I couldn't hardly breathe. I think my airways was closing because of this scenario! I tried to look at him but he wasn't smiling like the usual, nakakatakot lalo iyong aura niya. Kahit wala siyang sinasabi parang mangangain ng buhay iyong mga mata niya.
"You," he gave me a deadly stare.
Nagkarerahan ang mga daga sa loob ng katawan ko. My knees started shaking and my voice went missing. I gave him a questioning look.
"Don't talk," he said in a flat tone. I nodded still couldn't find my own voice. "When your mouth is full, Ms. Villafuente."
I never thought that it was possible to feel like dying when you're still breathing and alive. Ilan araw din akong namuhay sa kahihiyan, takot at pangamba. It's nearly been a week, I was waiting for them to fire me. Paano ba naman kumonti ang pinapagawa saakin, it only meant they were not trusting me anymore. Kaya kahit si Romeo at Rose ay natakot din sa nangyari. They said it wasn't normal, the bosses here would be quick to remove someone if they made a mistake or been caught of disrespectfulness. Kaya habang hindi pa sigurado, iniwasan muna namin mag-usap about work related kapag lunch break.
Tumawid na ako sa pedestrian lane nang mag-green ang stop light. Nauuna kasi ako palaging bumalik sa dalawa, one thing I'd learned about working, ayoko na may napupuna saakin kahit tama naman ang ginagawa ko. Unless it was really something to be change of.
I was about to run to the huge building when a hand stopped me from running. "Ay, Mr. Esqueza!"
Someone laughed. "Seryoso, Mr. Esqueza?"
It was the guy who helped me during my first day. He was wearing a black pants and a white t-shirt while holding a magazine. Pinagtitinginan siya ng mga taong papasok nadin sa opisina.
Tinanggal ko iyong kamay niya sa balikat ko. "Kinabahan naman ako sayo! Muntikan na ako magka-heart attack!"He was giggling. "Mr. Esqueza? Crush na crush mo ba iyong boss mo? Wala kapa atang isang linggo dyan iba na nababanggit natin ah," sabi nito at nilagay ang kamay sa bulsa ng pantalon.
"Feeling close! Bakit ka nandito? Sinusundan mo ba ako?" I asked, trying to ignore what he just said.
"Ikaw lang ba may karapatan magtrabaho? Nasaktuhan kong may naglalakad na duwende."
Nanlaki ang mata ko. "Kapal mo sa duwendeng part, average itong height ko!"
Ipinangtakip niya iyong magazine sa sinag ng araw na tumatama sa mukha nito. "Oo na, papaliwanag natin iyan sa baranggay."
Inirapan ko siya, medyo naiinis sa mga sinasabi niya. "Pahiram muna niyan!" Hablot ko sa magazine sabay takbo papalayo sakanya.
"Oy, h'wag iyan!"
Tumatawa akong pabalik sa building at hindi na siya binigyan ng pansin. Pagkapasok ko, marahan kong itinaas iyong magazine sa mukha ko. Para akong kriminal na nagtatago dahil baka may makakilala saakin at ipahuli sa pulis.
Wala pang ibang tao dahil maaga akong bumalik. Nanigas ang buong katawan ko nang may narinig ako na nag-uusap, it was Mr. Esqueza! Shit. May kasunod siya na ibang businessmen and his bodyguards were beside him and also his assitant.
I almost broke my neck while shying my head away and hid behind the magazine I was holding. Their voices were close to where I'm standing, I didn't bother to move or even look. Hindi naman sila gagamit ng ordinaryong elevator na ito, kaya alam kong maliit ang tyansa na mapansin niya ako.
"We have to set a high marketing strategy upon releasing this product, a strategy that's never been done before. Where we can catch the people's attention, leaving them remembering it," boses ni Mr. Esqueza ang nagsasalita.
"I agree, we can also hire more people to promote this product through their social medias. It's one of the most powerful tools nowadays," aniya naman ng kausap.
"Indeed," maikling tugon ni Mr. Esqueza.
