Bree POV
We did our usual routine, he wakes me up to eat breakfast with him at sabay na kami pumasok sa opisina. A week pass by quickly with Clyde by my side. And I am starting to get used to his presence, but not comfortably.
Everybody run out of my way when I entered the lobby with Clyde behind me. But I can feel everybody's suspicious glances directed at me, like I had grown two heads in my shoulder. There is this inexplicable feeling that I am the topic of all their mumblings and whispers. Their eyes are full of curiosity as they stare at the man walking silently behind me. Alam kong nararamdaman na din ni Clyde ang mga bulong-bulungan sa aming paligid. Maybe it started when I didn't fire the accountant girl. Ugh! If only I stood my ground on firing her, nothing like this will happen. I saw manager Alex and there is this secretive smile on his lips that I instantly dislike. The impression that he gives is that he knew something but will deny it if questioned.
Napalingon ako kay Clyde, his head is bow down like a pitiful dog. I can't help the sigh that escaped my lips. Although I can get away with anything, it will be totally different for Clyde. With his mere status he will be criticize for having a relationship with his boss. A lot of speculation will arise. Either he'll be a laughingstock among his colleague because he became a boy toy to his boss or he'll be an opportunist who's after the position and money. It will be a no win situation for him. And also the fact na pinatulan ko siya, my gawd! The rumors will be a blow to my ego.
Pumasok na kami sa personal elevator ko at hinarap ko si Clyde. He was looking at me like he was ready for a confrontation pero bigla rin kaming nag-iwas ng tingin sa isa't isa ng bigla muling bumukas ang pinto ng elevator. Nakatayo doon ang isang matandang lalaki. He was looking at us like he saw something amusing between us. Miguelito Argueles is the company's chief operating officer and a friend to my late father. But I never liked the guy. He looked too shady for me.
"Good morning Bree. Can I?" Anito na ang tinutukoy ay kung pwede siyang sumabay sa elevator ko. I curtly nodded my permission kaya naman pumasok na ang matandang lalaki.
"I heard you made a heaping amount of donation to the foundation your father started? Will you be attending the charity ball?" Asked Miguel.
"Of course, Tito Miguel. We need that good PR for the positive image of our company and donating at a charity is one of them." I nonchalanty replied.
"Will you bring a date? You know, you need a man by your side to make you look more... uhm... stable. Perhaps the son of the bank magnate, Lucas Devauer? I can arrange it for you." My eyes instantly narrowed at what he said but the old man didn't notice and continue to ramble.
"You see, a lot of prospective investors will be at that charity ball and it will make the company look more...uhm... dependable if you have a date with a man like Lucas." Hindi ko maiwasan ang mauyam na matawa. Hindi na bago sa akin ang pagkwestiyon ng board of directors sa aking kakayahan dahil pinanganak akong babae. But attacking me like this is just too low even coming from my late father's friend.
"To appease your curiosity Tito Miguel, I'll be accompanied by my secretary. I'm depending on him to fill me in to whoever I need to shake my hands with. I admit, my social skills needs polishing." Nakangiting aniko. Pero tumalim ang mata ko at naging seryoso ang tono ko sa sunod na mga sinabi ko.
"But trust me Tito Miguel, that's the only thing I lack. I don't need a man by my side just to make this company looks stable. Men might rule this corporate battlefield but women like me...we are bloodthirsty. And women like me don't appreciate insults especially coming from our subordinates." My voice sounded firm and threatening that Tito Miguel instantly stepped backward. Napatikhim si Tito Miguel at nag-alis ng tingin sa akin. Kita ko ang pagkagat labi ni Clyde sa pagpipigil sa pagtawa. Tinakpan pa niya ng palad ang kanyang bibig.
"Hija, I'm not insulting you, I'm merely advising you since I'm older than you. Please don't take it the wrong way." Bawi ni Tito Miguel.
"Well then, Thank you Tito Miguel but next time save your advices. I don't need them." Sagot ko sabay labas ng cellphone ko at nagkunwaring busy na. Napakamot na lang ng ulo si Tito Miguel at nanahimik na din pero halata ko ang inis niya ng nagdadabog itong lumabas ng elevator. My mood instantly soured with that encounter.
