39: PAINFUL TRUTH
***
Yvo
"Good morning sir. Ito po yong kape niyo." Pumasok si Megan sa loob ng opisina pagkatapos nitong mag-intercom.
She's the OJT slash Secretary trainee ng kumpanya. Pinayagan lang niyang magkaroon ng OJT mismo sa loob ng kanyang opisina dahil pamangkin ito ng dating head ng finance na si Ginang Cuevas. Kapanahunan ng pamamalakad ng kanyang ama. Dahil magaling ito sa trabaho at close ng Daddy niya ay pumayag siya sa pakiusap ng Ginang na isingit ang pamangkin nito as OJT. Si Razzel, ang kanyang werdong sekretarya ang nagte-train kay Miss Cuevas.
"Thank you." Aniya at inamoy muna ang kape bago tinikman.
"Don't worry sir, walang lason yan. Si Miss De Jose po ang nagtimpla niyan." Daldal nito. Kunot-noo niyang sinulyapan ito. He noticed na taklesa ang babaeng ito.
"Ah sige po. Aalis na ako." Ngiwi nito. Hindi niya alam kung paano nagkakasundo si Razzel at itong si Megan dahil subrang opposite ng mga personality nito.
"Really, Yvo! Ang kapal ng mukha mo na tanggalin si Dad as a share holder ng kumpanya dahil lang sa naghiwalay tayo!"
Ibinagsak ni Nova ang hawak na mga papeles sa kanyang mesa. Tumilapon ang kape niya sa ginawa nito. Humahangos ito sa galit.
"Sir pasensya na po. Sinubukan ko naman pong pigilan si––" Miss De Jose barged in at nag-aalala ang mukha nitong tiningnan si Nova na nanggagalaiti sa galit. Tinanguan niya ito at sumenyas na pwede na silang lumabas upang makapag-usap sila nito. Hinila nito si Megan na saglit na natulala sa ginawa ni Nova.
"I already told you that he breached the contract. He sold 90% of his shares without following the rules and regulations of the company and withdraw the remaining 10% of it, forging my signature for approval. I have no choice but to issued close account for contract dismissal. He committed forgery for goddamned money na pwede ko namang ibigay any moment he wanted to. Now, are you done?" Nagpipigil siya sa galit.
He looked shocked. Taas-noo padin siyang tinitigan nito. Hindi man lang nagpatinag. If she is mad for what he did furious. Noong isang araw lang ay nagwala ito sa loob ng opisina niya at malapit na niyang ipahila ito sa mga security guard palabas ng building. He didn't know na may ganitong ugali pala ang babaeng itong mag-eskandalo kung kelan nito gusto. Kumurap ito.
"Nangyari na ito dati, Yvo. He broke one of the rules of this shit company, why now?" She smirked. She crossed her arms in front or him like a boss. He snorted.
" Yeah, but not forging my signature. The board members wanted him out; worst, his name would be in the blocklisted investors. Come on, Nova, we both knew that he has been gambling all these years. It's not my fault if your Dad loses all his money on that. You can also withdraw yours if you want. I don't mind. I can give all your investment if you wish so." Nagkatitigan sila sa mga mata. Tiyak na nainsulto ito sa sinabi niya. Pumiyok ito sa sinabi niyang nagsusuigal ito. She knew it from the start.
Bonno Freston, her Dad is a gambler. Palagi itong nasa casino at ang ina naman nito na isang socialite ay unti-unti ng nauubos ang pondo sa mga luho. Their family is facing bankruptcy sa jeweleries business nito. Walang alam gawin si Nova kundi ang pagmomodeling. Malaki naman ang pondo nito sa pagmomodelo pero dahil sa luho ng ina at hindi marunong magmaniubra ng clothing business nito ay nalugi din ito kamakailan lang.
"Fine. I will withdraw all my investment; I spent in this company. I will wait it in my bank account until tomorrow." Taas noong pagtatagis ng bagang nito.
"Don't worry. It will not take twenty four hours to process." He assured without taking his eyes off with her.
Bumuga ito ng hangin at pinasadahan siya ng mapanuring tingin bago nagmartsa palayo, swaying his hips like a walking in a catwalk. He fixed his tie at napailing-iling na lamang. Lumingon ito pagkatapos buksan ang pintuan.
