Mr. Billionaire

Kabanata 21

Relocate

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She heaved a deep breath and slowly walked out to the open. Ngunit noong makaharap niya na si Hugh Laurent ay gusto niya ulit magtago sa likod ng head butler. Ilang beses niya na itong nakita at hindi niya akalaing istrikto pala ang amo. Iba pala kapag kaharap mo na ito.

Parang may on cam at off cam personality lang.

But she saw how his stoic face filled with confusion when he saw her whole.

"What happened to you?" he asked. May pag-aalala siyang nakita sa mata ng amo.

Napayuko siya. "I-I'm sorry Si-Master, I'm the temporary replacement of Jenny. I'm F-Fatima, you can call me Patty." Sinulyapan niya ang amo matapos sabihin iyon.

Recognition crossed his face. "The Filipina! Are you a Filipina too?" he asked happily.

Tumango siya.

Tuluyan nang nawala ang masungit na mukha ng amo at napalitan ng masiyahing mukha. Pero kumunot ulit ang noo nito at binalingan ang head butler na tahimik lamang sa gilid.

"But, what happened to her, Valdis?"

The head butler cleared his throat. "She was bullied by her workmates, Master."

Hindi naman makapaniwala si Hugh sa narinig. Binalingan siya nito. "You're bullied here?"

Napatungo na lamang siya at pinaglaruan ang mga daliri. It felt like they were high school students and she was being called to the principal's office for her statement.

Bullying chooses no age. But in their case, it was a petty fight that is rooted from stupid rumors.

"Three girls made her slip on cooking oil," paliwanag ni Valdis.

"Cooking oil?" Hugh was appalled by the news. Nang makabawi ay muling nagseryoso ang mukha nito. "What are them, high schoolers?"

"The three will be suspended and transferred to the province, Master." Valdis added.

Tumango ang si Hugh. "Good. Perhaps our employees need re-briefing. Don't you think so, Valdis?"

"Yes, Master."

"I don't want anything like this happening again." Hugh ordered. Binalingan siya nito kaya kinabahan siya. Pero ngumiti ito sa kaniya. "Change first. We'll have to discuss something in my office."

"Y-yes M-Master," she stuttered and excused herself immediately. Tumalikod na siya at hindi na inintindi pa ang mga sinasabi pa ng matanda sa head butler.

Madali lamang siyang nagbihis ng isang malinis na uniform pagkatapos maligo. Nakalimutan niya pa nga na may heater kaya muntik siyang mapasigaw sa lamig.

Get yourself together, Patty!

Maraming naglalaro sa isip niya. Magulo at maraming katanungan. She can't help but overthink. Masisibak na ba ako? It all boiled down to this question. Ano naman kasi ang pag-uusapan nila ng amo?

Pinilig niya ang ulo at dumiretso na sa opisina ng amo. Tatlong katok ang ginawa niya bago narinig ang boses nito mula sa loob. Pagpasok sa loob, agad nito itinuro ang upuan sa tapat ng lamesa nito na nasa gitna ng kuwarto. Sa likod nito ay ang malaking bintana kung saan matatanaw buwan at mga bituin sa kalangitan.

She gulped and sat across Hugh Laurent. He took off his glasses and clasped his hands together.

"I'm sorry for the behaviour of your colleagues," he started. Fatima nodded. "To prevent this from happening again, I'm going to assign you to Jenny's original post."