CHAPTER 17

HINDI alam ni Nykyrel kung ilang beses na niyang binasa ang article tungkol sa kaniya na sinulat ni Lechel De Villa, isang taon na ang nakakaraan.

He had re-read the article for a million times already; still, he can't stop re-reading it again and again. It was the only thing he had of Lechel. 'Yon lang ang tanging koneksiyon niya sa dalaga.

Dumako ang tingin niya sa umpisa ng article.

BEHIND THE FAMOUS NAME: NYKYREL GUZMANO

There are many speculations, gossips and whispers on why Nykyrel Guzmano never goes out in the open. Nykyrel Guzmano is not like what other people think. He's not rotten, he is not old, he is not ugly and he is definitely not an imbecile. None of it is true, only i know the truth because i was given the privilege to meet and know this man inside and out.

He is a man with an amazing and lovable personality. But behind every man lies a monster known as pain and fear. Nykyrel Guzmano had an intimate relationship with fear.

When i first meet Nykyrel Guzmano, i was in awe, he was so handsome but it seems he didn't give a damn about his looks. He has these beautiful eyes yet it's lifeless. He has luscious lips, yet it seems that a smile hadn't touched those lips for a long time. He never spoke a word, afraid that i might judge him. We communicated through white board and text message. I though he was mute... until he spoke my name.

I entered his home without his approval, and being bitten by his dog was the consequences of my action. I thought he would throw me out, but he didn't, he treated me good and see to my need. He wasn't a perfect host, but i wasn't a perfect guest either.

Nykyrel Guzmano is not a perfect man. But who is? Can you point someone who is perfect inside and out? No, you couldn't. Because no one is.

This man who is a center of gossips since he took over his father's company is an amazing imperfect person. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt. Nykyrel Guzmano will come out in the open soon and he will be the one telling you the reason behind his aloofness to the world.

As for now, the world just has to wait for Nykyrel Guzmano to open the gate of his massive mansion and let the world know how amazing he is.

As for me, I'll be waiting too.

To know Nykyrel Guzmano more, read the interview with him below.

Napailing-iling si Nykyrel habang binabasa ang interview niya. Hindi si Lechel ang nag-interview sa kaniya pero isinama iyon sa article ng dalaga. Per his request, of course.

Nykyrel chuckled. "Kumusta ka na kaya?"

Inilapag niya ang Magazine sa ibabaw ng mesa niya. This article of Lechel spread like wildfire in the forest. Nasisiguro niyang tumaas ang sales ng Magazine at nakuha rin ni Lechel sa wakas ang promotion na hinahangad.

Lechel was indeed promoted. She was sent to Chicago to train as assistant editor-in-chief. Masaya si Nykyrel para sa dalaga pero para paring may butas ang dibdib niya.

After a year. Masakit pa rin.

Bumukas ang pinto ng opisina niya at pumasok doon si Daniel Mendoza, ang Executive assistant niya..

"Boss, the board is ready for you."

Ngumiti siya. "Thanks, Daniel."

Inayos niya ang amerikanang suot saka naglakad palabas ng opisina.

"Good morning, Sir." Bati ng isang empleyado sa kaniya.

Nykyrel smiled. "Good morning."

As he walks to the conference room, he receives a lot of good morning and he greeted them back.

Nang makapasok siya sa loob ng conference room, nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi niya at hinarap ang Board. "Good morning." Umupo siya sa unahan at nagtanong. "What's our agenda for today?"

"The five percent of profit increase of the company." Sagot ni Daniel Mendoza. "And of course, the expansion in two countries abroad."

Tumango siya at tinanggal ang lahat ng emosyon sa mukha. "Go on then. I don't want interruption. If any of you speak before Mr. Mendoza finishes his report, i will skin you alive."

Mabilis na tumango ang mga nakaupo sa conference table at tumaas ang sulok ng labi niya.

A year ago, he can't even talk straight. Now, he can even threaten anyone who stands in his way. Funny how life works in this world.

Hanggang sa natapos ang meeting, wala siyang naging imik. Tango lang siya ng tango kapag may nagtatanong sa kaniya. It's not new being quite. That was his life before he met Lechel, his beloved Lechel.

"Mr. Guzmano, a magazine wants to have an interview with you." Ani Daniel ng makalabas sila sa conference room at naglalakad na sila patungo sa opisina niya.

Kumunot ang nuo niya, "hindi ba alam ng Magazine na 'yan na hindi ako nagpapa-interview?"

"I think they knew. It's the same Magazine who interviewed you a year ago."

Napatigil siya sa paglalakad at nanigas sa kinatatayuan. "What?"

