II. Concern

“Why did you left the court so early?”

Arquette asked me. He's in my office. Nakita n'ya pala 'yon. I don't have a valid reason so I just spit some excuse I knew.

“Emergency,” sambit ko at kunwaring nagbabasa.

“What kind? I guess it's not.” He tilted his head a little, still finding the reason.

“Whatever,” I rolled my eyes. “Labas pucha!” 

“Okay, then, see you around.” Huli pang sabi n'ya bago tumalikod. 

So his full name was Fletcher Jaxtross... Gaultier. I hope he didn't saw me or it will be awkward... in my case.

October 18 had started and many things happened. No, it was only a trial, new trial, new case, read and sleep. That's my life... My everyday routine. 

I decided to go to bar to escaped being a Lawyer for an hour. Naalala ko noon I was breaking down because of some rush works. Tamad ako pero nakakapasa at the same time. Thank god for that!

“Hi, I'm Ashireene!” Someone said while smiling seductively. “Do you mind?”

“No, I have a boyfriend.” I answered declining her. She looked shocked. Also, I got shocked because of the word I heard.

“Hi, I'm his boyfriend.” Jaxtross or Fletcher made a shakehands with her before the girl run away.

I immediately looked at the guy. Mabuti nalang wala ako sa Bar Island. May makakarinig.

“Who are you?” I asked him.

“You know me and I saw you too earlier, Attorney Luxembourg.” Damn his voice was so soothing that made my ears gasped.

Nabobobo na ang pag react ng katawan ko sa lalaking 'to.

“So what?!” Tinarayan ko s'ya at ininom ang beer na nasa may table.

He didn't answer so I guess he will be with me. He sitted beside me, eh. This guy didn't apologized for what he did! Kiss nalang ibigay n'ya sa akin mapapatawad ko pa s'ya right away.

While drinking he just stared at me. Fuck this! No one did that to me. Instead, I'm the one who was staring at them. Thinking if I can love them.

I wonder what he was thinking...

“Smoke lang ako ah?” Paalam ko bago tumayo sa upuan. Naramdaman ko naman na humawak s'ya sa kamay ko kaya nanigas ako. He held my hand like he was saying that he will always be here.

“I'm gonna come with you.” 

Tangina, ganda ng kamay n'ya. Sarap hawakan habang natutulog. With his slendering hands holding my wrist hinawakan ko ang kamay n'ya that made it looked like we are holding hands. Tinanggal n'ya kasi kanina.

Nakapunta kami sa smoking area at nadatnan naming walang tao kaya nag-usap kami about sa life and so on.

“My grandpa named me Fletcher because he is one.” He uttered. He also said that a Fletcher is the one who mades and sells arrow.

Sa mahabang pagsasalita n'ya ay hindi talaga s'ya magso-sorry?

“What about you? I'm sure you are nagugulahan sa akin. Para akong kabuti na sumulpot sa buhay mo...” Tumawa s'ya. “But, you know?” I looked at him. “The moment I laid my lips on you I sensed a scared Stanburghe.”

I chuckled. Totoo nga ang sinasabi n'ya. Ipinikit ko ang mata ko sa isinandal sa balikat n'ya ang ulo ko.

“You are right. I am scared. Takot sa sasabihin ng tao.” Nakangiti ako habang sinasabi 'yon. Sa ngayon lang ay ngingiti ako habang sinasabi 'yon nang walang luhang lumalabas sa mga mata ko.

“But, you can't always be scared. Hindi ka namumuhay para sakanila hindi ka gumagawa ng desisyon at kailangan ng komento nang iba. Hindi sila ikaw.” Sana nga magawa ko 'yan.

Knowing my dad. I remembered when he saw me watching my Mom doing her make-up he beat the fuck me out. Saying “Don't be a gay or I will disowned you! Be like your cousin Betranz he was dreaming to be a soldier!” Nakakasawang mapakinggan 'yan. 

“Sana nga, Jaxtross.” I said opening my eyes. Tumingin ako sakanya at sinuri ang mukha n'ya na parang malilimutan ko 'yon.

It was my first time venting out being scared to someone I just knew. I wonder what will happen on the next time for us? 

“Don't look at me like that!” He pleaded.

“Like what?” I teased him and smiled playfully.

He didn't answer and I want to know what he felt as I stared at him. 

“Nga pala. Pupunta kami bukas sa company n'yo ni Arquette.” I reminded him. 

“Okay? Feel free to come at my office,” he winked at me.

“What the...”

“Fucking Hangover!” I exclaimed while finding my phone. Ang ingay, pucha. Habang naghahanap ay may narinig rin akong kumakatok kaya dinilat ko ang mata ko para buksan ang pintuan. Tuluyan na akong nagising dahil sa nakita ko.

