KABANATA 4: Office

SLOAN

The smell of something new hits my nostrils, making me wonder where I am. I’m still half asleep, trying to piece together the events of last night.

Inadjust ko muna ang mata ko bago ko ito unti-unting binuksan. Kulay gray na kisame kaagad ang bumungad sa akin pagkatapos ang panlalaking amoy ng kama. The room is dark because the large glass wall near the bed is covered by thick gray curtains.

I blinked when I remembered what happened yesterday.

I am married… again.

Bumangon ako habang kinukusot ko ang mata ko. Mag-isa lang ako sa kama. Walang bakas ng may tumabi sa akin kaya sigurado akong mag-isa lang ako ditong natulog kagabi.

Where’s Dominic? I bet this is his condo.

Nilibot ko ang paningin ko sa kwarto kung nasaan ako ngayon. It is a modern room designed with a color scheme of gray and white. The walls are painted a cool shade of gray, while the furniture and décor follow a minimalist aesthetic. Sobrang simple lang pero elegante.

I remove the duvet blanket that covers my body. Napansin ko na iba na ang suot kong damit. I am wearing a pair of silk sleeping garments. Hindi ko na sana papansinin ‘yon pero natigilan ako ng may mapagtanto.

“S-Siya ba ang nagpalit ng damit ko?” tanong ko sa sarili ko.

Ibig sabihin…

Mabilis kong pinilig ang ulo ko dahil sa iniisip ko. Ano ba ang iniisip ko? Ano naman ngayon kung nakita niya? I’m his wife, and it’s normal.

Yeah, it’s normal…

I stood up and swept aside the thick curtain that darkened the room, bahagya pa kong napapikit dahil sa natural na liwanag ng araw na pumasok sa kwarto.

Muli kong pinasadahan ng tingin ang kwarto ni Dominic. Mas maganda iyon kapag maliwanag lalo na’t walang makikitang kahit ano mang kalat dito.

Tinali ko ang buhok ko bago pumasok sa banyo para maghilamos. Nandito pa naman siguro si Dominic, ‘no? Hindi ko pa naman alam kung saan niya nilagay ang mga gamit ko.

Nang pumasok ako sa banyo, hindi ko mapigilang mamangha habang nililibot ang paningin ko roon. Dominic’s bathroom is pristine, with gleaming white tiles covering the walls and floor. The lighting is soft and warm, casting a gentle glow over the bathroom.

A large, luxurious bathtub sits in the center. Ang sink at countertop naman ay gawa sa sleek marble. The mirror above the sink is large and framed in silver. The shower is enclosed in glass with a rainfall showerhead. While the toilet is modern and sleek, blending seamlessly into the overall interior design.

Naaliw ako sa desinyo nang banyo. Pagkatapos kong maghilamos ay lumabas na ako para hanapin si Dominic. Upon exiting the room, I was greeted by a hallway. Nasa pinakadulo ang kwarto ni Dominic. While walking down the warm hallway, hindi ko mapigilang mamangha sa interior ng condo niya.

May mga iba’t ibang painting na nakasabit sa dingding ng hallway. I observed everything, but only one painting caught my attention.

The painting depicts a scene that initially appears serene and innocent. At first glance, one may notice a delicate rose. Iyon ang agaw pansin. However, upon closer inspection, the presence of a gun and a knife becomes apparent, adding a sense of danger and tension.

Kinilabutan ako habang pinagmamasdan ang painting na ‘yon. I can paint, and I have seen a lot of paintings since then, but this is the only one that I can’t understand.

I shook my head and continued walking. Mabilis ko namang natagpuan ang hagdan pababa dahil hindi naman iyon mahirap hanapin. As I reached the middle of the stairs, I immediately caught a pleasant aroma that I think was coming from the kitchen. Someone is cooking.

Hindi nga ako nagkamali. Pagpasok ko sa kusina ay naabutan ko si Dominic na nakaharap sa stove. He is topless, with only a black apron covering his upper body. Mabilis naman akong nag-iwas ng tingin because I am not used to that kind of view.