They were talking robotically while I was still hiding behind this magazine. I got paralized when I inhaled a familiar scent near me. Dahan-dahan kong ibinaba ang magazine sa bibig ko at sumilip, Mr. Esqueza was standing infront of me pushing the elevator button.
"Is your lunch break over?" he asked, raising a brow.
I smiled awkwardly. "Yes, sir. Katatapos ko lang po."
He looked at his watch. "You still have ten minutes, are you going to start this early?"
I didn't answer. Dapat isipin ko muna iyong mga sasabihin ko bago ako magsalita. Mahirap na magkamali, alam kong pinag-iisipan na nila ang pagtanggal saakin. Ngayon pa na nakita niya ako! I'm sure he remembered what happen last time. He maybe would ask his assistant now to kick me!
"Unless you smoke," he spoke again. "Do you?"
Umiling ako at mas lalong naging pilit ang tawa. Para akong naiihi sa pwesto ko at biglang pinasukan ng lamig ang tiyan ko. "No, sir. I don't. May nakalimutan po kasi ako sa desk ko na kailangan kunin."
"Sir, the VIP's are waiting," singit ng assistant niya.
"Use it with them. I'll use this one," he told his assistant and pointed his hand toward the elevator. "Ladies first?" he told me.
His assitant mouth fell open but managed to hide her emotion. She walked back and joined the businessmen and Mr. Esqueza's bodyguards then assisted them.
"What are you waiting for?" he asked impatiently this time.
Mabilis akong pumasok sa elevator. My heels were clicking on the floor, tila ba bumigat ng ilong kilo ang timbang ko sa presensya niya. I was about to stand on the side nang bigla akong ma-out of balance. It all happened too fast, nabitawan ko iyong magazine and the next thing I knew his hand was on my waist already, stopping my body from falling.
"Are you alright? Do you feel sick?" he asked a bit concern.
He helped me stand up slowly and I froze into place when I felt him on my back. His lips were almost on my hair so I inhaled a huge air. Tumaas ang kamay niya sa bandang tiyan ko, helping me stand still. Para akong napaso sa apoy at mabilis na lumayo sakanya.
There was silence for a bit. "Have you eaten?" seryosong tanong nito. Hindi ako makasagot dahil ayaw kumalma ng sistema ko. "Have you lost your voice? Are you okay?"
"Sorry, sir!" Natataranta kong sagot. "Yes, I did it. Okay lang po ako, hindi pa kasi ako sanay magsuot ng ganitong heels araw-araw," pagpapaliwanag ko nang hindi tumitingin sakanya.
"You can wear anything you want, you know," he stated.
"I don't want to break this company's dress code," nahihiyang sagot ko.
"I'll give you an exemption as long as it is not revealing, I can allow that."
Napanganga ako sa sinabi niya. I looked at him, still trying to process what he told me. My cheeks were probably blushing because I suddenly felt sick, my stomach was aching as if gazillion of butterflies were uproaring inside.
"Safety is also our top priority here," he continued when I didn't answer. "My team and I are talking about dresscode a few days ago. It's not totally approve yet, just letting you know that you can wear what makes you feel comfortable if you want to."I showed my teeth, giving my best effort not look dumb. "Thank you for that, sir. I appreciate your concern." I was proud when my voice didn't stutter.
Tumunog ang elevator button sa floor ko. Mabuti nalang at mabilis itong bumukas. I bowed down to him and walked out hurriedly.
"Ms. Villafuente?"
I stopped walking. Lumingon ako sakanya na kinakabahan. "Yes, sir? You need something?"
"I believe this magazine is yours."He bented to pick up the magazine on the floor. Nagmamadali akong makipag-unahan sakanya para damputin iyon pero mabilis siyang tumayo at inabot saakin ang magazine.
Mas lalo akong nahiya sa ginawa niya. Hindi siya iyong lalaki na pwede mong utusan pag may ipapakuha ka. He was the type of guy who would ask someone to pick up for him when he dropped something.
