Kabanata 2

"This is not Guiseppe!" Yena shouted while her eyes were on her phone. 

Napakunot ang aking noo at nawala ang aking atensyon sa pag-liligpit ng aming pinagkainan nang marinig ang hinaing ni Yena. 

"Tingin." Yarrah went near her and peeked at Yena's phone. 

Doon nagsimulang magbulungan ang dalawa. 

"Ano na naman 'yan?" I interfered but I have a hunch already on what it is about. 

Rumor about Guiseppe being in a relationship with a man. Oh! That's not a rumor and I have a proof. And speaking of proof, ngayon ko lang ulit naalala ang litratong nakunan ko noong natanggap ako bilang sekretarya ni Lucan. Nawala sa isip ko iyon at hindi naipakita kay Yena. 

I can still remember how I turned cold when I met Guiseppe's eyes that time. Sa kaba ko ay agad ko siyang tinalikuran at patakbong naglakad patungo sa elevator. I don't even know if he ran after me or not. But what's important is I successfully got out of that room without confrontation.

"Si Seppe, Ate."

"Hindi nga si Guiseppe 'to!" Yara still denied.

Sinalansan ko ang mga pinggan at nag-hugas ng kamay bago nilapitan ang dalawa. 

"Para ngang si Guiseppe pero para ring hindi," Yarrah, my sister next to Ysabella said. 

"Let me see." Inilahad ko ang aking palad at agad namang inabot sa akin ni Yara ang kanyang cellphone. 

My eyes narrowed when I saw a photo of two men at the parking lot, while holding each other's hand. 

Sa palagay ko ay gabi kinuhanan iyon kaya't madilim at hindi gaanong kita ang mukha nang dalawa.

"Kalat na naman sa social media, Ate. Baka legit?" 

Agad na tinutulan ni Yena ang sinabi ni Yarrah. The two started bickering again because Yena's trying to save her favorite actor's ass while Yarrah's insisting that the rumor is true. 

Though as I stared at the parking lot where the photo was captured, it seems familiar.

Ilang sandali lang ay namilog ang aking mga mata nang makita ang nahagip sa camera na parte ng logo ng kompanya ni Lucan. The last three letters of the initial of Lucan's company is present. Hindi iyon gaanong malinaw ngunit alam na alam ko iyon lalo na at doon ako nagtatrabaho.

I blinked as I remembered where I caught Guiseppe kissing a man. It is on the floor just beneath Lucan's office. The room where only department heads and some employees are allowed to have access.

Then probably, Guiseppe's boyfriend is working at MEAC, Lucan's company.

I gently shook my head while I walked towards the dining table where my phone is resting. 

Agad ko iyong dinampot at binuksan. I opened the gallery and scanned the photos in there. Hindi naman ako nahirapang hanapin ang pakay dahil iilang litrato lang ang laman noon. 

Mataman kong tinitigan ang litrato. Malinaw ang mukha ni Guiseppe rito. But I can't see the face of the man he's kissing. 

Muli akong napailing at natantong kahit may hinala ako na sa kompanya ni Lucan nagtatrabaho ang boyfriend ni Guiseppe ay mahirap mahanap kung sino man iyon. The only thing I saw is his black suit and clean haircut. Most of the men in Lucan's company were wearing black suit and sporting clean haircut. I don't know but maybe that's a protocol or what.

"Yena," I called to get my sister's attention. Bumaling siya sa akin habang bahagya pang nakakunot ang noo dahil sa sagutan nila ni Yarrah. I cocked my head, asking her to come near me. "Look at this." 

She instantly went near me and looked at my phone. Even Yarrah did the same. 

I was watching Yena's expression as she stared at her favorite actor's photo while kissing a man. And I caught how her eyes widened that she even snatched the phone from me. Tila hindi sapat sa kanya na hindi iyon matitigan upang makumpirma.

"Oh my God!" Yarrah shouted.

"N-no," she stammered. Marahan siyang umiling habang titig na titig pa rin sa litrato sa aking phone. 

"It's not just a rumor. I saw him months ago, kissing a man," I stated. But it seems like her attention is still on my phone. 

Ilang ulit siyang napakurap bago muling nag-angat ng tingin patungo sa aking direksyon. 

"Though, is it a big deal to you? I mean, what is it to you if he's in a relationship with a man? Will you hate him?" I angled my head while intently eyeing her. 

"N-no." She stammered while shaking her head. "I'm a bit disappointed... but I won't hate him! Everyone has a private life and I'm just a fan. I will still understand him later on."