“Woah, you're awake.”

“W-What are you doing here?” Gulat kong tanong.

“Really? That's the first thing you will say to me instead of thankyou? You passed out, my boy. Damn you. Mukha ba akong magnanakaw?” He said frustratedly. 

I smiled shyly. Napatingin ako sa katawan ko. He probably dressed me. I was wearing a Maroon-shirt and a shorts. 

“Don't smile like that.” Sambit n'ya kaya ngumiti pa ako nang mas malapad.

Tangina ano kaya kami? Tamang harutan, ganoon? Pucha. 

Kusa nang namatay ang alarm ko kaya inayos ko na ang kama ko bago bumaba. Nagulat naman ako nang may naamoy akong pagkain.

“You cook our breakfast?” I asked holding some two cup with soup on it. Sa wakas makakakain din ng totoong umagahan! He nodded so at kumuha ng plato. “Kumain ka na?” Tanong ko dahil nakita kong nakatayo lang s'ya at nakalapat ang kamay sa gilid ng sink.

“Oo. Maayos naman ang niluto ko diba?”

I suddenly missed my Mom when I taste those.

“Yeah...” I pouted as I continued eating.

Tinanong ko rin kung anong nangyari kagabi and he said that I slept on his shoulder. Landi ko, gagi! Bago n'ya ako isakay sa sasakyan n'ya ay tinanong n'ya raw sa akin ang address ko kaya 'wag daw ako magulat dahil ako daw ang nag insist na magpahatid. Hindi naman sa sinasamantala n'ya dahil lasing ako sabi daw n'ya ay tumanggi lang s'ya dahil alam n'yang lasing lang ako. 

Nasa baba na rin daw ang sasakyan ko dahil pagkatapos  kong bihisan ang sarili ko ay umalis s'ya para pumunta sa bar, he booked a grab.

God, I caused many scenes!

“Thankyou.” I said sincerely. Kumunot ang noo n'ya bago ngumiti. Ambait naman ng kaibigan ko. Sana all. “Ambait mo naman palang kaibigan...” bulong ko.

“Woah. Kaibigan,” bulong n'ya pero narinig ko din.

Pagkatapos no'n ay nagpaalam s'ya sa akin na aalis na siya. “Take care, Jaxtross.” Sabi ko bago isara ang pinto at dumiretso sa sink para hugasan ang plato. Ayokong iwan ang condo ko na hindi malinis. 

Wala naman sa kasarian ang gawaing bahay. 

Sige. Just make some excuses, Stan.

“Kuya, ba't wala pong hot water?” Tanong ko sa nakasalubong kong Janitor.

“Meron na. Ayos na.” Sambit n'ya bago maglakad ulit. Sinagot n'ya ba ang tanong ko? I scratched my eyebrow a little.

Pumasok nalang ako sa pinaglabasan n'yang Elevator. Isasara ko na sana nang may pumasok pa. Hindi ako nagpahalatang tatakpan ko ang ilong ko.

Grabe naman ang pabango ni kuya! Ang tapang. Si kuya na ang nagsara kaya expect ko na na wala nang papasok pero biglang may kamay na humarang.

“Babe? Nalimutan mo.” Girlfriend n'ya siguro? Inabutan s'ya ng tupperware ng babae and they... kissed. Tumingin nalang ako sa wristwatch ko. 9:30 na. Malelate na ako, bwisit. 

Pagdating sa car park ay kaagad kong binuksan ang sasakyan ko. Sitting on my Rolls-Royce I started the engine. 

Malapit lang naman ang lawfirm ko sa tirahan ko kaya expect ko na hindi ako malelate...

“Fucking traffic!” 

Tumunog ang cellphone ko kaya cinonnect ko nalang sa wireless earphone ko para hindi ko hawak-hawak.

“Hi, Stanburghe Luxembourg speaking.” Bungad ko.

[Nasaan ka na? You didn't recognized the number I guess.] I heard some muffled sounds. [Nasa may labas ako inaantay ka. Don't tell me na-stuck ka sa traffic?]

“What do you think, huh?” I asked in a sarcastic tone. Narinig kong tumawa s'ya na ikinainis ko. Hindi naman ako madaling mainis sa traffic lang. 

[I will wait for you, here. Goodb—] He suddenly stopped.

“H-Hey! W-What happen?” Paulit ulit na sambit ko pero pinatay n'ya na ang tawag.

I just shugged my shoulders. Nawala din ang inis ko dahil may nabubuo nang konklusyon sa utak ko.

“B-bumalik ka na pala, Estraya?”

Napatawa ako sa naisip kong sasabihin ni Caiden. Napailing nalang ako. Hinawakan ko ang steering wheel habang nag u-u-turn. 

