Simula(Selene's POV)"Ms. Montreal, you're needed at the conference room in ten minutes."
Napatingin ako mula sa screen ng computer ko. Si Abby, ang assistant ng department head namin, ang nakadungaw sa cubicle ko. Her expression was all business, but the subtle arch of her brow hinted she knew something I didn't.
"Conference room? Para saan?" tanong ko habang mabilis na inayos ang files sa desk ko."Bagong apprentice ni Sir Mendoza. Magpapakilala daw siya sa team."Bagong apprentice? Hindi ko alam na may bago kaming personnel. Dallas Bank wasn't exactly in the habit of hiring fresh faces for executive roles. Kahit na assistant pa lang, siguradong mataas ang standards nila.
"Noted. Thanks, Abby." I forced a smile kahit na medyo nagtataka ako. I'm not the type to obsess over changes, but surprises like this always threw me off balance. I preferred things planned, structured—predictable.Pag-alis ni Abby, nag-exhale ako ng malalim. Focus, Selene. Isa lang itong regular na introduction meeting. Wala namang dapat ikabahala. Hinanap ko ang compact mirror sa drawer ko at nag-check ng sarili. My brown hair was tied in a neat bun, my blouse crisp and spotless. Professional and composed, gaya ng gusto kong ipakita."Okay," bulong ko sa sarili bago tumayo. I walked confidently towards the conference room, my heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor. Pero sa totoo lang, may kaunting kaba akong nararamdaman.Pagpasok ko sa conference room, naroon na ang iba kong mga kasamahan. Everyone was seated, murmuring among themselves. Sa gitna, naroon si Sir Mendoza, nakatayo sa tabi ng isang lalaki na nakatalikod. From behind, he was tall, broad-shouldered, and exuded an air of quiet confidence."Selene, dito ka." Sinenyasan ako ni Carla, ang teammate ko, na tumabi sa kanya. Tumango ako at naupo, pilit na ini-ignore ang pag-usisa ng isip ko kung sino ang lalaki."Alright, everyone, settle down," Sir Mendoza said, his deep voice cutting through the room's chatter. "I'd like you all to meet Herman Leonardo Aragon, my apprentice. He'll be working closely with me on several projects, and I expect you all to assist him as needed."Nanigas ako sa kinauupuan ko. Hindi ko napigilang tumitig sa lalaki habang unti-unti siyang humarap. And just like that, the years seemed to peel away, and I was back in university, staring at the face of the one person I thought I'd never see again."Heleon," bulong ko sa sarili ko, halos hindi marinig ng kahit sino. Pero naramdaman kong tumigil ang mundo ko.He looked the same, yet different. His chiseled jawline was now more defined, his sharp features softened by a maturity that made him even more striking. Pero ang mga mata niya—those familiar, deep-set eyes—they still held that intensity that could make anyone feel seen.For a second, his gaze swept across the room and landed on me. His lips twitched into the faintest smile, and I swear my heart stopped. Pumikit ako saglit, hoping na baka nagkakamali lang ako, pero hindi. It was really him. Herman Leonardo Aragon.Ang campus crush na hinangaan ng lahat. Ang lalaking minsan kong nakasabay sa library, nakatabi sa cafeteria, at lihim kong hinangaan pero hindi kailanman naging bahagi ng mundo ko."Good afternoon, everyone," he began, his voice deep and smooth, like warm honey. "I'm Herman Aragon, but you can call me Heleon. I'm honored to be here and to learn from one of the best teams in the industry. I'm looking forward to working with all of you."I felt Carla nudge me sa tagiliran. "Ang gwapo, noh? Bagay sa kanya yung suit."Hindi ako nakasagot. My throat felt dry, and my pulse raced as if I had run a marathon. He was no longer just a memory from my past. He was here, standing a few feet away from me, smiling like he had no idea how much chaos his presence was causing me."Selene, okay ka lang?" Carla whispered, her brows furrowed."H-ha? Oo, okay lang ako," sagot ko, pilit na nginitian siya. But deep inside, I wasn't okay. Not even close.Pagkatapos ng meeting, everyone was quick to swarm around Heleon. Introductions left and right, handshakes, and friendly exchanges filled the room. I stayed in my seat, hoping to avoid any direct interaction. Ngunit parang may sariling buhay ang mga paa ko nang makita kong papalapit siya sa direksyon ko."Selene?" he said, his voice filled with disbelief and curiosity.Napatingin ako sa kanya. "Hi, Heleon." My voice came out softer than I intended. Parang bigla akong nahiya."It's been a while," he said, his eyes scanning my face as if confirming na ako nga talaga."Oo nga, it has," sagot ko, trying to keep my tone casual kahit na ang lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko."You work here?" he asked, tilting his head slightly. Para siyang genuinely curious, pero hindi ko maalis ang slight amusement sa boses niya."Uh, yes. I've been here for three years now," sagot ko. "And you? Akala ko nasa abroad ka na."He nodded. "I was. But I figured it was time to come back. Dallas Bank made me an offer I couldn't refuse."Hindi ko alam kung paano magre-react. The last time I saw him, he was leaving the university, and now he was here, in the same room, working for the same company. It felt surreal."Well, welcome back," sabi ko na lang. I forced a smile, hoping it would hide the flurry of emotions bubbling inside me.He smiled back, and for a moment, everything else faded. Parang may sariling mundo kaming dalawa. Pero hindi iyon nagtagal."Selene, let's go?" Carla's voice broke through the moment. Napatingin ako sa kanya at tumango. "Excuse me," sabi ko kay Heleon bago tumalikod at sumabay kay Carla palabas ng conference room.Pagbalik sa desk ko, hindi ko maiwasang mag-reflect sa nangyari. Heleon was back, and he was no longer the boy I used to admire from afar. He was a man now—charming, confident, and undeniably captivating. But as much as I wanted to dwell on the memories and the what-ifs, alam kong hindi pwede. He was my colleague now, and in a company that strictly forbade office romances, the last thing I needed was to entertain any lingering feelings.Focus, Selene. Trabaho muna.