Love Me or Hate Me

EPISODE 08

“You are at least six weeks pregnant.”
 
Nagkatitigan na lang sina Asa at Javi matapos nilang marinig ang sinabi ng doktor.
 
“Are you expecting this?” tanong pa ng doktor matapos nitong makita ang reaksyon nilang dalawa.
 
Asa nodded right away. “Yes, doc.”
 
“Well, I am advising you to avoid strenuous physical activities. Please be careful with your body from now on. Rest as much as you can. Maganda rin kung paplanuhin mo na ang magiging diet mo for the following months. I’ll give you a guide. You should also expect frequent morning sickness in the first few months of your pregnancy. You are a dominant omega, so your pregnancy shouldn’t be that different from female omegas and betas,” the doctor added.
 
Ilang araw matapos ang nangyaring pagsusuka ni Asa ay sinamahan siya ni Javi para magpatingin sa doktor. Kagaya ng inasahan nila, buntis na nga ang tao. Strange it may seem, but Javi doesn’t exactly know what to feel about the news. Of course, the excitement and anticipation is there, but for the most part, he’s absolutely clueless about how to react.
 
“Well, looks like we don’t have to do it again,” sabi ni Asa nang makabalik na sila sa kotse nito. He’s the one driving dahil day-off ngayon ng buong crew niya. Mag-isa nga lang sanang pupunta ngayon si Asa kung hindi lang nagpumilit na sumama si Javi.
 
“Yeah,” replied Javi.
 
Asa smirked at him. “Why do you look disappointed?”
 
Javi looked at Asa indignantly. “No, I don’t!”
 
“Really?”
 
“Really!”
 
“Well,” Asa said as he started the car, “at least we already have the confirmation that we’ve all been waiting for. I can finally get the f**k out of that s**thole of a network. I can’t wait to tell my manager about this.”
 
Javi stared at Asa for several moments. “Actually, I have something to tell you. . .”
 
The latter stared at the former. “Yes?”
 
“I want to look after you while you’re pregnant,” replied Javi, looking at Asa right in the eyes.
 
Asa immediately raised an eyebrow before looking away. “Why?”
 
“Well, anak ko pa rin naman ‘yang dinadala mo. I also want the baby to receive the best care possible. Also, this is my way of paying you back for the money that you gave me. I will never feel right about accepting that huge amount of money from you. By looking after you, I will at least feel that I’m doing something in exchange for the help that you gave us,” explained Javi.
 
“Bakit? Palagay mo ba hindi ko maaalagaan nang maayos ang bata?” tanong ni Asa.
 
“I didn’t say anything like that. Madalas kang mapag-isa sa bahay mo, ‘di ba? You can’t possibly live all on your own, especially now that you’re pregnant. It’s unsafe for you. Umuuwi rin si Harold kapag hapon na. Kailangan na may magbabantay sa ‘yo most of the time,” sagot ni Javi.
 
Asa stared right in front of him. “What are you planning to do?” he asked.
 
“After my work, sa condo mo naman ako tutuloy. Kapag umuwi na si Harold, ako naman ang papalit para mag-alaga sa ‘yo. May magbabantay naman kay mama sa bahay, tapos makauuwi naman ako kapag tulog ka na. I can cook, clean the dishes, do the laundry, clean your condo. . . I can do everything! Sanay ako sa mga gawaing-bahay,” sabi ni Javi.
 
Asa finally looked at him. “Don’t expect any payment from me, though.”
 
“You already paid me. Besides, this is for the baby,” Javi said.
 
Letting out a sigh, Asa straightened himself before nodding. “Fine. Kung ‘yan ang gusto mo. I could really use extra help in the condo, too. Ayoko lang na makarinig ng kahit anong reklamo mula sa ‘yo in the future. Ginusto mo ‘yan kaya ‘wag na ‘wag kang magrereklamo kapag marami akong pinapagawa sa ‘yo.”
 
Javi smiled at him widely. “I won’t.”
 
Asa slammed his hand on Javi’s face. “Stop smiling at me. No amount of smiling can change your ugly face.”

● ● ●

“Congratulations, I guess.”
 
‘Yun na lang ang nasabi ni Amanda the next day matapos maibalita sa kanya ni Asa ang nangyaring pagbisita nila ni Javi sa doktor kahapon. Nandito ngayon si Amanda para sa regular spa sessions ni Asa. Nakahilata ngayon ang huli sa couch habang minamasahe ni Lino.
 
Like what we’ve said before, Asa’s crew is versatile. Amanda owns several spas and salons, that’s why apart from being Asa’s stylist, marunong din ito ng kung ano-anong techniques para mapanatili ang porselanang balat at magandang mukha ni Asa. Lino, on the other hand, studied physical therapy. Fitness trainer nga rin siya ni Asa. Naging bodyguard at driver na lang siya nito eventually dahil sa madalas nitong pagsama sa kanya. He also owns several gyms. May investments din si Asa sa parehong mga negosyo nina Amanda at Lino.
 
