Chapter 6

Tinapos ko ang pinapagawa ni Axl kahit na napaka-awkward ng atmosphere sa pagitan namin. Tuwing sumusulyap ako sa kaniya ay nakikita kong seryoso at abala siya sa sariling trabaho. Hindi ko mapigilang hindi tumitig dahil namamangha ako sa pagiging seryoso niya.

The way his eyebrows furrow together while reading something on his laptop, the way he cranes his neck, maging ang tunog ng paglapat ng kaniyang mga daliri sa keyboard ng laptop ay ikinamamangha ko sa hindi malamang dahilan.

He surely looks so cold and exceptional, like a king sitting on his throne, he surely belongs to this kind of place.

Tumunog ang telepono sa isang tawag. Hindi ko alam kung dapat ko ba iyong sagutin gayong nasa tabi niya lang ito. Sumulyap siya sa akin bago pinulot ang telepono.

"Hello," I almost winced when I heard his hoarse and husky voice. Kung paanong tumagal ang huling sekretarya niya ay hindi ko alam. Maybe she doesn't get affected with him? Pero mayroon bang babaeng hindi maaapektuhan sa ganitong klaseng lalaki?

Sumulyap siya sa akin kaya naman napaupo ako ng maayos. "Yes let her in, and please redirect the calls for me back to my secretary's office." Pagkatapos ay ibinaba nito ang telepono.

"Aliyah's here, she's gonna be giving you a brief orientation so listen carefully. I am expecting that you will do your best to learn everything that you have to learn, don't disappoint me." Tumaas ang kilay nito pagkatapos.

Mabilis akong tumango. Sa sandaling nakita ko rito sa opisina si Axl ay napatunayan kong istrikto siya at seryoso sa trabaho. I guess he values the work so much and won't have second thoughts of firing people who can't perform well. Totoo nga marahil ang sinasabi ng iba, GGC is very particular to performing and skilled individuals.

Ilang sandali lamang din ay bumukas ang double glass doors sa harapan namin at pumasok ang isang matangkad at sopistikadang babae. My eyes widened, she's his previous secretary?

Pinanood ko itong lumakad patungo sa harapan namin. The sound of her stilettos on the floor makes her look like a sophisticated powerful businesswoman. Isang itim na fitted dress ang suot niya, hindi ko alam kung ano ang tawag sa ganoong damit pero mahigpit itong yumayakap sa katawan niya, showing all her perfect curves. Bagsak ang mahaba at blonde nitong buhok at mukhang simple lang ang kaniyang make-up. The red lipstick suits her well, she looks mature. I wonder how old is she?

Tumigil ito sa upuang nasa harap ng lamesa ni Axl. She smiled at him before glancing at me, "Good morning."

"Good morning Aliyah,"

Nanatili ang titig nito sa akin, tumaas ang isang kilay nito bago muling bumaling kay Axl. "You surely got a new pretty secretary sir."

"Please have a seat,"

Aliyah nodded, dahan-dahan itong umupo. Sa paraan ng pagkilos ay halatang may pinag-aralan at may kaya ito sa buhay. Ngayon ay bigla akong napaisip, what are Axl's standards for his secretaries? Ganito ba dapat?

"She's undergraduate, mom wants her to work here for me so I had no choice." Sabay silang sumulyap sa akin.

Aliyah's lips formed into an 'o'. She unbelievably looked at me, "You must be a daughter of some friend? It's hard to apply as a regular employee here but it's way harder to apply as Axl's secretary."

"Uhh.." Sumulyap ako kay Axl, I'm not sure if I can tell her I'm their maid's daughter. Nakatitig lang naman ito sa akin.

Aliyah chuckled before I could even say something. She smiled at me, "She looks shy."

"You know what to do Aliyah, I'm busy."

Aliyah chuckled, like she's used to Axl being like this. Tumayo ito at bumaling sa akin, "Let's start then? What's your name?"

"I'm Adrianna, Adri for short." tipid akong ngumiti at tumayo na rin.

Tumango ito at muling bumaling kay Axl na nanonood sa amin. "We'll go ahead, my time's also limited so I will just tell her the basics. Let's go Adrianna."

Tumango ako at mabilis na sumunod. Lumabas kami ng opisina at nagtungo sa mas maliit na office sa tabi lang ng kay Axl. Tumigil si Aliyah sa pintuan at bumaling sa akin.

"Please put your thumb here so we can register your fingerprint," turo nito sa isang touchscreen electronic door lock na may tatak na G-Zero.

"For your information, this is a biometric door lock with built-in alarm and works with Zero for voice control. It has ANSI grade 1 highest residential security. And it's specially made by Ground Zero Technologies for the Genesis Group of Companies. You will never find this technology outside GGC." Mahabang paliwanag nito na nagpatango sa akin.

I know Ground Zero Technologies. Kilala ito sa mga one of a kind gadgets and technologies na ginagawa nila. I heard they are making special technologies for different companies. Hindi na nakapagtatakang isa ang GGC sa mga customers nila. They are high-class at kilala sila worldwide.

