SHAWN AXCEL'S POV
"Anong mukha 'yan, dude? Para ka namang namatayan sa itsura mo."
Who wouldn't be?! I was just rejected by the girl I like. I'm fucking rejected for the second time. First was Katria but it's okay with me because I know what she feels for my brother back then and their feelings are mutual. Ni hindi naman ako nakaramdam nang kahit ano no'ng ni-reject ako ni Katria kase siguro may dahilan siya kung bakit.
And there's no hard feelings because what I felt for her was just admiration.
Pero si Zeriel parang ayaw lubayan ang isip ko. Even in our quizzes, she's always on my mind. And whenever we encounter, seems like my heart wants to leave my rib cage. Para na akong nababaliw sa ganito.
"Ikaw kaya ang ma-reject nang harap-harapan. Baka nga mas mabaliw ka pa kaysa sa'kin."
Nailuwa ni Akken ang sandwich na kakasubo niya pa lang dahil sa sinabi ko."Seryoso, Kuya? You always say shocking news. Magdahan dahan ka nga."
"Gago! Umamin ka na? Buti naman at na-reject ka." Cohen laughed out loud like there's no tomorrow.
Tingnan mo 'to. Kung makatawa para namang hindi kami magkapatid.
"Stop it, dude. Kanina pa ako naiinis dito. Akalain niyo 'yon, sinubukan kong 'wag kabahan at mautal habang sinasabi ko 'yon tapos ire-reject niya ako nang gano'n lang? She's so calm as if she's answering one plus one."
"Maybe that's karma that Ate Katria told you. Walang kahirap hirap ka niyang ni-reject kase ayaw niya sa'yo. She doesn't like you and she doesn't do relationships. Simple as that. Hanap ka na lang nang iba, Kuya. You're a Cassanova, right?" Raizer suggested like he's suggesting a theme for a birthday party.
"Bakit sinasabi niyo 'yan na para bang ang dali lang? I'm even confused on what to do." I messed up my hair in irritation.
"Why? Is it hard to the well-known Cassanova to find another victim? 'Wag mong sabihing nahulog ka na sa kanya?" Katria appeared beside me while holding a bowl of popcorn.
"What?! Of course not! Hindi ko naman siya biktima at mas lalong hindi ako nahuhulog sa kanya," pagtanggi ko pa.
Hindi ko alam kung saang parte ba do'n ang tinanggi ko. Talaga namang hindi ko siya biktima dahil ayoko siyang paglaruan. At saka isa pa, hindi ako mahuhulog sa kahit sino. Not even Zeriel.
"Everything happens first in denying. And then seconded by revoking because you're already falling."
Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Kuya Daron nang bigla siyang sumingit sa usapan. He even grabbed Katria gently to get her away from me. Seloso niya talaga kahit kailan.
"Ah, basta. Gusto ko siya at hanggang do'n lang 'yon. I swear that I will never ever fall in love with someone," matigas kong sagot sa kanila.
They shrugged their shoulders and continued what they're doing. Tatayo na sana ako nang biglang mag-ring ang phone ko na nasa mesa malapit kay Katria. I wasn't about to answer it because it's an unregistered number but Kat already did. At ni-loudspeaker niya pa talaga.
Anak ng tilapia!
[You fucker! Why did you answer those interviews, huh?! Nag-iisip ka ba? Ni hindi mo nga ako sinabihang gago ka!]
My eyes widened in shock after hearing that voice. No! Napapadalas lang siguro ako kakaisip ko sa kanya kaya pati ang tumatawag ay ka-boses niya. Why would she call me if she didn't even know my number in the first place?
"Oh, si Zeriel pala 'yan eh. Sagutin mo na." She gestured me to get my phone.
"Uh... Hello? Napili---"
[Let's meet up. Starbucks, 6 pm. Don't you dare not to go if you don't want me to drag you from your house]
Napaawang ang bibig ko at tiningnan ang phone ko. S-She ended the call?! 'Yon lang?! Ni hindi man lang ako pinagsalita.
