CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER TWO

Pasado alas singko na ng tuluyan na akong tumayo at kinuha ang bag ko.

Bitbit ang isang folder na naglalaman ng pa-pepermahan ko.

Nang makapasok na ako sa elevator ay pinindot ko naman ang ground floor. Habang nag-aantay na huminto ang elevator ay tinignan ko muna ang repleksyon ko sa salamin at inayos ang medyo magulo kong buhok.

Nang bumukas na ang elevator ay lumabas na ako at agad na nagtungo sa parking lot at sumakay na sa sasakyan ko at nag drive na patungo sa kompanya ng mga Vargas.

After thirty minutes ride ay nakarating rin ako.

Pinark ko ang sasakyan ko sa harap ng building ng kompanya. Mas malaki ang kompanyang ‘to kaysa sa pinagt-trabahuan ko.

“Of course it’s owned by Vargas after all.” I silently said in my mind as I roam my eyes around.

Naglagay muna ko ng konting red lipstick sa labi ko ng mapansin ko ‘tong medyo maputla. Sinuklay ko rin ang buhok ko gamit ang kamay ko bago kinuha sa passenger seat ang folder at bag ko bago lumabas ng sasakyan.

Pinakita ko muna sa guard ang I.d ko bago ako pinapasok nito. Agad akong napahanga pagkapasok na pagkapasok ko pa lang sa lobby.

The lobby shouts how wealthy the owner is. From the big chandelier to the big round black leather sofa that was placed in the center. Expensive marble tiles.

Agad na naglakad ako patungo sa receptionist at ngumiti.

“Excuse me,” I said.

Lumingon naman agad ang isang receptionist sa ‘kin.

“Yes ma’am? What I can do to you?” nakangiting wika nito.

She looks kind. “I’m here for Mr. Vargas,” I said with an accent.

Sandali naman ‘tong napahinto ngunit agad ring tumango.

“Any appointment, Ma’am?”

I nodded. Kagabi tumawag ako sa sekretarya ni Vargas para mag pa appointment. I showed her my I.D .

“I’m from Rivera Enterprises, Mr. Rivera’s secretary. Maypapa-permahan lang ako kay Mr. Vargas,” I said formally.

Agad naman ‘tong nagtipa sa computer’ng kaharap bago may inabot sa aking visitors I.d.

“You may go, Ma’am. Mr. Vargas office is at the 35th floor, Ma’am.” Nakangiting aniya nito kaya ngumiti ako pabalik sakanya bago tumalikod at naglakad na patungo sa elevator.

Nang nasa harap na ako ng elevator ay pinindot ko naman ang button para ‘to ay bumukas. Ilang segunda lang ay bumukas na ‘to kaya naman ay pumasok na ako sa loob. Pinindot ko naman ang tamang floor na sinabi ng babae bago mabigat na nagpakawala ng buntong-hininga.

Inayos ko ang sarili ko ng bumukas na ang pintuan ng elevator.

This is it, I’m going to meet that fucktard again.

Mabibigat na hakbang ang ginawa ko papunta kung saan ang sekretarya nitong nakaupo habang nakayuko. Agad naman ‘tong nag-angat ng tingin ng mapansin ako nito.

Tinignan muna ako nito mula ulo hanggang paa habang nakataas ang kilay. Kapagkuwan ay ngumiti ‘to ng malapad.

Napakunot naman ang noo ko. What’s with her?

Tumikhim ako.

I forced a smile. “I’m from Rivera Enterprises, Mr. Rivera’s secretary. May papa-permahan lang ako kay Mr. Vargas,” ulit na sabi ko kanina sa receptionist. Sabay pakita ng I.d ko. I am grateful that I was able to act calmly even if my hands are already quite cold and my feet are shaking from the weakness of thinking that I will see the man I strive to avoid.

Agad namang lumapad ang ngiti nito at minwestra sa ‘kin ang naka saradong pintuan.

“Good! Mr. Vargas is expecting you in his office now,” magiliw na wika nito.

She looks so jolly.

Tinignan ko naman ang kabuuan nito at nakitang hindi lantad at maikli ang suot na damit nito.

Ohhh, not one of his whore? She looks decent. Though.

Napansin siguro nito ang tingin na ginagawad ko kaya agad na sumimangot ‘to at ngumuso.

“If you’re thinking that I’m Mr. Vargas whore, honestly it’s a big No-no,” she grimaced.

I laughed. “Oh, sorry…” I sincerely said to her.