"Kaparehong magazine ho ang gustong mag interview sayo ngayon."

Palakas ng palakas at pabilis ng pabilis ang tibok ng puso niya. "Sino ang mag i-interview?"

"Hindi sinabi e."

Huminga siya ng malalim saka nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. "Okay. Tell the Magazine I'll be free tomorrow morning. Nine A.M. sharp."

Tumango si Daniel at nagtungo sa table nito, siya naman ay pumasok sa loob ng opisina niya.

Hindi mapigilan ni Nykyrel na umasa na sana si Lechel nga ang mag interview sa kaniya. After all, isang taon lang ang training nito. And one year had passed a week ago.

Ito ba ang mag-i-interview sa kaniya? He can only hope... and wait.

PAULIT-ULIT na binabasa ni Lechel ang memo na ibinigay sa kaniya ni Editor-in-Chief kahapon. Gusto nitong interview-hin niya si Nykyrel Guzmano at ngayon ang appointment niya. Kababalik lang niya sa Pilipinas pero gusto kaagad siyang isalang sa impyerno ng boss niya.

"God, help me do the right thing." Usal niya at tamang-tama naman na bumukas ang pinto ng opisina niya.

Itinirik ni Lechel ang mga mata ng pumasok sa opisina niya si RV. Ano na naman kaya ang nakain nito? "Ano na naman ang ginagawa mo rito?"

Ngumisi lang ito at umupo sa visitor's chair. "I'm here to invite you to lunch. Today."

"May appointment ako."

"How about dinner?"

Lechel narrowed her eyes on RV. "Reev Venedict Volkzki, may pinagtataguan ka ba?"

Napasimangot ito. "Bakit napakadali sayong mahulaan 'yon?"

Mahina siyang natawa. "Nag-iisip ka ba? Normal lang na madali kung mahulaan ang laman niyang utak mo. I'm your best friend, remember?"

"Isang taon palang tayong may best friend." Paalala nito sa kaniya.

Inirapan niya ito. "E sino ba ang nangulit na maging mag best friend tayo? Sino ba ang sumunod sakin sa Chicago para kulitin akong makipagkaibigan sayo?"

"Ako." Sumimangot na naman ito. "I only did those things because you are a best friend material. Nang hindi ka nahumaling sa kaguwapuhan ko nuong una tayong nagkita, napagdesisyonan kong gawing kang kaibihan. Women fall on my feet, like, every day, and you didn't. It was freaking refreshing."

She stuck her tongue out at him.

Umingos naman si RV. "Childish."

Inirapan niya ito saka ibinalik ang atensiyon sa ginagawa.

"Chel!" RV whined like a kid. "Please? Dinner tayo mamaya."

She sighed and looked at RV. "Sino ba itong pinagtataguan slash iniiwasan mo?"

Umayos ito ng upo. "My Dad."

"Ano ba ang ginawa ng Daddy mo?"

"He wants me to get married." RV grumbled. "Hindi na raw kasi siya bumabata. Fuck it! At mamaya, sa family lunch at dinner, siguradong ipipilit na naman nito ang kagustuhan nitong bigyan ko siya ng apo." Iminuwestra nito ang kamay sa sarili, "look at me, Chel, and tell me that I'm a fucking father material."

Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay. "Iresponsabli ka sa lahat ng bagay maliban nalang sa negosyo. Sa isang taon na magkaibigan tayo, wala kang babaeng seneryuso. Para kang nagpapalit ng damit kung makapagpalit ng girlfriend. So, no, hindi ka father material. Puwede ka nang ikulong sa dami ng babaeng sinaktan mo."

Natahimik ito at sumimangot.

Lechel rolled her eyes. "Fine. Lunch today. Pick me up before eleven in Guzmano Company Building, may appointment ako do'n."

Natigilan ito at nanlaki ang mga mata. "For real? Guzmano Company? So, handa ka nang harapin siya ulit?"

Inirapan niya ito. "Its work, nothing personal. My editor-in-chief wants an interview again."

"Hmm."

Inirapan niya ulit si RV. This guy knew too much. Maybe because a year ago, she broke down in front of him and cried her heart out. Ang balikat nito ang naging sandalan niya sa mga araw na walang patid ang mga luha niya. And now, she's going to see him again? Sapat na ba ang isang taon para maka-move on siya?

Malalaman niya mamaya. Pero pinapangako niya sa sarili na hindi na siya magiging katulad noon na desperadang mahalin nito.

She changed.

"So," RV trailed, "aalis na ako." Tumayo ito, "I'll pick you up later. Anong sasakyan ang gusto mong gamitin ko?"