“Oh, good morning. Nandiyan ka na pala. Kanina ka pa ba gising?”

Mabilis akong bumalik sa reyalidad nang marinig ko ang boses ni Dominic. I stood up straight and looked at him. Thankfully, he’s wearing an apron to cover his upper body.

His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, instantly sending my heart into overdrive.

I cleared my throat. “I j-just woke u-up…” utal na sagot ko.

He nodded. “I prepared breakfast for us. Have a seat,” alok niya.

Nag-aalinlangan pa kong sumunod no’ng una pero nang makita ko siyang nagpatuloy sa paghahain ng pagkain ay umupo na rin ako. Hindi halata sa kaniya na marunong siyang magluto.

Gusto ko sanang itanong sa kaniya kung siya ang nagpalit sa akin ng damit pero ayaw ko naman na masamain niya ‘yon. Baka ma-misinterpret niya kapag nagtanong ako. As long as I can make this marriage peaceful, I will.

Pinanood ko lang si Dominic na maghain ng pagkain na niluto niya. Tila sanay na sanay na siyang magluto. Dahil nga nakatalikod siya sa akin, napansin ko na may tattoo siya sa upper left back shoulder niya.

It is a black rose entwined with a coiled snake. I remembered the painting in the hallway again. The rose in the painting and Dominic’s tattoo look exactly the same, except the rose in the painting is red and Dominic’s tattoo is black. It’s like they’re twins, but with different colors.

“It must be a coincidence…” I muttered.

Tumigil naman si Dominic sa ginagawa at saka lumingon sa akin. Ngayon ko lang na realize na nasabi ko pala kung ano’ng nasa isip ko.

“What coincidence?” Dominic asked.

I shook my head repeatedly. “I-It’s nothing.”

He frowned. “Are you sure?”

I nodded. “Y-Yes.”

Ilang segundo niya akong tinitigan pagkatapos ay tumango rin siya. Tapos na siyang maghain. He removed his apron in front of me, causing his upper body to get exposed. Mabilis naman akong nag-iwas nang tingin.

“Magbibihis lang ako. I’ll be back. Pwede ka nang kumain kung nagugutom ka na,” sabi niya.

“S-Sige,” I muttered.

Sinundan ko pa siya ng tingin palabas ng kusina. Nang tuluyan na siyang makaalis ay nakahinga ako ng maluwag. Hindi ko alam kung bakit sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko kapag kausap siya. Normal ba iyon?

Kahit sinabi niya na pwede na akong kumain ay hindi ko pa rin ginawa. That’s disrespectful, especially since he’s the one who cooked breakfast for the both of us. Trabaho ko dapat iyon bilang asawa niya.

Nadako ang paningin ko sa daliri ko kung saan nandoon ang wedding ring ko. Tatlong singsing na ang nailagay doon at pang-apat na ito pero ito ang pinakasimple sa lahat.

It is a round, brilliant diamond-gap wedding ring. It features a round-cut diamond that is expertly crafted to maximize its brilliance and sparkle. The gap design adds a unique touch to the ring. While the diamond is securely set in a high-quality metal band.

Hindi ako magaling sa pagtingin ng mga alahas pero alam kong sobrang mahal ng singsing na ito. Hindi naman nakakapagtaka iyon knowing na mayaman at kilalang tao si Dominic Velasco.

Hindi nagtagal ay bumalik na si Dominic. He’s already wearing a white t-shirt.

“Bakit hindi ka pa kumakain?” tanong niya pagkaupo niya sa silya na nasa harapan ko.

I gulped. “I a-am waiting for you,” ani ko. Nang makita kong tumitig lang siya sa akin ay kaagad kong dinugtungan ang sinabi ko. “I m-mean, that’s d-disrespectful kapag nauna akong kumain.”

Tumango siya tanda na naiintindihan niya ang sinabi ko.

“Let’s eat then. Pupunta pa tayo sa opisina,” sabi niya habang nagsasandok ng fried rice.

