"HINDI NAMAN ho talaga ito kailangan, S-Sir..."

Halos magbaga ang mga pisngi ko sa sobrang kahihiyan na nararamdaman habang nakasunod ako sa malapad na likod ng anak ni Mr. Sandoval papasok ng opisina. Well, I could feel the burning sensation penetrating my chest even as the cold air from the AC brushed against my skin, telling me that the burn on my chest badly needed an immediate treatment, but I couldn't let him do that.

He's my boss, for goodness sake!

Hindi siya umimik. Matapos niya akong paupuin sa itim na couch sa receiving area ay kaagad siyang lumabas. Saglit lamang iyon. Nang bumalik siya ay bitbit niya na ang isang maliit na puting plastic box— isang first-aid kit.

I shut my eyes in frustration. "There's no need to do this, Sir."

But he just silently seated himself next to mine. Inilapag niya ang first aid kit sa ibabaw ng glass center table at binuksan iyon na para bang hindi niya ako narinig.

His eagerness to treat my burn by himself was plastered on his stoic face.

Is he serious?

Oh, God!

Nasabi rin nga pala ni Mr. Sandoval na may angking katigasan ng ulo itong anak niya. But I couldn't let him do what he wanted. Kung matigas ang ulo niya, mas matigas ang sa akin.

"A-Ako na po," mautal-utal kong sabi nang agawin ko ang botelya ng ointment sa kanya. Nakita ko ang pagdaan ng gulat sa mukha niya. Pero pinagsawalang-bahala ko iyon. Ang importante sa akin ay ang makaalis na ako sa opisinang ito!

Because even though Mr. Sandoval wasn't here with us, the entire room made me feel small.

It made me feel like I was an ant in a big dome.

I was still intimidated by how neat and clean the room was and how it sparkled despite its dark motif.

So, without any warning, I unbuttoned my clothes until they showed the deep v of my chest where the coffee spilled. Namumula ang parte na iyon ng balat ko at ramdam ko ang hapdi pababa sa aking tiyan.

Tatanggalin ko na sana nang tuluyan ang pagkakabutones ng damit ko nang biglang tumikhim ang anak ni Mr. Sandoval.

"I think... I should go first?" he asked, wiggling his thick brows.

Kaagad akong napatakip sa dibdib, kahit may suot pa akong spaghetti strap na kakulay rin ng balat ko. I almost forgot that he was a man! That I was with a man! Ysa, ano bang iniisip mo at bakit lutang ka na naman?

"S-Sa labas ko na lang po gagawin," sabi ko.

Tatayo na sana ako matapos kong maibalik ang pagkakabutones ng damit ko nang unahan niya na ako.

"No."

Napakurap ako habang nakatingala sa kanyang mukha. Like Mr. Sandoval said, his son was a playful man. At kitang-kita ko ang aura na iyon sa mukha niya kahit sa matipid niyang ngiti. At hindi ko maiwasan ang hindi mapatulala sa kakisigan niya.

Yes, I was with him last Friday night. Pero dahil sa nais kong taguan ang ka-date ko nang gabing iyon ay hindi ko masiyadong binigyan nang pansin ang mukha niya. Nang magising naman sa condo unit niya ay nataranta naman ako.

And now that we were alone here, I couldn't help myself but to praise his gorgeousness.

Para siyang anghel.

Isang pilyong anghel.

"You can stay here."

Kaagad akong umiling, pinipigilan na ma-flutter ang puso. "H-Hindi ho, Sir—"

"I insist." He flashed a sweet smile. And I think it was the sweetest smile I had ever seen in my entire life.

I lost.

My heart skipped a bit.

Gusto ko mang hawakan ang dibdib para patigilin ang mabilis na pagtibok nito, hindi ko nagawa.

Mr. Sandoval's son was standing in front of me like I owed my life to him.

So, how will I do that?

Napatango na lamang ako at nanatiling nakaupo sa malambot na couch. While Mr. Sandoval's son stood still in front of me and stared at me like there was something on my face. His smile vanished; it seemed like it was lost in the dark sea and could never be found as his jaw clenched.

