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Chapter 3

First thing I did when I wake up, check them both in their room. Sinilip ko lang silang dalawa and they were both clinging to each other. Hindi naman nakakasuka. Nakakainggit lang.

If they asked me kung pwede ako maki-join sa kanila, that would be my first three way. It's not like I did it with someone already. Mapapa-sana all na lang ako sa pangangabayo ni Albertyne kagabi.

Alas cinco ako nagising. Naligo na kaagad ako at nagtimpla ng kape habang feel na feel tumambay sa may balcony area. Hindi pa gano'n kaliwanag ang kalangitan but the wind shivers me everytime na pumapagaspas ng malakas na hangin. Napakuha tuloy ako ng makapal na jacket habang iniinom ang lumalamig ko ring kape.

Umalis lamang ako ng balcony nang marinig ko ang pagbukas ng pinto. I look at the hallway and found sir Trent topless and putting his white robe. Naka-plain black boxers lamang siya at hindi niya man lang itinali iyon. He likes to flaunt it. Does he likes to walk around the house topless or naked? Isa rin kaya siyang pornstar? Hindi naman blurd no'ng makita ko 'yong sausage niya. It is perfect. but not skinless, yet juicy.

Kahit hindi ko matamaan ang mata niya ay hinarap ko siya.

"Ohayou gozaimasu," pagbati ko sa kanya sabay pagyuko.

He didn't reply. I glance at his face and he just nodded at me.

"Do you want something sir? What do you want to eat for breakfast?"

"Can you cook?"

"Yes sir," ganado kong sagot sa kanya.

"Please, if you say so. Impress me," he challenged. "I'll just have a quick shower and then we'll talk later."

"Sige po sir," tango ko pa pero natauhan din ako bigla sa huling linya niya. "What are we gonna talk about, sir?"

"Stuff," he timidly replied. "Let's see later."

Tumalikod siya at pinanood ko siyang maglakad patungo sa bathroom. He's tall and tanned. Hindi siya iyong karaniwang Japanese na kulay hilaw ang kulay. He's also bulky kaya sobrang sarap pisilin ng mga braso niya. Maybe he's a model too. I still have no idea who is he pero mukhang hindi naman ako mahihirapan sa trabaho ko. He seems nice and not bossy.

When he's gone out of my sight, dali-dali na rin akong tumungo sa kusina at hinanda ang mga dapat kong iluto. It wasn't hard for me to cook dahil naturuan ako no'ng maliit pa ako and I'm still learning every day kaya walang problema. Habang naghahanda rin ako sa mesa nang mga kagamitan ay biglang pumasok sa kusina si Albertyne. She's wearing a smooth pink sleepshirt. Her legs are dangerous. Sobrang haba at kinis.

Binati ko siya gaya ng pagbati ko kay Trent.

"Where's Trent?" she asked. Her eyes seems to travel around the area. Is she inspecting for something.

"He's in the bathroom. Taking a shower he said," sagot ko sa kanya.

She grunted and rolled her eyes. Sabi na nga ba, masarap ding tusukin 'yong mata niya. "He should've waited for me."

"Maybe you still can," ngiti ko pa sa kanya.

"Well, that's true but that's fine," she said. "What are you cooking?"

"Oh! I cooked steamed rice, scrambled egg, fried tofu, bacons, and sausages." Ayoko sana mag-isip ng ibang bagay sa binanggit pero baka doon na rin pumunta 'yon. Albertyne can't see me gushing towards a sausage.

"Nice," she commented. "But I'm not going to have some breakfast. I'm on a strict diet."

"Oh... sure," ngiti ko pa. But I didn't cook this for her. I prepared all this for Trent. 'Wag assumera kahit girlfriend siya ng boss ko. "Do you mind if I ask something?"

She then immediately shook her head. "No. I only get to ask, not you. You're just a nanny, right?"

