#DS8Uncovered #LuMa #BearCouple #DaggerSeries
CHAPTER 8: QUESTION
LUNA'S POV
Everyone's looking at the glass wall in a mixture of disbelief and awe. Kahit ang tatlong panganay sa aming magkakapatid ay hindi makapaniwalang nakatingin sa mga nakasulat sa salamin na ding ding. Para namang hindi nila ako kilala. They all know I have a temper.
Kuya Thorn turned to me. "You're in fashion."
"Umm..."
"How did you manage to piss off all these people?"
Huminga ng malalim si Kuya Gun na napasandal sa kinauupuan niya. "Kung nasa ibang field ka pa mas maiintindihan ko pa."
Nilukutan ko sila ng ilong. Kung magsalita naman sila parang ang babait nila. Samantalang wala naman akong ibang pagmamanahan kundi sila rin. "Just because I'm in fashion doesn't mean that everything is hearts and butterflies. Do you know how petty and catty people in the industry could be?" If one would think about an industry with tons of entitled people, a collection of controversies, and a life full of criticisms, fashion wouldn't be at the end of the list. "Isa pa, you all have yourselves to blame why I turned this way."
Nagkaniya-kaniya sila ng angal maging si Kuya Domino na kita namin mula sa malaking screen na nasa unahan ng conference room dito sa Dagger.
"And FYI, matagal na iyong iba riyan," dugtong ko.
"That doesn't negate the fact that there's still a significant number of people that you only met when you were already in fashion," Kuya Coal said, entering the conversation. Kararating niya lang kaninang madaling-araw mula sa Siargao.
"Pero infernes madami rin ang pangalan na nasa listahan na nagkagusto sa'yo, nagpakita ng interes, at iyong mga pinayagan mo na i-date ka," singit ni Kuya Trace na nakatingin sa kabilang bahagi ng glass wall.
They drew a line to separate the glass wall. The left side contains all the names of the people I annoyed, and on the other side are the names of people who liked me. Since the angle of the case is pointing more to the latter, that will be the main focus of the investigation.
Though they are quite certain that the case won't take a turn towards a different course, they want to cover all the bases. Kaya ang mga bagong Bolster na ang bahala na imbestigahan ang isa pang angle. It will be their first assignment.
"Pero bakit kaunti lang ang naging boyfriend mo?" pag-uusisa ni Kuya Trace.
Nagkibit-balikat ako. "I was twenty-five when I first met Magnus. Twenty-five pa lang din ako nang ligawan ko siya kaya wala akong time mag-entertain pa ng iba since alam ko na kung sino ang gusto ko." Tinaasan ko sila ng kilay ng magkatinginan sila. "Hindi katulad niyo, marunong akong manligaw."
"Marunong ka ngang manligaw pero ang tagal namang inabot," nag-aasar na sabi ni Kuya Trace. "Bagay sa inyo na turtle ang spirit animal kasi ang bagal niyong dalawa."
Uso kasi ang spirit animal sa mga kapatid ko at mga asawa nila. Lucienne and Kuya Thorn are the unicorn couple, Lia and Kuya Gun are the dragon couple, Belaya and Kuya Pierce are the Lion and Kitten couple, bunny is Mireia and Kuya Axel's spirit animal, shark for Circe and Kuya Coal, and a snake and mouse are for Tiara and Kuya Domino.
Nagsalita si Kuya Domino na ngingisi-ngisi. "May spirit animal na siyang ni-ready noon pa."
"Ano?" tanong ni Kuya Trace.
"Bear daw. Specifically, brown bears, since they mate for life."
There was a collective groan and laughter that could be heard in the room. Nalukot ang ilong ko. Hindi ko alam na natatandaan niya pa. I think it was during Lia's case that I mentioned to him what I wanted as my spirit animal.
Kuya Trace snickered. "Bear na laging nasa hybernating season."
Binigyan ko siya ng matalim na tingin. "Dapat talaga ikaw ang huling inanak ni Mama para hanggang ngayon wala ka pa ring love life."
"Bakit? Ikaw nga bunso na pero kasal ka na ngayon."
"Ako 'yon. Kung nagkataon na huli kang ipinanganak ang tahimik siguro ng buhay ni Ember ngayon kasi iba ang napangasawa niya."
Sa pagkakataon na ito ay mukha niya naman ang nalukot ng sa kaniya mapunta ang pang-aasar ng mga kapatid namin sa pangunguna nina Kuya Coal at Kuya Domino.
It was Kuya Thorn who clapped his hand to get everyone's attention again. "Focus, guys." His gaze went to me. He rubbed his chin unconsciously. "May nakakausap ka pa ba sa mga taong nagpakita sa'yo ng interes noon o naging karelasyon mo?"
