M I L L E R

Several years ago when Axel was the Supreme's boss, a certain issue appeared about him playing favorites with his artists. And that artist happened to be the most popular at that time in his company and that they often found together and whatnot.

Yesterday, after Axel dealt with the emergency in the Axellerate he confessed to me about the issue. He also told me about the clients setting him up to women. Para lang mapaburan niya kasi akala ng lahat ay babae ang gusto niya. I mean, I know his past relationships were with men. At ganun din ako, my past relationships were so consistent with women, not a hint of swing, and yet there goes Axel the force who made me bent.

The point is I have realized the heaviness of the competition. Axel might have been dating men but what if he could also date women? I know, it sounds so useless considering the thousand years he has been living pero malay natin 'di ba? Lalo na ngayon na marami palang nirereto sa kanya.

And for the record, hindi ko pinagseselosan ang Supreme. She's happily married to Mateo and she's definitely not the cheater type.

Ah! I really sound paranoid now, am I not?

Mas lumala ang pangamba ko nang pumasok ako sa opisina ngayong araw. Maayos na ang interior ng bar. Mga wirings at connections na lang ang inaayos doon at sa susunod na linggo ay magbubukas na ito. Since I don't have anything else to do, I decided to visit the office and attend some official business activity. I had to sign several papers and approve some requests, which also involves my signatures.

Pero maaga rin itong natapos. I got bored and went outside to kill time.

"Excuse me, have you seen Axel?" I asked a random employee at the snack bar.

She was a little flustered and unsure. But then when another employee came in and they made a single eye contact the employee immediately said, "My apology, sir!"

Ngumiti ang kakapasok lang na employee. I saw his ID and it has the word senior on it.

"Oh. My apologies as well, sir. The newbie must be flustered to know who you are. Uh, if you are looking for Mr. Wesley, he has just left to meet someone in the lobby."

Aah. So, newbie pala ang babae kanina?

Hindi ko rin naman siya masisisi kung hindi niya ako kilala. Kagaya nga ng sinabi ko ay hindi ako madalas dito sa opisina at kung nandito man ako ay hindi ako lumalabas ng silid ko.

Sinunod ko ang sinabi ng lalaking empleyado. Hindi nga siya nagkakamali dahil agad kong nakita si Axel na nakaupo sa lamesang nasa gitna ng lobby kasama ang isang lalaki. Paano ko naman hindi sila makikita kung silang dalawa lang ang naroroon?

By the looks of him, he seems like a journalist. The classic thick lanyard with an annoyingly large ID is hanging on his neck. I can see it so well even if I am still meters away from him.

Agad niya akong nakita na papalapit sa kanila. The unsettledness on his eyes must have made Axel curious as well so he turned over his shoulder.

And as soon as his eyes laid on me, they were beaming with joy.

"Miller!" I can also hear the joy in his voice.

Yet, he immediately cleared his throat and gave me his hand.

"Mr. De Leon..." he called me once more but this time he used a serious business tone as he reached his hand to me.

Oh. I know what he's trying to do there. I can see it as clear as crystal.

Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata pero nginitian niya lang ako. His eyes tell me that he wants me to behave like a professional.

"Gil, this is Mr. De Leon, my business partner and co-founder of Axellerate." Pagpapakilala niya sa akin sa journalist.

Kagaya ng isang masunurin na bata ay inabot ko kay Gil ang kamay ko.

"Miller De Leon," pagpapakilala ko rin sa kanya.

"Uh, is it okay sir na nandito si Mr. De Leon?" tanong nito kay Axel.

Looks like the story he's covering is quite sensitive lalo na at silang dalawa lang ang nandito.

They should do it in Axel's office, but having the interview in the lobby is also not a bad idea for me. Dahil nasa lugar sila kung saan nakikita sila ng lahat. I mean, it's safer that way.

Tumingin ulit sa akin si Axel. I can see that he thought about it for a second before nodding.

"Sure. He's a close friend. He knew the story."

A close friend, huh.

I thought I would get used to us introducing each other as close friends to some people, specifically to humans. But I guess I will never get the hang of it, especially when we share the same bed and always cling to each other whenever we have the chance to do so.

We are basically a married couple (in human terms).

Nginitian ko na lang din ang journalist habang tahimik na umupo. The table is circular, so there's no way I can properly sit next to my lover.

"It's an honor to meet the co-founder of Axellerate. Uh, here sir..." May tinulak sa lamesa ang lalaki, at nang yumuko ako ay nakita ko ang kanyang business card. "If you find yourself in a situation where you have to clear some baseless rumors or announce important events, personally. You can call me, Mr. De Leo."