Asa is a celebrity, kaya given nang mataas ang maintenance sa kanya. Despite being an omega with exceptional genes, he still makes sure that he gets the best care possible to maintain his inhumanely pretty looks.
 
“Kumusta naman ang reaksyon ni Javi? Pakakawalan mo na ba talaga siya ngayong confirmed mo nang buntis ka?” tanong pa ni Amanda.
 
“The little brat told me that he wants to look after me while I’m pregnant. Kabayaran na rin daw niya para sa perang ibinigay ko sa kanya,” sagot ni Asa.
 
Amanda smirked. “Does that mean makikita pa namin si Mr. Cutie in the future?” she asked.
 
“Ano ba sa palagay mo?”
 
“Speaking of your pregnancy, I think you’ve gotten even prettier lately,” Asa’s stylist said, combing his hair with her hands. “Your skin’s gotten smoother, your hair’s noticeably softer. Looks like you’ve taken in some great genes from that alpha cutie. Iba rin talaga kapag may dilig, ano? You should ask Javi to do you more often!”
 
“Shut up.”
 
“Nasabi mo na ba kay Wesley na buntis ka?” tanong naman ni Lino.
 
Asa smirked. “Not yet. In fact, papunta pa lang siya rito para ipaalala sa ‘kin ang gagawin kong album. Speaking of which, Harold, where is he? That bastard’s late,” sigaw niya.
 
“He should arrive any time soon, sir. Papunta na raw siya kanina,” sagot naman ni Harold na kasalukuyang naglilinis ng isang kwarto.
 
“So the real war hasn’t started yet,” Amanda said.
 
“Pretty much. Well, what’s important is that I can finally get out of that network. Ihinahanda na rin ni Tom ang mga papeles na kakailanganin ko para sa pagkalas ko. They should be ready before this month ends,” said Asa.
 
“I can only imagine the reaction of everyone once the news comes out,” Amanda said with a smirk. “Baka mamatay na lang sa gulat ang executives ng network, especially that bastard. Malamang susugod ‘yun dito.”
 
“I actually asked Harold to start spreading rumors,” Asa said. “You know, we need a proper buildup before we drop the bomb. Inaalala ko rin ang magiging reaksyon ng demonyong tinutukoy mo, and that’s why I’m going to remind you again to keep Javi’s identity a secret. Baka kung ano ang gawin niya kay Javi.”
 
The door suddenly flew open, revealing a short, middle-aged man with receding hair and stubbled chin. His thick and round eyeglasses seemed to emphasize his round face even more. Agad naman itong pumasok sa loob ng condo.
 
“It’s good to see that you’re relaxing,” Wesley said as he sat on the sofa. “Maganda rin na refreshed ka just in time for your next project.”
 
Asa raised himself from the couch as Amanda and Lino stepped back. Tightening his bath robe around his body, he said, “But of course. I deserve to have a relaxing, stress-free break every now and then. I’ve been working my butt off these past few months after all.”
 
“You wouldn’t believe what I just read while I was on my way here,” Asa’s manager said while chuckling. “May kumakalat na balitang buntis ka raw. People nowadays. Nawala ka lang nang halos dalawang buwan, kung ano-ano na ang iniisip ng mga tao.”
 
“Really?” Asa replied before sipping some juice. Behind him, Amanda cleared her throat loudly.
 
“Well, alam mo naman na ang rason kung bakit nandito ako ngayon. I’ve given you enough time to rest and relax. Sinisingil na ako ng mga nasa taas. They want you to start working on your next album,” Wesley declared.
 
Asa just smirked meaningfully as he took another sip of his juice.
 
“May mga tinitingnan na akong writers na pwedeng makatulong sa ‘yo sa pagsusulat ng mga kanta. I just need your opinion and preference kung sino sa kanila ang gusto mong makatrabaho. Mayroon na rin akong listahan ng artists na pwede mong makasama sa mga kanta mo. The network also wants you to work with this recent winner of a singing competition. You know, you’ll mutually make each other even more famous. He’s also an alpha, so he could be a good match—"
 
Finally putting down his glass of juice, Asa said, “I think I’d like to extend my vacation. . . indefinitely.”
 
Wesley stared at him blankly. “What?”
 
Inilahad ni Asa ang kamay niya. Lumapit naman sa kanya si Harold na kasama na sina Amanda at Lino. Asa’s assistant handed over some papers to him, which he then gave to Wesley.
 
“What the hell are these?” his manager asked while reading the papers.
 
“I’m pregnant.”
 
It took his manager one full minute to understand what he just said.
 
