(Filipino) Loving the Forbidden Charmer - Completed

Hindi humihinga si Lexie habang pinagmamasdan si Amadeus dela Merced. Binabasa nito ang resume niya at records. This would be her final interview for the executive assistant position. She gave her best shot. And now she was face-to-face with the “SHARK” himself. His features were asserting. He was intimidating with his deep set eyes that could make her enemies quiver in fear and turn women into puddle of mud. He was the CEO and President of Brava International Chain of Resort and Hotel. He took over the company from his deceased father. Pabagsak na ang kompanya noon. Ini-rekomenda ng lahat na ipagbili na lang pero lumaban si Amadeus. Di lang nito nagawang ibangon ang kompanya kundi napalago pa nito. Sunud-sunod ang ina-acquire at pinatatayo nitong mga hotel at resort sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng mundo. He was a success story. Kaya naman nang malaman niyang binuksan nito ang posisyon para sa executive assistant ay kinuha na niya ang pagkakataon. She didn’t want to let the opportunity pass. Pangarap niyang maging gaya nito balang-araw. She was confident that she could nail this one. She wanted this job so badly. Malaking privilege kung makakatrabaho niya ito. “I’m impressed. At such a young age, you achieved so much. Maganda rin ang recommendation sa iyo ng former boss mo,” anito at tumaas ang kilay. May bahid ng malisya at hinala ang tingin nito sa kanya. “There is a note here that you are also part of the decision-making in the company. That you have brilliant ideas that helped with increase of their sales. You must be really good.” Hindi niya nagustuhan ang insinuation nito. Iniisip ba nito na mabilis siyang naging executive assistant kahit na twenty-four pa lang dahil sa s****l favors na ibinibigay niya. Hindi naman na bago iyon sa kahit saang industriya. “I started young in the company. Sa kanila na ako nag-on-job training noong college, work during summer for free. They offer intense training for interns. From housekeeping to guest relations and the kitchen, of course. That’s why I am well-rounded. Hindi ko lang basta naintindihan kung ano ang sistema ng pagpapatakbo ng kompanya kundi kung ano ang pinagdadaanan ng mga empleyado. I believe that in order for the company to progress, they must take care of the employees. Para mahalin nila ang kompanya.” Pinagsalikop ng lalaki ang palad at sumandal sa black leather executive chair. “Looks like you are passionate about your job. Why did you leave the company?” “I have to spread my wings and try something new.” Dahil hindi na niya gusto ang pamamahala ng bago niyang boss. Hindi na niya gusto ang trato sa kanya bilang isang empleyado lalo na kapag binabastos na siya. Kailangan niyang pangalagaan ang dignidad niya bilang babae. “I am impressed. You have a lot of potential, Miss Santander. But I won’t hire you as my executive assistant.” Napamaang siya. Pakiramdam niya ay pinuri-puri lang siya nito, inilipad sa alapaap sabay binitawan sa ere. Naliliyo siya. Bumubusok na siya pababa nang hindi alam kung paano muling lumipad pabalik sa taas. “B-But why? What’s wrong?” Sinabi naman nito na okay ang ibinigay na reference sa kanya. Nakausap ba nito ang isa pa niyang boss na bastos at siniraan siya? “You are ambitious. I want you to acquire more training. But I want to hire you as my brother’s assistant.” “Your brother?” aniya at tumuwid ng upo. “Yes. Aiden dela Merced.” Hindi pamilyar si Lexie kay Aiden dela Merced. Hindi naman kasi ito nalalathala sa mga magazine at di rin uma-attend ng mga magagarbong event di gaya ni Amadeus. “He got is Masters in Business Administration from Stanford University last year. He is the manager of the Feasibility and Investments Department here. Of course, I want to groom him for a much higher position as a dela Merced. He has his own interest here in the company. I think he could use a little enthusiasm from you. Baka mahawaan siya ng passion mo.” Ikiniling niya ang ulo. “What do you expect from me?” “Don’t get fired. As simple as that. I am expecting you to share