He must have found this awkward. I'm his little sister. He was basically the one who became a parent to me when we lost our parents. Or one parent.
"Zachary Carter, Daniel Bennett, Weston Donovan, and Brandon Mitchell. I only went out with Zachary twice when we were in our fourth year of high school, but we decided to just stay as friends. I dated Daniel in my second year of college, but he got a wandering eye, so I rather we stop going out and just be friends, kesa naman magkaroon pa kami ng problema. I met West when I was twenty, LDR didn't work out for us, and then there's Brandon, whom I met when I was twenty-two and he became my boyfriend briefly before I called it quits."
"Why did you call it quits with Brandon?" Kuya Pierce probed.
"He's rich." Nang napuno ng pagtataka ang mukha niya ay nagpatuloy ako, "Everything's been handed to him. He doesn't have any plans for the future since he'll inherit their business. He's not passionate about everything except spending the money he has. Sanay siyang makuha ang lahat ng gusto niya ng hindi niya pinagihirapan. He's a good person, but I knew we wouldn't last, so I ended it early. You all know I'm passionate about what I do. I wanted to be with someone who shows the same commitment to what he does."
"But you stayed friends with them?"
"They are all good people. Zachary's an art curator, and he has a gallery. Siya ang contact namin kapag kailangan namin ng artist sa mga photoshoot ng Maven. Karamihan sa mga painting na meron kami sa Maven ay nabili namin sa kaniya at may contact na kami na artist na lagi naming nakakatrabaho dahil sa kaniya. Then there's Daniel and his wife. I'm friends with them since they're both photographers that I happened to work with a couple of times, so I'm on good terms with them as well. Weston is part of an American publishing organization, so I often talk to him, and Brandon's business is all about paper products, and they are our main supplier."
"Have you met any of them recently?" Kuya Gun asked.
"Not really. Si Alex siguro, oo. But I'm going to meet Brandon later today, next Monday makikipagkita ako kay Daniel at sa asawa niya, and the following week I'll be attending Zachary's event."
"This week, Gun and Pike will accompany you. Eden and Leo are assigned next week." Tumipa si Kuya Axel sa laptop niya. "Sa susunod na linggo sina Warrick at Nevan."
I nod in agreement. I know the other people he mentioned. Karamihan naman sa mga empleyado ng Dagger ay kilala ko. Iyong mga bago lang talaga ang hindi pa. Hindi kasi katulad noon ay mas madami na ang mga empleyado nila. Dagger is growing day by day, and it has expanded so much more from where it started. Our parents would have been proud.
Kuya Trace's lips pursed a little. "Why do I have a feeling that Luna will be the most challenging to babysit?"
All eyes went to me, and I let a smile curve on my lips at the same time that I plastered an innocent look on my face. Something that they obviously don't believe.
I know what my brother meant. Though the other women have commitments during the course of their case, they manage to work around Dagger's way of approaching things by minimizing the times they go out of their safe places. Kaya nga hindi na nakakapagtakang "speed" ang mga kapatid ko pagdating sa usaping pag-ibig. Forced proximity often leads to a quicker development of relationships. Since wala silang magawa tapos nakakulong pa sila sa isang lugar na araw-araw silang nagkikita ay hindi talaga nakakapagtaka na mas mapagtuunan nila ng pansin ang mga nararamdaman nila.
But the way Dagger handled their cases was different. Hindi naman sila araw-araw may event. On the other hand, I need to go to work every day. Kapag weekends naman minsan ay may kinakailangan pa rin akong asikasuhin para sa kompanya. I'm in the corporate industry. One that is known for being a fast-paced environment. Every second counts, and everything changes faster than a blink of an eye.
"I suppose we can't convince you to work from home?" Kuya Coal asked.
"Not right now. We'll be officially announcing my sole ownership of Maven soon, and we're moving into a new building. It's not really the right time for me not to make an appearance in the office."
He massaged his temple. "Yeah. We thought so." Nagpakawala siya ng malalim na hininga at nilingon niya ang mga nakatatanda naming kapatid. "Advantage lang siguro natin ay kaya nating bantayan kung sino ang pumapasok at lumalabas ng building. Lahat sila ay konektado o empleyado ng Maven. We can do a background check easily."
"Unlike a concert or a fan event, it's easier to identify the people in Maven," Kuya Thorn said in agreement. "For the meantime, we should decrease unnecessary visitors to the company. Those that can enter the premises should only be employees and those who have business with Maven."
