Chapter 3

I can't believe I got hired for a job over dinner. I wonder, is this alright? Isn't this some sort of nepotism? Whatever! In this unfair world, sometimes you really need connections.  

 Tapos na kami kumain kaya tumayo na ako at inimis ang mga pinggang pinagkainan namin. Dadalhin ko na sana ito sa lababo nang pigilan ako ni Madam Alicia este Tita. 

"Sunny, what are you doing? You're our guest."  

"Kaunti lang naman po ito. Dadalhin ko na sa kusina po ninyo."  

"Just let her be," wika ni Don Miguel."Basta pagkatapos niyan umuwi ka na ha."

"Opo, Tito. Salamat po uli sa hapunan." 

"That was nothing. Monroe, make sure Sunny gets home safely." 

"Yes, Pa." 

"It was lovely meeting you again, dear. Akyat na kami ng Tito mo para magpahinga." Tita Alicia kissed me on the cheeks. 

"Sige po, Salamat Tita. Good night po sa inyo." 

Umakyat na ang mag-asawa gamit ang magarbong hagdan at nagtungo sa kanilang kwarto.  

 Inilagay ko na sa lababo ang aming mga platong pinagkainan at nang naroon na ako ay hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko na hugasan na rin ang mga ito.   

"Naku, Ma'am. Ano ang ginagawa ninyo? Ako na po diyan." Inagaw sa akin ni Manang Lily ang sponge sa kamay ko. Natanggap siyang kasambahay dito noong nasa Amerika ako kaya hindi niya ako gaanong kilala.   

"Ako na po dito, Manang. Pasasalamat ko na po sa inyo ito dahil sa sarap ng luto ninyo."   

"Hayaan niyo na po siya, Manang. Matigas talaga ang ulo niyang si Sunny. Once she sets on something, she won't stop until she does it," bilin ni Mon at sinenyasan na umalis sa kusina ang matanda.  

"You're unbelievable. Ma and Pa already told you to leave but here you are washing the dishes. Ano? Ayaw mo na naman bang umuwi ngayong gabi?"   

Napatigil ako sa pagkuskos ng plato nang marinig ko ang sinabi niya. Lumingon ako at bumungad sa akin ang mukha ni Mon na nasa likod ko na pala. He trapped me in as he put his hands over the top of the lavatory I was using. 

Ibinaba ko ang plato na hinuhugasan ko at baka mabasag ko pa. Hinarap ko siya at nagpaliwanag sa kanya habang paikot-ikot ang mata dahil hindi ako makatingin ng diretso sa kanya.  

"I just can't stand seeing dirty dishes lying around. Alam mo naman na clean freak ako, 'di ba? I always want things to be neat and organized. Uuwi na agad ako pagkatapos nito."   

"Sure, sure. But aren't you beautiful tonight?" Tiningnan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa. "Who are you trying to please?"  

"I just want to look presentable in front of Mr. and Mrs. Silvestre. Bakit? May problema ba sa suot ko?"   

"Not really. You look wonderful. Pero 'yan ba talaga ang uso ngayon? May hikaw sa isa tapos sa kabila, wala?"

He tucked my hair in my right ear. Just how did he know?

 He then touched my face with his left hand then positioned my head to an angle.

"Mon, anong ginagawa mo? Are you crazy?" I held his sleeves with my hand full of soap bubbles. "What if your parents see us?" sabi ko pa.

Doon ko lang napansin na may hawak siyang hikaw sa kabila niyang kamay. He put it on me. Ito ang nawawala kong hikaw na hugis araw.

"Yan! Okay na. You dropped it last night, I guess. Nakita ko sa ilalim ng sofa. I just wanted to give it back to you. What? Were you expecting something else?"

"Huh? What? No! Sorry! Thank you!" My face is red from embarrassment. Hindi ko na rin alam kung anong pinagsasabi ko.   

"You ruined my suit. Look at what you've done." 

"Hala, sorry. Ako na maglalaba niyan para sa 'yo."

