The confrontation

The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the IInnovare Center, casting long shadows across the polished floors. Marie, still processing the previous night's events, arrived early, hoping to clear her mind. As she stepped into the office, she spotted Brian seated at their shared desk. His face lit up with recognition as he saw her.

"Marie!" Brian called out, rising from his seat and striding towards her. He enveloped her in a warm, reassuring hug. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there last night to protect you."

Marie returned the embrace, her tension easing slightly. "It's okay, Brian. I managed to survive the night just fine," she said with a faint smile, trying to lighten the mood. Her gaze drifted to the open door of the president's office. "Hey, why is the office already open?"

"Madam Kyoko and Madam Bianca are having a meeting in the office," Brian explained. "They were looking for you."

Marie's curiosity piqued. She made her way to the president's office, her footsteps echoing softly in the hallway. As she entered, she found Bianca and Kyoko seated on the couch, their expressions serious as they sipped their tea.

"Good morning, ladies," Marie greeted, trying to maintain her composure despite the gravity of the situation.

"Marie, sit down. We need to ask you a few questions," Kyoko said, her tone firm but not unkind.

Marie took a seat in the plush armchair opposite them, feeling the weight of their scrutiny. "Sure, what's up?"

Bianca leaned forward, her eyes fixed on Marie. "We want to know what happened the night that Kanna Almeida took you into her hotel suite."

Marie took a deep breath. "Well, she lent me a dress because mine had wine stains on it. And then Sir Rafael came in to return her wallet."

Bianca and Kyoko exchanged glances. "That's all?" Bianca asked, her eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Yes, that's all," Marie confirmed, a hint of unease in her voice. "Is there something more I should know?"

Jasmine entered the room at that moment, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. She took a seat across from her sisters, her eyes immediately locking onto Rafael, who had just walked in wearing the same suit from the previous night.

"How was Dad's hunt?" Bianca asked Jasmine as she settled in.

Jasmine sighed. "You better not ask me that question again," she muttered, her tone tinged with frustration. Rafael's presence seemed to intensify the tension in the room.

Kyoko, noticing Rafael's attire, quipped, "Don't you have any plans on taking a bath or changing clothes?"

"The suit is very clean, and so are my sleeves," Rafael replied, brushing off the concern. "It's not like I've been doing anything dirty."

Jasmine raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "So, you didn't go home after the party? I'm assuming you spent the night elsewhere."

Rafael's face reddened slightly, but he quickly defended himself. "No, I did not," he said, clearly uncomfortable with the line of questioning.

"Well, how would you explain Kanna Almeida walking towards my office right now?" Jasmine asked, standing up and walking towards the door. Her eyes narrowed as she recognized Kanna approaching.

The sisters' attention shifted to Kanna as she entered the office. Bianca's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Well, look who decided to grace us with her presence. What brings you here?"

"I'm here to return your brother's wallet," Kanna replied matter-of-factly, her eyes briefly meeting Rafael's. She handed the wallet to him with a smile that seemed both genuine and mischievous.

Rafael took the wallet from her, muttering his thanks. Before he could react further, Kanna suddenly pulled him closer, their lips meeting in a kiss that left everyone in the room stunned. The kiss was brief but passionate, a lingering reminder of their past relationship.

"Thank you for last night. I appreciate it," Kanna whispered, her voice laced with both gratitude and playfulness. She cast a final, lingering look at Rafael's sisters before turning and leaving the office.

The room was silent for a moment, the shock of the kiss still hanging in the air. Rafael turned to face his sisters, a look of confusion on his face. "What?" he asked, genuinely puzzled by their reactions.

"A tramp will always be a tramp," Kyoko said coldly as she walked out of the office, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Bianca followed suit, her expression a mix of disappointment and frustration. "I have too much work on my desk. You might want to go back to your office."

Jasmine remained in the room, her gaze fixed on Rafael. "I don't know what's going on with you and Kanna, but I suggest you figure it out. And you, Marie," she added, turning her attention to the young woman, "you should go back to your desk. I'm sure you have work to catch up on."

