O L I V I A   V A L E Z

He did it for two weeks now, and I was about to lose my shit. No... not my shit, but my heart and mind in particular. He occupied it effortlessly without showing his face to me. I guess he did understand what I said, but not the whole thing. Atlas fucking Mate kept tailing my car every morning when I was driving to work. He would watch me enter our parking lot then continue driving away, and that was not the only thing he kept doing. Every eleven-thirty in the morning, lunch with a complete course would be delivered to my office with a fucking smile sticky note and his initials. 

Sa lahat ng ginawa niyang iyon, never ko nga namang nakita ang mukha niya. First, tuwing hinahatid ako ng motor niya sa umaga ay naka-helmet siya. So, I didn't literally see his face, fantastic. Second, tuwing magpadadala siya ng lunch na kompleto from appetizer to dessert, ay hindi ko rin nakikita ang mukha niya. Yes, I didn't see his face, but that motherfucker made sure that his presence was known. 

Sa dalawang linggo na puro ganito ang ginagawa niya, kahit ayaw ko ay nasasanay na ako. Sometimes my eyes would automatically go to the clock to check if it's already eleven-thirty, or whenever I drive my way to work, my eyes would unconsciously look at the side mirror to check if he was still behind me. And even if I hated it, my heart would leap from time to time, and my mind would travel to him. 

I leaned to my swivel chair and sighed. My back and shoulders hurt, feeling ko ay pang seventy years old na 'yung likod ko. Ganito pala talaga 'yung pakiramdam 'paglagi ka lang nakadukdok sa office mo. I absent-mindedly reached for the drawer and took out a small container. It contained a white scented paper with neat and beautiful handwriting.  Lahat ng letters ay pantay-pantay ang laki at haba, pati na rin ang spacing nila ay pantay-pantay rin. Grabe, nahiya ang sulat kamay ko sa sulat niya. Aakalain mong printed, e. Ganito ba talaga mga penmanship ng mga architech?

Muntik ko ng mahulog ang hawak-hawak kong container, nang makarinig ako ng pagbukas ng pintuan at matinis na boses.

"Nako, si Ma'am! Napangingiti mag-isa rito sa office niya. Mukhang iba na 'yan, a?"

I rolled my eyes and quickly hid the container, where I put all the notes Atlas put on my lunch. I didn't know what had gotten into me but little did I know, I was already putting all of them into a container. At halos araw-araw ko yatang sinisilip ang mga 'yon. God, I'm going insane. 

"What are you doing here? Aren't you busy?"

Pakembot-kembot pa lumapit sa akin si Sue habang may nakalolokong ngiti. 

"Surprise!" 

Itinaas niya nag kamay niyang nakatago sa kaniyang likod. Agad na nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita na dala-dala niya ang lunch ko na galing kay Atlas. Bakit siya ang may dala niyan? Madalas iba ang naghahatid niyan, e. Ito ang unang beses na siya ang naghatid sa akin, and it's not a good thing knowing Sue. Hinding hindi niya ako tatantanan not until I tell her things she wants to know.

"Why is that with you?"

Dali-dali kong hinablot ito sa kaniya at inilapag sa office table ko. I put my hands on my waist to try looking intimidating. Baka sakaling gumana at hindi siya mangulit, but luck wasn't on my side today.

"I went out, tapos pagbalik ko nakita kong may gwapong lalaki do'n sa concierge. Grabe, Ma'am! Hindi ko type 'yung mga mukhang paluluhudin ako at long hair, pero kung siya naman, why not?"

I frowned and looked at Sue with dagger eyes, "So, what happened at the concierge?"

"Ayon nga, may gwapo ngang lalaki do'n na long hair, blue eyes, at naka black leather jacket! Jusko, napakabango pa niya, Ma'am. Hindi lang 'yung kagwapuhan niya magpalalaglag ng panty ko, pati na rin 'yung amoy. Amoy pa lang niya titirik na mata ko, e!"

At talagang may demonstration pa si Sue nang pagtirik ng mata niya habang kinukwento 'yon. Based sa mga sinabi niya, I'm a hundred percent sure na si Atlas 'yon. From the long hair to the black leather jacket, siyang-siya 'yon. Saka ano ba 'tong pinagsasabi ni Sue na luluhod at titirik ang mata? Baka gusto niyang siya ang paluhudin ko ngayon?

