Hired

The morning wind blows me back to reality. As the hammock swung, it was as if I was pulled back from yesterday's dark night. I looked up above only to witness the hue of peacefulness and blooming sunrise.

That explains why I do not want to get closer to Geon now. I do not like to fall for him, so I pushed him away.

I hate him because I liked him then. And I was afraid he'd never return the feeling I wanted if I confessed...

But then ... I always wish to see him around.

In my memory, there's this woman who is close to me. I've seen her many times in my memory when I was younger. I don't know what to feel. I do have a best friend. She cares for me. She knows how exactly I feel towards Geon and all. But where is she now? Hinahanap ba niya ako? Alam niya ba ang nangyari sa akin?

But what about my mother? I don't know if she is hiding or missing. Did I find her? Before the accident, did I get all the answers I needed to know?

Damn this. Ako lang ang makakasagot sa lahat ng katanungan ko kung maalala ko lahat. Kailangan kong ... maalala lahat.

I must remember what happened before the accident. Anong ginagawa ko sa foothills. Sinong humahabol sa akin. Bakit gusto nila akong patayin.

"Nandito ka lang pala," sulpot ni Geon.

Dagli akong tumayo. "H-Hi,"

He licks his lips upang itago ang ngiti. Nahulog ang mata ko sa bermuda. Nakita ko ang pares ng paa niya sa harapan ko.

"How's your sleep?" namamaos niyang tanong sabay hawak sa balikat ko.

Nag-angat ako sa kaniya ng tingin. Maliit ang ngiti sa labi ko. "I ... I had a good sleep last night."

Sana huwag niya isipin na nagustuhan ko ang pagyakap niya sa akin kagabi dulo ng kulog at kidlat. Iyong magkatabi kami kagabi ay labis na kahihiyan na ang nararamdaman ko.

"Hmm." He hummed and then looked away. "You look beautiful today..."

Lihim akong ngumiti.

He could have seen my grin if I did not look away. Siya naman ngayon ang nakatitig sa mukha ko. Tumagal iyon kaya nakaramdam ako ng pagkailang.

"Do you know what the melting point of the human heart is?" His voice was husky.

I looked at him cluelessly. "What? Uh ... no?"

"Your smile." He chuckled then pinched my chin. "The food is ready, shall we?"

I nodded, smiling secretly.

Damn it.

Masayang pamilya ang nasilayan namin sa hapag. Tali (if I did not mishear it) and Ysa are talking with one another. Sir Darwin, Ma'am Isabel, and Daddy Throne are carefully speaking on the other side of the table. Meanwhile, Eurus and his wife are not here. Ang tanging nagpaingay ay sina Alex, Andrew, at France. I remember France. We were in Vigan when he was introduced to me.

Huminto sila sa kani-kanilang ginagawa nang makalapit kami. Lahat sila ay nakatingin sa kamay naming magkahawak. Greasy smile flushed from the three bodyguards.

"Sabi sa'yo, p're, bawal dito ang single!" si Alex habang umiiling.

"You are single coz no one likes you." Andrew shot back.

"Naku. Buti na lang ako, gwapo-" naputol si France.

"-gago." Alex and Andrew glided in.

Nakaramdam ako ng kaunting hiya. Mabuti na lang at pinaghila na ako ni Geon ng silya upang makaupo na. Tumabi siya sa akin. Hindi nagtagal, sabay-sabay kaming kumain.

The table is full of enjoyment. Stories from the young girls, managing business, and even pulling puns from the funny bodyguards made it more like a daily breakfast.

Parang ang sarap maging parte ng kanilang pamilya. Kahit may problema sila, buo pa rin. Kahit magulo, nagkakasundo.

"Does your head hurt?" tanong ni Geon matapos magbihis.

Nag-presinta ako na tutulong sa paglilinis sa baba matapos ang agahan. Kahit man lang maghugas ng mga plato. Pero hindi ako nanalo sa mag-ina. Pumanhik na lang kami dito sa kwarto.

Umiling ako. "Hindi madalas..."

Binigay niya sa akin ang pain reliever. "Take this when your head hurts and the pain is not tolerable."

Tumango ako.

Naglakad siya pabalik sa closet. May kinuha siya saglit bago tumingin sa human size mirror.

