Chapter 19

At night, Trent and I left the hospital so we would be able to get a comfortable rest after our sudden departure to Kobe. Pansin ko naman kay Trent na hindi na siya balisa at kahit papaano ay nabawasan na ang bigat sa pakiramdam niya. He's smiling now and I can see that he only needed to see his mother safe and sound and that already made him feel better.

Hindi naman malayo ang bahay nila sa hospital. I think it was only a five to ten minute drive away. Trent was the one who brought our bags inside their home. I didn't expect it would be luxurious from what I only imagined in my head. Hindi ko naman inusisa kung magkano ang bahay na 'to but it screams I think more than a million dahil sa exterior pa lamang nito at tatakutin ka nang makabasag sa loob ng bahay.

And as we head inside, it was cozy, spacious, and very minimalist. Maliwanag naman ang buong paligid dahil sa mga ilaw. Pagkapasok pa lang namin ay bumungad sa amin ang living area. There's a hundred I think more plus inches of flat-screen television placed on the wall, just over the fireplace. If I'm going to roam my eyes around, there should be the hallway leading to the kitchen and dining area. And to the right corner were the stairs leading to the second-floor where Trent and I went.

"We'll be sleeping together to this room," Trent said as he pushed the door inside.

"Magkasama tayo?" taka kong tanong. "Sa isang kama?"

He glanced at me and nodded "Yes. Why not? Don't you want to sleep with me? We already kinda did that, right?"

Napangiwi na lang din naman ako sa kanya. "Yeah, we kinda did."

"Do you think you'll be fine here?" he asked, creasing his forehead.

I nodded and bit my lower lip. "I think I will. I mean, this wasn't a problem for me. At kahit saan naman pwede akong matulog. I can take the couch if you want.

"No, you're going to sleep beside me," he demanded. "And that's an order."

"I see," I chuckled. "Okay, sir, hindi na ako papalag."

Tumungo naman ako sa kama at umupo. I slowly lay on my back and took a deep breath. Umupo naman sa tabi ko si Trent at dinungaw ang mukha ko. Sa pagkakataong ito, hindi ko ramdam na isa akong employee niya dahil sa trato niya sa akin. Pakiradam ko minsan, hindi na lang basta-basta nanny ang trabaho ko. I feel like I'm his jowa. At kapag iniisip ko 'yong mga gano'n bagay, I couldn't help but to think now what his mother said to me earlier.

That's mystery and I need to find that out.

"How are you feeling now?" I asked, looking at up his.

He then meet my eyes and he smiled. "I'm better now."

"I told you so, she'll be fine."

"Well, it's hard to get your hopes up when it's your parents life on the line but I was really hoping she won't let go. I just hated the fact that she's doing all the work when I told her she can hire someone to do that for her. But she reasoned a lot of things which in the end, I was the one who gave up. But she's happy, and that's what matters to me now."

"I believe so," I muttered. Nang i-angat naman ni Trent ang kanyang braso ay napansin ko ang pasa sa may braso niya. Natatakpan iyon ng manggas ng shirt niya kaya ngayon ko lang napansin. Napaupo ako mula sa pagkakahiga at iniangat ko ang shirt at may pasa nga siya ro'n. "Bakit ka may pasa? San mo 'to nakuha?"

Pero hinawi niya ang kamay ko at binaba niya ang manggas ng kanyang shirt. Napangisi naman ito at iniwas ang tingin sa akin. I cupped my hands on his face at inihilig ko sa direksyon.

"You're my care. You're my responsibility. What happened?"

"It doesn't hurt anymore so don't worry."

"Kahit na," sagot ko. "Tell me what happened. Nasangkot ka ba sa gulo? Nakipag-away ka ba? Kung hindi ko pa makikita, wala ka ring sasabihin sa akin ano?"

"And why do you sounded like a wife to me?"

Napaismid naman ako sa sinabi niya at natigilan nang sandali. Na-realize ko rin iyon kaya huminahon ako. He laughed a little kaya sinapak ko siya sa mismong pasa niya sa braso at halos sumigaw siya sa sakit. Agad naman akong lumayo sa kanya. Tumalon ako sa dulo ng kama at ginawa kong shield ang unan.

Sinilip ko siya and he's darting glares at me.

"Sorry na! 'Di ko naman sinasadya e," ngiwi ko pa sa kanya pero deep inside, kabado ako nab aka suntukin niya rin ako. But I believe he won't do it.

He patted the space next to him. "Sit here," utos niya sa akin.

"Promise you won't do anything to me?"

He shook his head and patted once again the space next to him.

Napalunok naman ako ng laway at sinunod ko ang inuuutos niya. I settled next to him and just like what he said, he didn't do anything to me.

"Alright, I'm going to say word about it now," he said and took a deep breath. "I saw Albertyne the other night and she confronted me."

I gasped. I couldn't believe I was just hearing it now. ""Was she in jail now?"

"No," he answered, shaking his head.

"Okay? Ano namang ginawa niya sa 'yo? Why would she hurt you? 'Di ba may restraining order naman? Bakit nakakalapit pa rin siya sa 'yo?"

