Deanna's POV
Pagkatapos ng mga ganap kanina sa GTF, napagdesisyunan na naming umuwi.
"Call Ate Bei." I coldly commanded to Ponggay and entered my office.
Hindi ko pa kasi siya nakakausap about being Jema's suitor after what happened earlier.
Binaba ko yung mga gamit ko at pabagsak na umupo sa swivel chair.
"I've been calling her for how many times but she's not picking it up. It's just ringing." She replied as she removed her phone from her ear.
"Damn it!" I slammed the table. "Don't stop until she answers it."
"Are you sure? Baka hindi naman niya sagu—" Hindi ko na siya hinayaang matapos dahil hindi ko na napigilan ang aking emosyon.
"Just fucking call her!" I shouted.
"O-okay." Maikli lang ang isinagot niya sakin pero ramdam ko ang nginig at takot niya.
Hinayaan ko na lang siyang tawagan si Ate Bea.
I waited for a half hour while Ponggay is still trying to contact her until she told me that Ate Bea's phone is out of coverage.
Kapag minamalas ka nga naman oh :)
"Deans, pansin ko lang. Simula nung matapos yung meeting kanina sa GTF, naging mainit na ang ulo mo at nagiging cold ka na naman. Ano bang nangyari ha?" She asked and sat on the chair in front of me.
Bumuga ako sa hangin. I saw her gazing at me but I am just avoiding it.
"I knew that Ate Bea is hitting Jema." Nakita kong nanlaki agad ang mga mata niya nang marinig niya ang sinabi ko.
"What the—seryoso ka ba dyan Deanna?! Baka mamaya mali ka lang ng pagkakadinig." Sagot niya.
I shook my head. "What I've heard is right Pongs. Malinaw na malinaw na nanliligaw siya dahil si Jema na mismo ang nagsabi sakin." As those words came from my mouth, I felt sad at the same time anger.
"How could she do that?! Hindi ba nga siya pa ang nagsabing tutulungan ka niyang ilakad kay Jema? Pero bakit ganun ang nangyari?" Tanong siya sakin pero halatang gulat pa rin siya.
"I also don't know what's her real intention Pongs. Hindi rin ako makapaniwalang nangyayari lahat ng ito." Napahawak na lang ako sa aking sintido at minasahe ito.
"You should let her explain first, okay? Wag mong hahayaang pangunahan ka ng galit. Understood?"
"How can I let her explain? Eh ni hindi nga niya sinasagot ang mga tawag mo." I replied and blankly looked at her. "Nice suggestion Gaston."
"Hay nako." She face-palmed and unbelievably looked at me too.
"Edi hihintayin natin siyang makauwi. Wala naman siyang ibang matutuluyan kundi dito." I told her.
She smirked. "Nakalimutan mo na bang may mga condo siya or should I say condominiums na pagmamay-ari nating tatlo? Pwede siyang doon na lang tumuloy."
Ah shit! Hindi ko naisip yun!
"Kahit pala talaga papaano, maasahan din kita minsan."
"Just thank me later." She stated and smiled. "Osya, mag-isip-isip ka muna dyan ng mga pwede mong gawin. But take note Deanna ha, hayaan mo munang magpaliwanag si Ate Bea. Everything happens for a reason and I know that you'll understand whatever her reason is. Seryosong usapan ito. Usapang magpinsan." Tinuro pa niya ako habang suot suot ang seryoso niyang mukha.
"And by the way, did you and Ate Jia already talked? " She asked and I just shook my head.
"Kausapin mo siya kapag nagkita kayo ulit, okay?"
"Yes boss." I just coldly replied then she left me.
"Hayy!!" I let out a heavy sigh. "How can you do this shit?!"
Calm down Deanna. Calm down.
How will I fucking calm down kung hindi pa man ako nagsisimula sa first move ko e may sumisira na ng plano ko!
It took 8 minutes for me to make myself calm. Nakatulala lang ako dito habang nilalamon na ako ng mga naiisip ko.
My thoughts to be exact.
While I'm fighting with my own thoughts, I heard something weird coming from my...
...stomach??
"Someone's hungry."Dali-dali akong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ng boses at laking gulat ko nang makilala kung sino ito.
H-how did she entered my office without my per-of course Deanna she has something you know...unexplainable ability like what you have.
"What are you doing here?" I irritatedly asked the woman who is now standing in front of me.