"Oh... right," I muttered. Tatanong ko lang naman kung model ba siya o hindi. But if she's going to be a bitch to me, hindi ako magpapatalo. I came here to work in peace and not to meddle with some bitch. Nakakaloka.

"I'll leave you now. I'm going to join Trent in the bathroom," humagikgik pa ito pagkatalikod sa akin.

If I just had my phone last night and I could record it, for sure, I would make thousands of money by selling their video. I didn't think of that agad. Nakakasad but maybe the other time. I can do that.

After a moment and finishing the breakfast set-up, hinanda ko na ang sarili kong matikman ni Trent ang niluto ko. This could be my ticket to more opportunities kapag nagustuhan niya ang mga inihain ko.

Lumabas naman ako ng kitchen area para silipin si Trent, but I get to see him walking Albertyne out of his place. He kissed her on her check and then he just stood behind the door until she left. He sighed right after she left. Pansin koi yon dahil bumagsak bigla ang balikat niya. When he's about to turn to the kitchen's direction, mabilis akong bumalik sa loob and then a few seconds later, he showed up.

I beamed with a glowing smile and he just gave me a quick nod as his eyes landed to the glass table and to the food serves on it.

"You prepared for all of this?" he asked and I nodded with confidence. It's required.

"You have to try all of it, sir. I poured my heart on it," hagikgik ko pa. "Sit here, sir."

I motioned my hand so he could sit on the chair na inuring ko para sa kanya. Umupo naman siya at mapakali ang mata niya kung anong titingnan niya. Was he overwhelmed? Paano na lang kaya kung nakakain na siya?

"I'll leave you, sir so you can have your space," I excused and was about to turn and leave him alone, but to my surprise he said something I didn't expect.

"No. Stay," he ordered. "Join me. Let's talk."

Itinuro niya iyong upuan across him. Nahihiya pa akong umupo dahil baka iba ang isipin niya but he insisted so bakit pa ako aangal. He demanded that I should eat breakfast with him. I did what he ask kaya kumuha rin ako ng bowl of rice. Wala akong idea kung anong pag-uusapan namin. Hindi naman ako kinakabahan. I think he's in a good mood.

He started taking some tofu and bacon from the plates and put it on his bowl with a chopstick. Though I'm not fond of using it but I'll try my best. And when I tried placing it on my finger, I gave up and switched with spoon and fork.

"Did you know that this isn't my usual breakfast?" he asked, creasing his forehead. Umiling ako sa tanong niya. "Well, I only get coffee in the morning."

I gasped. "Oh, I'm sorry... I didn't know."

"No, please. Don't apologize," he said, waving his hands as I keep bowing in front of him. It means respect so I have to. Hindi naman abuso 'yon. "Please, stop bowing your head."

"Oh, I'm sorry..."

"I said don't apologize," he repeated. "You don't have to be so formal when you're around with me but limited to when there are people around us. But I would love to know my personal nanny. You don't mind me asking, right? Don't worry, it won't be personal but maybe there are some but we'll see... eat as well," pag-offer pa nito sa akin at naglagay din naman ako ng egg at sausage sa bowl ko.

Gahd. Hindi nagkasya ang sausage sa bowl.

"If I'm not forgetting, I'll call you Lav, right?"

I nodded. "Yes, sir. Lav it is... pero hindi rin naman ako mahirap mahalin so baka pwede mo ring i-try."

"What did you say?" he raised his brow but I shook my head. "Nothing, sir. It's just the history of my name."

"Oh, really? What it could be if you don't mind?"

"Of course not," ngiti ko pa. "My parents uniquely named me and my siblings with out of this worlds name and they figured out that a person with a name without being resembled to anyone else could be a good thing. Traditionally in the Philippines, they combined the parents names and give it to their child, but I was different. Seila means blind and Verne means youthful."

"So, Blind Youthful that is?"

