Five (2)

Jax was pulled from his train of thought when a soft and small hand caressed his face. It was Amy. Nakatingin ito sa kaniya na may nagtatanong na mga mata.  

Nagbuga ng isang malalim na buntong-hininga si Jax at pilit na ningitian ang anak.  

“What is it, baby?” 

“Daddy, please don’t fire ate Vicky. It's not her fault, it was my fault.”  

If there is someone who has the ability to bend Jackson’s decision, it’s his daughter Amy, aside from Cindy, of course, who is one of his trusted friends since college. He just loves his daughter dearly. She resembled his late wife’s face so much that it became hard for Jax to live with her. Kaya pansamantala itong nakatira sa mga magulang ni Jax. Besides, he’s a total mess right now, and Jax doesn’t want Amy to witness how wrecked he is. 

“Sir, pasensya na po talaga kayo. Pangako po pagbubutihin ko po ang trabaho ko.” Nagsalita ang yaya ni Amy na si Vicky na nasa gilid lang, nagsusumamo ang boses nito at mukha ng maiiyak dahil sa kaba.  

“Amy, baby, we can’t let a lousy person be your guardian. Look what just happened? She didn’t do her job properly. You could get hurt.”  

Tutol talaga si Elise na walang masisanti ngayong araw. She was embarrassed in front of Jackson, someone should take responsibility for that, and she doesn’t care who will.  

“That’s enough, Elise,” matigas na sagot ni Jax sa dalaga, hindi man lang nito sinulyapan ang babae. “I’m going to talk to you,” declared Jax, he was referring to Amy’s nanny.  

“Man, just let it side. Baby Amy is safe, and nothing happened to her.”  

“Stay out of my business, Chris.” Matigas ang pagkakabigkas ni Jackson sa bawat salita, hindi maitago ang iritasyon sa boses nito. Mas lalo pa iyon nadagdagan nang makita ang nakakainis na ngisi ng pinsan.  

Chris couldn’t help but laught inside his mind. In his mind’s eye, he was already dancing salsa with a wine flute held in his hand. Nagdidiwang siya sa nakikitang reaksyon ng sariling pinsan. He likes to irritate the shit out of Jackson, wala naman kasi itong magagawa dahil sa kompanya nito siya nagtatrabaho. Unfortunately, Jackson had to deal with him, and he can’t do anything about it.  

Mas lalo pa hinigpitan ni Chris ang pagkaka-akbay kay Bree. He made sure that their body will be as close as possible. Naramdaman niya ang pagtigas nito ng katawan ng dalaga, tanda ng pagkakaasiwa. Pero sino ba ang hindi maasiwa kung ang tingin ni Jackson sa kanila ay para silang lalamunin nito ng buhay. He wanted to burst into laughter but restrained himself not to, he will surely be in deep trouble if he’ll do that.  

Ramdam na talaga ni Bree ang pagkalat ng kulay pula sa buong mukha niya at pati na rin sa leeg niya. Sino ba ang hindi mamumula kung ang isang guwapong lalaki ang nakadikit sa’yo at inaakbayan ka. Hindi niya magawang alisin ang braso nito sa balikat niya at baka mainsulto ito, kaya hinayaan niya na lang.  

Bumaling si Jackson sa yaya ni Amy na nakatayo lang sa gilid. “In my office,” he demanded. Karga pa rin nito si Amy, tumalikod ito at humakbang na para pumasok ulit sa opisina nito. Pero hindi pa man ito nakakalayo sa kanila ay muli itong bumaling sa kinaroroonan ni Chris at Bree. His face was impassive, and his brows were knitted.  

“If you’re here to flirt, get out of my building.” 

Iyon lang ang sinabi nito bago tuluyang tumalikod at nagmartsa paalis.  

Jackson entered his office with undeniable rage. Kung hindi nito kasama ang anak na si Amy ay kanina pa ito naghahagis ng mga gamit sa loob ng opisina. He can’t control his anger, and he doesn’t know the reason behind it. Hindi rin nito alam kung saan nag-ugat ang galit na nararamdaman. 

What he felt was a mixture and rollercoaster of emotions, which was not new to him since his dear wife died, but feeling it because of that woman was something new for Jackson. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang nasa babaeng iyon kaya inis na inis talaga siya kahit na ano ang gagawin nito. He hates her, yet he can’t seem to dispose her.  

Noong nag-desisyon ito kanina na sisantihin ang dalaga dahil sa nagawa nito kahapon sa kusina ng bahay niya, ay alam ni Jackson na hindi iyon ang totoong gusto niya. Something inside of him wanted to protest of the decision he’s about to make. Kaya naman noong sinabi ni Cindy na bigyan ito ng isa pang pagkakataon ay kaagad na pumayag ang utak niya, at dahil doon mas lalo siyang nainis dito.  