"Bawal na bang bisitahin yung taong minsan nang nagpasaya sakin?" She seductively asked me too.
Here she goes again.
"Stop it, Carly. You're not helping." I irritatedly told her and picked up my phone.
"Oh anong gagawin mo? Tatawagin mo yung pinsan mo? Duh she's already with Kobe." I suddenly dropped my phone.
"What?! How could—I thought they are not together anymore?" Tanong ko sa kanya at pinulot ang cellphone ko.
Kobe Paras, he's my cousin's EX BOYFRIEND but I guess he's not an ex anymore because I know they hanged out.
"They are still friends." She answered as she sat on the chair.
"Friends? Are you fucking kidding me?" I fake laughed.
"What's wrong with that?"
"I believe that exes are not supposed to be friends."
"How can you say so?" She asked.
"Because if they stayed as friends, it only means that they still love each other. They don't want to lose that person." I simply stated while smirking.
"So that's why you don't want to be friends with me and why you're keeping on pushing me away? Is that the rea—"
"Mother fucking yes Carly! So kung ano man yang nararamdaman mo, please tama na! We're done! Matagal na!" I interjected and slammed the table harder than before.
I looked at her with my deathly glare and clenched my fist.
She's my ex. Siya ang nakasama ko simula nung mawala sila Mom at maiwan akong mag-isa dahil si Dad ay laging busy sa trabaho niya. I've never been his priority. Si Carly ang nagparamdam sakin ng pagmamahal not until she slept with another guy. I broke up with her at mas pinili kong hanapin ang babaeng niligtas ko noon. Weird feeling but I can't blame myself.
"I-I know D-Deans. S-sorry." She is shaking right now.
"If you will just talk about those nonsense of yours and disturb me, you can leave." I told her and pointed the door.
"No no no. I have to tell you this." Wika niya.
"No, just get out of my office now!" I shouted again pero lumapit at lumuhod siya sa side ko.
"Hear me first please!" She said. I saw a tear that came out from her eye.
I just nodded at her, sign that I'm letting her to speak.
"K-kung kailangan mo ng tulong ko, you can b-beep me anytime." Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya.
"What do you mean? Bakit ko naman kakailanganin ang tulong mo?" Tanong ko naman.
Tumayo siyang muli at pinunasan ang mga luha.
"You'll gonna need it Deans. You want to know why?"
"Yeah, go ahead." I told her.
"Tito Dean is planning of something, again. Baka ginagawa niya ito para ikabagsak mo." She continued. "Ibig sabihin, nasa panganib na talaga ang buhay mo ngayon. Hindi lang sayo kundi pati sa mga taong ma—" I paused her by facing my palm to her face.
"Paano mo nasasabi lahat ng yan? Saan mo nakuha lahat ng mga information? Who told you all of these?" Sunod-sunod kong tanong.
Hinawakan niya naman ang kamay ko and gently caress it.
"You'll find out, soon." She stood up and walk to the door but she stopped and faced me. "You better get your ass up and do some move, Deanna."
Tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay. Akala ko aalis na siya pero hindi pa pala.
"And remember this, hindi lahat ng taong nakapaligid sayo ay totoo. Minsan sila ang nandyan para tumulong sayo pero yun din ang tatraydor sayo someday." Magsasalita sana ako pero naunahan niya ako. "You have my contact. Good day."
"Wait Ca—" Hindi na ako natapos dahil lumabas na talaga siya ng office.
I just washed my face using my hands.
Argh! She left me without letting me ask some questions! She left me clueless! Ang dami ko pang mga katanungin pero wala. Damn it!
It's already 10:45 pm and I guess I need to take a rest. It's already late tho. So I took a bath and wore my nighties. I picked up my phone and texted Ponggay.
To: My Secretary Cousin
Hoy! Ikaw na napakagaling at napakabait kong pinsan, you need to go home before I'll kill your ex's ass! You don't know what happened earlier and I'm surely I didn't liked it! So you better go home! Nako sinasabi ko sayo Gaston. Drive safe.
As I turned of my phone, I fell asleep.
=====
Time flies really fast. I think almost a week akong nakatambay dito sa office ko sa sobrang dami kong ginagawa dahil nung pumunta kami sa New Zealand, nagpadala dito si Mr. Wong ng napakaraming papeles. Eh ano pa nga bang choice ko kundi gawin na lang ang trabaho ko.