Niyakap ko ang magazine nang maiabot na niya ng tuluyan saakin. "Sorry, sir! Thank you for helping me." My head was overthinking. "Hindi na po mauulit!"
His face was confused. "I don't mind at all," he said holding the open button. "But why are you holding an adult magazine?"I gasped in horror. Mabilis kong tiningnan ang magazine na niyayakap ko. I was stunned when I saw an almost naked body of a woman in the front page! Damn that guy! Bakit siya nagdadala ng ganitong magazine?!
"Ah... Eh... Actually, it's for my brother! Yes, that's right. Inutusan niya ako bumili nito kasi fan daw siya ni Arci Muñoz," pagsisinungaling ko.
Confusion flooded his face once again as if he knew I was lying. I don't have a brother pero hindi naman niya siguro titingnan kung ilan kami sa pamilya, 'di ba? Punong-puno na ako ng kahihiyan dito. Gusto ko agad maglaho ng parang bula.
Ngumisi saakin si Mr. Esqueza. "Well then, tell your brother to enjoy reading that magazine. And also tell him I'm looking forward to meet him one day."
Then the elevator door closed. Leaving me breathless, as if I was slapped by the lie I just told him. May mas ilalala pa ba ang sitwasyon na nararanasan ko?
If I could only make myself invicible, I would! Hindi ako mapakali sa harap ng computer ko dahil paulit-ulit rumerehistro ang kahihiyan na ginawa ko kanina. Of all the things that guy could bring, adult magazine pa! Napahilamos ako sa mukha ko ng matindi. "Girl, okay kalang? Kanina kapa namomroblema diyan. Suko kanaba dito? Napapagod kanaba? Napagalitan ka nanaman ba? Pwede kitang tulungan," nag-aalalang tanong ni Rose mula sa tabi ko. "Masakit lang sikmura ko," pagsisinungaling ko. "Teka, CR lang ako." Tumango naman si Rose pero pinapanood padin ako habang palakad palayo sakanya. I walked to the water station and got one, nakatulala akong umiinom ng tubig nang maamoy ko nanaman ang pabango na pamilyar saakin. My body stood straight right away. "Are you sure it's not overlapping, Adrian?" Katabi nito iyong boss namin sa department. I took a step on the side to give t
It was like my happy bubbles popped all at once. I was shocked and angry at the same time. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang motibo niya. I know he knew they're my parents, alam ko rin na may balak siya kung bakit niya nagawa iyon. But really? A triple interest, for what? I couldn't sleep a wink that night. Hindi ko alam kung anong confrontation ang gagawin ko sakanya. I was now infront of his office, talking to his assistant. "Can you please tell him that I'll wait here kahit ilan oras pa?" pagmamakaawa ko sakanya, I was holding his black suit. His assistant eyed it, and raised her brow a little. "I told you to go back to work and I'll call you once his schedule frees up today." "This is really important," pagmamatigas ko.