some of your vision with him.” “O…kay.” Hindi masisante. Mahigpit na hinawakan ni Lexie ang handle ng hobo bag niya. That was a bit disconcerting on her part. Ibig bang sabihin ay mas mahigpit pa na boss si Aiden kaysa kay Amadeus. Tumayo ang lalaki. “My assistant will take you to the HR department. Sign your contract today. I will give you the salary that my executive assistant will get. You will even have your own car. I will give you additional incentive if you can stay here for three more months.” “I have questions, Sir…” Tumayo ito at isinuot ang coat. “I would love to chat more with you but I have a party to attend in Osaka tonight.” Inilahad nito ang palad sa kanya. “Welcome to Brava International, Miss Santander.” “Thank you, Sir,” usal niya at sabay pa silang lumabas ng opisina nito. Sa labas ay naghihintay na ang assistant nitong si Florida. She was more than fifty years old. Ayon sa matandang babae ay gusto daw kumuha ni Amadeus ng ipapalit dito pero tumango lang ito nang malamang kay Aiden siya mapupunta. “Oh! His need for a assistant is more urgent than Amadeus,” sabi nito. Nakadama ng kaba si Lexie nang matapos pumirma ng kontrata at sinabing makikilala na niya si Aiden. She was an avid researcher. Para sa pag-a-apply niya sa Brava Hotels, nag-research siyang mabuti mula sa architecture ng mga resort at hotels, hanggang sa business strategy ni Amadeus dela Merced. Aiden dela Merced was an alien territory though. Wala siyang alam na kahit ano dito maliban sa nabanggit ni Amadeus sa kanya. Ano bang klase itong boss? “Madam, pwede po ba ninyo akong bigyan ng pointers sa mga ie-expect ko kay Sir Aiden. Masungit po ba siya o mahigpit?” nag-aalangan niyang tanong. Baka kasi mamaya ay maka-offend ang tanong niya. “Oh! He is the sweetest boy,” anitong nagniningning ang mga mata. “Malambing ang batang iyon.” “Ah! Okay naman po siyang boss?” tanong niya. “Yes. As long as you keep things professional between you. And I think the secretaries before you find it hard to do. He is irresistible. And he wants to keep things on a professional level. Kaya umuuwing luhaan ang mga dating assistant niya. So if you want your career, don’t fall in love with him.” Pinisil nito ang kamay niya nang nasa harap na sila ng opisina ng lalaki. “Good luck.” “Come in!” anang baritonong boses ng lalaki. Taas-noong pumasok si Lexie ng opisina. She felt like an sss warrior. She was ready to face her adversary under lock and key. Hindi siya mai-in love sa kung sinong lalaki lang at sasayangin niya ang career niya. She was better than that. The room was made of glass wall. Matatanaw mula doon ang magandang view ng Manila Bay. Sinalubong siya ng mabangong amoy ng mga bulaklak. Nagulat siya dahil nakahilera ang iba’t ibang klase ng bulaklak sa tabi ng bintana. Isang lalaki ang nakatayo doon at may hawak na bulaklak. Hindi niya gaanong makita ang mukha nito dahil sa liwanag mula sa labas. “Aiden,” untag ni Florida dito. Bumaling ang lalaki sa kanila. “Hello, Tita.” Nakangiti itong lumapit sa kanila. Hawak pa rin nito ang rosas sa kamay. Natulala Lexie dito. He had a face of an angel. Then she heard the lock of her heart rattle. Lexie was not easily impressed by men especially by their looks. Bagamat humahanga siya sa mga gaya ni Amadeus dela Merced, iyon ay dahil sa achievement ng mga gaya nito. Pero di siya attracted dito. Hindi nito napapabilis ang t***k ng puso niya. Hindi siya napapatulala. Hindi siya napapanganga. Sinundan niya ng tingin si Aiden nang yakapin nito si Florida at halikan sa pisngi. Parang isa itong limang taong gulang na bata na nakita ang paborito nitong tiyahin. “My most favorite woman in the world.” “Alam ko naman binobola mo ako pero gusto kong maniwala.” Aiden let out a hearty laugh and she felt her heart burst. Parang may bumundol sa dibdib niya at naglabasan ang mumunting puso. Di gaya ng kapatid ni na si Amadeus na laging seryoso at nakasimangot, mas bukas ang mukha ni Aiden. He looked like a jolly person. Maaliwalas ang aura. Parang napakadali nitong makagaanan ng loob. He could easily make a woman fall for him. Kinastigo