Chapter 2

"Goodnight, Maxine! See you tomorrow!" sigaw ni Therese habang kumakaway naman ang iba naming kasama sa akin.

Pumasok na 'ko sa loob at dumiretso sa elevator.. I pushed the 7th floor's button and since wala namang ibang tao, the doors automatically closed.

After a few minutes, nakarating ako sa 7th floor at lumabas na ng elevator. Konting lakad lang and here I am opening my condo's front door.

Nang makapasok ako ay nilapag ko 'yung bag ko sa sofa at dumiretso sa kwarto ko. Agad akong nag-ayos ng sarili ko at humiga sa kama..

I remembered what happend earlier and I wondered.. Lucian is his name but what could be his surname? Rare name ang Lucian and there are thousands of surnames that could fit his name.

Wala sa sariling hinawakan ko ang labi ko. I remembered what happened. I can't say that he took advantage of me dahil ako ang may kinailangan mula sa kanya.

Tumayo ako mula sa kama ko at dumiretso sa sala, may kailangan pa pala akong basahin na files..

Agad kong inintindi at binasa ang mga folder. 'Yung mga una kong nabasa ay tungkol sa kumpanya. How it was handled by Mr. Agoncillo and how everything started in this company.

Mas naintindihan ko na kung paano lumaki ang kumpanya. Marami ang share holders ng kumpanya and by the last 7 years, sumikat ang kumpanya hanggang sa lumaki ito. That was fast for a company this big.

There were 2 folders left. Sunod kong binasa at inalam kung sino-sino ang mga share holders ng kumpanya.

Una rito ay si Daniel Velasco. 34-year-old male and his share was 6 million pesos. That is big.. Sumunod ay si Terrence Manuel, 32-year-old male with the share of 9 million pesos.

Grabe, halos malula ako sa mga pera.

Third is Arazela Kuznetsov. 34-year-old female. Her share is 13 million pesos and counting. Wow, these people are rich. Literal na mayaman.

Tinuloy ko ang pagbabasa. Habang tumatagal ay pataas rin nang pataas ang mga bilang ng shares ng mga tao na nandito sa file. I feel so poor just by reading this file

It's already the last page at dalawang tao nalang ang natitira. It was Sunniva Agoncillo. 21

-year-old, female with the share of 89 million pesos.

I was stunned. As far as I know, Sunniva Agoncillo is Mr. Cloud Agoncillo's younger sister at nag-aaral pa.

I've seen her one time sa office. She was a goddess. Maganda at matangkad ang babaeng 'yon.. Just like her brother, mabait at siguradong makakaakit rin ng kung sino man.

But then, lumaki ang mata ko nang makita ko ang huling share holder ng kumpanya.. Lucian Agoncillo, 29-year-old male at may 108 million na share. Wait, is this his brother? Ang alam namin ay isa lang ang kapatid niya at 'yon ay si Sunniva.

Because of curiosity, I opened my phone and searched his name online.. Lucian Agoncillo.

Wala pang ilang segundo ay may mga lumabas tungkol sa kanya. One of the richest businessman in Philippines, one of the youngest businessman in Philippines at iba pa.. Ngunit isa ang nakakuha ng pansin ko. There's a rumor that someone filed a case on him pero hindi sinabi kung anong kaso.

I saw his pictures.. Masungit ang mukha niya kapag hindi nakangiti pero nang tignan ko 'yung mga litrato niyang nakangiti, mala-anghel ang itsura nito.

Fit body, 6 feet guy, handsome face, has a big company and for sure matalino. Nasa kanya na ata ang lahat. Ano pa bang wala sa kanya? He's an ideal man.

I guess I'm lucky to kiss this guy.

But wait.. What if hindi talaga siya kapatid ng boss ko? Dahil kung kapatid siya ng boss ko, edi sana kilala rin namin siya tulad ni Sunniva.

Ipinagdasal ko nalang na sana ay wala siya bukas sa meeting, if ever. Ang alam ko pa naman ay mga business partners ni Mr. Agoncillo ang kasama bukas. I'm in big trouble kung pupunta siya bukas. Pero there's a chance na hindi niya naman ako makikilala. Maybe he'll just ignore me. There are numerous things that can happen.

