I woke up to the sound of gunshots. I was so surprised that I rolled over, fell off the bed, then landed on top of something hairy that happened to have claws, too.
"Shit!" I clambered away from the Persian cat which screeched then hissed at me after it made a scratching post out of my arm.
Ano ba 'yun, may nagbabarilan?! I quietly asked myself looking wildly around the unfamiliar bedroom.
Diyos ko, nasaan ako?! Anong nangyari?!
I was about to open my mouth to scream for help when I realized that the furball staring at me with utter disinterest was my boss' cat.
"Cherish!" I happily exclaimed but received nothing but a bored yawn from the ungrateful feline in reply.
Oo nga pala nandito ako sa bahay ni Mr. Satander...but, what am I doing inside his bedroom?
I gave my body a quick once-over and felt relieved that I was still wearing my clothes and nothing seemed amiss.
I rolled my eyes. "As if naman, Juris. Mr. Santander wouldn't touch you using a six-foot pole—"
A door opened then someone cooed. "Baby, come here..." a voice I knew so well issued and for the life of me, I didn't know why but I hastily crawled under the bed.
"Diyos ko, anong ginagawa ko rito sa ilalim ng kama?!" I murmured to myself as the sound of gunshots abruptly stopped.
It was only then that I realized that the sound was coming from a flat-screen television that was on the opposite side of the bed.
Hinding-hindi na talaga ako iinom...
"You do realize that I can see your feet, right?" I heard my boss say.
Fuck!
"What are you doing under my bed?"
Minsan din para ka talagang tanga, Juris!
I cleared my throat before I slowly crawled out. "Hi po, Sir..." I mumbled.
"Well, hello...bakit ka nand'yan?"
I gave him a sheepish smile. "'Yung earring ko po...hinahanap ko po," I said lying through my teeth.
"You weren't wearing one," he stated.
Ay, wow, kupal talaga 'to. Hindi na lang sinakyan 'yung sinabi ko para tapos na sana.
"Ahh..." I laughed self-consciously. "'Yun na nga po, ang akala ko po ay may suot po akong hikaw..."
"Hm..."
I slowly pushed to my feet. "Sige po, Sir..."
"Your arm is bleeding."
It was weird that I only felt the sting of the cat's handiwork after Mr. Satander had pointed it out.
"Ah, kinalmot po ni Cherish..."
"She doesn't like being pet."
"I didn't."
"Then why did she scratch you?"
"I fell on her."
"You did?" He sounded worried.
"Okay lang naman po—"
"Is my baby hurt?" he asked looking at his cat. "Tell Daddy where it hurts, Baby..."
Tarantadong 'to... I thought to myself watching him repeatedly kiss his cat.
"Okay lang naman po s'ya?" I asked.
"She seems fine," he replied.
"Mabuti naman. At least sa aming dalawa may isa pong hindi nasaktan," I sarcastically said.
He arched a brow at me.
"Okay lang naman po ako, Sir," I said with a fake smile.
"Mukha nga since I can already hear your sarcasm. I am glad that you are back to your old sarcastic self, Miss Montiel."
"I was never sarcastic with you, Sir."
"Talaga?"
Oo, ano! Kung kaya ko lang magdadakdak sa harap mo, eh, 'di, sana ginawa ko na!
"I must have imagined the times when you came across as mocking towards me then."
I forced myself to smile wider. "You must have, Sir. I would never ever dare mock your greatness, Mr. Santander—"
"There. That's what I am talking about."
"Ang alin po?"
He chuckled shaking his head. "Ang galing mo talagang magmaang-maangan."
"Ako po?"
"Stop it, Miss Montiel. It's too early for your kind of humor. Anyway, you must be wondering why you're inside my bedroom and on my bed. You passed out. You smell by the way. And I don't mean that as a compliment."
It took all of my willpower not to cup my mouth then smell my breath or raise my arms to smell my armpits.
"Naligo naman po ako..."
"I am not questioning your hygiene. I just don't like the smell of cheap liquor."
Ay, sorry po. Emperador lang po kasi ang kaya ng pasahod n'yo sa akin. Bigyan n'yo po ako ng salary increase at bibili po ako ng Johnnie Walker sa S&R at imumumog ko po bago ipaamoy 'yung hininga ko sa inyo.