ni Lexie ang sarili. What’s going on, Lexie? HIndi ka na teenager. Hindi na uso ang natutulala sa guwapo. And he is your boss. Hindi normal na kakikita mo lang, naiisip mo nang ma-in love. So snap out of it. “And who is this beautiful lady with you?” suwabeng tanong nito kay Florida at nakangiting bumaling sa kanya. “Meet Lexie Santander,” pagpapakilala ni Florida. Hinawakan nito ang kamay niya at kinintalan ng halik ang likod ng palad niya. “I am Aiden dela Merced.” Napasinghap siya. Parang may kuryenteng dumaloy sa buong katawan niya. She didn’t know why she her senses were so attuned with every action of this man. Nang iangat ulit nito ang tingin sa kanya ay ngumiti ito na parang nang-aakit. Hamming niya ang sarili. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir. I am… your new assistant,” aniya at isang aral na ngiti ang ibinigay niya dito. Nanatili pa rin ang ngiti nito pero nakita niya ang pagkadismaya sa mga mata nito bago maglaho. “Ah! My brother hired one for me. My brother is full of surprises indeed.” She couldn’t miss he sarcasm despite his bright smile. Binitiwan ng lalaki ang kamay niya at pinagkiskis ang palad. He looked so disappointed. Sino ba naman ang hindi madidismaya? Silang dalawa ang direktang magkakatrabaho pero di man lang nito nakilatis kung magkakasundo sila o karapat-dapat siya sa posisyon. “He gave you his assistant,” sabi naman ni Florida. Sinapo ng binata ang dibdib at pagak na tumawa. “How touching.” At nakangiti na bumaling sa kanya. “Amadeus dela Merced is the sweetest brother ever. Pati sarili niyang assistant ibibigay sa akin.” She didn’t know how to react. Pakiramdam ni Lexie ay hindi magkasundo ang magkuya kahit na iba ang ipinapakita ni Aiden. Maiipit ba siya sa gitna? Bahala siya. May kontrata na akong pinirmahan. At may kotse ako na target na makuha after six months. Labas na ako sa away nila.. “Why don’t you tour Lexie around? Maganda kung magiging pamilyar siya sa iba’t ibang departamento at sa mga special features ng hotel natin,” sabi ni Florida at tinapik ang pisngi ng binata. “Be nice.” “I am always nice,” anito. Tumaas ang kilay ni Florida. “That’s scary, Aiden. You being nice.” LUMUNOK si Lexie nang silang dalawa na lang ni Aiden ang natira sa opisina nito. She was suddenly aware of Florida’s last words. Mas nakakatakot daw si Aiden kapag mabait ito. Why? And what’s with the warning of not falling in love with him. “Take a seat. Do you want coffee? Tea?” alok ng lalaki. Umiling agad siya. “No, thank you. I just had a cup a while ago.” She loved coffee. It keeps her on her toes. Pero sa pagkakataong ito ay kape ang huling bagay na kakailanganin niya. Ninenerbiyos siya. Ngayon pa lang ay naiintriga na siya kung ano ang mayroon sa bago niyang boss. Sumandig ito sa mesa. “What do you think of my office?” Luminga siya sa paligid. Maaliwalas ang opisina nito. It had the excellent view of the bay. Hanggang tumutok ang mga mata niya sa bulaklak at ngumiwi. “It is flowery?” “I love flowers,” sabi ng lalaki. “I am not exactly a fan of flowers. No offense meant.” “That’s sad. Inilagay ko ang mga bulaklak para mapangiti ang mga pumapasok sa opisina ko. Office work is stressful as it is. Would love to see your face light up every time you see flowers.” Isang lalaki na gustong magpangiti ng babae. So he was not doing it for himself. He was doing it to make someone else smile. “Sweet,” nausal niya dahilan para lalo itong ngumiti. Bigla niyang naipinid ang bibig. Don’t. Just don’t say anything unnecessary. Be formal. Don’t like him no matter how charming he is. Just don’t. Be a pro. “Come. I will show you around.” Itinaas niya ang baba nang hawakan nito ang siko niya. Nagsikap si lexie na manatiling pormal ang ekspresyon. Ngumingiti siya kapag may ipinakilala sa kanya si Aiden at tumatango kapag may sinasabi ito. Napansin niya na umiilaw agad ang mga mata ng mga kababaihan at beki kapag nakikita ito. He was indeed a heartthrob. Palabati rin ito at parang kabisado halos kung sinu-sino ang mga tauhan sa hotel. Parang hindi siya ipinakikilala ng boss niya sa mga empleyado