Napansin ko ang suot niya ngayon. Looks like he's going to a business meeting with his white polo sleeves and black slack. Inaayos niya na ngayon ang black necktie niya.

"You're going somewhere?" my voice came sullen.

He stopped tying his necktie. My feet moved towards him. He is taller than me, so I needed to crane my neck to fix his necktie. We looked like a real husband and wife in this position.

"Zion and Israel are in the VRB Company. They have something for IVR for business matters. I just need to check it for Creon..." there's a peculiar softness in his voice.

Huminto ako sa pag-aayos ng necktie niya. His eyes were rigidly observing my query when he stared in my eyes.

I lowered my gazes.

"Do you want to come with me?"

I know my eyes lighted with a glint of surprise when he asked that! My eyes lifted again.

"Isasama mo ako? Hindi ba ako magiging abala sa'yo-sa inyo?" I asked grimly.

Geon shook his head, flashing his manly grin. "Nah,"

The soft fabric of sky-blue dress feels comfortable in my skin. As I looked at myself in front of the mirror, a blooming girl in her twenties was showing. Innocent-looking, amiable I am. However, I managed to ask myself if I have ever worn something like ... party dresses? Piece of cloth, glittering and sparkling under the wild disco lights. Something that reveals how savagely untouchable I was...

In my flashback, neither I saw myself dancing wildly on the dancefloor nor wearing daringly a party dress. But I visited my friend's pub when I was fourteen, right?

I cringed. Parang hindi ko gusto maalala ang mga kababalaghan ko noong sumunod na taon.

"That ... suits you well." Geon spoke from behind.

Naglakad siya palapit sa akin. Sinuyod niya ang kabuuan ko. Hindi ko maiwasan na hindi siya titigan. When his warm palm touched my skin, there was something repulsive and gentleness at the same time in it.

"You never failed to amaze me. With anything you wear... with everything you show ... with something you prove." His voice is low, cold, and purring.

We stared at each other.

Hindi ko alam saang parte ng ala-ala ako natatakot. You seemed so good to me. So gentle and has a lot of patience. Bakit ... ang laki ng takot ko ... na maalala kita.

Okupado ang isip ko. Hindi ko halos natutukan ang magandang tanawin sa himpapawid. Paglapag ng chopper sa helipad ng gusali, dumiretso kami sa Office of the CEO.

Binuksan ni Geon ang pinto. Tumambad sa amin ang limitadong bilang ng mga abalang empleyado sa may katamtamang haba ng mesa. Ang mga mata na nakatuon sa folder kanina ay lumipad sa gawi namin.

Nagtago ako sa likod ni Geon.

"Good to see you here. The meeting is about to start." It was Eurus who spoke.

"I brought Laire here," sabay tingin sa akin ni Geon.

Eurus slumped himself on the chair. "It's no big deal."

Magkatabi kami ni Geon malapit sa upuan ni Eurus. Sa tapat namin nakaupo sina Zion Variejo at Israel Variejo. Nakaupo ang tatlong magandang babae sa (sa tingin ko ay secretaries) hilera namin, sulat nang sulat.

"There's much needed to expand the IVR. However, I require both Zion and Israel to check the production, sales, and finance under the division of my vice-president-Creon." Eurus spoke with authority and knowledgeably.

Zion nodded at once. "He's out for now, Eurus. We must put someone under finance for recent expenses."

Bumulong sa akin si Geon. Tumango lang ako upang hindi siya mag-aalala. Kahit papaano naman ay naiintindihan ko ang pinag-uusapan nila. Kung noon ay sumasama ako sa ina ko, alam ko kung paano magpatakbo macro business tulad nito.

"Why not put CFO temporarily as interim?" Geon glided in, getting his fellows attention. "That would cost less of a time."

Hindi ko maiwasan humanga sa kaniya. Aside from knowledge in the medical field, he also knows how to enunciate his ideas in the business field.

Made me question my own capability...

Aside from sewing clothes, disobeying my parents, and making people unwanted ... saan pa ako magaling?

"This shall be heard by the board one of these days. In connection with this, we should exercise the position replacement card in two weeks. Let me know the potential candidates for promotion, Raine."

"I volunteer to test the other candidates from different departments," Israel says for the first time.

