Chapter 3

“TULUNGAN MO KASI AKO,” usisa ni Vivian kay Ramses pagkagising nito kinaumagahan. After spending almost two months in the hospital and another five months in rehabilitation, Vivian had grown comfortable around Ramses.

Ramses waved his hand to dismiss her idea. “You don’t need to work, Vi. You’re still recovering,” he said, his voice still thick with sleep.

Vivian had been pestering him for weeks about finding a job. The problem was that she had no proper documents with her. Without identification or records, finding stable work would be difficult. But she knew that with Ramses' connections, finding a stable job would be just a piece of cake.

“Come on, Ramses, I just can’t depend on you forever.” Vivian added, pleading with him.

“Ang aga-aga pa, Vi, yan agad bungad mo sa akin?” He said half asleep as he sat down in the dining area.

Vivian immediately pulled the plate she had prepared away from him. “Ah, ganun. Then go cook your own food.” She whispered. 

Ramses immediately stood up and stopped her. He let out a nervous laugh. “Come on, I’m just joking, Vi. Of course, I’ll help you!” 

Vivian stared at him for a couple of seconds, trying to read his expression. “Promise me, Ramses, or else…”

“Oo nga, oo na.” He said with a forced smile as he gently took all the dishes from her hands. “Let’s eat, shall we?” 

Vivian clicked her tongue as he pulled out a chair for her. She sat down, still looking at him, as he put food on her plate. 

As they silently ate their meal, Ramses suddenly spoke.

“By the way, my friend is coming here later.” Ramses kept his eyes on his plate as he said it.

“A friend?” Vivian repeated.

“Mm,” Ramses nodded. “A male friend. He’s staying here for a while.” A small smile crept onto his face, though Vivian failed to notice it. “And he might be able to help you find a job.”

Vivian’s eyes immediately lit up.

“Really?” 

Ramses chuckled. “Yeah, really.”

Vivian nodded, the worry she had been carrying for weeks easing slightly.

She didn't care whether Ramses' friend was a man or not. Ang importante sa kanya ay ang matulungan siya nitong makahanap ng trabaho. She wanted to be able to stand on her own two feet. 

“You’re that excited? Abot-tenga ang ngiti mo ah,” ani ni Ramses sa kanya nang mapansin ang ngiti sa labi niya.

Vivian tried to hide her smile but failed, so she pouted instead. 

Ramses silently shook his head as a small smile crept onto his face. “Trust me, Vi. You’re going to like this friend of mine.” 

“YOU SHOULD’VE TOLD ME BEFOREHAND!” Singhal sa kanya ng kaibigan mula sa kabilang linya nang tawagan niya ito. 

“You know I’m a busy man, Ramses. Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin kaagad na ngayong gabi ang flight mo?” pagalit na dagdag nito.

All Ramses could do was roll his eyes. 

“I didn't have a choice! My father moved it.” He paused before adding. “Ano? Pupunta ka dito o pupunta ka?” 

“Di ba pwedeng bukas nalang? I’m about to go to a business meeting.” 

Ramses blew out a breath. “Pwede naman, basta umasa kang makakarating sa Daddy mo—”

“Oo na, oo na!” Hero cut him off immediately. “You’re so nosy. And why do I have to stay there and babysit that woman anyway?” 

Ramses hushed him and said, “E sino bang nakasagasa rito?” 

“Oo na. I’ll be there after my meeting.”

“No, you need to be here now.” Ramses said with finality in his voice.

Hero took a sharp breath and shut his eyes. 

There was a long pause before he finally spoke. “Alright, motherfucker.”

“RESCHEDULE MY MEETING with Mrs. Lopez, I have an important matter to attend.” Hero said to his secretary while riding the elevator. 

“But sir—”

“And the report that I was asking you to do, send it to my email. Also, clean my schedule this week. May importante lang akong aasikasuhin.” 

“Pero sir, Mrs. Lopez is already here…” sagot ng sekretarya niya. 

Hero sharply inhaled and shut his eyes. Pahamak talaga to si Ramses. He let out a long breath before opening his eyes.

“I’ll keep in touch with her, just reschedule it.” May sasabihin pa sana ang sekretarya niya nang biglang bumukas ang elevator at kaagad siyang lumabas. 

Shit. I almost happened to lose a possible partnership with the Lopez’s. He cursed at the back of his mind, blaming Ramses for everything. 

Bakit ba kasi kailangang doon siya tumira sa condo ng kaibigan at bantayan ang babaeng iyon. He doesn't have a lot of time to spare but for the sake of that freaking one billion peso to cover up his loss, he doesn't have a choice. 

Sinubukan niyang tawagan ulit ang kaibigan pero out of reach na ito. Napabuga nalang siya ng marahas na hangin. 

He then drove his way to Ramses’ condo. It’s already eight in the evening, sana naman ay tulog na ang babae. He’s not really ready to meet and see her. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang dapat niyang maramdaman. 

The closer he got to the building, the more irritated he became. He wasn't sure if it was because of Ramses. Or because after seven months, he would finally come face to face with the woman he nearly killed. For seven months, Vivian had been nothing more than a hospital file and a problem he paid to keep and remain hidden.

When he reached the building, he rode an elevator to the 20th floor, where Ramses’ unit was. He was still in his business suit. He hadn't told his parents yet that he would be staying at Ramses' place for a month.

He didn't ring the doorbell and just typed the passcode instead. Nang makapasok siya ay parang nabunutan siya ng tinik nang makitang nakapatay lahat ng ilaw. That just means one thing. She’s asleep.

Good, she's asleep. One less problem to deal with tonight. He said at the back of his mind.

Nakahinga siya ng maluwag at dahan-dahan niyang ibinagsak ang sarili sa sofa. 

He loosened his tie before unbuttoning his polo. He stripped off his clothes and threw it on the corner, leaving only his boxer shorts. If Ramses was here, he'd probably complain again about him treating his condo like a hotel.

He strolled towards the counter and opened the fridge, looking for a beer can. As he scanned through the fridge, his face immediately crumpled. 

“No liquor?” He frowned. 

It was so unusual for Ramses to have no liquor in his unit. That man couldn't survive a week without alcohol. Puro bottled water at Mogu-mogu ang nasa loob ng fridge. With no other choice, he picked up the grape flavored Mogu-mogu and opened it.

He slowly drank it as he walked towards the master bedroom. 

Nang akmang pipihitin na sana niya ang doorknob nang bigla itong bumukas at tumambad sa kanyang harapan ang isang babaeng nakasuot ng duster. 

He froze for a moment before finally realizing the situation.

His eyes widened as he choked on his drink and sprayed droplets all over the woman's face. 

“Shit!” He exclaimed as he instinctively tried to wipe her face, but his hands simply refused to touch her.