The corner of my lips tugged in a smile. "Guiseppe must be very lucky to have you as one of his fans."

"Pero totoo talaga 'to, ate?"

Bahagya akong natawa sa paninigurado niya. Even Yarrah's intently listening to us.

I bobbed my head for a nod. "I saw him months ago when I was hired as Lucan's secretary. That's at the company where I am working."

"But he denied it," marahang sambit niya. Like she's baffled or something came to her mind. "He had a conference earlier and he said he's not the one on the photo circulating in the social media.

"He wants to keep it private," I concluded. "That's why the two of you..." I gave my sisters quick glances. "Won't tell anyone about what you saw on my phone."

"Ano 'yon?" Napalingon ako sa aking likuran nang makitang naroon si Ysabella. "Ano 'yon?" 

I gave her a mocking face as I remembered what she told me earlier over the phone. "Bakit ngayon ka lang? When are you planning to take your exam?"

"May tinapos lang sa thesis, Ate. I'll take the exam tomorrow." Lumawak ang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. 

Pinanliitan ko siya ng mga mata. "Sa susunod, sabihin mo agad sa 'kin. May pera pa naman ako para sa tuition niyo. At kung wala man, sabihin mo pa rin nang magawan ng paraan."

"Noted, Ate," she said before turning to Yarrah and Yena.

Napalabi ako habang pinagmamasdan ang tatlong kapatid na nagkukulitan. Nanay suddenly entered the dining room, sinubukang sawayin ang tatlo ngunit sa huli ay napasali na si Nanay sa kulitan nila. 

I was oblivious that a smile is already plastered on my face until Yena started teasing me about it. 

"Ate, anong nginingiti-ngiti mo? Para kang kinikilig d'yan!"

I chuckled and gently shook my head before spreading my arms, inviting them for a group hug. 

This is the reason why even though there are lots of responsibilities on my shoulders, I'm still standing firm. Sila ang dahilan kung bakit pinipilit kong lumaban. Because those monetary problems are nothing compared to them. To my family. I promised to work harder so I can give my family the better life they deserve.

The next day, Lucan's casual to me. Like he forgot that he caught me violating company rules yesterday. And I can't help but be thankful to Mr. Miller because of that. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa akin kung hindi siya dumating. I might lose my job if Mr. Miller didn't come. 

"I'm sorry but I really have to go, Mr. Morozov," paalam ni Mr. Almacen kasabay ng pagtayo nito mula sa kinauupuan. 

Tumayo si Lucan at ganoon din ako dahil sa paalam nang kausap ni Lucan tungkol sa kompanya.

"My secretary will send you the other details or we can set another meeting." 

Pormal na tumango si Mr. Almacen. "Let's have that."

"Let's set another meeting then," Lucan announced before offering his hand for a handshake. 

Tinanggap naman iyon ni Mr. Almacen bago kami tuluyang tinalikuran. 

My eyes followed him until I'm alone in the VIP room of this restaurant with Lucan. 

"Pack your things, we're done here." Baling sa akin ni Lucan matapos lumabas ng kausap niya. 

I blinked. "Sir? You're not yet done on your food."

"I'm done," maiksi at malamig na sambit niya bago tinignan ang kanyang relo. Well, what do I expect. He's always this cold. Ganito ang kaswal para sa kanya. Like he will pay a hundred thousand if he offer me a smile.

"Ako hindi pa."

Nag-angat siya sa aking ng tingin habang bahagya na namang nakakunot ang noo. "What? I thought you're done?"

"I'm not yet done, Sir. Ikaw rin," I muttered before glancing at his plate with food in there.

Sa huli ay wala na siyang nagawa kung hindi ang ubusin ang pagkaing naiwan sa kanyang pinggan. He have no choice because I'm still eating. Hindi naman pwedeng umalis siyang mag-isa. O pwede rin naman kung hindi siya nakokonsensya na iwanan ako.

Our stay was extended for another half hour. Kung hindi lang unti-unting bumabakas ang pagkairita sa mukha ni Lucan ay balak ko pang tagalan ang pagkain.

I nibbled my lower lip to suppress my smile and I don't know why but I'm failing.

The moment we left the restaurant, the smile on my face didn't even waver. We're now inside Lucan's car, he's in the driver's seat while I'm beside him in the passenger's seat.

