Chapter 14: Love and Reputation
"THAT'S the truth, Madame. That's all the truth behind those photos," mahinahong pahayag ni Eunice pagkatapos niyang i-explain isa-isa ang kuwento sa likod ng mga litrato.
"I went out with Lucien way before. But that was when my husband and I were separated because I thought we're getting an annulment. Alam ko pong kasal ako noon at mali po ang ginawa ko para lang makalimot. I was young and I didn't know better. I'm not even a believer at that time, Madame."
Tumatango-tango si Madame Lilou. Nakikita niya sa mga mata nito na naniniwala naman ito sa lahat ng paliwanag niya. She certainly trusts her.
"But when I came back here seven months ago, I never had an affair. Alam niyo ang kuwento ko, Madame. I became a Christian. Then, my husband and I lost a child... I came back here in Paris, not to rekindle an old flame and fool around. I came here to serve in church and returned here in GHC to gain more experience in the fashion industry."
"Yes, I know that. I was just surprise by these photos. And it's been circulating in the whole office for two weeks now. Two weeks! Bago pa ang vacation leave mo ay naipadala ito sa lahat ng email ng mga employees. At sabi mo ay wala kang napansin dahil wala kang natanggap..."
Napayuko siya. Remembering what happened around the office two weeks ago, kaya pala mas malakas ang loob ni Claudine na buskahin siya at paringgan, kaya pala natatahimik ang mga tao sa tuwing dadating siya, kaya pala may mga nagbubulungan sa tuwing dadaan siya... and the rumor she heard once was about her afterall.
Hindi niya naisip ang sarili na pinag-uusapan bilang babae na nagkaroon ng extra-marital affairs. Pero kalat na kalat na pala sa opisina ang mga larawan...
Nakuyom niya ang mga kamay. Did Soleil receive this one, too? Sino ang kumuha ng mga ganoong pictures nila ni Lucien? Sino ang nagpakalat ng ganoong klaseng paninira sa kanya na kaya nitong ipagkalat sa buong opisina?
"Mayroon ka bang kaaway na may intensyon para siraan ka ng ganito—" Nag-ring ang telepono ni Madame Lilou. Agad nitong sinagot iyon.
Napapitlag si Eunice nang magsimulang magmura ang boss niya. All the expletives in French were said. Napangiwi siya.
Galit na ibinagsak nito ang telepono. "This is not a work of a simple person! Nakaabot na ang email hanggang sa mga principal sponsors ng fashion show!"
Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. Nabuka niya ang bibig pero walang lumabas na mga salita mula sa kanya.
"This person could have connections that it can hack through our system!"
Mabilis na nag-isip si Eunice. Sino? Sinong gustong sumira ng reputasyon niya? Anong kasalanan niya sa taong iyon?
Bakit nangyayari ito nang hindi niya alam?
"May kaaway ka ba dito sa office?"
Si Claudine lang naman ang malinaw na may ayaw sa kanya. But the woman isn't that powerful to pull this kind of stunt. At sigurado si Eunice, alam naman ni Claudine na ito ang mapapahamak kung gagawa ito ng malinaw na atake sa reputasyon niya.
Nag-isip si Eunice. Hinugot niya ang kaunti pang kalinawan sa utak habang nakakapag-isip pa siya ng tama at hindi pa na-o-overwhelm ng mga nangyayari.
"The culprit won't make himself or herself obvious, Madame..." nasambit niya. "Kung i-isa-isahin ko ang mga taong may galit sa'kin, they aren't stupid enough to bait themselves by doing this. It's like suicide bombing."
Gusto niya nang pagbintangan si Claudine. But there are factors to consider aside from she's not that influential. There's no way Claudine can get photos of her and Lucien from three years ago and the photos of the days that she was accidentally with Lucien. Dahil kahit siya, hindi niya inaasahan ang mga araw na nagpapakita sa kanya ang lalaki. Si Claudine pa kaya? Yet, she's not off the list.