We had a civil wedding the week after we talked. Kaming dalawa lang halos at iyong mga bodyguard niya na tumayo rin na witness. I guessed they even signed a waiver not to tell others about this. They were all quiet just like the usual, they also helped me pick up some of my things from my house since ang sabi ni Mr. Esqueza hindi ko naman kailangan ng madaming gamit. The car stopped infront of a huge house. Halos mapaawang ang bibig ko sa ganda ng design sa labas. It was a black coated mansion. Binuksan ng bodyguard niya ang pintuan ng sasakyan. "Nandito na po tayo, Ma'am Iris. Welcome to your new home," sabi saakin ng driver na nakangiti. Lumabas ako ng sasakyan, nakatingin padin sa tapat ng bahay. "Dito nakatira si Mr. Esqueza?" "Yes, Ma'am." Sinamaha
Weeks had passed, nairaos ko ang pakikisama sakanya. Hindi naman ako nahirapan dahil laging late umuwi si Mr. Esqueza. Kagagaling niya rin kasi sa out of town meeting kaya halos hindi na kami nagkikita. I somehow missed talking to him. Ganon pala kapag nakatira ka sa isang malaking bahay, you could have anything you wanted but still feel lonely. Minsan nga naiisip ko na baka iniiwasan niya ako o baka pinagsisisihan niya na ako iyong napili niya? "Hoy, atey!” natatarantang sigaw saakin ni Romeo. “Nakakaloka! Bakit ka nanaman pinapatawag sa itaas?!” Parang nagliwanag ang mood ko dahil pagkatapos ng ilan linggo magkikita ulit kami ni Mr. Esqueza. Tumingin ako sa itaas para magpatawa dahil nate-tense agad si Romeo sa pagpapatawag saakin. “At nakuha mo pang magbiro, ha? Ewan ko lang kung makaka
"You can do it, Iris. I know you can. Tiwala lang sa sarili, okay?" I was talking to myself almost half an hour. I kept telling me that I didn't need to be that nervous. Na-memorize ko nanaman ang background informations nila at saka nandyan naman si Mr. Esqueza. Alam kong aalalayan niya ako kapag hindi ko alam kung ano ang isasagot sa tinatanong saakin. "Okay ba kaya itong suot ko?" I was overthinking while checking myself over and over again. I was wearing a white puff dress, hanggang sa itaas siya ng tuhod ko and I also wore a three inches black heels to made it more presentable. Nakalugay naman ang buhok ko para madaling takpan ang mukha ko mamaya kapag dinapuan ako ng kaba. "Paano kung hindi nila ako magustuhan?" pag-iisip ko na
When we entered the room, his dad and his grandmother were sitting in a long table, they were busy talking so they didn't notice we were in the room. There were foods, fruits and different cocktails. May inilalagay pa ang ibang katulong nila at may waiter na nakatayo sa kabilang dulo, holding a tray. This family was really expensive. Hindi ko kayang makipagsabayan ngayon gabi. Mukhang nawala ang lahat na kinabisado ko. Narinig kong bumukas muli ang pintuan sa likuran namin. Kumabog nanaman ang d****b ko nang maamoy ko ang hindi familiar na pabango so I knew it was his mom. I wanted to backout already! Lumakad siya sa harap namin and she was eyeing me sardonically. Tila ba gusto niya akong kainin ng buhay. Shit. Hindi ko pa naman pinipirmahan iyong kontrata
"Can you be more careful and responsible next time, Irisian Marie?" galit na saad niya saakin. Shit. He was really mad. Ngayon niya lang ako tinawag sa buo kong pangalan. He just called his bodyguard to get the contract for us. He even checked the CCTV in the office kung mayroon nagtakang basahin ang papel na naiwan ko sa mesa. Buti nalang wala! I was checking it the other day kasi, thinking what was it really about. Pipirmahan at iaabot ko na sana sakanya sa office that time kaso biglang nawala sa isip ko! He reprinted the contract since it was already save in his laptop. Nandito kami ngayon sa library niya na nasa loob din ng kwarto na ito. "I'm sorry nawala kasi sa isip ko. Dapat talaga ibibigay ko na saiyo iyan kaso ang dami kong ginagawa nitong huli," sagot ko habang nakayuko.
Nanlamig ang buong katawan ko sa sinabi niya. This was another first for me. Palagi nalang ba ako masusurpresa sa mga ginagawa niya? Sabagay, we were in a getting know each other stage. We walked on the court, I wandered my eyes. Hindi parin ako makapaniwala sa nakikita. He pushed something and the above was moving slowly, transforming it into a covered court. "Amazing isn't it?" bulong ni Zach. Lumakad siya papunta sa area kung nasaan nakalagay ang mga bola. "Alam kong mayaman kayo but I never thought that a place like this existed," komento ko. Kumuha si Zach ng bola and he started dribbling it. Kailan paba ako huling naglaro ng basketball? Sa gamezone lang naman madalas pero iyong huli talaga na may kalaban back in college pa.