CHAPTER 3: The Real H.E.R

SOIRYE'S P. O. V

"I HATE HIM, I HATE HIM, I HATE HIM!”

Paulit-ulit 'yong tumatakbo sa isip ko habang nanggigigil akong sinusuntok at hinahampas ang unan ko. Unan ko—so basically, I'm back to my very own room. Because just like what Damon said, pagkatapos na pagkatapos ng "kasal" namin ay diniretso niya na akong ihatid sa field kung saan naghihintay ang private jet na ipanghahatid sa akin ni Paulson. Iyon din ang parehong private jet kung saan niya ako isinakay palabas ng bansa.

I can't believe I was able to ride on everything Damon wanted overnight! Kabaliwan mang isipin, pero wala na. Nandito na. I was already married with him. With the man I barely know.

And after that roller-coaster ride overnight, I'm back again with my usual. Ang kaibahan lang ngayon ay kasal na ako. Pero wala pa rin naman sigurong magbabago dahil as per him, hindi ko pwedeng i-disclose sa ibang tao 'yung naging kasal namin. It was secretive. More like, ginawa lang talaga solely para sa deal na sinabi niya.

Pabor din naman sa akin 'yon dahil kung nagkataon, hindi ko rin alam kung paano ibro-broadcast sa buong Pilipinas at sa buong mundo na kasal na ako sa nag-iisang Damon Ignaci. That will surely make a huge feast among the media. Not only Damon is a public figure himself. And as of me… well, hindi ko naman sinasabi na sikat ako pero hindi ko rin ide-deny na marami-rami rin ang nakakakilala sa akin.

I am Winter Soirye Galveza. The fourth generation to hold the legacy of the longest-running publishing company in all of Asia—the Aldine Press. Originally, it was made to publish local and international country news. The usual—accidents, weather forecasts, casualties, and such. But not until my reign. Since I took over the position, the Aldine Press took its most innovative step up. Ipinanganak din ang Spark Magazine. Monthly kung maglabas kami ng issue. Buwan-buwan din ay bago ang personality na featured sa nasabing magazine. Ako ang in-charge roon at sinisiguro ko na bawat salitang lalabas sa article ng monthly issue namin ay kontrobersyal pero totoo. I was know in the field as Winter G. Kinatatakutan ng maraming personalities lalo na ng mga aware na may hindi sila ginagawang maganda. Dahil sa oras na matuunan ko sila ng atensyon at maisipan ko na ma-feature sila sa monthly issue ng Pepper, paniguradong may magiging malakas na impact ang magpapabago sa career nila. Kung maganda ang nasa article ko, sure did, magbu-boost ang career ng kung sinumang personality ang mabi-build up ko. And the opposite comes to worst. Literal na aangat ang mga deserving umangat, at masisira lahat ng dapat na masira.

That's also the reason why I chose not to disclose my real identity to Damon. Dahil nag-alangan ako na baka kilala niya ako. Baka iwasan niya ako. Yes, I may come to him for rescue. At iyon ang naging dahilan para mapalapit ako sa kanya. He also made use of my body already. Kaya papakawalan ko pa ba ang pagkakataon, eh, namuhunan na 'ko?

Nabaling ang tingin ko sa singsing na suot ko. This is the first time that I will be looking at it this close. Hindi na kasi ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataon kanina na pagmasdan 'yon dahil sa bilis ng mga pangyayari. The ring looks nice. The ring itself looks like it is made out of platinum. And the diamond rock in the middle… Gosh. It's clearly worth millions!

"Kung sakaling indian-in mo 'ko sa usapan natin, I think this diamond ring could compensate enough. Bonus na lang kapag pinagpiyestahan ng crowd 'yung pribadong buhay mo. Or should I say, the monthly issue of Pepper that features you is the real price; at itong diamond ring ang bonus lang?”

I smiled.

Marahan kong tinanggal ang mamahaling singsing na 'yon sa daliri ko at maingat na nilagay sa bedside table ko.

"See you again tomorrow, my precious. For now, let's take a rest first. We both need that, I know,” usal ko sa sarili.

With a wide smile, I gently laid my back on my soft, comfy bed. Another crazy day, indeed. Bukas, balik na nman ako sa dati. I have to regain my energy after Damon drained all out of me. Iykyk.

***

THE NEXT MORNING, I WAS UP AS EARLY AS 5 A.M.