Napakurap ako at hinawakan ang mukha. "Excuse me, S-Sir? May dumi po ba ako sa mukha?"

He batted his thick and long eyelashes, laughed, and shook his head. "Nothing. I was just—"

"S-Sir?"

Sabay kaming napabaling sa direksyon ng pintuan. It was Mrs. Ambros. Nakasilip siya sa sewang. "I am really sorry, Sir. Hindi ko ho talaga sinasadya."

"Come in," Mr. Sandoval's son said in a cold tone.

Dahan-dahan na pumasok si Mrs. Ambros. Like she was a rat in front of a big cat. Like her life was in a pit, and she wanted to ask for it to be saved.

"S-Sorry talaga, Sir."

Mangiyak-ngiyak siyang luluhod sana nang itaas ni Mr. Sandoval ang palad niya sa harap ni Mrs. Ambros.

"No need to do that," he said coldly. "And you're here, not because of that."

Tumayo nang tuwid si Mrs. Ambros at tumango, nanatiling nakayuko at hindi kayang mag-angat ng kanyang mukha. "Y-Yes, Sir..."

"Then, do your business here as fast as you can."

"Opo-opo."

Parang dagang takot ay mabilis na lumapit si Mrs. Ambros sa lamesa ni Mr. Sandoval. May mga tore ng papel pa rin ang nakatambak sa ibabaw niyon.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Ano bang nangyayari?

I wanted to ask that, but who am I to do that?

Nasagot lang ang tanong ko nang makita ang hawak ni Mrs. Ambros.

"Nakita ko na po, Sir," nakayukong sabi niya.

It was the folder she asked me about. Galit siya dahil hindi iyon napirmahan ni Mr. Sandoval. Napalunok ako at napapikit. It was my fault. Yes, I already told Mr. Sandoval about the urgency of those files. Pero ni hindi ko man lang sinigurado kung napirmahan niya ba iyon bago ako umalis nang Biyernes.

I felt bad for Mrs. Ambros.

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. I looked at Mrs. Ambros apologetically. "I am—"

"I heard that my great father already informed you about this, right?" putol sa akin ng lalaki dahilan para mapabaling ako rito. With a smirk on his lips, he glanced at me before looking back at Mrs. Ambros.

The way his voice spit those words in a deep and cold tone, I could feel that he had reached his limits.

He was mad.

But am I right?

Hindi naman nasabi ni Mr. Sandoval na may ganitong personality ang anak niya.

Mrs. Ambros nodded. "O-opo—"

"Then why are you asking that to Ysabella like it was her fault?" He raised his brow and licked his lower lip.

Napatingin ako kay Mrs. Ambros. Did Mr. Sandoval already sign the files?

Halos hindi makatingin sa akin si Mrs. Ambros. So, Mr. Sandoval has already signed the files. Kita ko iyon sa mga mata ni Mrs. Ambros. Pero bakit hinahanap niya iyon sa akin? Galit pa siya nang komprontahin niya ako na dahilan kung bakit natapon sa dibdib ko ang kape.

She gulped and started to burst into tears. "I-I am sorry, Ysa. Hindi ko naman talaga balak na matapon sa iyo 'yong kape. It wasn't on our plan—"

"Plan?" kunut-noo kong tanong. Halos manghina ako sa narinig mula sa kanya. Nakaupo man ay parang matutumba pa rin ako. Mabuti na lang ay may backrest ang couch na masasandalan ko. "Ano hong gusto niyong sabihin?"

"Sorry, Ysa," she cried.

Gusto ko siyang intindihin. Pero naguguluhan ako.

I looked at Mr. Sandoval's son. He was just biting his lips and had no intentions of telling me what he knew.

"Hindi ko ho maintindihan, Mrs. Ambros," sabi ko, naiiling.

But Mrs. Ambros couldn't look at me straight. Patuloy lang siyang nakayuko, umiiling, at umiiyak.

