#OLASweetNemesis

Chapter 13
Expensive

"You can do it, princess!" Kuya Knoa gave me a thumbs up when it was already my turn to present my report.

Kinalimutan ko muna ang nakakahiyang reply ko kay Keno nang tawagin ako sa harapan. For some reason, I was the last one on the list. Kyla prepared the materials I needed in front and connected my laptop to flash the PowerPoint on the LED screen. Tiningnan ko si Kuya Xavi matapos ang paghahanda para humingi ng go-signal. He gave me a brief smile and nod before turning dead serious.

It wasn't my first time reporting in front of the board. We do this occasionally, especially because Kuya Xavi always wanted to be aware and informed about almost everything regarding DVH and its affiliates. It's amazing how he could remember even a minor detail. His critical thinking skills are also unmatched. Kaya malaking advantage din sa aming lahat kapag nag-report sa kanya. He wouldn't hesitate to help us if he saw us struggling. Madalas ay nagbibigay rin siya ng recommendations na magpapabuti sa pamamalakad ng kompanya.

"Good afternoon!" I confidently greeted everyone before officially starting my report.

For the first part, I summarized all our accomplishments for the first half of the year. Karamihan ay ang mga brand na muling nag-renew ng contract at partnership. We also bought a huge lot in Cebu para sa itatayong bagong branch ng mall.

My cousins looked very proud of my achievements. Ilang beses pang pumalakpak si Kuya Knoa bilang pagsuporta habang tipid na ngumingiti at tumatango si Kuya Xavi bilang pag-acknowledge sa mga 'yon. Their positive reactions, along with those of the other board members, boosted my confidence prior to entering the second part of my report.

Sa second part ay roon ko i-ta-tackle ang financial reports. Medyo madugo 'yon kaysa sa accomplishments part, lalo na't doon mas lalong nag-fo-focus si Kuya Xavi. Dealing with numbers was never fun.

"Prime Retails witnessed no significant gain or loss for the first and second quarters to report. We were marked by a sense of stability, despite navigating through the challenges of the market without experiencing fluctuations," I said, concluding the second part of my report. "While this lack of movement might seem uneventful to some, for us, it gave us an advantage to assess our strategies, refine our operations, and prepare for potential shifts in the market..."

While in the middle of my report, I caught Kuya Xavi tilting his head as if he found something unusual with my report. Binabasa niya nang maigi ang hard copy kaysa makinig sa akin. Kinabahan ako sa hindi malamang dahilan. I had no idea what made him react that way. Parang gusto kong balikan agad ang lahat ng ni-report ko kahit na hindi pa ako tapos.

Did I make a mistake? Did I overlook a problem? Baka namang mayroong hindi nag-tally sa data na hindi ko napansin or double check?

I was bothered by the rest of my report. Kuya Xavi didn't raise any concern, but he's been acting off since I went through Prime's financial reports. Hindi ako mapakali. Kaya after he dismissed everyone, I bravely went up to him.

"Kuya..." tawag ko.

"Hari, what's wrong?" Sinenyasan niyang mauna na si Joseph na umalis bago ako hinarap nang maayos. "Do you need anything? Sorry, but we have to make this quick. I'm running late for my next meeting. Naghihintay na sa office ang isang kliyente ko."

"I just wanna ask if may mali ba sa report ko?" walang pag-aalinlangan kong tanong. "I noticed you were kinda bothered by something while I was reporting..."

"Oh, that..." Kuya Xavi shook his head and smiled to reassure me. "Nothing. I was just focusing on the hard copy of your report. Alam mo namang kapag may problema, I would raise it right away."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, princess. Don't worry."

"Okay..." Bahagya akong ngumuso.

Siguro ay marami lang talagang tumatakbo sa isipan niya ngayon. I heard his wife wanted to legalize their separation, while he and Kuya Know were also busy with an investigation. If I were him, I'd probably go insane. Baka hindi na talaga ako makapag-focus sa trabaho.

"However... I noticed you're not in your best condition," he said, showing some concern. "Do you still have meetings after this?"

Umiling ako. "I have papers to review and sign, pero ayon na lang naman."

"You should head home now and get enough rest. Kahit bukas huwag ka na rin pumasok. Your company's pretty stable. It won't hurt to give yourself a day off."

"I'll think about it, Kuya."

"Huwag na matigas ang ulo," sabi ni Kuya Xavi.

"That's right, Hari. Don't be so hardheaded. Huwag mong pahirapan ang bodyguard mo," singit ni Kuya Knoa.