Body clock ko na 'yon. Then I'll have my usual morning double shot espresso to keep me going throughout my day. Hygiene routine plus my lucky charm—my eyeglasses—and I'm ready to go.

When I entered the building, I was greeted and followed by all the varieties of looks, I guess. May halatang gulat, natataranta, and whatever they all feel like feeling. I don't care anyway dahil anu't-ano man ang nararamdaman nila, iisa lang din naman ang end point at result. They all look so pathetic.

"Good morning, Kyree,” I greeted my assistant the moment I swiftly entered my office's huge glass door.

Kyree immediately stood up. Bigla siyang nataranta upon seeing me. Maybe because I caught him red-handed, sitting on my very own thrown?

"Madam! I don't know you are back! Hindi ka naman nagpasabi, Madam! How's your trip—”

"Of course, you don't know that I'm back. Kasi if you know, malamang na hindi ka uupo sa chair ko, right?” I said in a demure voice.

"H-Hindi naman sa gano'n, Madam. Pero kasi—”

"How's everything in here? No'ng tumawag ka, parang ang laki-laki ng problema rito, as if the whole building was about to collapse,” putol ko sa kanya. I walked towards my table and was about to sit when I remembered something. So instead of sitting, I pushed my special chair away by using just my index finger. "Call the maintenance, please. Ipalinis mo 'to or better yet, ipabili mo 'ko ng bago. I want the same design, same feels… basta. I want it now—”

"Eh… Madam, seryoso? Pero 'di ba limited edition ang chair 'to—”

"Do as I say or bid farewell to your job?” I looked at him with my eyebrows arched. "And seriously, saan mo 'ko gustong paupuin the whole duration of my today's job? Sana, naisip mo rin 'yung consequence ng actions mo bago ka nag-feeling na ako?”

"But, Madam—”

"What I hated the most, is those person who wants to take my position. You should know it better, Kyree. You're my assistant, after all.”

"Pero, Madam—” I raised my hand to signal him to stop. Hindi naman na siya nagsalita pa. I just heard his footsteps on his way outside.

After Kyree left, I immediately took my laptop. I opened my email to disseminate a message.

Emergency meeting—ASAP. Same rules, same command.

Sinara ko ulit 'yung laptop. Then I stared at my wristwatch for a moment. Ten… Nine… Eight… Seven… Six… Five… Four… Three… Two…

I picked up my bag and calmly walked towards the door. Diretso ako sa elevator. Fifth floor—papunta sa conference room kung saan nagaganap lahat ng meetings na pinapangunahan ko.

Inabutan ko na marami nang tao sa loob ng conference room pagdating ko. When they all saw me, they stood up and paid respect.

"Good morning, Ma'am—”

"Close the door. Everybody, tell those who are not yet here to leave this building accordingly as their separation pay will be wired to them before this day ends,” I interrupted their greeting.

Walang nagtangkang umimik sa kahit sino sa kanila. The only sound I am hearing was the 'tick' that came from the locked door.

I walked confidently to the front.

"Umupo 'yung mga gustong umupo. To those who want to get tired this early, remain standing,” sabi ko.

Lahat naman sila ay nag-uunahang umupo.

"As you all know, I was gone for a day. My reason? It's not for you to know,” pagsisimula ko. "Anyone here named "Wyna"?”

Lahat sila ay tumingin sa iisang direksyon—sa direksyon ng isang babaeng may katabaan at kakapalan ang make-up.

"Are you Wyna?” I asked.

"Yes, Ma'am,” she proudly said in return. Tatayo pa sana siya pero itinaas ko na ang isang kamay ko para pigilan siya.

"I just asked for an answer. Did I tell you to stand up?” tanong ko.

"N-No, Ma'am—”

"Before you entered this company—my company, you signed a contract, yes? Ilang kontrata ang pinirmahan mo?”

"D-Dalawa po—”

"And those contracts were…?”

"E-Employment Contract and Grounds for Automated Termination—”

"That's right. Nabasa mo naman siguro 'yung isa sa mga key points ng GAT, tama ba 'ko? The one that tackles about… the avoidance of spreading fake news. Aware ka ba ro'n?” tanong ko ulit.

Hindi na siya nagsalita. She simply nodded her head to answer me.

"Then where the hell did you get your strength to oppose that rule?”

