Chapter 1

Mage’s POV

“Y

OU CAN’T resign from your job, Bernadeth. You know how much I needed you here.” I was trying to calm myself to not shout at her.

"I know, Sir Mage, pero sabi ng OB ko, kailangan naka-bed rest ako dahil sobrang sensitive ng pagbubuntis ko."

I sighed. Next time if I’m going to have a secretary; having a sex life is forbidden.

Minasahe ko ang aking sintido at nilingon si Bernadeth.

Bernadeth was my secretary for 6 years but she got pregnant by her boyfriend, and she had to resign from her job.

Bernadeth look at me na parang nagmamakaawa. Hindi ko siya puwedeng payagan na mag-resign dahil sa dami ng mga paper works na dapat tapusin.

I just took a deep breath and loosen my neck tie.

"Okay, fine. I will let you resign.” I sighed before I continue, “but you have to find me a replacement for your position." Biglang umaliwalas ang kanyang mukha at ngumiti.

"Maraming salamat, Sir Mage. Hahanap ako kaagad ng kapalit ko. Maraming salamat po talaga," she said and bow down to me.

I just nodded to her. She looked so happy dahil magkakaanak na sila. Ako kaya kailan magkakaroon ng anak?

Wala ka ngang asawa anak pa kaya? Tsss…

Bernadeth excused herself and left my office.

Sana naman makahanap agad si Bernadeth ng kapalit niya, sobrang daming kailangan ayusin at pirmahan. I can't do this on my own.

I'm so fuck up!

I rested my back to my swivel chair and turn it around. I closed my eyes and try to rest my mind. May kailangan akong i-close na deal next week, and I need a secretary to arrange a meeting with them. Bakit kasi ngayon pa siya nag-resign kung kailan ang dami-daming gagawin sa opisina.

I was in the middle of my thoughts when I heard my phone rang. It was Hestia, my younger sister.

"Hello, Hestia. Napatawag ka?" It's been a while since she hasn't called me.

"Hey, bro, what's up?"

I turn my chair and face the giant glass window. "I'm good. May konting problema lang dito sa opisina," I started. I only open up my problems with my siblings and nothing more.

"Anong problema d’yan? May maitutulong ba ako?" Hestia sounds shocked. When it comes a moment like this parang si Hestia pa ang mas matanda sa ‘ming dalawa, she’s more matured than I am.

"Not necessary, my secretary just needs to have maternity leave in the middle of the office crisis," I said in a problematic voice.

"I can go home and help you there." Hestia was such an angel.

"You don't have to do that my 'lil sis. Bernadeth was looking for her replacement so there is nothing to worry about."

I heard her sighed on the other line. I know she wants to help me but she also has work, and I don't want to be a burden to her. After all, ako ang panganay.

"Sige. Just don't forget to take care of yourself, and our parents, and also our younger sister."

I smile at her sweetness. Hestia was working out of town and living on her own.

"I will, Hestia. Take care of yourself too."

Hestia’s call made me feel relieved, and comfortable.

"I will, bro. I have to go now." She was also a workaholic but she still had time to call me.

"Bye." As soon as she dropped the call I put my phone back on my table. I rest my head on my chair. Gusto ko nang umuwi but still I have work to do.

I'm about to stand when I received another call. I pick up my phone and look at the screen.

"Thana?" Ano namang problema ng babaeng 'to?

“Kuya, I hate you! The condom that you gave last time ay butas! I’m pregnant! Oh, my goshhh! I hate you!” bungad n’ya ng sagutin ko ang tawag niya. Agad kong nailayo ang phone sa aking tainga dahil sa pagsigaw niya sa kabilang linya. Fuck, my ear!

"Fuck, Thana, I have no time for your whining. Go and find that Jerk na pinutukan ka sa loob! Saka malay ko bang butas yung condom. Hindi ko pa naman nasusubukan ‘yon." Biglang sumakit na naman ang ulo ko. Thana is my cousin, but sometimes she’s giving me headaches.

"Joke lang, Kuya MagicSarap," wika niya sa kabilang linya. Siguro kung nandito lang ang babaitang 'to kanina ko pa siya nabatukan.

"You know what, Thana? Stop your nonsense joke, at pumasok ka na ditto. I need you right now." Muli akong napahilot sa aking ulo. Ang sakit-sakit na nga ng ulo ko dinadagdagan pa niya.

"Ito naman si Kuya hindi na mabiro."

Napabutong-hininga na lang ako at lumingon sa labas ng opisina. I saw Zoe na lumabas ng kotse n’ya. Ano na namang ginagawa niya rito?

“Papasok ka o kakaladkarin kita papunta rito?" aniko then I heard her giggled.

"Ito na nga, Kuya Mage, maliligo na ako,” wika niya sa kabilang linya.

“What the? Maliligo ka pa lang? ‘Wag ka ng maligo at pumunta ka na dito!” inis na wika ko sa kanya.

“Ano ka, Kuya, chicks? Maliligo na 'ko, bye!”

Magsasalita pa sana ako but Thana drop the call. I just sigh at hinintay na dumating ang bunso kong kapatid na si Zoe.

Ano nga pala ang ginagawa niya rito? She's supposed to be in class.

"Hi, Kuya!" Zoe cheerfully greeted me when she opened the door of my office.

"Ano ginagawa mo dito?" She approached me at nakipagbeso- beso sa ‘kin.

"I just want to visit you, Kuya, before I go to school." Humiwalay sya sa ‘kin at umupo sa upuang katapat ng lamesa ko.

“Gano’n ba?"

She nodded at para bang may naalala at may kinuha sa kanyang bag. "Oh, this why I came here pala. Ate Hestia, gave this to me when we met. She said na ibigay ko raw ‘yan sa ‘yo. It will help you to your work." Inabot ko ang isang maliit na jar na ibinigay nya sa ‘kin.

I read the label, it was a famous tea in Japan. I smiled knowing how thoughtful Hestia is.

"I'm going to text Hestia to say thank you."

"How about me, Kuya? Ako kaya nagdala n’yan dito," Zoe said. I saw her pouts when I looked at her.

I laughed when I saw how cute Zoe was.

"Thank you, Zoe," I thanked her with a smile.

She smiled at me at muling tumayo. She fixed herself and looked at me.

"I'm going now, kuya. Laz is waiting for me at the campus."

I nodded and waved at her. "Ikumusta mo na lang ako sa kanya."

She nodded and left the office. I sigh when Zoe leaves. I turn my swivel chair.

I guess I have to work now...