"See that? Hindi man lang ako pinag-construct ng sentence tapos pinatayan agad ako. Ang bastos niya talaga!" I hissed as I keep on looking at my phone, hoping for her to call me back.
No! Bakit ko naman gugustuhing tawagan niya ulit ako? To yell at me again?! No fucking way.
"Ano pang tinu-tunganga mo d'yan? Wear a formal attire and make yourself better in front of the girl who rejected you earlier," Cohen teased me and laughed again.
Inirapan ko lang siya at ibinulsa ang phone ko."Wag na lang. Baka iwan niya naman ako kaagad at hindi pagsalitain. I'm just wasting my time and efforts for nothing."
Akala ko hindi talaga ako aalis pero kabaliktaran ang nangyari. They even laughed at me when I'm having a hard time choosing what to wear. But then I just ended up wearing a simple short pants and a V-neck lime shirt.
"Enjoy your hell date, Kuya. Wishing you the best luck!" Raizer and Akken both shouted when I drove my Dukati.
I arrived at the Starbucks and parked my motorcycle outside. I'm wearing a face mask and an eyeglasses because she texted me to wear this to avoid the paparazzi. Madali ko siyang nahanap dahil pareho kami ng suot na face mask at eyeglasses. No one noticed us because we're undistinguishable.
"Sorry ngayon lang. Kanina ka pa?"
Fuck! Why do I have to say that? Isang minuto lang naman ang lagpas ko sa pinag-usapan namin.
"Didiretsuhin na kita, Shael. Why did you said to the media that we're fucking friends?! Alam mo bang ginigisa na ako ng lahat dahil do'n sa sinabi mo? Some of my fans and bashers were calling me a liar because I told them that I don't mingle with guys." She looks so stressed like it was a very big problem for her.
Kumunot naman ang noo ko."Bakit naman 'yon lang ang pino-problema mo? 'Di ba may isa ka pang issue tungkol sa half-sister mo? Why don't you handle that and I'll handle our issue. Para namang wala akong alam."
"Galit ka ba, ha? Pinagtataasan mo ba ako ng boses?" Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay at nakita ko 'yon kahit naka-eyeglass siya.
I immediately looked away because of this different feeling inside my chest."H-Hindi naman. Suggest lang eh. Just let me handle that and the rest is yours. Pwede rin namang magpa-interview tayong dalawa para mabawasan ang mga tsismis na sinungaling ka."
"And do you think facing them is the solution? Mas lalo lang lalala ang sitwasyon at hindi sila mauubusan ng tanong."
"What are we going to do? Magtatago tayo para hindi nila tayo mahahanap gano'n ba? I thought you're brave and doesn't know the word backout."
Umirap naman siya."Hindi lang naman kase 'yan ang problema ko para sabihin ko sa'yo. I have a lot of problems that couldn't be fixed and very impossible to be answered. Gustong gusto kong takasan pero hindi ko magawa dahil mas lalo lang lumalala."
"You can't run away from that, Zeriel. Whatever you do, problems will always chase you. All you have to do is to gain your strength and face them. You hate asking for someone's help because you think it's better to be resolved on your own so be it. Pero kahit naman anong gawin mo may tutulong pa rin sa'yo."
"Sino naman?"
"Ako, syempre. Mag-usap na lang tayo ulit kapag may gusto kang sabihin ko 'di kaya'y tawagan mo na lang ako dahil naka-save naman ang number mo sa phone ko. Just settle your problem first before fixing the other one. See yah!" I waved my hand in the air while walking away.
Hindi ako makapaniwalang umalis ako at iniwan siya do'n. Galit kaya siya? Well, there's no reason for her to be angry with. Tutulungan ko naman siya eh. Though, I didn't promise because I might break it but at least I tried.
"Mom? You there? I just wanna ask something." Inayos ko ang earpiece ko habang nagda-drive.
