Chapter Four

It's already way past midnight. Ngayon ko lang natapos ang mga documents na kailangan kong i-present for the business meeting.

Tumayo ako mula sa swivel chair at lumipat sa mahabang couch. I loosened my necktie and unbuttoned my polo. I removed my shoes bago ko pinatong ang mga paa ko sa hinihigaan ko.

I fished my phone from my picket at minessage ang driver na susundo sa bagong secretary. Sinabihan ko siyang dalhan ako ng kape bukas pag dating niya. When I saw the confirmation that it was sent, ay ipinatong ko na sa mesa ang phone ko. Dahil na rin sa pagod, unti-unti nang bumibigat ang talukap ko at mabilis akong nakatulog.

Narinig ko na parang may kumakatok sa pinto. And because I was half awake, I didn't think it was real. I let myself doze off again when I heard someone twisting the door knob. Maybe it's just Samuel, the dirver. Kinusot ko muna ang mga mata ko habang kasalukuyang nakahiga pa rin nang magising ang diwa ko dahil sa isang boses ng babae.

"Ay, naku po!" rinig kong sigaw ng babae sa may pinto. Napabalikwas ako ng bangon at inaninag kung sino ang pangahas na pumasok sa opisina ko.

To my surprise, it's someone I didn't expect.

"What the fuck?!" napamura ako sa gulat na mas ikinabigla rin niya.

Crap!

"Sorry po. Lalabas na po ako. Papalitan ko 'yong kape na natapon," tarantang sabi niya sabay pulot sa nahulog na kape na halos wala ng laman.

I walked closer to her and handed her a roll of tissue. Tinanggap niya naman ito pero napansin kong hindi niya ako matignan ng diretso. Pulang-pula rin ang itsura niya.

Hinawakan ko ang noo niya gamit ang likod ng palad ko. Bigla naman siyang napaiwas na mas nataranta.

"Are you sick?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Hindi po," mabilis na sagot niya na hindi pa rin makatingin sa'kin. Natakot ko ba siya?

"Did I scare you?" nag-aalalang tanong ko.

"Hindi po," sagot niya habang nakaiwas pa rin ang tingin. Pinupunasan niya pa ang natapong kape.

Napakunot ang noo ko sa reaksyon niya.

"so why the hell can't you look at me?!" hindi na ako nakapagtimpi at napagtaasan ko siya ng boses.

Napatingin siya sa'kin ng diretso na may namimilog na mga mata.

Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Ethan na gulat rin ng makita kami.

"Hoy, Liam! You're corrupting my innocent recruit!" sabi niya sabay hila kay Amber at pinatalikod. Nginuso niya ang katawan ko.

Napatampal ako sa noo at tumalikod. Inayos ko ang button ng polo ko.

Nang humarap na ako sa kanila ay pulang-pula ang mukha ni Ethan dahil sa pagpipigil ng tawa. Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mata. Nakatalikod pa rin si Amber.

"Bring me some coffee,"sabi ko kay Ethan at sinenyasan ko siyang isama na muna si Amber.

Nang makalabas na sila ay nagmadali akong pumasok sa bathroom na naka konekta rin sa maliit walk in closet ko. May mga damit rin akong sinadyang iwan rito dahil may mga gabing dito ako natutulog.

Nang matapos na akong maligo ay nagmadali akong magbihis. Pinili ko ang kulay gray na polo at denim jeans na itim. Nilagyan ko rin ng brown belt at tinernohan ng puting sapatos. Pinatuyo ko rin ang buhok ko gamit ang blower at naglagay ng pabango.

When I felt contented on how I looked, lumabas na ako at umupo sa swivel chair ko. I pick up the phone on my desk and called the utility.

"Come to my office. I spilled something," sabi ko sa nakasagot ng tawag. Hindi ko na hinintay na sumagot ito at binaba ko na ang telepono.

Ilang saglit pay dumating na ang utility para maglinis. Pumasok na rin sina Ethan at Amber na nagtatawanan.

I didn't know they were that close.

Lumapit si Ethan at inilagay sa mesa ko ang kape.

"You look different today," he said grinning.

I glared at him and he stepped back.

"Relax, dude. It's a compliment," sabi niya sabay lapit kay Amber. "Let's take a seat," sabi niya rito at sabay silang umupo sa harapan ko.

Inilapag ni Amber ang brown envelope sa mesa. "This is my resume, with my supporting documents," she said softly.

She looks very different today. It's the first time I've seen her in a corporate attire. She even put a light make up on that really looks good on her.

"Ethan didn't inform me that you're applying for this position," I said and glanced at Ethan trying to look innocent.

Naguguluhang nagpalipat-lipat ng tingin si Amber sa'min.

"Actually, I asked her for a favour to accept this offer. You know, she's the seventh secretary you have for this month. And she's a good catch," he said and looked at Amber  and winked that made her giggle.

How can he flirt in front of me?

"I prepared her contract. And I'll let her review it later," he added.

Before I can respond to what he said, the door flew open and made a loud sound when it hit the wall.

A lot of unexpected visitors today, huh?

"Mom! What are you doing here?" I said irritatingly.

I noticed Amber looked at me na nakakunot ang noo.

"Don't you ever use that tone on me young man," she coldly said.

"What do you need? Can't you see I'm in a middle of something?" I asked pertaining to Amber.

She looked at Amber and smiled at her. "Good morning po ulit Mrs. Walton," bati ni Amber sa kanya.

Something doesn't seem right here. I looked at Ethan and he avoided my gaze. I looked at mom and she has this triumphant smile on her face.

I folded my arms and faced her.

"What did you do this time, mom?" I asked her in an accusing tone.

She gave me Amber's contract. "Read it," she ordered.

