Chapter 4

I went back to my office and it was already 6 pm. My staff haven’t left yet. Mukhang hinihintay nila ako.

“Ma’am, ano pong nangyari? Nakausap niyo po ba si Sir Monroe?” tanong ni Cherry Ann sa akin habang may hawak na folder.

“Huh? Uhm. May bisita siya noong pumunta ako sa opisina niya so hindi kami nakapa-usap. I’ll just report to him tomorrow morning.”

I looked at my wrist watch and realized the time.

“Everyone, you can get off work now. Go home, guys. I’ll also clock out.”

Kita sa kanilang mga mukha ang pagkatuwa. Naglipit na rin ako ng gamit at naghandang umalis. I used the elevator with them to go down and it was already dark when I got out of the building.

Tumawid ako ng kalsada at nagtungo sa babaan at sakayan ng sasakyan. Naghihintay ako ng jeep na sasakyan pauwi nang tumigil sa harap ko ang itim na range rover.

“Sunny, get on,” aya sa akin ng lalaking tinakasan ko kanina.

“Get lost. Mag-co-commute na lang ako,” irita kong sagot sa pang-anyaya niya.

“Gabi na. Hayaan mong ihatid kita. We both live near each other.”

“Kaya kong umuwi mag-isa, Mon.” Work hours are over so I casually called him by his name. I know I’m being rude but he was also crossing the line earlier.

Bumaba ng sasakyan niya si Monroe.

“I also wanted to talk to you and apologize for earlier. So, can you please get on?” Monroe opened his car door for me.

“I told you I’m not getting on.”

Sakto namang may dumating na jeep at pinara ko ito. Sumakay ako doon imbes sa sasakyan ni Mon.

I don’t know what I’m even upset about. Is it because he told me to act as his lover? Is it because Sabrina called me an average girl? Is it because Monroe kissed me? Is it because I saw him with another girl? What am I even saying? I don’t know. I just don’t want to talk to him. But I know I won’t be able to avoid him for so long.

Kinuha ko sa carwash ang kotse ko.

“Salamat po, Mang David.”

“Wala iyon, neng. I-kamusta mo na lang ako sa tatay mo pag-uwi mo.”

“Sige po.” I pulled over the car and went home.

Panay ako buntong hininga pagpasok ko pa lang ng bahay.

Nagmano ako kay Tatay Julio na nakaupo sa sala at nanonood ng TV.

"Dumaan po ako sa car wash center ni Mang David, pinapakamusta niya po kayo sa akin."

"Bakit ka galing doon?"

"Naputikan po kasi ang sasakyan ko kanina kaya pinalinisan ko doon."

Sabay-sabay kaming tatlong kumain ng hapunan. Tahimik lang si Tatay kabaligtaran ng kapatid ko na napaka-daldal.

“Ate, kamusta first day mo? Hindi ka ba na-late? Well, kahit naman ma-late ka, okay lang since kasabay mo naman pumasok ang CEO niyo,” kuryosong tanong sa akin ni Alfonso sa aming hapag-kainan.

"Hindi naman ako late but I had a long day. Hindi ko alam pero may kutob ako na mas hahaba pa ang araw ko bukas."

Ginamit ko kinabukasan ang bagong linis kong sasakyan papuntang trabaho. I dropped by the cafeteria to buy vanilla latte before going upstairs. Masarap ang kape dito sa baba. But what is this? I can feel everyone’s stares at me.

“Hindi ba siya ‘yong girlfriend ni Sir Monroe?” bulong ng isang empleyado na nakaupo sa mesa kasama ang tatlong iba pa.

“I heard she was his fiance.” Saan kaya nila narinig ito.

“Sabay pa silang pumasok kahapon at inihatid pa siya ni Sir Monroe sa opisina niya. Hindi ba, ang sweet?”

Well, everyone at the ground floor saw us yesterday. Kaya sinubukan kong dumistansya sa kanya kasi ayaw kong mapag-usapan ng ganito.

“Pero hindi sila sabay umuwi kahapon kahit na sinabi ni Sir Monroe na sabay silang uuwi.”

Teka, parang narinig ko na ang boses na iyon. Pamilyar ito sa akin.

“Mukhang nag-away sila! Hindi mo ba alam? Binisita kahapon ni Ms. Sabrina si Sir Monroe sa office niya. Tapos ang balita ko nahuli ata sila ni Ms. Sunny na magkasama.”

Ah, alam ko na. Si Cherry Ann 'yong isa sa kanila. Teka, kahapon rin, panay ang tsismis nito ah.

“Pero hindi ba break na sina Sir Monroe at Ms. Sabrina? Matagal na. Nagtrabaho pati si Ms. Sunny sa Amerika. Ang balita ko kaya daw madalas pumunta ng L.A. si Sir Monroe ay para makipagkita sa kanya.”

Sinong source nila? Curious ako. Isang beses lang kaya kami nagkita ni Mon sa Amerika.

