Boulevard to Polaris (Virago Series #1)

each of their past

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CHAPTER SIX
each of their past
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When did I met Gazer again?

Ah, it was almost a few years ago ago where he was recommended by a close friend to be my driver or chaperone because I'm having a hard time organizing my schedule every now and then, and I'm also having difficulties in driving back and forth on my own.

I just flourished my company at that same time, kakasimula ko pa lang nu'n but I bloomed after a matter of years because of my own hardwork. 

Naitaguyod ko rin ang sarili at pamilya ko dahil sa kompanyang pinaghirapan at pinangarap ko and I gained a lot of influences because of that, too.

It was the peak of my adulthood when I met him as well. I was so close to turning thirty, two to three years and so on na lang, so I didn't really mind whatever it is that he has and just accepted my friend's offer kasi nangangailangan din naman daw ang lalaki.

I don't have any rules din naman. I just need a driver, a chaperone, a secretary, and someone who'll assist me throughout the day. I need someone na masipag atsaka malakas and Gazer was enough to meet my standards.

The first time I saw him, I really thought he's not eating and heavens, I doubted if he can serve me properly but nonetheless, I still accepted him because I don't want to waste my time interviewing big men whom I know will never serve me well unless they're paid.

Gazer was so thin back then, too, not that thin but slim rather. His glasses made him look even thinner. He looks like he can't even defend me or protect me but on top of all that, he's intelligent and courageous. Hindi ko rin inaasahan na kahit payat siya, malakas naman pala siya. He can carry tons and tons of things without breaking a sweat pero nagtataka pa rin ako bakit gano'n siya kapayat.

One day, I asked him about that. I was curious somehow kasi kahit payat siya, kahit halos walang laman mukha niya, hindi naman mapagkakailang he has the face. He's fine-looking kahit payat siya pero wala talaga 'ata siyang balak gawin kung hindi magtrabaho lang at pabayaan sarili niya.

"Gazer, you wanna eat with me outside?" I questioned, my eyes never left the documents I was checking while we're here inside my office.

Ramdam kong nakaupo lang siya sa sofa at nagmumuni-muni, wala rin naman siyang cellphone bukod sa Nokia na binili niya the first time that I gave him his wage. Sobrang saya niya pa nu'n kasi napadalhan niya na raw pamilya niya sa Siquijor. Malaki rin naman pasweldo ko sakanya kada buwan kaya kampante akong hindi talaga siya magr-reklamo.

"Hala, Ma'am. Nakakahiya naman po, baka magtaka ang mga tao bakit niyo ako kasama." Agaran niyang pagtanggi, nakuhanan ko pa ng tingin ang mabilis niyang pag-iling at pag-abante sa offer ko pero papayag ba ko ma-reject? Of course, no. I need him to eat with me, baka mamaya sabihin nila inooverwork ko siya rito at hindi pinapakain.

"You care a lot about what other people would say," I pointed out, contrasting what I just thought of seconds ago, "We're just going to eat for lunch. No buts."

"P-Pero Ma'am-."

"Vuerrero." I called out, darting him a gaze na nagsasabing pinal ang desisyon ko kaya agad siyang natahimik.

Wala rin naman siyang nagawa kasi dinala ko siya agad sa Stonegrill at gaya nga ng sinabi niya ay pinagtinginan talaga kami ng mga tao, napayuko pa siya dahil lang doon kaya mabilis na umangat ang kamay ko para patingalain siya.

"Huwag kang yuyuko sa hiya. Let them give you unwanted attention if they want to, hindi mo naman kawalan 'yun," I commanded, "I'll fire you if you lower your head."