A light tap on my cheek fully awakened me. There I saw Cairus fixing the collar of his polo.
"You need to go to work," he said. "Get up and fix yourself."
Dahan-dahan akong bumangon saka napahawak sa ulo dahil sa matinding sakit na nararamdaman doon.
"Tsk." A sinister smile flashed on his lips. "Drink again."
"It's Raya's fault!" I blamed the unaware person.
"Why her? You could've stopped yourself from drinking or at least limited yourself, alcoholic girl."
"Eh, kasi sinama niya ako," nagmamaktol kong sabi.
"Yes, but she didn't drink and even Kylei."
"Ewan ko sa 'yo, pumasok ka na nga. Hindi ako papasok. Masakit ulo ko!" sabi ko saka humiga ulit at tumalikod sa kaniya.
"Then go to your room," he ordered.
I faced him again when I realized something. "Did you sleep here, too? Beside me?"
His brows furrowed. "Why would I sleep with you if I have a bed in my office?"
I rolled my eyes. He chose to spend his night in his office rather than staying beside me. Tsk. Sino nga naman ako, 'di ba? Future wife niya lang naman.
"Okay. You may leave now," I said while motioning my hand for him to leave.
"You're shooing me away in my own room?" he asked.
"Oo. Umalis ka na, matutulog pa 'ko. Sabi mo pwede naman ako rito kapag wala ka."
He sighed. "Just don't touch any of my things." He turned his back and finally leave.
Wala sa sariling napangiti ako. Feeling ko, kaunti na lang bibigay na rin siya sa akin. Wala akong matandaan sa mga ginawa o sinabi ko kagabi kaya napapaisip ako kung may ginawa ba akong katarantaduhan.
Pipikit na sana ako ulit nang bumukas ang pintuan. Bumalik si Cai dala ang isang tasa ng kape.
"Why did you bring me coffee? Sabi ko matutulog pa ako. I won't drink that," I uttered.
"Who told you that you'll drink this? Ibubuhos ko sa 'yo 'to para magising ka na," aniya.
"Magising sa katotohanan na hindi tayo pwede?" biro kong tanong.
He just looked at me and put the cup of coffee on the table. Without saying another word, he left me again.
Tiningnan ko ang kape, hindi ko alam kung gaano ako katagal tumitig doon at namalayan ko na lang na hawak ko na 'yon at iniinom na.
"Bittersweet," I commented. "Just like him."
After drinking it, I stood up and made my way outside. I should go to work. After an hour of doing my routine from taking a bath to putting make-up on my face, I went downstairs and saw Jai eating breakfast.
"You didn't go to work?" I asked.
"How would I be able to go to work if you made me drink too much?" he asked seriously.
That's when I realized na hindi maganda ang gising niya. It's not my fault though. Just like what Cai said, he could've stopped himself or at least limited.
I didn't talk. I started putting rice on my plate and some bacon and hotdogs. We ate without talking.
After a long deafening silence, I excused myself. "I'm going now."
Hindi niya ako pinansin. Sanay na ako sa ganiyang mga ugali nila. May mga oras na makakausap mo sila nang matino, pero madalas ay susungitan ka nila. Si Jai lang ang pwede mo makausap tungkol sa lokohan but now isn't the time, wala siya sa mood.
After half of an hour of driving, nakarating ako sa office. Nilagay ko lang 'yong bag ko roon saka pumunta sa panahian at sinilip ang mga ginagawa nila.
The colors of the fabrics are attracting me to hold them. I smiled at them when they greeted me. Ang ilan sa mga casual dress ay tapos na.
A royal blue plungeing dress with a slit on the right leg caught my eye. It looks simple but quite deadly when someone wears it.
"Continue the good work, guys," I said and left them already.
Bumalik ako sa office at nagsimula na naman mag-sketch hanggang sa makuntento na ako sa mga designs. Nag-check din ako sa designs ng iba, 'yong iba may marka, 'yong iba pasado naman.
Alas tres nang bigla ko naisipan na pumunta sa office ni Cai. Minsan na akong nakapunta sa company nila pero sa mismong office ng CEO ay hindi pa. I want to check on him.
With a goof smile on my lips, I left. Hindi ko pa mapigilang kumanta habang nagda-drive.
Excited talaga akong puntahan siya. One more thing, I want to see his secretary. We'll see if kakabahan ba ako sa presence niya. Baka mamaya makuha na lang niya bigla si Cai. I won't let that happen.
