Nasa airport na kami ni Maliah. Kung tatansyahin ay siyam na oras na yata kaming nananatili rito. Sa bawat tanong ko naman ay sasabihin lang ni Maliah na may hihintayin lang kami.
Sinong hihintayin?
Dahil sa pagkaburyo ay ipipikit ko palang sana ang mga mata ko para matulog nang
“Guys!” para yatang nagising buong kaluluwa’t pagkatao ko dahil sa sigaw na yun na alam ko namang para samin. Who the heck was that? She’s so noisy!
When I looked at the direction where the noise come from, my eyes widen when I saw my cousin started to run slowly towards us.
“You’re finally here, Nics.” nakangiting kaswal na sambit ni Maliah pagkalapit ni Nics. Why is she here? And when did they started talking with each other again?
“Couz,” natinag lang ako nang tawagin ako ni Nicole. Ngumiti naman ako at sinalubong nalang ang kanyang yakap.
“How was your vacation? Long time no see.” panimulang tanong sa amin ni Nics nang magsimula na kaming maglakad, na hindi ko na naman alam kung saan to patungo ‘tong lalakarin namin.
“Well glad that your cousin still forgive me and gave a chance to be a good and better friend despite of what I’ve done.” si Maliah ang sumagot.
“Told you, she’s a soft-hearted.”
“Yeah and I’m agreeing to you now.” nakangiting sagot ni Maliah.
“Where are we going?” singit ko sa usapan nilang dalawa dahil hindi na ako makatiis na hindi itanong iyon.
“Don’t you know? We’re taking you to an airplane that is going to U.S.” sagot ni Nics sakin.
U.S?
What I’m going to do there?
“Pupunta ng US si Luke, hindi mo ba susundan?” pasunod pang anas na tanong sakin ni Maliah. Mas lalo naman akong naguluhan. US? Si Luke pupunta ng US? With whom? And why they’re asking me why I’m not going to follow him?
Yung nakita ko dito din sa airport, hindi pa ba sign iyon na wala na kami ni Luke? Na mukhang matagal niya na pala atang tinapos ang lahat samin kaya nakakapagpropose na siya sa ibang babae?
“Wala naman na kami.” naisagot ko nalang.
“Di mo sure. Tsaka ano naman? Sundan mo nalang tapos kaya mo nga susundan para i-confirm mo mismo kung totoo. Pag siya na mismo nagsabi ng oo, edi yon! Yon ang paniwalaan mo.” asik naman uli ni Maliah.
“Siguro nakita mo na yung iba pang nakakasama ni Luke na babae so you’re thinking now that Luke already cutted his connection with you but If you didn’t know, he was just forced to do that.” sambit naman ni Nics.
“Haha wow girl how did you know that?”
“Kinausap ako dati ni Luke tungkol don and that’s what he told me.”
“So ano na couz? Susundan mo ba o hinde? Mauubusan na tayo ng oras oh. 10 minutes nalang aalis na yung plane.” bumaling ulit ng tingin sakin si Nics nang sabihin yon.
“I-I d-don’t know-“
“Gaga! Anong I don’t know? Magdecide kana at aalis na yun mayamaya.” barumbadong asik sakin ni Maliah.
“Hindi ko nga alam!”
“Ihatid ka nalang namin, baka pag nasa malapit ka sa airplane duon ka makapagdecide ng maayos.” ani Nicole saka ako sinimulang itulak paalis sa lugar na hinintuan namin kanina. Nakisabay narin si Maliah kaya hindi na ako makapalag.
“Oh, ano na? Hindi mo pa rin ba alam?” ayan na naman ang walanghiyang tanong sakin ni Maliah.
“H-hindi ko pa din alam-“
“Aba potangena.” parang konting konti nalang ay mauubusan na si Nics ng pasensya.
“Oh sige nanga! Oo na! Eto na, sasakay nanga diba?” pagkasabi ko non ay napapalakpak pa daw ang dalawa sa tuwa. Napairap nalang ako sa kawalan at the same time napangiti.
Maayos na ang circle of friends nila, maayos na ang dalawa. Ayos na ang lahat.
Sana.
Pagkasakay sa eroplano ay hindi ko alam kung ano ang nag-utos sakin pero si Luke agad ang hinanap ng mga mata ko.
At hindi ko din ba alam sa sarili ko kung bakit ako parang dismayado na hindi siya makita.
Napaupo nalang ako sa bakanteng upuan na nakita ko sa gilid ng kinatatayuan ko. Sakto naman ang aking naupuan dahil yun din daw ang nakalistang uupuan ko.
