CHAPTER 10

Bumati ako sa mga team ng Zallega Home Builders Inc., they even hugged me like they missed me so much, others are American, the others are Fil Ams, a high end engineers and architects from my company. 

Dad offered the part of our hotels as a shelter for them, for free, I got it though and they were allured by the interior of our fancy hotel. 

Zuri became busy on her school that's why I had to work for now. Wearing my grey tux, I strutted the MZ Advocates and Developers. 

"Good morning, Engineer," bati ng mga empleyado. 

Tatango lang ako lagi at aayusin ang duffel bag. 

"Ivo, eighth floor ang Zallega Home Builders at ang opisina mo, sa pintuan doon, if you want to change something, you can call the maintenance team to give your demand." Kuya Achilles said. 

Tumigil ako, "Nandoon na sila?" tanong ko. 

"Ang aga nila, pinagtinginan daw agad ang team mong sabay-sabay, most of the other companies are too high profiled pero kayong taga-ZHBI, low key, simple lang pero sa basement, nakahilera ang mga Bentley," tumawa siya. 

Natawa rin ako at dumeretso na elevator. That day, we were introduced to the other companies who were working with us that holds by this Advocates and Developer. 

"Does it mean, you're also the heir of the company, Engineer?" tanong ng isa sa team ko. 

"I am not. That's why I was forced to do it myself, I build the things that I could call mine," sagot ko at ngumiti.

"You've been talking riddles ever since, now, I get it," he smirked.

I went back to my work and I reviewed every designs of my team. Kaya nang matapos ang ilang minuto, lumabas ako.

"Phase five won't be possible for approval, Architect Jenson Mendoza," bumaling ang Fil-Am na arkitekto ko at kaagad akong pumunta sa cubicle niya.

"Bakit, Engineer?"

Nilapag ko sa desk niya ang plates at kumuha ng mechanical pencil niya.

"It won't be approved if you'll going to add some veranda on the small room so it should be fine if you can add the space for the whole room, iyon lang, maganda na," ngumiti ako at habang sinasabi, binubura ko ang disenyo niya.

He chuckled, "Yes, Engineer, but how can we start the face of this?"

"Simulan mo sa paggawa roon sa bintana, the most looking luxurious, 'cause the target of the projects are the design that looks so simple but elegantly looking. "

As I stepped back, I heard some talks.

"Kung hindi sana inagaw sa kanya ang MZ Estates, mas matalino sana ang Engineers at Architects ng kumpanyang iyon, ZHBI's were too passionate with the boss."

Natawa ako habang tinutunghayan ang mga tao ko.

"Ang talino at gina-guide talaga nang maigi, sana gano'n din tayo..."

At dahil mga bastos ang mga nakakaintindi ng tagalog, the opened the blinds of our department as they went back to their cubicles with a smirk.

That's when I realized the MZ Estates teams are looking at our department, parating din doon si Elliot, Aljun, Ian at Herbert, they saw me but I remained standing nearby my team with hands inserted in my pockets.

"Bilisan niyo, mauunahan tayo ng taga ibang kumpanya kung batugan kayo," malutong ang bawat mura ni Elliot.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin dahil ang mga ulo sa mga taga Dela Merced ay nasa amin na, para ang mga taga-Averel at sa lahat ng mga Engineers na paharang-harang.

"Hi, Engineer Zallega, let me remind you that we'll get the project Home of Hope to build up on the field on Isabela," ani Herbert.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin at tumango.

They are still treating everything as a competition. Hindi ba nila alam? I could talk to my brother to get the project so we can get it without any sweats.

"Bakit ka pa kasi bumalik, doon ka na sana," Elliot said.

"Okay, Elliot, I get your point that you might be compensated by my credible teams, but your mindset is toxic, you didn't got the logic about my come back that the company that you got forcefully would probably sank now if I didn't buy the stocks."

"O, e, 'di kunin mo, para umalis ka na rito at makukuha namin ang project..." matapang niyang agap.

"I don't need the project, though, I can live without this opportunity that Kuya Achilles given to every firm but sinsce that my company is reaching the clouds, the boards begged my brother to convince me. I don't need this project, Elliot, I. Don't. Need. This. Project. My seventieth branch of ZHBI have risen in Amsterdam just this morning. I don't need these companies." I said calmly and a bit grim

It caught him off guard as I remained watching him. Tumawa pa siya.

"E, 'di wow kung gano'n."