Hindi ko na 'yon pinansin at binasa ang natitirang laman ng folder. Sinigurado kong naiintindihan ko ang lahat ng binasa ko kahit na medyo tipsy ako.

Nang matapos ay niligpit ko ang lahat at binalik sa bag ko para bukas ay deretso alis nalang.. I guess it's time for me to rest.

6:30 A.M

Nagising ako dahil sa alarm ko. Agad akong bumangon mula sa kama at nag-ayos ng sarili.. After that, hindi na 'ko kumain at dumiretso nalang sa pag-alis ng bahay.

Halos 8 minute walk lang naman ang layo ng office sa condo ko kaya hindi na 'ko nag-atubili pa na humanap ng masasakyan. Sayang lang ang pera at exercise rin 'to para sa 'kin.

When I entered the building, sumalubong sa akin ang tahimik na kapaligiran. I checked my watch at nakitang ilang minuto na lang bago mag alas siete. Sumakay na 'ko ng elevator at dumiretso sa 12th floor. First day of being Mr. Agoncillo's secretary..

Nang makalabas ako sa elevator ay tahimik pa ang paligid.. Dumiretso ako sa desk ko at nilabas ang mga gamit ko. After that, dumiretso ako sa kitchen room ng floor 12 para gumawa ng sarili kong kape pati na rin 'yung para kay Mr. Agoncillo.

I checked the time, it was 7:18 in the morning. Una kong ginawan ng kape ang sarili ko at sinunod 'yung kay Mr. Agoncillo.

Tapos noon ay pumasok na 'ko sa office ni Mr. Agoncillo at nilapag doon ang kape niya. Nang makalabas ako roon ay umupo ako sa desk ko at sinilip ang oras, 7:24 A.M..

I checked his schedules for the day. 8:30 to 10:00 A.M ay meeting, after no'n ay dapat mapapirmahan ko sa kanya ang mga natirang gawain ng dati niyang secretary then it's his free time. 12 to 1:30 is lunch.

I sighed and looked at all the papers beside me. Ganito ba talaga karami ang gagawin ko?

"Goodmorning, Ms. Maxine."

Napatingin agad ako kung saan nanggaling ang boses. It was Mr. Agoncillo.

"Goodmorning, sir." bati ko sa kanya. "Your coffee is already in your table. May meeting po kayo this 8:30 until 10 A.M then ipapipirma ko lang po 'yung naiwan na trabaho ni Ms. Cheska. After po no'n ay wala naman po kayong schedule." I explained.

He nodded.

Kumpara kagabi ay mukhang mas stressed siya ngayon. I wonder what happened.

"Thank you." he said and left.

Tanging ang pagsarado lang ng pinto ang ingay na narinig ko matapos itong magsalita. Bad mood siguro.

Inasikaso ko nalang ang trabaho ko.. Everyday I have to check these papers na ipinapadala, mga emails at mga schedule. Ang sabi ni Ms. Cheska, madalas daw ay binibigyan din siya ng iba pang trabaho ni Mr. Agoncillo kaya hindi malabong gawin niya rin sa akin 'yon.

Nang mag-alas otso ay tumayo ako sa desk ko.. I knocked at Mr. Agoncillo's office and entered.

I saw him taking a nap.. Nakapatong ang ulo nito sa braso niyang nasa desk. Lumapit ako para gisingin siya, but I hesitated. Paano kung magalit siya? Hindi naman siguro dahil malapit na ang simula ng meeting.

Dumiretso ako ng tayo nang bumukas ang mga mata nito.

"I.. I apologize, Mr. Agoncillo. I was about to wake you up. Titignan ko na po 'yung meeting room. Your aquintances should be there in a minute." I said and was about to rush out of the office, pero nagsalita siya.

"No, may umaasikaso no'n. Hindi ba sinabi sa'yo ni Ms. Cheska na convener ang nag-aayos ng bagay na 'yan? Kasabay kitang papasok ng meeting room, Ms. Maxine." aniya.

I was speechless, walang sinabi si Ms. Cheska na gano'n.