"We talked and I just needed to make her learn the truth," he explained. "I didn't get this bruise from her. After we met, I went to a club that holds a boxing—sparring activity and I got it from someone. I just had to do it to release the stress and I think it's worth it."

"So, what now? Makikipagkita pa rin ba siya sa 'yo?"

"I don't think she'll ever will," he said. "She's going back to Germany and I guess, she was offered by some agency there. I'm not listening to her. I don't even want to but because it will help to settle down what we have before, it's necessary so from now on, we'll be free from her. She's no longer a problem. You can go to the clubs anytime if you'd like."

And I was about to party when he added to his words.

"But of course, with my permission and you should not mingle with any other boys but me."

"But you?"

"Yes, but me."

I scrunched my face. "Why would I mingle with you? You're my boss, Trent."

"And?"

"And what?"

"And what's the difference to that?"

"Because I work for you and you paid me. This is not a relationship between two people. It's a work relationship between his boss and his employee."

"And you're fine with that?" He rose a brow.

"What do you mean?"

He shook his head. "Nothing." Tumayo naman siya at hinabol ko ng tingin. "I'll just take a shower. Are you going to take a shower?"

"Mayamaya siguro," sagot ko.

"You don't want to join me?"

I laughed. Kinuha ko ang unan sa tabi ko at binato sa kanya pero nasalo niya. "Why would I join you?"

He squinted his eyes and let out a scoffed, tone of disbelief. "You're my nanny, right? You're supposed to take care of me. Have me bath and all. That's part of your job, right?"

"If you're a baby or a toddler who needs assistance of having baths, why wouldn't I do my job? You're grown man. Bulbulin ka na nga e. Kaya mo na 'yang sarili."

He smirked. "Are you sure?"

I nodded confidently. "Of course."

"You can still change your mind. The offer is still up on the table."

Muli akong umiling sa kanya at nanindigan na hindi ako sasama sa kanya maligo at papaliguan siya. But the next thing he did shake the hell out of me. Una niyang hinubad ang kanyang shirt at binato niya pa ito sa pagmumukha ko. He then proceed unbuckling his belt and slide his pants with his boxers down and my body froze seeing him naked in front of me. Iniwas ko na naman ang tingin ko sa kanya at kinuha ang unan para itaklob sa mukha ko.

"Para kang baliw! Why do you always have to be naked in front me?"

"Don't you like it?" he smirked.

"I do—I mean, it's inappropriate because you're my boss."

"Fine," he said, I think he's already over with it. "You can stop covering your face now. I'm in the bathroom now."

And when I did, nakahinga ako ng maluwag dahil wala na nga siya sa harapan ko. Ilang segundo lang ay narinig ko ang agos ng shower sa bathroom. I hated it when he does that thing pero kung ilang beses niya pang uulitin sa akin 'yon, baka masanay na lang din ako.

While Trent's on the bathroom, I tried to check on Sasa. I don't know if she's doing something or not so I just left her a message. And a moment later, nakatanggap din kaagad ako ng reply sa kanya. Kakabasa ko pa lamang ay tinawagan na niya ako.

"Girl!!!" bungad nito sa akin, halatang pinipigilan niya lang taasan ang kanyang boses. "Ang saya-saya ko!"

"Well, I can tell that," tawa ko pa.

"Super! Super thankful ako kay Trent for talking to Sir Dakito and hiring me as his helper. Super bait niya sa akin at may nilatag pa siyang benefits sa akin. Hindi ko nakuha 'yon sa iba kong employer kaya I'm so happy na ma-e-extend ako ng six-months. And he told me na kung maganda ang maging performance ko, he'll extend my contract to two years! Girl, two years 'yon! Hindi na ako mahihirapan!"

"Yes! You really deserved it! Sabi ko naman sa 'yo, lahat ng paghihirap palaging may kapalit. You may have bad experiences to your previous employer so to your new one, make this one the best of it! Galingan mo ha para para ma-extend ang contract mo!"

"Oo naman! I will do my very best! Matutuwa ang pamilya ko nito sa Pinas."

"Kahit nga ako, masaya na ako para sa 'yo!"

"Thank you talaga, girl!" aniya. "Pero may mga restrictions and limitations din siyang sinabi sa akin. So, I came out with truth to him. Inamin ko na every now and then ay may nilalaan talaga akong oras para sa sarili ko na magsaya. Like my nightlife, right? Hindi naman niya ako pinagbabawalan but he restricted me to go back home na pasado alas dose na. So, alam mo naman the fun always happened after midnight, right? But that'll change for now and I guess for the better hangga't sa ma-extend na ulit ang contract ko."

"Yup, that wouldn't change anything naman. You can still have your nightlife so I guess wala talagang problema. Ano namang ginagawa mo ngayon?"

"Oh, kakatapos ko lang magluto at kumakain na si Dakito ngayon. Iniwan ko muna siiya saglit."

"Buti pinayagan ka rin niyang gumamit ng phone?"

"Yes, but with limitations lalo na kung marami akong ginagawa ko. At wala namang problema sa akin 'yon. At least he still consider it. Kasi sa mga previous employer ko ay hindi talaga ako pinapayagan. Kailangan ko pang pumunta sa banyo para lang mabuksan ang phone ko."