I mocked, "Even if we don't need that project, we'll get it, there's no purpose for me that I topped the boards in US if I will never get the project," I smirked, "Tandaan mo, Kuya ko ang may-ari nito."

I left him unspoken with the shouts from my team. Nadaanan ko si Kuya na nakikinig. I smirked evilly and removed my coat.

Kinuha ko ang Macbook ko sa loob ng opisina ko at lumabas muli, now I went to my team to guide them.

Si Kuya, may kabulungan na nasa mid-fifties, at kataon lang ni Daddy... Sandro Averel? The famous Architect?

"The design will be represented by the representative by the companies on Wednesday," anunsyo ni Kuya.

Nag-iingay na ang lahat dahil hindi pa tapos ang mga kanila.

"This is for a month work, Achilles," Aljun stood. "You are taking everything biased."

"This is not about being biased, Aljun, we have to start the newest warehouse to build at Isabela to help DFC Metals, natapos na ang planta ng DFC roon and we have to build up something there."  

"Where would be-" natikom ko na ang bibig ko at hindi mapigilan ang ang pagngisi ko.

"Ano? Sino na ang tapos?" tanong ulit ni Kuya.

Tinignan na ako ng mga team ko pero nanatili ako sa pagbuhay sa laptop ko nang nakangiti. 

"Are you expecting that everyone will be done at that time, Achilles?" Elliot said, "Or you just want to put your brother-" 

"Why not, Elliot?" putol niya, nawawalan na ng pasensya, "Ivo, the CEO of ZHBI, is my brother, if he's legible enough to get the project, why not? I was just having regrets that I announced that I will be choosing each designs from the companies, I will be giving the project to my brother, at least, I can give him an offering that I didn't able to get a way to fight for the company, I am sorry but ZHBI will be getting the project at Isabela," Kuya said dismissively.

My team's mouth turned O as they waived all their plates and turned to me who was shocked also. 

"Congrats, Engineer, my treat, let's go out later night," 

"Sure," ngumiti ako. 

Hindi pa rin ako nakabawi sa gulat ko sa sinabi ni Kuya hanggang sa oras ng out at nilagay ko na lang ang soft copy ng designs sa table ni Kuya. 

Sa school ako ni Zuri pumunta at hinintay kasama ng mga guards kong napagtitinginan dahil sa itsura. I was a bit tired and squatting beside my Bugatti and lazily looking at my phone. Hindi pa siya nagtitext kaya tumayo ako at tinanaw ang mga building. 

Nang labasan na nila, agad agad akong naging alerto at nakita siyang nakasuot ng uniporme nila, I was about to step when her friends pulled her with a smirks on me as Theron Averel passed me by.

"Sa kanto raw, Kuya," he chuckled, "Tago pa more."

Ang gunggong na 'to! I elbowed him, "Parang hindi naman kayo nagtatago ni Victoria mo." 

Nakuha ko ang atensyon niya at tumingin sa akin. I chuckled and went inside my car. I horned at Theron and saw him raised his hand to stop me kaya binaba ko ang salamin.

"Sa village niyo ang uwi mo, Kuya?"

Natawa ako.

"Ipahahatid na lang kita, sakay na sa Lincoln Navigator."

Sa kanto ako dumeretso at nakita si Zuri na naroon at nakita ang mga kaibigan niyang binulungan siya. Bumaba ako at yumakap.

"Pagod na 'ko," ngumuso ako at yumuko.

"Marami kang ginawa?" tanong ni Zuri at sinandal ko ang sarili sa sasakyan habang nakayakap pa rin. 

Tumango ako at pinikit ang mga mata. I bowed again as I rested my forehead in her head. 

"Alam nila na ako ang boyfriend mo?" tanong ko. 

Bago pa siya nakasagot, nag-ingay na ang dalawa.

"Yes at botong-boto kami sa 'yo kahit..." Victoria paused.

I turned at her lazily. "Kahit?" I fired.

"Pangit ka," Cloe turned back.

I chuckled and turned to Zuri, binigay ko ang trench coat na puti bago kami dumeretso sa kakainan naming dalawa. 

It was in the sumptuous restaurant and private. Ayaw niyang makita kami kaya rito ko siya dinala. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako natawa sa set up ng relasyon naming dalawa. 

"Bakit?" she asked curiously when she noticed me laughed at our set up. 

Uminom ako at nabuga ko pa ang wine. 

"Waiter, tissue po," she demanded. 

I raised my palm to the waiter to interrupt him as I continued laughing. 