They became immersed in their discussion, dissecting every piece of information they had and laying out risk-mitigation plans. They sometimes turned to me to ask questions, but most of the time they were too engrossed with the case.
Almost an hour had passed, and the alarm on my phone sounded. Ipinangkaway ko iyon sa kanila. "Kailangan niyo pa ba ako o pwede na akong umalis?"
Tumayo si Kuya Gun mula sa pagkakaupo niya. "I'm coming with you. Daanan na lang natin si Pike." Nilingon niya ang iba pa naming mga kapatid. "Are we done here?"
"You both can go." Kuya Thorn's eyes went to me. "We'll call you if there's any progress or if we need anything. But I need you to be vigilant, Luna. Keep your gun close to you."
Nangingiting ikinawit ko ang braso ko pangalawang nakatatandang Dawson. "And keep Kuya Gun close too?"
The eldest Dawson gave me a level look, and I snickered. I waved my hand at them to say bye, gave Kuya Domino a flying kiss, and then I stuck out my tongue to Kuya Trace before I exited the room with Kuya Gun.
Nasa elevator na kami nang lingunin ako ng kapatid ko. "May meeting ka ba ngayon? Anong oras?"
"Nope. I'm going to my hair appointment. Mamaya pa ang meeting ko with Brandon."
Kuya blinked at me, wearing his usual blank expression. Matamis na nginitian ko siya na ikinabuntong-hininga niya.
"What?" natatawang tanong ko. "My hair is high maintenance."
"Because it's too long." His gaze narrowed at me. "Is it because Magnus prefers that you have long hair? You always kept it at medium length before. Minsan hanggang balikat lang. You don't need to follow his every whim, you know? He's your husband, but it's your body."
Naiistorbo kasi ako ng buhok ko noon kaya mas gusto ko na hindi sobrang haba. Idagdag pa na lagi ko rin namang itinatali iyon dahil masyado kong abala sa trabaho. But now my hair hangs straight, and it extends to my lower back.
"Lagi niyo na lang pinagbibintangan si Magnus." In a way, kasalanan ko rin naman. Ginulat ko naman talaga sila nang basta ko na lang sabihin na kasal na ako. Though they know Magnus through Lucienne, it's not like they really know him as a person. "He's not like that, Kuya. Hindi ba pwedeng nagsasawa lang ako sa hairstyle ko noon? It's normal for people to change."
Our wants, needs, priorities, and desires change as time passes by. And time had changed me long before.
It took a moment before Kuya Gun spoke again. "Is he making you happy?"
I let a smile paint my face. "Of course he does."
He looked at me as if he were trying to judge the sincerity of my words. I tilt my head to the side, still smiling at him.
I wasn't lying. I liked Magnus even those times that he's trying his best to avoid me. I have loved him even when he was barely tolerating me. Of course, being with him, despite everything, makes me happy. My heart is calm when I'm with him because my heart made him its home the very first time I met him.
My brother asked the wrong question. The question he should have asked is whether Magnus is happy. Because then... my answer would have been uncertain.
I would have answered differently.
I GAVE THE FOLDER in front of me a look. Narinig kong napabuntong-hininga si Alex na umupo sa kanan ko. Pinandilatan niya ako at sa pagkakataon na iyon ay ako naman ang nagpakawala ng malalim na hininga.
Pagkatapos kasi ng hair appointment ko ay tumuloy ako sa opisina dahil dito ako makikipagkita kay Brandon. Naabutan ko si Alex na abala sa pag i-instruct ng mga dapat ayusin sa opisina. We're officially here at the new building of Maven, and everything is going well so far.
"Remember when you were ranting to me about your mostly zombie husband?"
Napatingin ako kay Kuya Gun na nakaupo di kalayuan sa amin habang si Pike naman ay nasa labas ng conference room. I found my brother already looking at me.
Pinaikot ko ang mga mata ko. Mamaya isipin na naman ni Kuya may problema kami ni Magnus. Napaka-paranoid pa naman. Though... I can't say that there's no reason to be skeptical. In fact, maybe it is why my brothers keep asking questions. Their instinct is always on hyperdrive.
"Matigas kamo ang ulo at ayaw humanap ng bagong assistant kahit na kailangan na talaga dahil patong-patong na ang trabaho niya," pagpapatuloy niya.
"Hmm."
"You're doing the same."
"It's not," I denied. "Jennilyn is on maternity leave. Kaya ayokong maghanap ng bago dahil babalik din naman siya."
"You need a temp or at least consider my suggestion to have two assistants. You have had a heavy workload before. It will only get heavier now. Hindi lang para sa'yo kundi para kay Jen. Your assistant needs an assistant. Other people are not made of the same material you're made of. Baka mag-breakdown na si Jen kapag wala pang tumulong sa kaniya."