“Damn!” he silently cursed under his breath. 

Pinaupo ni Jackson si Amy sa cushioned couch sa loob ng kaniyang opisina. Kasunod na pumasok ay ang yaya nito at si Elise na masama pa rin ang tingin sa babae.  

He wondered what Elise was still doing in his office. After she gave her a head and came into her mouth, Jackson expected her to leave since she had already served her purpose.  

Pinapunta ni Jackson ang babae sa opisina niya para maglabas ng tension sa katawan niya. She's the first in his list of booty calls. He's been stressed and irritated since yesterday, and he needed some release. And Elise was an available mouth, as always.  

Parang maamong tupa ang yaya ni Amy na nakatayo sa harap nila. She’s waiting for her verdict. 

Sa nangyari sa anak ni Jackson, kanina niya pa sana sinisigaw at sinisanti ang babaeng ito, pero masyado siyang distracted sa nangyari sa labas kanina kaya hindi niya iyon nagawa.  

“You did not do your job. My daughter almost got hurt because of your negligence. Tell me, what should I do to you?”  

Ang galit na naramdaman kanina ni Jackson noong nalaman niyang nawawala ang anak niya ay naglaho niya. All because of that woman.  

Fuck that woman! 

Nanginginig ang kawawang yaya ni Amy, hindi nito alam kung ano ang dapat na isagot sa striktong amo. Takot ang nararamdaman nito; takot na baka mawalan ito ng trabaho.  

“Sir, humihingi po ako ng tawad sa nagawa kong pagkukulang. Hindi ko na po iyon uulitin. Huwag n’yo po akong sisantihin, sir. Kailangan ko po talaga ng trabaho ngayon.” Pagmamakaawa ng babae.  

But Jackson was not listening to what she was saying. Lumalangoy ang utak ng lalaki doon sa mga eksina kanina. He couldn’t shut off his mind of the picture of Bree’s shoulder with Chris’ arm wrapped around it. At habang iniisip niya iyon ay mas lalo lamang lumubo ang galit niya, gusto niyang sumabog.  

“She should be punished for flirting inside my company!”  

“Ano po?!” Nagulantang si Vicky sa sinabi ni Jackson.  

Maging si Elise ay napatingin kay Jackson at nagtataka kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito. Elise’s forehead knotted in confusion as she stared at Jackson. He seemed lost in his own reverie.  

Maging si Amy na nakaupo sa tabi ni Jackson ay nagtataka sa ikinikilos ng ama. She looked up into Jackson’s face and studied it. 

Jackson was way too absorbed in his own thoughts. Hindi siya mapakali.  

“How dare that woman to flirt in front of me? She’s not even grateful that I gave her a chance!”  

Sa pagkakataong ito ay mas lumakas na ang boses ni Jackson kaya dinig ng lahat ng nasa loob ng opisina ang pinasasabi niya. He looked like an idiot talking to himself, where in fact he should be lashing out on Amy’s nanny for her negligence.  

“Jackson, are you listening?” Elise tapped Jackson's shoulder to get his attention, and it was effective.  

Jackson cursed under his breath when he realized that he was actually voicing out what he had in mind. He wanted to punch himself for acting like an idiot. It seems like that woman is not really healthy for him.  

Tumikhim muna si Jackson para pagtakpan ang pakapahiya bago nagsalita, “You were saying?”  

Umikot ang mga ni Elise sa inis. She had not seen this side of Jackson before, and it irritates her that he was affected by something that has nothing to do with her. She wants his attention solely, and looking at him right now, she’s sure that something’s bothering him and it’s not about Amy. She's sure of that.  

“Daddy, can you not fire yaya Vicky? I'll be sad if you do that. She's kind naman at it’s my fault naman kaya nawala ako.” Amy tugged Jackson’s arm to get his attention.  

Nagbuga ng isang malalim na buntong-hininga si Jackson bago ngumiti ng pilit sa anak. He tapped her head and pulled her to kiss her forehead.  

How can he deny this little angel?  

“Why don’t you go home now and take a rest? I'll visit you at granny’s after office. Deal?”  

“But promise me first you won't fire her? And also, that beautiful woman who helped me.” Ngumuso si Amy kaya natawa na lamang si Jackson. It's funny that this little angel could easily turn his mode.  

Beautiful woman? Ha! 

Inayos ni Jackson ang tiara na nakapatong sa ulo ng bata. “Of course, I won’t. That's a promise. And you should also behave, okay?”  

