Aeickel's P.O.V

Inilayo ko si Ayler mula sa pagkakayakap sa akin at lumuhod upang maging kapantay niya. Ayler Liam is one of the twin son of my cousin, ate Aiyell. "Where's your Mom?" Tanong ko dito sa natural na boses ko. Mawiwirduhan ang pamangkin ko kung gagamitin ko ang boses na ginagamit ko kapag kaharap si Nigel.

Alam ko na din naman na hindi na lulusot ang kahit ano pang sasabihin ko kay Nigel kaya't wala na din akong ginawa upang pagtakpan ang sitwasyon.

"She's probably in the next elevator with Ayce, Tita Aei." Paliwanag naman nito sa akin. Ayce is his twin brother.

"AYLER!" Tinig iyon ni ate Aiyie.

Napatayo ako mula sa pagkakaluhod at mabilis naman tumago sa likod ko si Ayler. "Mommy."

"You'll be death of me," saka pa napahinga ng malalim si ate Aiyie. "Tumakbo nalang bigla 'yang batang 'yan. Mabuti at dito dumeretso. At mabuti Aeickel nandito ka."

"Say sorry to Mom." That cold little voice is Ayce.

"Sorry, Mommy." Saka na umalis sa likod ko ang paslit at tumungo sa Mommy niya at humalik dito. "I saw Tita Aeickel in one of the stores that's why I followed her. I also saw that man," bigla niyang tinuro si Nigel. "He is eating tita Aeickel's lips like an ice cream."

Tila ako natuod sa itinuran na iyon ni Ayler. Alam kong pulang pula na ang mukha ko sa hiya. Ito ang kauna-unahang beses na naranasan ko ang ganitong pagkapahiya sa harap ng pinsan ko.

Nakita ko ang makahulugang tingin sa akin ni Ayce. "It is just your wild imagination. Let's go home Mom. I think Ayler needs a rest."

"Aei, mauuna na kami ha?" Pagpapaalam ni ate Aiyie at akay ang dalawang bata na lumisan.

"Care to explain?" Wika ng lalaki sa tabi ko na alam kong kanina pa naguguluhan sa nangyayari.

"You just saw what it was. Do I still have to explain?" There. I used my real and natural voice.

"So that's it?" Saka nanaman siyang nagsimulang lumakad papalapit sa akin.

"Stop." Walang takot na pagbabanta ko dito.

Huminto naman siya nang tatlong hakbang nalang ang layo namin sa isa't isa. "Tell me, are you gay, transexual or.... a woman?"

"If I tell you the truth, will you believe me?" Sabay ako nakipagsukatan ng tingin sa kanya.

"If you tell me something, it is when I judge if it is the truth or not," sagot naman niya sa akin.

"If you're not ready to hear me out, the let's just go back in the office. But if you want to learn why did I do such things to deceive you, then come with me."

"You admit that you did deceive me?" Saka pa ito ngumiti ng mapait.

"Yes. I won't deny such facts. Now, choose." Wala akong pakielam kung anong iisipin niya sa akin. I'm good with any of his choice. I can still go with any plan I have.

"I'm coming with you."

There. We rode the car all the way to the organization.

"YOU DO KNOW HOW MUCH I TRUST YOU! BUT THIS ONE, I DON'T GET WHAT YOU ARE THINKING." It is my Lola Cassandra. Nigel is at the waiting area.

"I have to tell him how did I end up in his company. The more he knows, the better. We can get information directly from his tongue. No more investigation, lesser things to do." Matigas na saad at pagpapaliwanag ko.

"I built you just right, but I don't know if your heart is as hard as how it should be," makahulugang wika ni Lola. "You have been swayed, Aeickel. You're not the usual you."

"I know, Lola."

"Then do something about it," kalmado na nitong saad. "I didn't leave Phyrric Organization in your hands just to get ruined."

Phyrric Organization. Yeah, that is the name of the organization.

"I can't say sorry, for I know I haven't done anything to get you mad nor feel this way. I have my ways to push through anything I set my mind to. Trust me," sagot ko ng walang pag-aalinlangan.

Nginitian ako ni Lola Cassandra na animo mayroon itong alam ukol sa akin.

"Ingénue," pabulong na wika nito bago iiling iling na lumabas ng opisina niya.