"She didn't mention that, sir." I answered as I face him again.

"Sit." he said, but my mind was occupied.

"I said sit, Ms. Maxine." salita nito sabay turo sa sofa na nasa loob ng opisina niya.

Agad akong umupo doon. Why am I even acting like this? This is not you, Maxine.

"Is there something bothering you?"

"No sir, siguro po kinakabahan lang ako."

He nodded. "So, did you read the files?"

"Opo." maikling sagot ko.

"Okay then.. Rest here for a while." aniya at tinuon ang pansin sa cellphone niya.

I did the same thing.. Nilabas ko 'yung cellphone ko at nag-check ng social media accounts ko. As usual, I scrolled through the newsfeed and read some news. It's already 8:13.. Pagpatak ng 8:20 ay aayain ko nang pumunta sa meeting room si Mr. Agoncillo. 10 minutes should be enough for us to reach the meeting room.

I searched for my dad's social media account.. It has been weeks since I last checked it.

I sighed. Of course, he's happy in Chicago. What should I expect?

He remarried.. From this girl who lives in Chicago 3 years after mom died. He's currently happy, but me? Nagluluksa pa ako sa pagkamatay ni mama. Dad barely asked how I am doing after leaving Philippines.. It felt like my dad died too.

I stared at their photo.. They're very happy that my dad made me realize that he doesn't need me anymore.

"Ms. Maxine, are you alright?" nabaling ang tingin ko kay Mr. Agoncillo dahil sa tanong nito. "You look like you've be tormented by someone." dagdag pa into..

I immediately calmed myself. I think I'm overreacting again.

"I'm alright, sir." sagot ko.

He nodded after I answered.

I looked at the time at nakitang 7:21 na pala.

"Mr. Agoncillo, we can go now. It's already 7:21." aya ko sa kanya.

He stood up and his height made me feel small. Matangkad siya at malaki ang katawan. That made him look so manly.

Afterwards, he went beside me and we walked side by side on the way to the elevator. I pressed the floor number and stayed quiet.

"Family problems?"

I looked up at him because of what he said. "I'm sorry?" tugon ko.

"You looked tormented earlier because of family problems, hindi ba?" aniya.

Nakita niya ba? How did he knew?

"Yes, but it's not that big naman po. Just a small.. understanding." sagot ko..

"I doubt that." he said and giggled.

Kasabay ng sinabi niya ay ang pagbukas ng elevator doors kaya lumabas na kami at hindi na 'ko nagkaroon ng tyansa na sumagot.

I was about to open the room's door pero inunahan niya 'ko. "Ladies first."

Nauna akong pumasok at dumapo sa akin ang tingin ng halos sampung tao sa loob. Sumunod sa akin si Mr. Agoncillo at binati niya ang mga nasa loob.

"Goodmorning, everyone. Before starting this meeting, I want you all to meet my new secretary. This is Ms. Maxine Valencia." pagpapakilala niya sa akin..

"Goodmorning." I said and flashed a smile at them.

Pumwesto si Mr. Agoncillo sa dulo ng meeting table kaya sumunod ako sa kanya at nanatiling nakatayo sa likod niya.

I was bothered when I felt eyes staring at me.. I looked at the right side of the meeting table and my eyes met with Lucian Agoncillo. The guy I kissed last night..

"Ms. Maxine, take a seat. You're not supposed to be standing there for an hour." Mr. Agoncillo said, Cloud Agoncillo.

I searched for an available seat and the only one available was beside Lucian.. Sa pagitan pa ng dalawang Mr. Agoncillo.

Wala na 'kong nagawa kung hindi ang umupo. I did not dare say a word, but he did..

"My brother's secretary, huh? What a coincidence." he whispered. I felt him smirk after that.

I grinned. Ngayon pa ba niya 'ko kakausapin?

I didn't answer him..

The meeting started with the guy named Agustin Lonzo. Of course, I took notes.

"Mr. Lonzo, paano mo masisigurado na mabibili 'yang product na 'yan sa mga bar? How are you so sure that your product will be eye-catching for customers?" tanong ni Mr. Agoncillo.