"Naalala ko lang ang sinabi mong parang kabit kita na ibabahay sa condo ko at parang kabit nga kita, we're secretly eating." 

Sa gigil niya, inabot niya ako at sinampal.  

"Let's go, gagawa pa ako ng homework," nahuli ko pa siyang ngumiti. 

"We'll finish our food. Gutom pa ako." 

Nagtagal ang tingin niya sa akin at sumimangot. "Well, baboy ka nga. Galing mong kumain." 

Weekend kinabukasan at wala akong ginagawa kun'di ang tapusin ang blueprints sa labas, mga plates na nagkalat at dahil inunahan ako ng tamad, naglaro ako ng bola sa court.

I saw the community service on the road so I went there. Pinangungunahan ni Daddy ang pagwawalis, Kuya Rad smirked at me kaya tumalikod na ako.

"Ivo, tulong ka rito."

I groaned and threw the ball away. Sinabit ko ang t-shirt ko sa balikat at lumabas ng napakaengrandeng gate. I saw the service going on.

"Magka-village pala tayo, Engineer, I wasn't informed," Victoria laughed deliriously.

Kinuha ko ang basurahan at hinila.

"Oo, nga!" masayang-masaya si Cloe sa isang gate, tumayo na at nakapantulog pa.

"Do you know them, Ivo?" tanong ni Mommy na maarteng hawak ang damo.

Tumango ako at pagod na binuhat ang basurahan para ilipat sa kabila ko at sumilong ako sa puno ng mangga.

"Wala kang tatanungin?" tanong ni Victoria sa akin at ngumisi.

"Wala. I mean... well..." lumapit ako, "Nasaan siya?"

She laughed loudly again, "Sa bahay nila."

"Victoria, sino ang hinahanap niya?" malakas na tanong ni Cloe.

Marami na rin silang nakuhang atensyon at nangingisi sa akin.

"Si Baby..." sabay tawanan ng dalawa.

"Ang kabit ba niya?" pang-iinis ni Cloe.

I sighed and left them there as they called me but I went to the mango tree.

"Hindi ka lalabas?" bulong ko sa tawag, it was in the earphones.

"May sinasagutan pa ako sa mga assignments ko."

Kinuha ko ang walis at winalis ang dahon. "Sige, sabihin mo na lang at ako na ang sasagot para makalabas ka na."

While she was telling me the questions, I was typing those answers on my phone as I sent it while explaining silently.

"Nakuha mo?" tanong ko at tinapon ang dahon sa basurahan.

"Yes, thanks, love you."

Ngumiti ako pero nakita ko ang nang-uusisang mga mata ng mga kaibigan niya, tumigil ako sa pagngisi at dumaan sa pagitan ng dalawa.

"I love you, too," I said huskily.

Tumili ang dalawang maingay at natawa ako.

"Ivo, bakit sila kilig na kilig?" kuryoso na si Kuya Rad.

Umiling ako.

"Gutom na 'ko..." I said lazily and stiffened when I saw Ariela Del Ferrer.

Nakaramdam ako ng hiya dahil sa hubad ako. Natawa siya at bumaling sa asawa para ituro ang dadakutin pang dahon.

"Grayson, 'yon pa..."

Nagdamit na ako at nagwalis sa daan. "Miss, pwede pa picture?" tanong ko.

Tumawa ang Victoria, "Dios ko, Engineer, you were involved with many Holywood artists... may sampalan pa ng heels, e, dahil sa 'yo 'yon." 

Ako naman ang humalakhak, "Hoy, no, it was about the taping, masyado kayong lahat." 

"Sabi roon sa isa pang magazine," Cloe choke, "Elite bachelor Ivonis Zallega, dating..." 

Binato ko siya ng walis at lumayo siyang tumatawa. 

"Hindi 'yon totoo," giit ko. 

"Totoo, baka lang nakalimutan mo. Nag-date daw kayo!" 

Nagpapicture ako kay Ariela at nailang pa ako nang husto. The service went on as we cleansed the whole village.

"Ay, hindi ko iyon kaya, Captain," sabi ni Vanessa sa malanding tono at nakatingala sa veranda ng isang malaking bahay, at sinasabi niya iyon sa Kuya ko.

Kumunot ang noo ko ngunit hindi ako umimik. 

"Hindi ko 'yon kaya. Na lapitan. Si babae." 