Nagpaalam ako saglit na lalabas. Abala pa rin sila sa pag-uusap. Mukhang matatagalan pa sila sa dami ng objectives and directives nila. Wala na rin nagawa si Geon dahil parte siya ng IVR (Fourth Revenue) holders.

Habang tinitingnan ko ang magandang struktura ng gusali, ang malinis na disenyo, at kaaya-ayang postura ng mga empleyado parang gusto ko rin magtrabaho dito. Nang sa gayon, matulungan ko rin ang aking sarili.

My feet brought me to the reception desk. May kinakausap pa ang babae mula sa intercom kaya hinintay ko muna matapos. Nang natapos siya sa pakikipag-usap, binalingan niya ako.

A sweet smile flashes in her thin red lips. "How may I help you, Miss?"

"Uh ... May I know what position you are hiring in?" I inquired.

If there's none, maybe I can seek another just to get a job. The only problem that may arise is collecting my requirements. But I've never been this sure, so I'll go for it.

"A moment, Miss. I'll inquire with the HR Department."

"Thank you..." came after I sighed.

Ilang minuto ang kailangan kong gugulin sa paghihintay. Sa intercom niya lang iyon kinakausap. Pero nagpaalam na pupunta saglit sa department. Bukod ang sagot sa tanong ko, may kailangan daw ito kuhanin doon.

"Damn it,"

Nilingon ko ang lalaking nagmura sa harap ko. Nahulog ang mga folders na dala niya sa sahig. Naghalo-halo ang mga dokumento doon. Yumuko siya at inisa-isang damputin at ayusin ang mga iyon.

Lumapit ako sa kaniya upang tumulong. Sa daming papel, baka bukas pa siya matapos.

"You're new here?" tanong niya kalagitnaan ng pagpupulot.

I smiled. "Ah, oo."

Mali yata ang sinagot ko. Baka akala niya bago akong empleyedo dito. Totoo naman ang sinabi ko na bago lang ako rito. I've never been here.

Binigay ko sa kaniya ang folders pagtayo ko. Tumuwid siya sa harap ko, mataman akong tiningnan.

"In what department are you in, then?" he sounded unconvinced.

I was right, then. He thinks I'm new here as an employee.

"I don't work here. I-I mean ... I am new here but I'm with someone who works here as well." I explained.

He chuckled mischievously. He eyed me from head to toe then back to my face. His eyes glisten. It is as if he realized something spectacular by the seconds.

"I wonder ... who? He might be someone close to VRB's." pahiwatig niya.

"Huh?" extreme confusion resounded.

"This building is intensively and extensively secured. We are prone to interloper. Hindi ka basta makakapasok. Lahat ng empleyado rito ay produkto naman ng matinding pagsusuri. Maliban kung ikaw ay asawa o kamag-anak ... namin." His voice sounded thrillingly imperative.

I kept mum for a minute when I realized who he was. Something stacked on my throat as I looked at him squarely in the eyes.

He has the same body built with Israel and Zion. His eyes, without sunglasses, are harsh and intimidating. But he will look defeated if someone tries to kiss him on the lips.

"She's with Doc. Dungeon, Sir Axis." The receptionist just came in time.

A deprecating smirk etches on Axis' lips. "I see. See you around, Miss?"

"Solaire. Solaire Anja ... Gomez." pakilala ko.

He chuckled. "Nice name. But I prefer to call you ... gorgeous."

Pinanood ko siyang maglakad paalis. Hanggang makasakay siya sa elevator. Really? He's a Variejo? Grandiloquent and rebellious at the same time, uh? Bumuntonghininga ako bago balingan ang babaeng kararating lang.

"Thank you!" I said, showing my gratified smile after she gave me the list of requirements for the positions they're hiring.

Pinalipad ko ang paa ko pabalik sa opisina ni Eurus. Baka hinahanap na ako ni Geon. Midway, I saw him walking towards my direction. His cousins Israel and Zion are behind him, both busy talking. There's no command but I obediently stopped on my track. By the way his jaw tightened, I know he's up for me.

"Where have you been?" he asked when he reached my pace.

Hinawakan niya ako sa bewang at marahan pumisil. Tumingala ako sa kaniya. Subalit hindi nagtagpo ang mata namin. Mariin siyang nakatingin sa dinaanan ko.

Guilt starts digging within me. Ang ibang empleyado at staff ay napapatingin sa gawi namin. Binabati nila si Geon pero hindi nito pinansin.