Tumango na lamang ako sa kanya. Wala naman talagang connect 'yong paliwanag ko sa kanya, basta lang may masabi ako. I don't know how to carry this conversation. He still intimidated me. Tumapon ang tingin ko sa sausage sa bowl ko and some parts of it were burned pero 'yong nakita ko kahapon, mukhang fresh na fresh.

"Why did you accept to be a nanny? What made your mind up to be a nanny in the first place?"

Napalunok ako ng laway. Akala ko walang ng interview na magaganap pero bakit meron? Magkakainan lang naman kami pero bakit ang seryoso ng usapan naming dalawa?

"I just knew that this will help me," simple kong sagot sa kanya but he doesn't look satisfied with my answer. "Okay, honestly. My life in the Philippines is fucked up so I had to do another thing that will help me to cope with some situations that's out of my control. I had to leave because my life was a misery there and in here, I'm looking for a new opportunity. A new life, I guess."

"I see," he muttered. "Did you know that talking while eating is rude here in Japan?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. I didn't know. Umiling ako at binaba ko kaagad ang hawak kong kutsara. Tatayo na sana ako sa kinauupuan ko at mag-so-sorry ako sa kanya pero pinigilan niya muli ako.

"Please, stay and don't mind what I say," he said. "I grew up with two cultures. Same as you."

"Ah... okay po," napangiwi ako at malakas pa rin ang kabog ng dibdib ko. "I'm really sorry. I guess that's the mistake I came here to Japan. I have no idea what am I gonna do."

"You'll be fine," he said. "Just like what I said, I'm not a strict boss. You just need to do what I ask and we'll be fine with that."

I nodded and he demanded me to continue eating. Gaya ng sabi niya, kumain ako but at the same time I feel so bad doing it.

"If I could recall, you thought you will be taking care of a child, right?"

I nodded. "Yes, sir. I thought so."

"And then you said you hate children."

"Correct, sir."

"And how come you wanted to be a nanny and take care of children if you hated them?"

"If it's my ticket of escaping my life in the Philippines, I think I can bare it."

"Sure, I think you'll be a good mother. You cooked great," he commented at pansin kong may kaunting ngiti sa gilid ng labi niya.

"Arigatou," aniko.

"What do you expect more, Lav?"

"Ah eh... ang mahalin mo?" bulong ko, but then I straightened up on my sit. "To help and assist you with everything you needed. I'm here to take care of you even though a grown up like you still needs some help or assistance."

"You're right," he nodded. "A nanny isn't only for kids and infants. A grown man needed it too."

"Hehe, yes..." I winced. "Can I ask something, sir?"

"Of course," he said.

Nilunok ko ang laway ko bago ako makapagsalita. "Is Ma'am Albertyne your girlfriend?"

"Do you know her?"

Umiling ako. "No... just last night."

"I see... she's a Model from Germany and she's based here in Japan. But we're not in a relationship."

"Dating?" I wondered and yet she shook his head. "Friends... that uhm..."

"Fucking?" he continued and he nodded. "Yes. We are."

"Oh..." hindi ko alam kung namumula ako mukha ko sa sinabi niya.

"Shocked?" he smirked. "Don't be. Maybe there's a lot of things you needed to know in Japan other than the cherry blossoms and the busy streets in Shibuya."

"Okay..."

I don't think this conversation can be more awkward than already it has.

"But how about my contract, sir?" pag-iiba ko ng usapan. I shouldn't even asked it in the first place. Kumakain kami. Ang baboy ng usapan. Rude na nga itong ginagawa namin, ang baboy pa ng lumalabas sa bibig namin.

"What about it?" he asked.

"It's only a six month contract, would I be able to work longer than that?"

He nodded, affirming my question. "Yes. Just like what I said to you yesterday. If you show competence and great performance on your job, I would extend your contract but if you don't I'll hire a new nanny."

"Okay... then I will give my best to serve you."

"Let's see if that happens, too early to say that."