Bago pa lumipad ang eroplano ay pinatay ko muna ang mobile data at wifi ng phone ko. Kinuha ang earphones na binigay sakin ni Maliah saka iyon isinalpak sa cellphone at tenga ko.
At kung hindi ko pa siguro nasasabi sa inyo, I’m a fan of SelesTin. I don’t exactly know what’s their tandem name but I just called it SeleStin.
It’s already 2021 now and I already know that they already broke up a long time ago but I still supports them. Even not as a couple now but atleast as the two person that having the best friendship.
“All flights going to US is now boarding.”
Kaizen POV
“President Compton, this is your schedule for today.” kauupo ko pa lang sa aking swivel chair ng aking opisina nang saktong pumasok naman ang aking magandang sekretarya. Este, sekretarya lang pala.
“Thankyou, ilagay mo lang jan.” sagot ko at tumango lang ito’t nagpaalam na aalis na. I was about to put the schedule she gave when my phone rang.
“Oh?” barumbadong sagot ko sa tawag ni Luke. Aba, sa tagal niya kaming hindi kinausap na pati pagtawag samin ay kinatamaran niya narin, kakatwang ngayon lang siya tatawag? Paniguradong may kailangan na naman ‘tong si mokong o kailangan ng tulong.
“Are you busy, Compton?”
“Be respectful dude, call me President Compton.” pagbibiro ko pero pinigilan ko ang tumawa para baka sakaling mapasunod ko si mokong. Ngayon nalang ako mang-uuto, lubos lubusin ko na.
“Hao la, I want to ask if President Compton is busy?” pagsunod naman ni mokong sa sinabi ko at naibuga ko nalang yung iniinom kong kape. Pucha! Hahahaha nauto naman si gago.
“Tsk I knew it.” masungit agad na pasunod niya nang marinig niya ang tawa ko. Tangina namiss ko 'to si gago ah.
“Ano bang kailangan mo’t napatawag ka?” tanong ko nalang at niluwagan muna saglit ang aking necktie.
“I’m going to US and I want you to come with me.”
“Gago nawawalang member kaba ng exB pre? Anong come with me ka jan? Tanginamo sinasabi ko sayo hindi ako bakl-“
“Can you fucking fix your brain Compton?!”
“Ano bang gagawin sa US at kailangan mo pa akong isama? Tsaka hanggang ilang araw?”
“Not only days but months-“
“What?! Sorry dude atras ako sa ganyan. I still have works to do and those are more IMPORTANT than you. Si Dex nalang isama mo.”
“Dex is going to somewhere with Taliyah.”
“Oh edi isama mo silang dalawa.” asik ko saka humigop muli ng kape.
“C’mon Kai, I promise I’ll give you anything you want after this.”
“I’m now a CEO, Anderson. Don’t understimate my wealth.” seryosong sagot ko.
“So serious, huh? Okay then, so what do you want?”
“Nothing.”
“What about Chanel Morales?” even I can’t see his face I know he’s trying to prevent his laugh.
“Who gave you a permission to mention that ugly name?”
“Ugly? Really, huh? As if you didn’t fall for her befor-“
“Hindi talaga kita sasamahan jan. Bahala ka.” ibababa ko palang sana yung cellphone ko nang,
“Alright! Alright! Ano nga kasing gusto mo?!” asar ng tanong ni Luke. Tuluyan na akong natawa nang magtagalog si mokong. Senyales na ubos na talaga yung pasensya.
“Buy me a Lamborghin-“
“Tangina ang dami mo ng sasakyan na ganun ah? Magpapabili ka na naman?!”
“Oh edi wag-“
“Fvck it! Alright alright I’ll buy you one. Satisfied now?” asar na talagang asik niya. Kahit hindi ako nakikita ni mokong ay napatango pa tuloy ako.
I stood up from my chair and walk towards my office closet.
“S-saan po kayo pupunta sir? May meeting pa po mamaya-“
“Ikaw na bahalang umasikaso ng meeting, I have something important to do.”
“P-pero sir-“
“And, I’ll be gone for months maybe? So I’m letting you for now to handle this company. Balitaan mo ako araw araw. Wag mong hahayaang bumagsak ‘'to mukha mo pasasabugin ko.” maawtoridad kong bilin at magkakasunod naman siyang tumango.
“P-pero saan po ba kayo pupunta sir?” nagulat pa ako ng magtanong siya. Ang lakas ng loob ah? Sige panindigan mo yan.
