#28thLast3Chapters
Chapter 23 | Crazy Rich Guy
"How are you feeling now?"
That's the first thing Trein asked me nang magkita kami. I met him at the lobby downstairs. Kahit na mukhang pagod siya, he's trying to keep up with me which is very admirable.
I held his hand. "Physically, I'm alright. That's all I can say."
He pulled me and hugged me gently. "Sorry, I wasn't around when you needed me."
Humigpit lalo ang yakap ko sa kanya. Napansin ko pa ngang medyo may namuong luha sa gilid ng mga mata ko. He feels so comforting. I wish we could stay like this for too long but we can't kasi nasa public place kami.
"That's fine. Thank you for making ends meet just to go here. Sobrang na-appreciate ko." sabi ko sa kanya nung magkalas kami sa pagkakayakap.
"Where's your family? Have you eaten lunch?"
Naglakad kami paakyat sa hagdan papunta sa kwarto kung saan kami naka-check in. Medyo nakakaramdam ako ng kaba kasi of all days na ipapakilala ko ng formal si Trein sa kanila e ngayon pang may family crisis kami.
Kung sabagay, kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?
"Yeah, kanina pa. Ikaw?" I asked back.
"Sort of. I ate some takeaways." sagot niya.
"Nandito na tayo." huminga ako nang malalim bago ko binuksan ang pinto.
"Trein! Nandito ka na!" sinalubong agad ni Mother si Trein na parang hindi niya ako napagalitan kagabi.
"Hello, Mrs Shin." formal na bati ni Trein sa kanya.
"Naku, Mother na lang ang itawag mo sa akin. Masyadong formal naman ang 'Mrs Shin' e pasasaan ba't magiging in-laws na tayo 'di ba?"
Nagkatinginan kami ni Kuya Yoojin tapos sila naman ni Daddy.
Nginitian lang ni Trein si Mother. My mother glared at me like he's instructing me to make some moves.
"Uhm, Mother, Daddy, Kuya Yoojin, si Trein po. He's my boyfriend." I told everyone.
Nag-slight bow si Trein sa kanila tapos nakipag-shake hands sa kanilang tatlo. "Trein, this is my Mother, my Daddy and my older brother."
"Good afternoon, Mr and Mrs Shin, Yoojin." he greeted them.
"Kumusta ang byahe mo? Pasensya na kung medyo malayo dito sa amin, maaga ka sigurong umalis kanina umaga." sabi ni Daddy kay Trein.
"That's fine, sir."
"Nasabi ko naman na sa inyo na Senior Vice President sa Birchwood Industries si Trein. He's a good man kaya bagay na bagay siya sa anak nating napakaganda. 'Di ba, Yuri, my daughter?"
My mother turned to me and smiled brightly as if she wasn't disappointed at me last night.
I just grinned at her. Hindi ko rin kasi alam kung ano ang isasagot sa kanya.
Lumapit si Kuya Yoojin kay Trein at tinapik ito sa balikat. "Woah, big shot! Nga pala, bro, finally, nice meeting you. Mukhang mabait na tao ka naman at alam kong di mo sasaktan itong kapatid ko. Good luck sa inyo."
I glared at Kuya Yoojin and he just laughed. "Kuya, stop it. Iniintimidate mo siya e."
Tinignan ako ni Trein at hinawakan ang ulunan ko. "That's nothing. He's your brother. It's natural to tell those things."
Kinindatan ako ni Kuya. "Sabi sa'yo e."
Trein stayed with us for a couple of hours. As a matter of fact, gusto pa nga nyang patirahin ang family ko sa isa sa mga bahay niya sa metropolis. And I was like, 'Isn't that too much?'. My Daddy and brother is too shy to accept but my mom won't. Because of my convincing powers, hindi rin natuloy ang planong 'yun. Ang ending ay sa mismong apartment ko pa rin titira ang family ko.
Sinamahan niya rin ako na magpunta sa opisina ng barangay para sa assistance sa aming mga nasunugan. Damn, it was a bad idea letting him join me.
Imagine, he's really a head turner. For a fact, hindi naman nila kilala si Trein kung sino siya pero yung presence niya kasi ay masyadong malakas. He's tall, neat, refined, and oh well, handsome. A lot of my neighbors asks me who he was and I was just replying smiles at them. Kung sasagot pa kasi ako ay malamang hahaba pa ang usapan at lalong pagchi-chismisan nila ako.
Which is the last thing I would want to happen.