Is it... Lucien, then? Only a powerful one can find a way to get through with these... Pero, ganoon ba talaga itong tao? Dahil lang hindi siya nito "nakuha" ay sisirain nito ang imahe niya sa buong opisina, sa management, at pati sa mga sponsors? Is he really an... asshole? Na lumaban ng ganitong paraan sa babae?
Si Addie... No. This is out of her character. Kapag galit si Addie sa kanya, sinasabi talaga nito. She never hides it if she wanted to say something right in front of someone else's face. Addie does not indulge in spreading false rumors. Hindi man sila nagkakaintindihan ngayon, alam nitong hindi siya cheater. Kaya hindi ito magkakalat ng ganoon.
But no matter how Eunice gave benefit of the doubt, the three will still remain as the possible people with interest. Or else... may iba pang taong may matinding galit sa kanya para gawin ito?
Tumayo si Madame Lilou. Tila nauubusan na ito ng pasensya sa mga tawag ng tawag.
"This should not be a big deal!" naiinis na wika nito. "Wala namang pakialam ang mga executives sa mga ganito. Pero mainit ang mata nila sa'yo dahil ikaw ang representative ng Gaudin Haute Couture para sa London Fashion Show. Nagagalit silang baka madungisan ang image ng kompanya dahil sa issue na 'to."
"I understand, Madame." Kalmado pa rin si Eunice. She has nothing to worry about, she kept telling herself. She knows the truth. Terrence knows the truth.
God knows the truth.
Maya-maya ay may kausap na naman si Madame Lilou sa phone. Kinuha muna ni Eunice ang cellphone.
She texted Soleil.
Did you come to work today? I'm here at Madame Lilou's office. Did you receive the malicious email circling around the company?
Nag-reply naman agad ito.
I called for sick leave. I got my tummy upset. What email? I didn't receive any! What's happening?
Napabuntong-hininga siya. So, sila lang ni Soleil ang hindi nakatanggap? Ibig sabihin, alam nang nag-send niyon na malapit silang magkaibigan kaya iniwasan nitong padalhan si Soleil?
I'll call you later. Take a rest first. Get well.
Eunice wanted to ask Soleil about Lucien, but her friend didn't confirm anything to her yet.
"Damn it!" Nahampas ni Madame Lilou ang lamesa nito pagkatapos nitong makipag-usap sa telepono. Bumaling ito sa kanya. "Stay here. I'm going to talk with the executives. Sasabihin ko ang lahat ng ipinaliwanag mo sa'kin. Huwag ka nang lumabas dahil pag-uusapan ka lang ng mga tao."
Kahit sobrang bilis nang pagkakasabi nito sa wikang Pranses, nakuha naman ni Eunice. Kahit galit din, nakikita niya ang pag-aalala sa mga mata nito para sa kanya. Her boss would really defend her at all costs. Eunice is thankful for people who did not judge her easily.
Tumango siya at saka lumabas si Madam Lilou.
She tried to call Terrence. Pero dumi-diretso sa voicemail ang tawag. May ginagawa siguro ito.
She called Tita Gena instead. Agad naman itong sumagot at sinabi agad ni Eunice ang nangyayari.
"Actually, Tita, I'm feeling sad because everyone in the office knows that I am a Christian. I thought they believed I have changed... Pero isang labas lang nitong email, naniwala na sila agad na kaya kong gawin iyon dahil sa nakaraan ko..."
Tumayo siya at lumapit sa wall-to-ceiling glass window. She looked up the gray clouds, sprinkling light and heavy drops of rain simultaneously.
"Even my own team believed. Wala ni isang nagreply sa kanila nang nagtanong ako kung alam nila ang tungkol sa email at kung naniniwala sila. Si Soleil at Madame Lilou lang yata ang kakampi ko dito..."
"Naiintindihan kita, hija. Wala namang kahit sinong tao ang gustong masiraan."