I sighed for I don't know how many times today. He has a point. "Fine. I'll consider it. But I want to try the new one as a temp first. Kapag nagustuhan ko at ni Jen then we'll talk again."
Alex looked at the ceiling with his hands clasped together. "Finally!" Binalingan niya si Kuya Gun. "Nasa lahi niyo ba ang pagiging matigas ang ulo?"
The corner of my brother's lips went up a little. "I think so."
Kuya Gun is not the friendliest of my brothers, but he and Alex had met before. Walang pakielam ang kapatid ko sa kung ano ang tingin sa kaniya ng iba pero mukha namang wala lang kay Alex ang pagiging tahimik niya. I know he doesn't take it as anything except that it's Kuya Gun's personality. Na-meet niya naman ang iba ko pang mga kapatid at ka-vibes naman niya ang mga iyon. Lalo na si Kuya Trace na kinakaibigan ata lahat ng taong dumadaan sa buhay naming magkakapatid.
Napapailing na tinuro ni Alex ang file. "Review that one while you're waiting for Brandon. Titignan ko muna ang mga nag-aayos ng mga gamit at baka magwala ang mga stylist kapag nagulo ang mga perfectly labeled nilang mga anek-anek."
Hindi na niya ako hinintay sumagot at umiimbay ang balakang na naglakad na siya palabas. Nag-flying kiss pa siya sa direksyon ni Pike na pabirong sinaluduhan lang siya. May prinsipyo din talaga si Alex pagdating sa kalandian. Hindi humaharot sa taken na.
Sinundan ko ng tingin ang lalaki. Salamin kasi ang paligid ng conference room kaya kita ko nang tumuloy siya sa elevator. Well, almost everything here is made of glass.
I wanted to retain the openness of the office from the old Maven, and fortunately, the original interior structure of the building works well for what I envisioned. I like the open-space vibes since I find them less stifling. Kung gusto naman kasi ng privacy ay may blinds naman.
"This is a good location," Kuya Gun commented.
"Ahuh."
"Maybe your husband should consider a career in real estate since he has a knack when it comes to purchasing great properties."
Nilukutan ko lang siya ng ilong. I can see his point, though. Para kasing hobby ni Magnus ang bumili ng properties kapag trip niya.
The one we are in right now is a prime building that Magnus could have really sold for a higher price. Malawak ang bawat palapag kaya kahit ata mag-bisikleta ako sa buong floor ay wala akong maiistorbo.
We're currently on the eighth floor. Nandito ang bago kong opisina na di hamak na mas malaki kumpara sa dati kong opisina. Nandito rin ang offices ng executive team at ang malawak na conference room. The table for my assistant looks more spacious that I have a feeling Jen would instantly fall in love. Kahit dagdagan pa namin ng isang lamesa para sa pangalawang assistant na binabalik ni Alex ay malaki pa rin ang espasyo na matitira.
The seventh floor consists of the creative directors' room, the editorial team, and the marketing and public relations team. Sa sixth floor, naman ay ang palapag para sa graphic designers, layout and production team, writing team, and copy and content editors. Meeting rooms are also on the same floor.
The fifth floor is the fashion department. Aside from the fashion closet, nandoon din ang mga stylist at fashion editors. The photography and art department takes up the fourth floor, while the legal department, finance, and human resources and employee training are on the third floor.
Sa second floor naman ay matatagpuan ang employee lounge at cafeteria. The first floor is where the administration department could be found, the reception, and waiting area. Nandoon din ang public event space ng building. Ang facilities and operations management naman ay nasa ground pati na ang pain reception.
There's a pantry for each floor, and every floor follows the white and wood tone aesthetic. We're in an industry where we often need to rush, so having an environment that is convenient and feels like we can breathe is important.
"Your ex-boyfriend is here." The expression on Kuya Gun's face is unreadable, but I could see the glint in his eyes. "You were so busy when you graduated that we don't even know you've been dating. And high school?" He shook his head in disbelief. "Kapag hindi ka dumidiretso ng uwi from school ang sinasabi mo may project lang kayong gagawin. Nakikipag-date ka na pala."
"Excuse me, may projects talaga ako noon." Well, minsan. Wala nga lang akong balak aminin. "Kung makapagsalita ka naman parang si Lia lang ang naging babae sa buhay mo. Ang dami mo kayang dinedate noong high school ka. Si Kuya Axel lang ang mabait sa inyo."
He scoffed. "Yeah right."
"See how you didn't deny that you're a ladies' man when you were in high school?"