I took me another a couple of days just to finish all of these.
"Yahh!!" I yawned as I stretched my whole body.
Finally done!
I stood up and fixed my things then I dialed my lovely cousin's number.
Dialing My Secretary Cousin...
OTP
"Ano pong maipaglilingkod ko sa inyo kamahalan?"
I immediately shook my head and giggle when she answered the phone.
Badtrip toh haha!
"Oh kamahalan? So you're my slave then." I chuckled. This is how I tease her. "Can you please come here to my office? Bring also our butler. We're going to visit Je—I mean the GTF."
"You really mean Jema! Hahaha! Okay I will, your honor! I'm already with Mr. Ronald. Prepare yourself. We'll be picking you up there."
"Okay. Tell Mr. Ronald to drive sa—" She hunged up.
Wow, nice.
Umalis na ako ng office ko at naghintay sa sala.
Nangangalikot lang ako ng kung ano-ano sa phone ko nang may marinig akong busina mula sa labas. Dali-dali ko namang kinuha lahat ng mga valuable things ko at lumabas na ng bahay. As usual, balot na balot na naman ang katawan ko dahil medyo maaraw pa.
Isang Porsche Panamera ang bumungad sakin.
"What's up Mr. Ronald?" I asked our forty years old butler.
"I'm good Young Master Wong." He replied and smiled.
I smiled at him too as he opened the car's door for me.
"Thank you po." I thanked him.
"Magnanakaw ka ba?" Natatawang saad ni Ponggay pagkapasok ko sa sasakyan.
Sumakay na rin si Mr. Ronald and started to drive away.
I glared at her and I saw her gulped.
"Oo na. Alam ko naman bakit ganyan lagi get up mo kapag lalabas tayo ng mga ganitong oras. Wag ka nang ganyan hehe." Pagsuko niya at nagpacute pa.
I just playfully rolled my eyes and looked at the road.
=====
"You're here..." I said when I saw her talking and laughing with Jema. "...again."
"CEO Wong? Pasok ka." Alok sakin ni Jema. Nagpasalamat lang ako sa kanya at mas lumapit sa kanilang dalawa.
"What are you doing here Ate Bea? Aren't you supposed working on our firm?" I asked the woman who id beside Jema.
"Natapos ko na lahat ng mga dapat gawin, Deans kaya dumiretso na ako dito because I'm going to take Jema out after her duty." She answered while grinning widely.
W-wait what?! Ugh! She's really into something!
"Oh is that so? Nakakalungkot naman. Tatanungin ko rin sana si Jema and her friends but I think you've already asked them. I'll just go." Agad ko silang tinalikuran pero may pumigil sakin.
Humarap ulit ako sa kanya. She is just smiling at me.
I might melt Jema.
"You can go with us CEO. The more the merrier, right? And besides, this will be the first time that you'll hang out with us. With the whole team." Sabi niya.
Yieee kilig...charot!
"I-Is it o-okay with y-you?" I nervously asked.
"Of course it is!" She replied with an excitement in her voice.
Napangiti ako. Ngiting abot hanggang kalawakan.
Charot!
"Okay then! My treat!" As I said those words, she quickly told the others then we just went to the nearest Starbucks.
It's past 4 pm so medyo maaga pa naman para sa dinner. I ordered Iced Caramel Cloud Frappuccino and French Toast Bread with butter and syrup of course.
Pumwesto kami sa may counter side, yung may high chairs. This is the arrangement.
Ken~Fhen~Ate Jia~Me~Ponggay~Mika
Table
Cy~Ej~Ate Bea~Jema~Eya~Yumi
Then they started to chitchat.
Napansin siguro ni Jema na nakikinig lang ako sa kanilang usapan dahil bigla na lang niya akong kinausap. Kaharap ko lang kasi siya.
"Hey CEO."
Is she calling me?
"CEO Wong."
"..."
"Huy!" I was startled when she snapped her finger in front of me.
"Oh hi. Am I the one you're calling?" I ask then she just laughed at me.
You're so dumb Deanna!
"Oo haha pero mukhang kanina ka pa tulala dyan kaya hindi mo ako napapansin." She replied and took a sip of her drink.
"Oh sorry." I apologized. She just smiled then talked again.
"How's New Zealand?"
"U-uh still the same." I shortly replied and avoided her gaze.
She's staring at me!
"Hahaha nakakatuwa kang tignan Deanna."