"And Yvo, you will pay for this! After all you have done to me, I will show you that no one messes with Nova Jane Freston!" Dinuro siya nito. Pagkatapos sabihin ang mga iyon ay binagsakan siya ng pinto.
As if he's scared. Pinatawag niya ang utility at pinalinis ang kanyang mesa na nagkalat ang papel at kape. Sumasakit na ang ulo niya dahil sa dami ng schedule na dapat iaayos. Nagkaproblema ang finance department, dahil may ilang milyon ang nawala sa pag-audit ng mga expenses.
Ang kanyang executive assistant na si Jonas ay abala ngayon sa Finance Department. Since dati itong Junior Accountant ng company, pinatulong na niya sa problema ng kumpanya.
It's my special day, see you at kuya Nic's Bar tonight @ 7PM onwards. Don't forget!
Binasa niya ang text message ni Yael. He almost forgot that. Frustrated siyang napahilamos sa kanyang palad.
"Hey, man! Don't be so hard on yourself."
Nag-angat siya ng ulo at hindi niya namalayang pumasok na pala si Nicholas sa loob ng kanyang opisina. Lahat ng mga pinsan niya ay hindi talaga marunong kumatok ng pintuan. They just barge in anytime they want without taking consideration. Kaya hindi siya nagdadala ng mga babae dito sa opisina niya. Isa pa, it's very unprofessional of him na pati sa opisina ay magkakalat siya ng kalandian knowing na masyadong conservative ang secretary at assistant niya. It was just Nova pero hindi niya sinusuyo dito sa opisina ang kanyang ex-girlfriend.
Walang babala itong umupo sa tapat ng swivel chair na kinauupuan niya. Nilagay nito ang papeles sa ibabaw ng table.
"Here's the contract sa pinapagawa mong bahay."
Nicholas is an architect and currently eyeing a CEO position of their big construction firm company ng . Isa din siya sa mga stakeholder ng kumpanya nito at maging ito ay ganoon din ng ZGC Empire.
He took a pen and signed it immediately. He trusted his cousin and didn't have time to read and review the contract.
"Hindi mo man lang babasahin?" Tanong nito na nawewerduhan sa kanya. He is a meticulous person. Hindi siya pumiperma ng mga papeles without reviewing every detail of it. Nakatitig lang ito sa kanya habang abala siya sa signing documents.
"Why would I? You're my cousin and I know you will give me enough discount anyway." He chuckled. Alam niyang tuso itong pinsan niya pagdating sa pera.
"Goodness, Yvo. Ang yaman mo na, hihingi ka pa ng discount." Umismid ito.
"I know, but I want to Mr. Architect. Done." Ngisi niya. He snorted. Itinaas niya ang hawak na ballpen at inikot-ikot sa mga daliri sabay sandal sa kanyang swivel chair.
"Fine. You're really planning on your future hah. This is ridiculous, magpapagawa ng mansion as preparation of getting married. Marriage is a horrible thing to do." Komento nito na umasim pa ang mukha nang banggitin ang salitang 'marriage'. Tumawa siya ng malakas.
"Someday, you will find the woman you'll spend the rest of your life with. More inevitable things will happen, including marriage." He advised.
"Ridiculous. Marriage is not my thing. I can produce heirs but not having a wife. Anyway, goodluck in your belief, dude." He chuckled.
"Well, I've heard Tito William that you're going to marry his bestfriend's daughter. So, how's that 'marriage is not my thing' huh?" Pang-aasar niya. Alam niyang may nakalaan itong arranged marriage. Ito ang mga naging usap-usapan ng kanilang angkan for the past few months.
"Fuck! That won't happen. Dad is really going crazy. Damn!" Napahilot ito sa sentido. Natatawa niyang pinagmamasdan ang reaksyon nito.
"I have to go. That topic won't do any better to me. I'm getting a headache. Kung hindi lang dahil sa mansyon na ipapagawa mo, fuck! I would not stay here. Pupunta ako sa island ni Reeve at doon magpapalipas ng init ng ulo kay Dad." Reklamo nito. Tinatawanan niya lamang ito dahil parang magkakaroon ng lagnat ito sa tuwing napapag-usapan ang salitang pagpapakasal.