"Are you cussing at me inside your head?" he suddenly asked.
I vehemently shook my head. "No, Sir. I would never do that."
Inamoka.
"Hm..."
Isang taon na lang, Juris, dahil ga-graduate na si Vera— my train of thoughts suddenly stopped because I remembered that my sister would not be able to finish her studies; that all my sacrifices were for nothing because Vera chose to ruin her life.
My lower lip began to tremble and I clenched my fists as my vision started getting hazy.
"Are you okay, Miss Montiel?"
I nodded smiling. "Pwede po bang makigamit ng banyo n'yo?" I asked and did not wait for him to reply before making a dash to his bathroom.
I closed the door behind me as scalding tears trickled down my face.
Shit na buhay 'to...
I did not have personal savings. Lahat ng pera ko ay ibinuhos ko sa kapatid ko at sa mga pangangailangan n'ya. I even scrimped on my personal needs because I didn't want Vera to feel that I was failing as her sister and main provider.
"Kulang na nga lang pati brand ng panty ko SM Bonus 'tapos magpapabuntis ka lang bwisit ka?" I furiously murmured.
Sorry, Ate, hindi si Terrence ang ama...
I closed my eyes. "Saan ako nagkamali? Mali ba ang pagpapalaki ko sa kanya? Sobra ba akong naging busy at napabayaan ko s'ya kaya lumaki s'yang tanga at walang modo—no, Juris, don't go there. Hindi mo kasalanan. Hindi naman bulag ang kapatid mo, alam n'ya at nakita n'ya lahat ng sakripisyong ginagawa mo matustusan lang s'ya."
I expelled a heavy breath but my eyes started welling up again. "Diyos ko, pagod na pagod na ako...awat na, please. Please, tama na sa pagsubok..."
I heard a knock on my door. "Miss Montiel, are you okay?"
"Opo, Sir," I answered wiping my tears with my hands.
"There are toothbrushes on the third drawer. There's mouthwash, too. There's also an unopened bar of soap in the overhead cabinet..."
"Okay po. Thank you po," I said.
Diring-diri talaga siguro 'to sa akin. Kulang na lang sabihin n'yang maligo ako ng Zonrox.
I brushed my teeth then cleaned my face. I was tempted to take a shower but it would be too much. Besides, I did not bring any change of clothes with me.
"Pwede naman na siguro 'to. Hindi na masusuka si Mr. Santander kapag nakita n'ya—nasaan nga pala ang telepono ko—nasa bulsa ko nga pala..."
I took my phone out of my back pocket then turned it on. Immediately, messages started flooding in. All of them from Vera.
Ate, hindi ko po talaga sinasadya. I'm so sorry, Ate.
"Ang kapal ng mukha. Pwede ba naman na mabuntis ka nang hindi sinasadya? Ambobo. Nasaan ba ang utak nitong babaeng 'to?"
Hindi na po ako nakapagpaalam, Ate, kasi biglaan po 'yung naging desisyon namin ni Leo. Nagalit po kasi si Terence n'ung nalaman n'ya.
"Lord, bakit ganito 'tong batang ito? Is she really this stupid? What did she expect, mag-pa-party 'yung boyfriend n'ya kasi nabuntis s'ya ng iba? My goodness, Vera, how fucking dumb are you?"
Mabait si Leo, Ate. Kaya lang naman s'ya nagbabanda-banda ay dahil hindi s'ya nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral dahil salat sila sa pera. 'Yung boses lang po n'ya ang tangi n'yang talent.
I nearly rolled my eyes.
Pero, ang sabi n'ya ay aalagaan n'ya raw po kami ng magiging anak namin at magsisikap daw po s'ya. Kaya po ang sabi n'ya ay umuwi na po muna kami ng Marinduque para mamuhay nang simple hanggang sa ipanganak ko po si baby.
"Oh, eh, 'di wow. Ikaw, mamumuhay nang simple? Ikaw na hindi nakakatulog nang hindi naka-aircon? Ikaw na hindi marunong maglinis ng isda, pagpiprito ng itlog lang ang alam, at ni hindi marunong maglaba ng kahit panty at bra mo man lang?"
I started to disdainfully laugh. "Good luck talaga sa'yong babae ka."