“Wait, so nag-cheat si Sir Monroe kay Ms. Sabrina para kay Ms. Sunny tapos ngayon nag-che-cheat siya kay Ms. Sunny para kay Ms. Sabrina?”

Teka, anong teleserye 'to? Tsaka asan na ba ang kape ko?

"Here's your order, Ma'am," inabot sa akin ng part timer ang order kong vanilla latte. I walked out of there since it’s so suffocating. Patuloy pa rin naman ang pagdadaldal nila kahit wala na ako.

“So natanggap ba sa trabaho si Ms. Sunny dahil boyfriend niya si Sir Monroe?”

“Hindi naman siguro. Ms. Sunny is good at her job. I think she’s even overqualified to be just a manager. Pero baka dahil sa mahal niya at gusto na malapit siya sa boyfriend niya kaya tinanggap niya ang trabaho.”

“I heard Mr. Chairman recommended her for the position. So mukhang alam rin niya ang relasyon ng dalawa. Isn’t that a good sign? I believe hindi boto si Don Miguel kaya Ms. Sabrina kahit na gustong-gusto naman ito ni Madam Alicia.”

Nagtungo muna akong restroom at pumasok sa pinakadulong cubicle. Mayamaya lang ay may narinig akong tumatawa sa labas.

“What’s that?” tanong ng babae na may matinis na boses.

“Pinapanood ko itong interview ni Sir Monroe. Hindi siya nakasagot sa mga tanong ng reporter tapos mali-mali pa minsan ang grammar niya,” tawa nila at rinig na rinig ko ito sa loob ng cubicle.

“He’s so dumb. Buti na lang pogi siya,”

 komento ng babaeng may hawak ng phone at nanonood ng video.

“Pero don’t you think it’s not right for him to be the CEO if he’s this stupid? Nasisira ang image ng kumpanya dahil sa kanya.”

Lumabas ako ng cubicle at nagulat ang dalawang Marites. They seem to be from the marketing department.

“Ms. Sunny? Good morning po. Kanina pa po ba kayo diyan?” pautal-utal na wika niya dahil sa gulat na nakita ako.

“I’ve been here for a while. Bakit?”

“Naku, Ma’am. Sorry po. Huwag po kayong magalit. Pakiusap po, huwag niyo kaming isumbong kay Sir Monroe. Binabawi na po namin ang sinabi namin,” pagmamakaawa nila sa akin.

Taka naman ako nagtanong sa kanila. Hindi ko maintindihan ang nangyayari. “Bakit kayo nag-sosorry sa ‘kin?”

“Po? Mag-sosorry din po kami kay Sir Monroe kung gano’n.” Takot na takot sila.

Hindi ko alam pero napaka-intimidating pala ng boses ko. “Bakit n’yo inaakalang isusumbong ko kayo sa kanya o magagalit ako sa inyo?”

“Hindi po ba girlfriend po kayo ni Sir Monroe?”

“Anong girlfriend?” bigla akong nagtaas ng boses.

“Ahh, sorry po. Fiance nga po pala niya kayo.”

“Patawad po uli Ma’am. Hindi na po mauulit.”

Mangiyak-ngiyak silang nagtatakbo papalabas ng CR.

I looked at the mirror after washing my hands then sighed.

These rumors are getting out of hand. Hindi ko alam kung saan ito nagsimula pero halos lahat ata ng tao sa kumpanya ay alam na ang tungkol sa aming dalawa. This has to stop.

I then went to Mon’s office to ask him for help in cutting the spread of this fake news and clear it out to them. I also brought with me the report I summarized regarding yesterday’s meeting with my team.

I knocked on the door in his office.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me Ms. Padua, Sir Monroe.”

“Sunny, come in. Would you like a cup of tea?” Monroe stood up and brought a kettle and a cup. Pinaupo niya ako sa harap ng babasaging mesa na may plorera sa gitna.

“I don’t think we have time for tea dahil tayo ang laman ng tea talks sa labas. Ang dami nang nakakaalam na sinabi mong fiance mo ko kay Sabrina. Alam mo ba kung sino ang nagpakalat nito?”

“About that, I think I have an idea who it is.” Monroe sip the cup of tea he is holding before spilling it out.

“Talaga? Sino?”

“I think it was Ian. We went out for drinks last night. Siya lang ang pinagsabihan ko ng nangyari kahapon.” He looked so apologetic.

“Ha? At sinabi naman niya agad sa iba?”

“It’s not that big of a deal. Why are you upset?”

“You need to tell them that it’s not true. We’re not even boyfriend and girlfriend, you know.”

Natigilan si Mon ng binigkas ko ang mga salitang iyon. Ibinaba niya ang tasa na hawak niya.

“Hindi ba? So ano tayong dalawa?” Nag-iba bigla ang tono ng boses niya.