Ngumisi ako saka lumapit sa tenga niya’t bumulong, “None of your business babe.” asik ko saka kumindat bago naglakad paalis.
Eillish POV
“Cabin crew, please take your seats for landing.” nagising lang ako mula sa aking pagtulog nang marinig ang flight attendant na sabihin yon.
Ang tagal na oras ko na palang nakatulog.
Inayos ko ang aking upo at chineck muna ang cellphone ko upang tingnan ko kung anong oras na.
12:32 mn
Nang makababa at makuha ang mga gamit ay naghanap kaagad ako online ng hotel na mapagtutuluyan muna.
At the end I choose the hotel that is one of the luxurious hotel here in Los Angeles.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC is an American multinational company that operates the luxury hotel chain known as The Ritz-Carlton. The company has 108 luxury hotels and resorts in 30 countries and territories with 29,158 rooms, in addition to 46 hotels with 8,755 rooms in the pipeline.
Eto kasi ang nakalap kong impormasyon tungkol sa hotel na yon at base sa aking nakita ay mukhang maayos naman ang hotel. Maayos pero sobrang mahal nga lang. Pero ayos narin yon dahil isang gabi lang naman ako mananatili ruon. Sana lang talaga ay hindi ako biguin ng hotel na iyon.
“Hello ma’am, welcome to Ritz-Carlton.” masayang bati sakin ng hotel receptionist pagkapasok ko. Ngumiti lang din naman ako pabalik.
Kinausap pa ako ng hotel receptionist kanina tungkol sa kung ano anong bagay at sa huli ay binigay niya narin sakin ang room number.
Pagkapasok ay namangha naman ako. Malaki ang kwarto. Kagaya lang ito sa hotel room na tinuluyan ko narin dati sa hotel ng mga Anderson.
Anderson.
Oh,
I suddenly miss that surname, and the owner.
Napailing nalang ako at muling nilibot ang kwarto. Nagustuhan ko talaga. The room’s décor and interior makes me want to stay here forever. Imagining living in this room feels so relaxing.
Pagkatapos kong ilapag ang mga gamit ay nagshower kaagad ako at natulog. Dahil kailangan kong magising ng maaga bukas. Nics called me earlier, ay may nirenta daw siyang van na susundo sakin. Kailangan ko lang gumising ng maaga upang umabot ako.
Kaizen POV
“Tangina mo Luke siguraduhin mo lang na importante ipinunta natin dito ha. Baka nakakalimutan mo Anderson, iniwan ko ang kumpanyang pinapatakbo ko para lang dito!” reklamo ko kaagad kay Luke nang makababa kami ng eroplano. Siya naman ay tango lang ng tango pero para namang hindi nakikinig. Napakagago talaga.
“Ano ba kasing pumasok sa isip mo’t bigla bigla kang nag-aayang pumunta dito?!” reklamong tanong ko na naman at pinipilit sabayan si mokong sa paglalakad. Aba para na naman kasing manghahamon ‘to ng suntukan kung maglakad!
“Nagusap na ba kayo ni Eillish?”
“Not yet.” muntik ko na siyang masapak dahil sa dinarami rami ng tanong ko sa kanya kanina pa, ngayon lang siya sumagot. Putangina talaga.
“So how’s the relationship between you and her now? I mean, aren’t you guys planning to fix it?”
“It depends on her if she still wants to accept me.”
“So hindi ka nga kikilos hangga’t hindi mo din nalalaman na tatanggapin ka pa din o hindi na?”
“None of your business Compton.”
“Yes I know it’s none of my freaking business but dude, remember she’s still Eillish Kim. Even how handsome you are if she’s pretty too. Aren’t you afraid someone might stole her away from you? After all her beauty is no joke.” pangungulit ko.
“I trust her. I know her feelings towards me never fades off.” ngumisi lang siya sakin at mas lalong binilisan ang lakad.
Punyawa ang yabang!
Binilisan ko na rin ang paglalakad at namangha pa daw ako sa sarili ko dahil naabutan ko ang mokong. Pumasok kami sa isang hotel dahilan para magtaka ako.
Punyeta-
Hotel?
Gago anong gagawin namin dito?
Putangina yung utak mo Kai!
“Hello sir, welcome to Ritz-Carlton.” bati sa amin ng magandang dalagita pagkapasok. Ngumiti naman ako sa kanya pabalik.
“How-“
“Just a one room for us, we’re only staying here for one night.” putol ni Luke sa tatanungin pa ata ng receptionist. Palipat lipat lang ang tingin ko sa kanilang dalawa kung sino yung nagsasalita.
