Code Name:UNO

Simula

"He's back!!!!"

Whispers trail behind me. People watch me like I'm a story they're dying to read. Hindi na kailangang magpakilala dahil kilalang-kilala na. Hindi na kailangang magpapansin dahil pansinin naman talaga. At higit sa lahat, hindi na kailangang makiusap, dahil handang luhuran nila.

"Sheeettt! Lalong pumogi!"

There's always someone sneaking a photo, someone else daring to approach, hoping to leave with a name or a number.

"Hoy, tabi! Baka maamoy ka niya at masira ang mood bigla."

I never have to speak first. I walk into the hallway and it parts for me.

"Hi Damien."

I don't pause. I don't acknowledge. I never do.

Not because I'm arrogant, but because I don't have to.

Damien Luca Ettore De Laurentiis.
The name you don't mispronounce unless you're trying to make a point... or a mistake. Sino bang makakamaling banggain ako? Marinig mo pa lang ang apelyido ko, kakabahan ka na. A heir to a legacy I didn't ask for, but perfected anyway.

Papasok sa aming building ay ngumingiti lahat ng nakakasalubong ko. But no one ever caught my attention. Tsk. Sana man lang ay may mapakinabangan ako dito.

"Back to reclaim your throne, De Laurentiis," he grins.

"I never left it," I reply. He moved closer to me. "Excuse me, who are you?"

"Aba! Gago 'to ah!" singhal niya.

Sinuklian ko ng malakas na tawa ang aking malapit na kaibigan."Joke lang."

"Pati ba naman ako, idadamay mo pa sa drama mo?" Inakbayan niya ako at bumulong, "Magkano bayad mo sa mga kinuha mong fans?" pang-aasar niya.

Sinuntok ko siya ng pabiro. "Kapal ng mukha mo! Hindi ko binayaran ang mga 'yan. Kusa 'yan, pare! Ganyan ako kagwapo."

Umismid si Fio."Tara na nga! Nauumay na ako sa'yo," nauna siyang lumakad, animo'y diring-diri na. Natawa ulit ako.

"Magkasama na naman ang bubuo ng araw natin."

"Pogi niyo, Damien at Fio!"

I walk past them all and head to the elevator. Fio's always been oblivious to everyone who admires him. Ako lang naman kasi ang medyo kina-career ang pagiging pogi. Hehe.

While waiting, I scanned the area and noticed a presence.

Unfamiliar. Quiet. Unmoved. Watching.

Saktong pagbukas ng elevator, nakita ko siya.

"Tara na."

Imbes na pansinin ang kaibigan, mas pinili kong titigan ang babae.

Leaning casually by the hallway pillar like she's been there for hours.Tall. Hair tied back in a low, neat braid. Black boots. Black sleeveless fitted top paired with black low-waisted fitted jeans. Curves in the right places. M-maganda. Maputi. Parang modelo. Napakurap-kurap ako.

She doesn't even flinch when our eyes meet.Not starstruck. Not impressed.

Just... calculating.

Like she already knew who I was and didn't care. Like, what the hell? Now that was new.

"Kilala mo ba 'yan?" tanong ni Fio.

Umiling ako at lumapit doon sa babae. Paano 'to nakapasok dito?

"You're not from here," I said.

She tilted her head slightly. Calm. Not flinching. Really, huh?

"Obviously." Her voice was smooth, direct. Nanindigan ang balahibo ko.
"Ikaw ba ang batang De Laurentiis?"

I raised a brow."That depends. Who's asking?"

She smirked-and again, I was left dumbfounded.

"Uno," she said. No last name. Pero ba't ang astig pakinggan? "I'm assigned to you."

I stared at her, confused. "Assigned? By who?"

She sighed, naiinip na. "Ako ang bodyguard mo," she said, like it was no big deal.

I laughed.

Anong pinagasasabi nito----

"Wait, what?"

She took a step closer, still composed.
"Don't worry, I'm discreet."

She turned to leave, then looked back.

"Don't do anything stupid. Hindi ako fan ng mga pasaway."

Then she walked off.

Silent. Steady. Unbothered.

Leaving me standing there.

For the first time in years...

At a loss.