"Susan, I said, what happened at the concierge? Hindi ko sinabing magkwento ka diyan kung paano nahulog ang panty mo, at kung paano tumirik ang mata mo."

Sue smiled at me knowingly and walked towards me. When she reached my side, she bumped her waist to mine, making me stumble a little. Agad ko naman siyang sinamaan ng tingin sa kaniyang ginawa, na siyang tinawanan niya lang. 

"Sus! Possessive mo naman, Ma'am. Ayaw pinag-uusapan kung gaano kagwapo naghahatid ng lunch niya? Damot much? In-appreciate ko lang naman, hindi ko naman aagawin."

"Anong possessive ka diyan? Iba kasi ang sinasagot mo sa tanong ko. I said, what happened, hidni kung sino ang nando'n."

"Palusot! He happened, okay?"

Hindi talaga nakauusap nang maayos itong si Susan basta sa mga ganitong bagay. Masyado siyang na eexcite kaya hindi nakauusap nang matino. 'Pag pumasok na ang poging lalaki sa utak niya, wala na. Susan left the earth na. Pinalo ko ang kamay niya nang makitang sinisilip niya ang supot ng pagkain. Sue, pouted, but smiled and me later on.

"Hindi raw siya possessive niyan, ha?" bulong pa niya na siyang narinig ko naman.

"I heard you,"

"I know,"

"Bumalik ka na nga sa trabaho mo." pagtataboy ko sa kaniya.

"Lunch break na kaya, pero sige iiwan na kita rito, para naman mabasa mo na 'yung note na tinatago mo." humagikgik pa siya pagkatapos sabihin 'yon. 

Hindi nawala ang nakalolokong ngiti sa kaniyang labi hangang sa lumabas siya ng office ko. Bumuntong hininga na lamang ako, at umupo pabalik sa swivel chair ko. Agad kong binuksan ang lunch na si Atlas pala mismo ang naghahatid dito sa office. Ang akala ko kasi ay pinapa-deliver na lang niya, ayon pala ay siya mismo ang nagdadala. 'Pagkabukas ko pa lang ay agad na sumalubong sa akin ang note doon. 

Hindi ko na malayan na may ngiti na muli sa aking labi. Agad naman itong lumawak nang maamoy ko ang bango ng pagkain sa loob. It has a soup na talagang mainit-init pa, then a mustard stuffed chicken, and lastly for the dessert a blueberry cheesecake. All of these were delicious, and I wouldn't be surprised if I gained weight. Lagi ko kasing inuubos lahat ng ipinapadala niyang pagkain.

Habang kumakain ay bigla akong napa-isip. This was not right in any way or any angle. All of this was wrong, from how he would escort me in the morning to bringing me lunch because he has a wife. Atlas can't do this to his wife. This is like cheating on his wife, and I didn't have any plan on being a mistress... like never. I may enjoy what he was doing, but I didn't want to be a secret paradise a married man would go to when things went sour to his married life. I am not a vacation plan. 

However, things didn't go according to plan. I didn't have the time to talk to Atlas regarding his actions. Sa sobrang busy ko sa trabaho at pag-aayos sa aking darating na birthday, ay nawalan na ako ng panahon para sa mga binalak kong gawin. I was so busy contacting clients and the Valez clan regarding my upcoming birthday. At eto nga, umaga na ng birthday ko, mukha akong stress imbis na blooming. Maybe, I should have followed Sue's advice, 'yung pampa-blooming advice niya. 

Everybody was so busy for my birthday party later, and the venue was in our garden. I honestly suggested na rito na lang sa bahay ganapin. Unang una may problem kami sa bank na hindi pa totally na aayos, hindi practical na gumastos masyado nang malaki para sa birthday ko. Kung makababawas kami ng gastusin by making our garden my venue, then I would gladly do it. Saka sakto lang naman ang laki nito to host a party, ayon nga lang ang iilang aunty at uncle ko ay may sinasabi tungkol do'n. 

