to my room with her following.

"Atilla, please stop this. If you really don't like Ang, it's okay. Just be honest with him," she said while rubbing my back to comfort me.

Earlier, I wanted to forget what I found out, but now I'd rather think about it than think about Ram.

Thinking about Ram made my heart ache more. I longed for his touch, his kisses, and it pained me to know that it would never happen again.

"Atilla, please stop this," I heard Nicole say, but no matter what I did, my tears wouldn't stop. I cried until I got tired and fell asleep.

I woke up around nine in the morning feeling exhausted, and again, I remembered Ram. I felt my eyes start to heat up, but I quickly suppressed the tears.

"Nicole?" I called out, but I was surprised that no one answered until I saw a note on the refrigerator door in the kitchen.

"Atilla, I'm sorry I couldn't wait for you to wake up because Ang needs me in the office; there will be a meeting with the heads of the departments and your brother; I made pancakes for you; just eat them when you wake up," I was worried when I remembered Ang's plan for today.

I tried my best not to think about what I found out and hurriedly prepared myself to prevent whatever was going to happen at the meeting.

I knew I would hurt Ang, but I needed to do the right thing. I would try to persuade Henry to give Ang another chance because I knew he wasn't a bad person.

After fifteen minutes, I was ready and went down to the lobby, where the building guard informed me that the taxi I called had arrived.

I quickly got in and asked to be taken to Chifley Tower, but it seemed like fate was against me because the traffic suddenly became heavy.

Glancing at my wristwatch, I saw that I had ten minutes before the meeting started, so I needed to hurry.

"Stop," I said to the taxi driver, and after paying, I ran towards the building where Henry's company was located.

It took me almost thirty minutes to reach the front of Chifley Tower. I was already sweating, but I didn't mind it because I needed to stop the contract signing that would surely ruin Henry's reputation if the supplies were used.

I could hardly breathe while waiting for the elevator to reach the floor where Ang's office was located.

"What are you doing here, Atilla?" Nicole asked, confused, as I entered the office.

"Is the meeting over?" I asked in a hurry.

"It's about to end. I delivered the contract, and Ang asked for the signing, but wait, what's really happening?" She asked.

"I will explain it to you later. Where's the meeting?" I asked.

"In the conference room on the twenty-fourth floor," she replied.

I didn't pay attention to anything else she said as I rushed back to the elevator and pressed the button for the twenty-fourth floor.

"I hope it's not too late," I whispered to myself. When I arrived, Henry had already signed the contract.

"Henry, stop!" I shouted, and I could see the surprised faces of the people in the room, especially Ang's.

"Atilla, what's going on?" Ang asked, confused, as she approached me. I couldn't look her in the eye because of what I had to do.

"I'm sorry, Ang, but I have to do this," I said sadly, releasing my grip on her and going straight to Henry, who was waiting for me.

"Henry, don't sign that contract because the truth is...the truth is..." I had made my decision, but it wasn't easy to tell the truth.

"What's the truth, Atilla?" Henry asked seriously.

"Because she's the reason why the company is losing money. She's accepting bribes to give the contract to the people she's dealing with," I blurted out, with tears falling down my face. I knew that Ang would be hurt by what I did, but I had to do it because it was the right thing to do.

To my surprise, Henry stood up and approached Ang with a serious look on his face.

"Henry, don't hurt her," I pleaded with him, but he didn't stop until he faced Ang.

But what he said next confused me.

"Thank you, Ang," I heard him say to Ang, who returned the gesture with a genuine smile that confused me even more.

I thought Henry was going to hurt Ang because of what she did. It didn't make sense why he was thanking her now.

The two men approached me, both smiling as if nothing had happened.

"Perhaps you're confused about what's happening, Atilla," Henry said.

I didn't even speak and just waited for them to say what they wanted to say to me.

"Everything here is just a setup," Henry explained. That's why the people in the conference room didn't seem surprised when I suddenly entered, but why?

"Why did you do this, Henry?" I couldn't help but feel hurt because I thought my own brother was playing with me.

"I did this to help you forget about Ram. I know that what Nicole is doing to help you is not enough, so I thought if you had something else to focus on, it would surely help you move on," he explained.

As soon as I heard Ram's name, I felt a pang of pain, followed by a sense of determination.

"I know you don't want to get involved with any of my companies, but I'm still hoping that..." but I cut him off before he could finish.

"I will work for your company," I said confidently because the truth was, due to what happened, I temporarily forgot about Ram, and I had a strong feeling that I could completely forget the pain caused by him once I started working for Henry's company.

I resolved to learn everything I could to assist Henry in running the company, and I knew that the people here, particularly Ang, would not give up on me. My first impression of him was correct; he is a very nice person.

Ang invited me to the rooftop of the building to get some fresh air, which I think I needed after what happened.

"Thank you, it seems that I should not only thank you for saving me but also for agreeing to Henry's plan," I said while watching the setting sun.

"It's nothing, Atilla," he replied with a smile. We were in that position for a few minutes, watching the sunset in the sky.

"Atilla..." Ang's gentle call surprised me, as I saw the seriousness on his handsome face as he looked at me without blinking.

"I want you to know that what I told you in the office about how I feel about you is not part of Henry's plan. I really like you, and I hope you'll give me a chance," he said seriously.

"You're a great guy, Ang, but I'm not sure if I'm ready. I don't know if Henry told you about what I've been through," I said sadly.

To be honest, I was lucky that someone like Ang had feelings for me, but I knew in my heart that I wasn't ready for another relationship.

"I know, that's why I'm here for you. I'm willing to wait until you're ready to let me into your heart," he said.

That was all, and silence prevailed between us again. After that, he escorted me to where I was staying.

I know it's not easy to forget my feelings for Ram, but I know I can do it with the help of people who care and love me.