She pouted and held back her tears. Hindi ito ang tamang oras at lugar para umiyak. "I think, Tita, the prejudice was harder for me because they all know that I'm a Christian. That I serve in church. When I came earlier, I saw how they looked at me, Tita..." Napapikit siya. "All of them were convinced that I am a hypocrite. Nalulungkot ako, Tita, kasi... I've been doing my best to be of good character as a Christian. Because I know that I'm not carrying my personal image alone, but I'm also carrying the name of the Lord. Pero dahil dito... d-dahil dito, para sa kanila nadungisan ko iyon..."
She swallowed hard. She's not going to cry. She's not going to cry...
"I know that I'm never going to be a perfect Christian, Tita. But the accusation against me is not even true. I can owe up to my mistakes, but what would I be guilty about now? I'm not an unfaithful wife.
"I tried my best to be at peace with everyone, Tita. Nagpasensya ako sa mga tao. Iniintindi ko. Wala akong pinatulan sa lahat ng backstabbers. Hindi ako kahit kailan naniwala sa mga chismis patungkol sa kahit sino, totoo man o hindi. Pero pagdating sa'kin? Pagdating sa'kin, naniwala lang sila ng ganoon kabilis? And who's this person who'll do extreme lengths just to taint my reputation? Hindi lang sa buong opisina pero kasama na pati mga principal sponsors. Hindi ko alam, Tita, kung sinong may sobrang galit sa'kin para gawin 'to!"
Eunice was unaware how her body shook in fury. She didn't want to get in with anger but she just has to release this to someone who knows her, personally and spiritually.
"Okay, take deep breaths."
Sumunod naman siya.
"Nakakagalit talaga ang nangyayari ngayon, hija. At naiintindihan ko ang nararamdaman mo. I also know you. I know how much you love the Lord, Eunice. Remember that He will always side with the truth. If He allowed this to happen, this could be a test of faith, of your character.
"I can feel that you worry too much about the name of the Lord that you carry. But let me assure you, it was never tainted. It will always be holy no matter what people think about us, as Christians. And your conscience is clear, Eunice. Iyon ang pinakamahalaga. You have the truth, you have God. He'll make sure no weapon formed against you shall remain."
Napaupo siya nang maramdaman ang pagkabog ng puso at panghihina ng mga tuhod. "Tita..."
"This could be a testing of faith. Or a situation He allowed in order to develop your character, to mold your heart, and to teach you more how to love even the most judgmental people."
She sighed deeply.
"People can destroy your reputation, Eunice. But the Lord will make sure your soul is protected in His embrace. At huwag kang mag-aalala. May sariling paraan ang Diyos para ipakita sa mga tao ang katotohanan. He will even fight for you. Do not forget how God can make all things together for good, para sa mga taong nagmamahal at sumusunod sa Kanya. Isa ka doon, hija."
She recalled everything that happened in her life since she became a Christian. She's been at the toughest of times.
Oo nga naman, kahit kailan... hindi siya pinabayaan ng Diyos.
Paano pa kaya ngayon?
Tita Gena softly told her more stories about Christian people she knew who went through the same situation and how they responded in faith—sa paraang hindi kung paano lumalaban ang mundo, pero sa paraan kung paano lumaban ang isang tunay na taong may personal na relasyon kay Kristo.
Then she remembered the preaching yesterday. How can she forget?
This is an opportunity to respond in a way that people would question their own judgment against her. This is a chance for Eunice to respond in a way that people can see Jesus.
Before the call ended, Tita Gena prayed for her. Dalawang oras na pala niya itong kausap.
She sat up straight and took deep breaths. Mas nangingibabaw ngayon sa kanya ang sarap ng pakiramdam na may mga tao siyang matatakbuhan at laging ipapaalala sa kanya kung paano lumaban sa mga ganitong sitwasyon na kasama ang Diyos.
There's comfort in knowing God allowed people to hate her, so she can appreciate how much love she's been receiving from her family, friends, and ministry. God is teaching her not to take these people's love and support for granted.