They would probably say na dahil hindi sumunod si Dad sa business tradition ng mga Valez, kaya hindi siya gano'n kayaman katulad nila, na kaya sa garden lang ang venue ng birthdya ko. But what they didn't know was that we have plenty of money to burn. Ayoko lang gastusin ang mga 'yon para sa party na yearly naman ginaganap. Ang we could use that money for emergencies, hindi sa mga luho. I got the mindset of not counting the money, not until you actually have it. 'Yung iba kasi ay binibilang na ang kikitain, at may paglalaanan na agad, kaya ayon ang bilis na nauubos ang pera nila. 

I looked at myself in the mirror, and one thing I could say, this was not the face a birthday girl should look like. My face should be brimming with happiness and excitement, but it was the total opposite of my current state. I sighed and tore my eyes off my face. Good luck na lang sa make up artist ko mamaya. I hope the artist will do a good job making me look like a fresh daisy. 

Hindi na ako nagulat nang buksan ko ang pinto, at violent reaction ni Liberty ang sumalubong sa akin.

"What the fuck?" hindi makapaniwalang sabi niya pagkabukas na pagkabukas ko.

Sinimangutan ko siya, "Maka-what the fuck naman, Libs."

Aware naman ako na mukha akong beyernes santo ngayon. I sat on my bed feeling down and stress. Ganito ba 'pag madadagdagan na naman edad mo? I almost rolled my eyes when I heard Sue's voice in my head saying, may magic ang tamod, Ma'am. Ugh, ano ba itong pumapasok sa utak ko? It was not like having sex would instantly make me look glowing right now. What if masturbation would do? No, no, no. I seriously need to stop thinking this things. Kasalanan ito ni Susan! Maybe, I should have ban her to my office.

"What? Sino ba namang hindi magugulat sa hitsura mo, Oly? Hindi man lang mukhang excited iyang pagmumukha mo."

Sino ba naman kasing hindi magmumukhang ganito kung marami kang stressors? Unang una sa lahat ay si Atlas. Parang kung siya pa lang ang iisipin ko ay pang ilang taon nang stress ang mararamdaman ko, tapos dumagdag pa ang work load ko, isa pa si Sue na hindi talaga ako tantanan tungkol kay Atlas. And lastly, ang paghahanda sa araw na ito. Feeling ko talaga hindi isang taon 'yung idadagdag sa edad ko, e, parang ten years yata.

Habang lumalalim ang pag-iisip ko rito, ay may biglang binato sa akin si Liberty. And because I was too preoccupied with all the reasons why I looked so fucking stressed right now, I panicked, catching the thing she threw at me.

My heart swooned when I saw a small box. This was probably her gift.

"Grabe naman, magbibigay na nga lang ng regalo ihahagis pa." sabi ko sa kaniya na siyang ikinikibit-balikat lang niya.

I was not honestly bothered that she threw it. Ganiyan naman kasi talaga si Liberty. She wasn't used to showing affection in person. She didn't like showing cheesy stuff. Sa tingin ko kaya sa ganiyan dahil sa kinalakihan niyang environment sa bahay nila. Hidni siya siguro sanay magpakita ng affection, dahil hindi naman siya gaanong nabibigyan no'n sa bahay nila. Minsan nga ay nahahawa lang naman siya sa akin, and I was happy that I influenced her to be affectionate sometimes. Ayon nga lang minsan ay nahihiya pa rin siya. Liberty is sweet but she won't broadcast it to the world. 

Liberty sat beside me and watched me open her gift. I slowly pulled the ribbon off the box, and my heart started singing from excitement. A smile instantly formed on my lip that brightened up my gloomy face, and I was a hundred percent sure that my eyes twinkled when it finally saw what was inside the box. It was my favorite flower chained on a thin silvery bracelet. Oh, god, this is perfect. Her gift was enough to bring my spirit up. 

I hugged Liberty tightly that I was almost crushing her, "Thank you! This is so beautiful, and I love it."

Liberty laughed at my reaction, and I saw how her ocean blue eyes shone. "I'm glad you like it."

"Of course, favorite ko kayang flower ito, saka I would love anything you will give me," I said with all the happiness making its way to every corner of my heart.

I really loved her gift. Siya nga lang yata ang nag-iisang tao na nakaaalala na favorite ko ang bulaklak na peony. I know that peonies were famous at weddings, but I really fancy their appearance, and of course, what it symbolized. The peony was typically offered on special days as a gesture of goodwill, blessings, and happiness. It is symbolic of love, honor, joy, prosperity, passion, and beauty. Isa pa it could be used in the medical field. I love things that have many functions.