“What?” Wesley asked when he finally recovered from the shock, his eyebrows furrowing.
 
“As you can see from those papers, I am at least six weeks pregnant. Kinausap ko rin si Attorney Sanchez para patingnan sa kanya ang kontrata ko. It says there na kung sakaling mabuntis ako, I have the sole authority to terminate the contract. As I speak, inaasikaso na ng lawyers ko ang papers na kailangan para sa pagkalas ko sa network. I want you to inform your bosses that I am leaving the network for good,” Asa said.
 
Wesley’s expression of disbelief deepened even further. “You can’t possibly do this!”
 
Asa just smiled triumphantly. “Actually, I can, so you can kiss your album goodbye,” he said.
 
“Did you plan this all along? Who’s the father? You’ve been single for over a year now,” asked Wesley.
 
“None of your business.”
 
His manager smirked. “Did you just ask some random alpha in the streets to impregnate you? What are you, a dog?”
 
“Okay, this bastard is getting it!” Lino exclaimed before approaching Wesley and wrapping his arm around his neck. “Saan mo ba gustong mapulot ang ulo mo bukas?” dagdag pa nito.
 
Lumapit din sa kanila si Amanda at tinutukan si Wesley ng isang tweezer sa leeg. “Do you want me to tweezer my way into your windpipe?” she said.
 
The smug look on Asa’s face didn’t even falter one bit. “You think I’m a kid na iiyak na agad dahil sa sinabi mo? You can insult me all you want, but you can never change the fact that I finally found a way to get out of your trap. I just won, sweetie. I get to laugh last,” he said, raising his glass of juice in Wesley’s direction.
 
“What do you want? I can double your pay! I can extend your break! Alam kong alam mo na hindi sila papayag na basta-basta ka na lang na makawala sa network, especially him. You will lose all your endorsements. Kung pakawalan ka man nila, alam mong hinding-hindi ka na makababalik pa,” Wesley said.
 
Asa leaned forward. Pointing a finger at his face, he said, “Look at me. Look at this pristine, inhumanely pretty face. Does it look like it gives even a single godd**n f**k about what your bosses may think? Does it look like it cares about your opinion at all?”
 
“You can have whatever you want, but please don’t leave the network,” his manager replied. “They can give you more money. You can have more projects! You hate Reinan, right? We can get rid of that omega! You know that the network will always choose you over him. Just tell me anything you want!”
 
Asa stood up before looking down on Wesley. “Who’s the pathetic-looking one now? Kung hindi mo ako ininsulto kanina, baka isinama pa kita sa pag-alis ko ng network. Let go of him. You’ll just contaminate yourselves,” he said to Amanda and Lino.
 
“Ilang taon akong nakiusap sa inyo na respetuhin ang panahon ko para sa sarili ko,” sabi ni Asa bago siya tumanaw sa kalayuan. “I practically begged you to give me some break during those times when I can barely sleep for a few hours because of my seemingly endless projects. Nang tumanggi akong mag-renew, you pressured and threatened me. Ano ba sa palagay mo ang mararamdaman ko?”
 
“This is not a decision that I made on a whim. Ilang taon akong nagtiis. Ilang taon akong pikit-matang nagpaabuso sa inyo. I’ve had enough. Ngayon naman na aalis na ako, saka niyo ibibigay sa ‘kin ang gusto ko. Do you even realize how insulting is that? You said earlier na gagawin mo ang lahat ng gusto ko. Well, here’s what I want: tell your bosses that I’m leaving the network. Kung hindi sila papayag, then magkikita tayo sa korte. Now, leave. Ayoko nang makita pa ang pagmumukha mo kahit kailan,” Asa told Wesley in a low, gravelly voice.
 
With that, Wesley stood up and left without a word. Agad namang lumapit ang tatlo kay Asa na kasalukuyang hinihimas ang sintido niya.
 
“You made the right choice,” Amanda said, smiling at him lightly as she tapped his shoulder.
 
Asa let out a sigh. “I know.”

● ● ●

“Sir, delivery po.”
 
Napatitig na lang si Javi sa delivery guy na nasa labas ng restaurant. May dala kasi itong pagkalaki-laking kahon. Hapon na at papatapos na ang shift niya.
 
“Uh. . . Wala naman po kaming deliveries na ine-expect ngayon,” sabi niya habang nagkakamot sa ulo.
 
“Ay, actually, para po ‘to kay Jarvey Nevarez,” sabi ng lalaki habang nakatingin sa delivery slip.
 
“Sa ‘kin?” gulat na tanong ni Javi sabay turo sa sarili niya.
 
“Opo. Kayo po ba si Jarvey? Pirma na lang po kayo rito, sir,” sabi ng delivery guy sabay abot sa kanya ng slip. Pinirmahan na lang ni Javi ang papel para wala nang gulo.
 