"Sorry if everything's chaotic." I helplessly smiled at him habang kumakain kami ng siomai habang nakatayo sa stall ng Master Siomai. Would you believe it's his first time eating in this kind of style?
Trein just looked at me intently without saying a word. Bakit parang nahihiya ako bigla? His stares are too much for me to handle. Gosh.
"That's totally okay. I'm just doing what I can to help you - at least staying by your side is the best for now becase I know how much of an independent person you are."
Sasagot na sana ako sa sasabihin niya kaso napansin ko yung tindera na dreamily na nakatitig sa kanya kaya natawa na lang ako.
He looked confused. "What? Is there something funny with I said?"
I pursed my lips. "Wala naman. I'm feel very much comfortable being with you around. Thank you for making it here."
Kinain niya ang natitirang piece ng siomai tapos ininom niya nang isang lagukan ang gulaman saka tinignan niya uli ako - with his cheeks and ears turned beet red.
Isn't he too cute?
"Okay ka lang?" ngumiwi ako.
He smiled widely. "Yeah, I'm very much okay. Good thing I insisted to follow you here and see you."
Pagkatapos naming kumain ng siomai - na na-enjoy niya - naglakad na kami pabalik sa apartelle complex. We are walking side to side, his hands are on his pockets while my arms are crossed with each other.
We're kinda weird couple sometimes. But it's pretty satisfying.
"Hindi ko alam kung nakakailang thank you na ako sa'yo, pero salamat kasi talagang dinayo mo pa ako dito. Thank you for making me feel better." sabi ko.
"That's nothing, Yuri. I'm just doing what I can as your boyfriend."
Tumigil kami sa paglalakad nung nasa tapat na kami ng complex. Napag-usapan kasi namin na pagkatapos kong asikasuhin ang mga papeles, sasamahan ako ni Trein pauwi dito habang siya naman ay babalik na sa Manila para sa pasok bukas. He gave me until tomorrow to take a leave off to fix things and go back to my house with my family.
"Can I hug you before I leave?" he held my arm.
I pouted my lips. "Hindi mo naman kailangan magpaalam if you wanna do something." I winked. Hoy, Yuri Shin, anong ibig mong sabihin aber?!
He smiled from ear to ear and gently hugged me. I pinned myself onto his body which startled him a bit. Ang cute niya, damn!
"I'll be missing you again." he murmured.
"Me, too. Pero wag mo ako masyadong mamimiss kasi di rin naman ako magtatagal." I rested my face on his broad chest. Sarap humilig dito everytime.
Sa totoo lang, bilang NBSB ako dati, inis na inis ako sa mga couple na OA kung mag-PDA sa public place. Pero ngayon, naiintindihan ko na. They just wanna express themselves. Yun lang. Wapakels.
Pero for the record, hindi naman OA itong ginagawa namin ni Trein. Or let alone this can be called as PDA in general.
Hug lang naman. Juskoday.
"You can't blame me." he bit his lower lip. Puta, ang hot.
Jusko, ano ba 'tong thoughts ko? Porket gabi na, ganito na agad?!
"Paano nga pala ang byahe mo?" I asked him. Mahaba kasi ang byahe mula dito hanggang sa Manila. If he's leaving now, he may not arrive not until the dawn by tomorrow.
"I'll ride the family helicopter." he said non-sensically.
Napalunok ako. "Ha? Don't tell me nag-helicopter ka rin papunta dito kanina?"
He nodded. OMG. This guy is indeed crazy rich. Ang ganda ko lang para pag-effort-an niya ako na puntahan gamit ang chopper para makita ako agad. Hot shot.
"Alright, just be safe, okay?" I told him.
"You too. By the way, how are the things going with your Mom?" tanong niya sa akin.
Hindi ko na nasabi kay Trein ang issues ko kay Mother dahil preoccuppied ang thoughts ko ng iba pang mga bagay. And hell I will not gonna tell him that she hit me because things didn't go well as she wanted.
Nagkalas kami sa pagkakayakap pero hindi agad ako nakatingin sa kanya.
"Hmm, mukhang okay naman. Basta, don't worry about me. I'll get through with this."
Hinaplos niya ang ulunan ko tapos hinalikan niya ang noo ko.
"Remember what I told you last time? Please let me know what you're thinking, what you need, what upsets you and whatever you may think. Don't worry about the things which are not under your control. Rely on me whenever you need." he straightly said.