"Clyde, in my office. Now." Aniko ang makarating na kami sa floor namin, Ramdam ko na lang ang pagsunod ni Clyde sa akin papasok ng opisina, pati na din ang pagsunod ng tingin sa amin ni Aria ay 'di nakaligtas sa akin. Pagkasara ng pinto ay hinarap ko siya kaagad.
"What do you know about the rumors circling around our employees? I know they are talking about us! I feel everybody's stupid glances." I said as I sat on my table and cross my legs. I saw his eyes dipped down and followed the movement of my legs and get stuck there, ogling my bare legs. The high slit almost baring my whole thigh. I rolled my eyes.
"Hey! Eyes up here!" Puna ko sa kanya, good thing he's so far from me. I saw his face reddened as his adam's apple bobbed.
"Maybe they already know." Maikling pahayag niya sabay lingon palayo sa glass window.
"Know what?" Inis na tanong ko. Everybody must not know about our secret marriage!
Nagkibit-balilat si Clyde na para bang balewala sa kanya kung pagtsimisan man siya ng lahat ng empleyado.
"Either they think we are lovers or they know we are married. Iyon lang naman ang iisipin nila. Does it bothers you?" Balik tanong niya sabay matamang tumitig siya sa akin na animo'y importante ang magiging sagot ko sa tanong niya.
Does it bothers me?! Hell yes!
Napabuntong-hininga ako. I might know my answer but it doesn't mean I have to share my thoughts with Clyde. Umikot ako para maupo sa swivel chair ko. Sinundan naman ako ni Clyde na para bang gusto niyang sagutin ko ang tanong niya.
"Does it?" Tanong niyang muli.
"It's unimportant, I won't confirm anything anyway. They are not worth my validation. Bring me my coffee." Aniko sabay buklat ng mga dokumeto sa aking harapan.
But deep down I know I'm disturbed with the idea that my employees are gossiping behind my back! Ayokong malaman nila na pinatulan ko ang sekretarya ko, for heavensakes!
"Yes ma'am!" Sarkastikong sagot ni Clyde. Napatingin ako sa pabalang na sagot niya pero kinunutan niya ako ng noo sabay irap at mabilis na naglakad palabas ng opisina ko. I sneered at his blatant display of annoyance.
"Hey! Did you just scowl at me?!" Sita ko sa lalaki pero hindi niya ako pinansin at tuloy pa ring lumabas ng opisina ko at malakas na sinara ang pinto. Napahilot ako ng noo ko.
Mukhang lumalaki na ang ulo ng secretary ko!
Clyde was filing documents in my cabinet when I get the chance to observed him. I admit, he is a little bit handsome, just a little... incy-wincy.. tiny bit. And when you took off the eyeglasses and baduy clothes and that too much gel in his hair, he might look more than okay. But the thing that I'm curious about is why my heart beats a little extra whenever he's near. That bothers me a lot.
I mean...look at him?! Besides his sexy body, what is there to like? He's poor, no social standing, no class, no sense in fashion and for fvcksakes! he is a fvcking nerd!
My inside cringed when I look at what he is wearing, a floral short-sleeved polo shirt and a lousy black slacks. I sigh in frustration at his choice of clothes. His sleek hair always in place with too much gel and his eyeglasses that he kept pushing on the bridge of his nose needs repair. He is really a sore sight!
Who would wear a floral polo shirt to work, anyway?! He looks like a bartender gone nerdy in some beach in Hawaii. Sore sight he is indeed!
Nangalumbaba ako sa lamesa habang pinagmamasdan ang busy na busy na itsura ni Clyde. Seryosong-seryoso ito sa pag-aalphabetized ng files na hindi niya na napapansin ang pagmamasid ko sa kanya.
Sa totoo lang pwede namang gumwapo ang lalaking to eh, kahit konti.
Hindi ko na namalayang napapangiti ako ng makaisip ako ng idea.
"Clyde, is the Gimena meeting earlier, our last meeting for today?" Tanong ko sa kanya. Nakita kong tumingin siya sa akin, itinaas niya ang nahuhulog niyang eyeglasses sa mata bago nagsalita.