[Yes, son. What do you want? Minsan ka lang tumawag sa'kin. Busy ka ba?]
"Hmm. Maraming kailangan gawin, Mom eh. By the way, can I handle the company for now since you haven't arrived from Greece?"
[It's okay. But what made you decide that? Alam ba 'to ni Daron?]
Ipinark ko ang kotse sa harap ng building ng kompanya namin."Not yet but I'll tell him later. I just really need to do something. You know, fixing problems."
[Be sure to take care of it, Shael. I will scold you if ever we're going to have a problem with our company]
"Sure, Mom. Bye."
I removed my face mask so that the guard could recognize me. When I finally get inside, staffs greeted me with their wide smile and so am I. Kahit na medyo wala ako sa mood dahil wala naman akong rason para ngumiti. Even though I only have a little problem, I don't know why I suddenly think of her and the problems that she have.
Gano'n ba talaga kalala ang problema niya?
"Hi, Olivia. Mago-over time ka ba ngayon?" I asked our secretary.
Tumango naman kaagad siya."Yes, sir. But these staffs and all the co-members will be out this 8 pm for their leave. Papalit naman sa kanila ang mga night shift. Why do you ask, sir?"
"Nothing. Gusto ko lang malaman kung may papasok ba dahil may ipapa-trabaho akong mas importante pa. And I want y'all to do this first before doing your assigned works. Is it clear?" I used my identity card to open our office and let it open so anyone could enter if they have something to tell me.
"Yes, sir. Kapag pumalit na ang mga night shift, sasabihin ko agad sa kanila. Ano pa pong kailangan niyo, sir?"
I played the ballpen while turning around with the swivel chair."Give me the list of the companies that we shared investments. Ibigay mo rin sa'kin 'yong folder na naglalaman ng contacts sa clients natin na gustong makipag-cooperate sa'tin dahil may ipapagawa ako sa kanila at saka ko tatanggapin ang alok nila. Pakisama na rin 'yong contact sa biggest company in Brazil na tinulungan ni Zeriel i-endorse ang product nila."
"Ngayon din, sir."
Binuksan ko ang phone ko at hinanap ang number ni Zeriel na nasa pinaka-unahan ng calls ko. I named her, Ms. Maldita like what I usually calls her. I smirked as I think of her reaction if she knew that those issues she have will be gone tomorrow. 'Yon nga lang, mukhang hindi ako makakatulog ngayon dahil dito sa gagawin ko.
Kung hindi ko lang talaga siya gusto asa namang gagawin ko 'to.
Nauna na akong kumain para tuloy-tuloy na ang trabaho ko. Pagkatapos kong kumain ay sakto namang dumating si Olivia dala ang mga folders na pinakuha ko sa kanya. I gestured her to get the paper bag that has foods inside it. Kailangan ko pa siya mamaya kaya mas mabuting makakain muna siya.
"Ako na munang bahala rito. Eat first so that you can work properly later."
"Yes. Thank you, sir."
I went back to the table and opened the first folder. Our company is the biggest department in the Asia and it has a branch that was controlled by our father. Siya ang nagpapatakbo nito sa Florence kaya minsan lang siya umuuwi rito sa Pilipinas. This companies have different uses that's why Mom chose them to invest our company.
May kompanya na producer ng wines, cars, furnitures, high-tech mobiles, perfumes, hospitals and so on. I dialed the number of the most trusted company for being the best in hacking devices. Ngayon ko sila gagamitin dahil kailangan ko ang tulong nila. We helped every one of them so it's payback time.
"Hello. This is Shawn Axcel Helveryst from the Helveryst Company. May I speak to your manager?"
[This is from Montpelier Corporation, known for hacking devices. It's my pleasure to help your company, Mr. Helveryst. What do want me to do?]
"I want you to find the source of the issues about Zekiah Xyriel Knoxville. Hack the accounts that posted the videos and delete it. Linisin mo na rin pati ang nagpakalat ng mga rumors at dapat walang matira. I'm telling you, all of her issues should be deleted and banned. Can you do it, Mr. Montpelier?"