"Gusto ko hong malaman ang totoo para maintindihan ko po ang lahat. Has Mr. Sandoval already signed those files?"

Marahang tumango si Mrs. Ambros.

"And did he already inform you about this?"

Tango ulit ang sagot ni Mrs. Ambros sa akin.

Ngayong nasagot na ang tanong ay unti-unti kong nararamdaman ang pag-init ng katawan ko. Pero sinubukan ko ang lahat para kontrolin ang galit na namumuo sa dibdib ko.

"Then, why are you asking me about those files like Mr. Sandoval didn't sign them?"

Natameme si Mrs. Ambros kaya'y hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko. With my balled-up fists, I stood up. "Tell me, Mrs. Ambros!"

Napalundag si Mrs. Ambros sa biglaan kong pagsigaw.

I've already reached my limits. Kung alam niya naman palang napirmahan na ni Mr. Sandoval ang letcheng files na iyon. Bakit hinahanap niya iyon sa akin? Like Mr. Sandoval didn't inform her?

"We... We heard right from Mr. Sandoval's mouth that he... he picked you up personally as the best employee of the month," she cried.

Kaagad niyang itinaas ang bilog niyang salamin at pinunasan ang mga matang basang-basa na dahil sa mga luhang kumakawala roon.

"It was so unfair of him, Ysa. We all did our best, too. We worked hard. Bakit hindi kami? Bakit ikaw?"

Napasinghal ako sa narinig mula sa kanya. It was funny to hear that coming from an employee who aged in SEI. "Bakit hindi ako? Tell me, Mrs. Ambros. Didn't I deserve that award, too?"

Natameme si Mrs. Ambros.

I heard Mr. Sandoval's son's secret laughs. Hindi iyon nakatulong sa inis na nararamdaman ko.

"I also did my best, Mr. Ambros. I also worked my fucking ass so hard. So, tell me. Hindi ko ba deserve ang award na 'yon?" Tears flowed down my cheeks. Hindi ko na napigilan pa. I reached my limits, and I couldn't contain myself from bursting. Para akong bulkan na matagal na nanahimik at ngayon ay handa nang magbuga ng apoy.

Ilang saglit lang ay naramdaman ko ang yapos nang malaking kamay sa likod ko. But it couldn't calm me.

"Mr. Sandoval wasn't unfair like what you've said. Alam mo kung sino ang unfair?" I asked.

But Mrs. Ambros did not answer me.

"Kayo 'yon. Why? Dahil no'ng mga oras na umaakyat kayo sa stage na 'yon para kunin ang award ninyo, I was cheering for all of you. I was happy for all of you. Because at last, your hard work has now paid off."

Tumulo ulit ang luha sa aking pisngi.

"Pero kayo? Did all of you cheer for me? O, hinihiling niyo na madapa ako habang paakyat ako nang mga oras na 'yon sa stage?"

I took a deep breath.

"Ysabella," he whispered softly in my ears.

Somehow, his soft but deep voice calmed me. But I am not done yet with Mrs. Ambros, so I clapped my hands.

"Well, congratulations. I passed out before I received my award. May nangyaring masama sa akin. And worst, pagbalik ko ng SEI, himbes na kumustahin mo ako, dinagdagan mo pa ang masamang nangyari sa akin no'ng Sabado."

"Enough, Ysabella." Mr. Sandoval's son caressed my shoulders before he faced Mrs. Ambros. "And you... you're done with your business here. You may go."

Maraming beses na tumango si Mrs. Ambros bago lumakad palabas ng opisina.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

I nodded as I let out a sigh.

"Want to grab something?"

Umiling ako. "Kailangan ko lang ng hangin, Sir."

Lalakad na sana ako nang hulihin niya ang palapulsuan ko. "What about your burn?"

"Ako na ho ang bahala rito, Sir."

Kaagad kong inalis ang kamay niya sa palapulsuan ko at mabilis na lumabas ng opisina.