Rekta talaga sa puso kung magsalita si Trein. Parang isang financial deal na need ma-close ang datingan ng mga salita niya. Para akong malulunod na kinikilig na ewan.
Shit. I should a get a grip.
"I'll be leaving now. I'll see you, alright? I love you."
"Take care. I love you, too, Sir." I teased him for the last time.
---~
Birchwood Industries
28th floor
I found myself back again in my old desk, with my old stuff, and my old job.
I never thought that the three-month secondment role on the Office of the Senior VP for Strategic and Finance has ended.
In just a blink of an eye.
Sobra na yata ang pagka-busy ko sa mga pangyayari at hindi ko na napansin na tapos na pala ang trabaho ko sa department nila Piper. Ni hindi man lang ako nakapagpaalam ng maayos sa kanila at makapag-thank you na rin. Anyways, gagawin ko na lang 'yun mamaya pagka-out ko.
Kung hindi pa kasi ako tinext nina Arienne at ng Line Manager ko na si Sir Zeke, e for sure didirecho ako ng 32nd floor para gawin ang tasks ko.
"Girl, kumusta ang stint mo dun? Parang nag-enjoy ka yata ha. You forgot to message me!" dumungaw si Arienne sa cubicle ko at nagmukhang tampo-tampuhan. Loka talaga 'to.
"Ari, busy lang. Wag kang judgemental okay?" I massaged my temple.
"Aga-aga, stressed ka kaagad?" biro niya sa akin.
Tumango ako. "Sorry, I just came from the countryside with my parents. Nasunugan kami 'di ba?" I reminded her.
She bit her lip. "Oo nga pala. Still, I'm sorry to hear about it. Kumusta kayo?"
"We're doing okay, so far. Nakakuha naman kami ng assistance from the local government unit and they are helping us to rebuild again." sagot ko sa kanya.
"Then good to know. Pag may kailangan ka, just let me know ha. Alam mo namang besties tayo dito sa Birchwood e." she smiled at me.
"Thanks ha."
"Don't mention it. By the way, balik tayo sa tanong ko nga kanina. Kumusta work mo doon sa Office ng SVP? Wafu paradise noh?" kinikilig na sabi niya.
Kumunot ang noo ko. "Anong wafu paradise?"
Ngumiwi siya. "Gwapo paradise, teh! I mean, nandun si Secretary Kim na kahit mukhang nerdy pero ang yummy tapos si Sir Trein na parang Greek god! Ang sarap siguro mag-work doon ano? Ganado ka everyday!" she dreamily said.
Natawa na lang ako sa sinabi niya. Will she believe me when I say that I'm dating that 'Greek god' she's talking about? Aba, baka sabihin niya lang na 'in your dreams'.
"OA mo ah. Para bang nakakakita ka na ng Greek god. Sus." I shot back at her.
Ngumuso siya. "Syempre personally hindi! I mean sa mga sculptures, illustrations, ganern!"
"Anong mukhang Greek god dun e mukhang Asian na Asian si Sir Trein. Not unless half-Asian ang parents niya."
Sumimangot siya pero ngumisi lang ako. "Ang KJ mo~ hater ka ba ni Sir Trein? Terror siguro siyang boss noh?"
Umatras ang mukha ko tapos ni-wave ko ang aking mga kamay. "Hindi ha. Okay naman silang lahat dun. OA lang kasi ng description mo."
"Hmp. Bahala ka dyan. But now you're back. Ah, I missed you. Catch up tayo later. Pwede ka ba?" she asked.
"I'm sorry, may mga aasikasuhin pa kasi ako sa bahay. Next week, promise! I'll make it up to you." sabi ko sa kanya.
"Alright. Sige, abswelto ka for today! Next week ha, magkwento ka tungkol kina Sir Trein at Secretary Kim!" she glared at me bago siya bumalik sa desk niya.
Napakamot ako ng ulo. Ano naman ikukwento ko sa kanya? Na boyfriend ko si Trein at si Piper naman ay ex ng best friend ko? Huh. She ain't gonna believe. She'd tell for sure that I'm just dreaming wide awake.
For the record, I told Nana about the incident and she's hell worried about me. She almost give me a house and lot pero pinigilan ko siya. Nakakaloka ang impulsiveness ng babaeng 'yun talaga.
At syempre hindi ko pa rin siya natatanong tungkol kay Piper. Naaagnas na ang kwentong 'yun.
