chapter 6

Yazmin

EVRON said that Jeff, the driver, is waiting on the fifth floor basement. Hinahanap ko ang Blue na Ford Explorer.

"Mrs. Montemayor,"

Napalingon ako. A man in white polo shirt and pants went to me. Mrs. Montemayor...

"Good morning po. I am Jeff, the driver," aniya.

"Oh, hi. Pupunta ako ng Kortez Architecture. Sabi ni Evron ikaw raw pwede maghatid sa akin."

"Yes, Ma'am. Dito po," giniya niya ako sa asul na Ford.

Hindi tahimik ang direksyong Kortez Architecture dahil sa rotang tinatahak ni Jeff. I arrived in the main lobby and was immediately greeted. Diretso ako sa opisina ni Daddy.

Malaking aliwalas naman sa akin nang hindi ko nakita sila Tita Darlynn at si Darcy.

"Good morning, Dad," bati ko.

He smiled. "Good morning, hija. How are you?"

"Fine. Well slept."

He chuckled. "Come on, the meeting will start."

Bahagyang kumunot ang aking noo sa sinabi niya. Giniya niya ako patungo sa hallway at binuksan ang isang conference room. The familiar faces of the investors and boards is here. Mr. Montemayor is already here and beside him a another man with the same aura.

"Go... Greet your father-in-law," bulong ni Daddy.

Sapilitan akong lumapit kay Mr. Montemayor.

"Good morning, Sir," pormal kong bati.

He smiled at me. "Good morning, Yazmin. Let me introduce you to my brother, Zeuruz Montemayor."

Tumingin ako sa katabi niya at naglahad ito ng kamay sa akin na siyang agad kong tinanggap. I formally shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Sir."

"Likewise, Mrs. Montemayor," aniya.

The inside of my stomach jumped just like my heart did. I politely smiled and excused myself.

Kinagulat ko ang inaanunsyo ni Daddy sa maraming magagaling na businessmen at businesswomen dito sa silid. He appointed me as the Vice President of Kortez Architecture. Due to my low experience in the field, I am not fitted to be the President yet, as per say of some men.

Gulat ako at inaasahan ko na hindi iyon ma-approve ng lahat ngunit dahil bumoto sa akin ang dalawang Montemayor, I won the title. Sa sobrang tuwa ko hindi ako nakapagsalita.

"Congratulations, Miss Kortez..." bati ng mga ka-sosyo.

"Congratulations, hija. You are slowly earning your keep," said Mr. Montemayor.

"Thank you, Sir," pasasalamat ko.

Inakbayan ako ni Daddy at mahinang tumawa. "She deserves it. She's my only daughter after all."

Upon hearing those words, a glint of hope in my heart starts to spark. Now I verified that Dad shows his love for me if that woman he married to, for the second time, is not around. But then, I don't fully trust his words. That fast.

Kinuha ko ang files na kailangan kong matutunan bago sasabak sa trabaho sa Lunes. Today is Friday so I have to start studying. Sa labas na ako kumain kasabay ni Daddy dahil pinapahanap pa ang ibang files na dadalhin ko pag-uwi.

Jeff drove me back to Evron's place around 4 o'clock. Evron is not around and I already found my things sharing a place on his walk in closet. Hindi naman nagtagal dumating din si Evron. Nagpunta lang pala siya sa ibaba para bumili ng fruits.

"I'll make you a smoothie," aniya pagkatapos naming kumain ng hapunan.

"Really? Thanks, Evie."

Ngumiti siya. "I like that."

Umangat ang aking tingin sa kanya. "What?"

"You called me Evie."

I gave him a smile. Nauna akong bumalik sa sala para magligpit ng gamit.

He gave me a glass of smoothie and even added whipped cream.

His phone suddenly rang. Parehong napatingin kami. Evan is calling on the other line. Siguro pangatlong tawag na ito ng kapatid niya. Tumayo siya upang sagutin ang tawag.

I piled the finish files on the side and took my laptop to the room. Binabasa ko ang files ng mga taong kailangan kong makilala baka makasalubong ko sa kompanya at hindi ko mapansin.

Umangat ang aking tingin kay Evron. Nasa pintuan siya at bahagyang nakasandal.

I can't quite believe that he is a dummy but it's alright. I feel comfortable around him and he is soft despite the physique he has.

"Uh, nakakaistorbo ba ako?" marahan niyang tanong.

I shook my head. "Hindi naman. You need anything?"

Dahan dahan siyang pumasok sa silid. Umupo siya sa kama na may kalahating metro ang layo sa akin.

Tahimik lang naman siya kaya binalingan ko ulit ang laptop na nasa aking kandungan.

Naramdaman ko ang pag-usog niya papalapit sa akin. He craned his neck sideway to see my screen. Bahagyang tinagilid ko ito para makita niya kung anong ginagawa ko.

"Work?"

Tumango ako. "Yup."

He nodded slightly and layed down on our bed. "I'll sleep ahead before I'll disturb you,"

Napadaing ako ng mahina. He is not disturbing me at all. Kaya pala umaalis siya tuwing may tumatawag sa kanya.

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●To be continue