His Guilty Pleasure

"Have you eaten?" Allison asked Troy when he arrived at her apartment. She expected him to come today because he texted her that he would be here after work. It was obvious that he had just come from work, and he went straight to her apartment because he was still wearing his long white sleeves that folded up to his elbows and the looseness of his necktie.

Troy didn't answer her because he just went directly to the mini fridge to get bottled water and drink it.

"Would you like me to just order or cook for you?" Allison asked, sat down on the tall chair, and leaned her elbow on the counter where he still had his back turned.

Troy still didn't answer her.

'What's wrong with him?' she can't help but ask herself. 'I'm not used to this. Sometimes he even kisses me when he comes to my apartment or suddenly sits next to me to cuddle me, but today, he didn't even move closer.'

Allison was about to speak again to ask him a question, but he already spoke, which made her stop. "I can't have a relationship with you anymore," Troy said weakly while turning his back on her. Even if he speaks softly, it's as if he shouted that to her and hurt every corner of her body.

"W-what?" That's all she could say to him after a few seconds of shock. He slowly faced her, and their eyes immediately met. Allison couldn't see any emotion on his face, and he looked straight into her eyes when he said the words she never expected him to utter.

"Let's break up. That's the best thing we can do, Allison." Troy just put the bottle on the counter and hurriedly left the apartment.

Allison was left there wondering, confused, hurt, and in tears.

Allison was in tears while talking to her friend on the phone, saying Troy had broken up with her that day.

"I tried to call and text him, but he has blocked me or changed his number. I DON'T FUCKING KNOW!" Allison hissed while sobbing.

"He's just an asshole, Allison. Don't chase him. Let him!"

"I just want to talk to him. I want to ask him if what he said is true because I still can't process in my mind why he broke up with me." Allison's tears kept falling down her cheeks.

"What? Are you still going to ask him that? Are you out of your mind? Not answering your phone calls and text messages is enough proof that he's being serious." Aya is her best friend and the only one to comfort her at that time.

"But why? What is the reason? We've been very okay this whole week; the two of us rarely fight. In the one year we've been together; we can count how many times we've fought. Usually, it's just a misunderstanding. But nothing more. Our relationship is given and taken; we are both mature to think and know our priorities. You know that. When I'm busy, he understands, and when he's busy, I'm the one who understands. Still, we find a way to make up with each other. We clicked so much that I don't know why he broke up with me, Aya." Allison got even tearier remembering how perfect Troy was for her as her partner.

"I know that, Allison. But leaving you hanging with so many questions on your mind is enough proof that he's a coward. How can he leave you like that in so much pain? I will punch him in his face if I ever so him."

"Our relationship is almost perfect, Aya. That's why I DON'T UNDERSTAND! WHAT REASON? I know he's not cheating on me because he's not like that."

"What made you think that? He's still a man, Allison."

"I know him. He's not a cheater, Aya. He is too busy with his work."

"Oh. I get it now."

Allison frowned. "What do you mean?"

"He has a third party. And obviously, it's his job. Troy chose his job over your relationship with him."

Allison was automatically stunned at what she heard. Aya has a point.

'Having Troy another woman is impossible, but choosing his career over me is very him.'

Her hips are shaking and circling uncontrollably while dancing when she's following the rhythm of the music from the DJ here at Vallor Club. She is a bit drunk but doesn't want to stop dancing and drinking alcohol.

She is Allison Gregorio, and she's having so much fun as if there's no tomorrow. Why? Because her boyfriend, for almost a year, broke up with her, and she wants to forget all the pain that night. Allison thinks he is the one for her since they are dating with a marriage on their minds. Or maybe she just assumed things since they talked about their future together.

Allison is now 25 years old and working as a consultant in a not-so-popular small agency in town. She loves to travel, but her ex-boyfriend Troy is always against that hobby. Allison loves her boyfriend so much that she's allowing him to decide for herself.

"F*ck, Allison. After doing everything he wants, choosing him over myself, and this is what I get in return? He just dumped me like that?! That's bullshit! No! He's bullshit!" she whispered and paused a bit from dancing. Allison was resentful, especially since the man didn't even give her a reason and just broke up with her that day.