“P-Pupunta tayo?”

He looked at me. “Yes. You’re coming with me. Why? Is there any problem?”

Mabilis naman akong umiling. “W-Wala naman.”

Honestly, what he said caught me off guard. Hindi ko iyon inaasahan. My ex-husbands didn’t allow me to go even just outside our house. Hindi ko alam kung sa ano’ng dahilan pero iyon na ang nakasanayan ko. I thought gano’n rin ang gagawin niya sa akin.

Tahimik kaming kumain. I can’t help but steal glances at him, but my attention is mostly focused on the food. I must say, his cooking is delicious. Mas masarap pa siguro ang luto niya kaysa sa luto ko.

“Anyway, I know you’re wondering who changed your clothes. Don’t worry, it wasn’t me. I called a staff member last night to do that,” Dominic suddenly said.

I looked up at him. I quietly thanked him and breathed a sigh of relief because of what I heard.

“O-Okay lang naman sa akin iyon. W-Wala naman kaso sa ‘kin kung…” hindi ko na naituloy ang pagsisinungaling ko nang biglang sumeryoso si Dominic.

I gulped. My heart raced as I gazed into his serious blue eyes. The nervousness quickly took hold, making me feel on edge.

Is he mad? May nasabi ba ako na hindi niya nagustuhan?

“I respect you, Sloan,” seryosong sabi niya habang diretsong nakatingin sa mata ko. Gusto kong umiwas ng tingin pero hindi ko magawa. “Hindi ibig sabihin na kasal na tayo ay pwede ko nang gawin ang lahat ng gusto ko sa ‘yo. I’m not that kind of man. You have your own privacy and personal space. You can do whatever you want; just know your limitations. Hindi kita pagbabawalan sa mga gusto mo at mas lalong hinding-hindi ako gagawa ng ikakabastos mo.”

Mas lalo akong natahimik. I tried to open my mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

I saw him take a deep breath. Nagpatuloy siya sa pagkain kaya gano’n rin ang ginawa ko. Nauna na siyang umakyat sa taas dahil maliligo pa raw siya. Ako naman ay hinugasan muna ang pinagkainan namin bago sumunod sa kaniya sa taas.

Pagpasok ko sa kwarto ni Dominic kung saan ako nagising kanina ay wala doong tao. I noticed a yellow sticky note attached to the table next to my cellphone, so I quickly approached it and read what was written on it.

I took a shower in the other room. The bathroom is available for you to use, and your clothes are in the walk-in closet.

–Dominic

Instead of paying attention to what was written on the sticky note, what caught my attention more was his handwriting, which looked like it was printed. Malinis iyon at walang kalat na ink.

Binalik ko ang sticky note sa lamesa at naghanda na rin. Binilisan ko lang ang pagkilos dahil ayaw kong ma-late si Dominic nang dahil sa akin.

I wore a peach long-sleeve shirt, which I tucked into a pair of white high-waisted slacks and black ankle-strap stilettos. I also grabbed my plain white pleated handbag.

I carefully gathered my hair and skillfully arranged it into a fashionable, messy bun.

Hindi na ako naglagay ng kung ano-ano sa muka ko dahil hindi ako sanay na mag-make-up. Tanging pink lipstick lang ang in-apply ko sa labi ko para hindi mahalata na maputla ako.

Pagkatapos kong mag-ayos ay lumabas na ako ng kwarto dahil sigurado akong hinihintay na ako ni Dominic.

Hindi nga ako nagkamali. When I went downstairs, I saw Dominic struggling to fix his necktie. His forehead was furrowed as if he were really having a hard time doing it by himself.

“A-Ako na,” alok ko nang makarating ako sa direksiyon niya.

I put my handbag on my shoulder and then fixed his necktie. I could sense his gaze fixed on me, but I chose to brush it off. Mas lalo lang kasi akong naiilang kapag pinagtutuunan ko iyon ng pansin.

“T-Tapos na.” Bahagya akong lumayo sa kaniya dahil sobrang lapit na pala namin sa isa’t isa.