I parked my car beside the car of one of the Lawyer here. Nakita ko si Caiden sa side mirror ko kaya napangiti ako. 

May nangyari siguro kanina.

“Yow, Caiden Arquette.” Ngumiti ako ng malapad at binaba ng kaunti ang Wayfarer para kumindat sakanya.

He looked at me annoyed. Ano bang mayroon sa presensya ko? “You are late.” Tumingin s'ya sa palapulsuhan n'ya. “Let's get going. Sa sasakyan ko na, Luxembourg.” He acted like my boss. Sumunod nalang ako kaysa iwan n'ya ako.

Pagkapasok ay napatingin ako sa Glove Compartment n'ya na nakabukas. “Nag-u-use ka ng women perfume?” I asked.

“Shut up, fucker. Close that!”

Ba't palagi s'yang galit sa akin?

I just went silent after that. The silence wasn't awkward. It just made my energy to teased this guy boosted. Maybe those thing belongs to his lover.

After the silent I looked outside and saw a tall building with a Logo on it.

KLexon Group.

“Ba't nakaupo ka lang d'yan? Ayaw mong bumaba? Ano ka vallet?” Puno ng pang-u-uyam ang boses n'ya.

Bakit ba kasi kasama ako?

“Bakit andyan pa 'yung Engineer?” Pagbulong ko kay Caiden nang makita ko si Lorenza na nakatingin sa akin pero hindi naman n'ya sinagot. 

Sinundan ko lang s'ya papunta sa Main Entrance ng building. Hindi na kami tinanong nang guard kaya dumiretso kami sa receptionist para mabigyan ng Visitor Pass.

Bakit ba kasi ako sinama dito? Ano ako guard ni Arquette? 

Habang nag-aabang sa Elevator ay nilalaro ko nalang ang lace ng visitors pass. Sinuway naman ako ni Arquette kaya tumigil rin ako. “Act on your age, nga.” Sambit n'ya at umayos naman ako. I fixed my posture and cough to made me looked like a professional. I noticed that he rolled his eyes kaya napatawa ako mentally.

“Anong floor ba? Ang taas naman neto,” napakamot ako sa ulo ko.

“Stay still. Malapit na.” He answered and I just nodded. Tinignan ko nalang ang design ng Elevator. It had a wood-like design. I can't figure out kung anong tawag dahil hindi ko din naman alam. I heard a sound and the Elevator door opened. 

My heart pounded as I smelled this floor. Pang office talaga. My lawfirm smells like a new book. As usual nakasunod lang ako kay Caiden at tumigil sa paglalakad ng makita ko na ang pinto. Caiden knocked at narinig ko naman na may sumagot ng “Come in.”

I roamed my eyes around sa likod ng table ni Mr. Lexon ay bintana na makikita ang buildings, sasakyan, at ang araw. Siguro seeing those makes him calm lalo na pag gabi dahil sa mga city lights. I also read the text on his table.

Kriffer Lexon

C.E.O & Founder of KLexon Group.

Attorney Arquette and I sat on the chair and someone handed us a coffee. I guess it was his secretary.

I smiled at her meaningly saying 'Thanks' she just nodded and I saw her blushed.

“Thankyou, Attorney Arquette. Engineer Lorenza and Architect Lexon, my son will lose their license.” I loved on how he looked at them equally. It was his son who will lose a license.

I have learned something from this case. Love can make us good or make us bad. Because that's love, it sacrifices all. Kahit maging toxic ka na kasi mahal mo naman eh.

“This is Attorney Luxembourg. He helped me with it. I also wanted you to thank him personally.” Nagulat naman ako sa sinabi ni Caiden. This guy and his ego. Like a boss.

Mr. Lexon smirked. “Thankyou, Attorn— W-wait is Mr. Ashton Priant Luxembourg your father?”

“Yes, Mr. Lexon,”

“What an honor to finally meet his son.” He bowed at me.

Siya ata 'yung kinikwento ni Dad na gayahin ko raw. Mom also knew him but I don't know how. I heard someone knocked kaya napatingin ako sa may pintuan.

“Mr. Lexon, Engineer Lorenza already left with this letter.” He showed his hand with a paper on it. Woah, he looked professional.

Lexon suddenly creased his forehead before nodding. “Sit beside Attorney Luxembourg, Engineer Gaultier.” I froze on what he said.

Engineer Gaultier sat beside me and I remained calm. This is the most awkward situation I had in my life. Because what if they will know? What if... What if my dad will beat me up again? I'm scared...

“Congrats Betranz! Your parents are proud of you so do I.” My dad said while clapping his hands. “Stan, gayahin mo si Betranz.” He whispered that made me sighed. “Are you disobeying me? Fix yourself Stan.”