Because she was busy cursing her ex-boyfriend in her head, she was unaware of the man sitting on a stool who seemed attracted to her. She had no idea that her dance, messy hair, and body gave too much erection between the thighs of River Santillan.

It was usual for River to feel that feeling, and he couldn't take his eyes off the lady as he drank his expensive wine and bit his lip.

River Santillan is a young man aged 27. He doesn't have a job, but he has an investment in Vallor Club, which is very popular in that area. He also has investments in big and famous companies, so even if he is not working, his money will continue to flow into him.

He is rich and handsome, and women are always chasing him, but even so, they still elude him. Why? It's simple because he doesn't want short commitments. But, as he stared at Allison for a long time, he felt his principles change.

"Fuck! She's hot!" River said to himself. "I am a decent person, but goddamn, I'm willing to forget that so I can have a one-night stand with her."

He couldn't take his eyes off the lady because he feared losing her. The song was almost over, but he was still staring at her. River was not confident enough to approach the girl.

'ls, she alone? Or she's with someone?'

'I want to ensure that first because I don't want to get into a fight if she's already committed to another man. But I hope she's still single.'

It didn't take long for Allison to feel tired, so she decided to get ready to go home. She also lowered her dress, which was slightly raised due to her wild dancing. She had work the next day and didn't want to be late, so she had to leave even if she wanted to stay at the bar for a while.

"The party is over Allison. It looks like you enjoyed yourself today, so it's over."

She doesn't want to go home anymore since she will only remember her ex-boyfriend there. Her apartment is their make-out place. But she can't do anything about it.

"Just don't he dare to show his face to me, or else I'll kill him! Grr!" She grabbed her bag furiously.

River unintentionally took his eyes off the young lady when suddenly, a woman appeared before him.

"Hey, handsome," said the woman with a flirtatious tone. "I'm Fatima. And you are?"

"I'm sorry. I'm not interested," River directly refused her.

"What? Are you rejecting me?"

'Jeez! I don't have time to entertain her, but I don't want to be so rude.'

River peeks at the lady, and when he sees she is about to leave, he immediately stands up.

"Hey! I'm still talking to you."

"I'm sorry. I'm with someone," River said seriously.

"With someone? I've been watching you here for a while now. You don't seem to be with anyone.

He didn't pay attention to that and once again looked at the young lady's place and quickly frowned when he couldn't see the woman there.

"Where did she go? Fuck!"

"Hey. Answer me, who's with you?" Damn this girl!

"I'm sorry, I have to go." That's all he said, and he didn't wait for her to speak and left entirely.

River ignored the crowded, narrow way on the dance floor to look for the woman, but he failed to find her. He looked around but didn't see the only woman who got his attention that night. River felt annoyed. Now, he is even more clueless about how he can know the woman because he has no idea who she is at all.

"Fuck!"

At the office of his friend Sevi Vallor, the bar owner, he was sitting on the couch, drinking some canned beer.

"Can I see your logbook? I mean, the log book of the bar." His friend Sevi couldn't help frowning because of what he said.

"Of course not," Sevi firmly answered.

River stood up from the sofa he was sitting on to approach his friend. But before he could speak, Sevi asked, "Are you out of your mind? That's private. The names in the logbook are confidential. Besides, what do you need? What are you up to?"

"I saw a woman earlier. She caught my attention, so I had to find out who she was," River seems desperate. "I need to know her name and how to see her again. I need her contact number. So, can you cooperate? Can I see your logbook?"

The logbook he referred to was the list of people who entered the Vallor bar that night. He hopes this will be the way for him to meet and see the girl again.

Sevi laughed at him and even shook his head.

"You are out of your mind, River."

"I'm being serious here, Sevi."

"So, you will use the bar's logbook to find the girl you're referring to? Without any idea who she is? Come on. My bar is famous, so many girls and boys come here. Tell me. How can you find the girl in my logbook with only a name written on it?" Sevi answered in his undeniable situation of him.

River was quiet because of that. He realized that his friend was right. He couldn't help but sit on the couch again and take a deep breath. That reality hits him.

"You know what; if you meet the girl you're talking about again, destiny will make that way for you. Don't rush it, and wait, okay?"