I immediately arrived at their company. The guard greeted me with a welcoming smile. I smiled at him in return. Making my heels click on the floor, all of them turned.
I was lucky to see Tita Meryll walking around. Hindi na ako kailangang tanungin kung anong ginagawa ko rito at kung may appointment ba ako.
"Tita!" I cheerfully called her.
She turned to me and a smile rose on his lips. "Milgrace, hija. What are you doing here?"
I went near her and clung on her arm. "I'm just visiting po." Lumapit ako lalo sa kaniya upang bumulong dahil nakikinig ang mga tao malapit sa 'min. "Gusto ko pong makita si Cai."
She laughed at me and nodded a little. "Sure, I'll bring you to him." Sumakay kami sa elevator saka niya pinindot ang sa pinaka-huling floor.
We talked a litte until we reached the last floor. She led the way. "If you see that he's really busy, you can sit on the sofa outside of his office and wait for him. Knock first and ask if you can come in, hmm? Kilala kitang bata ka. Baka tuloy-tuloy kang pumasok."
Natawa ako dahil doon. "Tita naman. Of course, I will ask first." I smiled. "Thank you po."
"No worries," she replied. "I'll get going."
I nodded at her. Pinanood ko siyang makapasok ulit sa elevator. Nang makababa na iyon ay lumingon ako sa pinaka-office ni Cai. Nakita ko rin ang sofa na tinuro pa sa akin ni Tita kanina.
There are paintings on the wall, mostly abstract, antique vases, and wooden shelves with books properly arranged on it.
Lumapit ako sa pinto ng office niya saka tumitig doon, pinag-iisipan kung kakatok na ba.
Kakatok na sana ako nang bigla iyong bumukas at niluwa ang isang babae na medyo magulo ang buhok. Napansin ko ring masyadong mababa ang neckline ng suot niyang bodycon dress at ang blazer niya at sinadyang hindi maayos upang makita ang kaniyang balikat.
Mabilis na nagsalubong ang kilay ko dahil iba agad ang naisip ko. Masama ko siyang tiningnan dahilan para kumunot ang noo niya.
"What are you doing here, Miss?" she asked. "Do you have an appointment with Mr. Villaverde?"
"None, but you can tell him that Milgrace is waiting for him outside," I confidently answered. "Or I can just go inside and show up."
She shook his head. "If you don't have any appointment, you can leave now. You should set an appointment first before coming here."
"Why don't you inform him about my presence first before telling me to leave?" I rolled my eyes. "I'm his wife."
Her mouth opened a little and laughed sarcastically right after. "Mr. Villaverde is single."
"But not available..." because he's mine.
"Why are you still standing there, Miss Bueno?" I heard Cai's voice inside. "You still have a lot of work to do."
The girl-that I assume is his secretary-turned her back at me and closed the door between us.
Napakabastos. Pwede naman kasing pumasok na lang ako agad. Pinatatagal niya pa. Hindi naman ako itataboy ni Cai... yata.
Umupo ako sa sofa at naghintay, maya-maya ay bumukas ulit iyon saka lumabas si Lheen na masama ang mukha at kasunod niya ay si Cai na seryosong nakatingin sa akin.
"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" tanong niya.
"Surprise visit, babe." Lumapit ako sa kaniya habang nakatingin sa secretary niyang nakabusangot. "I want to see you."
His brows furrowed and took a glance at Lheen. "What about you? Go to your work."
Lheen rolled her eyes at me and walked with heavy steps.
"What did you do to her?" he then asked.
"Nothing," I answered defensively. I mean, I really did nothing, right?
Unexpectedly, he held my waist and pulled me inside of his office. He motioned me to sit on the sofa.
"What came into your mind and you went here?" he asked. "If you are going to disturb me, please do not."
"I just came to visit," I said.
"You worked?" he asked so I nodded. "I thought you will not but that's good to know."
He sat on his swivel chair and darted his eyes on his laptop. He started typing and after a while, signed a paper and went back to typing. He's really busy and I felt guilty for showing up.
I feel like I'm a bother.
I sighed so he glanced at me.
"Any problem?" he asked. "I can't entertain you."
I was supposed to answer when Lheen entered while holding a bunch of papers. She put it down on his table and said something.
She purposely bowed so Cai would see her breast or at least her cleavage but Cai seems not to care at all.
I rolled my eyes due to irritation. She blabbered on and on.
Hindi ko alam kung hindi ba siya nangangawit dahil kanina pa talaga siya nakayuko magmula nang lumapit siya roon at ilang minuto na ang lumilipas.