Hindi ko na inintindi ang huli niyang sinabi. Lumabas na din ako ng opisina niya at tinungo si Nigel sa waiting room. Naabutan ko na may hawak siyang styro cup at akmang iinumin niya na ito nang bigla kong patakbong tinawid ang pagitan namin at tinabig ang baso sa kamay niya.

"AEICKEL!" Sigaw niya sa akin dahil sa gulat.

"WHO THE FUCK GAVE HIM THIS DRINK!?" Galit na galit ang kalooban ko dahil alam ko kung anong inumin ang nasa loob ng ganoong klaseng styro cup dito sa Phyrric.

"Me." It was Lola Cassandra again. "I just confirmed something," wika nito bago na tuluyang nawala sa paningin namin.

Nang maikalma ko ang sarili ko ay bumaling ako kay Nigel. "Come with me."

Dinala ko siya sa sarili kong opisina dito. My office is just as plain as black and white. Halos puro papeles lamang ang laman nito.

"You have your own office, you must be a high profile person." Wika niya habang nagmamasid masid sa paligid ng opisina ko.

"I am an agent, Nigel. Chief agent at that." Panimula ko bago naupo sa swivel chair.

"Obviously, you are. I saw how this organization works while you are away," he answered while looking directly into my eyes.

"That's why you can't have me nor love me. It may sound rude, but we will never work out," walang patid na tugon ko dito.

Sa halip na masaktan ay ngumisi siya sa akin. "You being an agent, is different from you being my secretary."

"But me being an agent and a secretay is part of the story. I am hired by Mr. Harrold Ricafort to keep you safe," pag amin ko dito.

"Dad?"

"Yeah. He hired me to keep you secured and safe from someone who wants to get you killed. You've been having death threats these past years, haven't you wondering how did they stop three years ago?" Saka ko pa hinawi ang maiksi kong buhok pataas. "Because I stopped it, but recently they made another move."

"Alam kong may mga threats ako, but that's not enough for my Dad to hire such meticulous organization--"

"It is because your Dad thinks that it is your own mother who wants to kill you," nakita ko ang pagkabigla niya sa mabilisang rebelasyon ko. Hindi ko maaaring pagaanin ang sitwasyon dahil lang sa mararamdaman niya. He wants the truth, then give him what he wants.

Napatayo siya mula sa pagkakaupo. "This is fucking insanity. Tell me you are lying!"

"You told me that you will judge if I am telling the truth or not. Now tell me, do I look like making stories?"

Napakislot ako nang bigla niyang hampasin ang lamesa. "I swear, I am gonna fucking punish every inch of you if I caught you lying and making stories, Aeickel." Pabulong niyang wika ngunit alam kong punong puno ng pagbabanta.

"I am a woman, not gay, not transgender. Pure woman," saka din ako tumayo at umikot sa lamesa papalapit sa kanya. "Now tell me, do you still feel the same feelings towards me?" Saka ko pa pinagapang ang kamay ko sa balikat niya. I can be the teaseful type if he persue this kind of game.

Nagulat ako nang bigla na lamang siyang humarap sa akin at hinapit ang bewang ko. Ang isang kamay naman niya ay humahaplos sa pisngi ko. That was the wrongest move I've ever done.

"That is one more reason to pursue you, Chief."

Tila ako nanlalambot sa hawak at haplos niya. Idagdag mo pa ang mga mata niya na animo punong puno ng alab.

"S--Stop intimidating me," I forced myself to gain my composure.

Sa halip na pakawalan ako ay inilapit niya ang mga labi niya sa tenga ko. "I am not intimidating you, but if you see it that way, then maybe, I am."

Itinulak ko siya ng buong pwersa at lumayo sa kanya.

"You're unpredictable," tanging nasabi ko nang makalayo na ako sa kanya.

"It won't be fun if I am," sagot naman niya sa akin saka pa niya inilagay ang dalawang daliri niya sa mga labi niya na animo pinupunasan ang mga ito.

"Nigel, you have to act like you still think that I am a man. Your life would be in danger if the person who wants to kill you knows that your secretary is just a woman and not a strong man," pagpapaintindi ko sa kanya ng sitwasyon.