My makeup artist and stylist arrived, kay anaman naputol ang pagkwekwentuhan namin ni Liberty. They styled my hair in big vintage waves placed on the left side of my shoulder. My face was done in simple yet elegant makeup with a blinding deep red lipstick. I wore a gold body-hugging beaded evening gown with a high slit that showcased my right leg whenever I walked. I looked at myself in the mirror one last time before going to our garden. And holy molly, the girl who looked like a dried plant a while ago was nowhere to be seen. I was dressed up perfectly.  And of course, I didn't forget to wear Liberty's gift, as expected it looked good on me.

The garden's tranquil and lush ambiance has now been blended with golden lights, making the location appear magnificent. Ms. Elibera and her team did an excellent job of making our garden seem spectacular; it was oozing elegance and luxury. The whole place looked like the neverland in the modern-day. The little chattering stopped as I entered our garden, and every eye was focused on me—no need for the spotlight. My skin crawled from the excitement of their acknowledgment and nervousness. 

Everybody clapped elegantly when I placed myself in the center, and the master of the ceremony introduced me. Kung kaninang umaga ya hindi ko na fefeel na birthday ko, now, I'm definitely feeling twenty two. Dad and I gave our little speech to start my birthday party formally. After that, ay agad akong nagpunta sa mga kamag-anak namin. They all greeted me with a happy birthday, but I could still see the disappointment in their eyes about the venue. But I didn't dwell on it. Well, I can't please anyone. Basta masaya at satisfied ako ngayon sa birthday ko, and that was all that matters.

As I ran my eyes to our relative, my heart sank a little, and then my stomach went cold when I realized that my grandparents didn't come. Oh, well, what was new? Hindi pa ba ako masasanay? I smiled at my aunts' and uncles'. My cousins caught my attention on the nearby table. I excused myself, and excitement entered my body as I walked towards my cousins. I miss them so much!

Agad nila akong niyakap nang mahigpit at hinalikan sa pisngi sabay bati. Natawa naman ako nang medyo nahihiya si Froy na gawin 'yon sa akin. Akala mo naman hindi ko siya nakitang tumutulo ang sipon noong bata kami. I rolled my eyes at him after his greetings. 

"You looked so beautiful!" sabi ng kambal sa akin na sina Elle at Elly.

"Of course, it runs in our blood."

Closs hooked his arms on my shoulder loosely, "So..." and then his eyes searched in the crowd and looked at Froy meaningfully. "We heard that you have a barbie doll guess tonight."

Sabi ko na nga ba. Kawawa naman si Froy ngayon, at hindi matatantanan ng kantyaw patungkol sa pagkaroroon niya ng crush sa best friend ko. I searched my eyes around and didn't see Liberty. I guess, busy pa siya, matagal talaga kasing mag-ayos 'yon, e.

"Well, I was readying the barbie doll into her perfect box for our dear cousin, Froy." pagsakay ko sa asaran.

Froy shifted from his position and looked at us intently, na tinawanan lang namin lahat. Nagpaalam na ako sa kanila, dahil tinatawag ako ni dad sa pwesto niya. My smile almost faded, and my knees shook when I saw the crowd my dad was in. Oh, fucking hell, I should have expected this to happen. My dad was chatting with his friends. I wanted to turn around and pretend that I didn't hear my dad's calling me. Especially when that damn heavenly blue eyes pinned at me. 

I couldn't feel the ground as I walked towards them, and everyone around us went blurry like cars passing fast at night. I gulped as my eyes couldn't move away from his. Bumalik lang ako sa katinuan nang maramdaman ko ang kamay ni dad sa aking braso. I forced a smile on my lips as I took every greeting they said. Halos lahat nang nandito ay ang mga ninong ko bukod kay Mr. Elcarte at Atlas. Unfortunantely, magkatabi si dad at si Atlas kaya no choice kung hindi tumabi sa kaniya.

I instantly felt the warmth of his skin, and it spread on my body. I sucked in a breath to compose myself. Don't lose your shit here, Olivia. Not in front of these gentlemen. I greeted them back and asked them if they were enjoying the night. But even if I focused myself on my other guess, the man beside me effortlessly stole my attention from time to time. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi siya sulyapin lalo na't nasa gilid ko lang naman siya. At nang mapansing kong nilingon na talaga niya ako nang tuluyan, ay nag panic na ang kalooban ko. 

