His Broken Gem

HBG 14

Stella's POV

"Ang cute niyo rito oh," Mika affirmed as she scan through the pictures she took kanina sa mall. Sebastian has to go somewhere so we went home on ourselves. It was just me, Mika, and Shy.

I just sigh as I checked through my emails. If hindi ako puwedeng pumasok sa trabaho, then I'll bring my work here at home. It was just some financial reports and a new client. I hope those idiots will do great this time.

"Nakikinig ka ba?" asar na tinig ni Mika. Walang gana ko siyang tiningnan. Nakahilata siya sa sofa habang nakatingin sa akin.

"Sabi nila, kapag may nagsasalita, makinig ka dapat. Malay mo importante pala sabihin tapos hindi mo narinig, edi GG ka," she lectured. I frown when I heard the word 'GG', what does that even mean?

I turned my attention back to my laptop, pretending I didn't hear her. I heard her tsked as she goes back to her own business. I thought she was going to be quiet but it didn't last that long before she spoke again.

"Pero hindi ka man lang ngumiti sa lahat ng picture niyo. Lahat naka-poker face, 'yong iba naman ay gulat or nakanganga," she commented as she showed me the pictures.

Hindi ko naman pinansin 'yon at nagpatuloy lang sa ginawa ko. Who cares about my expression in a picture?

"Pasalamat ka maganda ka..." she murmured before taking her phone out. Napatingin naman ako sa kaniya when she started sharing the photos to her phone. "Pengeng copy, para may proweba ako na minsan na rin kayong pinagtagpo pero hindi itinadhana," she said, she more likely said it to herself.

I just shake my head. "If you want it that badly, then you can photoshop your face or ask him for a picture. It's not like I'm interested in that photos," I muttered.

"Ish not layk I'm intereshted in dat photosh," she mimicked me before rolling her eyes heavenward.

I noticed Shy walk towards me. She was fidgeting her fingers as she looks at me like she wants to ask me a question.

"Ate, puwede magtanong?" she asked in her small voice. I nodded to give her the approval.

"Ate Stella, bakit hindi po kayo ngumingiti? Dalawang beses ko lang po nakita ngiti niyo," she said. "Mas maganda ka po kasi kapag nakangiti ka," I added. Mika and I looks at her. Mika was the one who answered for me.

"Alam mo kasi Shy. 'Yang si ate Stella mo, expensive ang mga ngiti niyan kaya hindi siya masyadong ngumingiti," she explained. I mentally rolled my eyes at her statement.

"Expensive? Iyon po ba 'yong mahal?" Shy asked curiously.

Mika snapped her fingers in the air and pointed Shy, as if she just got the right answer.

"Tumpak! May tama ka!" Mika claps her hand, praising Shy.

"May presyo po pala ang ngiti?" pabulong na tanong nito. Mika answered her by whispering, kaya hindi ko na marinig ang pinag-uusapan nila.

I rolled my eyes and focus my attention back to work. I am just doing my stuff peacefully while they're talking about the things that Shy would do if the school started. I already enrolled her in a private school, It's good na hindi pa siya huli sa enrollment. Magsisimula na rin ang class nila next next week.

Narinig ko ang pag-ring ng telepono sa unit. Mika presented to answer it.

"Hello?" I heard her talking to the person on the other line. "Si Stella? Oo, nandito siya... Gano'n ba? Sige, wait lang..." she puts the call onhold at lumapit sa akin.

"'Yong secretary mo hinahanap ka," she declared. My brows furrowed, wondering why my secretary called. May problema ba sa company?

"Yes?" I answered as I took the telephone.

"Ma'am, good afternoon po," she greeted me.

"What is it? Is there any problem related to work?" I asked.

"Wala po ma'am. Tumawag po kasi si Mrs. Catherine at hinahanap ka po, hindi niya raw kasi matawagan ang phone niyo..." she explained. I just remembered that I blocked her number 3 days ago. I just got tired on listening to her nag at me.

"She's helding a family dinner po, nando'n daw po ang lola mo which I quoted 'make sure she brings Sebastian with her' sabi ni Mrs. Catherine," she added. I see. Since I didn't set a schedule for a meeting with Sebastian, siya na mismo gumawa nang paraan.

"Tumawag pala si Tita sa akin?" I heard Mika talking at the sofa while looking at her phone.

I divert my attention back to the call, "Okay, we'll be there." I ended the call and walks back to the coffee table to gather my things. Mika was curiously looking at me.

"May pupuntahan ka?" she asked.

"Yeah, and call that man to get in here this instant," I commanded. She nooded her head and started calling him. I was about to entered my room when I heard a a phone ringing. Napatingin kami ni Mika sa isa't-isa and saw Shy walks towards her brother's belonging and take out a phone in there.

"Tumatawag po kayo ate Mika?" she curiously asked while showing us the screen. I closed my eyes and rubbed my temple. I glare at Mika.

"Hoy! Hindi ako ang kalaban mo, gagi. Malay ko bang iniiwan niya phone niya," she defended.

"Look for him," I firmly said before entering the room. It's already 4:49 pm and the dinner will start at 7 pm sharp. We can't be late, that grandmother of mine will sure give us a lot of lecture on how we should be wasting a precious time.

I took a quick shower and dress in a beige colored pencil skirt with a 5 inch slit from my knees and a sleeveless white tank top. I style my hair into high ponytail and wears my 4 inches black strap stiletto. I also did a minimal make up, powder, mascara and a lip gloss to complete my look. Nang lumabas ako sa kuwarto ay 5:36 na.