“Okay sir.” agad na kumilos yung dalagita at napailing nalang ako.
Ayoko talaga ng iniisip ko ngayon..
Pero punyawa, sa gwapo kong ‘to…
Paano kung?
Matagal na kayang gustong gawin ‘to ni mokong pero ngayon lang siya nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob?
Tangina natatakot ako na hindi mawari ah
Kaya pala hindi ako nagkakaroon ng permanenteng nobya kasi dahil ba si Luke ang ka endgame ko-
“Compton!” napatalon pa ako dahil sa gulat ng pasigaw na tawagin ni Luke yung apilyedo ko. Anak ng! Siraulo ‘to ah?
“Tsk! Ano?!”
“The fuck? Are you fvcking listening?”
“Listening to what?”
“I’m so done with you Compton, I said let’s go!”
Napasunod nalang ako kay Luke sa paglalakad paalis don. Tangina nakakahiya men! Tama bang sigawan ako ng mokong nayon sa harap ng medyo marami-raming tao? Tama bang sigawan niya ang isang PRESIDENT COMPTON? Really Luke?
Eillish POV
“Hello couz? Nasundo ka na ba?” paunang mungad na tanong sakin ni Nics kinaumagahan. Kanina pa ako gising at bihis. Nasa baba na ako ng hotel para hintayin yung susundo sakin.
“Hind pa, the van is still not here yet.”
“Bat ang tagal naman? Sabi ko agahan eh.”
“Nah baka naman na traffic lang or something.”
“I see, kamusta ka naman jan? Ano nakita mo naba?”
“Nakita ang alin?”
“Aba sus kunwari pa ang bruha oh. Si Luke kako kung nagkita naba kayo?”
“He’s not the reason why I’m here Nics but to answer your damn question, we still didn’t see each other yet.”
“Lelang mo couz, ako pa uutuin mo. Oh siya baka nanjan na yung sundo mo.” napatango naman ako ng wala sa oras matapos ibaba agad ni Nics ang tawag. Sakto namang dumating nga ang van na kanina ko pa inaantay. Pinalagay ko lang sa likod ng sasakyan ang mga gamit ko na siguradong hindi kakasya sa loob.
“Lend me your stuffs ma’am.” asik ng driver kaya ibinigay ko nalang din yung mga gamit ko.
“How does my couz knows about you?” panimulang tanong ko.
“I was also her trusted driver before everytime she’s coming here, ma’am.”
“Nah drop the ma’am, call me Eillish instead.”
“Okay Eillish.” asik niya naman agad kaya napangiti ako bago sumakay dahil tapos narin naman siya sa pag-aayos ng gamit.
“Where will I drop you off, Eillish?” tanong naman sakin ngayon ng driver habang nasa byahe.
“Uh, do you know the Collin’s corp?”
“Of course, Eillish. So I’ll drop you off there?”
“Yes.”
Kaizen POV
Pagkalabas namin ni Luke kinaumagahan mula sa hotel ay muntik ko pang akalain na mafia kaming dalawa dahil limang magkakasunod na Rolls Royce ang nakahanay sa tapat ng hotel ang bumungad samin. Lahat pa ay itim. Aba potek, mukha bang lima ang katawan namin ni Luke at limang sasakyan pinadala samin?
“Hello Mr. Anderson and President Compton. Sorry for being a little bit late. Something just came up but everything is fine now.” paumanhin agad ng driver na lumabas sa pangalawang sasakyan.
“It’s okay, hindi naman kami nagmamadali”
“Give me your stuffs sir.”
Bago pa kami sumakay ni Luke sa magkaibang sasakyan ay napahinto rin ako nang makita ko siyang napatigil sa pagsakay.
Tangina bakit na naman kaya?
“Nah drop the ma’am, call me Eillish instead.” kahit ako din ata narinig yon. Napalingon ulit ako kay Luke dahil alam kong medyo mas malakas sa kanya na marinig yon.
So Eillish is also here, huh?
Bago pa lumingon si Luke sa pinanggalingan ng narinig namin ay sakto namang nakaalis na ang puting sasakyan sa kabila.
“What is she doing here?” nadinig ko pang bulong ni Luke sa sarili.
“Whom, sir?”
“Nothing, let’s go.”
Eillish POV
“Good morning ma’am, what can we do for you?” bati ng dalagita pagkapasok ko ng company building.
“Ah here,” asik ko sabay pakita sa kanya ng envelope. “Miss Athena Collins sent me an invitation last week so, that’s what I’m here for. Can you tell me where she is?”