Before I could spit fire at him, I immediately bit my tongue to see him with Keno. Nakaakbay siya sa kaibigan habang nang-iinis sa akin.

Kaya pala nawala siya pagkatapos i-dismiss ni Kuya Xavi ang lahat. He probably went out to look for Keno.

"Keno had to threaten her bago pa siya mapainom ng gamot, Xavi," kwento niya kay Kuya Xavi.

"Really?" Kuya Xavi sounded amused.

"Yeah. Sabi ko nga ang dami namang role ni Keno. Hindi lang siya basta bodyguard. He's also her nurse and her date," dagdag pa ni Kuya Knoa na halatang gusto lang akong pikunin. "Dapat ata dagdagan natin ang sahod ni Keno. What do you think?"

I couldn't believe that even when I was sick, he still wouldn't miss the opportunity to get on my nerves. I don't think he could stay still without ruining someone's day. Ayon ata ang nagpapasaya sa kanya at bumubuo ng araw niya.

"Date?" Nagtaas ng kilay si Kuya Xavi at sinulyapan si Keno na tahimik lang habang nakaakbay pa rin si Kuya Knoa sa kanya. "So, he was your date last night?"

"Yes," iritado kong sagot.

"Mabuti naman kung gano'n. Akala ko kung sino ang kumakalat na date mo raw. I thought you had a new boyfriend," Kuya Xavi said in relief.

What the... So talaga palang kalat na?

"Anyway, I have to go now," paalam ni Kuya Xavi saka nilingon si Keno. "Ikaw na ang bahala sa pinsan ko, Keno. Iuwi mo na 'yan. Don't let her stray."

Napakunot ang noo ko. "What do you mean by that, Kuya?" Akala ba niya tatakas ako?

Tipid na ngumisi lamang si Kuya Xavi bago lumapit sa akin at hinalikan ang gilid ng aking ulo. Pagkatapos no'n ay hinarap niya ulit si Keno.

"I mean it," he seriously said.

"I'll keep her safe. It's my job," Keno replied to assure my cousin.

I fell quiet upon hearing those three words. Ayos na sana 'yung naunang sentence. The latter made me feel bitter. Para din akong sinampal ng katotohanan.

Right... He's only doing his job. I almost forgot. I shouldn't read too much into his words and actions. It doesn't mean anything beyond its surface.

"Hindi na rin ako magtatagal," paalam ni Kuya Knoa. "Be a good girl, go home, and drink your meds on time, okay?"

Tamad akong tumango sa bilin niya. He kissed the top of my head before turning to Keno.

"Nag-aaya sina Kerbie sa Saturday. We all said yes. Ikaw na lang ang hindi," paalala ni Kuya Knoa tungkol sa plano nilang maglaro ng golf. "It's a rare occasion na makumpleto tayong barkada. Even Xavi's coming. You should reconsider."

"I'll see kung makakapunta kami," sabi ni Keno.

"Kami?" Nagtaas ng kilay si Kuya Knoa at sumulyap sa akin bago natawa.

"I'm not going," I said after realization dawned upon me about Keno's real intentions.

Wala na ako sa mood na maglaro ng golf o gumala kasama siya. I just wanna stay in my comfort zone and bake again.

I kept my eyes fixed on Kuya Knoa and stopped stealing a glance at him, but I couldn't help it. In my peripheral vision, I caught Keno watching me with confusion. Kita ko ang pagtataka niya kung bakit biglang nagbago ang desisyon ko. Kanina lang ay kinukulit ko siya.

"Pupunta na kami," biglang pagdedesisyon ni Keno.

My cousin looked so entertained and amused. He was enjoying the tension between me and my bodyguard.

"Ayaw ko nga," agap ko.

"Ang sabi mo kanina gusto mo."

"Kanina 'yon. I had a change of heart. Ayoko na sumama."

Keno took a deep breath to stretch his patience. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin nang makita ko kung paano kami pinapanood ni Kuya Knoa. He was wearing a very mischievous smile, and I didn't like what it was implying.

"So... Ano ba talaga? Are you two coming or not?" he asked, trying to fan the flames.

"We're going," desididong sabi ni Keno sa pinsan ko.

"Ha? Wala akong sinabing gusto ko pang pumunta!" I reacted violently.

Hindi pinansin ni Keno ang pag-react ko. Nanatiling na kay Kuya Knoa ang tingin niya.

"Hari told me she hasn't tried playing golf yet. I'll teach her then," he said.

Tumawa ang baliw na Kuya Knoa. "Teacher ka na rin ngayon ng pinsan ko? Ano ba talaga ang trabaho mo?"

