Faith's POV

"You know what, Faith? Just a little more and I'm going to pull Nicole's hair," Charls said, fuming with anger, more intense than any woman I know. We were walking out the school gate to wait for their tricycle rides, while I planned to walk home after they left.

"Honestly, she acts like she's not even a teacher. Worse than our gossiping neighbors. At least they just do it for fun," Charie added, clearly annoyed.

"What's the difference between her and those gossipers who ruin lives with baseless rumors?" Charls said with a dramatic eye-roll.

"The gossipers don't have a license. That witch Nicole does," Charie replied with a laugh.

"Exactly! Haha! But they have the same goal-to bring others down."

"Hey, she's not my peer. I won't accept that no matter what."

"And why not?"

"Because I'm not a witch."

"Oh right, you're a dwarf, not a witch."

"And you're a tikbalang."

"Wait, that's harsh! Can't I just be a horse?"

I couldn't help but laugh at my friends' silliness.

"Oh, you're here, Faith?" Charie said, pretending to be surprised I was with them.

"Haha! I don't know about you two. Charls called my name first, but you two kept talking to each other. Hmmf!" I said, pretending to sulk.

"Sorry! We knew you'd just stop us from saying bad things about her," Charie said. And it's true-I don't want to waste energy on Nicole. I already have too much on my mind.

"You know what, guys? No matter what we say, we can't really do anything about it. That's just who she is. She knows herself. If she wants to change, great. If not, there's nothing we can do. It's her life."

"You're right. I just hope she changes jobs so we don't have to see her Monday to Friday. Ugh! She's so annoying. I feel like I'm getting wrinkles from the stress she causes," Charls said, his face showing pure frustration. If Nicole were in front of him, he might've folded her seven ways. Haha.

"Exactly. We'll just age and get uglier if we keep stressing over her. Let's just leave her be. She'll get tired eventually," I said, trying to calm them down since they seemed more stressed than I was.

"But Faith, if she picks a fight with you again, call us right away, okay? One snap from Charls and that stick of a woman will fall."

"Stick?"

"Yeah, stick witch."

"Haha! You guys are crazy. But thank you. You really make me feel better. What would my life be like if I hadn't met you?"

"If you hadn't met us, we wouldn't have met you either. Haha! Right, Charie?"

"You're really crazy, Charls. Haha! But we're always here for you, Faith. Just one call and we'll fly to you, okay?" Charie said, holding my hand. Her words made my eyes well up with tears.

"That's why I don't do heart-to-heart talks with you-you're such a crybaby. Come here, give me a hug." I stepped forward and hugged her. Even though I'm taller, I felt the sincerity in her embrace.

"Oh, my little sister. Stop crying or you'll get ugly. What if he doesn't recognize you next time?"

"Charie, come on," I said while crying.

"Hey, wait! Count me in. Group hug!" Charls said, acting flamboyantly now that we were outside school. Haha!

"Enough now, Faith. Let's hold on to each other. We're your allies. Think of us as your big brother and sister," Charls said while we were hugging.

"Big brother? Really, Charls?" Charie said, laughing and clearly not convinced.

"Yes! When it comes to you two, I'm your big brother. I can fight for you."

"Are you serious?" I asked, trying to end our dramatic moment. Haha!

"Of course not! Haha! With my beauty, I'd rather run home than get into a fight!"

We knew he was joking just to lighten the mood.

We were laughing together when Sir Jaecob's car passed by.

"Faith, come on. I'll give you a ride home."

"Oh no, Sir. It's okay. My house is nearby, and I could use the walk for exercise," I politely declined.

"Just come with us, Faith. Our tricycle service is here too," Charie said. She and Sir Jaecob are neighbors, so they share a ride to save money.

"Bye Faith, bye Sir! Take care of her!" they said teasingly, with Charie giving me a playful poke. I just watched them as they rode away.

Sir got out of the car to open the door for me. Once I was seated, he walked around to the driver's seat and started driving.

The school is only a few blocks from my house. Sir Jaecob drove slowly. The car was quiet, as if each second was waiting for the right moment to speak.

"Hmm... Faith," he finally broke the silence, his voice low and hesitant.

"Yes, Sir?" I replied softly, glancing at him, feeling shy.

He suddenly parked the car on the side of the road.