Inilagay ko ang hinlalaki ko sa touchscreen upang marehistro ang thumbmark ko. Dalawang beses ko iyong ginawa at nang matapos ay pumasok na kami sa loob. Isang maaliwalas na opisina ang bumungad sa akin, with everything almost just like the color of Axl's office.

May sarili akong lamesa sa loob, naroon ang isang macbook, intercom at telepono. May bookshelf sa likod ng swivel chair kung saan may iilang libro at mga notebooks. Mayroon ding maliit na sofa set at sariling comfort room sa loob.

"This will be your office. I made some changes here before, like the color of some furnitures and the design but they've put it back to normal which is like Axl's office so it's kind of colorless as you can see."

Tumango ako. Almost everything's in just plain white and dark gray. Maganda naman ito, it's minimalistic.

"You have the privilege to change the interior design of this office since it's gonna be yours. Pero kung hindi ka naman magtatagal at okay lang naman na sayo ito, then you can just let it be like this."

Tumango ako. Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang lamesa ko. Kung mayroon man akong babaguhin ay maglalagay siguro ako ng makukulay na bagay dito. That will give me a positive vibe everyday.

"Do you mind if I ask you something?"

Nilingon ko ito, "Ano 'yon?"

"I'm just curious, how were you able to get this job if you're an undergraduate?"

Natigilan ako. It must be really hard to get this kind of job lalo na kung undergraduate ako. Ano ang iisipin ng mga tao kapag nalaman nilang nag-hire si Axl ng katulad ko? People has the right to say I'm incompetent enough.

Nang makitang napaisip ako ay ngumiti ito sa akin. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not judging you for being an undergraduate. In fact, I'm amazed, how can someone like you get this job? I think my reaction is just normal. I know for sure that you know GGC is the biggest company in the country and it's placed the third in Asia, it's very competitive. I wonder what's with you and you got the job easily."

I sighed, "Sa totoo lang, hindi ko rin alam kung bakit tinanggap ako ni Axl."

Tumaas ang kilay nito.

"Kasambahay nila ang nanay ko.." Nakita kong nagkasalubong ang mga kilay nito, now I got all her attention.

"Hindi ko alam kung bakit gustong-gusto ako ng mommy ni Axl, she likes me so much to the point that she wanted me to work for her son. Noong una ay ayaw ni Axl, so Alistair's taking me instead. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nagbago ang isip niya at ng araw ding 'yon ay sinabihan niya akong magsimula na ngayon." Mahabang paliwanag ko.

"Wait.." she looked at me unbelievably. "Are you kidding me? Paano ka napalapit sa mommy ni Axl? You mean Ma'am Polyanna Genesis?"

Tumango ako. "Hindi ko alam, sabi ni Sir Arsen ay gustong-gusto niya raw ng anak na babae. Maybe that's why she's fond of me.."

Lalong nangunot ang noo nito, "I guess you know Ma'am Poly the other way. She's a very strict boardmember and she dislikes every girl around her sons."

Hindi ako nakasagot. Hindi ganoon ang Ma'am Poly na nakilala ko. O baka iba siya kapag narito sa trabaho?

"Anyway, thank you for telling me the truth. I envy you now, it's really hard to get close to Axl's mom and you did it that simple. She must have seen something special in you so don't ever disappoint them. The Genesis family is kind but they don't give second chances once they get disappointed."

Tumango ako, naaalala ang sinabi ni Axl kanina na huwag ko siyang i-disappoint. I guess he really mean it.

Nagpatuloy si Aliyah sa pagpapaliwanag ng mga bagay sa opisina, maging ang pagreredirect ng calls kay Axl ay itinuro niya. Bukod doon ay sinamahan niya rin ako upang magpa-ID. Ang blue na lace ko ay kulay gray na ngayon.

"Axl does an executive roundtable meetings or luncheons once in a month wherein he picks a staff randomly to have lunch with. Kung hindi man siya ay si Alistair ang gumagawa 'non o di kaya ay department heads. He usually chooses two to three staff members. He does this to personally know his employees, specifically their goals. Axl is very keen to details, he makes sure he knows every single bit of information about his employees."

Napaawang ang bibig ko, he's busy but he can still do that? At paano nakakatagal ang mga empleyado niyang makipag-lunch sa kaniya? It must be really intimidating to sit on one table with him, I know how it feels.

She smiled when she saw my reaction, na parang alam niya kung ano ang iniisip ko.

"The executive team also sets a date for a townhall setting, wherein the CEO presents the company agenda and gives updates. He also makes sure he can answer queries during this event." Pagpapatuloy niya. Tumango ako.

"You have to be by his side for support for these times. If a question raised needs an answer that is written on your notebook then you have to provide it to him. Although he never relied on me before, you still need to be prepared at all times."

I nodded.

"Also, you have to record every meetings because Axl shares them with his employees. You will have to make a presentation and distribute it to the department heads so they can cascade it to their agents. Axl's principle is always getting at the truth, whatever it may be. He wants to be transparent, he wants his employees to be well-informed with everything."