"Whatever. There's nothing more I can do," River answered and drank again.

River couldn't get the girl he saw at the bar out of his mind. He knew he wanted to meet the girl, but as his friend Sevi said, it seemed vague.

Allison woke up early from her deep sleep that morning. She has to get ready to go to work. Even though she feels her head hurts because of the hangover, Allison ignores it because she knows she will be late.

'You can do this, Allison. You can't be a foul shot by your boss because you have to get this month's Employee of the Month. I have found out that there is a prize to be won by the one who wins the title.'

Allison gets motivated, thinking that the prize obtained is an increase in her salary or maybe her promotion at work. Even though they broke up, she must show her ex-boyfriend she is better now. She grabbed the picture frame on her side table containing her picture with her ex-boyfriend together.

"Huh! You may be thinking that I will be miserable after our break up. That's not going to happen! Just wait, Troy, you'll regret leaving me," she said angrily and violently threw the picture frame into the trash bin. After that, she stood up and went straight to the bathroom to shower.

Allison's ex-boyfriend is a boss in a big company. She didn't know what his position exactly was because the man didn't like to talk about it. She feels her ex-boyfriend is ashamed to brag about his high work in a well-known company because he doesn't want her to feel she is just a consultant.

Her last news about Troy was that he had been promoted at work, and his position in the company he was working for had increased, so she thought that might be the reason why the man broke up with her.

Allison quickly hailed a cab.

"Take me to the Liberty Agency," she told the driver.

She is just wearing a white long sleeve, black skirt, and a black ribbon around the collar neck, matching a pair of black heels. It's Monday, that's why she's wearing that. Even though the small agency she works for doesn't have a proper uniform, she still chooses the right clothes. That was also why she was included in the Employee of the Month selection list.

After Allison got into the cab, she took out her face powder, cheek tint, and lip tint that she would use to make herself more presentable at work.

Because she knows she will be late, she always does her make-up in the cab. She used to do that thing so that she could get a few more minutes to sleep.

After some minutes, she arrived at the Liberty Agency.

"Good morning, guard," she greeted the security guard and finally entered the building.

Allison went straight to the elevator and waited for it to open.

While waiting, one of her seniors appeared at her side and greeted her.

"Good morning, Allison."

'Tsk. He's here again!' She secretly rolled her eyes at him. 'His day can't be complete if he doesn't talk to me. My god! He's getting on my nerves! And because he's my senior, I must be respectful even though I'm not on his team.'

"Good morning," she greeted back.

"I heard that you reached your quota yesterday," Jake said while smiling from ear to ear.

'Heard? Is he still using that alibi? For sure, he was stalking me because I know he liked me for so long now.'

"Ahh. Yes."

Just in time, the elevator door opened, so Allison got on it. To be obvious, of course, she was with him, and unfortunately, they were the only two inside.

"I'm just now congratulating you. If you want, I can treat you outside later," Jake said, turning to face Allison a little while smiling. "Let's eat in a fancy restaurant that, for sure, you can't afford to eat. It's my treat, so don't worry."

'Hooh! Be patient, Allison; you don't need to be nice to him once you get promoted. The price you can get can may be a promotion; you will become a Senior like him. So just wait.'

"Ah. No thanks. I'm really busy, you know," Allison answered and smiled slightly.

"Oh, come on, Allison. Are you still turning me down? I heard that you're single now."

'God! How can he know that too? He's definitely my stalker! Well, he's handsome. But Jake is not my type. Except for being too high on himself, he's also five years older than me. I'm not into older guys.'

"Yes. I'm single, but it doesn't mean I'm ready to mingle."

"Just one date, Allison. You'll surely be going to like me after that-" He couldn't finish what he would say when the elevator door opened.

"Oh, the door is open. Bye, senior." Allison smiled when she got out. They were not on the same floor, so she knew he couldn't follow her.

Fortunately, the door opened just in time. Jake will surely force me to have a date with him. Jake is always like that, even though he knows I have been in a relationship.

'Shit! I remember Troy again! When will I forget him!? It isn't enjoyable. All of a sudden, he came to my mind, and last night, I even Allisoned about him. Great! Just great! How can I move on like that?!'