I was a selfless person. Mas nakikinig ako sa sinasabi ng iba. I can't make my own path to success... without their concept.

Hindi nga dapat ako mag-aabogado, eh. But I was glad my brother wanted to take Business Management.

Before stepping to lawschool I heard some 'advice' from my father. “Dapat ikaw ang una magpasa. Palagi kang sasagot sa recitation like Betranz.”

I'm not mad at Betranz. I was jealous of him. Kung magiging katulad ba n'ya ako ay magiging Enough na ang mga ginagawa ko para kay Dad? Sometimes I can't reach his expectations. When I am ranting to my mom she will just say “Hayaan mo nalang. It's for you too, Dear.” Para sa'kin yata talaga ang mga ginagawa n'ya... so I should listen to him.

“Uh, why are you shaking Attorney Luxembourg? Masyado bang malamig? Ms. Areza kindly adjust the A/C.” Napabalik ako sa reyalidad ng dahil sa narinig ko. I sighed. Followed by a smile saying 'I was fine'.

“No it's not that cold. Kindly continue, Kryffer.”

He tilted his head observing me.

Don't. Please stop...

He made a face before saying something. “As I was saying I will give my company to you, Mr. Gaultier.” Tumingin s'ya sa gawi ni Caiden. “Is it okay, Attorney Arquette?”

“Y-yes,” I guess he was shocked.

“You don't have to do that, Sir. I am fine being the head engineer here.” Finally he opened his mouth. Nagulat ako sa nakita ko. He was a professional. I haven't seen the best part of him but I'd like to see the real him.

After the talks we bid our goodbyes at bumalik na sa firm. I stiffened on what Arquette said earlier.

“Wow. Your boyfriend looks Elegant and Professional at the same time.” I heard Caiden said while starting the Engine.

“Anong boyfriend? Mama mo boyfriend.” Pag-biro ko habang kinakabit ang seatbelt.

I heard someone knocked so I looked at the door. My firm has a freaking intercom! Bakit sila kumakatok?

“Attorney, may deliver daw po kayo,” she said handing me some paperbags. Tumayo ako para tulungan s'yang ilagay 'yon sa table ko.

“Kanino galing?” I asked as I stared at my table. May yogurt, dark chocolate as well and a rice with tinola as partner. Sabi rin n'ya ay may deliver from starbucks it was a greentea naman.

“The rider refused to answer but he handed me a letter.” May kinuha s'ya sa bulsa ng damit n'ya. Kinuha ko 'yung sulat and also I thanked her at lumabas na s'ya.

I sat on the chair and opened the letter. 

Stanpris,

I know the reason why you are trembling. I apologize. I should refuse to sat next to you.

Uhm, I prepared some foods so you can calm down. Eat the dark chocolate while reading. ;)

Eat rice not burger!

— Always, Jaxtross.

Napangiti ako habang binabasa 'yon. I didn't expect this side from him. He was sweet pala? I wonder kung ganyan din s'ya sa iba.

Mag-oorder palang sana ako pero may nag order na pala para sa akin. 

“Attorney eto na po 'yung Greentea...” Inayos ko ang facial expression at kinuha 'yon sa kamay n'ya. The philanderer boy was changing! 

I started eating. Para akong tanga dahil nakangiti ako habang sumusubo ng kanin. Tumunog ang cellphone ko kaya binaba ko ang kubyertos para buksan ang cellphone ko.

“Ow, anong mayroon sa IG ko?” 

'@fletcheross started following you.'

Napakunot ang noo ko. Is he always like this making the first move? I stalked his account and my jaw dropped as I saw the amount of follower he has.

@fletcheross

3 posts - 8k followers - 15 following

Fletcher Jaxtross Gaultier

土木技師 & 彼のために料理する.

Tinry kong i-copypaste ang nakasulat pero ayaw. I should buy a new phone, hmm? Weeb pala s'ya? O may lahing japanese lang? Or maybe he just know japanese. 

I just replied on his text. This guy is a sweet indeed. 

fletcheross: Have you received my apology?

I was thinking a reply. I should thank him or magtampo? But bakit naman ako magtatampo? Are you a shit, Stan?

stanbrgh_: Yes and it's not your fault, Jaxtross... so don't be sorry. Anyways, thankyou :) 

Pagkatapos kong i-send ay nilinis ko ang table ko bago pumunta sa desk ko. My office was organized. Gusto ko ay pag may hinahanap ako ay mahahanap ko na agad.

Kinuha ko ulit ang phone ko and I almost drop it when I read his message.

fletcheross: Really? I'm glad. ;)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

:)