CHAPTER 6

Late na pumasok si Aziel Luke sa trabaho kaya pagpasok niya sa kanyang opisina. He was lost in his own thoughts when he heard soft sobs coming from inside his office. He furrowed his brows, wondering who could be crying in his office.

As he cautiously opened the door, he saw Ashleigh, his secretary, sitting at her desk with her head buried in her hands. He was taken aback as he had known Ashleigh to be a cheerful and strong woman.

Naglalakad siya patungo sa kinaroroonan ni Ashleigh. Hindi niya alam kong paano niya ito patatahanin at kung ano ang dahilan kung bakit umiyak ito.

“Ashleigh, what's wrong?” Aziel asked, his voice filled with concern.

Ashleigh looked up at him, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She tried to compose herself but failed as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. Aziel walked over to her and gently patted her back, encouraging her to speak.

“Pasensya na po kayo, Sir Luke. I-I...just miss my mother. It's been three months mula ng nakikipagsapalaran ako rito sa Manila para magtrabaho, I really missed them and my brother Miguel.” Ashleigh sobbed.

Aziel's heart sank as he realized the reason for her tears. He had known about Ashleigh's longing to her mother and brother of how her mother had single-handedly raised her and her younger brother Miguel, who had autism. Her mother was always there for them and has a huge impact in their lives, and it was evident that Ashleigh was struggling to cope with how she misses her mother and brother.

Aziel handed Ashleigh a tissue and sat down next to her. “I can't even imagine how hard it must be for you. Leaving your mother and brother is never easy, especially you really loved them, I can feel it,' Aziel said sympathetically.

Ashleigh nodded, trying to control her emotions. “It's just that, I miss her so much. And I miss my brother too. He used to bring so much joy and laughter to our lives. Gusto ko silang makita pero hindi pwede dahil nagtatrabaho ako para sa amin,” she said, choking back a sob.

Aziel listened patiently as Ashleigh poured her heart out. He had always admired her for her strength and resilience, but today he saw a different side of her. A vulnerable and broken side that she rarely showed to anyone.

“I'm so sorry, Ashleigh. I wish I could do more to help you, pero if you want to see your mother and your brother, you can file a leave if you want.”
Aziel said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Ashleigh wiped her tears and gave him a small smile. “Maraming salamat po, Sir. Luke. I'm sorry for crying in your office,” she said, trying to compose herself.

Nagulat at nanlaki ang mata ni Aziel Luke dahil niyakap siya ni Ashleigh. Ilang minuto rin siyang nanigas sa kanyang kinauupuan, hinagod niya ang likod ni Ashleigh para patahanin ito.

“It's okay, Ashleigh. I'm here for you, whenever you need to talk,” Aziel said, giving her a reassuring smile.

Sa lahat ng naging secretary ni Aziel ay kay Ashleigh lang siya naging ganito hindi niya rin alam kung bakit bigla-bigla na lang naging malambot ang kanyang puso.

Tumayo si Ashleigh at ganun din si Aziel. Nag-ayos ng damit si Ashleigh at nagpunas ng mata bago tumingin kay Aziel.

“Sorry po ulit, Sir Luke,” nahihiya niyang sabi rito.

“Okay lang, naiintindihan naman kita eh, ganyan talaga kapag malayo sa pamilya lalo na't sobrang malapit kayo sa isa't-isa. Hindi talaga maiwasang hindi natin sila mamimiss.” sabi ni Aziel pilit pinapalakas ang loob ni Ashleigh.

“Labas lang po muna ako, Sir Luke,” paalam niya kay Aziel at dali-dali itong lumabas ng opisina.

As Ashleigh left the office, Aziel couldn't help but think about how strong and resilient she was. Despite facing so many hardships in life, she never let it affect her work. He knew that she would eventually find a way to heal and move on from her grief, but for today, he was glad that she had let down her walls and shared her pain with him.

Bumalik si Aziel sa kanyang mesa at umupo sa kanyang swivel chair. Nag-iisip ng malalim. Sa loob ng tatlong buwan na naging secretary niya si Ashleigh at unti-unti rin niyang nalalaman ang mga nakaraan nito, ang buong akala niya ay wala itong dinadalang problema at sakit dahil sa pagiging masayahin nito.

Alam niyang may hindi pa siya nalalaman tungkol sa pagkatao ng kanyang secretary pero disidido siyang malaman kung ano man iyon.

Dahil sa kanyang malalim na iniisip hindi niya namalayan na pumasok si Ashleigh na may dalang kape para sa kanya.

“Sir Luke, kape po ninyo bilang pasasalamat ko sa pagkikinig n'yo sa drama ko,” hagikgik ni Ashleigh sa harapan ng kanyang boss.

Tila walang narinig si Aziel at hindi pa rin niya alam na nasa harapan niya si Ashleigh.

“Sir...” ikinaway ni Ashleigh ang kanyang kamay para makuha ang atensyon ng kanyang boss.

“Y-Yes? W-What is it?” nauutal na tanong ni Aziel dahil sa gulat.

“Mukhang ang lalim po ng iniisip ninyo, Sir hindi ko tuloy masisid dahil sa sobrang lalim,” natatawang biro ni Ashleigh sa kanyang boss.

Nakatingin lang si Aziel sa kanya ng seryoso na hindi kumurap. Nahihiyang ngumiti si Ashleigh at nagsalita muli.

“Sir Luke, binilhan ko po kayo ng kape, inumin n'yo na po ’yan habang mainit pa po,” turo ni Ashleigh sa kapeng nasa ibabaw ng mesa ni Aziel Luke.

“Is this for me?” pag-uulit ni Aziel at tinuro ang kanyang sarili.

Napakamot naman ng ulo si Ashleigh at napangiwi.

“Ang lalim pala talaga, Sir Luke.” tanging sabi niya at tumalikod tsaka nagtungo sa kanyang mesa.

Tiningnan ni Aziel ang kape na nasa kanyang mesa at sinulyapan si Ashleigh. Nagtagpo ang kanilang mata  mabilis namang binawi ni Aziel ang kanyang tingin kay Ashleigh at nagbusy-busyhan sa kanyang mesa.

“Sir, huwag n'yong hayaang lumamig ang inyong kape, hindi na yan masarap, gaya n'yo po,” hininaan ni Ashleigh ang kanyang boses nung sa panghuling sinabi niya.

Kumunot ang noo ni Aziel dahil hindi niya naiintindihan ang sinabi ng kanyang secretary. Lumingo-lingo na lang ito at ininom ang kape.

Pinagmasdan siya ni Ashleigh habang ininom ang kapeng binili niya para sa kanya. Napalunok ng laway si Ashleigh dahil sobrang sexy ni Aziel uminom ng kape. Ang kanyang Adam's apple ay nagtaas baba.

Nanatiling nalakatutok si Ashleigh kay Aziel at hindi niya namalayan na nakatingin na pala si Aziel sa kanya.

“Kung nakakatunaw ang tingin ng isang tao, kanina pa ako natutunaw dito,” nakangising sabi ni Aziel habang nakatingin kay Ashleigh.

Agad namang yumuko si Ashleigh at nagpapanggap na may ginawa sa kanyang mesa. Napangisi na lamang si Aziel dahil sa kapilyohang ginawa ng kanyang secretary.






©iKnowImNewbie

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top