Her blood immediately boils when Allison remembers how Troy broke up with her. It was so sudden that it didn't come to her mind.

FAST FORWARD

Allison can't help being nervous from where she stands as she sees her boss with her senior, Ms. Janda. They are about to announce who will be the Employee of The Month this month, and she can feel her heart pounding.

'This is it, Allison. The long wait is over. I waited for this for almost a week, and now that it's close, I can't explain how I must feel. Before, I was still confident that I would be the EOTM; now, I am not. Because I heard that my co-worker, Bella, has also caught up with her quota, so I'm a bit lopsided.

"I got the result from your senior, Ms. Janda, this morning. I know you are all waiting for it, so that I won't delay the announcement," their boss, Ms. Liberty, announced.

Ms. Liberty smiled as she slowly opened the small envelope.

'Oh, God! I am nervous!'

"Congratulations..." Their boss even teases them by hanging her words. "Congratulations on being the employee of the month... Ms. Allison Gregorio," she continued.

Oh my God! Allison immediately lifted her head because of that.

"Congratulations, Allison." Her co-worker, Sam, greeted her first because she was just behind her.

She can't explain her joys even though she is always the EOTM. But it's more fun now because she can win a prize.

"Congratulations Ms. Gregorio," her senior, Ms. Janda, greeted her while smiling from ear to ear. "You seem motivated. Are you planning to get married soon? That's why you are working so hard?"

Married? Damn it! My heart aches again hearing that word.

"Ah. N-no, Ms. Janda," she replied weakly.

"That's good to hear. I don't want to lose a good and motivated employee like you just yet."

"Congratulations Ms. Gregorio!" Ms. Liberty greeted her too.

"Thank you, Ms. Librety," she replied politely.

"Can we talk in my office? So that we can discuss your prize." Ms. Liberty said while still smiling, and Allison just nodded in agreement.

"Go on, Allison. Get your prize. You deserve it!" Ms. Janda cheered her up once more.

"Thank you, Ms. Janda." She started to walk to go in her boss' office.

Allison couldn't hide her wide smile while standing before her boss's office. She even breathed heavily before she entered.

"Congratulations again, Ms. Gregorio." Ms. Liberty stood up and shook her hand.

"Thank you, Ms. Liberty."

"You deserve it; your ranking is high on Janda's list. And that's very impressive. Sit down." She even guides her to sit down in front of the table. "I'm sure you'll be happy with the prize you'll receive. Here." She handed Allison a small but long brown envelope and accepted it without a word.

What is this? Additional salary? Or is it a pin with 'SENIOR' engraved because I've been promoted? Huhuhu. I'm nervous about opening it.

Allison gulped so badly while slowly opening the envelope. A white paper welcomed her sight.

What is this? A ticket?

Allison looks surprised at Ms. Liberty because this is not what she expected to receive. But even so, she didn't show disappointment on her face.

Ms. Liberty smiled at her. "You got a super ferry ticket from 2Go Travel because you will have a one-week vacation in Coron Palawan. With a standard room and your meals are free. Add to that; you also have 20,000 pesos of pocket money. What do you think? Are you excited?"

Allison still couldn't react much. She is still determining if she should be happy with her prize. She would instead get a salary increase or be promoted than go on vacation.

Vallor CLUB

"F*ck, River.. Ever since you met this girl at Vallor, I've noticed you're always here. You almost sleep here based on Sevi." Here comes the tease of his friend Ashton. River just ignored him and continued drinking his beer. They are just inside their private room in Vallor.

"Hahaha. Let him, Ashton. He will never take your words, just like what he did to my advice." Sevi laughed again, and based on the tone of his speech, he was also teasing River, the reason why River threw him a deadly glare

'Tsk. They are really my friends, my good friends. They are always making fun of me. Damn!'

"So, what's the progress, River? Do you see her again"

"Don't ask, Ashton. It's obvious that he didn't see her base on his face right now." Sevi even laughed again in River's misery.

The heck! He's enjoying this, huh? Damn! But, after all, they are right. I'm at the bar again to look for the girl, and I hope to see her again. But it's been days, and I haven't seen her again.