Ni isang tapon man lang ng tingin ay hindi naman ginawa ni Cai. Kawawang nilalang.
I smiled devilishly for I had thought of something. I'm wearing a white off-shoulder top partnered with black high waisted pants.
I went near them and bowed a little too, but unlike her, I was leaning beside Cai which made them look at me. His eyes went down on my chest and looked away immediately.
"Thank you, Miss Bueno. You may leave," Cairus dismissed her.
A contemptuous smile flashed on my lips. Masama ang tingin na pinupukaw niya sa akin saka masama ang loob na umalis.
Cai heaved a deep sigh and massaged his temple. "I know what you're doing, Mil."
"Huh? Anong ginagawa ko?"
"You're pissing her off," he mumbled. "She's just my secretary."
"And she's hitting on you."
"I'm not interested if that's what you want to know and if that will make you stop." He then looked at me. "Wait for me to finish my work if you still don't want to go home."
"Let's have a dinner date," I said.
"I'm too tired to go somewhere."
I didn't argue anymore. It's too obvious that he is busy and he's exhausted. I don't want to be an inconvenience anymore. What he said is enough for me to stop bothering him.
"Okay, I understand. Let's just see each other at home." I smiled at him.
Hindi na siya nagsalita kaya nagtuloy-tuloy na ako sa paglabas.
Ganito pala kahirap magmahal ng CEO. Ang hirap nila landiin sa sobrang busy nila.
Nakasalubong ko pa si Lheen pero hindi ko na siya pinansin pa. Tama nang naasar ko siya. Sa kilos at tingin niya pa lang, alam ko nang may gusto siya kay Cai. I know that just like me, she's hoping to be noticed too.
Nakabalik ako sa bahay nila. Dumiretso agad ako sa kwarto ko dahil sa sobrang pagod. Wala naman akong masyadong ginawa pero parang naubos ang energy ko. Matapos kong maligo, humiga ako saka nag-isip na naman hanggang sa tuluyan akong makatulog.
A knock on my door awaken me. Nang imulat ko ang mga mata ko, tiningnan ko agad ang oras at nakitang alas otso na pala ng gabi.
"Ma'am ganda," si Ate Julie. "Pinapatawag po kayo ni Sir Cai sa baba. Kumain na raw po kayo."
"Pakisabi hindi po ako nagugutom," sagot ko.
"Ay, sige po!"
Narinig ko ang mga yabag niya papalayo. Pumikit ako ulit pero maya-maya lang ay may kumatok na naman. Akala ko si Ate Julie ulit pero nagulat ako nang bigla iyong bumukas at pumasok si Cai.
"Gusto mo ba ako pa aaya sa 'yo?" seryoso niyang tanong. "Bumangon ka riyan. Sabayan mo akong kumain."
"You can eat alone."
"I didn't say that I can't but I want you there." He turned his back. "If you will not join me, I won't allow you to enter my room again."
Mabilis akong bumangon mula sa kama nang sabihin niya iyon. I heard him chuckled but I don't care anymore if he finds me funny.
"Madali naman akong kausap," sabi ko. "Hindi mo na ako kailangang takutin."
We went downstairs at dumiretso agad sa dining, nakita kong maraming nakahain, kaming dalawa na lang naman yata 'yong kakain.
Nagtataka man ako, nauna pa akong umupo kaysa sa kaniya saka ko lang naramdaman na gutom pala ako. Nauna pa akong kumuha sa kaniya ng pagkain.
"I thought you're full?" he asked.
"English ka nang English, manahimik ka nga muna!" singhal ko. "Nauubusan na ako ng English words sa 'yo, shuta ka."
Tumawa siya, inirapan ko na lang siya saka nagsimulang kumain.
"My secretary asked me who you are," he said.
"Edi sana sinagot mo na ako future wife mo."
He shook his head a little and smiled. He started eating, too. A long silence filled between us so I just diverted my attention to my food.
Hindi naman ako nakaramdam ng ilang o hindi pagiging komportable kahit na walang nagsasalita sa amin. Gaya nga nang sinabi ko kanina, sanay na ako sa presensya at ugali nila. Ugaling hindi mo maintindihan at mabasa. Tsk.
"That's what I answered," he broke the silence.
My brows furrowed because I didn't understand what it was for until I realized it.
"So she will finally stop bothering me," he added.
Ang saya ko ay naudlot na naman.
Umasa na naman si Mil, akala ko 'yon na. May purpose din pala kaya 'yon sinagot niya.
Taena!