Chapter V

Manuel heaved a sigh as he’s walking the hall of the west wing. He untangled his necktie, crumpled it and put it inside his pockets.

Of all people na pwede utusan sa pagbabantay at pag accomodate kay Rosalia, bakit siya pa?

“Cazzo!” He cursed out.

It frustrates him even more when he finally meet her in person, the infamous Maria Rosalía Quiava.

He already saw her pictures through their informants and some on social media and he won’t deny the fact that she got the looks.

But her pictures didn’t do her justice when he met her finally in flesh. She is gorgeous.

He scoffs of the thought. He can’t afford to meddle and gushed over a woman who is already bethrothed.

And besides, it is his collegue’s property. He must not get involved.

His job is done here and the business deal is already closed. He took out his phone and called someone.

After few rings ... “My work here is done and I hope this is the last favor of all your favors coz man, this wasted my time.”

Tumawa lang ang nasa kabilang linya. “Thanks man. Yes and No. You still gotta hang around. Remember what D told us?”

Then it hit him. “That idiot. Whatever, just call me if theres anything I can do. Anyway, when will you get here?”

“Prolly nextweek. See you Medechellí” and then ended the call.

“This is going to be fun or not?” He thought.

.. … …

Rosalía woke up with unfamiliarity all around her.

What a big ceiling she thought.

She got up and checked her phone, 5:45 am.

She slept the whole night at nakalimutan na niyang kumain.

Speaking of pagkain, gutom na siya!

Pagkadating niya kahapon di na siya nakapananghalian at hapunan.

Sa sobrang pagot at jetlag narin siguro kaya di na siya nakabangon.

She examines the room, gusto niya ng tubig and di naman siya nabigo, there is a glass pitcher filled with water and glasses placed on a small table across the room. Tumayo na siya at nag salin ng tubig.

While she drinks her water, she noticed that her luggage is not there. Nilibot niya ang kanyang paligid, until she saw something on the sofa bed, lumapit siya doon and there she saw a laptop, a cellphone and a note.

She picked up the note.

“Benvenuta Signorina Rosalia. Take the laptop and the cellular device with you. It’s my welcome gift for you Rosalía. Can’t wait to see you soon - DG”

DG? As in Dimitri Guidotti? Hmm whatever.

She thought.

She placed the note back and headed towards the bathroom. She needs to prepare. It’s going to be her first day as a slave.

As a slave.

Hmm bakit pa siya binigyan ng laptop at cellphone ni Dimitri kung magiging alipin siya dito? At bakit pa siya narito sa napakalaking kwarto na ito at bakit parang napakakomportable ng kanyang unang araw bilang alipin?

Nagtataka na siya.

Nagpatuloy siya sa paghahanap ng kanyang bagahe. Nasaan na ba iyon? Aaaah!

Matapos siyang makaligo at makapagbihis, lumabas na siya sa kanyang kwarto.

Dala ang lumang cellphone niya, tinahak niya ang malawak na hallway sa west wing. Tinandaan niya ang kanyang dinaanan kahapon pero bakit parang naengkanto siya ngayon?

Halos 15mins na siyang pabalik balik pero di niya parin makita ang hagdanang tinahak nila ni Manuel kahapon.

“Tangina, asan na ba yon? Bakit ba kasi ang laki laki ng bahay na ito?!” Galit na siya.

Gusto na niyang maiyak. Dala ng kaba, galit at gutom, napasigaw na siya.

Di niya lubos akalain na hanggang dito sa italy madadala niya ang kanyang attitude na ganito. Hindi siya proud sa sarili niya ng mga oras na iyon. Napaka-unFab pero di na niya matagalan ang pang-eengkanto sa kanya.

Nag Bitch-fit na siya!

Wala na siyang paki-alam, ang kanyang hormonal imbalance na ang nagdadala sa kanya ngayon.

Tantrums na kung tantrums.

Matapos ang kanyang ma-ala Regina George sa mean girls na tantrums. Huminga siya ng malalim at narinig niya ang mga yabag ng paa.

Na tila ba nagmamadali na mga yabag papunta sa kanya.

And then she faced an old woman, two other girls whom she thinks that were younger than her and a worried Manuel.

“Rosalia?! Whats wrong?! Why were you screaming?!” Manuel sound worried and astounded.

“Mamma mia” sambit ng matandang babae. She looks worried as well.

Napanuntong hininga siya at yumuko. Naiyak na siya.

“Kanina pa ako pabalik-balik dito sa lecheng hallway nato at di ko mahanap ang hagdanan pababa. I am fucking lost at gutom na gutom na akoooooo!!” Litanya niya.

Yes. Sabihin na nating napaka OA, pero talagang nakakafrustrate ng mga nangyayari. Bumangon siyang gutom sa napakagandang kama at kwarto. Nakatanggap ng mga bagay-bagay galing kay Dimitri na kung iisipin para saan ang mga iyon kung dito sa Italya ay magiging alipin lamang siya ng damuho at uulitin ko, gutom na gutom na si Rosalia Qiuava!

Nagkatinginan ang apat na italyano. Di nila naintindihan lahat ng kanyang sinabi.

“Bahala kayong umintindi!!” Sigaw ng kanyang isipan.

“English please” tugon ni Manuel.

She sighed in frustration. “Please Manuel, I’m hungry. Can you please feed me? Like I know I will be a slave here for the rest of my life but can you atleast feed me or just a glass of milk and tinapay? (Bread)” she is crying literally.

Sa lahat ng bagay sa mundo, pagkain ang isa sa mga importanteng bagay para kay Rosalia. Pag nakakakain siya ng tama sa oras, gumagana ng maayos ang buo niyang pagkatao. Ganyan siya ka OA.

She heard Manuel chuckle. Even the old woman laughed a little.

“Hayyy mia, I really thought something bad happen to you. C’mon I already prepared your meal.” Lumapit ito sa kanya ang matandang babae at hinawakan ang kanyang braso.

“Now stop crying.” She doesn’t know what happen pero the moment the old woman held her hands, she felt home. Parang si mama niya ang kasama niya.

Nginitian siya ng dalawang babae.

Nangiti narin siya, pinahid niya ang kanyang mga luha at napatango.

Oh diba, bipolar ang peg? HAHA

Manuel couldn’t just believe this woman.

He chuckled and just shake his head.