Keno's patience was up to the sky. Halatang nang-iinis ang pinsan ko, but he didn't get triggered. Kung ako sa posisyon niya ay siguradong nakikipagsagutan na ako sa pinsan. I couldn't believe how nonchalant he could be while facing someone as annoying as Kuya Knoa. Kinuha niya lang ang gamit kong nasa lamesa saka muling nag-angat ng tingin.

"We'll go first. Ihahatid ko na siya sa kanila para makapagpahinga," paalam niya kay Kuya Knoa bago ako nilingon. "You heard Xavi earlier. You're going home."

"Uuwi naman talaga ako! You don't have to tell me."

Hinila ko sa kanya ang shoulder bag ko at isinukbit iyon bago nagmartsa palabas ng conference hall. Ang tawa ni Kuya Knoa at buntonghininga ni Keno ang nadinig ko bago ako tuluyang nakalabas. Dire-diretso lang ang lakad ko hanggang sa nakarating na sa parking.

"Kyla, ikaw na sa harap. I'll sit at the back," sabi ko.

Agad na lumiwanag ang mukha ni Kyla. Tinalikuran ko na lang siya at pumasok sa back seat. Nang sumakay na si Keno, agad niya akong nilingon sa likod. And of course, I looked away and pretended he didn't exist.

"Saan ka namin ihahatid?" tanong ni Keno kay Kyla.

"Uhm, balik na lang sa office," sagot ni Kyla sa isang maliit at nahihiyang boses.

Pinigilan ko ang sariling mag-react. I fiddled on my phone just to divert my attention elsewhere. Buti na lang at hindi na nasundan ang pag-uusap nila hanggang sa maihatid si Kyla pabalik sa Prime.

"Thanks, Keno. Ingat kayo," paalam ni Kyla sa kanya bago ako sinilip sa likod. "Balik na po ako sa office, Ma'am. Let me know if there's an urgent task that needs to be done. Ako na po ang bahala."

"Sure, Kyla. Thank you. Pwede ka rin umuwi nang maaga kung walang masyadong gagawin."

"Thank you, Ma'am. Rest well po." Kyla bowed her head a bit and flashed a smile at Keno for the last time before she went out of the car.

Pinanood ko ang aking sekretarya hanggang sa makapasok na siya ng lobby. Naka-hazard pa rin ang sasakyan sa driveway. Mukhang walang balak si Keno na umalis kaya hindi ko napigilan ang mapalingon sa kanya, and my eyes met his through the rearview mirror.

"What? Can you drive now?"

Keno pulled away his gaze from the rearview and turned to face me properly. "Hindi ka ba lilipat dito sa tabi ko?"

I raised my brow and crossed my arms. "And why would I?" I shamelessly replied. "I'm pretty comfortable here. Mahihilo lang ako riyan."

"Sitting here wasn't a problem for you earlier."

"That was before," I stressed.

As if he finally lost his patience, pinatay na niya ang makina ng sasakyan bago muling lumingon sa akin. "Do we have a problem, Hari?" he asked without beating around the bush. "Are you mad at me? Kaya ba like lang ang ini-reply mo sa akin kanina?"

My lips parted. What? Right! Nakalimutan ko na 'yon!

"I just accidentally pressed that!"

"Then what? Wala ka talagang balak mag-reply, hmm?"

"M-meron..." Nanginig ang labi ko. Why am I so fucking nervous? "Turn ko na mag-report kaya I wasn't able to reply na."

"Okay. Reason accepted," he commented while nodding his head. "What about golf on Saturday? Bakit ayaw mo na bigla?"

"Because I don't like it na?" I sounded sarcastic.

"That's not a valid reason," he commented.

"Ano naman?"

"You said you wanna experience playing golf, and I already told you na sasamahan kitang gawin ang mga bagay na hindi mo pa nagagawa o nararanasan," he said, his eyes making sure he got all my attention to hear him. "I always keep my word, Hari. I don't like breaking them. Kaya pupunta tayo sa Saturday, if you're feeling better."

"At kung hindi?" hamon ko.

"We'll go play golf some other day."

"Tayong dalawa lang?"

"May gusto ka bang isama?" tanong niya pabalik.

"So, tayo nga lang?"

Keno sighed and nodded. "Tayo lang."

At that point, I suddenly felt like I had a different kind of fever. Para akong nasisiraan dahil ayaw ko munang gumaling. Gusto kong patagalin ang lagnat ko o kahit magpabalik-balik na lang at masaktong may sakit pa rin ako ng Saturday.

Ayaw ko na talagang sumama sa Saturday. I kinda liked the thought na kaming dalawa lang ang mag-golf kaysa kasama ang mga kaibigan niya at mga pinsan ko.