"Can I talk to you?"

"About what, Sir?" My heart raced, but I tried to keep my voice calm.

"About... us."

I swallowed hard. The air inside the car felt heavy.

"Sir, I'm sorry... but I'm really not ready to enter a relationship. You know my responsibilities. I just can't handle it right now."

I could feel I was hurting the feelings he was trying to offer me. But I couldn't give him false hope.

"Faith," he whispered, almost inaudibly. "I accept everything about your past... everything I have, I'm willing to give to you, to you both-just accept me."

Our eyes met. I saw the depth of his feelings-full of hope and fear. His gaze said everything he couldn't voice.

"Sir... it wouldn't be fair to accept you just because of what you can give. Especially if I can't give anything back."

"That's okay with me, Faith. Just being with you..."

"I'm really sorry, Sir," I whispered, trying to hold back tears. "But I'm not that kind of person. Love should be give and take. I don't want to be someone who only takes. And besides, there's someone out there-someone better than what you see in me."

I looked away. I couldn't bear to see his face trying to stay strong while slowly breaking.

He sighed deeply, gripping the steering wheel tightly. He slowly bowed his head, as if trying to swallow the weight in his chest.

"Then... just let me give you what I can... even if you don't love me back."

I felt the pain in his voice. I felt him letting go, even as he tried to hold on.

"Sir... how will you find the woman meant for you if you keep giving your attention to me?"

He didn't speak for a moment. It was like he was gathering strength.

"C-can I invite you tomorrow... for dinner?"

My chest tightened. I didn't want the conversation to continue, but...

"Sir..."

"It's my birthday tomorrow," he said with a forced smile, full of fragile hope. "I hope you'll grant me this. Just this once."

In the end, I agreed.

Austin's POV

"What the fuck! How many years have you been looking, but you still can't show me even her shadow? Are you really working or am I just wasting my time and money on your useless service?"

I closed my eyes at the intensity of the annoyance. I was trying to control my anger, but my blood was boiling.

"Three years! I've been waiting for three years, hoping, but still nothing. Not even news, nothing."

I tightened my grip on the cellphone. I didn't hear a single answer on the other line, not a single explanation, not even a hollow promise... nothing.

It drives me mad. Curses are all that come out of my mouth. I've used all my connections, I've squandered my wealth, but until now... Faith is like smoke flickering in the distance then suddenly, gone.

"Damn it!" I shouted and slammed my fist on the desk in my office, which created a sound.

This isn't just a business transaction. This isn't about closure. This is my life. This is the woman I can't forget. Seven long years. Seven years of unanswered questions. Three years of what ifs of where the hell could she be?

When I returned to the Philippines, I looked for her. But it was as if she deliberately disappeared as if she was running away from something. It was as if I was the one she left hanging. I was the one left, waiting... searching... hoping.

But until when? How much further do I need to go?

Where are you now, Faith? I just ran my hands over my face, trying to wipe away the fatigue, the pain, the weight in my chest. I was in that state when the door of my office opened.

I didn't bother to find out who it was. My breathing was still deep.

"How many fucking times do I have to tell you Eunice, to knock before entering?!" Eunice is my secretary who openly flirts with me, but is useless at work. She has the courage because Mommy put her in the position because she is her godchild and needs a job.

But it wasn't Eunice who entered. It was my friends.

"Bro, you're in a bad mood again. Any good news yet?" Glen asked.

"You're asking Glen? Seriously? The people you gave me are useless. Tell me, who wouldn't get angry if the answer is always 'we're still looking', 'we're still trying'? They can't even see Faith's shadow. Son of a bitch!"

"Bro, calm down. We won't get anything if you're just angry," Casniel said, trying to pacify me.

"The hell, how can I calm down if I still don't have any news about her? Not even a sign that she's alive, nothing. How? How can I calm down?"

I felt my tears welling up. Damn it. I'm a man, but I feel like I'm going to fall.

"There are only two things, Austin," Casniel interjected. "Either she doesn't want to show up or there's someone blocking her."

"Casniel has a point," Glen added. "But who? And why?"

The weight of the conversation was broken when Hero suddenly laughed in the corner, holding his cellphone.

"What are you laughing at, Hero?" Glen commented.