"Ngiti naman d'yan, Sir." I teased as he's maneuvering the car towards our office. "Minsan na lang magkaroon ng quality time, ayaw pa ngumiti."

Nahihiwagaan siyang napasulyap sa akin. Nang bumalik ang mga mata niya sa daang aming binabagtas ay nagpakawala siya ng sarkastikong ngisi. "What are we, Ms. Romualdez? A friend? In a relationship?" He let out a mocking audible breath.

"Baka lang nakakalimutan mo, you're just my secretary, Ylana. Act like one because I'm tired of your shits." Marahan siyang napailing na nakapagpayuko sa akin. 

I felt a pang in my chest, tila isang patalim ang mga salita niya. But that didn't stop me. Lalo ko lang nilakihan ang ngiti sa aking mga labi upang ipakita sa kanya na para bang wala lang sa akin ang sinabi niya. Though deep inside... I can't deny that it hurts. But I know he's just telling the truth, that I am his secretary. Not a girlfriend or even a friend.

"What are you smiling at?" he asked using his indifferent tone when he saw my smile widened.

Umiling ako. "Nothing, Lucan."

"What did you just call me?"

"I mean, sorry kahapon. Hindi na mauulit," I said, ignoring what he asked.

He tsked. "Huwag ka lang pahuhuli ulit sa akin. You know how I hate--"

"So, pwede akong makipagtawagan basta hindi mo makikita?" tanong ko habang may nakakalokong ngisi sa mga labi.

We immediately arrived at his company because he drove like we're in a racing competition.

Ilang sandali matapos naming makabalik ay may bisita agad na dumating para kay Lucan.

I was glancing at Lucan's door from time to time the moment a woman named Sorella Samsom came into his office. 

She introduced herself as Lucan's girlfriend but he told me he doesn't have one. Though Lucan let her enter his office. 

She looks sophisticated wearing her white dress with her lips in bold red.

And I don't know why I'm nervous that it's taking them so long to finish whatever they're doing inside.

I was biting my lower lip, patiently waiting when the elevator opened. That's when I saw Mr. Miller went out of it. 

Napatayo ako at agad siyang nginitian bilang bati. "Good afternoon, Sir."

He courtly nodded his head as he returned my smile. "Good afternoon. Si Lucan?" 

"He's still with his..." I cleared my throat, thinking what is the right label I should address the woman inside Lucan's office. "With his girlfriend, Sir," I continued like what the woman used to introduce herself.

I don't know if I'm hallucinating or what but I saw a glint of irritation in his eyes. Ngunit sa pagkurap niya ay wala na iyon kaya't hindi ko alam kung tama ba ang nakita ng aking mga mata. "Girlfriend? Can you tell me the name?"

I blinked. "S-Sir?" Why is he asking? I mean, hindi ba pribadong bagay iyon at hindi na niya dapat pang itanong ng isang kliyente?

"The name?"

"S-Sorella Samson."

"Damn it!" he cursed as he turned his back on me. Malalaki ang hakbang na tinawid niya ang distansya ng pinto ng opisina ni Lucan. 

"Sir!" 

He hastily opened the door of Lucan's office before I even got a chance to stop him. 

Marahas na sumara ang pinto ng opisina nang makapasok si Mr. Miller doon. 

I stood while my heart's ramming my ribcage because I knew Lucan would be very furious at me for letting Mr. Miller in. 

Pumirmi sa pinto ng opisina ni Lucan ang aking mga mata. Akmang hahakbang ako patungo roon nang marahas iyong bumukas.

My eyes enlarged upon seeing Sorella Samson, furiously walking out of the office. Diretso sa elevator ang tingin habang bakas ang galit sa kanyang mga mata.

Mataman akong napakurap habang bahagyang nakabuka ang mga labi. I slowly let my body fell on my chair while still looking at the elevator. 

Ilang minuto akong nasa ganoong posisyon nang muli na namang bumukas ang pinto ng opisina ni Lucan. 

I stood upon seeing Mr. Miller went out of it. Ngunit tulad ni Sorella ay hindi man lang siya lumingon sa aking kinaroroonan. With his creased brows, he quickly stride towards the elevator.

"Hey, wait!" 

Nabaling kay Lucan ang aking atensyon nang marinig ko ang kanyang boses. But the next words from his mouth made me stilled. 

"Hey, Guiseppe!" he called.

Napalunok ako at nanigas sa aking kinatatayuan.

Because I'm not sure if I heard it right. And if I'm not mistaken, Guiseppe isn't Mr. Miller's first name.