I wanted to jump from happiness when Liberty came in. Save by the angel. Napunta tuloy sa kaniya ang attention ng lahat. Well, not everyone because I could feel Atlas gaze at me, burning a hole in my face. I shouldn't be happy, but this stupid heart leaped from joy. Giddiness started crawling in my body as I swam to the full attention he was giving me. 

Agad kong pinakilala si Liberty sa mga kalalakihang nandito, "Mga ninong, this is my best friend, Liberty Kings! Ngayon n'yo lang siya na-meet kasi kauuwi niya lang dito sa Philippines months ago,"

Fucking hell, I blurted out too much. My mind couldn't be at ease as I still felt his eyes on me. And I hated myself for feeling satisfied. Kinamayan naman sila isa-isa ni Liberty, but noong si Atlas na ang kakamayan niya, ay hindi ko napigilan ang aking sarili. Ikinawit ko ang braso ko sa braso ni Liberty para magbitaw agad ang pagkakamayan nila. Parang gusto kong maglaho nang parang bula ngayon. Possessive mo naman, Ma'am. Sue's voice suddenly entered my mind. Ano bang kagagahan 'tong ginawa ko?

I felt him shift towards me, making me feel the heat of his body more. I don't want to look at him. I'm confident that he was staring at me now with questions in his eyes. May pasabi-sabi pa akong don't show your face to me, tapos ako pa 'tong ayaw siyang makipagkamayan sa ibang abbae. Gaga ka talaga, Olivia. Anong idadahilan ko 'pagnagtanong siya regarding sa action kong ito? Sorry, nademonyo kamay ko, e, biglang ayaw ka ipahawak sa iba. Ugh, gusto ko talagang sabunutan ang sarili ko! 

Tinaasan ako ni Liberty ng kilay dahil sa ginawa ko, and I just smiled at her like I didn't do anything weird. Hinila ko na siya sa table ng mga pinsan ko, dahil alam ko naman kanina pa siya hinihintay ni Froy... Okay, gusto ko rin siyang ilayo kay Atlas. I still couldn't get over no'n nakita ko siyang hawak-hawak ni Atlas sa bewang. Agad namang naglokohan ang mga pinsan ko nang makapunta kami sa table nila. Nakihalubilo ako sa kanila, kahit na nag utak ko ay nagtatalo pa rin dahil sa kagagahang ginawa ko kanina. Maya-maya pa ay nag-excuse si Liberty at mag-co-comfort room lang. 

I also excused myself to get fresh air. I saw a waiter serving wine on the way, and I reached for one, bago nagtuloy-tuloy ang lakad paalis. I stopped when I reached our front yard. I walked a little more to a spot that was quite hidden. I sighed and drank my wine. Mabuti na lang at wala masyadong tao rito dahil nando'n silang lahat sa garden, bukod sa guard na nagbabantay ng gate sa hindi kalayuan.

I almost spilled out the wine when I saw Atlas walk towards me with his hands inside his pocket. I wiped the corner of my lips as I took him in. He was wearing an all-black suit, and his mid-length hair was brushed up, making him a breath stealer. He looked like the god of the underground walking on the earth to punish lowly humans. And every human he would punish would gladly kneel and take his punishment. And I'm one of them. 

I straightened my back and looked at him with cold eyes. That's right, Oly. Put that damn mask on. I think this is the right time to talk to him. Well, this is the chance the universe had given me; I might as well take it. 

"What are you doing here?"

"Showing my face to the birthday girl?" 

Then he stopped in front of me, and because of the height difference, even with my heels, he looked like a god looking down on a sinful human. 

"I'm not sure if I told you that I wanted to see your face?"

He brushed his hair and shrugged, "That's a shame," then his hands moved to reach something inside his tux.

My eyes widened when I saw a familiar box of perfume that I always use. His eyes darkened when he saw the recognition and delight in my eyes. How did he know my favorite scent? Atlas took a step forward, leaving only inches of space between us. My hand shook from surprise and happiness as I reached for Miss Dior Absolutely Blooming Eau de parfum. My eyes were so fixated on his gift that I didn't notice him leaning near my neck.