"What are you saying? It's fine. Nasa bahay na naman ako. Ibang usapan na kung paalis pa lang ako ng bahay." Inalis niya ang suit jacket niya na nabasa ko ang manggas. He was wearing a light blue long sleeve shirt underneath. He rolled up his sleeves giving way for his gorgeous arm muscles to pop up.   

"Let me help you do the dishes. Para matapos agad at nang makauwi ka na." 

"Oh, you just want me gone, don't you?" I raised my eyebrows at him. 

"Ngayon mo lang na-realize?" He smirked.   

I knew it. There's no way he's doing this without ulterior motives. He still hates me and doesn't like the sight of me.   But I can tell he's changed. Kung noong mga bata pa kami ito nangyari, siguradong papalabhan niya sa akin ang damit niya. Itatapon pa niya ang damit niya sa mukha ko at   mamadaliin ako. I guess he did grew up. He's even helping me with the dishes now at hindi siya nakabasag ng pinggan.   

Dahil sa pagtulong sa akin ni Mon, natapos namin agad ang paghuhugas ng pinggan. He escorted me outside like what his father told him to.

"Aalis na ko." I lowered the window of my car. "Pakisabi kina Don Miguel at Madam Alicia, salamat uli."

"Didn't they tell you to call them Tito and Tita?" Monroe said as he leaned on the window.

"Hindi pa kasi ako sanay. Sige."

"See you at work then.! Make sure to be on time on your first day!" Monroe reminded me as he tapped the top of my car.

"I know. I'm not irresponsible, you know. Bye! Good night, Mon. I mean, Good night, Sir."

I stepped on the gas and drove my way home.

Napagod ata ako kaya naman diretso na akong natulog pagdating ko sa bahay namin.

Ibinalita ko kina Alfonso at 'Tay Julio ang pag-alok sa akin ng trqbqho ng mga Silvestre na siyang tinanggap ko naman.

Dumating ang Lunes at maaga kaming nag-agahan.

"So dito ka na talaga mananatili sa Buencamino, Ate? Hindi ka na aalis?" tanong sa akin ni Al habang kumukuha siya ng dagdag pang kanin sa plato niya dahil naubos na niya.

"Oo, Al," tugon ko habang hawak ang mainit na tasa ng kape.

"Mabuti 'yan. Dapat matagal mo nang ginawa 'yan," wika ni Tatay Julio sa tonong hindi ko na naman gusto. Kailangan ko talagang tanggapin na ganito lang talaga magsalita si Tatay. Parang galit pero hindi naman talaga. 

"Back then, I'm just a fresh graduate with no experience. Magsisimula pa rin ako sa pinakamababang posisyon at babaliin ang likod para magka-promotion. Pero ngayon, I'm a business expert with lots of experience,  I'm able to land a job in a much higher position now in Silver Star Corp."

"Wow! So lahat nang ito pati ang pagpunta mo sa Amerika, kasama sa plano mo?" Tiningnan ako ni Al na may labis na pagkamangha.

"Oo naman." Iyon lang gabing iyon ang hindi kasama sa plano ko.

"Tapos ka na ba kumain, Al? Halika na at ihatid na kita sa school mo." Matapos ko maubos ang kape ko ay inilagay ko na ito sa lababo. Tapos na rin kumain si Tatay. 

"Wait lang, Ate." Isinubo na ni Alfonso ang natitirang hotdog at itlog sa kanyang plato at ibinigay sa akin ito.

Matapos kong hugasan ang mga platong pinagkainan namin ay natapos na rin maghanda sa pagpasok si Alfonso. 

"Sige 'Tay, alis na po kami ni Ate." Nagmano kami ni Al kay Tatay bago umalis ng bahay.

Al sat in the passenger seat and I drove on the way to his school. 

Kaya lang...

"Ugh. We're stuck." I grunted. Umulan kasi ng malakas kagabi at putikan ang daan. Bumaon tuloy ang gulong ng kotse ko sa likuran.

