Chapter 7: New Game Begins

NAGPAMULSA si Hugo matapos nitong muling siyasatin ang pagkakalagay nito ng bandage sa tuhod ko.

Pinili kong ignorahin ang ginawa nito. I had to act as professionally as I could in front of him. Lalo na at nakataya rito ang kabuhayan ko. Camille was counting on me if worse comes to worst.

I opened my bag and snatched my resume. “Here’s my resume, sir.”

“Give it to Bryan,” he commanded.

Kinuha naman ni Bryan ang papel sa kamay ko. At saka muling nagsalita si Hugo.

“As you can see, Bryan is quite occupied these days so I needed another personal secretary who could accompany me in every business meeting here and abroad,” taas-noong hayag ni Hugo.

Nakita ko ang bakas ng pagkagulat sa mukha ni Bryan. “Me? Occupied? I don’t think so. I can work under pressure and—”

Hugo looked at him as if there was a warning. “You are occupied, Hugo. Or else how did you forget about Miss Alcaraz’s appointment? How would you compensate her grievances, look at her knees.”

“Oh, that. My bad.” Alanganing ngumiti si Bryan na halos mag-isang guhit na lang ang tsinito nitong mata. “You can’t blame those receptionists; they’ve been dealing with a lot of women offering themselves to be your secretary for free.”

Hugo ignored his secretary’s remarks. “Starting today, you and Miss Alcaraz will work together under me. And I’ll make her a consultant in the Design and Planning Department. I want you to prepare her contract now.”

Habang pinakikinggan ko ang pag-uusap ng dalawa. Parang biglang naumid ang dila ako at hindi ko makuhang agad na makapagsalita. I couldn’t believe Hugo would make me a consultant!

‘I thought he was very strict with hiring employees as he had a penchant for hiring only the best. Pero bakit ang bilis naman yata niya ako gawing consultant? Ni hindi niya nga sinilip ang resume ko!’ Naguguluhang isip ko.

I admit, at the back of my mind, I knew what I was capable of. I’d make sure Hugo wouldn’t regret hiring me as I considered myself an expert in the field. Masyado ko lang ibinuro ang kakayahan ko sa kumpanya ni Sean kaya hindi na ako nag-explore. Well, I learned my lesson the hard way.

Hugo walked back and forth in front of me as if thinking deeply. Tumingin siya sa akin at nagtanong.

“Will it be okay with you, Miss Alcaraz? My schedule is hectic, and being a consultant is also demanding. Will you be able to handle it?”

Tumayo ako. “Yes, sir!”

Hugo gestured his hand. “Please, remain seated and be comfortable.”

Sumunod naman ako at muling naupo.

Hugo turned to Bryan. “What are you waiting for? The contract, I said.”

Napakamot si Bryan. “The one you drafted?”

Hugo cleared his throat. “Yes.”

Bryan nodded. “Right away, boss!”

Nang umalis si Bryan ay naupo si Hugo sa tabi ko. Heto na naman at parang may kung anong mainit na hangin ang bumalot sa paligid lalo na nang pasadahan niya ako ng tingin sa mukha.

“It’s nice seeing you again, Raya…” He lightly smiled.

‘Oh, God damn it! Why is my heart racing with that smile?!’ Lihim akong nataranta.

Hugo was not doing anything indecent. Pero parang nanadya ang utak ko na inaalala ang mainit na gabing pinagsaluhan namin.

‘Hold your horses, Raya! He is now your boss!’ Pinagalitan ko ang sarili ko.

I pretended like I didn’t hear him. I simply nodded. “I want to read the contract.”

Hugo leaned his back. “Of course.”

Para akong tuod na hindi gumagalaw dahil batid kong nakatitig sa akin si Hugo. Bakit nga ba hindi ko magawang salubungin ang mata nito? Was I guilty?

No, I was afraid he’d jump into conclusion that I was a dirty kind of woman. Jumping in bed from one stranger to another. Pero wala naman akong magagawa dahil hindi ko naman kontrolado ang nasa isip niya.

“It’s a good thing your eyes are less swollen now.” Hugo kept observing me.

What did he mean my eyes were less swollen? Ganoon ba ito ka-observant at nahalata nito ang pamumugto ng mata ko nang gabing iyon?

I looked down again. My hands were fidgeting. Ilang ulit akong lihim na huminga nang malalim para kalmahin ang sarili. Nagulat pa ako nang bigla nitong hawakan ang kamay ko.

“Sir…” my eyes widened.

“Your hands are cold as ice. Stop fidgeting, this is just me.”

Bigla kong binawi ang kamay ko. “I-I’m okay.”

Hugo let out a sigh. “If you feel awkward because of what happened between us a few nights ago. You can brush it off. Or else you can’t work with me if you keep dwelling on it.”

Biglang nag-init ang pisngi ko. The man was surely straightforward!

“I promise to be an asset in this company,” ang naisatinig ko.

Hugo seemed to enjoy taunting me. He even held my chin and carefully raised my head.

“If so, I want you to look at me straight in the eyes, Raya. You can’t be this awkward every time we’re together.”

Dahil determinado akong patunayan na hindi ako apektado sa presensya niya ay pinilit ko na salubungin ang titig nito.

There it was again, those set of familiar eyes. There was a mischief glinting over his eyes as he twitched his lips up to smile.

“Good girl—”

Agad akong napatuwid ng upo nang biglang tumikhim si Bryan na kakapasok lang dala ang ilang mga papeles. I was sure he witnessed what Hugo did. Nakakahiya!

Meanwhile, Hugo acted as if nothing happened. Lalo lang lumaki ang nakaguhit na ngiti nito sa labi at humalukipkip ito.

“Here’s the contract, Miss Alcaraz. You can review it before signing.” Bryan handed me the papers.

Pansamantala kong nakalimutan ang presensya ni Hugo nang basahin ko ang nilalaman ng kontrata. Paulit-ulit kong binasa ang nilalaman niyon pero iisa lang ang aking naging konklusyon—the offer was beyond my imagination.

“A-are you sure about this? My compensation is too much!” I looked at Hugo who only shrugged.

“I know a talent when I see one. Besides, I can always fire you if you mess this up. Understood?”

I remained silent for a moment. Hindi naman sa nagrereklamo ako, pero halos sampung beses ang laki ang compensation sa akin kumpara noong nasa kumpanya ako ni Sean.

“I will live up to your expectations, Sir Hugo!” My face lit up.

“If you wouldn’t add any clause to the contract. You may sign it now, Miss Alcaraz,” wika ni Bryan sabay abot sa akin ng itim na fountain pen.

I signed the contract without hesitation. Ewan ko ba, baka guni-guni ko lang, the moment I signed the contract, Hugo smiled as if he won a billion-dollar lottery jackpot.

“Welcome to the company, Miss Alcaraz," Bryan said.

I stood up. “Thank you.”

Inilahad ni Bryan ang kamay pero tumayo si Hugo at agad na tinapik ang kamay ni Bryan para siya ang makipagkamay sa akin.

We exchanged a firm handshake.

“The Blaquier Holdings is now your playground,” Hugo said as his hands hold mine with assurance.

“I will work hard, and I will never betray your trust.” Totoo sa loob na pangako ko matapos bitawan ni Hugo ang kamay ko.

Hugo looked at his wristwatch. “Just in time. I have a lunch meeting, come with me.”

“As in ngayon na?” Naninigurong tanong ko.

Hugo smirked. “Yes, ngayon na!”