"You're the only son of Demizticus. You can't do anything but to follow your Dad's decision." He concluded. His father is a manipulative and controlling kind of a person.
"Damn." Umigting ang panga nito na tila hindi nakatiis sa usapan. Tumayo ito at inayos ang coat at necktie.
"I'm going. By Monday, uumpisahan na ang construction. I'll update you the development of your mansion. See you at Yael's party tonight." Anito at tumalikod na.
"I'm not going. I have lots of meetings to catch up." Pahabol niya. Lumingon ito sa kanya at hindi makapaniwala sa sinabi niya. Napanganga ito.
"Come on, Yvo. Your mansion for Nova is not that expensive that will cost your entire life working for that damn thing. Sometimes, you have to loosen up." He retorted quickly.
"Well, it's not her." He answered shortly, crossing his arms.
"What?" Tila nagtatakang tanong nito at saglit na nag-isip bago nakuha ang ibig niyang sabihin.
"So, who is the lucky woman you've got?" Kuryuso nitong tanong at ngumiti.
"I'm still waiting for her. She didn't know about it yet. It's better to plan early than late." The little hope in his heart is still wanted to gamble even if the chance is only one percent. Tumawa si Nicholas ng napakalakas.
What's funny? Kunot-noo itong nakatitig sa kanya.
"Dude, I guess you need a Psychiatrist. You're crazy. That's the reason I don't like that falling in love kind of thing. It makes you crazy. That's gross." Umiling-iling ito na tila hindi makapaniwala.
"Just wait for your turn, Nicholas. Tatawanan kita if that love will hit you hard." He smiled. Love is crazy, it makes you stupid but it also gives you happiness that you wouldn't trade for the world.
"No, no. That's not going to happen. I've got to go." Nakasisiguro nitong wika.
"Well. Let's see about that." Pahabol niya habang ito ay natatawang lumabas sa kanyang opisina.
Nang makalabas ito ay saka niya itinoun ang atensyon sa kanyang laptop. She saw the woman on his laptop's screen. She's smiling; her eyes and face look vibrant and stunningly beautiful. He sighed. Until now, he's not sure of what he would do. He is just making assumptions for the both of them. He doesn't know what to do about his feelings or to give in to what might happen. He doesn't like the idea of losing this time. He needs to find out kung ano talaga ang nararamdaman nito. He needs the only truth to do what he must do.
Nang tingnan niya ang wristwatch ay lampas alas siyete na. Pupunta pa siya ng hospital to check their Mom. Servo informed him that pwede ng madischarge ang kanilang ina bukas ng umaga sa hospital after two weeks of admission. He's happy about it. Finally. Naniniwala din siya na gagaling ng tuluyan ang kanilang ina.
"Hey! Hindi ka pa uuwi?" Bumukas ang pinto sa opisina at sumilip si Jaime. Nag-angat siya ng ulo.
"I have one meeting to discuss with Mr. Chan and other staffs. Maybe later." He took his notepad para tumungo sa conference room.
"Okay. Mauna ako. I'll drop by to Mom before going to Yael's party. You're coming?" Sagot nito.
"To where?" He answered at lumabas sa opisina. Natanaw niya ang nerd niyang secretary na nakatoun sa desktop.
"To Yael's birthday." He answered. Sumunod na din ito sa kanya palabas ng executive's Office. Adjacent lang ang Office ng secretary at executive assistant sa kanyang sariling opisina.
"I don't know. Maybe not." Lumingon siya kay Razzel, "Miss Razzel, you can go home now. Kami na ni Jonas bahala dito. Our discussions will be recorded via audio. You can have it tomorrow for minutes of the meeting." Pahabol niya.
"Yes, sir. Thank you po sir." Sumulyap ito sa gawi niya. Marahil nauna na sa conference room si Jonas dahil wala ng tao ang opisina nito nang madaanan niya.
"Nasaan na nga pala si Miss Megan, Miss Razzel?" Nakangising tanong ni Jaime.
"Umuwi na po sir. Until 5pm lang po kasi ang training niya." Sagot nito.
"Jaime, stop flirting with our employees." He warned.