"Ate, at this rate, ma-le-late na ako," tarantang wika ni Al sa akin habang hawak ang seatbelt niya. Ibinaba niya ang bubog na bintana upang tingnan kung may dumadaan na sasakyan.

"Wait lang. I'll make this work." I tried starting the engine again but the car wouldn't budge. Mukhang pati ako ma-le-late rin ss first day of work ko.

Bigla namang may tumigil na sasakyan sa tabi namin. It was a black range rover. 

"Al! Need a lift?" The guy in the driver's seat removed his sunglasses.

"Kuya Mon!" sigaw naman ni Al.

Kuya? Kailan pa sila naging close ng kapatid ko?

"Ms. Padua. You're going to be late at this rate. Why don't you just hop on?"

"Ate, tara na. Dali!"

"Tawagan mo na lang si Mang David para ipa-tow ang sasakyan mo. Kunin mo na lang sa carwash mamaya," suhestyon ni Mon.

That's actually a great idea. I looked at the time on my wrist watch then sighed. I took my coat and bag in the back seat of my car. I was wearing a white blouse and gray pencil skirt. As I stepped out of the car, my white stiletto got muddied in a puddle. 

"Damn it."

Sumakay sa likurang upuan si Alfonso at sasakay na rin sana ako doon nang buksan ni Mon ang pinto sa unahan.

Ibinaba niya ang suot niyang salamin para tingnan ako at tanungin, "Hindi ka ba sasakay?"

Pumasok na ako at pagkatapos ko magsuot ng seat belt ay inihatid na namin si Al sa Buencamino Science High School.

"Salamat, Kuya Mon! Goodluck Ate sa first day mo!" paalam sa amin ni Al bago siya bumaba.

I lowered the window. "Al, ingat ka. Uwi ka agad pagkatapos ng klase mo."

Kumaway si Al sa amin at sumabay na sa kaklase niya sa pagpasok. 

"Al, sino 'yong naghatid sa 'yo?" tanong ng kaklase niyang si Maxwell.

"Ate ko," sagot naman ni Al

"May ate ka?"

Binatukan ni Al ang kaibigan niya, "Oo, baliw! Siya 'yong sinasabi ko sa 'yo na nagtatrabaho sa Amerika."

"Ahh, eh sino naman 'yong kasama niya? Boyfriend niya?"

"Ahh, si Kuya Mon. Si bayaw 'yon," nakangiting sabi ni Al bago pumasok ng klase.

Nagdiretso na kami ni Mon sa kumpanya at habang nasa daan ay pawang katahimikan ang lumaganap sa loob ng sasakyan. Nag-focus lang sa pagmamaneho si Mon at matapos ko tawagan si Mang David ay nilinis ko ang heels ko na putikan.

"Sorry, nadumihan tuloy loob ng sasakyan mo," pagbasag ko sa katahimikan.

"It's fine. I can just ride another car tomorrow."

"Ahh." Iba talaga kapag mayaman.

We arrived in front of the building in no time. It was a ten-story building towering over the city, the headquarters of Silvestre Corporation. 

Mon stepped out of the car then opened the door for me which made me flustered.

People might get the wrong idea if ever they see us like this and start a weird rumor. O ako lang talaga nag-iisip ng gano'n?

I let him walk in front of me while I stayed a few feet apart from him.

We're in the company now. I need to learn to know my place. He's my boss and I'm just a lowly employee.

Napahinto naman sa paglalakad si Mon at lumingon sa akin, "Mabagal ka ba talaga maglakad?"

"Hindi po. Sinasadya ko po 'yon para hindi tayo magkasabay."

"Why are you doing that?"

"Well-"

"Aha! Ayaw mong magmukhang maliit sa tabi ko noh. I guess it's my fault for drinking so much milk when I'm young that I grew up to be 6'1". You shouldn't worry tho. You're pretty tall for a woman. Aren't you 5'7"? Tapos naka-heels ka pa. Oh! Is it your heels that's the problem? Masikip ba ang sapatos mo? Masakit ba ang paa mo?" He kneeled in front of me to check my feet is okay.