“Tayo? Walang tayo. What you and I have is merely a business relationship. You're my boss and I’m your employee. I would like it if we stayed that way.” I answered like it’s nothing.

“Gano’n ba? So ano ‘yong nangyari sa ating dalawa sa lumang mansyon? Wala lang din ba ‘yon?” Hindi lang ang tsaa ang mainit pati na rin ata ang ulo ni Mon.

“Why do you keep bringing that up? That’s-” Sinubukan ko na namang iwasan ang topic na iyon.

“Eh, ikaw? Why are you pretending that it never happened?” Mon cut me off and he is clearly upset. He couldn’t control himself and said some hurtful things.

“Is that what you do in America? Sleep with a man, leave him the next day then forget everything and pretend it never happened once you see him again?”

“Anong pinagsasabi mo? Hindi ‘yan totoo. It’s just… That was… I was drunk that night, okay?”

“Drunk? Ano? Are you saying all of it was just a mistake?” I couldn’t get a read of his face. Why is he looking at me like that? Nonetheless, I have to give him my long overdue explanation.

“Oo! I wasn’t thinking straight that night. My judgement is clouded because of the alcohol in my body. Sa totoo niyan, naglasing ako dahil nalaman ko na may pamilya na ang taong mahal ko at nakita ko siyang masaya ng hindi ako kasama. Masyado akong nasaktan sa mapait na katotohanan na hindi ako ang dahilan ng mga ngiti niya.

I was looking for someone to pour all my frustrations and passion into. It just so happens that you’re there. Malungkot ako. And because of that I was craving for some warmth to melt the ice surrounding my already cold heart. I was saving myself for him but I guess that didn’t matter anymore. So I thought having sex with another man will make me feel better.

I used you and I was too guilty to face you. I’m so ashamed of myself.

Gusto kong humingi ng tawad sa ‘yo, Mon. I’m sorry for that night.”

Mon listened to what I have to say but I can clearly see that he’s disappointed in me. Ako rin naman sa sarili ko.

“So you’re saying you used my body for your own benefit?” He scoffed at me.

“That was a rebound sex, Mon. I know it’s unfair to you. That’s why I’m sorry.” Hindi ko maitaas ang ulo ko dahil sa hiya sa kanya.

Hindi makapaniwala si Mon sa dahilan ko. “Wow! I didn’t know you were capable of this, Sunny. I thought you said you’re not that irresponsible. Be responsible then.”

Tumunghay ako sa kanya, “Anong ibig mong sabihin?”

“Be my girlfriend and act as my fiance. Pay for using my body. You’re gonna be my rebound girl. At dahil mabait ako, pinapayagan kitang gamitin rin ako sa iba’t ibang paraan.”

“Teka lang, ano?” It’s not like I didn’t understand what he said. I just find this situation absurd.

“Hindi natin itatanggi na magkasintahan tayo. I know I went overboard saying we’re engaged in front of Sabrina yesterday so sorry for that. Sorry for kissing you without permission. Nagulat ka noh. Huwag kang mag-alala, hindi na ‘yon mauulit.”

“Why do we always do things that we have to be sorry for?” mahina kong sabi.

“Tinatanggap ko ang sorry mo. Pareho lang tayong may pagkakamali sa isa’t isa.” Nilakasan ko na ang boses ko para marinig niya. “Pero hanggang kailan tayo magpapanggap na magkasintahan. Hindi naman pwedeng pang-habang buhay, di ba?’’

“Just hang in there. Gusto ko lang talagang tigilan na ni Sabrina ang kahahabol sa akin. She’s persistent but she’ll give up soon enough if we make her believe that we really are together.”

Ahh. Iyon pala ang dahilan niya. He’s not just doing this to get back at me. He’s using me to shoo away his ex. I guess it’s fine compared to what I did to him.

“Wala ka na ba talagang feelings para sa kanya?” tanong ko. What am I saying? Pake ko ba kung meron o wala ‘di ba?

“Wala na. I don’t think I was deeply in love with her in the first place. Higit sa lahat, she cheated on me. How dare she do that to me?” It seems Mon is really angry.

“By the way, have you eaten lunch?” Kumalma na siya at tinanong ako kung gusto kong kumain.

“Hindi pa. Dumiretso ako agad dito pagkatapos ng meeting ko kaninang umaga para kausapin ka.”

“Sabay na tayo. Para na rin maniwala talaga ang lahat na nag-de-date tayo,” aya ni Mon sa akin.

I have a better idea. “Let’s eat in the cafeteria then so everyone can see.”

“Sounds great. Well then, shall we go, Love?” Mon offered his arms to escort me.

I was dumbfounded. “Love? Seriously? Fine then, tara na, love.” I chuckled while Mon smiled at me.

Sa pagpulupot ko ng aking braso sa kanyang bisig, nagsimula na rin kaming dalawa umarte na magkasintahan.

Akala ko panandalian lang ito at matatapos rin pero napaka-mapaglaro ng buhay.