I am busy doing my same old job when everyone around me stood up. Hindi ko alam ang nangyayari kaya nakitayo na rin ako para makisama. I gasped when I saw Ma'am Madonna walking with Trein behind him and some other security details - Piper is walking behind Trein naman.
Nakita kong papasok sila sa isang meeting room malapit sa workstation area namin. Trein probably knows I'm here but he may not know where I am sitting exactly because he's walking straight and he probably didn't notice me.
Ano kayang meron?
Is it about the finances of Birchwood?
Naramdaman kong sinitsitan ako ni Arienne kaya napalingon ako sa kanya.
She acted like she's gonna faint upon seeing the two. She mouthed, "Ang gwapo, tangina!"
I just shushed her. Loka talaga ang babaeng 'to.
Nang mawala na sila sa paningin naming lahat, umupo na uli kami at nagpatuloy sa kanya-kanya naming trabaho.
While I'm busy tallying the spreadsheets, Sir Zach came to me.
"Yes, Sir." umangat ang tingin ko sa kanya. He looks tensed. I don't know why but I suddenly felt nervous.
"Yuri, can you please go to the meeting room A?" sabi niya sa akin.
Kumunot ang noo ko. "Bakit po?" If my memory serves me right, doon pumasok sina Ma'am Madonna, Trein, at Piper.
I gulped. Shit, is there something I did?
Umiling si Sir na medyo naguguluhan din tulad ko. "Piper has asked me to let you come inside the meeting room."
Dahan-dahan akong tumango at tumayo. Nilingon ko si Arienne at nalilito rin siyang nagkibit-balikat.
"Sige, sir." I told him tapos pumunta na ako sa meeting room A.
Abot hanggang ground floor ang kaba ko habang naglalakad lalo pa noong nilampasan ko ang security detail na bitbit ni Ma'am Madonna.
Am I going to be arrested? Shit naman, ano bang nangyayari?!
Wala naman sinabi sa akin si Trein dito. O baka wala rin siyang alam?
Ugh. Wala pang nangyayari pero nasi-stress na agad ako.
As a courtesy, I knocked twice at the door before opening it.
Agad kong nakita si Ma'am Madonna na nakaupo sa executive chair habang sa tapat niya naman nakaupo si Trein. Si Piper naman ay nakaupo sa sulok habang busy sa pagta-type sa kanyang laptop.
I gulped- not once, but for as many times as I want.
Ma'am Madonna's presence is really heavy. But I can manage and I'll persevere. Kaya mo 'to, girl!
My eyes met Trein's though I'm not sure if he has any idea of what's happening.
"Please have a seat, Miss Shin." Ma'am Madonna pointed at the empty seat.
I carefully took the seat and took a deep breathe.
"I won't waste anybody's time here." panimula ni Ma'am Madonna. "Yuri, I hired a private detective to investigate about you. And I don't like what I learned about."
I froze in my seat. Her eyes are locked on me. I wanna look away but her eyes do have this strange force like a magnet that won't let me.
"Ano pong ibig niyong sabihin?" I asked.
She pointed at the folders lying on the table.
"You are friends with Lianna Yuchengco and she asked you to meet my nephew on her behalf because she doesn't want to get married yet - in exchange of a vacation in Japan and a cash incentive."
"Auntie, I told you about this already. Yuri's not dating me because of my money. I know who she is long before we dated." Trein came into my defense.
I feel my body trembling. Am I being insulted? I'm sure I am. Just because I'm not rich like them, yeah. Ganun ba dapat na kapag ang isang simpleng empleyadong tulad ko na magkakaroon ng boyfriend na mayaman e pera na agad ang habol?
What in the world, really?
"I'm not yet done talking to her, Trein Alexis." Ma'am Madonna glared at him tapos bumalik ang tingin niya sa akin. "Aside from your job here in Birchwood, you're also having a part-time job as a webcomics assistant colorist. Your parents live in the countryside while your brother is a factory worker in South Korea who unfortunately forced to go back home because of an accident. Both of your parents are early retirees however your mom," she paused and sighed. "She's really into gambling. Imagine a debt of more than half a million? Now I really know the reason why you're dating my only nephew." she looked at me top to toe.
I clenched my fists. Gusto kong mag-walk out pero ayokong maging disrepectful sa kausap ko. She's older than me and she owns the company where I work. I have to stay where I stand pero maling-mali naman yata na insultuhin niya ang pagkatao ko ng ganito.
I know not all rich people are like this.