nito kundi sa mga kapamilya at mga kaibigan. Matapos ang tour ay pumunta sila sa cafe ng hotel. Umorder ito ng kape at dessert para sa kanila. The place was relaxing and classy. May live jazz band pang nagpe-perform lobby ng hotel at makikita mula sa bukas na pinto ng cafe. She finally had a job. She was finally a part of Brava International Hotel. Success! “Is this okay with you?” Inangat ni Lexie ang tingin mula sa hinahalong kape. “What?” “That you are working with me instead of my brother?” Nagkibit-balikat ang dalaga. “A job is a job.” “I am afraid I am not as colorful and popular as my brother.” Malungkot ang mga mata nito habang nakatitig sa kanya. Parang inaabangan nito ang pagkadismaya niya o kinikilatis nito kung ano ang pakay niya sa pagpasok sa kompanya. “I am here as your assistant, not as a fan girl or a groupie of your brother. I just want to do my job,” she said in an even and controlled voice. Si Amadeus lang ba ba ang gustong makasama ng lahat ng babae na pumapasok sa kompanya? Hindi ba pwedeng gusto lang maghanap-buhay? “Perhaps you want to see my resume.” She wanted to keep things on a professional level. Dahil hindi naman siya pumunta doon para magpa-cute sa lalaki o manilo ng mayaman at guwapo para maging boyfriend. Akmang iaabot niya dito ang folder na naglalaman ng resume niya pero umiling ito. “Keep it. Resume is boring. Tell me more about your self.” Tumuwid siya ng upo. “I graduated from…” “Nah! Napag-usapan na ninyo iyan ni Kuya. You were thorougly examined by the HR Dept before you got an interview with my broher. I am sure your resume is impressive that’s why he hired you. Are you married? Single? In a relationship? Complicated?” Isang pilyong ngiti ang sumilay sa labi nito. “I am single,” walang gatol niyang sagot. “Do you date?” Kumunot ang noo niya at umiling. “N-No.” Itinaas nito ang dalawang kamay. “Hey! It is okay to date. As much as I love a dedicated assistant, I also want you to enjoy life. Hindi kita yaya o alipin na pakikialaman ko ang love life mo. As long as it doesn’t interfere with your work, then we are cool.” “I don’t really date,” giit niya. “I prefer working. Hindi ninyo kailangang alalahanin iyon, Sir. Sa dati kong trabaho, on call ako twenty-four-seven. You can count on me during emergencies.” “If you don’t have a date, we can date,” prisinta nito. Napanganga siya sa pagkagulat. Niyayaya siya nitong mag-date. Ano siya? Charity case? Wala siya ka-date kaya ginagawan siya ng pabor. Or maybe he is testing me. Gusto siguro niya akong hulihin para malaman niya kung kakagat ako sa pain niya. He could easily kick me out of the company once I show him some interest or make a stupid mistake of falling for him. “Thanks for the offer but I must decline. I don’t date my boss. I am not into office fraternization,” sabi niya at uminom ng kape. “So what do you expect from me as your assistant?” “Be more human. I don’t want a robot assistant.” “Are you saying that I am a robot?” Nakakainsulto na ito. Ano ba ang gusto nitong babae? Someone who would fawn all over him? “Smile more often. We are in a hotel service and not in a military camp. Gusto ko na makita kang ngumiti. Hindi mo kailangang laging maging seryoso.” She had a feeling that had he been her interviewer, she won’t pass just because she doesn’t smile much. “You can smile, laugh and go crazy with me. I want to see you enjoying your job. Gusto nitong kunin ang loob niya. Madali para sa puso niya ang bumigay pero pinipigilan siya ng isip niya. Smile, laugh and go crazy? That was never her character. She was always formal. Ingat din siya sa emosyon niya. “Okay, Sir,” usal niya at napilitang ngumiti. “Very good,” sabi ng lalaki at gumanti rin ng ngiti. But this one was more genuine. As if he was happy to see her smile. “Do that more often. Mas bagay sa iyo ang nakangiti kaysa laging seryoso. So what do you do for fun?” “None.” “We must remedy that one.” This man was an enigma. He could easily make women fall for her. And he was acting like he wanted things that way. Pero bakit itinataboy nito sa huli? He was very dangerous indeed.