When I began working, I made sure that Vera had everything she needed – food on the table, clean clothes to wear, enough pocket money to treat herself and some friends; even her wants were granted. Because I had aspired to spare my sister from the agony of living in poverty. I had wanted her to live as comfortably as she could. But my efforts simply went down the drain.
"Fuck being a responsible older sister. I should have chosen myself over this ungrateful brat..."
Ate, aaminin ko pong hindi ko mahal si Leo. Aaminin ko rin na hanggang ngayon ay si Terrence pa rin po ang ibinubulong ng puso ko. Pero, alam ko na kaya kong pag-aralang mahalin si Leo alang-alang sa magiging anak namin. Kasi gan'un naman ang pag-ibig, 'di ba, Ate, natututunan? And I know that I could do anything if I just study it.
I reread the last sentence. "Ano raw? Shit ka, Vera, kahit wala ka na sa poder ko ay pinapasakit mo pa rin ang ulo ko!"
Mahal na mahal kita, Ate, at alam kong ang laki ng utang na loob ko sa'yo. Alam ko kung anong klaseng sakripisyo ang ginawa mo para sa akin. Alam ko rin na sobra akong pasaway. I promise that I am not going to forget all your sacrifices. Thank you, Ate, because you stand to be the mother and father in me.
I stared at my phone's screen before I started laughing and crying at the same time. "Diyos ko, pinagtiisan ko si Satander para may pang-tuition lang itong batang ito. Bakit?"
H'wag kang mag-alala, Ate, nasa mabuting kalagayan po ako. Hindi naman po salat na salat sa buhay ang pamilya nina Leo, eh. Businessmen po ang papa n'ya at pati na rin si Leo ay business-minded din.
"My God, Vera. Reality is going to slap you in the face so hard, little girl, that you'd wish your IQ's a dozen points higher."
May furniture business po ang pamilya nina Leo, Ate, at ang sabi ng Papa n'ya ay malaki naman ang kita n'un. 'Yun nga lang nalugi raw kasi nagkasakit ang Mama ni Leo kaya naubos ang ipon nila. Humingi sila ng tulong sa akin, Ate, para na rin daw sa anak namin ni Leo.
I frowned.
Ate, sana h'wag kang magalit. Para lang din naman ito sa pamangkin mo. Maiintindihan mo rin kapag nagkaanak ka na. Ang isang magulang kasi, Ate, ay kayang gawin ang lahat para sa kanyang anak. Ate, nagdesisyon akong ibenta ang titulo ng lupa at bahay natin—
I moved my phone closer to my face. "Nagdesisyon akong ibenta ang titulo ng lupa't at bahay natin..." I read out loud.
I stared unseeing at my phone before I dialed my sister's number. "Vera, pick up...please..." I desperately pleaded then cussed loudly when I heard a canned reply telling me that her number was not in service.
My knees started to shake and I kneeled in front of the toilet to throw up.
My sister is impulsive and not the brightest bulb in the box. I used to think that it was because she's the youngest and because she grew up sheltered. But now...
I flushed the toilet, pushed to my feet, rinsed my mouth, then dialed my sister's number again. I was about to dial Vera's number for the third time when I heard someone knocking on the door.
"Miss Montiel, what's taking you so long?"
"Palabas na po, Sir..." I answered.
"I'll give you three minutes. Don't take your time. I will be waiting for you outside."
I knew that my sister probably turned her phone off. Or maybe she decided to change her number without informing me. But, I still illogically hoped that her phone would miraculously ring. When I tried for the sixth time and it didn't, my anxiety started setting in.
She couldn't have meant what she said, right? Imposibleng gagawin n'ya sa akin 'to. Hindi naman siguro gan'un ka-walang puso ang kapatid ko. I am sure she's joking.
I took deep, calming breaths before splashing water onto my face again.
But, what if...
"No! Hindi nakakatulong 'yung pag-o-overthink mo, Juris! Kailangan mo nang umuwi! You have to check kung talaga bang wala na sa tokador mo 'yung titulo ng bahay at lupa n'yo!"
I hurried out of my boss' bathroom then stepped out of his bedroom.
"Umupo ka," Mr. Santander said. "We need to talk."
"Sir, kailangan ko na pong umuwi—"
"No, kailangan nating mausap. Sit down."