"Am not, kuya." Natatawang depensa nito.
"Napakahilig mo sa ten years younger than your age." He noticed. Mas lalo itong natawa sa sinabi niya. They are walking at the hallway.
"Well, I just turned twenty years old eight years ago." Halakhak nito.
"You have a wife. Focus on that." Tinapik niya ang balikat nito at lumiko patungong conference room. Natahimik lamang si Jaime at alam niyang apektado parin ito sa asawa dahil sa tuwing dinadala niya sa usapan si Zea ay tumatahimik o nagagalit ito.
Pagkatapos ng meeting ay nalinawan siya sa issue ng 10.5 million pesos na nawala sa audit. Mr. Chan said that it was Stacey who change the project proposal from twenty-five million pesos into thirty-six million which is ang cost ng project ay umabot lamang ng 25.5 million pesos at walang nangyaring binalik ang subrang pera. Marami palang ginawa itong kapatid niya noon na ngayon lang niya nalaman. Mga paunti-unting pera ng company project ay kinukupitan nito at hindi man lang nakita sa auditing datin dahil wala siya sa pokus. Nang mabigo siya kay Ella ay halos mga employees na ng kumpanya ang gumagawa without proper inventory and monitoring. To think na hindi lang pala 10.5 Million ang nawala, subra pa and they are investigating it now. Kaya pala nalugi ang kumpanya dati. It was not because of him, it was because of Stacey. Magkakaroon pa siya ng further investigation. Tatawagan niya ang mga dating finance employees at ang iba pang mga kasabwat nito na wala na sa kumpanya. Hindi siya makapaniwala sa kanyang nadiskubre. All this time, akala niya ay nagbago na itong kapatid niya. She doesn't need to steal money dahil may shares naman ito ng kumpanya bilang Zamora. May mana din ito from their family's wealth.
He can't tell it to their Mom because of her current health condition. Hindi din niya alam kung paano sasabihin sa kanyang ama. Pagkatapos ng imbestigasyon, saka na lamang siya magsasalita at sasabihin sa buong pamilya. They need to do what she's doing. Tatanggalin niya si Stacey sa Finance Department o di kaya'y posisyon sa kumpanya. Bibigyan niya ito ng pangnegosyo to manage her own finances, para matuto din ito, at maging financially stable without compromising their company's money.
Napaisip siya ng mabuti habang nagmamaneho patungong hospital. Nang makarating sa hospital ay nagmamadali siyang pumasok sa lobby. Kilala na sila guard at receptionist kaya labas masok na lamang sila since their mother was admitted in this institution.
He hit the button in 15th floor ng elevator. Nang bumukas iyon ay natuon ang atensyon niya sa hindi inaasahang makita. He saw her with Jaime. Nawala ang ngiti sa labi nito nang makita siya at bahagyang natigilan. He's tired of the whole day's work, pressured by the company's problem, confused about handling Stacey's stealing, and stressed about carrying everything on his shoulder. And now, he saw her flirting with his brother. Great! Fuck. Nagpalit-lipat ang mga tingin niya kay Jaime at Ella.
"We're coming to Yael's party." It was Jaime. Yvo silently threw a cold gaze at his brother.
He gritted his teeth. Seryuso niya lamang tinititigan si Ella pagkatapos. She didn't move and then later, when she noticed na nasa elevator sila ay saka ito nag-excuse at lumabas nang hindi man lang siya magawang sulyapan.
He sighed. Lihim siyang napamura. Gusto niyang suntukin ang kapatid dahil sa paglalapit nito kay Ella.
"Hindi ka pupunta sa party ni Yael, anak?" Tanong ng kanyang ina.
"I'm tired Mom. I need to rest dahil early pa ako bukas sa office. May inaayos ako sa kumpanya ngayon." Umupo siya sa tabi nito.
"May problema ba sa ZGC anak?" Nagtatakang tanong nito.
"It's nothing that can't be handled. Don't worry about it." He skipped the real problem. Hindi na kailangang malaman nito. He smiled so that she wouldn't notice his bad mood today at kung ano man ang problemang kinakaharap ng kumpanya.
"Anak, pwede mo naman maisantabi muna ang trabaho. Tumawag si Yael sa akin kaninang umaga, nangumusta. He just arrived from London and it's his birthday. You should come." Anito.