But there are some rarity like this lady sitting across me.
She looks at me as if I'm a gold digger rat.
All I thought she's a level headed woman when we first met but I realized she's only testing the waters.
"Auntie, stop, please. Yuri's not like what you think she is. Believe me when I say I was the one who pursued her and not the other way around." sabi ni Trein tapos naramdaman kong hinawakan niya ng mahigpit ang kamay ko.
I find it very weird na dito pa mismo kami sa loob ng Birchwood Industries nagdi-discuss ng personal matters. Very uncomfortable.
"Why won't you pursue Miss Shin? Obviously, she appeared to you as if she's ready to seduce you on the first day you met each other. Don't pull that innocent card, dear nephew. You're just a man like anyone else." Ma'am Madonna scoffed.
"Auntie, I don't care whatever you think of me but your words won't make me change what I feel about Miss Shin. Please stop meddling into my life. I already followed everything you want me to do since I was a kid until I grow up. This time, let me handle things the way I wanted." he swiftly said.
Palakas nang palakas ang tibok ng puso ko na parang ang OA kung sasabihin ko na parang gusto na nitong kumawala sa dibdib ko. Trein's really fighting for us so I have to do the same. Hindi pwedeng iasa ko 'to sa kanya lahat.
Ma'am Madonna's glaring at us as if she wanted to consume me as a whole. This kind of thing won't let me break.
"Ma'am Madonna, let me tell you po, I love Trein because of who he is and not because of his money. I already made it clear to him just before we dated." I straightly said.
"I heard that from so many people around. Ganyan din sila sa una, Miss Shin. When each time passes, what they're after is their partner's money at all." she crossed her arms.
"If you already made up your mind about me, I respect your decision. I won't force myself just for you to like me, Ma'am. It's not my job to do so. And I think you already know what I am capable of. Pinaimbistigahan niyo na po ako e. Sana po pati yung tumatakbo sa isip at puso ko, pinaimbistigahan niyo na rin sana." I shot back at her.
Nagulat yata sa sinabi ko si Ma'am Madonna kaya namilog ang mga mata niya at kumawala ang mga braso niya sa pagkakapulupot.
"Are you mocking me, Miss Shin?"
Umiling ako, "No, Maam. I am merely saying the truth."
"You know why I'm doing this? I just dont want my nephew to date any girl he likes without a good and stable family background. He's going to inherit Birchwood Industries and its subsidiaries and he needs to have a strong, dignified, and powerful woman on his side." mariing sabi niya.
I scoffed. "So you like a trophy wife for your nephew? A woman he can put on a pedestal." tumango-tango ako. "I see. Well, as far as I know, Ma'am, I'm strong and dignified. Hindi nga lang po ako powerful kasi mere employee lang po ako ng Birchwood."
Hinila ni Trein ang kamay ko. "Please, Yuri, don't say that."
"Hindi ako papayag na iinsultuhin lang ako ng ganito, Sir." I told him, almost whispering.
Pero may sa-maligno yata itong si Ma'am Madonna at narinig niya pa ang sinabi ko kay Trein, Ah hindi, may pagka-chismosa pala. I stand corrected.
"Why? Do you feel insulted?" she said.
Umiling ako. "I am, but I won't let it get into my head because I know who I am. I won't be defined nor identified by anyone else but me."
Umiwas ng tingin sa akin si Ma'am Madonna tapos tumingin kay Trein. "Trein Alexis, I want you to meet someone tomorrow. This time, she's going to be your fiancee. Miss Lim, the heiress of Hanyoung Malls. No questions asked."
"But Auntie, you know I have a girlfriend - "
"She's only a fling, for heaven's sake." then Ma'am Madonna looked at me intently na parang akala niya nasa kanya ang huling halakhak.
I won't be a streetsmart for nothing.
"A fling perhaps but it won't be anymore."
Sabay na napatingin sa akin sina Ma'am Madonna at Trein - pati na rin pala si Piper na naka-jackpot pa ng VIP seats para sa palabas na 'to. Damn.
Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Trein tapos unti-unti akong lumuhod sa harapan niya. Tinanggal ko ang singsing na nasa index finger ko tapos tinapat ko sa pinky finger niya kasi feel ko doon lang magkakasya 'to.
"I don't have an engagement ring to present you but let me use this as a prop instead." tumikhim ako. "Trein Alexis Ryu, will you marry me? Will you let this mere commoner marry a crazy rich guy like you?"