Theressa was losing it.
She was trying to hold it all in, the pain, the sadness, the heartbreak. She tried to cover it all up.
Until she received an email. She was being transferred. The funny part was, while she went through the letter, Marcelo's gifts came in, a purple rose flower bouquet, a basket filled with fruits and all of Theressa's favorite snacks.
"What sort of games is he playing?" Theressa asked herself as scoffed in disbelief.
For him to react this way, Theressa couldn't help but confirm her hunch. She was right then, Marcelo has feelings for her too, that's the reason he's getting her transferred and not fired.
And he cares so much even though he's pissed by Theressa he still sends gifts to her.
Though it was in the contract that once a party falls for the other, the contract is terminated and the parties are free to go their separate ways. However it's not the case here. The feelings are mutual except Marcelo is not ready to accept it.
"Theressa?" A fragile whisper, barely audible above the soft hum of the hospital room awoke Theressa from her thoughts.
"Mum?" Theressa drew closer to her mother who laid on the hospital bed with several leads connected to her body.
Tears flowed down her cheek as she held on to her mother's soft hands. The doctor walked in, in no time, examining her mother while Theressa stood hoping for a positive feedback.
"She's improving. Faster than I expected. I guess your presence made a lot of impact" The doctor stated, a proud smile on his lips as he patted Theressa's shoulder in comfort before leaving.
Theressa was beyond excited. But even though her mother's health was improving, she couldn't leave the hospital just yet, she couldn't let her mother be alone. The fight for life was still ongoing till she awakens fully and Theressa couldn't leave her mother's side at the moment.
She shifted meeting Marcelo to when when her mother is stable, when one of her bigger issues have been solved.
George had surprisingly paid her a visit with recovery gifts. And his presence was somewhat comforting, seeing a familiar one that cared about her and her mother's wellbeing moved her heart.
"Heard you were transferred" George stated as they walked out of the hospital building.
Theressa let's out a feigned a smile.
"You must have been introduced to our world…aren't you scared?" George questioned, shoving his hands into his suit trouser.
The question was sudden but expected, even though George was innocent looking he was still Marcelo's brother and that means in one way or the other, he's involved in their deeds.
"I was" Theressa laughed a little as memories flushed down her mind, she was so scared, she was ready to risk her life and contact the police. Thinking back to that she could finally understand the reason she made no move to report.
She had already begun to develop feelings for him, it started on the day he had offered the contract but she had covered her feelings up with dust, ignoring it until it grew to this point.
"But I'm ready to adapt. I was ready, but it's no use anymore" Theressa muttered, her tone a hint of sadness as her gaze fell to the floor.
Though she had a plan to get Marcelo to accept her feelings and also come in terms with his feelings for her, she feared it might all go to the drain.
"You could always come back to work with us you know" George stated, their gaze meeting with eachother as Theressa's brow furrowed in confusion.
George who had noticed the shift in her reaction quickly tried to clear the misunderstanding. "I'm just saying if you feel like you want to return, maybe a change of workplace, the door is always open"
"Thanks" Theressa nodded, her lips forming into a grateful smile.
"How is he though?" Theressa asked, fiddling with her fingers, anxious about the man she loves.
"Marcelo?" He asked to confirm, cocking his head to the side.
"Yes" Theressa nodded, concern contorted her features, her lips pursed together as she feared what George was thinking about her at the moment.
"He seems to be doing well, why?" George questioned, brown furrowed, eyes squinted.
Part of Theressa felt relieved another felt hurt. Though he still sends gifts, he never reached out to her, like he didn't want to see or even hear her speak and so Theressa let out a bittersweet smile as she shook her head "nothing" she said.
George set out to leave and Theressa had bad him goodbye, grateful for his visit.
A week went by and Marcelo made no trials to pay a visit, Mary's health was improving at a rapid rate and they were counting days to return home.
However, Theressa had decided to resume work earlier than she planned. She wanted to see Marcelo, to confront him, to witness him feel something for her.
She wants him to accept his feelings and confess it to her. And so with steady steps she reached for his office. But on getting to her desk, a lady had taken over her spot already.
She was too busy typing something into the computer system, she hadn't noticed Theressa walk in.
"Who are you?" Theressa questioned, her brows knitted as she silently hoped it wasn't what she was thinking. "Marcelo can't replace me within a week" Theressa's heart sank at her thoughts.
The lady seemed confused at the same time surprised at Theressa's question.
"Are you a staff?" The lady questioned. Her siren gaze disturbing to Theressa, her perfect tanned skin and silky dark hair building up jealousy at the pit of her stomach.
Theressa looked nothing close to attractive compared to the female. She had all the features a man would get attracted to. Despite her outstanding looks she had a soothing voice, calm as she counted every of her words.
Theressa brought out her ID from her bag displaying it for the lady to see.
"Oh my bad. You have been transferred to sales unit and the boss requires you to-"
"Where is he?" Theressa interrupted, her tone harsh as she didn't need to hear the rest of whatever order was given to her.
"He's taking a day off" The lady responded politely and it pissed Theressa off more. Why was she so elegant even in her words?
Theressa turned to leave, not seeing the use in standing there and comparing herself.
"Your belongings Miss Taylor"
Theressa ignored the lady that she cared not to know her name as she pulled out her phone to call the one person she was certain to know Marcelo's whereabouts.
"Let's meet" she said.
"Busy" Kayden's voice stood out, firm, void of emotions almost like Marcelo but more colder. Kayden is a man of little words and smiling seemed to be absent from his dictionary of living.
That's what Theressa thought until she witnessed him with a certain someone. One of the male bodyguards she had recognized days ago at the hospital, one of the men sent to watch her mother.
It was the day Marcelo ordered Kayden to pass down the informations concerning the vice den. Yes, Theressa would always call it the vice dem, she didn't care about the actual name, that was the name that rolled off her tongue freely.
She had forgotten her house key and had returned to pick it when she saw two males giggling, she had recognized Kayden almost immediately but the smile on his face made him look so unfamiliar. To be honest he was an attractive man. Built and handsome but his problem was his seriousness, it was over the moon.
At first she had dismissed their conversation, probably just two friends catching up. So she thought until the other male pulled Kayden down for a kiss.
She never brought it up, because she had no problem with it but Marcelo certainly would certainly not take it lightly with them. He had a rule, about his bodyguards not dating. Theressa could never understand what pushed him to make such stupid rules, but then she could never fully understand Marcelo.
"With Teddy?" Theressa questioned, sad she had to use his weakness against him but then he left her with no choice.
The silence from Kayden served as an answer, he would have ended the call by now, but it seemed her scheme was working.
"I'll send you the addresses of where he could be, you do the work to find him" Kayden stated.
"And it would be just between us" Theressa smirked in victory as Kayden ended the call.
Without wasting more time, Theressa hailed a taxi as she went on with her search for Marcelo.
Ready to do whatever to get Marcelo accept her feelings.