THE CHEATER

For the nth time, Levi checked the quotation on his desktop before he attached it to his email to Mr. Tiongson, the import in-charge of Mystic Navigations. It’s a project cargo and if he would be lucky, his commission would be over a million pesos. It would make or break his career as a Sales Executive of EC Brokerage.

After he sent the email, Levi slumped on his swivel chair and let a deep breath. He did his best to canvass for the best rate of the said shipment, and he only had to wait for Mr. Tiongson’s positive response. Nevertheless, he planned to treat his staff with drinks from Starbucks. He glanced at Camilla’s desk, his secretary, and the darn woman wasn’t there!

Levi had no choice but to call for one of their liaison officers and ordered him to get some frappe for the girls, a cappuccino for him, and a box of doughnuts from Krispy Kreme. Under his team, there were three documentation staff, one sales trainee, and a secretary who handled his appointments with old and new clients.

Being one of the top sales executive of EC, his boss, allotted enough budget for his representation expenses, and he used it well for his clients and the staff. EC Brokerage was owned by Eliakem Chavez, a son of a has-been politician, and the man has connections inside the Bureau. For Levi, as long as the shipment didn’t involve illegal substances, he wouldn’t give a damn! The more complicated it would be, the more profit he could get from it, and his commission would be awesome!

“LEVI! LEVI!”

Levi and the rest of the people inside the office who heard Camilla’s screams anticipated for something worse! His secretary was usually demure and prim, and it wasn’t her style to be loud. “Hey, what’s wrong?” He asked after the woman resumed breathing normally.

“One of your girlfriends is at the rooftop!” Camilla exclaimed, and then she paused for a few seconds after she noticed that all eyes were on her.

“And?” Levi wanted to hear everything in an instant, but Camilla paused and looked around.

Camilla cleared her throat and said, “Jasmine said she will jump from the building if you will not see her.”

Numerous gasping and murmurs could be heard inside EC’s office, and Levi was embarrassed that one of his girlfriends caused a scene. Eliakem already warned him about his dating style, that someday it would cause him a problem, but he chose not to heed Eliakem’s warning and continued to be a heartbreaker. He just broke up with Jasmine yesterday because she was so possessive of him, and he didn’t need someone like her. Levi clenched his fist before he stormed out of the office and took the elevator to the rooftop.

“Hi,” he greeted the beautiful woman who was also on the lift. “Do you work here?”

Emily Gosum stared at the man who just got it and she arched her brows when he didn’t press where he’s going. “What floor?” She asked.

“Rooftop,” he answered while pointing at the button in red.

So, they’re both going to the rooftop! He’s probably going to witness the commotion on the rooftop after a crazy woman threatened to jump off the building. Well, Jasmine was crazy to consider killing herself after a man dumped her for another woman. Her jaw clenched while she imagined the cheater who dared to ruin her best friend! The woman lied about visiting her boyfriend at EC Brokerage and she just learned about her evil plan after receiving the voice message from Jasmine.

When Levi arrived at the rooftop, Jasmine looked at him and smiled. He walked towards her and for a moment he stood frozen before her. “Jas, what is this all about?” He asked while trying to reach out to her hand.

“I love you so much, Levi. But why? How can you do this to me?” Jasmine stared at the man who meant everything to her these past few months. She did everything for him, and yet, he broke her heart into tiny little pieces.

“Let’s talk baby,” Levi said, but Jasmine shook her head as she looked down. He panicked at the thought that Jasmine wasn’t kidding about killing herself.

“I’d rather die than to see you with another woman, Levi,” Jasmine said in a shaky voice. It was her first time to be in love, and Levi broke up with her yesterday. She couldn’t take it, especially after he lied about the reason why he’s breaking up with her!

“The girl you saw me with last night wasn’t my girlfriend, Jaz. She’s my cousin, you know. Did you ever think I will lie to you?” He tried to persuade the woman to get down, but Jasmine only shook her head.

At that moment, Jasmine wondered why she didn’t notice it before. His eyes lied, and it has always been like that whenever they’re together. Slowly, she dragged her feet to the edge of the platform where she stood and looked at the ground. She has acrophobia, but she ignored how her legs trembled at the edge. “If only you are honest now, Levi but I love you so much that I don’t want to hate you. Goodbye,” she said and closed her eyes before she let herself fall.

A sense of regret.

That was what she felt as her body floated on the air, but there was so much sadness, and she couldn’t handle them anymore! Tears rolled down from her cheeks when she heard Emily’s screams from the top, and she felt bad for lying to her. “I’m sorry,” she whispered in the air, and that was the last coherent thoughts she had on her head before she closed her eyes, and let the darkness consumed her well-being.