Pinaikot niya ang mga mata. RV has this habit of asking her what car he would use. Iyon yata ang problema ng mayayaman, e. Hindi makapag-decide kung anong sasakyan ang gagamitin sa sobrang dami ng pag-aari ng mga ito.

"How about your new Ferrari?" Suhestiyon niya. "Di'ba, bagong bili mo lang do'n?"

"Sure. Let's test drive it." Umikot ito sa table niya, patungo sa kaniya saka hinalikan siya sa nuo, "bye, Chel. See yah later. Wear something black."

"You and color black. Weird." Lechel rolled her eyes. "Bye."

RV left her office grinning and she sighed. Today is going to be a long day.

"I'M HERE to talk business, Dustan. Not listen to your sexual encounters." Tegan Galvante grumbled, annoyed. "Kung alam ko lang, hindi na sana ako pumunta rito."

"Come on, Tegan. Alam ko naman na deep down, gusto mong marinig ang kapilyohang pinaggagagawa ko." Ngumisi si Dustan, "Admit it."

"Fuck you." Tegan hissed at Dustan.

"Yes, yes, I know I'm fuckable."

Napangiti lang si Nykyrel sa bangayan ng mga lalaking maituturing niyang mga kaibigan.

They all had demons to fight and months ago, Nykyrel finally defeat his.

"Guys, chill," natatawang sabi ni Dustan Volkov. "I was just trying to lighten up the mood."

Itinirik ni Nicholas Makkhon ang mga mata. "Guys, stop. Let's talk business."

"Okay. Okay." Ani Dustan saka inilapag ang malapad na blueprint sa gitna ng conference table. "Ito ang desenyo ng buong Isla. The main purpose of this whole island is to bring pleasure, satisfaction and out of the world experience."

Masusing pinag-aralan ni Nykyrel ang blueprint saka itinuro ang dalampasigan. "Anong narito?"

Dustan grinned. "That, my friend, is a sea restaurant. Tanging mga mesa lang ang nakalutang, kung kakain ka riyan, siguradong mababasa ka."

"Nice." Komento ni Nicholas.

"I know." Dustan said smugly. "Now," itinuro nito ang kanang bahagi ng blue print. "Dito itatayo ang Triangle Tower na napagkasunduan nating gawing Hotel. Ang dalawa sa tatlong tower na ito ay gagawing Hotel, ang isa naman ay hotel room ng mga trabahante. These towers will be connected with bridges. And on the rooftop, it will be landscape made for golfing. And in here," itinuro nito ang isa pang bahagi ng blueprint, "dito ang lapagan ng helicopter. And on the side ay ang daongan ng Yachts. Itong malaking space ay para sa daongan ng Black Pearl Cruise Ship. Mr. Phaxton Coleman said that his twin, Pharexter, and his cousins, Zero and Zennon, already agree to stop by in every cruise. And they set a meeting, today at lunch. May mga kaibigan din silang gustong mag invest. The now owner of Wolkzbin Enterprise, Trek Wolkzbin, the ruthless Business Tycoon, Saito Becker Kim, the famous Spaniard Count, NK Velazquez and the now owner of AirJem Airlines, RV Volkzki."

Tegan let out a loud sighed. "Malalaking tao ang investors natin. Hindi na kailangan pang magdagdag ng iba."

Tumango si Nykyrel. "Agree." He met Trek Wolkzbin a year ago. Akala niya ay hindi ito susunod sa yapak ng ama, nagkamali siya.

"Well, we will discuss this further at lunch in Délicieux, today." Ani Dalton, "may appointment ako before ten AM."

"Me too." Ani Nykyrel saka tumayo. "See you guys at lunch."

"See yah." Sabay-sabay na sabi ni Dustan, Tegan at Nicholas.

Lumabas siya ng conference room ng opisina ni Dustan saka sumakay sa elevator pababa. Nang makalabas ng gusali, kaagad siyang nagtungo sa kotse niya at pinaharurot iyon patungong Guzmano Company.

Nang makarating sa destinasyon, kaagad siyang nagtungo sa kaniyang opisina.

Daniel was on his feet when he saw him step out from the elevator.

"Sir, maaga pong dumating ang mag-i-interview sa inyo." Imporma nito sa kaniya. "Doon ko nalang po siya pinaghintay sa loob ng opisina niyo."

Tumango siya at ngumiti. "Okay. Thanks."

Nykyrel pushed the door open to his office and his body went rigid at the sight. He was hoping, but he never expected to see her ... to see, Lechel.