“Oh, you are?”
“Eillish Kim.” nakangiting pagpapakilala ko at mas lalo naman siyang ngumiti at tumango tango saka tinanggap ang pakikipagshake hands ko.
“Alright alright, let me accompany you to miss Athena’s office.” nagmamadali pa siyang tumayo at tumabi sakin saka ako inalalayan maglakad. Nag-offer pa siyang bitbitin ang Gucci bag ko but I refused.
“Ma’am Athena?” tawag niya kasabay ng pagkatok.
“Yes miss Reyes?”
“You have a visitor.”
“Okay come in.”
Pagkatapos non ay tinanguan lang ako ng Reyes na yon at nagpaalam na aalis na dahil may aasikasuhin pa. Pumasok nalang rin ako at duon ako sinalubong ng busy yata sa pagbabasa na maganda ring babae.
Lahat yata sa nagtatrabaho dito ay maganda.
“CEO Collins.” tawag ko at napaangat siya ng tingin.
“Hi, you are?”
“Eillish Kim.” nagulat pa ako sa pabiglaan niyang pagtayo at nagmamadaling lumapit sakin.
“God Eillish! You’re finally here. I thought you can’t be able to come because based from your profile you’re too busy and always busy to accept an invitation from US.”
“Nah how can I reject the most beautiful CEO of this company’s invitation?” I laugh and I love how she smiled because of my compliment.
“Hahaha stop giving me that compliment Eillish, you’re pretty than me.”
“Okay we’re both pretty that’s it.” naisagot ko nalang.
“I’ve heard you are Gucci muse of Australia that’s why I got interested to know you, I thought you’re only pretty in pictures on internet but look how you look like a goddess in person. How can I believe that the Gucci muse of Australia is standing right now in front of me?”
“Stop it, you’re complementing me too much. Don’t make me get to used to it.”
“Nah I can compliment every features of you countless times.” I saw her rolled her eyes but I know she didn’t meant it.
“So what’s the matter? Why you want me to come here?”
“It’s our former CEO’s birthday tomorrow and I want you to be there. I mean, she wants all of luxury brand’s models to get invited soo”
“You immediately think of me to invite?” I continued and she nodded.
“Exactly! But I guess you already know her?”
“Who?”
“Taliyah Collins Archer.”
“Oh are you two have connections with each other?”
“Nope, it just happened maybe that we got the same surname. I even got surprised at first too when I found out about that.”
“Yeah I know her of course, as far as I know she is Dexter’s girlfriend right?”
“So you really know her, but no, they’re not in a relationship.”
“Whatever their current relationship status is, I just know they’re close to each other.”
“Yeah, so are you going to attend on her birthday party celebration then?”
“Sure, but where’s the venue?”
“Oh don’t worry the venue place is only few meters away from here.”
“But before that Eillish, take a look of this.” Athena lend me the paper that looks like a schedule.
“What is this?”
“Your schedule.”
“Yeah I know but why you’re giving me this?”
“That’s all the celebrations, party’s, etc you have to attend to”
“So you’re telling me there are so many celebration party’s I have to attend to?”
“Maybe? If that’s what on that paper.”
“How long will you stay here, by the way?”
“Don’t know, my cousin just forced me to come here also because of Luk-“
“Because of who?” Athena confusedly asked me.
“Nothing, maybe I’ll be here for months?”
“I see have you already rent an apartment for you to live in? If you haven’t you can stay to my house for a while-“
“Nah it’s okay Athena, I don’t want to be a burden to you.”
“Are you lol? When did you become a burden to me? And look, being with a Gucci muse in a same house is such a more than to an achievement.”
“I see you like me that much Athena Collins huh? You really did compliment me countless times.”
Luke POV
“Hello Luke!” Taliyah immediately greeted me as she answered my call.
“Have you already received my advance birthday gift?”
“Yeah, this dress looks so pretty. Thankyou Luke!”
“Welcome Tali, what’s your plan for your birthday tomorrow?”
“Not so grande, I just want a simple celebration as long as you’re all there.”
“Alright, see you tomorrow then, I guess?”
“Yeah.” she just answered me that before the call ended.
YOU ARE READING
The Obscure Secrets (Kim sisters, series #1)
Teen FictionLet's all find out what is the OBSCURE SECRET behind that wealthy and almost perfect family. In this cruel and toxic world, not all the people you would encounter are kind and have a good heart, but it doesn't also mean that all of them are bad. Yo...