Of course, he would give me his contact details. He is a shameless chatter mouth of a journalist anyway.

"Okay, ipagpapatuloy na po natin ang interview." Panimula nito. He seems cautious that I am here, yet he still started asking Axel, "Bukod po sa dating aktres na si Maxine Gutierrez may iba pa po bang female artist na na-link sa inyo?"

Woah. Maski ako ay hindi ko 'yan matanong kay Axel.

It's not like I am a coward, it's just so happened that the air would become awkward whenever I ask him about that.

Pero parang iba ata ang pinapakita na asta ni Axel ngayon.

Wala akong nararamdaman na ilang mula sa kanya. He just stared straight at the man and answered, "There are actually a lot of them. And Maxine was only the second person, then after that several names and pictures came in. I even thought that the thing about Maxine Gutierrez was long forgotten since she already retired."

"And what are your thoughts about it, sir?"

"Nothing. Well, I would be lying if I say that I did not worry at all. But as the time passed by and the names added up, I guess I got used to the useless rumors. It became a natural issue to handle for me since I am a rich bachelor. I'm sorry if I sound bragging but that's what it is."

"Wala pong problema, naintindihan ko." Gil typed a few things on his laptop before asking another question again. "Ngayon po, if you don't mind me asking. Marami pong nagtataka kung bakit po wala po kaming naririnig na balita tungkol sa love life niyo. Do you have any plans to get married? Or maybe you already have a girlfriend or someone special in your mind?"

Ah. The one million question.

This is why I don't want to be in the industry. The media encroaches other people's privacy.

"Oh. That... that is..." Napapalingon sa akin si Axel, at panay rin ang pagpisil niya sa sariling kamay.

He's getting anxious. So, I secretly patted his thigh. Lumingon siya sa akin habang nakatingin naman ako sa malayo para hindi kami mahalata. At least I got to support him.

"I do have plans to get married," diretso niyang sagot. Kasabay nito ay ang mainit na sensasyon sa kamay ko. It was him holding it tightly under the table. "And I also have someone special. They are very supportive and understanding that it makes me feel so secure. They are the reason why I don't get affected by baseless rumors like this."

"Wow! It's big news, sir. Congrats po."

"Is it? But... But we both want it to keep lowkey. The person I love is a very private person, and I have to consider that."

Ang journalist ang kausap ni Axel, pero pakiramdam ko ay sa akin niya ito sinasabi. Mabuti na lang at sinundan ko siya rito sa lobby. It's nice to hear words like this sometimes.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting," sambit ni Axel sa sandaling umalis na si Gil.

"Tapos na kayo?"

"Yup. The interview's done but I still have to attend a meeting."

Oo nga pala. Hindi pa pala uso ang half day sa opisina na ito.

"Oh, so should I go home?"

"Hm? No, no. Naalala ko lang. There will be a summit here. Investors and sponsors are there. I'm pretty sure they are in the audio-visual room already. So now, why don't you come with me?"

What?

"Why?"

"Because you're also invited, dummy. Everyone from the CEO to senior general manager position must be at the summit to participate. Besides, you have yet to meet the investors and sponsors."

Napapaisip ako. He does have a point. I have never met anyone in this business beside our own employees. Ang mas malala pa ay hindi rin ako kilala ng mga bagong hire nila.

"Wala namang problema sa akin...?"

Nag-aalinlangan ako, pero wala naman sigurong masamang mangyayari kung uupo at makikinig lang ako roon, hindi ba?

Halos dalawang oras din ang lumipas simula nung nag-umpisa ang summit. At wala akong kaide-ideya kung ano ang pinag-uusapan nila. I know that they are talking about the artists. Iba't ibang mukha ng artista na kasi ang lumabas sa screen, kasabay nito ay ang mga produkto at brand names. Pero may mga topic na hindi ako makasabay.

I am not dumb. I just hate having conversations with strangers so I can't ask them what this is all about. Besides, I won't be here any longer so it would be a shame if I start giving interest now.

"Alright, everyone. We'll start the table rotation again," the host announced.

Tumayo ang lahat, pati na rin ako, at nagsilipat na kami ng lamesa.

Ayon sa sinabi ng host kanina na importante daw ang pagbubuo ng mga connections, so they organized this segment para dito.

Unfortunately, for me this is a bad idea. Building connections could also mean socializing, and I am so bad at that.

"Ayos ka lang, babe?" tanong sa akin ni Axel gamit ang mahinang boses.

Naramdaman ko ang mahina niyang tapik sa likod ko. Strangely, it made me feel a little better.