Tama siya.. How can he be so sure na mabibili ang isang klase ng unknown cigarette sa bar na kung saan binebenta rin ang mga mamahalin at kilalang cigarrets?

"Wala namang mawawala kung susubukan. Besides, this is like the another version of the current cigarettes we released.. People may be familiar with it. I think it's worth the risk." paliwanag nito kay Mr. Cloud.

"Well then, you risk too much. You're not even sure, Mr. Lonzo. I apologize but I can't put that on nightclubs.." sagot pabalik ni Mr. Cloud.

But then his brother spoke..

"Cloud, hindi lahat ng bar ay yayamanin. Sixty percent of the bars around here are occupied by commoners while forty percent sa mga high-class people. It will still make us money."

All of them waited for Mr. Cloud Agoncillo's reply.

"How are you so sure na bibili sila ng bago? Ng hindi pa gaano kilala?" laban ni Mr. Cloud.

"Sellers will recommend them new things, syempre. Besides, may mga taong mahilig sa mura at sumubok ng bago.. Right, Ms. Maxine?" he said.

Napatingin ako sa kanya nang marinig ko ang pangalan ko. I gulped before talking. He smiled at me pero iniwasan ko soya ng tingin.

"I agree with him, sir. Business is a big gamble at kung ang mga bar ay occupied nga ng mga commoners by sixty percent, malabong walang bumili no'n." sagot ko..

Hindi ko alam kung tama ba na pumanig ako kay Lucian dahil sa titig na ipinapakita niya ngayon.. He sighed out of frustration after a few seconds.

"Fine. I'll give you 3 months, Mr. Lonzo. Once na walang nabenta at nalugi 'yang produkto mo, I'll stop distributing that under my company at bahala ka nang mag-promote diyan." Mr. Agoncillo said.

I saw Mr. Lonzo's smile after that. He should thank Lucian for saving him there.

"Meeting dismissed." ani Mr. Agoncillo.

Hindi ako makapaniwala na halos isang oras na 'yon. Isang produkto lang ang pinag-usapan pero isang oras itong tinalakay kasama pa ang mga share holders ng kumpanya.

Mag-aayos na dapat ako ng gamit nang pigilan ako ni Mr. Agoncillo. "Ms. Maxine, wait for me here. I'll be back, kailangan ko lang pumunta sa banyo." bilin niya at umalis ng meeting room.

I stayed there while the others left after they organized their things.. Binasa ko ang mga notes ko at hindi pinansin ang mga lumalabas.

I know he's still here but I didn't bother talking.

"Maxine."

I ignored him, pretending that I didn't heard anything.

"So you're playing deaf now?"

Despite of that, hindi parin ako sumagot.

I heard his footsteps.. Papalapit siya sa akin.

I felt a hand touch my face.. Marahan niyang hinarap ang mukha ko sa gawi niya. I looked up on him and he looked tall from this angle.

"Answer when I'm talking to you."

"Yes, Mr. Agoncillo?" I asked.

Kumunot ang noo niya matapos kong sabihin 'yon.

"Why so formal? It's Lucian, remember?" giit niya.

Tinanggal ko ang kamay niya mula sa pagkakahawak sa mukha ko. I brushed my hair back with my hand at tinuloy ang pagbabasa.

But then, kinuha niya sa akin ang notebook ko.

"Kasasabi ko lang.. Don't ignore me, Maxine. You owe me one." wika niya.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili kong kausapin siya.

"So what do you want from me?" tanong ko sa kanya.

He stared at me for some seconds..

"Let's hang out."

"I'm sorry, what?"

Hindi ko alam kung totoo ba ang narinig ko. Did he just asked me out on a date?

"For what?" I asked..

"Because you owe me one."

I sighed..

"I can't believe this.. It was just a dare, Lucian." laban ko rito.

Napasandal ako sa upuan ko nang ilapit niya ang mukha niya sa akin.. I could already feel his breath while his hands reached my neck.

"Yes, it was a dare. But I know you liked it."

I liked how he held me, even though it was wrong.

His nose touched mine. I wanted to resist but I couldn't.

Instead of putting his lips on mine, he planted a kiss on my cheek and whispered on my ear..

"You liked it again, didn't you?"