diecinueve

Risa was finally getting a moment of peace, sipping her coffee as she reviewed documents, when Loren casually strolled into her office.

She didn’t even knock.

"So who is that woman you were kissing the other day?" Loren asked, plopping into the chair across from Risa’s desk. "The one who I interrupted you from devouring?"

Risa nearly spat out her coffee. "Devour?! Excuse me?" She set her mug down with a thud, barely keeping herself from choking.

Loren leaned back, arms crossed, wearing a shit-eating grin. "Oh, don’t act innocent, ma’am. I know what I saw."

Risa exhaled, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You saw nothing."

"Ma’am, you were about two seconds away from making that woman your last meal before I walked in," Loren deadpanned. "I practically saved her life."

Risa groaned. "Loren—"

"—And you didn’t even have the decency to look embarrassed! You just acted like I wasn’t standing there, witnessing a crime of passion in my workplace." Loren shook her head dramatically.

Risa sighed, knowing this conversation wasn’t going to end anytime soon. "You have too much free time."

"And you have a secret girlfriend," Loren shot back. "Who is she?"

Risa smirked, deciding to play along. "Oh, you know. Just someone sweet."

Loren gasped. "I knew it! The way you just said that—oh my God, you’re whipped."

Risa rolled her eyes. "Don’t be ridiculous."

Loren narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "It’s someone from here, isn’t it?"

Risa coughed. "What? No."

"That was too quick," Loren said, pointing accusingly. "It is someone from here!"

She grabbed her phone, typing furiously. "Company-wide memo: ‘Attention all employees, if you’ve been devoured by Ms. Hontiveros in the last week, please report to me immediately.’"

"Loren!" Risa lunged forward, grabbing the phone before Loren could hit send.

Loren cackled. "Oh, this is fun."

"You are insufferable," Risa muttered, locking the phone and tossing it back onto Loren’s lap.

Loren wiggled her eyebrows. "Not as insufferable as someone sneaking around with a mystery woman. Just wait, ma’am. I’ll figure it out."

Risa smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Good luck with that."

Meanwhile, outside the office, Alice—who had been eavesdropping the whole time—quickly walked away, covering her mouth to hide her laughter.

If Loren wanted to play detective, Alice would gladly play along.

─

Alice barely suppressed a laugh as she leaned against the wall, replaying Loren’s interrogation in her head. Devoured? If only she knew.

She pulled out her phone, about to text Cassy, when a voice interrupted her.

"You look way too amused for someone sneaking around in an office."

Alice turned to see Mika, her closest workmate, standing in the doorway with a raised eyebrow. Mika worked in the same department and was one of the few people Alice actually tolerated at work.

Alice smirked. "And you look way too interested in my personal life."

Mika walked in, crossing her arms. "Because your personal life is turning into a teleserye right before my eyes." She leaned in, lowering her voice. "Loren is not letting this go, by the way. She’s treating this like a full-blown investigation."

Alice groaned, rubbing her face. "Putangina. I swear, that woman needs a hobby."

"Oh, she has one," Mika said. "It’s called ‘making your life miserable.’"

Alice exhaled, shaking her head. "If she wants to play detective, she’s in for a disappointment."

Mika snorted. "Please. You suck at being lowkey. If she hasn’t figured it out yet, it’s only because she’s enjoying making you sweat first."

Alice scoffed. "I am great at sneaking around."

Mika gave her a deadpan look. "I literally walked in on you and Ms. Hontiveros last week, and you threw a stapler at me."

"That was a reflex," Alice muttered.

"A guilty reflex."

Alice rolled her eyes. "Are you here to bully me, or did you actually need something?"

Mika smirked. "Oh, I just came to warn you."

"About what?"

Mika’s grin widened. "The office betting pool."

Alice blinked. "The what?"

"Oh yeah, it’s a thing now. Everyone’s betting on how long you and Ms. Hontiveros can keep this a secret before you get caught."

Alice stared at her. "Punyeta, are you serious?!"

Mika nodded. "I put 300 pesos on this week."

Alice groaned, running a hand down her face. "I fucking hate all of you."

Mika laughed. "Love you too, bestie."

Before Alice could strangle her, Mika patted her on the shoulder and strolled out of the room, humming.

Alice exhaled sharply, shaking her head.

She needed coffee. Immediately.

Alice pushed open the break room door, already exhausted from existing, and headed straight for the coffee machine—only to find another person already there.

A woman she didn’t recognize.

She was stirring her coffee lazily, looking up when Alice entered.

"You’re the one fucking Hontiveros, right?"

Alice choked on air. "WHAT?!"

The woman snorted. "Relax, I don’t give a shit. But people talk."

Alice blinked, still processing the audacity. "Who the fuck are you?"

"Sam," the woman replied, taking a sip of her coffee. "Marketing. I like gossip, but I hate small talk, so let’s just get to the point—should I bet money on you two getting caught, or are you actually good at sneaking around?"

Alice gawked at her. "Putangina, what kind of introduction is this?"

Sam shrugged. "A fun one."

Alice narrowed her eyes. "How do you even know about me and Risa?"

Sam smirked. "Oh please. Loren’s been ranting about it all day. She’s either obsessed with your love life or she’s planning your downfall. Either way, I’m entertained."

Alice groaned. "I hate this fucking office."

"That’s the spirit," Sam said approvingly.

Alice finally poured herself a cup of coffee, muttering curses under her breath. "You’re really betting on whether we get caught?"

"Obviously," Sam said. "I’m putting 500 pesos on this week."

Alice scoffed. "Joke’s on you. We’ve been careful."

Sam hummed, eyeing Alice like she was considering something. Then, with the most innocent voice ever, she suddenly yelled—

"OH MY GOD, MS. HONTIVEROS?!"

Alice panicked, nearly spilling her coffee as she spun around—only to realize absolutely fucking no one was behind her.

Sam cackled, nearly doubling over. "Holy shit, you’re so guilty!"

Alice glared daggers at her. "Putangina mo!"

"Nice to meet you too," Sam said, grinning.

Alice groaned. "I hate you already."

"You’ll love me in a week."

"Never."

Sam just winked, sipping her coffee. "We’ll see."