Adjusting her red strappy-back bodycon dress, Maryjane went to check herself again and went to the door.
Grave naman ang usok dito, nakakasira ng lungs, may ilaw pang patay sindi, nakakahilo, pwede namang huwag ng mag ilaw, kung hanap lang naman ay lalaki, marami naman diyan sa tabi tabi.
Jerking her head, she went to their table and sauntered slowly,
knowing na maraming nakatingin na mga lalaki, binagalan niya ang kanyang lakad. Huwag naman sana siyang madapa dito, nakakahiya, di naman kataasan ang heels niya but knowing a dozen pair of eyes were looking at her made her uncomfortable. Tama kaya iyong paglakad niya? Hindi kaya siya mukhang inahing baka na naglalakad sa hagdanan. But hell, if those girls can walk like a catwalk model so kaya niya rin. Kailangan lang ay confident sa sarili. Kunwari na lang nasa stage siya ng araw ng barangay at rumarampa.
Somehow, unbeknownst to her, a pair of azure eyes were staring at her intently as if he couldn't believe it was her as his mouth wide opened. Jude Murray didn't plan to come here, however when his best buddy called him for a night out, he couldn't just ignore it. After all he needs to take away his mind from the previous breakup, in fact a sort or an hour ago breakup. And watching her personal assistant saunter slowly and seductively walked in front of these vultures made his blood boiled.
And how on earth could she be wearing such an inciting bodycon dress? Her body was perfect, in fact she was beyond perfect. He eyed her as she went to the two guys in the corner and were laughing heartily.
"Dammit, it's not my bloody business if she was enjoying her night." Not convinced by his nonsense spite, he went to check his phone instead. And dialed.
On the end corner the three were busy laughing. "MJ, really your arshole of a boss, apologize?" Hugh asked and laughed heartily. "Wow, I never see that coming."
"You better believe it because I couldn't believe it myself."
Paano niya naman paniniwalaan sarili niya, kahit saang angulo niya tingnan ang hirap paniwalaan, he was surprisingly kind and knowing na malapit pala siya sa mga pamangkin niya, parang bata pa ngang nakipaglaro rito. Tao din naman pala ang kumag. Akala niya wala ng natitirang humanity dito. Pero king titiisin mabait naman ito eh, wala lang talagang basic manners. Sanay talaga sa buhay mayaman na sa lahat na lang ng bagay may butler at nanny na kasama. Ikaw ba naman maging anak ng isang bilyonaryo. Buti na nga lang tinanggap siya nito bilang personal assistant kapalit nung finire nitong naghubad daw sa harapan niya kaya ang gaga na fire ng wala sa oras. Sabi nga ng boss niya, ang isa sa mga bagay na nagustuhan nito sa kanya ay dahil wala siyang ka gusto gusto dito. Char! Sa totoo lang naman may punto naman si Mr. Murray, kahit kailan di naman talaga siya nag bigay ng motibo dito. Napaka neutral ng trato niya dito. Well, yun ang alam ng kumag. Di nito alam eh halos himatayin siya sa interview dahil sa kaba at sa kilig. Pero buti na lang someone warned her about flirting with the boss, ang pilipinang naging kaibigan niya. Anya, ayaw daw ni Mr. Murray yung flirty at maiksi manamit na halos kita na ang kaluluwa, though mahilig ito sa babae pero business is business daw anya, never daw nitong hinahaluan ng personal ang trabaho, kaya nga raw ito pabago bago ng personal assistant dahil laging nagkakagusto sa kanya. Which was fair enough, para kay Mary Jane she came here to work and not to flirt with the boss. Kaya nga nung araw ng interview, siya lang ata sa sampung babaeng nakapila ang nakadamit ng maayos. Yung iba kasi halos kita na kalahati ng mga pwetan nito sa ikli ng skirt, at siya naman ay halos covered lahat. Naka white long sleeve blouse siya at naka pencil skirt na lampas tuhod naka eyeglasses pa. The epitome of a real personal assistant. Ang mga bruha pinagtatawanan pa siya. Nevertheless she had the last laugh dahil siya naman ang tinanggap nito. Nashock pa nga ito noong pagpasok niya. Ang gago akala ata nito ay nagbebenta siya ng bibliya. Kung makatingin ba naman halos up and down. Susme. Never in her entire life has she felt so exposed. Nakakainit ng balon balonan.