"Yes. Why? Do you want to leave early?" Anito na animo'y nababasa ang nasa isip ko. Sana lang hindi lahat, kundi nakakahiya.
"Yeah. Samahan mo ako later." Aniko sa kanya na tinanguan lang ng lalaki.
Ang later ko ay nauwi sa mall. I pulled him in one of the store that sells well-tailored suits.
"Anong ginagawa natin dito?" Mahinang bulong ni Clyde sa akin. Kita ko ang pagtataka sa mukha niya.
"I want to dress you up. We have a charity event that we need to attend tomorrow. I don't want you looking like that!" Sagot ko sabay mapang-uyam na tinignan ko ang kabuuan niya. Napakunot naman ang noo ni Clyde. Kahit siya ay napatingin sa suot niya na para bang hinahanap kung anong mali sa suot niya.
"Bakit? Anong masama sa suot ko?" Nagtatakang tanong niya. Napangiwi ako.
"The fact that you're oblivious is what's worst!" Sarkastiko kong sagot. Napakamot lang si Clyde ng ulo niya.
"Anyway, It's high time you level up your fashion sense from that baduy clothes you are wearing." Aniko sa kanya sabay angla sa braso niya at hatak sa kanya papasok ng store. Bigla siyang tumigil sa paglalakad dahilan para mapatigil din ako.
"You don't have to. I can wear clothes I have in my closet for tomorrow. I don't want that extravagance." Madiing anito na nagpabuntong hininga sa akin.
"Look here Clyde, This is not just about you. What my employee wears reflects their employer. I want us to look good together tomorrow. It's important that we look presentable and trust-worthy." Anas ko ng biglang hawakan ni Clyde ang kamay ko. Nanitig ang lalaki.
"Huwag kang paapekto sa sinabi ni Sir Miguel. He knew nothing! Your dad trusted your skills. You have to trust yourself too." Ani Clyde. And once again he knew what I was thinking. My telepathy ba ang lalaki? Pero tama siya. What Tito Miguel said to me this morning made me doubt myself. I was just not aware of it.
Marahan akong ngumiti kay Clyde sabay palis ng kamay niyang nakagagap sa kamay ko. Mamatay ng umamin. I still have to maintain my prideful demeanor.
"Of course I'm not affected by it. Would you just let me dress you? Please?" Aniko na ikinatitig naman ni Clyde sa akin. Seconds passed na nakatitig lang siya sa akin kaya unti-unti na akong nakakadama ng awkwardness sa ginagawa ng lalaki.
"C-Clyde?" Aniko ng 'di na ako makatiis. Ngumiti si Clyde sa akin. And that smile took my breath away.
Shit! Why the hell does he looked cute with that bright smile of his?!
"When you beg like that, how can I resist you?" Ani Clyde na nagpapula ng mukha ko. His words sounded intimate na bigla akong napalayo sa lalaki. Naalala ko tuloy na ang huling pagmamakaawa ko sa kanya ay nung pinilit ko siyang magpakasal kami. Memories that I tried hard to forget because of my embarassment.
"If dressing me up will make my wife happy, then let's do this." Anito na lalo kong ikinapula. Siya na mismo ang naghatak sa akin papasok ng store. Napaikot na lang ang bilog ng itim ng mata ko sa sinabi niya.
Pumipili na ako ng suit ng malingunan ko si Clyde na pumipili naman sa makukulay na polo sa rack. Nang mapansin niyang nakatingin ako sa kanya ay ubod tamis siyang ngumiti sabay taas ng kulay apple green na polo na ikinalukot ng mukha ko.
No sense in fashion at all!
Inis na tinabihan ko siya at kinuha ang apple green na polo at binalik iyon sa rack.
"You are so clueless with clothes! A man should always go for plain mute colored polo, Clyde. No bold colors and especially no to printed ones! That floral top you are wearing deserves to be in the trash, Clyde. Less is more, always remember that." Aniko at kinuha ang isang plain blue polo at idinikit iyon sa kanya.
A satisfied smile creeped my lips when I visualize how handsome he is in just plain blue polo.
That is what I am talking about!