Bound To My Boss

Walter's Point of ViewThe fingers of my left hand tapped one after another, like horses racing at the starting line, while my eyes stayed fixed on the closed door. A grin spread across my face the moment Samantha walked in.Her smooth, tanned skin seemed to glow, perfectly complementing the crisp white blouse she wore. Her round, brown eyes—so expressive—never failed to betray her emotions. Ang kaniyang ilong naman ay matangos, bagay na bagay sa kaniyang maliit na mga labi. Her hair that curls at the end is long and usually rests at her shoulder like waves of water. Her height, on the other hand, is just average. When she stands next to me, her chin barely reaches my shoulder. She looks devastatingly stressed, yet her beauty still shines through.“One hour late,” bungad kong sabi sa kaniya. Sinulyapan lang ako nito at dumiretso siya sa kaniyang puwesto.“Sinamahan ko si tatay sa hospital,” saad nito sabay baba ng kaniyang bag sa mesa. Walang buhay ang kaniyang boses. “Pasensiya na. W

Walter's Point of ViewMbreath hitched in my throat as Sid stormed into the office without warning. One look at his face, and it was clear—he was completely stunned by what he sawKaagad akong humakbang palayo kay Samantha. Nang hindi lumilingon ay nagsalita ako, “Leave us alone.”Dala ang folder na binigay ko ay kaagad naman itong lumabas. Bahagya pa itong napayuko bago lagpasan si Sid para magbigay ng galang. Ngumiti naman si Sid sa kaniya.Nang mapasulyap sa akin si Sid, nagtaas-baba ito ng kaniyang kilay. Napapikit ako ng aking mga mata at napailing bago maglakad papunta sa aking mesa.“I'm guessing she's the fake girlfriend,” saad nito habang nakasunod sa akin. May bakas ng pang-aasar sa kaniyang boses. “In all fairness, you've got good taste. She's a girlfriend material.”“She's not,” mariin kong saad nang mapaharap ako sa kaniya.He pouted his lips, while stopping himself from smiling—or maybe laughing.“She's not,” paggaya nito sa tono ng aking pananalita at pagkatapos ay tuma

Walter's Point of ViewFocus has suddenly become a foreign word in my vocabulary after what Samantha did earlier. It's been hours, yet my head is still reeling from the way our bodies nearly became one when she locked her hands around my nape. Her gaze was enchanting—luring me closer, pulling me in. “Sir?” Bigla akong natauhan nang tawagin at tapikin ni Samantha ang aking balikat. Nasa loob kami ngayon ng sasakyan at magkatabi kaming nakaupo rito sa likod ng driver.“What?” I replied with annoyance, my eyes locked on hers as I smoothed the front of my polo with my palm.“We're here,” sagot nito, seryoso ang tono. “Kanina ka pa tinatawag ng driver, pero hindi ka umimik. Tulala lang.”I glanced at her again before opening the car's door. “I didn't ask for an explanation.”Lumabas na ako ng sasakyan at napatingala muna sa building na nasa harap ko. It’s almost four in the afternoon, but the heat still feels scorching enough to burn my skin.“Bakit ba tayo andito, Sir?” tanong ni Samant

Walter's Point of View Two days ago, Conrad had an outburst in my office. He may not have said it directly, but it was clear he wanted me to feel like I’m some egomaniac who thrives on making fucked-up decisions. Maybe he was right for calling me out. Or maybe not. The thing is, I don't care. I need to give all of my attention to the wedding anniversary celebration that will happen in two days. Kahit na may mga paghahanda na akong ginagawa, kinakabahan pa rin ako. Paano ba naman? Alam na nga ni Samantha na ilang araw na lang ang mayroon kami, nagawa pang lumiban sa trabaho kahapon. It made me think that maybe I was wrong about having her as my fake girlfriend. Kung may willing lang sanang iba, hindi siya ang pipiliin ko. It was an emergency absence. Reason? Of course, her family. Nasa office ako ngayon habang tinitingnan ang digital invitation card na s-in-end sa akin ni Wesley. Mayamaya pa, bumukas ang pinto ng office. Akala ko ay si Conrad na naman iyon lalo na't wala pa akong aks

Samantha's Point of View Hindi ako makatulog nang maayos. Ilang minuto lang akong tulog at pagkatapos ay magigising na naman. Mag-a-alas onse na siguro at dapat ay kanina pa mahimbing ang tulog ko para hindi ako puyat at mukhang sabog bukas. Pero paano mangyayari iyon ngayong tila walang planong magpatulog itong si Walter. Diyos ko po. Napakalakas ng hilik niya. Kahit literal na nasa kabilang dulo siya ng kama, malakas ko pa rin iyong naririnig. Lahat na siguro ay nagawa ko na kanina. Tinakpan ko na ang aking tainga gamit ang aking kamay, ibinaon ang ulo sa kama at tinakpan ng unan, at nagtalukbong. Baka tama nga akong napakamalas ko sa araw na ito dahil kahit ang earphones ko, hindi ko nadala. Iyon sana ang sasalba sa akin sa napakalakas na hilik ni Walter. Bagamat hinihila ako ng kama, pinilit ko ang aking sarili na bumangon. Napaupo muna ako sa dulo ng malambot na kama at napasulyap kay Walter. May kadiliman sa loob, pero malinaw kong nakikita ang mukha ng lalaking ito dahil hal