"I already told them that I'm not going, Mom. It's okay. Marami pang birthday na mangyayari." Sumandal siya sa upuan at Itinaas ang ulo. Bumuga siya ng mahinang hangin. He looked at the ceiling blankly.
"Is it because of Ella, anak? Are you avoiding her?" She sounds worried about it. Agad niyang binalik ang atensyon sa ina.
"Mom, it's not that. We are okay now. We have our own lives to manage." He lied. It's not really okay dahil tila naaapektuhan na naman siya sa presensya nito.
Nagbuntong-hininga si Regina at sumandal sa headboard ng kama. Then, she began talking.
"Mica told me that you were drugged the night before your wedding. Ella came and she saw you with other woman sa isang kama."
Agad niyang tiningnan ang ina. Nagtataka niyang tinitigan ito sa mga mata. Ella came that night? Really? Mapait na ngumiti ito.
" Ella received messages and pictures of you having dinner with Nova. She may be thought that you were cheating on her. May lamat na ang relasyon niyo noon since Ella is not the type of woman who talks about her problem with anyone else. Except, if she is comfortable enough to share it. Alam din niyang kagustuhan nating pakasalan mo siya. Ella has trust issues, anak. You knew how she was bullied before, hurt and worst muntikan na siyang mawala sa atin noong malunod siya sa pool." Pagkukuwento ng kanyang ina.
Mariin siyang napapikit. Tanggap niya ang mga isyu sa buhay nito kasama na ang history sa pagkatao nito pero tila kumbensido siya sa isang bagay na hindi naman talaga siya minahal nito. Marahil napipilitan lang.
"She should have told me. Pwede naman niya akong kausapin, pagsalitaan ng masama o pwede niya akong sumbatan when she saw that pictures and videos of me having that woman na hindi ko naman alam kung sino o nangyari ang bagay na 'yon because I was drugged and worst..." Hindi na niya itinuloy ang sasabihin at nagbuga na ng hangin at napahilamos.
"As I have told you, Ella has trust issues with people dahil sa traumatic event sa buhay niya when she was young, anak." Kumbensi ng kanyang ina. He believed that thing about Ella but he cannot understand what was really happening between him and her. Napailing-iling siya.
"If she really love me, she would fight for me, Mom. Hindi niya ako susukuan. I can't believe it happened just because of lack of communication and little misunderstanding. Hindi man lang siya nangusisa tungkol sa nangyari if that was true or not. Fuck. She didn't love me the way I loved her. I understand that." He concluded right away. Narinig niya ang buntong- hininga nito at tumahimik saglit.
"Mica already found out the truth of her accident in treehouse." Dugtong ng kanyang ina. Tumingin ito sa kawalan. Salubong ang kilay niyang sinulyapan ang ina.
"What do you mean?"
Mapait na ngumiti ang kanyang ina sa gawi niya at yumuko ulit ito. "Stacey did that to her. She pushed Mica, and she blamed Ella for that."
Napaawang ang bibig niya. Damn. There's something about his witch sister that he couldn't fathom. Paano niya nagawa ang bagay na iyon sa kinilalang kapatid nito? Why did Stacey hate Ella so much?
"What's her motive Mom? Really? Is she willing to kill Mica for her hatred towards Ella? That's insane. How come you adopted a psychopath kid?" Sa hindi niya makapaniwalang tanong sa ina.
Bumuntong-hininga ito. All this time, he believed that lies, na si Ella ang may kasalanan at nagtulak kay Mica sa treehouse. Naalala pa niyang nakita niya si Ella sa treehouse nang bumagsak ang katawan ng kanilang bunsong kapatid sa lupa mula sa pagkahulog. He also saw Stacey there panicking to go down para puntahan si Mica who is unconscious at that time. He was shocked, and stood there for a few seconds, didn't know what to do with his little sister. He was anticipating if Mica is still alive or what. Yon ang pinakamalaking dagok ng buhay niya, witnessing the accident of his sister was damn frustrating and painful.
"I will tell you everything, hijo. Listen to me."
Nakikiusap ang mga mata nito. He sighed. He must know what he needs to know.