"I just ... went over there." Humina ang boses ko. "And then I met your ... I am not sure if he's your cousin. I helped him pick his stuff on the floor."

Those pairs of eyes resting under his thick black brows ogle at me. "Sino do'n? Marami 'yon."

"I heard his name is Axis?" I recounted.

He sighed, pulling the small of my back closer to him. After he lowered his face near my ears, he whispered. "Aside from cancer, do you know what deadlier disease is?"

I halted. "W-What?"

"Selos," his voice is low and cold.

Namalagi kami sa penthouse niya sa Taguig noong gabi. Kinabukasan ay pumasok siya ulit sa company nila upang dumalo sa meeting ng patanghali. Sakay ng chopper pabalik sa Naguilian, bumalik na kami kinagabihan. Pagkatapos ng lahat sa gabing iyon, doon pa lang ako nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob na sabihin sa kaniya ang plano kong magtrabaho.

"Are you sure about this, Laire?" habang nakatingin sa list of requirements.

Umupo ako sa harap niya at tumango. "Maybe, working can help bring my memories back. Hindi mo kailangan mag-alala dahil sa kumpanya niyo naman ako magtatrabaho-iyon ay kung papasa ako."

"Of course, you can," he prompted, then looked me in the eyes.

I'm seeing his care in my condition. I know he's trying to help me-to protect me against all odds that I may encounter ahead. Paano naman ako? Gusto ko maramdaman ang paa ko. Nais kong makatulong. Nais ko ibangon ang sarili ko.

"Have I graduated college, Geon?" I asked after I pondered it long.

His hand caresses my cheek passionately. A sigh of relief when he nodded. "Solaire Anja Gomez is the sea wolf in Business Administration."

Everything before me drowned in tears. I smiled. "R-Really?"

He chuckled. "I never lied, Laire."

The truth is more powerful and stronger than anything else. They become powerless in the absence of truth.

My heart believes. Yet, unsustainable. I need more, Geon.

"Does this mean I can apply for-"

"You are hired." he prompted.

I was over the moon these past few days. I underwent several training and interviews for a week. Fortunately, I passed them all. Though, they speculated that Geon was the reason for my fast approval which is partly true. But I proved to them in my first days I can do my job without the executive connection. VRB Company welcomed me as a new HR staff despite the disputations.

"Hi! I'm Imara Hanovi Pentuiz. Solaire, correct?"

Binalingan ko ang babaeng sumulpot at nagpakilala sa cubicle ko. Una kong napansin ang abo niyang mata. Nagmistulang payapang kapatagan ngunit handa sa digmaan kapag nagalit. Ang labi niya ay malarosas ang pula. Bumagay sa kaniya ang hapit na maroon dress, nadepina ang natural na hubog ng kaniyang katawan. Ang gupit ay bob cut, bagay na bagay sa maliit niyang mukha. How can she be so chic, sexy, and savagely boyish at the same time?

"Yes," I replied shortly.

She chuckled.

Parang sinabuyan ng cherry blossoms ang paligid sa kaniyang tawa. She looks very expensive by the way she acts and talks. So finesse and full of etiquette. I want to know how her fart smells like.

"Kumusta?" her Filipino accent sounds like Prada.

Nakita ko ang ibang staff na natigilan sa ginagawa para lang sulyapan kami ni Imara. Gayundin ang napadaan sa department. I pondered who she is at bakit ganito kalakas ang hatak niya (aside from being classy chic) sa mga empleyado.

"Wow, si Imara ba 'yan? Nakabalik na pala siya?" dinig kong usapan.

"Akala ko ba si Abra boyfriend niya ngayon. Sila na ba ulit ni Doc-"

"Huwag mo lakasan, marinig ka ni Miss Solaire!"

Imara has a boyfriend, huh?

"I'm fine," ngiti ko.

"No offense meant, Solaire, but I am Geon's classmate way back in college." she chuckled then lowered herself near my ear. "Binasted niya ako noon."

What?! Sa ganda niya na 'yon, binasted pa? Bakit? Literal na nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Mabilis ko siyang pinasadahan muli ng tingin, hindi matanggap ang sinabi niya. Tumango-tango naman siya habang nakahalukipkip.