[Of course. Right away, Mr. Helveryst. Wait for the outcome and it'll be gone later]
"Good. Thank you for your cooperation."
I dialed the number of the Media's Institution Company. This is the closest company of ours and they're the one that reports and endorses our good dispensations. Sila rin ang dahilan kung bakit parami na nang parami ang lumalapit sa kompanya namin para mag-invest.
"Good evening. This is Shawn Axcel Helveryst from Helveryst Company. May I speak to your manager?"
[Good evening, sir. This is Media's Institution Company, ready for your service. How may I help you, sir?]
"I bet you already heard the news about the most popular model, Zekiah Xyriel Knoxville. Gusto kong ipatanggal niyo ang reporters at medias na nagpakalat ng masamang balita tungkol sa kanya kahit pa nasa ibang kompanya sila. I also want to know who's the person that posted the video."
[We found out that there are 10 students from UE who posted the videos. Five of them are sophomores and they took a video of Zeriel and her so-called-half-sister. While the other five were freshmens and secretly took the video of you and Zeriel in the garden]
"How did they know it? I mean---paanong nakunan nila ang nga pangyayaring 'yon. Seems like they already know that it would happen?! Kindly send me the email of the names so that I could report them to our school tomorrow."
[Yes, sir. Napag-alaman ko ring sila pala ang palaging kumukuha ng video ni Zeriel para masiraan siya sa lahat. They were a big fan of Sophie Retanlador, the closest rival of Zeriel. Ginagamit niya ang mga estudyante niyo para masira ang reputasyon na pinaghirapan ni Zeriel. Kaya siguro alam ni Sophie ang bawat galaw niya at hindi siya nahihila pababa]
"Well, let's pull her down then. Sabihan mo ang mga medias mo d'yan sa kompanya mo at gumawa kayo ng report na patunay sa ginagawa ni Sophie. I'll ask someone to blackmail those 10 students so that they'll agree to answer your interviews. Alam kung papayag sila kundi tanggal sila sa University namin. And as for Sophie, she'll be in the spotlight tomorrow and I'm sure that she can't do anything about it. Basta ayusin niyo lang ang pinapagawa ko sa inyo para sisimulan niyo na bukas. Padagsain mo ang lahat ng reporters at medias sa bahay niya at sa entertainment nila."
[We'll do it, sir]
"Okay, thank you. Have a great night."
I dialed one of our the company that wanted to work with us. Pero syempre, may kapalit din 'yon. Everything has an exchange especially when it comes to work.
"Sorry for disturbing. Is this Clemson Agency, known for the best in hiding profiles, facts, and any other informations? This is Shawn Axcel Helveryst from Helveryst Company and I want you to do something for me. You can invest in our company in exchange."
[Good evening, sir. I'm the manager of this agency and I'm glad to have your support. What do you want me to do, sir?]
"You might be aware of the spreading issues about the model, Zeriel, her half-sister, and me. Ang gusto kong gawin ng agency mo ay itago ang issue ng family background niya at kahit hayaan mo lang ang sa amin dahil ako na ang bahala ro'n. Don't let any other departments know about that and be sure that no one could report any single detail of it. Understand?"
[Of course, sir. No problem]
"Thank you. I'll expect your cooperation in our company by tomorrow. Bye."
Biglang bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa no'n si Olivia na walang kahit anong dala. When I glanced at the wall clock, it's already 8 pm and maybe she's here to call me.
"Sir, the night shifts are here. I already told them that you want to talk to them. They're waiting for you in the computer area."
I just nodded in response and gestured her to go first. After fixing myself, I stood up from the swivel chair and walked on the way to their respective area. Nang makita ko sila sa hindi kalayuan ay nagsitayuan kaagad sila para bumati sa'kin. I gave them a small smile and asked them to sit again.