And the people who are against her, they are not the true enemy.
Pumikit siya at napayuko.
Lord God, I know that this is just a testing of faith, and an opportunity to develop my character. I believe the one behind this can only destroy my name, but never my soul. Guide Madame Lilou in delivering the true story to the executives and sponsors. May you open their hearts and give them wisdom to discern the situation. I'm surrendering this all up to You.
May the truth shall always prevail in Your own time, in Your own way.
And when I'm too overwhelmed with these emotions, remind me that You are the rock that is higher than I. Let me praise you even in this storm.
Strengthen me, Lord. Help me to put my trust and hope in You and not in this situation. In Jesus' name...
Hindi pa rin bumabalik si Madame Lilou. Tatawagan niya sana si Terrence pero na-lowbatt siya. She just used the remaining battery life of her phone to open her Bible app and go back to read verses that can refresh her of the mighty characteristics of God.
Pagdating ni Madame Lilou ay napatayo si Eunice.
Her boss looked tired and her eyes...
"W-What happened, Madame?" nag-aalalang tanong niya, hindi para sa sarili pero dahil sa pagkahapong nakikita niya sa buong mukha nito.
"They don't really care about the rumors whether it's true or not. But... just to make the issue die down and to ensure the image of the company from all of the employees who received the same email..." Tumingin ito sa kanya ng diretso.
Inabot niya ang kamay nito. "Go on, Madame. I will respect the decision of the executives whatever it is."
"It's unfair for you..."
Eunice chose to give the old lady a comforting smile. "Don't worry about me, Madame Lilou. I've been in more unfair situation than these before. And I know that when life is unfair, I just have to focus on God more."
Niyakap siya nito. "I have to pull you out from the London Fashion Show. And after your vacation leave, I have to suspend you from work for a whole month... I know this is too much. But the management are under pressure. Kung hahayaan ka lang daw, baka isipin ng mga empleyado at ng mga sponsors na nagto-tolerate kami ng ganito.
"But it's not a punishment, okay? I just have to find a way to protect you. Mainit ang mga mata sa'yo. Your co-workers might bully you until we find out who sent the emails. Kaya mabuting kung hindi ka muna mag-report dito..."
Napalunok si Eunice. Nangilid ang luha sa mga mata niya, pero hindi niya hinayaang tumulo iyon.
"I... understand, Madame," she humbly said.
Taken out from a big project and suspended from work. That's just temporary. Eunice can bear with that.
"You're a genuine person, Eunice. I can tell you've changed and grown so much since you got back here." Bumitiw na ito nang yakap at hinawakan siya sa magkabilang balikat. "I believe in God, too, because I saw how real He is... through the way you live your life and treat the people around you."
Doon na tuluyang tumulo ang luha niya. Sa kabila ng kinahaharap niya ngayon, umiinit ang puso niya.
Her boss is an assurance from God that she's doing fine as a Christian. That as a believer, she had shown light to those who needs to see it at His own time.
"I'll make sure we'll get the culprit behind this. Sisiguraduhin kong sa pagbalik mo dito sa trabaho, malinis na ang pangalan mo."
♥♥♥
PAGKAHATID ni Terrence kay Eunice sa opisina nito ay wala siyang sinayang na oras.
He hailed a cab, rode it, and asked to take him to Lucien's company. Alam niyang nagpapakatatag ang asawa niya sa abot ng makakaya. Eunice was in trouble because of that malicious rumor circulating on her workplace.
Habang nagpapaliwanag ito sa boss nito, kailangan niyang makausap si Lucien. Since he's involved in the picture, maybe he knows who did it. Or maybe he did it.
Ayaw niyang basta mag-akusa. Pero ayaw niya sa lahat ay may mga taong gagawin ang lahat masira lang ang asawa niya. He knew this is just a challenge for her. But he won't just sit down and pray.