"But it's no big deal. I befriended him instead. Masaya naman ako sa boyfriend ko ngayon. And! I'm so happy he found you. Gladder he chose to stay with you. Kwento ka. Hindi mo ba ako ... natatandaan?" tanong niya bago naupo sa desk ko.

Hindi ba nila alam na wala akong maalala? Did Geon did not inform his close friends and everyone who knew us then?

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but I ... my memories are not with me." Maingat kong sinabi sa mababang tinig.

"I see... I almost forgot what he said that you are not fully recovered yet." she smiled scarcely. "But anyway, I hope we can still talk when you remember me, huh? Don't worry ... I am harmless."

Bumaba na siya sa desk. Bago umalis ay mabilis niya ako hinalikan sa pisngi. I watched the woman wearing her intense countenance, trailing at her heels, left the department. Aside from her scent, she left us in awe.

It was fulfilling to know I have worn such expensive clothes and heels.

Then living my life vaingloriously with my mother.

Meeting fabulous friends like Danica is like a fathomless tropic blue.

Yet ... still wondering ...

Saan ba ako patungo pagkatapos nito? Maalala ko man lahat, may babalikan pa ba ako?

I heaved a deep sigh.

"I need a break," paalam ko sa head ng department matapos ng ginagawa ko bandang hapon.

Sinilip niya ako. "O, sige. Balik ka agad. Baka sakmalin ako ni Sir Geon kapag wala akong naisagot kung nasaan ka."

"I will, thank you."

Halos hindi kami magkasalubong ni Geon kahit nasa isang kumpanya kami. Nagkasunod-sunod ang meeting nila, idagdag pa na may on the ground visit sila sa chains ng IVR. Sa susunod na araw naman may one-day medical check-up sa Naguilian. Dahil doctor din kailangan siya roon. Nais ko sumama kaya lang may trabaho na ako ngayon. Kailangan ko patunayan na deserving ako sa posisyon ngayon. Isa pa, ayoko may masabi ang iba.

"Wait up,"

Tinakbo ko ang elevator na malapit na sumara lulan lamang ang isang lalaki. Ibinaba niya ng bahagya ang itim na sumbrero bago gumilid, wala nang nagawa sa pagsakay ko.

Sumandal ako sa elevator panel. Tumingala ako saglit upang huminga. Subalit may enerhiya na nagtulak sa akin na tingnan ang lalaki.

Naramdaman niya ang paninitig ko kaya lalo niya ibinaba ang cap na suot. Tumaas ang kilay ko nang lumayo pa siya sa akin, tila takot na maamoy o madumihan ko ang itim niyang kasuotan.

Bumukas ang elevator pagbaba sa basement. Bahagya akong nilingon ng lalaki. Bago mabilis na naglakad palayo. Lumabas din ako upang tingnan siya pero pulos magagarang sasakyan ang aking naabutan.

Saan pumunta 'yon? Ang bilis naman niya mawala.

I observed his sun-bronze face was covered with unfathomable wrath; his eyes were ablaze. I do not understand, why. Sino 'yon at bakit gano'n siya makatingin sa akin? Galit kaya siya dahil nakisakay ako sa elevator? Ang babaw, ah!

On my way back to VRB Company after a coffee break, I saw familiar faces. They are parallel to the road I take. A dashing car passed by. We stared altogether. Their eyes squinted on me, as if trying to confirm who I was. My forehead is knitted.

I was taken aback when they whispered carefully to each other, still eyeing me. The man with broad wrath in his eyes lit a cigarette before walking towards my direction!

Maliit na tinig ang bumulong sa utak ko na kailangan kong makalayo upang hindi mahuli. Tumalikod ako bago mabilis na naglakad pabalik sa pinanggalingan kanina. Tinapon ko ang kape sa kung eskinita ng nilusutan ko.

Lumingon ako sa likod. Dalawa na silang pasimpleng humahabol sa akin ngayon. Abot-abot ang kaba sa dibdib ko. Pinagpapawisan ako dala ng takot. Hindi ko alam kung saan ko sila nakita o kailan! Pero malaki ang takot ko sa mga ito.

"Good evening, Ma'am-" naputol sa pagsasalita ang staff ng restaurant na pinasukan ko.

"U-Uh... may I use your bathroom for a while before I place my order?" sinikap kong kumilos ng natural.