Speaking of the devil. Makalipas ang ilang minuto, nag ring ang kanyang cellphone. Checking it, nakataas ang kilay niya.Ano na naman ang problema ng nilalang na ito. Friday ngayon at bakit siya tinatawagan? "Everyone, listen it's him. Don't talk okay? It's my boss."
"MJ don't answer it," wika pa ni Sean.
"You know I just can't ignore his call right?"
"Are you out of your bloody mind? It's not office hours anymore."
"Whatever, just keep quiet." Answering the green button, Mary Jane uttered,
"...Yes, hello Mr. Murray, how can I help you?""Where are you Miss. Austen?"
"Ah, I'm here in the pub sir."
Aba't anak ng butiki, tumawag lang ba ito para magtanong kung saan siya ngayon. Kakaloka.
"Who's with you?" Tanong pa nito.
"I'm with a friend sir. Do you need something?"
Pakialam niya ba kung sino ang kasama niya. Ano ba kasi ang kailangan nito? Maloka, kailangan niya ng kasama sa kama or ano?
"Do me a favor and go home. I need the Afton Software contract revised and fully ready tomorrow. Bring it to my mansion early in the morning. That is urgent and I need it immediately."
"But sir…" She blurted,knowing full well na wala na siyang magagawa. Ang gago kung makademand akala mo may ari ng buong planeta.
On his views, he watched her knitted brows and face willing to kill somebody. This was her fault, how dare she wore something that exposed and sexy, almost all of the vultures here had eyes on her. "No buts, I want it now." He blurted again and ended the call,he waited for the woman's next move. In his area in the VIP lounge, it was a one way mirror, he could see her apparently.
"Arrrg, the bloody man demanded to finish some papers as soon as possible. Dammit! Such an arshole." Mara Jane complained.
Ang gago, nakakainis one of this days makukulam ko na to.Dammit! How could he slave her like this. There is no way those raw contracts will be finished soon. Paano niya ba matatapos yun ng madalian eh halos nasa first stage of revision pa siya dun, dapat next week pa nga ito naka schedule na gawin. Nakakainis and gago. Pero wala siyang magagawa. Kailangang sundin ang utos ng kamahalan or else mawawalan siya ng trabaho. Naka last stage of warning na siya nito last month nung nalate siya ng ilang beses. Pinakiusapan lang niya ng maayos ngunit binigyan naman siya ng palugit at isa pang pagkakataon. If she won't follow him this time baka huling sahod na niya ang next week.
"MJ, you can say no, you know." Hugh responded and followed by a look of dismay.
"You know I can't Hugh. He will fire me and you know how hard it is to look for a new job these impossible days." She have no choice, kinuha niya ang maliit na purse niya at nagpaalam sa dalawa. Hinatid naman siya ni Sean at pinasakay ng taxi.
Habang nag-aalboroto ang bunbunan niya at nakasimangot, on the other hand ang isa na naman ay nagbubunyi.
Pagdating ng bahay, ang laptop agad ang kinuha nya at sinimulan ang napakahabang revision ng kontratang kailangan niyang tapusin habang nagmumura at nagkakape.
Pag ito matapos ko tapos hindi naman babasahin ng mokong bukas, maghalo na ang balat sa tinalupan ipapakain ko talaga to sa kanya.