He prayed first, and now it's time to put an action to it.
"I'd like to talk with Mr. Lucien De Sauveur," he politely asked the receptionist. "I don't have any scheduled meeting with him, but once you say my name, he knows me," he added with conviction.
The receptionist picked up a phone and talked in French. Later on, she's leading him to Lucien's private office.
"What an honor to have you here, Engineer Aranzamendez," pormal na bati nito, may tipid na ngiti sa mga labi.
"Good morning, Monsieur. I know you're a busy person, so I won't take much of your time."
"Have a seat."
Marahan siyang umiling. Nanatili siyang nakatayo sa harap ng lamesa nito. Terrence brought out his phone. "I'll send something to you via email."
Napakunot-noo ito. Nagtataka.
He sent the email he got from Eunice earlier. Agad na tumutok si Lucien sa laptop nito.
He observed and carefully guarded Lucien's reaction.
Then, there's a genuine shock in his eyes. Napatayo itong bigla. "What the hell is these?! Who took these goddamned photos?!"
"You're not the one who took the photos to set up my wife in a compromising situation?"
Agad itong umiling. His eyes are confused and mad in mix. "I'll never do this to Eunice!"
"How can I believe you if you tried to take advantage of her one time? You tried to assault her in her apartment," kalmado si Terrence habang sinasabi iyon, kahit sa loob-loob niya ay gusto niyang sapakin na lang ito ng diretso.
But that would not be pleasing to the Lord.
Napasinghap ito. Ngunit hindi nagpatinag. "I was drunk that time! But I just want a kiss and nothing else! When I saw how frightened she was, that's a wake-up call for me..." Napayuko ito. "I'm sorry..."
Terrence can't see his face, but he can clearly hear the repentance in his voice.
"I was too ashamed to face her after that. That's why I promised myself never to bother her, again... I don't want to see Eunice that scared, again... because of me."
Humugot nang malalim na paghinga si Terrence.
"Tell me the truth, then. Are you behind those photos?"
Nag-angat ito ng tingin. Lucien look directly at him and shook his head. "Again, I cannot do this. I'm not even aware that we are being photographed! Fuck!"
"You're a known person here in France, Mr. De Sauveur."
"I know. Yet my team made sure no paparazzi can ever invade my privacy."
Mas pinag-aralan niya ang bawat reaksyon nito. Binabalanse ang katotohanan sa mga salita nito.
He can't still trust him...
However...
"Kumakalat ang email na iyan sa trabaho ni Eunice," he said in French. "The email says she's having an affair with you until now. The photos were the 'proof'."
"What the fuck?!" Nahampas nito ang lamesa. "This is character assassination for her!"
"Nasa opisina pa siya ngayon para magpaliwanag. Alam kong hindi ka naman hihingan ng statement ng opisina nila. So, it's just Eunice's truth against the rumors. But you can do something."
Napakurap-kurap ito. "Tell me! I'll do anything. I'll release a statement in the newspapers if I have too!"
"No," iling niya. "If you're really sorry for the past months you've been bothering my wife, help me find the culprit," he said. Not a favor. But an order.
"I know you have all the influence here in France. Use that. You can talk to the cyber police or whoever you know who can trace where the email came from."
Terrence knows that God would expose the truth. He prayed earlier. Pagkatapos ay bigla lang pumasok sa isip niyang puntahan si Lucien ngayon. Hindi lang para komprontahin.
It was like God is pointing Terrence to get Lucien's help.
"I can do that," Lucien agreed. "To clear Eunice's name, I can do that. I'll pull all my strings to know who's behind this."
Lucien started to make some calls. Mabilis at malinaw ang pag-uutos nito. After the calls, he turned to him, again.
"My security will start to call experts. Give me at least a week or two."
Tumango-tango si Terrence. Tamang-tama bago siya umuwi ng Pilipinas. Mapapanatag siya para sa asawa.