"This way, Ma'am," turo niya sa kanan. "Are you okay, Ma'am? Namumutla kayo."

I smiled weakly. "Trust me, I'm fine. A minute, please..."

I gestured my hand by tucking my thumb into my palm.

"Ma'am?" she uttered worriedly.

The moment I shut the bathroom door is the exact time I heard the restaurant's wind chime resound harshly, indicating that someone has just entered.

"'Yong girlfriend ko kasi, Miss, tinakbuhan ako. Nagkatampuhan lang. May pumasok ba ditong babae?" I overheard his deep voice.

My heart throbbed aggressively. I'm sweating bullets and my hand can't stop trembling. My hunch was right. They knew me-they are here after me. Damn!

"Anong itsura, Sir? Mga anong oras? Marami po kasing pumasok bandang alas sais..." siya ang babaeng nakausap ko.

"Matangkad, mestiza, tsaka maganda. Hanggang dito ang buhok ... itim." Paglalarawan ng lalaki.

"Naku, Sir, maraming babae ang tulad ng sinasabi mo," tumawa ang babae. "Picture ho ba, may dala kayo? Baka sakaling makilala ko..."

Natahimik sandali.

Katamtaman ang laki ng restaurant. Kung may ibang labasan dito doon na ako dumaan. Isa lang ang exit at entrance ng restaurant na ito kaya wala akong pagpipilian kundi ang maghintay na umalis sila.

"Kulay puti ang damit, itim naman ang pantalon." Nawawalan na ng pasensya ang lalaki.

"E, sir, tingnan mo na lang ang customer namin. Halos pare-parehas ang suot dahil sa kumpanya sila nagtatrabaho."

"P're, baka namamalik-mata lang tayo. Baka hawig lang. Halika na-Miss, pasensya na."

"Sandali. Narito na rin naman, pagamit ng banyo."

"Sa atin na, p're."

I heard the man groan.

I could have breathed properly, knowing they're about to leave. Only if a woman did not bung the door open! My fear intensified! I almost tasted my own sweat!

Shit.

"Miss, Miss! Bakit naka-lock ang pinto dito sa banyo? Ayos 'to kanina, ah?" ani babae.

Napapikit ako, nawawalan ng pag-asa. Maliban sa butas para sa exhaust fan wala ng iba pa.

"M-Ma'am, kasi barado! Oo, barado! Ipaaayos pa namin bago magsara..." dahilan ng staff.

"Sigurado ka ba, Chloe? Maayos ang banyo, 'no. Ako pa nga ang-" sabat ng kasama pero naputol agad.

"Barado, Fiona, barado." mariin ang boses ni Chloe.

Hindi ko na maintindihan ang iba pa nilang pinag-uusapan sapagkat kinakain na ako ng takot at kaba sa isang sulok. Kailangan ko na makaalis. Baka hinahanap na rin ako ni Geon at mapagalitan pa ang head!

Uminit ang sulok ng mata ko.

May papalapit na mga yabag sa likod ng pinto. Ang kalansing ng susi ay nagpaigting ng takot na nararamdaman ko. Daig ko ang bibitayin ngayon. Kulang na lang ay himatayin ako.

Nakapagtago ako sa storage ng mga panlinis bago tuluyang mabuksan ang pinto. Tinakpan ko ang aking bibig. Sa maliit na siwang, sinilip ko ang mga taong pumasok. Kabilang doon ang dalawang lalaking nais akong hulihin...

Rinig ko ang malakas na ugong sa dibdib ko. Dumoble ang pangangatal ng aking tuhod at kamay. Todo panalangin ako na huwag sana buksan ang storage na ito.

"Bullshit," mura ng lalaki.

"Umalis na tayo. Baka makahalata sila ..." ani kasama niya.

"Sigurado ako sa nakita... siya 'yon."

Bumuntonghininga ang kasama niya.

Pinakawalan ko ang hangin sa aking baga nang lisanin na nila ang lugar. Gusto ko batukan ang sarili nang aksidenteng tamaan ang mop dahilan upang lumikha iyon ng tunog!

I froze.

"Ano 'yon?"

Gumalaw si Chloe. Hinarang niya ang katawan sa storage. "Wala, sir. Tumama ang siko ko sa pinto..."

"Tss."

This is the true relief. Thank God.