"All good things are upon you now, Sasa. So happy for you!"

"Thank you! Thank you rin talaga kay Trent! Anong ginagawa mo ngayon?"

"Oh, nandito ako sa kwarto. Nandito kami sa Kobe ngayon."

"What?!" gulat pa nito. "Malayo-layo 'yan ah! Ang bilis niyo namang nakarating kung hinatid niyo ako rito kaninang umaga. Ano namang ginagawa niyo r'yan ngayon? Sex on trip? Ano ba?"

"Baliw ka, Sasa. Hindi 'no. Pagkatapos ka kasi naming ihatid kanina, naka-receive si Trent ng call from his cousin. His mom got hospitalized and we rushed to get there as quickly as possible. He booked the earliest flight kaya nakarating kaagad kami sa Kobe. On good note, his mom's okay na. Nag-alala talaga siya and I find that other side of him super emotional—kahit hindi visible, ramdam ko e."

"Oh, well, in love ka e." Kumunot ang mukha ko sa sinabi niay.

"Mukha mo, in love. I would never fall in love with him. Kahit sabihin na nating may namumuo—o kung ano man 'yang namumuong 'yan. I still know where should I be. I'm attracted to him but surely, I have to make sure na hindi ako lalagpas doon."

"Well, tama nga naman. You can't force love kung trabaho ay trabaho lang talaga. But what do you think he feels?"

I shrugged off as if she could see it. "I don't know... he cares, that's for sure. I also believe na komportable lang kami sa isa't isa kaya ganito ang trato niya sa akin. I guess, this all started when Albertyne happened. But good thing girl, fresh na fresh ang tea, umaapaw at mainit-init."

"Oooh, girl! Spill!"

"Albertyne will finally go back to Germany!"

"Hoy! Hala! Totoo ba?"

"True nga! I guess may job offer siya do'n kaya she'll leave Japan. And I think that's the best thing for both parties. If she keeps coming at us, makukulong pa siya at mas lalo siyang mahihirapang makabalik ng bansa niya so habang maaga pa, aalis na siya."

"That's right! Go girl! Ikaw imposible, solong-solo mo na si Trent."

"And here's one more thing," aniko. "We have to sleep in one bed tonight."

"Oooh! Okay lang 'yan, sanay ka na naman e."

"Adik ka," tawa ko pa."

"Wait, girl," aniya. "Tawag ako ni Dakito! Message na lang ulit kita later! Basta remember, 'wag sasabak sa gyera ng walang proteksyon ah?"

"Baliw!" I retorted and she laughed, dropping the call.

Pagbaba ko ng phone ko ay napansin ko naman ang notification sa DM ko. When I opened the message, I absolutely forgot who it came from and I was horrified reading his message. Agad kong tinurn-off ang phone ko.

"Lav?"

I startled when Trent spoke. Parang biglang nag-screenshot ang katawan ko sa nangyari. I looked at him completely terrified pero hindi ko na lamang pinahalata iyon sa kanya. Nginitian ko siya. Hindi na naman pumasok sa isip ko na naka-tapis lamang siya ng tuwalya sa harapan ko at nagsimulang magdamit habang tulala lang ako.

He asked me what's wrong but I shove the thought away at hindi ko na ipinaalam sa kanya. Dahil kumain na rin naman kaming dalawa before we went here ay nag-excuse na lang ako sa kanya to take a shower. He let me shower first and it took me almost half an hour inside the bathroom contemplating. When I walked out of the bathroom, I saw him on the bed reading a book. Nakasuot siya ng eye glass at tinanggal niya lang iyon nang makita ako.

"What happened?"

I scrunched my face, shaking my head. "Wala naman. Pagod lang ako."

"Maybe you should get some sleep now."

"Mabuti pa nga," aniko at saka ako sumampa sa kama katabi niya. I put my feet under the comforter and leaned my back to the headboard. "What's the update nga pala to your mom?"

"Tonton said his mom will be the one to stay at the hospital room so he'll be coming home here later. I think she can checked out of the next day after tomorrow. She just need to rest before she could go back to her routine."

"I see. That could be good though. Better para sa kondisyon niya."

"Yeah. But I would like to know what did you guys talk about?"

Umiling ako. "Nothing big deal... I was just checking on her."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Yup. What do you think we should be talking about?"

He shrugged off. "Nothing. She's just too crazy looking a wife for me."

"I don't think we'll be heading to that conversation."

He smirked. "Might not."

"I think I'm going to rest now..."

"Rest well," he said. "I'll be right here." His tone was comforting that it helps me somehow to invalidate those things that I've been thinking earlier. Well, I just needed sometime but if my life in Tokyo would be cut short, this is gonna be a big problem.

Pumadaosdos naman ako sa kama para maiayos ko ang pagkakahiga ko. Nang ipikit ko na ang mga mata ko, a few minutes later ay nakaramdaman ako ng paghawak sa balikat ko. His hand was cold but it also helps me.

And it brings smile to my sleep. I just hope it will last while I'm here with him.

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

#NightLifeInTokyo19 #NLI19 #WT3

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