Chapter 4

Mr. Whoever

Aurora was puzzled by Barron's attitude towards Vanessa. She did not expect it, she knew Barron as much as she knew. He was a gentleman and not as harsh as he did at that time. Maybe he has an intimidating aura and a very strict personality when it comes to work, but that man is not like the way she used to be. She also knew him as gentle and kind. What she witnessed, well, that's quite surprising.

"W-what happened? I-is he angry at me, Ms. Aurora?" tanong ni Vanessa sa babaeng kausap. Katulad nito ay sobrang nagtataka rin siya sa ipinakitang kagaspangan ng paguugali ng taong kausap ni Aurora.

"Have you offended that man, Vanessa?" tanong ni Aurora sa kanya na puno pa rin ng pagtataka.

Puzzled but still calm, Vanessa slowly shook her head. "Offended? H-how can I offend such a person that I actually didn't know in the first place? Hindi ko siya kilala at wala pa kaming naging interaksyon ng taong 'yon."

"Are you sure?" Aurora asks her frowning. "Try to recall your memory, baka maalala mo na may nangyari na hindi n'ya nagustuhan,"

"I really do not know him, Ms. Aurora. I am very sure about that," sagot ni Vanessa sa tanong nito. She was trying to recall but she never remembered that she and that man interact in any way. "Wala talaga, at wala pa akong naging kalaban," she added while continuing to shake her head.

"Okay, but, you really didn't know who that man was?" when Vanessa shakes her head, Aurora is shocked and wowed. "Wow, only a few people did not recognize him at hindi ko akalain na isa ka roon."

"Well... Kindly tell me who that man is, Ms. Aurora. Sino ba 'yon?" nahihiwagaang tanong ni Vanessa sa kausap.

"Sounds interesting, huh?" she responded holding her chin while observing her expression. "Well, kung hindi mo naman pala kilala at wala kang atraso sa taong 'yon, okay, huwag mo na lang alamin kung sino siya," Aurora smirks when she saw Vanessa's frowning reaction.

"Y-yuh, I think you are right. As long as hindi at wala akong atrasong ginawa sa taong iyon. I do not feel guilty at all... but, I feel sorry for myself dahil w-wala naman akong ginawang masama at mali sa taong 'yon." tugon ni Vanessa rito, but she is still confused though.

Nagtataka talaga siya. Sa tatlong taon niya sa pagmomodelo ay wala pa siyang na encounter na mga kaaway o kagalit. She is polite, calm, friendly, and kind. Kahit kailan ay wala siyang problema depende na lang kung may modelo na mainit ang dugo sa kanya. But she can handle it easily by talking and confronting the person who hates her in such a calm conversation. Ayaw kasi niya ng conflicts sa trabaho. She just wanted to work according to her contracts. Kung ayaw ng ibang tao sa kanya, so what, that is not her problem anymore.

Napapatango si Aurora rito. "Well... um, let's go back to your business. So, what do you need again, Vanessa?" tanong nito pagkaraan ng pananahimik niya.

"N-nothing important," tugon niya habang nakatingin sa direksyon na tinahak ng lalaking suplado at may magaspang na pag-uugali. Nakita niyang may humarang na tao rito at bahagya itong nakipag-usap. She moves her eyes on Aurora again. "I just want to thank you again, at... personal rin sana akong magpapaalam sa 'yo. K-kasi 'yung assistant ko ay medyo masama ang pakiramda. I can't stay any longer at this party. At isa pa nakaalis na rin ang manager ko dahil sa may emergency na nangyari. So, can I leave, and my assistant right now?" paliwanag niya rito. Indeed, Odette is not feeling well. Kanina pa nga nito tinitiis ang sama ng pakiramdam ngunit hindi na niya kayang tiisin na makitang nahihirapan ito at pinipilit lang ang sarili na kumilos dahil sa kanya.

"Of course, kaysa naman lumala pa ang pagsama ng pakiramdam ng assistant mo. So, let me accompany you and your assistant in the parking area—"

"No, no. That is not necessary. We can go alone there. Thank you, Ms. Aurora." tugon niya at gustong gusto na niya umalis dahil sa dulo ng mata niya ay nakita niya yung lalaki na bahagya ng paalis.

"Okay, just take care." wika nito sa kanya at saka sila nagpingkian ng halik sa pisngi.

When she saw Aurora came back to her colleague agad siyang kumilos. Nagmamadali niyang tinahak ang hallway kung saan niya nakita kanina ang lalaki. Nang makita niya itong papalabas ng exit at patungo sa parking area, nagmamadali niya itong hinabol. May kasama rin itong may katabaang babae na kasing tangkad lang ni Odette. Nakasunod ito sa lalaki.

Nagmamadali niyang hinabol ang mga ito.

Palalampasin lang sana niya ang kagaspangan ng lalaking iyon. But her conscious mind wants to know why and the reason for his anger against her. She doesn't want to retaliate but only to confront the man if what's the matter. So, her mind will go to peace.

"Hey... W-wait..." tawag niya sa mga presensya ng mga ito.

Rene stops her hand by opening the backseat of the expensive limited car. Vanessa guessed that this woman was his assistant.

Tumingin si Rene sa kanyang kinatatayuan. Nangunot ang noo nito saka may ibinulong sa lalaki. Vanessa didn't see his face because the man's back was facing her. Bahagya niyang narinig ang sinabi ng lalaki rito.

Nangunot agad ang noo niya nang inutos nito sa babae na buksan na ang pinto ng kotse. Papasok na sana ito sa loob ng tinawag niya muli ito.

"Hey, wait for a while," she chimed.

Hindi ito natuloy na pumasok sa loob. He just paused for a moment then turned around. "What do you need?"

Vanessa was stunned when she saw his dark eyes and aura. Pero ang higit sa lahat na napansin niya ang hindi pangkaraniwang kagwapuhan ng lalaking 'yon. He was indeed handsome. A myth, a legend, and a very eye-catching good looking man. Even if he has a fair of sharp eyes that glare at her hindi pa rin iyon kabawasan ng kanyang magandang katangian. Nangunot agad ang noo niya sa kanyang napansin. He is indeed angry with her.

"L-look, Mr... w-whoever. I'm just curious if I did something wrong with you. I don't remember why I feel this way. Are you angry with me? Why? In what case? I do not remember anything that caused any trouble or mistakes." She spilled out a series of questions to this man.

Nakita agad ni Rene ang pagdilim ng mukha ng kanyang boss. Hindi niya akalain na may lakas loob ang modelo na ito na magsalita ng ganoong uri sa kanyang boss. And what did she hear? Hindi nito kilala ang boss niya? Wow, sa dalawang taon ni Mr. Barron Hudson sa pagiging CEO ng Rockets ay kilalang kilala na agad ito sa industriyang kinagagalawan, idagdag pa ang dating issues nito na parating ikinakabit rito hanggang ngayon. Her boss Barron changed a lot since he ruled the company. He is very strict, serious, and a very professional CEO of one of the leading entertainment companies. She wanted to laugh with this arrogant model, but she didn't because her boss is around, and also he is still in a bad temper.

Barron is very annoyed while looking at this woman's face. Maybe her face is soft and charming, but this woman offended him. She even questions his authority. When he remembered that, he immediately frowned.

"If you want to know me... then go and do some research papers for you to know me better! Stop following me, I am not interested in you! Also, stop wasting my time!" his sharp voice echoed in the whole parking lot area.