His Broken Gem

HBG 6

Stella's POV

“Yeah, everything went well. Hinihintay na lang namin na magising si Shy.”

I was double checking some papers na kailangan namin sa meeting mamaya. I know it is the job of my secretary but I have this habit of double checking everything. Specifically, this day, I can't mess things up, we have a big client today and I want everything perfect. I can't trust this project to someone else, we will loss this deal if I give it to others.

And having this girl roaming around my office doesn't help.

“By the way, he's asking if when will he start,” tanong ni Mika.

I already know that the 'he' she's talking about is that Cortejo guy. I stop what I'm doing and take a deep breath. It's really getting on my nerves. I already have Mika bothering me so much, now, I added an extra baggage.

“Can't he wait for me to send him an email? Hindi lang siya ang trabahong inaatupag ko,” pikon na wika ko. Agad namang nag-peace sign si Mika bumalik sa ginagawa niya. She's drinking her Slurpee as she glance at the glass wall. Why is she even here? Don't she have any work?

Hindi ko na lang siya inalintana at tinapos na ang trabaho ko. I needed to divert my attention in this meeting. Deep breaths, Stella, and focus. After preparing everything, I gathered my things and check my wristwatch.

It's almost time.

I stand up and get my purse. I press the intercom that was connected to my secretary's table.

“Escort Dr. Sy out. And prepare the car for me.” After saying that, Mika look at me with a confused look.

“May lakad ka?” naguguluhang tanong niya.

“I have a meeting with a client,” simpleng sagot ko. Hindi naman nagtagal ay bumukas ang pinto ng office ko. My eyes immediately squint at the action. My secretary notice that and immediately leave the room. After that is we heard a knock on my office door.

“Get in.” I said without looking at the person who entered the room. Opening the door, especially my door, without asking permission or knocking is very disrespectful, for me. I hate it. We'll mom and Mika was an exemption, they always do whatever they like.

“Ma'am, handa na po ang kotse sa harap ng building,” my secretary respectfully said while looking down, scared.

“Grabe ka naman, tinatakot mo ang mga empleyado mo,” Mika whispered as she took her stuff lying down on the coffee table. I just rolled my eyes as I gather my things and walk out of my office. I heard Mika declining my secretary's offer, saying that she can find her way out. She followed me to the elevator after that.

“Kanina pa ako sa office mo, hindi mo man lang sinabi na may lakad ka. Saka ba't ikaw ang kumakausap sa client niyo? Wala bang available sa mga architect niyo?” tuloy-tuloy na tanong niya. I glanced at her for a brief second before looking at the closed elevator door.

“I don't trust them,” I simply said.

“Edi sana hindi ka na nag-hire pa ng empleyado. Gusto mo naman palang solohin lahat ng trabaho dito eh,” Mika stated. I rolled my eyes as I remember that I already tried that solution once, but my mom was against about it.

She keeps on blabbering about something, I didn't really understand what she's saying though. She's just a big talker so I'm use to it. I immediately strides towards the entrance when the elevator's opened.

Every employees that we came across will automatically bowed their heads, showing respect to me, it gives me power everytime they do that.

I immediately saw my driver waiting beside the car, he immediately opened the door of the car when he saw me. I was about to enter the car when Mika suddenly stop me.

“I came here to spend some time with you tapos iiwan mo 'ko?” she dramatically said, faking a cry.

“We literally saw each other like 5 times a week.” I rolled my eyes at her before entering the car. Nagulat ako nang pumasok din siya sa kotse at tumabi sa akin.

“Sama na lang ako sa 'yo,” she stated while smiling widely.

“Mika, I'm working.”

“Hindi ako manggugulo, promise. Hihintayin lang kita,” she begged. I was just about to say something but she cutted me off. “Kuya Roy, tara na,” she squeal as he patted the chair of our driver.

“No. She's leaving...” I stated before looking her. "Now leave," I firmly said.

“Fine, tatawagan ko na lang si tita para ipaalam 'yong tungkol sa kontrata niyo ni Sebast—” I immediately covered her mouth to stop her from talking nonsense.

“Let's go,” I told the driver. Pumalakpak naman ang babaeng katabi ko at tinanggal ang kamay kong nakatakip sa bibig niya.

“Kuya Roy, let's go!” she squeal in excitement while stomping her feets like a child. I rolled my eyes heavenward as I check the time.

That scenario took 5 minutes of my precious time. Maybe I should ban her from coming to our company, or maybe I should talk to her senior to give her a lot of work para hindi niya maisipang guluhin ako.