"There's a teacher live now. It's funny. She's doing a bag raid and then she's selling the contents of her co-teachers' bags. She said she'll sell her friends later too. Because she's beautiful."

"Are you waiting for the one to be sold or that teacher?" Glen teased.

"If she's single, go get her!" he teased.

"Here, let me show you. She's cute, right? And funny." Hero proudly showed the video.

"Woo! She's pretty bro. Chubby, but sexy. What's her name?" Glen asked.

"Charie. And back off, she's mine," Hero replied jokingly as he moved the phone away.

"It looks like we'll have to find two women," Casniel said, laughing.

"Find Faith first," I said firmly. "Before I completely lose my mind."

Everyone was silent. Until Glen broke the silence.

"Austin, what if we find her... but she already has a husband and children? What will you do?"

I looked at them. Without hesitation, I said:

"I will take her. I will take her back. Faith is only mine. No one can own her but me."

"Damn bro, you're so greedy! You're crazy!" Casniel said, laughing.

I just smiled. Yes, maybe I'm already crazy. But to be honest... If I see her happy, If I see in her eyes that she has a real smile

Even if I'm not the reason for that smile... I can let her go. But until I don't see that... I won't stop. I won't stop... I will look for Faith.

"Oh, here's the one for sale, her beautiful friend."

We immediately turned to Hero's cellphone. It got all of our attention.

"So here it is, sirs. First come, first served for my friend who is single and beautiful. Just comment in the comment section. 'Mine"

Charie, live, full of laughter and mischief. On the side, you can also see her companions who are almost dying of laughter.

I don't know. I don't understand what I'm doing there. Why I sat down, why I laughed, why I stared. Why I'm wasting time with my crazy friends.

I was about to stand up. I was about to leave until I caught a movement in the video.

A woman. Drinking water from a tumbler. The face is not clear, the shot is only side view, as if deliberately not shown. But that's enough. That's enough for me to feel the pounding in my chest that I've been keeping for a long time.

I suddenly grabbed Hero's cellphone.

"Hey, what's the problem-"

I was silent. Staring. Holding the cellphone as if I was holding my life.

"Are you bored, sirs? She drank, she got tired of practice. Here she is, 'Mine Faith' sirs! For the price of five million pesos!"

Charie was laughing while Faith was covering her face. She was also laughing, shy but she didn't know... She didn't know what effect her every move had on me.

"You're really crazy Charie, end it. Let's go back to school," Faith said while still live.

And in the comment section, it was like a thunderstorm.

"Mine Faith double the price!"

"Mine Faith! Fifty million pesos I will make her the queen of my life!"

"Mine Faith. No takebacks."

Everyone was happy. Funny, yes. But for me, this is not a joke. This is not a show. And that's where I exploded.

"Fuck you all, bastards! Faith is mine... mine alone!" I shouted. Angry.

I almost threw Hero's cellphone.

"Hey, bro! Relax, that's my cellphone!" he grabbed it from my hand.

"Hero..." I whispered, quieter but heavier, "You're really a hero, bro. I found her. I fucking found her."

"Please. Stalk Charie's account. Find out which school they work at."

The friends' cellphones immediately came out. Like an operation of crazy people. But they were serious, I was serious too.

"Gotcha!" Glen shouted. "One of the elementary schools in Castillejos, Zambales bro! Isn't your cousin the mayor there? What, are we going?"

He was more eager than me. More excited. But me, not yet. Not today.

I went back to my swivel chair. Slowly turned around. I played with the ballpoint pen in my fingers. Smiling. Not of triumph, but of certainty... This is it. This is the beginning.

"No. Not yet. Not today," I whispered while looking at the ceiling as if I could see the future.

"I have a plan. Fiesta there next week." I will fix what I need to fix in the company first.

Chapter 6

Austin's POV

"Ms. Eunice, please come in and bring all the proposals from the schools in Zambales," I said through the intercom.

"Copy, sir. Coming." She replied stylishly.

A few moments later, the door opened. She entered, swaying her hips, as if in a movie scene. Almost her entire chest was exposed, and with a little movement, her panties could be seen. She outdid the waitresses in the bars we friends frequented. My friends looked at her as if watching a live show. I shook my head.