"Who cares? All I want for now is to express my feelings," he said seriously.

"This side of yours is the very reason why your ex left you. You always do what you think is right and not what really is right. You cannot be selfish everytime," iiling iling na wika ko sa kanya. I have to make him understand that this is not a freaking game.

"It is my life that will be in danger, not yours." Matigas na saad niya sa akin.

"It is your life that I protect. Kung ipagpipilitan mo ang gusto mo, I can resign now as your secretary and pull off the contract I have with your father." I said firmly without even hesitating. This is the only way I know to make him obey me.

"You're trying to manipulate me," saad niya saka sumandal sa lamesa sa likod niya. "Try harder, Aeickel. I want you to pursue me harder."

"Hindi ko alam kung saan ka papunta. Isa lang ang hinihiling ko sa'yo--"

"But not me, Aei. Definitely, not me. Hindi lang isa ng hinihiling ko sa'yo," then he showed me his infamous boyish smile.

"Can you fucking focus!? It is your life we are talking about," nauubusan na ng pasensya na wika ko sa kanya.

"My mother wants to kill me, her own flesh and blood, so why would I still think of my precious life?" Saka pa ito tumawa ng mapait.

There it goes. Lumabas din ang dahilan ng ipinaggaganito niya. Hindi lang dahil gusto niyang ituloy ang nararamdaman niya sa akin, gusto niyang magrebelde matapos niyang malaman na maaaring ina niya ang may pakana ng pagpapapatay sa kanya.

"The investigation isn't over yet. Hindi pa sigurado kung Mommy--"

"Bullshit!" Saka niya sinipa ang isang paso ng halaman ko na naroon sa gilid ng mesa ko. "Do I have to wait? She even abandoned me without hesitation!"

"Your own dilemma has nothing to do with me, Nigel." Prangkang tugon ko sa kanya. "All I am concern with, is your situation. Kung hindi mo kayang magpanggap na lalaki pa din ako sa paningin mo, then I can resign. I can protect you from afar without the need of being your secretary."

"Fine. You won." He said as he raised his hands up in the air as if he is really surrendering.

Lumakad ako at tumungo sa table ko saka kumuha ng ballpen at papel.

"I will write a new contract between you and me," wika ko saka na ako nagsimulang sumulat dito.

Nang matapos ako ay inaabot ko ito sa kanya, na kanya namang binasa.

1. You will still treat me as your MALE secretary.

"You left me with no choice with this," he said as if he is hesitating to approve the first one.

2. You should always prioritize your safety over anyone else.

"Only if you're not the one who's hurt." Napapa ismid ang mga mata ko sa idinagdag niya.

3. You must obey me in any situation regarding your safety.

"Only if you will also obey me--"

"Just fucking approve it! Stop making edits!" Ubos na talaga ang pasensya ko sa kanya.

"Fine," saka niya pinirmahan ang ikatlong rule.

4. Always be with me at all cost. Never go anywhere alone.

"This is my favorite of all."

5. You can never be intimate with me.

"When we are in public. But, it will be different when we are alone." Matigas na wika niya saka siya mismo ang nagsulat ng mga katagang sinabi niya.

Wala na akong nagawa dahil pinirmahan na niya ito at nilagyan ng thumbmark.

"Will you still pursue me after everything you learned about me?" Kung may tunog panghahamon man ang mga sinabi ko, hindi ko iyon sinasadya. Hindi ko alam ngunit tila gusto ng isip ko na malaman.

"Your question just gave me another reason for me to go on," saka pa siya ngumisi sa akin. "I'll make you mine, Aeickel. By whichever or whatever way is it. I'll surely make you mine. I know you're just hiding your feelings towards me."

"You're too full of yourself," sagot ko.

"You gave me reason to be, when you let my tongue slid inside your mouth, Chief. You're the one who gave me this confidence."

Alam kong ikinapula ng pisngi ko ang pagpapaalalang ginawa niyang iyon.

"You're an asshole," kalmado ngunit mapanganib kong saad sa kanya na tinawanan lamang niya.

"Are we done here?" Tanong niya ng nakangisi sa akin.

Umiling ako at tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo saka ako dumukwang palapit sa tenga niya.

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"I am Aeickel Lavria Lou-- Freezell."

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