In the next day, she wakes up suddenly, Mary Jane thoughts were uncertain, tulo-laway pa siyang napahikab ng biglang nag alboroto ang alarm clock niya, checking the time napamura siya ng makitang mag aalas syete na pala ng umaga. "Shit shit! I need to hurry up." Sabadong sabado pero natatarantang napaligo siya at nagdamit, a navy pair of jeans and a white rubber shoes. "Okay na to, di naman ako pupunta sa opisina." Wearing the coat, and bonnet. Ready for the morning chill of London."Oh anak! Ang aga aga mo ah, saan ka ba pupunta? Sabado ngayon ah." Nagtatakang tanong ng mama niya habang nagluluto ng breakfast nila. "Kain ka muna ah!""Sa mansion ng demonyo ma, ang kumag inumaga na nga ako matapos lang ang pinapa revised niyang kontrata. Ihahatid ko lang ito sa mansion, mamaya na ako kakain pag uwi.""Ganun ba, ano kulamin na lang natin? Alam mo nak, sabi ni insang Esme, nag chat kami kahapon, meron daw siyang nakitang pangkulam dun sa Quiapo. Ano pabili ako?" Biro
Ang sosyal naman kung kumain ito ng tinapay, ang sarap tingnan. Kung sa bahay to sinawsaw ko na to sa kape eh, ang bango pa naman ng kape mas mabango pa sa kapeng barakong dala ni mama galing pilipinas. Sa dami ng kinaing bacon at sausage nito bakit kaya di ito nagkabil bil ang gara ng muscle parang ang tigas tigas at sarap hawakan.Napaubo siya bigla nung nagsalita ito. "Miss Austen, I need you to come with me in the cabin. We have millions of things to do. I need you to bring all the papers and the contract that needs my attention." Anya pa nito, hindi man lang nakatingin sa kanya nasa newspaper ang buong attention habang humihigop ng kape.Wait, ano daw? Sa cabin nito? Saan ba ang cabin nito?"Did I hear you right? Mr. Murray? In the cabin? What cabin are we talking about here?""The cabin I purchased last month, the one I told you to contact the owner."Hala ano daw? Nasa gitna ng gubat yun eh. Ano naman gagawin namin dun. Aba kung millions of thing
"I'm sorry Mrs. Austen, I don't understand filipino." Mr. Murray smiled."Of course,I know I'll be surprised if yo do." Aniya pa ng mama niya. At biglang natataranta na itinapon ang dala dala sa loob ng bedroom niya."I'm here to ask your permission to borrow your daughter for the weekend. I need her to assist me with paperworks." He murmured while gesturing his PA. To go and pick up some clothing and things she might be needing."Ah no problem. You're not going to alop with my dother no?""Pardon what?" Mr. Murray asked and lifted a brow."Aloop ba. Yo know, when boyfren and gelfren make tanan, nak ano nga yung tanan sa english nak?" Sabay sigaw pa nito habang papasok siya sa bedroom nila."Ma, huwag ka ngang OA jan. Kung makatanan ka dyan eh, di ko naman jowa yan, at wala namang magtatanan na magpapaalam kaya nga tanan eh." Pasigaw niyang sagot.Mr. Murray was smiling. It was obvious the two had a loving relationship, the mother was smi
Makalipas ang kalahating oras na pamamahinga ay nagsimula na silang maglakbay pataas sa cabin. Recharge and fully rest mabilis ang paglalakbay nila.Ang sarap siguro dito mag honeymoon. Ang fresh ng hangin at kakaiba ang lamig. Kahit ang amo niya'y nakajacket na ngayon dahil sa lamig. Yung lamig na masarap mag yakapan, at maghalikan. Ano kaya nasa isip nitong taong ito. Halos di sila nag iimikan. Bahala siya sa buhay niya, pagkakataon niya na sana napagnasaan ang kagandagan niya, di naman siya nito pinapansin.Kanina pa ito nasa telepono, meron kasi itong dalang portable mobile device na may signal kahit saan, naka connect ito sa sariling satellite. Grave kahit weekend at naglalakad puro businessa ang nasa isip. No wonder nasa forbes list at isa sa pinakamayaman sa United Kingdom.Ano kaya kung reypin niya ito no? Maghuhubad siya sa harapan nito? Ah! Maghalo ang balat sa tinalupan never niyang gagawin yun, well that remain to be seen. Kung mag baliw baliwan na lang kaya siya par
Ano ba yan ang boring naman dito, kanina pa sila tapos mag snacks, at mag alas kwatro na yata, di parin tapos ang kumag sa phone calls niya, para ano ba't isinama siya nito?Nasa sala siya, nakatanaw sa maliit na bintana ng cabin, at si Mr. Murray naman ay nakaupo sa lumang couch at may kausap sa telepono, ang mga papeles ay nakakalat sa harap nito. Yet, he didn't give her any instruction, so she waited. Palingon lingo siya ngunit di naman siya nito pinansin.Tumayo siya at nag stretch, makalabas na nga lang, kahit malamig nakadamit naman siya na maayos, tingnan niya lang ang paligid, total sanay naman siya sa bukid ng lolo niya di siya mawawala. Lumabas siya at patingin tingin sa paligid,makalakad na nga lang, titingnan ko lang yung lagoon na may hot spring daw sabi ng may ari nung nakausap niya ito sa telepono last month, malapit lang daw yun sa cottage.She decided to take a walk into the woods outside and check the lagoons, she wanted to explore her new surroundings.