Marie nodded, her curiosity about the drama unfolding around her piqued but subdued. She exited the office, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. As she walked back to her desk, she glanced back at Rafael, who stood there looking both embarrassed and contemplative.

Brian watched Marie from the doorway, his concern for her evident. He caught her eye and gave a small, supportive smile as she passed. Marie managed a weak smile in return, feeling a bit more grounded by his presence.

The day continued with a palpable undercurrent of tension, the events of the previous night and morning adding a complex layer to the office dynamics. Marie couldn't shake the feeling that the drama was far from over, and she wondered what other revelations the day might bring.

-----

Marie, trying to focus on her tasks, couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversation and gossip that hinted at the chaos unfolding behind closed doors.

In the lobby, the arrival of Karen, Rafael's current girlfriend, created a stir. She walked in with a determined stride, her face a mix of confusion and determination. Kanna was there too, engaged in a conversation with some colleagues, her demeanor calm and collected despite the earlier drama.

Karen spotted Kanna and, with a mixture of anxiety and anger, approached her. Kanna looked up, her eyes meeting Karen's with an unreadable expression.

"Excuse me, Kanna," Karen said, her voice sharp. "We need to talk."

Kanna raised an eyebrow, her demeanor cool. "Oh? And about what?"

"About Rafael," Karen said, crossing her arms. "I found out that you two... spent the night together."

Kanna's gaze remained steady. "Yes, Rafael and I did share a night together. What of it?"

Karen's face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger. "I thought you two were over. How could you do this to me?"

Before Kanna could respond, Rafael, who had been watching from a distance, stepped forward. "Karen, can we talk?"

Karen's eyes narrowed as she turned to him. "So, it's true then. You spent the night with her?"

"Karen, let's take this somewhere private," Rafael said, his voice firm but apologetic.

The two of them moved to a quieter corner of the office, where the tension between them became palpable. Kanna watched from a distance, her expression a blend of indifference and curiosity.

Rafael took a deep breath before speaking. "Karen, I never meant to hurt you. What happened with Kanna was... a mistake, something that happened before I fully committed to our relationship."

Karen's eyes brimmed with tears. "A mistake? You think that makes it okay?"

Rafael reached out to her, but Karen stepped back. "I didn't want this to happen. Kanna and I have a complicated history, and things just got out of hand."

As Rafael tried to explain, Kyoko, Bianca, and Jasmine entered the scene, having overheard the commotion. Their faces lit up with a mixture of amusement and mockery.

"Well, well, if it isn't the love triangle," Kyoko said with a smirk. "I see things are getting interesting."

Bianca chimed in, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "I guess Rafael just can't keep it in his pants, can he?"

Jasmine, struggling to suppress a laugh, added, "And here I thought Kanna was done with drama. Guess we were wrong."

Karen looked at the three sisters, her expression a mix of frustration and embarrassment. "Is this some kind of joke to you?"

"No, Karen," Kyoko said, her smile widening. "It's just that we've seen this sort of thing before. Rafael has a habit of attracting drama."

Bianca leaned in closer, her gaze fixed on Kanna. "And Kanna, darling, how does it feel to be the other woman? Again?"

Kanna's expression remained cool and unflappable. "I don't think Rafael and I have anything to explain to you. What happened between us was personal."

Karen, feeling cornered and humiliated, turned back to Rafael. "So, is this how it's going to be? You're just going to run back to her?"

Rafael shook his head. "No, Karen. That's not what I meant. I'm trying to work through this, but I need you to understand that it was a mistake."

As the confrontation continued, the office buzzed with whispers and sidelong glances. The sisters' laughter and mocking comments only added to Karen's distress. She looked around, feeling exposed and vulnerable.

Feeling the weight of the situation, Karen took a deep breath. "I think I need some time to process this. Maybe we should talk later."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Rafael and Kanna standing amidst the remnants of their tumultuous relationship. The sisters watched her leave, their laughter subsiding as they turned their attention back to their own matters.