“Yey! Thank you, daddy! You’re the best!” Masayang yumakap si Amy kay Jackson at gumanti rin ito ng yakap sa bata.  

Jackson turned to where Vicky was standing. This time his eyes were serious and intimidating. Gone was the sweet and cool aura he had when he talked to Amy.  

“Take her home. And do your job properly. This would be the last time that I’ll consider you.” Matigas niyang sabi.  

Kaagad na tumago si Vicky at kinuha na ang bata para makauwi na sila. Ayaw na nitong magtagal pa sa loob ng opisina ng amo at baka biglang magbago ang desisyon nitong panatilihin siya sa trabaho.  

“What are you still doing here?”  

Jackson slumped on his swivel chair. He closed his eyes, he was too exhausted. Tinanong nito si Elise nang hindi man lang tinapunan ng tingin ang babae. She was still sitting on the cushioned couch.  

Elise crossed her legs and raised her brows on Jackson. Hindi siya aalis hangga’t hindi sinasabi ng lalaki kung ano ang bumabagabag dito. She's not a graduate of psychology with flying colors for nothing.  

“So, what is it?” Nakataas ang kilay na tanong ni Elise kay Jackson.  

“Say what you want Elise, and go home. You're interrupting my work.” Nakapikit na saad ng lalaki.  

“Really? After you came into my mouth that’s how you’re treating me?”  

“And how do you want me to treat you then? I’ve told you right from the start, that you are nothing but a pussy for me to fuck. You agreed to that, and what's the fuss now?”  

“I can’t believe you! You're such a jerk!” Galit na sigaw ni Elise.  

“Just go home, Elise.”  

Galit na tumayo ang dalaga at nagmartsa palabas ng opisina ni Jackson. Lumagapak ang pinto ng opisina ni Jackson sa lakas nagpagkakasarado nito.  

Jackson released a heavy breath and closed his eyes again. He leaned back into his swivel chair to relax his tensed shoulder. Ang daming nangyari simula kahapon hanggang ngayong araw. Pakiramdamni Jackson ay hapung-hapo ang katawan at isip niya. It's another level of stress for him.  

He felt guilty and at the same time confused as hell, and he doesn’t like it. Sa loob ng tatlong taon pagkatapos mamatay ang pinakamamahal na asawa ay ngayon lamang nagawang makuha ang atensyon ni Jackson ng isang babae. Of course, he had several women who can fill his sexual urges, but none of them actually stirred him.  

Kumunot ang noo ni Jax nang marinig ang pagbukas ng pinto ng opisina niya. Alam na niya kaagad kung sino iyon. Wala naman kasing ibang pumapasok sa loob ng opisina niya na hindi muna kumakatok maliban sa pinsan na si Chris.  

“Oh, men, you look a lot older with that wrinkled face of yours.”  

Iyon kaagad ang sinabi nito pagkapasok pa lamang sa loob. Hindi niya sana ito papansinin nang maalala niya ang eksina kanina. Again, for the nth time, his irritation came rushing back like an avalanche.  

“Get out.”  

“Whoa! You aren’t that happy to see me, are you?”  

Instead of getting out, Chris made himself comfortable on the cushioned couch. Prente itong umupo doon ang isinabit ang dalawang braso sa back rest ng sofa.  

Nanatiling nakapikit ang mga mata ni Jackson. He has no energy to deal with his idiot cousin right now. He just wanted to be alone for the time being.  

“Christian, please. I need some time alone. I'm exhausted, and I still have plenty of work to do.” 

Nagkibit ito ng balikat pero may nakaukit na nang-iinis na ngisi sa mukha nito. “Fine! I'll just take Bree to a lunch. She's hot, bro. Didn't you see her? She looked innocent but lethal.” Iyon lang ang sinabi ni Chris bago lumabas ng opisina.  

Jax gritted his teeth. Problema talaga ang dala ng babaeng iyon simula ng magtrabaho ito sa kompanya niya. If not for Cindy’s request to consider that woman, he had fire her already. Wala naman kasi itong ginagawang matino. She not efficient and she’s lacked all the qualities to be his secretary.  

Jackson groaned in annoyance.  

If she’s to stay in his company, he had to do something to make her miserable the way she did to him.  

Jackson’s eyes flew open as ideas on how to make her suffer flooded his mind.  

His cellphone rang. It was Sebastian, one of his friends. Sinagot ni Jax ang tawag. Kapag tumatawag ito ay alam na kaagad ni Jax kung ano ang pakay nito sa kaniya. Jax agreed to go to Andrei’s bar, this will be a good distraction. At least, he’ll be peaceful for a moment.  

“Yeah, I’ll go, you idiot.”