Umunat ako at inabot si Vanessa ng sapak kunwari at tumingin. I was so stunned that I saw Justin on it with Zuri, she was sitting and he was pointing something on the paper. Hindi ba niya nakuha ang tinuro ko? 

"Parang may nakukuha tuloy akong logic," Grayson teased. 

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at dinaanan ang walis niya dahilan para kumalat. 

"Bakit badtrip ka, Engineer?" tanong ni Fabian sa isang grand gate na natatanaw sa medyo gitna ang malaking mansyon. 

"Wala..." 

"May naka-trench coat kahapon, kita ko palda, La Salle," aniya at tumawa. "Tapos sa private sila kumain." 

Nilayasan ko siya at tumalon para maabot sana ang bunga ng atis nang madapa ako. Agad akong tumayo at deretsong tingin sa daan. My phone immediately rang as I answered immediately. 

"I am okay, don't try hard to ask me," I said coldly and cleansed my feet. 

"So cold, Ivo, what's the matter?" she chuckled as I glanced at them in their garden of their house. 

"Kung hindi mo nakuha, why don't you call me so I could ventilate it up to you, baka lang naman nakalimutan mo, cum laude in the three courses, I topped the boards, prestigious school in the world," napalakas ang boses ko sa iritasyon at natawa pa ang dalawa kong Kuya. 

I was so irritated that I even passed her friends between them. 

"Are you jealous, Ivo?" she asked over the phone. 

Tumawa ako at lumingon sa kanya sa kanila, "No, baby, I've never been jealous, I won't ever get jealous," I said silently and kicked the garbage can.

Gumawa iyon ng ingay at hinila ko pa dahit hindi ako makuntento.

"Ano nga 'yon?" tanong niyang muli.

"Hindi mo pa naintindihan?"

"I just taught him in his assignments,"

"And then you were asking me about your assignments? What the hell?"

Pinagpatuloy ko nang walang imik dahil nakakaselos 'yon. I was teaching her on her assignment, she's also teaching her ex about it. Nice!

"Why are you so bothered with her phone calls, Justin?" Victoria asked.

Pumunta siya roon sa banda nila at nagtanong kung bakit siguro. I could hear his wondering voice there.

"Hindi raw gwapo ang fiancee ni Zuri, why is she so crazy about the widowed man?"

Namilog ang mga mata ng mga taong nakarinig at nila Tito Eugene.

"Your mouth, Justin, doon ka na kay Cresswell mo," Cloe laughed.

I was in the flower boxes of the Altavas home as I wiped my sweats. One glance at Zuri, I know that Justin was already suduced by her.

Dahil gano'n siya, everyone's attracted by her physique, she's tall that even though she is a bit more mature than her friends, I can see the childishness in her.

"Niligawan ko nga ulit pero ayaw niya, nakakaselos nga ang malaking diyamante sa kamay niya."

"E, 'di ligawan mo nang ligawan, hanggang sagutin ka ulit, Justin, wala namang mababawas, e, she can remove the ring whenever she wants," Victoria still mocking Justin.

"I will get her back," mariing tugon ni Justin at umalis. 

I smirked evilly and chuckled. I turned to the three men of Zallega as their thick brows were damn jumping as they turned shamelessly to Zuri. Nagbulungan sila Daddy at dalawang Kuya ko, natawa ako at sumali para sana mabawasan ang pagkabad trip ko pero nilayuan nila ako. Hindi ko pinakinggan ang mga binubulong-bulong nila roon dahil wala silang kwenta sa gano'ng bagay. Palibhasa, tapos na sila sa mga ganitong bagay. 

 

Sa hapong iyon, bumisita ako sa kanila Zuri at nakita kong wala ang mga magulang niya. 

"Nandito si Justin?" I asked with accusations. 

Nanatili siya sa yakap ko at tumawa. 

"Seloso!" 

I embraced her more and kissed her lips. "He said, he will get you back." 

"You think, I will let him get me back?" 

"If you are fragile, he can get you." 

Tumawa ako at nilaglag ang sarili kasama siya sa kama. She even screamed and laughed as she slapped my face softly. Dinantay ko ang hita ko sa hita niya para makalapit pa ng kaunti. 

"You shaved," she chuckled. 

I stayed my lips on her cheek while she was caressing my rough jaw. 

"Yeah, but I have to shave that again in two days," I said as we heard the rain pouring outside. 

"Naulan na naman."

"Wala kang kasama rito magdamag?" 

Umiling siya at umahon para ayusin ang kama niya. "Dito ka na matulog?"