I heard Mr. Sandoval's son call my name. I continued walking, though. Right now, I need air to release the tension that is boiling inside me.

In-expect ko naman na may mga ganitong mangyayari sa akin dito sa SEI. I mean, some employees don't care about my existence here. Pero dahil sa sekretarya ako ng may-ari ng buong kompanya, ang iba, ang tingin nila sa akin ay isa akong threat sa kanila. Like because of me, baka puwede silang matanggal.

But it was crazy, you know.

Kasi bakit naman sila matatanggal sa kompanya nang dahil lang sa akin?

Ano ako VVIP?

Anak ba ako ni Mr. Sandoval?

Kabit?

If Mr. Sandoval really gave me a special treatment, for sure, matagal na silang natanggal sa mga puwesto nila.

But they were still here.

Nang makababa ng ground floor ay naabutan ko sina Murky, Mari, at Shiela na kausap si Mrs. Ambros. Napansin ko ang biglang pananahimik nila. And I knew that I was there topic. Pero ang kakaiba ngayon ay nakikita ko ang mga takot sa mukha nila. Na para bang may gagawin akong ikakasama nila dahil naabutan ko silang pinag-uusapan nila ako.

Well, I won't.

Tulad nang nakasanayan, pinagsawalang-bahala ko sila at hindi na pinansin pa at tumuloy na sa paglakad palabas ng premises ng SEI.

They were suffocating me.

Gosh.

Nakahinga lamang ako nang maluwag nang malanghap ko ang hangin at bumuga iyon sa mukha ko. Yes, maybe it wasn't fresh air like from the province, but still, it calmed me a little bit.

Ilang minuto lang akong nanatili sa labas habang pinagmamasdan ang maaliwalas na paligid at ang mga dumadaan na mga sasakyan at mga tao sa kalsada. Nang umayos na ang pakiramdam ay bumalik na ako sa table ko.

When I reached my table, I was surprised, though.

Naningkit ang mga mata ko habang tinatanaw kung anong nakapatong sa table ko.

My heart beat fast.

Kinuha ko ang bottled juice at napakunut ang noo. Kanino galing ito?

"I heard that it can calm you," sabi ng malalim na boses pero may mapaglarong tono.

I looked at the door of Mr. Sandoval's office, and my eyes grew bigger to see who it was.

With the black tuxedo and a black shirt under it, he looked as proficient as Mr. Sandoval himself. His deep brown eyes sparkled as his lips stretched for a sweet smile— no, it was a playful smile.

"S-Sir," I stuttered; my cheeks were burning.

Lumakad palapit sa akin ang anak ni Mr. Sandoval. And the way he slowly strode towards where I was standing, it put a bomb in my chest. Lumakas lalo ang pagkalabog ng puso ko at halos iyon lang ang naririnig ko.

He looked like a damn Hollywood actor.

Gosh!

What is happening to you, Ysa?

"I hope you are okay now." He winked at me.

Napaiwas ako ng tingin at palihim na pinilig ang ulo. I shouldn't feel this way toward him. Yes, puwede akong kabahan tulad nang kabang nararamdaman ko kapag kaharap ko si Mr. Sandoval. But from the nervousness I felt towards this man, I knew it was different.

"P-Paano niyo po nalaman na gusto ko 'to?" I asked, not looking at him.

He hummed. "Let's say that I want to know you better."

"P-Po?"

Naguluhan ako sa sinabi niya kaya nag-angat ako ng tingin. Saglit lamang iyon dahil agad din akong nag-iwas at tiningnan ang bottled juice na hawak. It was strawberry juice. I couldn't look at his eyes longer. Baka hindi ko mapigilan ay baka himatayin ako ulit sa harap niya dahil sa matinding kabang nararamdaman.

He chuckled. "Nothing."

Napakurap ako. I felt that there was something he was not telling me.

"Just... work hard, Ysabella."

"P-Po?"

Alam kong may iba siyang gustong ipahiwatig doon.

But he just winked at me and left me dumbfounded on my table.