"Good evening, everyone. The reason why I want you to set aside your work is because I have another job for you to do. This is just for this night and it's simple. I bet all of you knew Zekiah Xyriel Knoxville, the most popular model who's being tortured because of her issue. Ang gagawin niyo lang ay ang magpanggap na fans niya at gumamit kayo ng iba't ibang pangalan, pwede ring real name niyo. Magpakalat kayo sa lahat ng SocMed accounts na hindi totoo ang pinapakalat na videos at reports tungkol sa kanya. And I also want you to target Sophie Retanlador, the rival of Zeriel. Magpakalat kayo nang kahit anong issue tungkol sa kanya at dapat lahat ng 'yon totoo. You can ask for our investigator about her background so that we're sure when we backfired her."
Nagkatinginan silang lahat at kapwa nagsitanguan na para bang naiintindihan na nila ang gusto kong ipalabas. Well, they're not hired for nothing so I know that they're smart.
"Pero pa'no po 'yong videos na pinakalat at 'yong mga reports na lumabas na sa TV. I'm sure the netizens already watched it," sambit naman ng isa.
"No need to worry about that. Lahat ng videos at issues tungkol sa kanya ay pina-hack at dinelete na ng inutusan ko kaya baka ngayon lang ay wala na 'yon sa kahit anong platform. Sa background niya naman, fully secured na rin 'yon dahil may agency na tumulong sa'kin do'n. The medias that were close to our company agreed to do everything just to delete those reports and interviews in the TV and they can't play it again."
"Wag niyo pong mamasamain, sir. But why are you doing this for her? Hindi po ba sayang lang ang ginagawa niyo kase hindi naman marunong na tumanaw ng utang na loob si Ms. Zeriel. Besides, she hates guys from the bottom of her heart." One of them raised her hand.
She has a point. Kahit naman nag-effort akong gawin ang lahat ng 'to para sa kanya, imposible pa rin na pasalamatan niya ako. But I'm not doing this just to impress myself to her. I'm showing what can I do for the girl that I like...even if she doesn't likes me back.
"Secret lang natin 'to, ah? I like her and I'm doing this to help her surpass those fake issues. Umamin na ako sa kanya pero hindi na ako nagulat nang i-reject niya ako. She's known for being a manhater after all," I explained.
Kumunot naman ako nang bigla silang tumili."Yay! But if you really like a person, do everything for him/her. Hindi naman kase dahil ni-reject ka ng tao na 'yon, susuko ka na. Syempre may mga challenges ka pa rin na kakaharapin at dapat hindi mo 'yon sukuan."
"Oo na! Ang dami niyong alam. Do your respective works and always remember what I told you. Make them pay everyone."
Nang makabalik ako sa office ay saka naman may nag-email sa'kin galing sa Media's Institution Company. Eto 'yong mga lista ng sampung mga estudyanteng iba-blackmail ko para sumagot sa mga interview bukas. Nakalagay din dito ang email nila kaya ako na mismo ang magse-send sa kanila ng message.
Nangangalay na ang mga kamay ko dahil kakatapos ko lang mag-type sa computer. I think I'm having a stiff neck that's why I leaned on the chair for a while. Even my eyes were getting tired and badly wants to close it. Magpapahinga na sana ako nang biglang tumunog ang phone ko kaya pagod ko itong kinuha sa bulsa ko para sagutin nang hindi tinitingnan kung sino 'yon.
"Hello? Please pagod ako ngayon dahil marami akong ginawa kaya bu---"
[It's me Zeriel. Where are you now? Anong ginawa mo tungkol sa issue ko?]
Muntik ko nang mabitawan ang phone ko dahil sa gulat."W-What? I'm sorry, I didn't look at my phone and just answered it immediately. At tungkol naman sa issue mo, ano bang nangyari?"
[Nabura na ang lahat ng videos na pinost. Even those rumors in all SocMed accounts were gone. My manager, Caroline, told me that my family background was hidden. Some of my fans were targeting Sophie for being a great liar and manipulator. Tell me, is it because of you?]