Unfortunately, Keno was so strict with me. He made sure that I would drink my meds on time. Hindi rin nagtatagal ang lagnat ko kaya kinabukasan, parang hindi naman ako nagkasakit. I was healthy and full of energy even up 'til Saturday.

I was sporting a cute golf outfit from different brands. I wanted to order online, pero alam kong hindi aabot. I tried my best to find a cute top and skirt that I could put together to create a look. I even took a half-day yesterday just to focus on shopping.

I got a Lacoste black sporty skirt and a white cable knit vest from Tory Burch. My shoes and sunvisor were also white. And to complete the look, I also wore high-knee socks. May nakahanda rin akong sunglasses just in case I would need it.

To be honest, I'm not confident that I would play golf well, but at least, I'm wearing something pretty. I surely wouldn't fail on that part and would definitely score an ace.

"You look excited now," puna ni Keno nang mai-park na nang maayos ang sasakyan sa Manila Southwoods.

"Well, I don't wanna be under the weather the whole time, and it has been ages since I saw the guys. Of course, I'm excited to see them," sabi ko habang nagtatanggal ng seatbelt.

"Sino sa kanila ang gusto mong makita?" he suddenly asked.

My brows furrowed at his absurd question. "All of them? Syempre, lahat sila gusto ko makita."

"You don't have a favorite?"

"A favorite?"

Tumango siya. "Let's say, 'yung pinakamalapit sa'yo."

Pinakamalapit sa akin?

"Hmm, I haven't thought about that, but I guess it's Kerbie. He's the one I'm closest with before he started hitting on me," sabi ko nang maalala. "I didn't mind it, though. It was fine with me that he liked me. Marami daw ang nagkakagusto sa akin nung college, but they were just intimidated. I know my cousins also blocked Kerbie before from taking advances, that was why we drifted apart."

"Nanghihinayang ka?"

"Ha?"

"Nanghihinayang ka dahil nagkalayo kayo? Is that why you were so eager to play golf with them? You wanna meet him again and perhaps rekindle your almost relationship with him?"

Ano raw? Almost relationship? Bakit biglang napunta sa ganito ang usapan? And why does it seem so familiar?

"Nevermind. Let's just go inside. Kanina pa nila tayo hinihintay," sabi niya sabay labas ng sasakyan. He didn't even give me a chance to refute his claims.

I was pouting my lips when I went out of the door. Pinagbuksan at pinagsara niya pa rin ako ng pinto kahit na mukhang medyo badtrip siya. And without saying another word, he suddenly took my wrist. I don't know if I have become delusional, but it seemed to me like he wanted to hold my hand without making it obvious.

I swallowed hard when my throat went parched. Tinikom ko ang aking mga labi, holding myself back from making any comment about him holding my wrist. Baka mamaya ay matauhan siya at bitiwan ako.

The guards and staff greeted him like he was a regular member of the club. But if he's in the same circle as my cousins, I wouldn't be surprised if he was. Ito ang hobby nilang magkakabarkada. That's why I was really curious if golf was an interesting sport.

"Are you a member here?" I eventually asked him to satisfy my curiosity.

"Yes."

"This is a very expensive hobby." I raised an eyebrow.

Mas lalo akong naging kuryoso tungkol sa kanya. Come to think of it, I almost know nothing about him. Bukod ba sa pangalan niya at sa mga pinakita niya sa akin, ano pa ang alam ko?

On the other hand, since he was my bodyguard, I was certain he was filled with a lot of information about me. Wala naman sigurong masama kung susubukan kong magtanong. Para fair sa aming dalawa!

"Makes me wonder why you took the job as my bodyguard. I'm sure you don't need the money," sabi ko.

"I love what I do," he simply said, nonchalant about my curiosity.

"Hmm..." I suddenly halted when realization hit me. I pulled my hand away from his while he had his guard down.

Lines formed on his forehead when he turned to me, looking confused. "What did I do now?"

I crossed my arms. "I'm sure I'm not your first client. Sino na ang mga nabantayan mo?" I asked the most critical question. "Are they also heiresses like me? Daughters of public officials? High-profile celebrities? Are they all pretty? Why did you stop being their bodyguard?"

Napabuntonghininga si Keno. It was a sigh of relief na para bang wala namang kwenta ang mga tanong ko. "I don't have one."

"Huh?"

He doesn't have one? Paano nangyari 'yon? Imposibleng hindi siya nagtrabaho sa iba, 'di ba?

"I was never a bodyguard to anyone until you."