What is he doing?  I kept my distance from him to not gain attention but now everyone's eyes are on us. Is he doing this purpose or what? Why can't he take a hint? Is he really dumb or what?

"Mon! I mean, Sir Monroe. That's not it. It's okay.  I'm fine." I told him as I helped him get up.

Tumayo na siya sa wakas. "Sigurado ka? Let me escort you then to your office. I'll introduce you to your team." He told me as we walked in front of the elevator.

"I'm grateful, Sir. But is this usually like this? Does the CEO himself always welcome their new employee like this?"

"No! I'm doing this because it's you,"

"Huh?" 

"I mean, my dad personally recommended you for this position.  I'm just doing my best and being nice so you won't leave the company."

"Leave? But it's just my first day."

"You know that first impression is important, right? Think of it just like that. 

Oh! Here's our elevator," wika niya habang bumukas ang pinto ng elevator.

Pinauna niya muna akong pumasok bago siya sumunod. Something is strange, though. 

"Bakit hindi kayo pumapasok? Ang luwag-luwag pa oh" tanong ko sa mga empleyado sa harap ko.

"Sige po, Ma'am. Okay lang po. We'll take the next one," sagot ng isa sa kanila.

Tuluyan nang sumara ang pinto ng elevator nang walang ibang tao ang pumasok sa elevator bukod sa aming dalawa.

"What's with that, Mr. Silvestre? You don't share an elevator with the other employees?  Pag-aari mo ba 'to?" I raged at him.

"Technically, yes!" He told me while he crossed his arms.

I scoffed at him. "I better leave in the next floor then so you can have this elevator for yourself, sir!" Pipindutin ko na sana ang elevator button nang pigilan ako ni Mon. Hinigit niya ang kamay ko at itinulak ako sa pader na bakal.

"Hindi mo na kailangan gawin 'yon, Ms. Padua. Kasasabi ko lang kanina, my father asked me to treat you well. Are you going against the chairman's orders?" Both his eyes and voice were menacing. I can feel the whole room getting colder. I didn't know he could be this stern but I wasn't scared at all.

"Did he specifically say to reserve an elevator just for me?"

"No, this is my idea."

"Just as I thought. You don't have to do this. I don't think the chairman meant to give me a special treatment. Rest assured, I'll do my best for the company. I don't  think you know how loyal I can be." I shrugged his hand off then put on my coat. I used the elevator walls as a mirror.

Kinuha ko ang lipstick ko sa bag at ni-apply ito sa labi ko. 

"Sir Monroe, if I may have a suggestion. Can you stop using the elevator for yourself? You can save electricity and time if you do that. Makakarating agad sa office ang mga empleyado para magtrabaho at magagamit pa sa ibang proyekto ang perang matitipid sa kuryente." 

"If that's what the great Sunny says, I'll think about it then."

We arrived at the 7th floor of the building where the project department is located. 

All the employees we passed by bowed and greeted Monroe respectfully except for one who did a bro shake with him.

"Wassup, man! You're early today. Himala!" The ever cheerful guy then looked at my direction and smiled.

"Well, look who's here. If it isn't the great Sunny, our class valedictorian in highschool and famous "Black Magician" of the business world in L.A. Ikaw pala ang new project manager. Long time no see, Sunny. You look great pero hindi pa rin talaga kita type."

"Ian, mukhang hindi ka pa rin nagbabago. Are you still keeping tabs on me, Mr. Number Two? Huwag kang mag-alala, hindi rin kita type."

Ian Lorenz Silvestre. He's Mon's best friend and cousin. He belongs to the branch family of the Silvestre Clan. He's a total playboy but he's also pretty smart. He's our class salutatorian and the chief of the marketing department here in Silvestre Corp.

"Mon, should we drink later? Matagal na rin tayong hindi lumalabas," yaya nito.

"Maybe next time, Ian. As you can see, I'm busy." Mon was pertaining to me.