"I don't know if she exists or maybe I was drunk that night, and she was just my imagination. F*ck! That's bullshit!" I frowned in so much annoyance and bottomed up my beer.

"Don't say that, River," Ashton said as if he was comforting him.

"I want to see and meet her. I still can't get her out of my mind."

"For sure, you will see her again. Don't lose hope, man." Ashton.

Sevi just shook his head while looking at their hopeful friends.

"Let's not talk about River for now. Let's talk about the wedding of Fiona and Carlos." Sevi tried to change the topic of their conversation. "Did you get a ticket with the wedding invitation he sent?"

"Yeah. I got one," Ashton answered. "And I think he only sent the four of us because it was a secret wedding in Coron Palawan. Me, you, River, and Trinity."

"I got one too, but I'm not sure if I'm going," River answered nonchalantly.

"I already texted Carlos and Fiona; I said I would be late because I would take Trinity. She still has a shoot to do," Sevi explained.

"Same. Maybe I won't be able to go." Ashton.

"Carlos will be angry with us if one of us doesn't even go. He will surely throw a fit." Carlos and Fiona are their close friends in college.

As River sipped his wine, he noticed his friends were looking directly at him.

He frowned. "What?"

"You go first! You don't have any work to leave. We'll just follow," Sevi commanded.

"Sevi is right. All you have to do is to be there. You already have 2GO tickets. Everything is already set."

"Take this trip as an opportunity."

"Opportunity to what?" River asked Sevi while frowning.

"To relax and unwind. To forget about your mysterious girl," Sevi answered.

River just rolled his eyes at his friends. But on the other thought, they have a point. He thinks he needs to entertain himself, so he doesn't always remember the girl.

ALLISON was sitting down at her friend's house. She came home early from the office, so she thought of seeing her college friend Shanell who is only a few minutes away from Liberty Agency. She has two friends in life, one is Aya, who lives in the province, and the second one is Shanell.

"Wow. It's good that you had a chance to visit me even though I know you're busy." Her friend said and went straight to the kitchen to grab some snacks and drinks for her.

"I just don't want to go home yet," Allison replied sparingly. She rested her head on the head couch and closed her eyes. She feels her head is heavy because of the loaded work at the office.

But the real reason why she doesn't want to go home to her condo is that she will only feel sad again if she is alone there. Troy always popped into her mind whenever she was alone in her bedroom. She can't help but feel lonely.

"That's okay. You can stay here whenever you want, Allison. I'm also alone here in the apartment. What do you want? Juice? Water? Or coffee?" Shanell asked.

"Do you have a beer?" Allison nonchalantly asked.

Shanell automatically frowned at her friend's answer; then, she quickly threw her a look as if she was being suspicious. "Do you have a problem, girl? That's not so you." She still opened the refrigerator and grabbed some canned beers.

She knows Allison so much that she can tell if her friend is struggling with something. Allison didn't like alcohol when they were both in college, especially when she got a boyfriend last year. She became a homebody. "And besides, won't your boyfriend, Troy, get angry when she knows you drink? He will surely throw a fit at me. He might rush here in my apartment to fetch you," Shanell laughed.

Allison let out a deep sigh. She remembered that she hadn't told Shanell about Troy and her. When Shanell finally returned from the kitchen and sat beside her, she spoke.

"Troy and I are gone; we broke up," Allison said without emotion and grabbed one of the beers.

"What?!" The news caused Shanell to stop and be surprised. Her friend didn't expect what she said, especially since Shanell witnessed when she could say that the relationship between the two was perfect.

After Allison chugged almost half of the beer can, she placed them on the coffee table.

"Don't make me repeat myself, Shanell. You heard me right."

"Tell me a story. When? Why? What's the reason? Is there a third party?" Shanell started to throw a lot of questions. "You haven't visited here in a while, so that news is kinda shocking."

Allison looked and paid attention to her friend as if she were lazy.

"You're really a sadist, aren't you? You want me to tell you everything when it's obvious that I haven't moved on yet. You want me to remember everything that happened to our break-up when it's obvious that I'm trying to forget him. You are such a cold-hearted bitch! What a good friend," Allison said, full of sarcasm.

"That's why I have beers for you." Shanell pointed to the beer cans on the table, where Allison's eyes went.