I scanned the details on the contract and the last part surprised me.

"Only me, and Ethan has the right to cancel her contract. You can't fire her," she said.

Amber can't look at me straight. Knowing mom, she has her way of manipulating people around her. Kaya pala matagal silang nakabalik.

Hindi rin nagtagal si mom sa opisina. Umalis na siya agad at bumalik sa ospital. She told me that she's waiving all the hospital expenses for her father and made sure to give him the best treatment. So, that's her way of convincing her to agree with the contract.

Ethan took Amber to her desk which is right outside my door. He will train her on the basics.

It is lunch time and I haven't even got breakfast. I decided to went out of my office to eat outside. I took my phone and car key and went outside.

I saw Amber organizing the files that has been mixed up for quite some time. It would take couple of hours to finish it.

Dideretso na sana akong umalis but I can't just ignore her. I haven't asked any of my secretary to have lunch with me.

I knocked on her desk to get her attention. She looked up at was surprised to see me.

"Lunch?" I asked her.

She blinked a couple of times. "P-po?" she asked.

"Samahan mo'ko mag lunch. I have to discuss with you something," seryosong sabi ko para hindi na siya magtanong.

Tumango siya. "Okay po," she said and took her bag which she placed under her desk.

Hinihintay namin ang elevator nang bumukas ito at niluwa si Ethan.

"Hey, where are you going? 'Di ba sabi ko hintayin mo' ko at sabay tayo mag lunch?" Ethan said excitedly.

Amber looked at him with a confused look. "Akala ko po nakaalis na kayo, Mr. Lewis?" tanong niya rito.

"I just went to the finance department to submit a report. So, tara na ba?" he asked her as if I'm not around.

I faked a cough to get his attention.

"Oh, nandiyan ka pala!" he said faking his surprise tone.

If may tao man na hindi natatakot na pagtripan ako, 'yon ay si Ethan. We grew up together. He even considered himself as my best buddy. Self-proclaimed.

"She is going with me," I told him seriously.

"I see. So, let's go together then," he said and guided Amber to the elevator. He said something to her that was inaudible to me and she giggled.

I was not aware they were this close.

We decided to eat at a Pinoy restaurant near the office. I ordered palabok which is my favourite. To my surprise, Amber ordered the same. Si Ethan lang ang nag order ng pork blood stew at rice cake. We have halo-halo for our dessert.

"Their food here is great! Dito kami lagi kumakain ni Will pag sinisipag lumabas," Ethan said grinning.

I focused my self on my food at nakikinig lang sa kanilang nag-uusap.

"It's weird nga na he decided to eat out. It only happens once in a blue moon," he added and looked at me suspiciously.

I rolled my eyes and didn't bother answering him.

"If hindi rito, sa'n pa po kayo kumakain?" tanong naman ni Amber kay Ethan.

"Ako, usually sa company pantry lang. Masasarap kaya ang pagkain do'n. But as for William, hindinyan kumakain kapag busy. Nagkakape lang siya o hindi kaya ay nagpapadeliver," he answered.

"Ahh, okay," she responded.

Hindi rin kami nagtagal at bumalik na agad sa opisina. Si Ethan naman ay sumama rin sa amin para maturuan pa si Amber ng mga dapat niyang gawin.

Pumasok agad ako sa opisina ko and prepared myself for the meeting this afternoon.

"Sorry, Misty but like I said, you can't come inside his office. He is busy preparing for the meeting," rinig kong sabi ni Ethan sa labas. Medyo mataas na ang boses niya at nawawalan ng pasensya..

"Can't you understand? I badly need to talk to him. He's not answering my calls and messages! So let me in!" she said angrily followed by a loud thud when the door swung open and hit the door.

A woman on her twenties went inside, hands on her waist. Her angry expression softened when she saw me standing in the corner of the room. Nakasunod naman sa kanya sina Ethan at Amber na may halong takot at nag-aalalang mukha.

I strictly instructed them not to let anyone come inside the office without my consent.

" Hey, babe. I was waiting for your call. You promised you'd call me. We're you that busy?" she said while walking towards me.

She was about to cup my face when I took a step back to avoid her hands.

"You don't have the right to envade my office anytime as you please. You have to set up an appointment for you to meet me," I said staring at her. "And what's your name again? I'll schedule you next week," I added.

Her face became red from embarrassment and anger. Her jaw tightened.

Before I can even speak up to ask her to leave, a loud slap hits my left cheek.

"Y-you, shameless bastard," she said in a very low voice with her narrowed eyes staring at me intensely.

I smirked at her reaction. I'm not surprised at all. I'm used to women expecting too much from a one night stand.

She looked at my desk and took the mug with a little coffee in it which I was not able to finish earlier.

She was about to pour it on my shirt when someone held her arm.

"You have to stop. Or I'll call the security," Amber warned her in a serious tone.

The woman became more furious but gave up knowing it'll only worsen the situation. She left the office, bumping on Amber's shoulder.

She followed her gaze to the violent woman who just left. Ethan is also in the office, observing.

I caught Amber's glare when I turned to look at her.

I gulped at her piercing stare.

"Wh-what?" I asked which I hope I didn't. Hoping she'll not be able to hear me stuttering.

"Proud of what you did?" she asked me seriously without even blinking.

I lowered my eybrows to show her that I don't understand what she's saying.

"Nakakagwapo ba ang magpahiya ng babae?" she asked in her sarcastic tone and rolled her eyes. "Bilisan mo na. Malapit na mag start ang meeting," she added and walked out of the office.

Naglakad si Ethan papalapit sa'kin at inakbayan ako. "Tsk. Not so cool bro," he said is a disappointing tone and slightly tapped my back.