“It’s okay. Anyways, I’m Tina Mr. Vargas secretary,” nilahad nito ang kamay sa ‘kin kaya inabot ko ‘to, “nice meeting you, Tina.” I greeted her.

I’m hoping she didn’t see how cold and trembling my hands were.

As she withdrew my hand, I let out a big sigh.

“Me too,” she beamed.

Nilingon ko ang malaking naka saradong pintuan.

“I’ll go inside now.” I told her. Kahit kinakabahan ay pinilit ko paring hini-hakbang ang mga paa ko papunta sa harap ng pintuan.

“By the way, I’m Mr. Vargas cousin!” I heard her shout. I didn’t bother looking back at her.

Kumatok muna ako ng pangatlong beses.

“Come in.” I heard a cold baritone voice inside.

Nanginginig na mga kamay na binuksan ko ang pintuan at pumasok.

Umayos ako ng tayo. I went poker-faced. I won’t give him satisfaction to see me being affected by his presence, that he has an effect on me.

Is he? I asked myself.

Agad akong umiling-iling. I’m sure nakalimutan na ako nito. It’s just a one night stand.

Naglakad ako ng pormal patungo kung saan ‘to nakaupo.

I didn’t bother roaming around my eyes at his office. I have no time for it. Right now, all I want to do is get this done and head home.

My eyes narrowed at him. His expression is dulled. He’s playing his ballpen in his hands.

Matiim nitong binabantayan at tinitignan ang mga galaw ko habang naglalakad patungo sa harap niya.

Napatingin muna ako sa wrist watch ko at tinignan kung anong oras na.

It’s already 6:15 pm.

“Good evening Mr. Vargas, I’m Ashanti Althea Sanchez, Mr. Rivera’s secretary,” pormal na bati ko.

Tumango-tango naman ‘to. Hindi ‘to nagsasalita at nanatiling nakatitig pa rin sa mukha ko. Like he was scrutinizing my face. I noticed his brows drew together.

Umiwas na ako ng tingin rito.

Nilahad ko dito ang folder na hawak.

“Here Mr. Vargas, kindly signed your signature here,” I opened the folder at pinakita sa kanya ang dapat na permahan.

Wala akong pakialam kung nagmumukha akong bastos sa harap nito. Perma lang naman ang pinunta ko rito.

Umayos ‘to ng upo at agad na pinirmahan ang tinuro ko.

I closed the folder and straightened my back. I faced him and smiled.

“Thanks Mr. Vargas, I’ll be taking my leave now.” Yumuko ako ng konti bago tumalikod.

I wanted to leave this office, but I couldn’t since I had an arm wrapped around my waist.

Agad naman akong napahinto.

I mumbled, "Shit."

He murmured in my ear, "Your face is familiar, Woman," and it gave me shivers.

When I heard what he said, my mouth dropped open.

With his warm arm wrapped around my waist, I could feel the hardness of his chest in the back of my neck. I could still feel the heat of his body despite the fact that I was dressed.

I was firmly squeezing the folder in my hand.

I bit my lower lip harshly as I leaned on his enormous chest since he had drew me closer to himself. I could hear his heartbeat.

Hindi ako mapakali dahil natatakot ako na baka marinig o mahala nito ang malakas na pagkabog ng dibdib ko.

Before turning my head up to look up at him, I cleared my throat.

I fake a smile. “Maybe you just mistaken me for someone, Mr. Vargas,” I said formally.

His features caught my attention as I gazed at him. I’m staring at him carefully with his real crystal eyes. Meet its thick and dark brows. His nose has a long, pointed tip. Jaw is the epitome of perfection. Its scarlet lips drew my attention to them. Shit.

I turned my head away from his lips.

He made a sneering sound. “Really?” he asked, his expression changed to astonished.

“Yes, Mr. Vargas,” I firmly stated.

When I tried to get rid of the arm that was wrapped around my waist, I felt him tightened his grip on me even more.

As he drew me closer, I clutched his chest with both hands. In my mind, I was taken aback as I inhaled his expensive perfume.

“Mr…” I stated it loud and clear, “ Vargas.” I added emphatically. My expression became very stern.

Hindi ‘to nagpatinag. He stared at me intently until his gaze landed on my lips.

Suddenly, he gave a lopsided grin.

“Okay, Woman.” He smirked before letting go of me.

Napahinga naman ako ng maluwag nang makalayo ako rito.  Masama ko ‘tong tinignan.