Allison just snorted.

"Just get drunk; you can sleep here in my apartment if you want," Shanell added, handing Allison another canned beer. "That's what friends are for, girl. It would be best if you got drunk tonight because we have to celebrate this. We haven't drunk together for a while because of your strict boyfriend, oops, your ex-boyfriend rather." Shanell even laughed at her.

Allison just shook her head and took a sip of her beer.

"So, what? Why did your boyfriend break up with you? Tell me."

"It's hard to admit that one, but... he just left me for no reason," Allison answered. She even vented her anger toward his ex-boyfriend. Shanell listened to her, and as she said that, she sympathized with her being heartbroken.

"Troy is such a heartless man," a side-comment of Shanell. "He's just handsome, but he's also worthless. That's terrible. He just left you like that. Tsk!" Allison drank the beer she held as she listened to her friend's comment. "So, are you sure there is no third-party reason for him breaking up with you?"

Allison immediately shook her head initially. Her other friend, Aya, also asked that question to her. And up to now, her response will stay the same.

"No. I'm sure Troy doesn't have a woman. He's so busy with his work he hardly has time for me, and then he will look for someone else. That's vague," Allison replied.

Even though she was angry with Troy, she couldn't defame him, especially since she knew the person very well. She was one hundred percent sure that there was no third party involved.

"If that is the case, just let him be, girl. Maybe he will come back to you too. Maybe he's just confused and needs some time alone," Shanell explained. "And a man like Troy, you can't read what he was sometimes thinking."

Allison just sighed and hoped that Shanell was right. She doesn't want to sound bitter if she denies that she doesn't wish for Troy to come back because the truth is, Allison wants that to happen since she loves him very much.

"Let's talk about something else. Isn't your Employee of the month coming soon? That's more important to talk about than your ex-boyfriend," Shanell asked excitedly. Her friend seems thoughtful in changing the topic of their conversation.

"It just finished a while ago."

"Oh my god! For real?" Shanell asked. "I forgot, girl. So, haven't you been waiting for that for a long time? Haven't you been chosen?"

"I was chosen. I am the Employee of the month." Allison wasn't in the mood to jump into details because she wasn't happy with the reward she had won earlier. She would prefer an increase in her position or an additional salary as a reward, but obviously, that differs from what she got.

"Then why don't you seem happy? What's the prize? Tell me?" Allison could tell from the expression on Shanell's face the excitement.

I hope to feel that excitement too. Hays!

"Well, how can I be happy? I'd rather be a senior at Liberty or get a salary increase; they could also cash the reward, but no." Disappointment is evident on her face and voice. "My reward is to take a one-week vacation in Coron, a 2GO ticket, and twenty thousand worth of pocket money. They said I also needed to take pictures, document everything, and show everyone I was happy and enjoying my stay there. Like, what the heck, right?" Allison sounded complaining.

Shanell immediately scolded her and weakly hit her arm.

"You are such a downer, Ms. Allison Gregorio. You are the most killjoy person I've ever met." Shanell also rolled her eyes at her. "And you don't need to document everything when you stay there. You just need to capture the beach, your room, the food included, and of course, enjoying the place. That's all. That's the only case your boss gave you that kind of reward. They'll use that to attract other employees to work better and harder. Have you got it?" Shanell explained, and Allison just nodded. Now, I understand why.

Shanell clung her hand to her arms. "And you know what, girl, maybe that vacation in Coron will help you move on with your ex? To forget Troy."

"Is not that easy, Shanell. You just sounded like it was easy to do."

"It's not easy if no one gonna help you." Allison furrowed when she noticed the smirk on her friend's face.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh my God, girl! It's Coron Palawan. There are a lot of tourists there. You don't even know; maybe you will see your next boyfriend there who will help you fix your broken heart."

"What?" Allison furrowed. "Do I look desperate to find new lovers?"

"I'm not saying that. What I meant is, be positive, girl. Troy is not the only man here in the world." Allison just shook her head and ignored Shanell. For Allison, she had no intention of replacing Troy just yet. She hopes the two of them will be okay and get back together. Maybe Shanell is right; Troy was just confused about their relationship and needed a break.