Naniningkit ang mga mata na ibinato niya sa akin pero nginisihan ko lang siya. Luckily for me, it's the moment Brandon chose to enter the conference room.
Sumungaw ang ulo niya mula sa pinto. "Knock knock?"
"Come in," I told him with a smile.
He gave Kuya Gun a chin lift, but he didn't return it, and instead my brother just stared at him. Mukha wala lang naman iyon kay Brandon. Just like he always was, he entered the room with the confidence he always carries with him.
Nilibot niya ang paningin sa paligid. "Nice place, Dawson."
"Dawson-Aquillan," I corrected automatically.
Nakangiting tumaas ang kilay niya pero hindi siya nagkomento pa. It's almost instinctive for me to make sure that whoever I'm talking to knows that I'm no longer just a Dawson. That I'm married. Babae man o lalaki ang kausap ko ay ganoon ako palagi.
"Let's get to business," I told him.
If there's one thing that is different from the Brandon in front of me and the one I dated before, I can see that he's making an effort for his business. Mas madali rin siyang kausap kesa sa iba naming supplier noon kaya sa kaniya ako tumagal.
"You want to change the paper, don't you?"
Tumango ako. "The paper we used last time is more sustainable."
"But you want it to be completely eco-friendly," he said, more of a statement than a question. Binuksan niya ang dala niyang binder folder. May mga sample siya roon. "With the given price range, it could affect the quality of the printing."
"I don't mind adjusting the price. But if we're leaving it uncoated, then it should be just within the original price."
He shook his head. "You're a shark." Itinuro niya ang isang klase ng papel. "This is one hundred percent sustainable, but it's harder to produce than the other paper. I can give you this uncoated, but it will be higher in price. Not so much if it's coated. How about that?"
It's not a bad deal. Hindi naman bago sa market na magbago ng presyo. If we're going to announce a price hike for our magazines, it will be a chance for us to boast about our eco-friendly choices.
Sumandal ako sa kinauupuan ko at tinapunan ko siya ng ngiti. "Deal."
Our discussion moved to packaging, and it didn't take that long for us to reach a consensus. Nang matapos kami ay maingat na sinalansan niya ang mga dala niya.
"How are you?"
"Hmm?" I looked at him questioningly. "Why? Don't I look fine?"
"You look tired."
"Wow."
He chuckled. "You look good. Don't be absurd. I just meant you look exhausted."
"I am exhausted."
"Want to grab a bite? May malapit na restaurant dito," alok niya.
"You're my ex and I'm married."
"So?"
"And my husband's office is just in the next building."
He pulled up his shoulders before letting it drop. "I still don't see the problem."
I shook my head. "Still a no."
"You always say no."
"I'm sure you won't get heartbroken by it. I'm sure you can call a bunch of numbers from your contacts, and they will come rushing to you."
Umangat ang isa niyang kilay. "Jealous?" I wiggled my fingers in front of him, and he laughed. Tumayo siya at binibit niya na ang mga dala niya kanina. "Married life made you boring, Dawson."
"It's Dawson-Aquillan." I stood up from my chair, and he reached for my hand. Instead of shaking his hand, I just slapped mine on his quickly for a high-five. "And maybe you should try boring sometimes so you're not asking out a married woman."
Tawa lang ang naging sagot niya sa akin. We banter quite a lot, and I know he won't get offended by the way I just waved off his flirting. Sabay na naglakad kami palapit sa pintuan ng conference room at tumayo na rin ang kapatid ko para sumunod sa amin. Brandon said his goodbyes and headed for the elevator while I walked towards my office.
"I'm curious."
Nilingon ko si Kuya nang makapasok kami ng opisina. "About what?"
"He's the CEO of his company?"
"Yes. Matagal na sa kaniyang na-transfer ng parents niya ang posisyon na iyon," paliwanag ko.
"Is it normal for a CEO to do this kind of transaction and meeting? Couldn't he assign an employee to do it for him?"
I thought about it for a moment before answering. "Well, I was the one who contacted him after Stella and I decided to find a different supplier. Since magkakilala naman kami ay kami na lang ang nag-uusap tungkol sa mga gusto ko. It's easier that way."
My brother seems to be lost in thought. I could almost hear the wires inside his mind whirring.
"I'm not going to tell you how to do your job, Kuya. But I don't really think it's one of my exes."
"Most always don't."
"Do you really think they have a potential to be the perpetrator? Like Brandon?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Why."
"Because you break up with all of them. A human, especially a man's ego, could be bruised easily." He looked me straight in the eyes. "And you said it yourself. Sanay siyang makuha ang lahat ng gusto niya ng hindi niya pinagihirapan."
_______________________________End of Chapter 8.