"I hope this personal matter won't affect the professional relationship we have," Terrence said. "Even though you're not directly my superior, you are part of the building project, therefore you can still trust that I'll give my outmost respect and loyalty to you and your whole company."
Napabuga ito ng hangin. "I guess I owe you, too, an apology as a man... I'm sorry. It's just that I can't get over with Eunice. She's hard to forget..."
Terrence let his guard down a bit. He relaxed his shoulder. "I can never tell you to stop whatever you're feeling for her. But if that's genuine love, you will respect her marriage with me. Love does not act unbecomingly, Lucien."
Umangat ang gilid ng labi nito. Nakita niya ang pagkuyom ng mga kamay nito.
"You made her cry," matigas na sabi nito. "You. Broke. Her."
"I did," he confessed. There's no point in denying. "I did that. We hurt each other. Nagsisi kami. Pinatawad niya 'ko. And I was able to forgive her, too. And since then, we shared the best love—even and most especially in our toughest times together, Lucien."
Napailing-iling ito. Napaupo sa swivel chair nito. "I still don't think you deserve to have her. She doesn't deserve to be with a man who broke her like that."
Terrence sat down in the visitor's chair in front of his table. "I think so, too."
Gulat na napaangat ito ng tingin. "What?"
"You could have been a better man for her. Or Geoff. You, two, didn't make Eunice cry the way I did." Bahagya siyang napangiti at napatingin sa wedding ring na lagi niyang suot-suot. "I don't deserve her but still God gave her to me..."
"I don't get what you're saying."
Nag-angat siya ng tingin dito. "I was in comatose before because of a car accident, and Eunice patiently waited until I woke up. Then, I thought I have a child from a former girlfriend. She accepted the child. But it turns out, I'm not really the father.
"However, I truly got a love child from an ex-girlfriend from college that I didn't know about. When I learned about it, I was not able to handle it well and it hurt Eunice. Still, Eunice accepted my daughter and me."
Lucien's jaws dropped. Hindi makapaniwala sa mga biglaan niyang isinawalat na parang napaka-ordinaryo lang ng sinasabi niya.
"Then, just last year, we lost our first baby because of complications. And I can't do anything to save our daughter for Eunice."
Hindi na maalis ang gulat sa mukha nito.
"You're right, Lucien, I don't deserve Eunice because she had sacrificed a lot for me. She accepted me when she could have left me. She loved me harder when she could have find another man that does not have a love child. She could have turned away and I would understand."
Nagtagis ang mga bagang nito. "Why are you telling me all of these? Para ipagyabang sa'kin kung gaano ka kamahal ni Eunice nang ganoon kalalim?"
Marahan siyang umiling. "When I was still a sinner, Christ died for me. In my flaws, He loved me the same. In my shortcomings, He forgave me countlessly. Whenever I turned away, God never gave up on me. And it's the same for you, Lucien."
He froze. Halatang nakuha nito ang sinabi niya, ngunit nandoon pa rin ang kaunting pagkalito.
"Jesus is God's grace for my wandering soul... He's the salvation of my life," marahang sabi niya. "While Eunice is God's grace for my passionate heart. I don't deserve to have her, but still God gave her to me.
"Our love isn't like in the movies or books you know. This love is only possible because of grace."
Marahang tumayo si Terrence. "I hope you accept this grace from Jesus, Lucien. I can say you're a nice guy. Just blinded by your affection towards my wife. But, you can be redeemed if you'll believe."
Tumayo na din ito. He can't read his emotions. But there's a flicker of enlightenment in Lucien's eyes.
Terrence is not sure though if Lucien was enlightened about Jesus or about the reason why his marriage with Eunice is more than meets the eye.
Pero kung alin man doon o kung parehas man, itinataas niyang lahat sa Panginoon.
"I'll update you once we found out who's been spreading this email," mahinang sabi nito.
He offered his hand for a handshake. Tinanggap naman nito iyon.
Terrence finally earned Lucien's respect.
***
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