“Thanks,” he said, and he wore his navy blue suit.

Hindi na rin kami nagtagal. I held my handbag tightly as we walked down the hallway to the elevator.

Pagbaba namin sa lobby ay maraming bumabati kay Dominic na hindi naman niya pinapansin. Siguro kung hindi ko siya kilala, mapapagkamalan ko siyang snobber at masama ang ugali.

Nang makarating kami sa labas ay may tumigil na mamahaling sasakyan sa harap namin. Lumabas doon ang isang lalaki na naka-itim na suit at sunglasses pagkatapos ay inabot kay Dominic ang susi ng sasakyan. He is probably Dominic’s personal parking valet.

This car is different from the one we used yesterday. It is an Aston Martin Rapide. Dominic opened a passenger seat door for me. Nagpasalamat naman ako sa kaniya bago pumasok. Tanging tango lang ang itinugon niya sa akin at saka umikot pa punta sa driver seat.

The deafening silence envelops the inside of his car while we are on our way to his company. Wala akong ideya kung bakit kailangan niya pa akong isama doon. Sa tingin ko naman ay wala akong gagawin doon. Pero mas okay na rin siguro ‘to para mas lalo ko siyang makilala.

“Let’s make a quick stop at the Starbucks drive-thru,” basag niya sa nakakabinging katahimikan. “Is there something you want to order?” he asked while looking at the menu board outside.

I nodded. “I-Iced Matcha Latte will do,” I said.

Matcha is my favorite. Kahit ano basta matcha flavor. Maraming ayaw no’n dahil lasa raw damo but for me, it wasn’t. It was the best!

After umorder ni Dominic at pinaandar niyang muli ang sasakyan para kuhain ang order namin sa pick-up counter. Good thing there are only a few buyers, so it didn’t take too long.

“Here,” he uttered. He put our drinks in the cup holder beside our seats. I noticed that he ordered a Coffee Americano.

Muli niyang pinaandar ang sasakyan niya. Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto ay huminto ang sasakyan ni Dominic sa isang malaking building. This is probably his company na.

May nagbukas ng pinto ng sasakyan. “Good morning, Ma’am,” bati nang mga lalaking naka-itim na suit.

“G-Good morning,” bati ko pabalik.

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa handbag ko habang naglalakad ako papunta sa direksiyon ni Dominic. Nasa kabilang bahagi kasi siya kung na saan ang entrance ng building kaya kailangan niya pa akong hintayin para sabay kami.

He is holding his coffee, and I am holding mine too. Inabot ni Dominic ang susi ng sasakyan niya sa lalaking nagbukas sa akin ng pinto pagkatapos ay sabay kaming pumasok.

Dominic wrapped his arm around my waist, igniting a rapid heartbeat within me. The touch of his hands was tender, a gentle caress that sent shivers down my spine.

Napalunok ako at saka nag-focus lang sa paglalakad. May mga bumabati sa aming mga empleyado. Ang iba naman ay halata ang pagtataka sa muka habang sinusundan kami ng tingin. Well, they are probably wondering who I am.

I can say na malaki talaga ang kumpaniya niya. Sa lobby pa lang ay nag-uumapaw na kaagad ang karangyaan.

We entered the elevator. Pinindot niya ang star button sa pinakataas ng mga buttons. I think that’s his room.

I cleared my throat. “B-Bakit mo nga pala ako sinama dito?” tanong ko.

He looked at me through our reflection in the elevator. “Because I want you to know who I am,” he said. “Adding my last name to yours means you’re stepping into my world. Gusto kong makita mo ng paunti-unti kung saan umiikot ang mundo ko.”

“W-What kind of world do you have?”

Huminga siya ng malalim. “I can’t tell you for now.”

“W-Why?”

“For your safety, sweetheart.”

Pagkatapos niyang sabihin iyon ay saktong bumukas ang elevator. Dominic once again wrapped his arm around my waist.