Tumango-tango ako. I agree on that principle, napag-aralan ko ang transparency sa isang subject ko noong unang mga taon ko pa lamang. Ngumiti sa akin si Aliyah nang mapansing masyado akong interesado sa mga sinasabi niya. She leaned on the table and watched me.

"How old are you?"

Napakurap-kurap ako, bahagyang gulat sa biglang tanong nito. "I just turned twenty one."

Tumango ito, "You look mature kaya hindi ko agad naisip na estudyante ka palang. And all your features are that of a mature woman, you look foreign."

Tipid akong ngumiti, hindi na bago sa akin ang masabihan na mukhang mature.

"Maybe it's because I'm half American."

"Oh, kaya pala.." Tumango-tango ito. "You must be taking management then?"

Tumango ako. She smiled at me, nagulat ako nang iabot nito ang kamay para sa isang shakehands. "I'm Aliyah Montreal by the way. I was Axl's secretary, now I'm his friend's fiancee."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at agad kong tinanggap ang kamay niya. "H-hindi ko alam.."

She smiled, "Oh I'm sure Axl didn't tell you, he's not that kind of guy. I'm actually engaged to the head of the IT Department, you'll meet him soon."

Tumango ako, amazed that someone like her is being nice to me. I guess not all rich people are boastful and unfair.

"How is it by the way? Your first day here? Aren't you scared of him?" She chuckled as she sip on her coffee.

Napangiwi ako, "Hindi ko alam, a part of me is scared actually. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung dahil ba iyon sa trabaho o dahil sa boss ko."

"Axl might look cold and intimidating but that's because he treats his employees with utmost sincerity. He didn't want to force a smile if he's not really the smiling face you know."

Nagkibit-balikat ako, "We weren't in good terms the first time we met, he's scary and he looks so hard to deal with. At nagkasagutan kami.." I paused, remembering how I answered him when he accused me of stealing from his room.

"Hindi ko mapipigilan ang sarili ko kapag alam kong wala naman akong ginagawang masama."

She smiled, "You should get used to it, Axl is very cautious. He won't mind hurting people's feelings if it means getting to the truth directly. Ayaw niya ng paliguy-ligoy and I understand him. He worked hard for his way on top, he won't let a simple mistake pull him down."

Tumango ako. Naiintindihan ko naman, like what I thought about him. Every person has their own way of coping up with life, I guess that's his way, even if it's a bit harsh.

"By the way, you should know that Axl hates short dresses and revealing clothes so you should avoid it. He can fire you instantly if you piss him off too, so if he's not in the mood, just let him cool down."

I nodded. Nagpatuloy siya sa mga rules ni Axl at halos lahat ay wala namang problema. Inilista ko ang ilang importanteng bagay sa aking notebook. Tinuruan niya rin ako kung paano gamitin ang voice commands para kay Zero, ang AI ng Ground Zero Technologies. It's somewhat the same with the famous Alexa and Siri technology.

Tumagal ng isang oras ang orientation na ibinigay niya sa akin at nang matapos ay lubos ang pasasalamat ko.

"No worries, I'm glad that he hired a secretary and I'm glad to know you as well. If you do good here then you might get regularized so you should work hard."

Ngumiti ako tumango. Bumalik kami sa opisina ni Axl at naabutan itong nakakunot ang noo. Nagkatinginan kami ni Aliyah, she chuckled before sitting at the chair infront of Axl's table. Naglakad naman ako palapit sa lamesa ko sa tabi ng kaniya. He glanced at me shortly before turning to Aliyah.

"Did you tell her everything she has to know?"

Aliyah nodded. Sumulyap ito sa akin, "Just the important ones. She will eventually learn in the process." Ngumiti ito sa akin.

"And I like her, she looks simple and innocent. Unlike the girls who tried to apply back then."

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin nang sumulyap si Axl sa akin. Minabuti ko nalang basahin ulit ang mga isinulat ko sa notebook.

Nagkamustahan pa ang dalawa, they look close. Hindi ko tuloy mapigilang isipin kung ilan taon niyang naging sekretarya si Aliyah lalo pa't mukhang kilalang-kilala siya nito.

Matapos ang ilang minuto ay nagpaalam na si Aliyah sa amin. Nagpasalamat ako sa kaniya at hinatid ko siya hanggang sa elevator. Nang makabalik ako sa loob ng opisina ni Axl ay may kausap na ito sa telepono. Umupo ako sa upuan ko at inayos ang lamesa. Ngayon ay tapos na ako sa lahat ng pinagagawa niya.

Nang matapos siya sa telepono ay bumaling siya sa akin. Like the usual, his eyes are always heavy and filled with darkness, like he's always mad and pissed.

"I hope you learned a lot from Aliyah."

Tumango ako, sinisikap na tumingin sa kaniya ng normal kahit na nakakatakot ang kaniyang mga mata.

"You can stay in your office after lunch. I will call you if I need something."

Tumango ako at sumulyap sa aking relo, it's lunch time so that means pagkatapos nito ay sa sariling opisina na ako. Nakahinga ako ng maayos doon dahil hindi ko yata kakayanin ang isang buong araw kasama siya at ganito pa kalapit.

**