"Pero, Sir—"
"Don't make me repeat myself, Miss Montiel."
I reluctantly obeyed.
"Do you remember what happened before you passed out? Do you remember what you said?"
I did not even try and just shook my head. "No, Sir."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
"Opo."
"Well then try harder."
What is this asshole's deal? My world is falling apart and here he is still being a first-class jerk!
"I'm sorry po, Sir, but I really don't remember."
"Because you're not trying hard enough—"
"Sir, pwede po bang bukas na po tayo mag-usap? I really have to leave—"
"I don't like delaying things, Miss Montiel. Gusto kong ngayon na natin ito pag-usapan para tapos na. Try to remember—"
"I don't! Okay?" I snapped. "Bakit hindi mo na lang sabihin sa akin tutal mukhang tandang-tanda mo naman?"
"Attitude, Miss Montiel."
"I don't remember and I really have to leave. Alin po ang hindi klaro sa inyo, Sir?"
He leaned back against his seat. "Naiinis ka ba?"
"Opo," I answered truthfully. "I don't think this is still part of my job – to keep you entertained on my day off."
Juris, are you sure you're really taking this road? Mawawalan ka ng trabaho!
But, I was past the point of caring. I was just furious that I was such a loser that I couldn't even leave when I wanted to. "Pwede na po ba akong umuwi?"
"Tapos na ba tayong mag-usap? Besides, you are always handsomely compensated for all the hours that you spend in my company, Miss Montiel. Kailan ba naman kita hindi binayaran?"
I wasn't sure what set me off – the way he constructed his sentence, the truth behind his words, or the fact that the truth he eloquently waved in my face made me feel more inferior than a worm.
"Monetary compensation is not always enough, Mr. Santander. Sometimes, I prefer a break from your presence than your money."
He arched a brow. "That's interesting. May I know why?"
"You may not. Besides, does it matter? You hired me to be your secretary slash personal assistant and not a person whose approval you'd constantly seek, right?"
He stared at me before he laughed. "The chutzpah always amazes me, Miss Montiel. Pero, minsan it gets too much and it's no longer endearing."
"I do not live to be endeared to you, Sir." I stood. "Tuloy na po ako—"
"Did I give you permission to leave, Miss Montiel?"
"Did you hear me asking one from you, Mr. Santander?" I challenged. "I am resigning. Consider this my two seconds notice."
He scowled. "Excuse me?"
I ignored him and headed to the door.
"You can't resign," I heard him say. "Why would you even resign?"
I stopped walking and laughed in disbelief before I turned to face him. "Because I now can. I no longer have to send my sister to school because she is now someone else's problem. I no longer have to travel for hours just to feed your cat because I no longer work for you. I am done being your doormat. I am done being your personal slave. I am done."
"Miss Montiel, I know you're upset—"
"Oh, no, I'm not upset. I am happy. I am happy that I do not have to read all your e-mails then send you a summary of each as if you're a toddler who has the attention span of a broom. I am over the moon because I do not have to forego my Sundays just to feed your cat no matter how adorable she is. I am overjoyed that I do not have to hold my breathe because you find my breathing too loud—"
"About that—"
"Oh, no, the floor is mine and I am not going to let you ruin this moment for me."
He expelled a sigh.
"I am exultant that I do not have to choose and buy gifts for your girlfriend every 19th of the month because I loathe that mean woman who treats me like I am a lesser human as if I do not know that she's a talentless witch and the reason why she can call herself a model is because of her family's money."
I saw how the corners of his mouth lifted as if he was trying hard not to laugh.
"Oh, you can quote me on that, I don't mind at all."
"Okay." He nodded.
"I am ecstatic that I do not have to squeeze my brain for something sweet to write on those little cards that come with those pretty bouquets that I have to order for you. The lies that I had to fabricate on your behalf to make that woman feel as if you care makes me want to puke in my mouth."
"I totally understand, Miss Montiel—"
"Oh, no, you don't, Sir. You do not understand how I lost everything I hold dear last night. A self-absorbed asshole like you couldn't possibly fathom how my world collapsed this morning. By the way, I call you Mr. Satander in my head and it gives me a sense of victory to finally say it out loud to your face. Adios, sayonara, goodbye, Mr. Satander—"
"How much do you need?"