"Sir, here are the files you need," she said, bowing. I knew it was intentional. But I'm not stupid. I'm human, yes, a man, but there's a limit to self-respect and discipline. So even though I've been longing for the warmth of the body for a long time, I chose to avoid it. Especially now... I know where Faith is.

"Thank you. You may leave now." I didn't look at her anymore.

"Ms. Eunice," I added quietly, so only we could hear. "Starting tomorrow, wear proper office attire. Below-the-knee skirt. Blouse with a high neckline."

She looked at me, pretending to be innocent. "Why, sir? Isn't this okay? I'm comfortable with this."

She sat in front of the desk, confidently. I could see her red panties again. I closed my eyes. Not because of temptation, but out of annoyance. Doesn't she know how hard it is to control oneself in such situations?

"Just follow my order. That's final. Go back to your workplace." My voice rose slightly. My friends looked. Eunice's face turned red.

She stood up, not as confident as before. But before she could leave-

"Ms. Eunice, please order lunch from my usual restaurant." I just wanted to remind her. There's a line, and she should respect it first.

"Noted, sir." She replied softly before finally leaving.

"Wohh, what was that bro?" Glen joked. "You're ruining the vibe. Eunice is so sexy. Don't you want a 'sexetary' by your side every day?"

I shook my head. "If you want to pursue her, that's your life."

"No way bro," Glen interjected, laughing. But it was obvious.

"You're pretending, I can see in your eyes you like her too, idiot." Casniel said, his laughter echoing.

But Hero turned to the important topic. "Didn't you already choose a school in Zambales for your donation?"

I had chosen one. In the farmlands. But because I know Faith is there...

"I'll make it two schools now. I'll visit Zambales next week."

"Can I go with you?" Hero asked, excitedly like a child.

"What about your business here?" I asked back.

"Don't forget, we're bosses here. We can leave anytime."

"You make it sound like always traveling even without purpose. What if you have a wife?" Glen said, shaking his head.

"That's not in my mind yet. I just wanna have fun, bro. You know, YOLO, right?" Hero replied, but there was sadness behind the laugh.

"Maybe your Dad will kill you out of annoyance!" Casniel said, laughing.

"Whatever."

I quietly rummaged through the papers.

"What school is Faith's again?" I asked, suddenly back to reality.

"Sampaloc Elementary School," Hero answered.

But the name of the school wasn't in the proposal I was holding. Something's wrong. I called Eunice again.

"Ms. Eunice, why isn't there a proposal from Sampaloc Elementary?"

"I–I don't know, sir. That's all that was passed to me," her voice trembling.

There's nervousness. But why?

"Find it. You won't go home until you find it. All the schools that submitted."

A moment later, there was a knock. Eunice entered, holding a paper.

"Sir, sorry... it was mixed with other files." She said, but not sincerely. There's still a tone of flirtation.

I snatched the paper from her hand, along with a cold sigh, and started reading the proposal. Quietly, Eunice sat in front of me, obviously waiting for tasks.

The content of the proposal is beautiful, meaningful, full of emotion, and above all, full of care. At the bottom of the page, the name of the maker appeared: Faith.

I wasn't surprised. That's why... that's why I feel the heart in every word.

I turned my gaze to Eunice to give instructions.

"Contact the principal of this school. Find out what else they need."

She nodded quickly. "Copy, sir," she replied, standing up and about to leave.

"And check my schedule for next week. Move all my meetings to this week."

"But sir, some are in other countries like Mr. Baltazar."

"Let him be, his proposals are worthless anyway." Mr. Baltazar is cunning, but he won't get over on me. I won't invest billions in his failing company due to his negligence.

I rubbed my temple.

"Is your head hurt? Do you want me to massage it?" While speaking, Eunice was walking towards me from behind, swaying her hips. Before I could speak, she touched my head and pressed her chest against it. The heck! I pushed her hands away and looked at her sternly.

"Come on Austin, I'm just being kind."

I stood up. "What did you call me? Let me remind you, Ms. Eunice, this is a workplace. Be decent. I'm your boss."

She left huffily.

"I'll tell to Godmother you always scold me."

"Go on."

"Let me massage you, Eunice, my head hurts too... the one below," Glen interjected, and everyone laughed.

Eunice rolled her eyes at him before leaving. "Tse!"

Casniel teased him. "You're really an idiot!"

My office filled with laughter.