"M-Ma'am… H-Hindi ko po alam 'yung sinasabi n'yo—”

"And look, you even had the guts to deny it now. Okay. I'm not gonna be sorry for this 'cause this is what you asked for.” I looked at everyone in the conference room. "All of you. Who spread the news that Damon Ignaci was still here last night? Ituro n'yo 'yung alam n'yong nagpakalat ng maling balita na 'yon. Those who won't be pointing to anyone, leave.”

Segundo na binalot ng pag-aalangan ang mukha ng mga nandoon. But after a while, they all started pointing their fingers to one direction—kay "Wyna".

Nataranta agad 'yung babae at napatayo pa.

"M-Ma'am Winter… H-Hindi ko po intention na magkalat ng fake news. B-Base lang po talaga sa source ko, nandito pa raw si Damon Ignaci kaya napagdesisyunan kong i-grab 'yung opportunity kasi… k-kasi 'di ba, kayo na rin naman 'yung nagsabi? Worth the risk si Damon Ignaci kasi—”

"What's your position again?” I interrupted her delirious claims.

"Sports—”

"What are you in the sports department?”

"P-Proofreader—”

"See? You're not a researcher. You're not even a writer. So, who gave you the write to meddle with other's task? And one more thing, what's that you said again? Napagdesisyunan mo? Who are you to decide on yourself? And please note that what you did isn't all about taking risk. Nangealam ka lang, nagbida-bida, and that's it. Now, leave,” I firmly said.

Lalong nagdeliryo 'yung babae at mukhang may balak pang manakit. She's being aggressive and begging for another chance at the same time. Para siyang biglang nabaliw.

I immediately ordered to call for security. Nalabas din agad 'yung babae and now is my cue to head to the main business.

"I was gone for just a day and most of you messed up. Akala ko ba, fit for the role kayong lahat na nandito? I gave you a day to prove it and no one of you did well?” puno ng disappointment kong saad. "Literally no one.”

I was staring at Kyree the whole time while saying those words. Yumuko siya na halatang sapul na sapul sa mga sinabi ko. Well, he really should be. Swerte na siya na hahayaan ko pa siyang makapag-stay sa trabaho niya bilang assistant ko when in fact, kayang-kaya ko siyang palitan in just a snap of my fingers.

"All of you. I'll be giving you another chance to prove yourself. But this will be the last. After this, kapag pumalpak pa kayo, mag-goodbye na kayo sa career n'yo rito. Because in case you forgot, dalawang major rule lang naman ang pinapairal ko rito—prove yourself to me, then you're good; but show me your bad attitude, I'll be the baddest bitch you'll wish you never had mess with.” I smiled wickedly. "I hope, this clears all. Last chance.”

Kanya-kanyang pagsasabi ng pasasalamat ang mga nandoon pero hindi ko na 'yon pinansin pa.

"That's all for today. As for our issue for the next month, sa monthly meeting ko na lang ita-tackle. Everybody, back to work!”

Isa-isa na silang nagtayuan at nagpaalam sabay lakad ng mabilis palabas ng conference room. I was left alone with Kyree—na as soon as makalabas na lahat ng tao ay nilapitan ako agad.

"Madam, thank you sa second chance. Thank you, hindi mo 'ko pinagsama sa mga nasibak—”

"Hindi ka pa abswelto. You can still lose your job if the chair won't be here before noon,” paalala ko sa kanya.

Tumayo na ako at naglakad palayo sa kanya. Iniwan ko 'yung bag ko sa table dahil si Kyree na ang magdadala no'n as usual.

"Sa parking lot tayo,” sabi ko lang at nauna na akong maglakad.

"P-Parking lot? Pero bakit parang ang aga naman, Madam—”

"Sino bang masusunod? Ako o ikaw?”

"I-Ikaw, syempre! N-Nagtatanong lang naman ako, Madam. Peace na tayo, ha?” habol ni Kyree sa akin.

I stopped walking for a bit just to take a glance at him.

"You know Raizen Policarpio?” tanong ko sa kanya.

"Raizen Poli… Teka, oo! S'ya 'yung sikat na starlet ngayon na over the moon ang kasikatan at kabi-kabila ang guestings, projects, at shows kahit obvious naman na walang talent ang bagets!” bulalas ni Kyree.

"Yeah, that's him. A legitimate source told me the "reason" behind his sudden skyrocketing fame. And he will be our subject next month. Special subject.”