"Bloody hell." Jude panicked, he carried his naked unconscious personal assistant and lay her in the flattened rock. She better be alive. He thought while doing a mouth to mouth resuscitation.Bakit ang lamig naman dito sa langit. Di ba patay na siya? Bakit parang nanginginig buo niyang katawan? Second passed.Nang bigla niyang naramdaman na parang may humihigop sa kanya. Parang dinadala siya nito pabalik sa mundo ng mga buhay. May kung anong bagay na nakadiin sa dibdib niya na parang gusto niyang isuka lahat ng laman ng nasa tiyan niya."Arrrggg! Arrgg!" Napaubo siyang bigla."Thank God, you almost gave me a heart attack Miss Austen, don't you ever come near the water again. How the bloody hell did you think of swimming if you don't know how to bloody swim? Are you out of your bloody mind?"Ah ano ba, kung makasigaw itong gagong ito ang sakit sa tainga. Hirap na hirap pa nga siya sa paghinga at nagsusuka pa, eto namay sigaw ng sigaw. Ang sakit sa tainga
Naglalakad na sila pabalik sa cabin, siya na nasa likuran ni Mr. Murray at napasigaw. Napahinto ito nang bigla siyang napasigaw sa gulat. The skies rumbled and offered them a thunder so deafening and a crack of lightning suddenly brightened up their way. The narrow trail, which was made unsafe by the twisted roots spreads at intervals. There was no light to follow but even if there was, just the few scattered fireflies."Ano bayan kanina lang maliwanag pa yun ah. Ngayon ang dilim na agad. Kakatakot naman to."kabado niyang saad.There were only small disturbances of crinkling forest creatures and the wail of the unforgiving gale. The trails that were filled with little sunshine passed through the canopies just hours before becoming lost in the darkness that even the fireflies could not help. Before she acknowledges her fear, MJ's feet have commenced stepping forward, body and mind both on autopilot.Bakit ba kasi nakatulog pa siya kanina, eh dapat ten minutes lang yu
MJ woke up feeling sated and at peace, for a moment she was confused about where she was.Teka, bakit wala siya sa kwarto? Bakit nandito siya sa sala? Hala! Nag sleepwalk na naman ba siya at nakitulog dito sa makeshift bed ng amo niya? Susme nakakaloka naman to. Nakakahiya. Her hair was as chaotic as the jungle, untamable and wild. Her once remarkable blond curls now vaguely compared with a bird's nest and any clips that had once held them in place were long gone. She notices the bed was quite warm, cozy nonetheless homely at the same time.Ang sarap naman ng tulog niya, parang gusto niyang matulog na lang at huwag ng magising. Pero kailangang magising baka kailan siya ni Mr. Murray. Saan ba ang herodes. Salamat naman at wala siya dito, di niya alam kung ano ang sasabihin. Anyway, she was a warrior. She wouldn't be intimidated. Pakapalan na lang ng mukha.Where could he be? Palinga linga siya. Siguro nasa labas ang kumag. Buti naman at ng makagalaw siya ng maayos. Irehe