I arched a questioning brow at him.
"Name your price. Everyone has a price, Miss Montiel."
"Then I am someone you can't afford."
"Juris, be reasonable."
Hearing him say my name disoriented me a little. Kailan pa kami first name basis nito?
"I didn't know that you have this pent-up pain bottled inside you—"
I reached for the door.
"A hundred thousand."
What?
"A personal assistant's average pay is less than twenty-thousand. But, I offered you twenty-five thousand when you joined my company because I know and I told you when you got hired that I am extremely demanding. Two years later, you're earning forty thousand, excluding your overtime pay and other bonuses, which is a 60% increase from your initial salary because I saw that you are capable. And now, I'm offering you a hundred thousand. For your services."
I frowned at him. "Why would you pay me that much?"
That's the biggest sign-on bonus I have ever heard.
"Now, that I know how you feel, I believe that the dynamics of our relationship is going to change."
I threw him a dubious look.
He laughed softly. "Don't look so doubtful, Miss Montiel, I am a fair businessman and I compensate those people who serve me well. A hundred thousand but your weekends are mine, too."
Teka nga, ang sinasabi nito ay babayaran n'ya ako ng one hundred thousand pero seven days a week akong magtatrabaho?
"Is that offer too low? A hundred and twenty then?"
Ganito siguro ang pakiramdam ng mga contestants sa Pera O Bayong...
"How about a hundred and fifty?"
"Wait...you will pay me a hundred and fifty thousand but I am on call twenty-four seven?" I carefully asked.
He nodded. "I will have to ask you to live here."
"Bakit?"
"So that it's more conducive. Besides, ikaw na rin ang nagsabi na ang layo nitong bahay ko sa bahay mo. Hindi ba mas maganda kung dito ka na rin titira para hindi ka na magbibiyahe?"
"Dito ako titira?"
He nodded. "Yes. And, of course, there will be a new contract. To safeguard both our interests."
What interests?
"Are you still not convinced?"
"Wait, lilinawin ko lang. You are going to pay me one hundred and fifty thousand pesos to stay as your personal assistant?"
"Yes, that's still your professional title, of course."
"Why?"
"Because I am comfortable with you. And as I have said, you have excellent worth ethic and if you tone down the attitude a bit, you are a perfect candidate."
Candidate for what?
"Do we have a deal?"
Am I missing something?
"Do I have to answer that question now?"
"Yes, you do. I'd like to start as soon as we can."
Start what?
"Do we have a deal?" He repeated. "Or are you really going to say no to a hundred and fifty thousand?"
After that speech about him not being able to afford me. Ano 'to, lulunan na ba ng pride?
"Juris, I don't have all day."
He stood then left. Barely a minute later, he was back with a pen and paper in hand.
"This is just a draft of the contract. Of course, this will be handled discreetly by my lawyers so you have nothing to worry about," he said as he started writing.
I watched as he affixed his signature at the bottom of the paper before he handed it to me. "Do you want to read it?" he asked watching me closely.
"What does it say?" I asked back not taking my gaze off his face.
"What we talked about, that you will be receiving a hundred and fifty thousand a month from me as my—"
"A month?!" I exclaimed. "I will be receiving one hundred and fifty thousand pesos monthly?!"
He smiled. "Well, yes. Hindi rin naman madali ang gagawin mo—"
"Where do I sign?"
I don't care kahit gawin mo pa akong tagapulot ng poo-poo at tagapunas ng ihi ng pusa n'yo, Sir. I don't even mind kahit orasan n'yo 'yung paghinga ko kung gan'yan ba naman kalaki ang sasahurin ko sa inyo!
He handed me his pen. "You might want to read the contract first..." he suggested.
Pirmahan mo na 'yan, Juris, baka magbago pa ang isip n'yan!
I took the pen from his hand then signed the paper before I handed both to him.
"That's sealed then," he said giving me a smile. "I hope this goes well..."
I offered him my hand. "I will work really hard, Sir."
"I will do the same."
"Sige po, alis na po ako."
"Before you leave I need to know when your period is. How long does it usually last and—wait, regular ka naman, 'di ba?"
"Excuse me?"
"We have to work out a schedule when the best time is to conceive the baby."