Rafael sighed deeply, his face a picture of regret and frustration. "I'm sorry for all this. I didn't mean for things to get so complicated."

Kanna, watching him with a mix of sympathy and detachment, said, "Sometimes things just spiral out of control. All we can do is deal with the aftermath."

As Rafael stood there, feeling the weight of the morning's events, he realized that the repercussions of his actions were far-reaching.

---

The office had quieted down after the morning's dramatic scenes, and Marie had returned to her desk, her mind racing with the morning's events. As she worked through her tasks, the soft murmur of voices drifted from the conference room down the hallway. Curious, she moved closer, trying to catch snippets of the conversation.

Inside the conference room, Rafael sat with his younger brothers—Muro, Kazuki, and Takeru. The mood was serious but less charged with emotion compared to earlier. The brothers leaned in, their expressions a mix of concern and determination.

"Rafael, you need to consider going after Kanna," Muro said, his voice steady and firm. "She's been a part of your life for so long, and Karen... well, she's not the one who fits."

Kazuki nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Karen's father might be wealthy, but you know how things work in our world. Money isn't everything."

Takeru, always the pragmatic one, added, "Besides, Kanna is someone who knows you well. Reconnecting with her might be the best choice, even if it complicates things."

Rafael, who had been staring out of the window, turned to face his brothers. "I understand what you're saying, but Karen's father is one of the richest men in the Philippines. It's not just about feelings; there are business implications too."

Muro frowned slightly. "Come on, Rafael. Dad and Godmother Takako are among the richest and most powerful figures in Asia. If anyone has the clout to deal with such matters, it's us."

Kazuki leaned forward, his voice earnest. "You can't let wealth and influence dictate your choices when it comes to matters of the heart. Karen's family might have money, but that doesn't mean you have to settle for a relationship that doesn't make you happy."

Rafael sighed, rubbing his temples. "It's not just about settling. I respect Karen's family and what they represent, but I also need to consider what's best for me personally."

Takeru nodded sympathetically. "We get that, but remember that Kanna is someone you have history with. If there's still something there, it might be worth pursuing. Even if it means facing complications."

Marie, having overheard most of the conversation, hesitated before approaching the door. She knocked lightly before entering, her face a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"Sorry for eavesdropping," Marie began, her voice tentative. "But I couldn't help but hear. Are you really considering going back to Kanna?"

Rafael looked up, surprised but not annoyed. "Yes, Marie. That's what we were discussing. I'm trying to figure out the best way to handle this situation."

Muro, sensing the opportunity to offer additional support, addressed Marie directly. "Marie, you've seen how things have unfolded. What do you think? Should Rafael reconsider his feelings for Kanna?"

Marie took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "Honestly, I think Kanna seems like someone who genuinely cares about Rafael. The way she helped me yesterday... it showed a side of her that's compassionate and supportive. If there's a chance for you two to reconnect, it might be worth exploring."

Kazuki gave a small, encouraging nod. "See? Even Marie sees the value in giving it a shot."

Takeru added, "And don't forget, Rafael, it's not just about business or appearances. It's about what makes you happy. Kanna might be a better fit than Karen, despite the complexities."

Rafael looked at his brothers, feeling the weight of their advice. "I appreciate all your input. It's just... a lot to process."

The brothers exchanged looks of understanding. "Take your time," Muro said. "But remember that we're here for you, no matter what you decide."

Marie, sensing the conclusion of the discussion, nodded and stepped back. "If you need any more advice or just someone to talk to, I'm here."

As Marie left the conference room, Rafael remained behind with his brothers, the sense of clarity they had provided beginning to settle in. The conversation had given him a new perspective, and though he was still uncertain about the future, he felt a renewed sense of purpose.

The morning's drama and the subsequent advice from his younger siblings had set Rafael on a path of self-reflection. As he prepared to face the challenges ahead, he knew that the decisions he made would not only impact his personal life but also ripple through the complex web of relationships and obligations that defined his world.

---chapter end---