"Busy? Whatever you say, man. Just hit me up if you want. I found a new bar full of hot chics. Ikaw, Sunny, sama ka ba? I can introduce you to a nice guy."

Tatanggihan ko na siya pero naunahan ako ni Mon.

"Ian, I don't think Sunny has time for that. If you don't have anything important to say, we'll get going. "

"Bye then, my friend. See you around,  Sunny!" paalam sa amin ni Ian. 

Naghiwalay na kami ng landas at sa wakas nakarating na kami sa office ko. Dali-dali tumayo at bumati ang lahat ng pumasok sa silid ang kanilang CEO.

"Good morning, Sir Monroe," bati nila.

Agad naman akong pinakilala ni Mon sa kanila. "Good morning everyone, this is Ms. Maria Asuncion Padua. She's a certified public accountant and worked as a business consultant in the widely known Frederick & Company in Los Angeles, California.  She will be in charge in creating and leading projects for Silvestre Corporation, most especially to our very own Silver Star Supermall."

"You can just call me Miss Sunny for short. I hope we get along well."

After greeting everyone,  I sat down in front of my desk. I have my own office separated from others with glass walls.

"I'll leave you then. Call me when you're done." Mon said goodbye as he leaned on my door.

"Why? Do I have to report to the CEO already?"

"Anong why? You don't have your car with you, remember? Sabay na rin tayo pauwi. You can also come to my office anytime if you have something to report. Sige Sunny. I mean, Ms. Padua. Congrats again on being part of Silvestre Corp."

"Thank you, Sir." I stood up and bowed to him.

Umalis na si Monroe at nagsimula na akong magtrabaho. I asked for a meeting agad-agad for them to report to me what's the status for the last quarter or at least the last month which caught them by surprise.

There has to be a proper takeover and the performance of the last administration would give me a nice look on what I shall do for our future projects.  I gave them time before lunch but it seems like mabibitin kami so I rescheduled the meeting after lunch.

In my desk, I looked for the files sent to me by the former manager who got another job from another company.  Ito ba ang sinasabi ni Mon na kaya maganda ang trato niya sa akin para hindi ako umalis? I guess they're scared I might also go down the same path.

Someone knock on my door and entered. "Miss Sunny, it's time for lunch. Gusto niyo po bang sumabay sa amin kumain sa cafeteria?" tanong sa akin ni Cherry Annna na bilog ang mukha at bob cut ang buhok.

"No, it's fine. Dito na lang ako kakain sa office. I brought a packed lunch." I told her before she left my office.

Bumaba na ang mga staff ko para kumain. I wanted some iced coffee so I got down myself a li'l bit later.

"Uy! May bago daw kayong supervisor! Si Miss Sunny?"

"Sunny? Baka Miss Stormy. Pagdating pa lang niya, sandamakmak agad na trabaho ang sinubo niya sa amin. May presentation nga kami mamaya sa harap niya. Pakiramdam ko tuloy nasa college ako at mag-rerecitation."

Napakinggan kong nakikipag-chikahan si Cherry Ann sa ibang empleyado sa kabilang department.  Stormy,  huh? Looks like I got a new nickname, unang araw ko pa lang.

"Let's start. Shall we?"

After all the reports, I found some anomalies and mysterious allocations of funds. I also discovered some of our photocopy machines and computers were not working well. 

In order for me to do well,  I need good equipment for me and my staff. I summarized everything and wanted to ask Monroe myself about this so I went to his office not knowing that he actually had a visitor that time.

"Sabrina, anong ginagawa mo dito?" inis na tanong ni Monroe sa babaeng kanina pa paikot-ikot sa opisina niya.

"Monroe, nakalimutan mo na ba? I'm a model for this company.  I went to a meeting for my upcoming shoot," maarteng wika ng babae na kulay blonde ang buhok. She was wearing a tight-fit pink dress and black leather boots. 

"Wasn't that over already?  Ian informed me. Bakit ka pa andito?" Monroe clearly doesn't want her here.