"I got your scent right," he said as our eyes met.

Snap out of it, Olivia!

I pushed him, and he laughed lowly at what I did, but his eyes remained looking at me intently like he knew every corner of my soul. 

"That's what I got for giving you a gift? No thank you's?"

I rolled my eyes, "Well, thank you. I honestly appreciate your gift. But didn't I tell you not to show your face to me?"

"Is that what you wanted?"

Hindi ko pinansin ang tanong niya at nagpatuloy sa sasabihin. This is the time I got to discuss about the things he was doing for the past few weeks.

"And why did you keep escorting me every morning and giving me lunch that I didn't ask for?" I said as my tone got a little high.

"Because I wanted to? And to show you that I was sorry."

"You wanted to? Did your wife want that too?" I raised my eyebrows at him, challenging him with my eyes.

I saw his forehead knotted that his eyebrow could almost meet, "Where did you get the idea that I had a wife? What wife are you talking about?" he asked frustratingly.

"Don't play around me, Atlas. I knew that you already have a wife! You even had a bachelor party for it!"

"How did you know about the bachelor's party?" his eyes looked dark now than they did a while ago.

I took a step back, "See? I was right. You had a fucking bachelor's party before your wedding day! You are a married man. So, what the hell are you doing here in front of me like nothing happened? You should be beside your wife right now because that's what a good husband does."

"Are you talking about the fake bachelor's party I set up so we could all hang out?"

I looked at him bewildered, "F-Fake bachelor's party? Don't fool me! I'm not stupid, Atlas."

He looked up, his strong neck and sexy adam's apple showcasing its hotness. He closed his eyes when he opened them again. Something dark was in there, along with frustration.

"It was the fake bachelor's party I set up because I wanted all of us to hang out. I was so fucking down those times, and everybody was so busy with their works. That's why I told them I was getting married, and I had a bachelor's party. I'm not married or getting married. Do you a ring in my finger?"

He tilted his head as he put his hands in front of me. And I didn't see any wedding ring in them. Bakit hindi ko napansin agad 'yon? But he could remove them.

With my stupid logic, I said, "But you could have removed them so girls would think your single and flirt with you!"

He laughed darkly at what I said, "Oh, Olivia, I didn't need to play single to make a girl want me."

And he was fucking right. Any woman who would see him would forget their rational mind just to get him. 

"W-Whatever, I don't want to see your face anymore!" I said without thinking as I felt my cheeks heating up from embarrassment. I accused him of false things.

Heavenly blue eyes gleamed with mischief, and a devilish smile tilting his glorious lips that contradicted his godly features, but made him more appealing. 

"Is that what you wanted?" he asked darkly.

I opened my mouth, but then I couldn't find myself saying no.

He took a step back and asked again. "Is that what you wanted?"

Seconds passed, and I just stared at him. I was still dumbfounded by the information that I discovered. He's not married. Atlas Mate is not married. 

He tilted his head and looked at me intently before turning his back. I instantly took a step forward to reach for him, but he kept walking away.

"Old man!" I tried to stop him from walking away. 

Akala ko na ayaw ko ng makita mukha niya? Then why was I stopping him from leaving me?

"Mr. Mate!" pagtawag ko muli sa kaniya, but he didn't even looked back.

Mas lalo tuloy akong nag-panic, "Mr. Fucking Mate!"

Pero mas lalo lang bumilis ang lakad niya. Ugh, this is so frustrating! Hindi ko alam na mahilig pala siya magkipaghabulan!

"Mr. Atlas Mate!" no luck.

This is my last resort, "Atlas..." I said as I softened my voice.

My heart thumped when I saw him stop walking and slowly face me. Atlas mate had this triumphant look in his eye and a devilish smirk.

"Yes, Baby girl?"

~TBC~

This will be the only update for this week kaya mahaba siya. See you next week for another update! 

Please, bear with the errors. I don't have the time to proofread this.

Feel free to share your thoughts, and keep safe lalo na do'n sa mga tatamaan ng bagyo ngayon. Let's all pray for everybody's safety. Kindly unleash your dogs and cats or ilabas n'yo sila sa kulungan kung hindi n'yo sila kayang isama sa evacuation center. Give them a chance to survive. 

Love lots! :>>