I looked around the entire floor. It’s all white. May mga nakasabit na iba’t ibang blueprint sa pader at ang iba naman ay mga poster ng successful na project ng VMC. I couldn’t help but feel proud of Dominic. He’s just 29 years old, but he already reaches the top.

Abala ang mga empleyado sa kani-kanilang desktop. Some of them are greeting us, and some of them are telling us their congratulations for our wedding. Our marriage isn’t private, kaya hindi nakakapagtaka na maraming nakakaalam.

Pumasok kami sa itim na pinto. I expected it to be white as well, but I was wrong. Halos malula ako dahil sa laki ng opisina ni Dominic. The room features a sleek black marble floor, while the walls and ceiling are minimalist.

There’s a black couch comfortably positioned in the room, providing a cozy seating area. Near the couch, there is a coffee table with a glass top. The room’s large glass window allows ample daylight to enter the room.

Kapansin-pansin din ang malaking world map sa likod ng lamesa ni Dominic. Hindi ko alam kung para saan iyon. May mga pulang pin na nakatusok sa iba’t ibang bansa na para bang palatandaan.

“Make yourself comfortable, Sloan,” he said. Umupo siya sa exclusive black leather swivel chair in front of a black marble office table, kung saan nandoon ang mga papeles at laptop niya.

Ar. Dominic Adam V. Velasco, PhD, Arch.

My eyes widened upon seeing the name plate on his table. Sa baba ng pangalan niya ay may nakasulat na Chief Executive Officer.

“Y-You’re an architect?” gulat na turan ko.

Dominic looked at me and nodded. “Yeah. I graduated from Aalto University in Helsinki, Finland. I am a licensed architect.”

Hindi ko inaasahan iyon. Akala ko ay related sa business ang kinuha niyang course.

I noticed that he has a PhD, Arch. Suffix on his name, indicating that he has successfully completed a doctoral degree in architecture. Iyon ang pinakamataas na antas ng pag-aaral na pwedeng kunin pagkatapos ng bachelor and masteral degree.

Ibig sabihin ay mataas ang pinag-aralan ni Dominic kaya pala kahit hindi siya kumuha ng related business degree ay nakapagtayo siya ng sarili niyang kumpaniya.

Sabay kaming napalingon sa pinto nang may biglang kumatok doon kasunod ng pagbukas nito at iniluwa ang babaeng naka-pencil skirt at white long sleeves.

She’s holding an iPad while walking towards Dominic’s table. Sinundan ko lang siya ng tingin. Hindi niya siguro ako napansin dahil hindi man lang siya tumingin sa gawi ko.

“Good morning, Mr. Velasco. The boards are waiting for you in the conference room. The meeting was about to start in 5 minutes,” she informed.

Dominic nodded and turned to me. “Is it okay if I leave you for half an hour? I have an important meeting to attend.”

“S-Sige lang. Take your time. O-Okay lang ako,” sabi ko.

Hindi nakatakas sa paningin ang paghagod ng tingin sa akin ng babae mula ulo hanggang paa. I can’t help but feel nervous. Is she judging me?

“Kindly take good care of my wife, Ronna.”

“Your wife po? Asawa niyo po siya, Sir?” gulat na tanong ni Ronna na sa tingin ko ay secretary ni Dominic.

“Yes, and if anything bad happens to my wife, you’ll be the first one I’ll fire from my company. Do you understand?”

Ronna nodded repeatedly. “N-Noted, Mr. Velasco.”

“Good.” Bumaling muli sa akin si Dominic. “I’ll make this quick. You can give Ronna a call for anything you need. If you’re feeling bored, you can wander around; just don’t take away your phone with you,” bilin niya.

I gave him a tiny smile. “S-Sige.”

Sinundan ko siya ng tingin hanggang sa makalabas na siya ng opisina niya. Hindi pa rin humuhupa ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ko.

I used to only feel this way because I was nervous about Daddy, but what I feel for Dominic is not nervousness. I don’t know what to call this.

I took a deep breath. Sana hindi lang sa una ang lahat ng ito.