We then continued eating our breakfast. He told me his morning will be different dahil nandito na ako at may magluluto na para sa kanya. I mean, it's not a problem. I'll get paid anyway.

Nauna siyang matapops kumain sa akin at binilisan ko na lang din ang pagkain ko kasi nahihiya na ako pa ang mahuhuling kumain. He stood and left the table saka nagsimula na akong linisin ang lamesa at hugasan ang mga pinagkainan namin.

Nababaliw ako sa kakaisip ng mga sinasabi ko kanina. Nalinawan din naman ako sa ibang bagay kaya kailangan maging maingat din ako. Mabuti na lang talaga ay mabait itong si Trent. Good thing that I've got someone who can understand my situation thought its better na hindi niya ako makilala and stays our role as his nanny and he's my boss.

Matapos kong maglinis ay lumabas na ako ng kitchen area to find out that he's on the balcony area at nakaupo sa lounger doon. Naupo na lamang ako sa couch kung saan kitang-kita rin naman siya sa labas. Nagpapahinga lang siguro siya.

I took my phone out of my jeans at pasimple kong tinawagan si Sasa. It took her three minutes before she picked it up.

"Hello?" bungad ko.

"Lav? Ikaw ba 'yan?" tanong nito sa akin. "Gaga ka! Natakot ako! Akala ko kung sino na tumatawag sa akin."

"Why wouldn't you know? Ikaw nagbigay ng number mo sa akin e."

"Girl, hindi lang naman ikaw binigyan ko ng number," sabi pa nito sa akin. "Buti na lang at napatawag ka. You missed the fun last night. Kailan ka makakasama sa akin ulit?"

"I don't know... titingnan ko pa ulit schedule ko. Wait, I didn't pay for the drink last night, binayaran mo ba? Babayaran na lang kita kapag nagkita tayong dalawa."

"Girl, no need! Ako na nagbayad. Next time na magkikita tayong dalawa, I'll show you around at sana hindi mo na ako takasan. It's good to be with someone kaya na i-a-angat ang bandera ng Pilipinas. Anyway, ninakaw ko lang ang minuto na 'to para kausapin ka. I'll talk to you later mga 10 PM para wala na akong trabaho. Get it, girl?"

"Got it, girl," hagikgik ko pa.

"O siya, mamaya na lang," she said and then she hung up the call.

When I opened my social media, the private one, it's quiet and peaceful. Pasimple akong nagnakaw ng picture at pinost sa IG story ko. I was typing a message nang hindi ko mapansin na nakatayo pala si Trent sa harapan ko. Muntik ko pang mabitawan ang phone ko at mabilis itong sinusuksok sa ilalim ng hita ko.

"Yes, sir?"

"Are you busy? Are you talking to someone?"

"Bawal po ba? I mean, is it prohibited to use my phone?"

"Not really," he said. "You're not doing anything so that's fine. Will you come with me later?"

"Saan, sir?"

"You'll see but do you have any dresses with you? Like gowns?"

My eyes squinted. "I did... for what, sir?"

"Then that's great. I will tell it to you later," aniya at umalis na sa harapan ko.

I was left confused. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko. Napasandal na lamang ako sa couch at ang titig ko ay tumatagas sa wall glass sa balcony at sa kalangitan. Medyo maulap at hindi gano'n kasikatan ang araw. Uulan kaya?

But if there's something going to happen later, ano naman kaya 'yon? And why would I be dressed in a gown kung nanny lang ako? That's suspicious of him. Baka sabunutan pa ako ni Albertyne kapag nagkataon. But if he's planning for something else, that must be good.

Siguro, hindi rin naman niya ako ipapahiya.

Hindi rin naman masama ang naging new life ko rito sa Tokyo. Thought I wouldn't fully say that it is kasi nagsisimula pa lang ako but I will figure everything out.

A Mercondia don't stop on the finish line, we always move forward to something greater. At least, I do.

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