Did she just called me by my n-name?
Aish! Don't make it a big deal self!
"Oh ayan tulala ka na naman." She said and giggle.
"I'm just thinking about business, I guess?" I replied. "Bakit hindi mo kinakausap yan?" Sabay nguso ko sa katabi niyang si Ate Bea na nakikipag-usap kay Ponggay.
Tumayo siya ng konti at lumapit sakin.
"Nakakasawa din kasi siyang kausap." Natawa ako sa binulong niya.
"Ganun ba? Don't worry, nandito naman ako." I sweetly told her and winked.
I chuckled when I saw her blushed. Sinubukan niya pang itago ang mukha niya pero huli na.
After that, we talked about our companies. And bruh, for just a few minutes, we already clicked! Like, ang gaan na agad ng loob ko sa kanya then vice versa. She's already laughing at my jokes kahit corny tapos nagkekwento na siya.
Nang matapos ang kwentuhan namin, we decided to go back at their building. Some of Jema's friends need to finish their work. May two hours pa sila para tapusin.
Nagpaalam muna ako kay Mr. Galanza that I'm going to visit here often. He agreed naman at masaya pa siyang lagi na akong pupunta dito para icheck ang nagiging process ng company and of course the partnership.
Nakausap ko na rin si Ate Jia. I met her when we stayed her in the Philippines when i was young. She's the one who's guiding me. Parang kapatid ko na talaga siya pero simula nang may mangyari 'delubyo', she choose to cut her communication to us and I understand her naman kasi alam kong ayaw niyang mapahamak. Napag-usapan na namin ang tungkol doon and good thing, she's not mad at me despite all of what happended in the past and she knows about Jema and I. Sinusuportahan niya pa rin ako kahit na may manliligaw na si Jema. She still wants to be there for me.
=====
Pagkababa ko, dumiretso agad ako sa valet area para dito hintayin ang kotse ko na minamaneho ni Mr. Ronald but I saw a familiar woman standing aside.
"COO Galanza?" I called her then she faced me.
"Jema na lang sabi e." Maktol niya and pouted.
Aww cutie.
"Okay Jema hahaha. Are you waiting for someone?" I asked her.
"Hmm yes. Bea will bring me home." Napasimangot ako sa sinagot niya pero tumango na lang ako sa kanya.
Naramdaman ko namang lumapit sakin si Ponggay at may binulong.
"Don't mind Ate Bea. Iuwi mo na yang si Jema. Ako na bahala kay Ate Bei at Mr. Ronald." She whispered at tapped my shoulder.
I faced her and mouthed 'thank you'.
She's really the best!
After a minute, Jema is still waiting when a Porsche car stopped in front of me then Mr. Ronald went out of the car. Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pintuan sa backseat but I refused. Nilapitan naman siya ni Ponggay at may sinabi. Tumango si Mr. Ronald pagkatapos marinig ang mga sinabi ni Pongs at sinarado ulit ang pinto.
"Drive safe Young Master." He told me and slightly bow down his head.
"You too mister." I replied then opened the passenger's seat.
Tumingin ako kay Jema but she just looked me confusedly.
"Looks like she's not bringing you home." Sabi ko habang tumitingin sa paligid kung may susundo bs sa kanya pero wala kaya hinarap ko ulit siya. "Hop in. Ako na ang maghahatid sayo." I offered.
She hesitated.
"Pero baka ma—"
"Sumama ka naaa. Hindi ka naman pababayaan ng pinsan ko." Putol sa kanya ni Ponggay at mahinang tinulak papunta sa direksyon ko. "Sasabihan ko na lang si Ate Bea."
"O-okay." Then she went in.
Yes!
Umikot ako at pumasok sa driver's seat. I mouthed 'thank you' again to Ponggay and drove away. Alam ko naman kung saan sila kukuha ng sasakyan. It's either magga-grab sila o kukuha ng kotse sa WDLG'S Royale Restaurants. Yes, may mga nakapark din kaming kotse doon.
I asked her address and she gave it to me naman. I searched it on my waze then I put my phone on the holder. Sinusundan ko lang ang sinasabi nito.
Naging tahimik lang ang naging byahe dahil medyo pagod pa itong kasama ko at mukhang walang balak magpaistorbo so I just decided to shut my mouth.
When we reached their house, a beautiful and big mansion welcomed me.