I sigh and shook my head to get rid of the nonsense thoughts.

After 15 minutes, we finally arrived at the meeting place. The good thing is I'm 5 minutes early than the client. I made my way out of the car as the driver opened it for me. One of the staff in the restaurant ushered me to our reserved table.

“Alam mo, Star? Ikaw lang 'yong introvert na mag-attend ng meeting with strangers,” she commented as we walk our way to my table. Yes, only my table since she'll be having her own table.

“I'm working, Mika. Work and Personal agenda are different. I'm doing this for work, I didn't come her to have fun with them,” I said as I rolled my eyes upsidedown. “Introvert doesn't mean we are incapable of interacting with strangers, it was just our mindset who doesn't like socializing.” I didn't wait for her answer and head towards my table. I took a sit at my table and driven her away from me.

Nakanguso itong umalis at umupo sa kabilang table. I can feel her stare as I am reading a file. “What kind of expression can you give if your irritated, aside from rolling your eyes?” she suddenly asked. I didn't answer her right away, pretending that I am thinking.

“Hm. Let say, a movement of my cornea moving up, side and down?” I answered without looking at her. She becomes silent after that, probably analyzing what I've said.

She scoffed as she released a short raw laugh. “Ha! Funny, that was still eye rolling,” she said and she becomes silent. After 5 minutes ay dumating na rin ang client ko.

“Mr. Torres,” I greeted him. He smiled at me as he introduce his self and the girl beside her.

“Ms. Salvador, nice to meet you. By the way, this is my wife Missy Hyacinth Sanchez-Torres.” I just bowed my head as I saw her offered her hand. I took my seat without taking her hands for a handshake. She awkwardly pulled it out and took their seats.

Not in million years I'll hold a hand of a stranger. Never.

“Ang sungit naman nito,” the woman whispered to her husband but I still heard it. I pretended that I didn't heard anything. I started discussing the proposal I made for them to choose, the structures, design and the materials that we're going to use.

“Wow,” Mr. Torres exclaimed as he look through the design. They both glance at me, amused.

“Ang ganda naman lahat, wala akong mapili,” wika naman ng asawa nito. I smiled halfhearted as I tried to look like thankful for their appreciation of my works. Don't hate me, I really tried.

Of course magugustuhan nila ang design ko. I've spend some of my precious time to think about it.

“That's good hear since I've put my 110% of my effort to that,” I stated.

We talk more about their additional idea which is not really that much since my design was almost perfect. I just ask them for the color suggestion before ending the meeting.

I made my way to the entrance to leave this place.

“Star! Ba't nang-iiwan ka?” Mika shouted as she runs toward my direction. Hindi ko na siya pinansin at agad na pumasok ng kotse.

It's a public place for god sakes!

She entered the car and seated beside me.

“Grabe ka ha! Pati ba naman ikaw nang-iiwan, Star,” she whined. I rolled my eyes for the probably 6th times this day.

“Can you just shut up? And stop calling calling me Star, I'm not your dog.”

She shut her mouth, but it didn't last long. She starts blabbing again as we decided eat dinner before heading to the bar. A few drinks won't hurt.

As usual, we took a secluded seat since I don't like socializing with other people. We were just chillin' and drinking our drinks when Mikaela wants to dance.

“Are you sure dito ka lang?” she asked.

“When did I even associates myself with a stranger?” pambabara ko sa kaniya.

“Fine. But call me if something happens, okay?” I just nodded my head, not in the mood to talk too much.

A few minutes after Mika left our table, a man came.

“Hi beautiful, you alone?” he started.

Gosh. Save me from meeting people like this. It's was so freaking annoying. I moved farther away from him trying to avoid him, turning my back against him. He should probably got the signal and leave me alone.

“Want some drink? I'll treat you one,” he tried again. I just mentally rolled my eyes. The never ending rolling of my eyes for this day.

“Aren't you gonna talk, baby? I can help you with that you know, like in the bed, screaming—”

“F-ck off, dude. I'm not a little bit interested in your f-ck up fantasies,” I shot back at him. He's really getting into my nerves! I tried to leave our seat but he suddenly put his hand on the way.

“Oh...Feisty, I like some challenge,” he said as he tried to hold me but I immediately push his hands away.

“Don't touch me,” I firmly said.

“Come on babe, I know you'll gonna like it.” He smirked as if that would make him quite a human. It makes him look like a crazy dog though.

He tried to push his luck on me again, but I kept on rejecting him.

Where the hell is Mika?! She was gone for almost half an hour now!

“Can you please stop or else I'm going to call a security!” I shouted a little due to the loud music.