Nakataas lang ang kilay nito habang nakatingin sa ‘kin.

Peste.

Inayos ko naman ang sarili bago walang sabing tinalikuran ‘to. Nakapamulsa lang ‘to habang nakatanaw sa ‘kin, smirking.

I rolled my eyes at him.

Pabagsak na sinarado ko ang pintuan nito.

Gago. Hindi ka pa rin talaga nag babago Vargas!

“Okay ka lang?” Napatingin ako sa gilid ng mag salita si Tina, looking at me worriedly.

I smiled at her. “I’m okay, maybe I’m just tired and exhausted,” I answered.

She nodded.

“Sige alis na ako.” I said goodbye to Tina and hurriedly walked towards the elevator.

Narinig ko pa ang tawag nito sa ‘kin pero hindi ko na ‘to nilingon pa.

When I got into my car, all I could do was breathe a sigh of relief.

I leaned on the steering wheel and gripped it tightly.

I closed my eyes. Bumuntong-hininga ako bago umayos ng upo.

I made the decision to return home in a matter of minutes. I started the car’s engine before starting to drive home.

“Mommy! Mommy!” agad na yumuko ako at binuhat si Alyssa ng makita ko ‘to nanonood ng t.v sa sala.

I kissed her cheeks.

“Where’s your sister?” I asked her.

I heard her giggled before answering me. “She’s with Ate Leona, Mom.” Sagot nito sabay yakap sa ‘kin.

Napatawa ako bago ginulo ang buhok nito. Napasimangot naman ‘to.

“Stop it, Mommy.” Nakangusong wika nito.

Binaba ko na ‘to. “Wait here, magbibihis lang ako.” Paalam ko kay Alyssa. Tumango-tango naman ‘to bago umupo sa couch at ipinagpatuloy ang panonood ng paboritong cartoons.

Naligo muna ako at naglotion bago lumabas ng kwarto. Nagbihis na rin ako ng pantulog.

Dumiretso ako sa kusina at nakita sila Aaliyah at Ate leona na kumakain ng cookies.

Napalingon naman sa direksyon ko si Aaliyah. “Mommy! Home!” masayang wika nito at inangat ang dalawang kamay.

Lumapit ako rito ‘tsaka binuhat ‘to. I kissed her cheeks.

Niyakap ako nito pagkatapos ay siniksik ang mukha sa leeg ko.

Napalingon ako kay Ate Leona ng magsalita ‘to.

“Kanina ka pa po hinahanap ni Liyah,  Ma’am.” Wika nito sa ‘kin.

“Aww my baby,” I sweetly said, “Na miss mo ba si Mommy, anak?” I asked Aaliyah at tinignan ang mukha nito sa may leeg ko.

Ngumuso naman ‘to bago tumango-tango. Humigpit ang yakap nito sa ‘kin.

“Sleepy liyah.” Mahinang sabi nito.

“Okay baby,” malambing na sagot ko rito.

Nagpaalam na ako kay Ate Leona na papatulogin ko na ang dalawa.

“Paki linis na lang ng kalat, Ate.” Utos ko bago tumalikod.

Naabutan ko sa sala si Alyssa na nakahiga na sa couch. Lumapit ako rito at nakitang natutulog na ‘to.

Pinatay ko muna ang t.v bago binalingan ng tingin si Alyssa.

“Ate, wake up,” yinugyog ko ng mahina ang balikat nito para gisingin.

Medyo nahirapan pa ako dahil buhat-buhat ko si Aaliyah.

Dinilat nito ang mga mata. “Yes, Mommy.” Mapungay na mga mata na tumayo na ‘to at kumapit sa kamay ko.

I can’t help but smile. They’re so cute when they’re so sleepy.

Dinala ko silang dalawa sa kwarto ko at hinay hinay na hiniga si Aaliyah na natutulog na. Tumabi naman si Alyssa sa kapatid at niyakap ‘to.

“Good night, Mom.” Antok na antok na sabi ni Alyssa.

“Night, Mommy.” Mahinang wika ni Aaliyah habang natutulog.

My eyes swam with tears. I can’t help it. They’re my Angels, my life. Tumabi ako dalawa at isa-isa silang h******n sa noo.

“Good night, my Angel’s.” nakangiting wika ko.

I didn’t regret giving birth to a Angel’s like them. Kahit mag-isa ko lang silang tinataguyod at binubuhay. I’m so damn lucky to have them.

I will do everything to keep them in my arms. I will not let anyone hurt my daughters.