What the heck is this? tanong ni Javi habang dala-dala ang mabigat na box papunta sa changing room nila. Naabutan niya roon si Lemuel na nagpapalit na rin.
 
“What’s that?” he asked.
 
“Not sure. Para sa ‘kin daw,” sagot ni Javi.
 
“Open it, then!” his friend said.
 
“Mas excited ka pa talaga kaysa sa ‘kin, ano?” sabi ni Javi sabay punit sa tape na nakaselyo sa kahon.
 
Pareho na lang silang napanganga nang mabuksan na ni Javi ang kahon.
 
Sinalubong lang naman kasi sila ng ilang kahon ng designer shoes, mga jacket na sa mga fashion show lang nakikita ni Javi, mga damit, at pati na rin mga pantalon. Judging from their brand, mukhang mas mahal pa kay Javi ang laman ng kahon na nasa harap niya.
 
“Look at these,” sabi ni Lemuel sabay bukas sa isang kahon ng sapatos. “They’re limited edition! Did you buy these? They’re expensive as hell!”
 
Javi stared at his friend flatly. “Do I look like I have the money to buy all these?”
 
“May kamag-anak ka abroad? This is an international brand! Ni hindi ako naglalakas-loob na pumasok sa shop nila rito,” sabi ni Lemuel.
 
Agad namang lumabas si Javi dahil iisang tao lang ang alam niyang may kakayahan na magpadala nito sa kanya. Fortunately, agad namang sumagot ang taong tinawagan niya.
 
“What the hell are those?!”
 
“Oh, did you receive them? Harold was cleaning one of the rooms yesterday and saw those. They were given to me by an international brand that I endorse. Unfortunately, they were too big for me. They’ve been sitting in the closet for almost a year now, though,” said Asa.
 
“I don’t need them. I’ll bring them back to you. Papunta na rin ako diyan,” sagot ni Javi.
 
“If you don’t want them, sell them. If you don’t want to sell them, give them away. I’m preparing a room for the baby, that’s why I need to free up some space here in the condo. Stop being so hardheaded and just accept those, okay? I’ll see you later,” Asa replied before ending the call.
 
Seriously. . . This guy. . .
 
After ignoring Lemuel’s questions, Javi headed straight to the condo of Asa. Sumakay pa siya ng taxi dahil magmumukha lang siyang tanga kung bubuhatin niya ang pagkalaki-laking kahon na ipinadala sa kanya.
 
“Here. Take them back. You sell them. I can’t possibly wear these,” Javi declared as soon as he entered Asa’s condo.
 
“Are you really expecting me to sell those? What am I, poor?” Asa replied, taking his eyes off his phone for a moment to look at Javi scornfully.
 
This rich kid is seriously irritating me.
 
“Look, people will ask questions about these. Kanina halos pagkaguluhan na ako sa restaurant. Mas lalong hindi ko ‘to pwedeng i-uwi sa bahay. Good thing hindi mo alam ang home address ko. I don’t know how I would explain this to my mother kung sila ang nakatanggap nito,” sabi ni Javi.
 
“Leave them here. Dalhin mo sila paunti-unti sa bahay niyo. Give some of them to your friends. Hindi ko na nga ‘yan tatanggapin dahil hindi ko naman ‘yan kailangan. Kapag ako nainis, susunugin ko na lang ‘yan. Magsasayang ka ng damit o tatanggapin mo na lang ang ibinigay ko sa ‘yo? Choose,” sagot ni Asa.
 
Javi finally surrendered. “Fine. You win.”
 
“’Yun naman pala. Good,” Asa said. “Hindi ko naman akalain na pati sa pananamit may problema ka. As if naman ang dami niyan.”
 
“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who carried this heavy box all the way here,” Javi grumbled as he carried the box to a corner.
 
“You saying something?” Asa snapped at him.
 
Javi smiled widely. “Nothing. I was just thinking about what to cook for dinner. May iniwan na ba si Harold na lulutuin? It’s almost six in the evening already,” he said, heading straight to the kitchen.
 
“Palagay mo ba papagurin ko pa si Harold ngayong may kapalit naman siya? I sent him home at four this afternoon. First day mo ngayon, ‘di ba? Impress me para hindi kita ipakaladkad palabas ng condo ko,” sabi naman sa kanya ni Asa.
 
Javi frowned at him. “Are you challenging me?”
 
“I didn’t say anything about challenging you. It’s just that it’s a given that you should leave a good impression during your first day at work. Just because I agreed to accept your help doesn’t mean that I won’t send you away even if you screw up,” replied Asa, his lips curving into a sly grin.
 
This guy is really testing me.
 
Javi stretched his arms and cracked his knuckles before tying an apron around himself.
 
“Well, then. Prepare to be impressed!”