"Yeah. If you have a problem because of what I did, kindly talk to me tomorrow. Matutulog muna ako, masakit ang katawan ko."
After I ended the call, a smile plastered on my lips. Finally, I did it. Sana lang 'wag niya akong gisahin bukas kesyo nakialam na naman daw ako. But whatever she says, it's already done and over. At least, nabawasan ng konti ang problema niyang marami 'kuno'.
"Sir! Sir Shael! Gising na po, papasok pa kayo."
I felt like someone is shaking my shoulders that's why I moved a little. Kinusot-kusot ko ang mga mata ko para tingnan kong sino 'yon. I just realized that I stayed here in the office and I fucking sleep in the swivel chair. Nang subukan kong bumangon ay napadaing ako sa sakit ng leeg at balikat ko, nakisama pa ang magkabilang kamay ko.
Shit! It's really bad sleeping in a chair.
"I'll get going now. Umuwi na ba sila?"
Kahit masakit ay tumayo pa rin ako at nag-unat para hindi maipit ang mga ugat sa katawan ko. When I glanced at the glass wall, the sun has risen up and it's already 6:30 in the morning. Tapos pagod pa ang katawan ko at wala akong sapat na tulog.
"Pauwi na po, sir. May mga pamilya na kase ang iba sa kanila kaya kailangan na nilang umuwi," she answered.
Sumunod naman ako sa kanya palabas hanggang sa makasalubong namin sila."Good morning, everyone. You did a great job last night. At kung pwede, sana sa'tin lang 'yong inamin ko kagabi. That was embarrassing."
"Sure, sir. Thank you."
Nang makauwi ako sa mansion ay rinig ko na ang mga boses nila sa loob. When I entered inside, they were both shocked after seeing me. Kung makatingin sila para bang hindi nila ako kilala.
"Gosh! Saan ka ba natulog kagabi, huh? 'Wag mong sabihin na nagli-live in na ka---"
"Hindi uy! Saglit lang kami nag-usap ni Zeriel kagabi at iniwan ko siya sa Starbucks. I went directly to the company and I asked Mom's permission for that," I answered in a lower tone.
Agad naman lumapit sa'kin si Akken."So, you're the one who deleted all the issues of Ate Zeriel? Ayos, ah! Pinagpuyatan mo talaga."
"How did you do that, Kuya?" Raizer asked with full of curiosity.
"With the help of our investors and closest companies. Sige na, mauna na kayo. I'll just take a bath in my room." Iniwan ko na sila at umakyat para magmadali.
"Dalian mo, lover boy. Naghihintay si Ms. Maldita sa'yo sa University," pang-aasar na habol ni Cohen na ikinalingon ko sa kanila.
"Prepare yourself, dude. You might stutter when you'll face her later," Kuya Daron adviced and smirked.
Akala ko pa naman pampalakas ang sasabihin nila pero bigla tuloy akong kinabahan. Hindi ko nga alam kung ligo pa ba ang tawag sa ginawa ko dahil sa bilis kong natapos. I fixed my uniform properly even if I had an eyebags, I still look handsome as usual. Kinuha ko ang bag ko at dumampot ng sandwich sa ref bago umalis.
Nang makarating ako sa University ay nakaharang ang mga paparazzi pati na rin ang mga reporters at medias. Halos matumba ako nang dagsain nila ako at nagkakagulo pa. I couldn't even answer their questions because they were too noisy and the flash of cameras were distracting me.
"Step aside. I'm going to be late."
Nang lumingon ako ay saka nagtama ang paningin naming dalawa. I immediately looked away after thinking that I may look like a zombie right now. Sleepy eyes, dark circles around my eyes, and eyebags. Mapapahiya naman ako ng wala sa oras nito.
"Can you answer our questions, Ms. Zeriel and Mr. Shael? It's just 5 questions and were done."
"Sure. But make it fast because I have to attend my class," she answered calmly.
Seryoso ba? Did she just agreed to have an interview with me?
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