Nilingon ko naman si Jema na mahimbing ang tulog. I came closer to her and stared at her angelic face. Hindi ko alam na nakatulog na pala siya.
I can't wait to have this woman.
I tucked her hair then stared again.
Baka matunaw yan ha hahaha kidding.
"Jessica." Tawag ko sa kanya atsaka inalog ng kaunti ang katawan para magising.
"Hmm." She just hummed.
"We're already here." As I told her, she immediately sat properly.
Buti na lang kinukusot pa niya ang kanyang mga mata kaya nakalayo ako agad kundi baka isang tulak na lang, magdidikit na ang aming mga labi.
"I guess you really need to take a rest COO." I stated and went out of the car.
Pinagbuksan ko siya ng pinto but she stayed on her seat.
"Nandito na tayo oh. Mas okay kung doon ka na sa loob magpahinga." Sabi ko ulit at lumuhod.
Nakakangalay kasi hehe.
Umiling lang siya atsaka sumimangot.
"Why?" I confusedly asked.
"Gusto ko na lang magstay dito." She closed her eyes again and crossed arms.
"Huh? Dyan sa loob ng kotse? Hahaha mas komportable kung doon ka sa kwarto mo. Wag nang makulit Ms. Galanza." Sinusubukan ko siyang hilahin palabas ng kotse pero nagpupumiglas siya.
Syempre sumuko na ako agad dahil baka masaktan pa siya kakahila ko sa kanya.
"Okay. We'll stay here pero five minutes lang ha." Sabi ko sa kanya kahit na hindi ko alam bakit gusto pa niyang magstay dito atsaka umupo na lang dito sa gilid ng daan.
——————————
Jema's POV
Gusto ko pang magstay dito dahil gusto ko pa siyang makasama. I don't know why but ever since I've talked to her, parang ayoko nang tumigil makipag-usap sa kanya. It feels like I wanted to know her more. May pabanat pa siyang nalalaman pero it's just normal if my heart skips a beat, right?
Aish nevermind.
We just stayed with this position while I'm stealing glances at her.
"Five minutes done." She stood up and faced me. "Let's go Margarett." Then she offered her hand.
Bagsak-balikat kong tinanggap yun at lumabas na ng kotse kahit na ayaw ko pa. Hinatid niya ako dito sa harap ng gate.
"Tara pasok ka." Alok ko sa kanya but she shook her head.
"I need to go home. Baka mapatay na ako ng sekretarya ko." She joked then chuckled.
"Hahaha baliw ka talaga. Mabilis lang naman. Papakilala kita kina Mama." I opened the gate.
Wow pakilala agad? 😂
"Salamat na lang Jema." Nanatili lang siya sa pwesto niya. "Maybe next time. Kailangan mo na ding magpahinga." Nakangiti niyang sabi.
"Okay fine. But promise me that you're not gonna refuse my offer next time." I told her in an authority tone.
"Yes boss." She saluted that made me giggle. "Thank you for today." She stated.
"No, I thank you for today." i corrected her then smiled. "Sige na. Mas lumalim ang gabi."
"And my love for you is getting deeper too." She sweetly replied.
Here we go again. She's making me blush! Shet!!!
"Hahaha you're blushing again." She pinched my cheeks. "See you."
Sumakay na siya sa kotse niya then she started the engine.
"Ingat sa pagmamaneho!" Ngumiti muna siya sakin bago tuluyang umalis.
"I hope I'll see you again." I whispered.
Pumasok ako sa bahay nang may ngiti sa mga labi. As usual, sinabihan na naman ako ni Mama na nababaliw dahil muntanga daw akong ngumingiti mag-isa. Wala pa sila Papa at Mafe dito so I guess they are still working. Nasa kusina naman si Yaya Eita at nagpeprepare ng dinner.
Tinanong pa ako ni Mama kung sino daw yung naghatid sakin and I told her the truth. Tinutukso niya pa ako pero tinatawanan ko lang siya. Nagpaalam din ako agad sa kanya dahil gusto ko nang makapagpahinga.
=====
After I did my night rituals, humiga na ako sa bed and was about to sleep when my phone beeped.
Kumunot ang aking noo nang may magtext sakin na unknown number. I opened it.
From: 09*********
Thank you for today Jessica. You made my day ☺😘 Good night ♥
Hindi ko alam pero may kung anong butterflies ang nasa tiyan ko. Tinabi ko na lang yung phone ko at natulog nang nakangiti.