I didn't speak until we arrived home, still holding onto the necklace, and quietly made my way to my room. It was exhausting. Why am I feeling like this? My mind is filled with thoughts of Ervine. Maybe I relied too much on the goodness that Ervine showed me. Sigh!
"Lottie, what's happening to you?" Ate entered the room.
Worry was evident on Ate's face. I couldn't bring myself to tell her that her sister was heartbroken.
"Lottie..."
She suddenly hugged me tightly. I could feel the warmth enveloping me in her embrace. I remained silent, just trying to feel her presence.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about me and Alejandro," she said softly.
She was referring to Mr. Valdez? It seemed so casual for her to mention Mr. Valdez's name.
That night, Ate confessed to me who Alejandro Valdez was in her life, and I listened to her quietly.
Alejandro was my classmate from first year to fourth year of high school. He was intelligent and handsome, so it's natural that many people liked him. Meanwhile, I was struggling to improve my grades! So, it never crossed my mind that he would develop feelings for me. Well, I knew I was beautiful, and many suitors approached me back then. But one day, I was surprised when he suddenly confessed to me on the school rooftop. During those times, I was just playing around with him. Until we graduated, I didn't feel anything for him. I just assumed we had broken up even though we never had a formal breakup. But fate had it that we would meet again when I applied for a job, and he turned out to be the owner's son!
Ate let out a deep sigh and spoke again, "You know, I almost didn't continue with the job, but I thought of you. With our parents gone, what would happen to the two of us? Plus, the company offers a high salary and many benefits. So, I decided to go ahead, and there... I couldn't avoid Alejandro's questions about why we suddenly lost communication. I couldn't tell him that I was just playing him back then. And then, he confessed again, saying that he wanted to fix everything between us. I agreed because he seemed genuinely serious. But then, I caught him! He was with another girl at the mall, holding hands and the girl had this huge smile on her face, ear to ear!"
Are you sure they were in a relationship, that girl and him?
Maybe she's just a sister?
Come on, he's an only child, he doesn't have any siblings! And besides, would a girl cling onto a guy's arm if there was nothing going on between them?
That's why you're angry at Mr. Valdez? You didn't even bother finding out who the girl was?
No need! It's women's intuition!
That's why since then, it's over. Finished! I will never believe in him again, no matter what! Just when I was ready to get serious, he... 
Ate, you played with his feelings in high school, isn't that called karma? No way! And besides, I was still in high school back then!
Even so, Mommy always said that if we do harm to others, it will come back to us, maybe even doubled! Like now, we're cursed!
After our conversation, Ate went back to her room. I noticed earlier that her necklace was black, just like mine. I couldn't tell her, but I felt anxious about what might happen to us. It seems like the curse between me and Ate Carmen can't be lifted.
Once again, I'm swamped with work here in my sister's office, and I'm nervous about school. I wonder what my kind sister will do this time. The news about my dual personality has spread all over the school. Maybe next time they'll request to send me to a mental institution, sigh!
"Guys, tidy yourselves up, President Valdez has a visitor!" commanded Sir Henry.
He clapped his hands and made us all stand up, inspecting each one of us for cleanliness and proper attire. Even the cubicles were scrutinized for cleanliness. Who could Mr. Valdez's visitor be? Maybe one of the clients. Why would they pass by here? They could go straight to his office.
"Carmen! Fix your hair, what's with that headband on your head? Are you in grade school? Take it off, and fix your lipstick, it's beyond your lips! You're not yourself again, who is taking over Carmen's body?" Sir Henry scolded, shaking his head.
Since I have no knowledge of makeup, I end up looking like a child in front of them. I took out my mirror from my bag and fixed my lipstick, removing the headband. It's a waste, it was my favorite.
Soon, the door opened, and Sir Henry welcomed Mr. Valdez with a beautiful woman by his side.
She clung onto Mr. Valdez's arm, exuding beauty and sophistication. She had a classy and elegant attire, and I was mesmerized by her beauty. Miztesa and tall, it was evident that she had foreign blood due to her sharp nose and natural hair color.
"Argenta, this is the HR department. He is Mr. Henry Choi, the supervisor," Mr. Valdez introduced Sir Henry to the woman he called Argenta.
Sir Henry reached out his hand for a handshake, but the woman ignored him and held onto Mr. Valdez's arm. Before they exited the room, I noticed Mr. Valdez giving me a glance. It made me wonder if Ms. Argenta was the woman my sister saw with him before. 
Indeed, Ms. Argenta had a striking beauty and class compared to my sister. My sister was beautiful too, but she had a more carefree way of carrying herself.
"Hmph! I don't like Mr. President's cousin, acting like she's the most beautiful thing!" grumbled Sir Henry. He tilted his head in annoyance.
By the way, my sister mentioned to me that Sir Henry is allergic to classy and snobbish women. She told me that he's a member of the third generation, in other words, he's gay.
"Uh, so she's actually Mr. Valdez's cousin? But why do they act more than just cousins when she clings onto him?" I asked, curious while Sir Henry's tongue was still sharp.
"Oh, goodness! It's already known in the office that the woman is chasing after Mr. President. Obviously, she's clinging onto Mr. Chairman!" Sir Henry replied, full of sarcasm.
Sir Henry's annoyance towards Ms. Argenta revealed his true character. He grabbed the pile of papers and looked at me before speaking again.
"Ms. Argenta is President Valdez's adopted cousin. She was taken in by Mr. Chairman's sibling, and she wants to be Mr. Chairman's wife for his only child. Of course, to avoid any scandal, they're keeping it within the family, right?" he gossiped.
"Well then, let's get back to work. The show is over!" Sir Henry clapped his hands and signaled us to return to our respective tasks.
I returned to my seat, typing on the computer, and I couldn't help but think about my sister. I wondered how she would react if she were in my situation right now. It seems highly unlikely that she and Mr. Valdez would have any kind of relationship. Their worlds are worlds apart.