"Did you find him?" I asked Mika as I saw her making calls. She bit her lower lip and shook her head.

I sigh as I turn around to face Sebastian's sister, Shy, "May alam ka ba kung saan pumunta ang kuya mo?"

"Wala po ate eh, ang sabi niya lang papasok na raw siya ng trabaho," she answered.

I exhaled a deep breath trying to calm myself. This is why I'm asking him to quit working. So stubborn!

"Let's go." Naghiwalay kami ni Mika sa paghahanap, we've visisted every job he had but all of them didn't know where he is since he already quit.

"Stell, wala na raw siya do'n eh," Mika sigh at the other line. Nasaan na ba kasi ang lalaking 'yon?! I check the time and it's already 6:35 pm. Almost 1 hour na kaming naghahanap.

"Check it again, maybe you missed some places," I commanded. I heard a noise from the background. After a minute of silence, Mika suddenly gasps.

"Alam ko na!"

"Where?" I inquires.

"I'll text you the address, kita na lang tayo ro'n."

I immediately received the text and went to the said place. Nang makarating ako roon ay napanganga ako. We've been here before! He's still working in here?

"Stell! Dito!" Mika called for me. I immediately walk towards her and we entered the bar together.

Dumeretso kami sa counter and we saw a very familiar man mixing some drink while talking to girl, more like flirting. They were smiling and laugjing together. I scoffed.

Lumapit kami sa puwesto nila. I fake a cough to catch his attention but sadly due to the loud music ay hindi niya narinig iyon. I tried to fake a cough again, louder that the first one. Fortunately, he noticed it. He's expression immediately changes, from smiling to frowning.

Excused me, I'm not also please to see you. The feelings are mutual here.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" he asked bitterly.

"We have to go somewhere, so let's go. I don't like waiting," I said emphasizing the last word.

"In case, you didn't notice, It's still working hours," he reminded me as if I am a dumb for not knowing about it.

"In case you forgot, you're also working for me. Are you defying your boss, right now?" I sarcastically stated.

"Ali? Is there anything wrong?" the girl from before asked. I look at the girl from head to toe.

Hindi siya sinagot ni Sebastian, sa halip ay lumabas ito mula sa counter at hinila ako papunta sa gilid.

"Ano bang kailangan mo? Hindi ba puwedeng bukas na 'yan?" he asked.

I took a glance at time. "Nope, and we don't have much time left. We need to hurry," I told him.

Hihilain ko na sana siya paalis when the girl suddenly appeared again and holds Sebastian's hand. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself.

"You're leaving?" she asked.

"Lav, sa susunod na tayo mag-usap," Sebastian said but the girl didn't released him.

I scoffed as I heard what he called her. Love?

"Can't you just stay? Ngayon lang tayo nag-usap ulit, tapos aalis ka na agad?"

This is it. I can't talk it anymore.

I pushed her hand away from Sebastian's arm and stride a step forward to face her.

"Excused me? Can't you see that we're in a rush?" I asked her.

She just looks at me from head to toe. Napabuga ako ng hininga sa ginawa niya. Is she judging me?!

"Excused me too, Miss, but I'm not talking to you." I saw her rolled her eyes at me and attempts to come closer to Sebastian but I immediately block her way.

"Well sorry to disturb your quality time together, but me and my boyfriend has somewhere to go." I said. I didn't wait for her response and immediately grab Sebastian out of the place.

"You didn't even let me inform my boss, baka magtaka 'yon at bigla akong nawala," he exclaimed as we entered the car.

I just noticed na wala na si Mika. Where the hell is she? I sigh. I don't have time to look for her. I started the engine and drive it in a fast speed.

"Saan ba kasi tayo pupunta at bakit nagmamadali ka?" he asked.

"Mom wants to have a family dinner together, my grandmother will be there so do your best shot," I told him.

After almost 20 minutes ay nakarating na kami sa mansion. I look at him and his outfit. He's still wearing his uniform. I felt him stiffen as I grab his vest and took it off. "Te-teka...Ano'ng ginagawa mo?" he asked as he look around.

Hindi ko siya sinagot sa halip ay hinila ko paalis ang bow tie sa kwelyo niya at binuksan ang dalawang butones sa suot niyang polo. I folded the his sleeve uptonhis elbow and I mess her neatly done hair. His natural curls was hanging in his forehead in a better way.

"That will do, let's go," I said, satisfied by what he looks right now. He doesn't look like he's from work. Kinuha ko na rin ang coat na nasa likod ng kotse ko. It's a unisex coat so this would be fine. "Wear this."

He hesitantly took it from my hands and wear it. Mabuti na lang at nagkasiya iyon sa kaniya, hindi niya na ito binutones kasi tiyak na masikip ito.

Sabay na kaming naglakad putugo sa pinto ng bahay, some of the maids greeted us. When we reach the front door, I halted on my spot. I look at him and his hand.

Should I do it?

"What?" I heard him asked.

'Just do it!' inip na wika ni Megan. I took a deep breath before grabbing his hand and intertwined it with mine. I look up to look at him, he was looking at our hands.

"Do your part," I said in a low voice afraid that someone might hear us.

Nabaling naman ang paningin niya sa akin. He stares at me for a brief seconds before he responded, "Okay."

I was about to complain when he pulled his hand away from mine but immediately flinch when I felt his warm hands makes it way to my waist. He snakes his arm on my waist and slightly pulled me closer to his body. He smirk while looking at me in the eyes.

"Let's go? Hon..."