"Yup. I am." I smiled at him weakly.

Pagkatapos nito ay sabay na kaming umupo sa sunod na lamesa.

"Hello, Mr. Wesley," bungad na bati ng matandang babae kay Axel sa sandaling lumapit kami sa bagong lamesa.

Hindi kagaya kanina na puro pangalan ng artista at brand names ang nababanggit, iba naman ang paksa ng mga tao sa lamesang ito.

"I know someone who has a bachelor son. I can introduce your daughter to him if you want to."

Right. Usapang kasal naman ang paksa dito.

"Pasensya na. They just want to make use of the time to the fullest," sabi sa akin ni Axel, which actually makes sense because they are still building connections. Sa ibang paraan nga lang.

"It's fine."

"Ooh! Sino itong magandang lalaking 'to, Mr. Wesley?"

"Uhm, sorry?"

"The man beside you."

Lumingon pa ako sa likod ko para hanapin ang tinutukoy nilang lalaki. But then it is me they are asking about.

"Him? He's Mr. Miller De Leon. Remember the person behind my international relations, the co-founder and my partner... in business. He's that Mr. De Leon."

"Oh, wow! What a handsome man," bati ng isa na namang matandang babae.

Wala na ba silang ibang gustong gawin kung hindi ang mag-set up ng date? Kasi maski hindi nila ito sabihin ay nahahalata ko sa mga mata nila ang tunay nilang intensyon.

"Are you in a relationship?" And finally, someone dropped the question.

"I am," sagot ko sabay pakita sa kamay kong may suot ng singsing.

Everyone gasped. I bet they are disappointed. They missed the chance to set me up to anyone's daughter.

"Where did you get that?" Axel whispered.

"Jewelry. I bought it," pabulong ko rin na sagot sa kanya.

"Oh. Right... Jewelry. Heh..."

May sasabihin pa sana si Axel nang bigla na naman na sumingit ang katabi niyang matandang babae. There are eight seats in this table, at lima sa mga ito ay okupado ng limang matatandang babae. The other guy is also an old man, probably asawa ng isa sa mga babae rito.

And he looks just as annoyed as I am.

"If you don't mind, Mr. Wesley. I have this list of bachelorettes..." pahayag ng matandang babae sabay labas ng makapal na kulay pulang journal. "Here. They are all single and elegant. All worthy for a man like you."

Lumingon din sa akin ang matandang babae tapos ay ngumiti, "It's such a shame you're already married, Mr. De Leon."

Wait. What?

Oh, God! For—Oh f*ck. I really want to lash out at this old woman. But how can she say that to me? Maski hindi niya sa akin sabihin ito, how dare she have the guts to say it's a shame? Having someone by your side is a shame?

"Axel..." I hissed.

Lumapit ng bahagya sa akin si Axel para ibulong ang mga katagang, "Kalma lang, darling."

"I am calm," bulong ko rin.

"Yes. Thank you for reminding me, Mr. De Leon."

"What's wrong?" tanong ng matanda nang marinig ang sinabi ni Axel.

Mabilis ko naman na naintindihan kung ako ang gustong gawin ni Axel nang sinagot niya ang matandang babae.

"Nothing's wrong. I just have to attend another appointment. I would love to join you here until the end of the summit but we still have a few engagements left for today."

"Sure. Nothing to worry about, Mr. Wesley."

Nahilaw ng bahagya ang matanda. Tatakpan pa niya sana ng envelop niya ang pulang journal nang kunin ito ni Axel.

"Thanks for this list, Madam Tsu. I will make sure to look into this," he mentioned before giving it to me.

"Uh, I'm sorry to ask this before you leave, Axel. But aren't you in a relationship already? I overheard it at a party."

Ooh. At least may isa sa kanila na marunong magtanda.

Is it really difficult to understand and remember that a person's already in a relationship?

"Actually, I have a l—"

"Oh, come on, Mrs. Vazquez. Mr. Wesley is not married yet. He can still choose a woman as much as he wants, right? It's hard to find a perfect partner for a perfect man like you, you know."

Heh! Baluktot talaga ang pag-iisip itong matandang 'to.

"I guess, you're right Madam Tsu," tugon naman ni Axel. His smile is so fake that I can hear him calling me to rescue him.

Okay, this is where I should enter the scene.

"Mr. Wesley?"

"Yes, Mr. De Leon—Oh! Yes. Of course, of course, we must leave."

And with that, Axel and I left the summit room and that annoying elderly woman. At sa palagay ko, medyo kumalma na rin ako... siguro?