Chapter 3: Meeting the CEO

A familiar guy came out of the bathroom, only with a towel wrapped around his waist, topless, and drops of water trickled down his abdominal muscles. But I'm stunned to realize who this man in front of me is to even pay attention to that.

That cold expression... He's Hades Thaddeus Hudson! He's the CEO of the largest company here in the country. The company where I work as an intern.

No. No, no! 

There's no way this is happening. This can't be true! 

I am too stunned to process everything. 

"Is it hurt?" he coldly asked.

Hurt? My face heated.

Does he really need to ask me that question? Of course, it does! I'm not even sure if I can still walk normally!

I gently shook my head. 

He only nodded.

His phone rang on the side table, breaking the silence enveloping us. He answered the call and went to the balcony, leaving me alone. I took that chance to get myself ready to get out of here. 

I saw a new pair of clothes on the table; without any second thought, I quickly changed. I tried so hard to keep myself up despite the pain and soreness I'm feeling. Nakapatong din sa mesa ang isang tseke; walang dalawang pag-iisip na kinuha ko iyon.

After leaving the club. Sa loob pa lamang ng sasakyan, my tears immediately fell. With so much disappointment with myself, I couldn't help but cry. 

When I got home, I immediately ran to my room. My head is still aching from last night. My mind is so drained, and I'm physically tired. I crashed my body onto my bed. I want to rest.

Nang makapagpahinga na ako ay nagtungo ako sa hospital para puntahan si mama. Kaagad kong binayaran ang bills namin sa hospital gamit ang perang nakuha ko para maproseso na ang operation niya. My mother is still unconscious. The doctor said they will perform the surgery as soon as possible. I can't help breaking down while holding her cold and pale hands.

Why is this happening with my family? I hate this. I'm drained. I'm so tired. Physically, emotionally, and mentally. I am tired.

"Dalhin mo itong mga papel. Bilisan mo, baka nand'yan na si Mr. Hudson!" utos sa akin ni ma'am Maries. Mabilis kong kinuha ang mga papel sa table at sumunod sa kaniya. 

Hindi naman siguro siya 'yon… Ilang araw na akong nagtatrabaho rito, at hindi ko pa nakikita siya— no, impossible that I would see him again! But he's our CEO...

It's been two days since what happened in the club. My mother is in a coma, but the doctor said she'll be fine after the surgery. Iyon nalang ang pinanghahawakan ko.

"Sana wala pa si Mr. Hudson! Naku, talaga, Diandra, sinasabi ko sayo, pag ako napagalitan na naman no'n!" angal ni ma'am Maries.

Tumunog ang elevator, at nagulat ako nang ang nasa loob noon ay si Mr. Hudson kasama pa ang dalawang lalaki. Nag-uusap sila at naputol ito ng pumasok kami sa loob. Nagulat si ma'am Maries at napatakip sa bibig, siguro dahil sa sinabi niya kanina.

Tahimik ako at napayuko. My goodness! Sinabi ko na sa sarili kong ayaw ko na siyang makita pa pero bakit? And guess what, he's our boss?! Gosh, Diandra!

Sa gilid ko ay kitang-kita ko ang titig ni Mr. Hudson sa akin. 

"Do you have any idea where we can find her, Hades?" rinig kong tanong no'ng isang lalaki. Oh, right. Hades ang pangalan niya. 

Find her? Anong pinag-uusapan nila? Wala kaming narinig na sagot sa kaniya. Ilang sandali ay nagsalita muli ang lalaki.

"Miss, are you a new employee here?" tanong ng lalaki sa likod ko. 

Siniko ako ni ma'am kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya; pinandilatan niya ako ng mata. 

Hinarap niya ang lalaki sa likod ko. "Ah, yes po sir. She's my intern-assistant po for now," mahinahong sabi ni ma'am Maries saka ako siniko ulit.

"Oh, what's your name, Miss? How old are you?" tanong ulit ng lalaki.

Is he talking to me?

Nakayukong nilingon ko ang lalaki. Gosh! "I-I'm Diandra Fuego po, I'm twenty-one..." mahinang saad ko. Bago pa may makapagsalita ulit ay tumunog ang elevator; naunang lumabas si Ma'am Maries kaya sumunod ako sa kaniya.

"Sir, mauna na po kami sa office niyo," sabi ni ma'am Maries kay Mr. Hudson. I glanced at him, and when our eyes met, he was already staring at me. I immediately looked away. Parang may bumara sa dibdib ko at nahihirapan akong huminga. Iniisip niya siguro ang nangyari sa club, na isa akong bayarang babae at mukhang pera. 

Nang makarating kami sa office ni Mr. Hudson ay dumiretso si ma'am Maries sa sofa kaharap ng table ni Mr. Hudson. Binuksan niya ang kaniyang laptop at nagtipa roon, habang ako naman ay inaayos ang mga dala kong documents.

"Oh, my God!" 

"What's wrong po?" tanong ko kay ma'am Maries sa biglaang pagsigaw niya.

"Gosh, Diandra! Dito ka lang, may nakalimutan akong files! He would kill me!" sabi niya at nagmamadaling tumakbo palabas ng opisina. What? She can't leave me here! I can't!

Tumayo ako para habulin siya nang bumukas ang pintuan at niluwal no'n si Mr. Hudson.

My breath hitched. I remember his touch— gosh! My face heated.

Para akong natuptup sa kinatatayuan ko. Hindi ako makagalaw.

He was looking at me intently. Para akong hihimatayin. Can I just go now? Can I go now? God!

Napalunok ako nang nagsimula siyang maglakad papunta sa swivel chair niya. Nakatayo ako ngayon diretso sa kinatatayuan niya.

I can't look at him straight while he can definitely look me in the eyes!

"Take a seat," napalunok ako. The baritone coldness of his voice gave me chills. That expression dripping in his eyes told me that he's dangerous. Hindi ako makapagsalita. Muli akong umupo sa sofa.

"What's your relation to the Fuegos?" malamig na tanong niya.

Nag-angat ako nang tingin sa kaniya. Why is he asking me that?

"George Fuego," banggit niya sa pangalan ng aking ama.

Why? Does he know my father? Well, Dad is a tycoon... 

Napalunok ako at bahagyang umiling. "I-I don't know him," mahinang sabi ko. My father did everything to hide everything about me and my mother. So when anybody's asking where or who's my father, I refuse to answer. 

Kinuha niya lamang sa akin ang mga documents at pagkatapos ay pinaalis niya na rin ako. Mabuti nalang dahil parang hindi ako makahinga kapag nakikita at nasa paligid siya. 

What happened between us is just for the sake of my mother. I get the money I need, and he gets what he wants. I want to forget about it.