"Bakit? Hindi ba natural na bisitahin ko sa opisina ang boyfriend ko? Didn't you miss me, babe?" Sabrina stood in front of Monroe's desk making her cleavage even more exposed than it already is.

"Boyfriend?  Sabrina, meron ka bang amnesia? Didn't we already break up 3 months ago?" Pinagtaasan siya ng kilay ng binata.

"Huh? Was that when called me over the phone before my taping for a movie? I know that I was a bit busy with work but I'm a celebrity, you know. You should understand me more."

"How much more understanding do I need to have after learning you've been sleeping with different guys the last time when I'm in L.A.?"

"Si Ian rin ba ang nagsabi sa 'yo niyan? What a big mouth for such a small dick."

"Ano? So you've been sleeping with my best friend too?"

"C'mon, Monroe. Wala akong magawa noong wala ka. I was bored. I know you also do it with other girls."

"I don't.  I don't absolutely do it with anyone else when I'm in a relationship. Get lost, Sabrina. We're done." Tumayo si Monroe at kinaladkad ang babae palabas.

Pumiglas naman si Sabrina sa pagkakahawak ni Monroe, "But babe, aren't you supposed to marry me?"

"Marry? Saan mo narinig 'yan? I never once had the intention to marry you. Besides-"

Hindi na natapos ni Monroe ang sasabihin niya ng tuloy-tuloy lang ako sa pagpasok sa opisina niya.

"Mon, regarding the report of the last quarter's budget.  I would like you to re-assess some of the findings I have and request for an audit. I also like to seek  permission for- Oh! I didn't know you have a visitor Mon, I mean,  Sir."

"Sunny, you're here." Mon's pale face lightened up as he almost ran towards me.

"Well, you said I can come anytime to report to you but I guess this is not a good time."

"No, it's fine.  Ms. Patterson is just about to leave."

"I didn't say I was leaving. And who is this average-looking girl?" pag-angal ni Sabrina sabay pang-iinsulto sa akin.

"Excuse me?" I can't believe what I just heard. "I might not seem as fresh as I was this morning but average? I'm nothing but average?"

Malabo ba ang mata niya? Hindi niya ba nakikita ang balingkinitan kong katawan. Mas matangkad pa nga ako sa kanya. Her boobs may be a bit bigger than mine but it's still a full C-cup. I have natural long eyelashes hindi katulad nung sa kanya na puro fake. Retokada na nga ang mukha pati s**o ata. They're nothing to my natural beauty and radiant skin. Napaka-kapal ng mukha nitong babaeng ito.

"Of course you aren't,  love. You're the most extraordinary girl I've ever met." Monroe said sweetly to me as he fixed my hair.

"Love?" Sabay naming tanong ni Sabrina.

Lumapit sa akin si Mon at bumulong, "Just ride along with me or else I'll tell Mom what happened between us," pambabanta niya sa akin.

"Mon, what are you doing?  We're in the office," pag-arte ko naman. Mahina kong hinampas ang dibdib niya. 

"Just what are you two doing?" nakakunotnoong tanong sa amin ni Sabrina.

Hinawakan ako ni Mon sa baywang ko at nilapit ako sa kanya. "Ms. Patterson, meet Sunny, my fiancé, " wika ni Mon sabay tingin sa akin.

Natulala lang ako dahil hindi ako makapaniwala na sinabi niya iyon. I was looking at him when he started leaning on me for a kiss.

Sa sobrang inis ay nag-walk out si Sabrina. Paglabas niya, kumawala ako sa hawak ni Mon at hinampas ng malakas ang bisig niya. 

"What are you doing?  What fiancé?"

"Ssshh. 'Wag kang maingay. Hindi pa siya nakakalayo."

Tinakpan niya ang bibig ko gaya noong nasa loob kami ng abandonadong mansyon. I was starting to reminisce what happened next after that kaya kinagat ko ang kamay niya at tuluyang umalis sa silid.

"Ahhh!" sigaw ni Mon.

I don't know how long I can run and avoid talking about that night but for now, I'll run away.