I noticed some of the people looking our way, but what would you expect? This place has their own business to mind others business.

I jolted when he grab my arm.

“Let go of me!” I yelled and tried to take off his hand. He pulled me towards his body and embrace me like a mad dog.

Mika!

“She said let go,” someone said in a baritone voice. It sends chill to my spine.

I was about to look at the owner of the voice when this asshole makes his grip tighter. It's making me uncomfortable. I don't like being touch!

“F-ck, relax Stella,” I mentally said.

“H-He's going to hurt us,” a small voice rang into my head.

Not now Stacy, please. I close my eyes as I tries to calm myself but this man holding me is not helping.

“It hurts.” It's more like I'm the one who's saying it.

“Let her go.”

“Mind your own business bro,” I heard the assh-le said. I just can't focus on them now. My breathes were turning shallow breathes. It's suffocating.

“That why I'm telling you to let her go. She is my business.”

I yelp when someone grab me, nilibot niya ang mga kamay sa bewang ko at kinulong ako sa yakap niya but the difference is I...became relax? I've felt it before, at the restaurant. Wait, don't tell me...

I was facing his chest covered with a white button shirt. The two top buttons were undone.

"Who the hell are you?!" I heard the assh-le shouted, angrily. I just stay still in my position.

"I'm her boyfriend, any problem with that?" I can feel his voice vibrating through his chest. It sounds...nice.

Wait, what the hell am I saying?

Nang nag-sink in sa utak ang mga sinabi niya ay agad ko siyang tinulak. He should be telling that! That was written on our contract!

"You!" may inis na wika ko sa kaniya. It's really him! Anong ginagawa niya rito?

I was already shock when I saw him here, but I was more shock when he just smiled at me and kiss me...on my cheeks! I froze on my spot as he spoke to me.

"I'm sorry, I'm late," he said smiling. I stop on my track trying to process what just happened. He kiss me? Right?

"He's your boyfriend?" the assh-le asked.

I came back to my senses and immediately grab his sleeves. I pulled her outside the bar, Mika was already following us from behind. I don't know if she saw what happened earlier.

What the hell is he doing here? Don't tell me nambababae na siya kahit hindi pa nagsisimula ang trabaho niya?

"What are you doing here? Are you already looking for a side-chick?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

"Ano? Sa'n mo naman nakuha 'yan? Tsaka isa pa? Akala ko ba walang pakialaman?"

"I'm not being nosy. I just want to know kung bakit ka nandito? Are you wasting your money in here?" dudang tanong ko sa kaniya. After what happened to his sister, naisipan niya pang magpakasaya sa bar?

"Excuse me, wala akong sinasayang na pera. Saka bakit ba big deal sayo kung may side chick ako? Don't tell me nagseselos ka?"

My mind went wide when he said those words. That's disgusting, who does he think he is?

"Teka nga, on-duty pa 'ko," reklamo niya at binawi ang kamay niya. That sentence make me stop and my eyebrow arch.

"You're what?" I asked in disbelief. I think I forgot to clean my ears, it seems like I'm hearing things.

"On-duty ako, babalik na 'ko sa loob."

Bago pa man siya makaalis ay muli ko siyang hinila para pigilan.

"What did you just said?!" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.

"Bingi ka ba? o sadyang hindi ka lang makaintindi. Sabi ko, magtatrabaho pa 'ko," he impatiently said.

"I'm neither dumb nor deaf! I just can't believe what you just said. You work here?!" I exclaimed.

"Ano bang problema mo? Ano naman ngayon kung nagtatrabaho ako rito?"

"Problema ko? You're really asking me that question?"

"Teka nga, akala ko ba walang pakialaman? Bakit pumuputok ang butchi mo riyan?" he said. I rolled my eyes for nth f*****g time! I lost count of it.

"It is my business! You, working here will put my reputation at risk! They will find out that I am dating an...lowlife man! I don't want them to look down on me!" I shot back. I was breathless after talking.

He went silent, pati si Mika ay tahimik din. There's a disappointment in their eyes. What now?

"So, you're looking down on me instead?" he said after a long silent.

Hindi naman ako nakasagot do'n.

"Alam mo? Ang sama na nga ng ugali mo, mata-pobre ka pa."

I pursed my lips as he said those words. He turns his back at us and started walking inside the bar. I sigh. It's not like I'm looking down on him, it was just...just...

Damn it.

"You've gone too far this time, Stell," komento naman ni Mika bago na-iiling na lumapit sa kotse. I send our driver home when we went here.

I mentally scolded myself as I get into the car.