His Broken Gem

HBG 3

Stella's POV

I'm just sitting in my office scanning some documents that I need to sign. It's Monday at ngayon ang usapan namin ni Mika para magkita at makilala 'yong sinasabi niyang naghahanap ng trabaho. I already set aside the thought of calling that Mr. Sebastian. I would hypocrite for rejecting him and then contacting him again to offer him a job. That's not like me.

My phone chimes as a reminder that I received a message. I took my phone and check who message me. It was Mika.

"We'll be waiting at Lo Siento Café after work. See you!" I silently read her message.

I type my reply and get back to my work. Hours passed when someone interrupted me on reading. Napatingin naman ako sa pinto nang bigla itong bumukas. It's mom, wearing her favorite bag.

I can already tell that something bad is going to happen. She was smiling from ear to ear as she sat on the chair in front of my table. The things that I want to do right in this moment is to get away from here, from her. She doesn't really bring any good news to me, ever.

"Mom, what brings you here?" I asked her as I slowly gather my stuff preparing to leave the office. It's 10am at may lakad ako with Mika mamaya. I can use it as an excuse.

"I just want to inform about tonight's dinner date," she said as if it was just nothing. I stop on my track as I heard what she said. Is she serious? Did I really heard that right? Dinner date? Wait. What does she mean by tonight?

"Pardon?" I asked her, confused by her sudden statement.

"You ask me to set you up with a date with Angelo so I made an arrangement for tonight. You and Angelo will be having a dinner date. He will come and fetch you here later, so you don't have to worry." She took some of the documents from my table and just skimming through it. Not really reading the content of it.

"Mom, you didn't inform me beforehand," reklamo ko. Ang hilig niya sa surprises. She keeps on telling me sudden arrangements.

"That's why I'm her and informing you. You still have a couple of hours to kill bago mag-gabi." She shrugged her shoulders before standing up. I look at her with a visible crease line in between my brows. "Let's go, we're gonna look for a dress. Pronto, Stella." She made her way to he door.

I look at her in disbelief. How could she keep on informing me a sudden news and expected me to act up like it's not a big deal. Hello? Future ko ang nakasalalay rito.

"Mom, are you serious?" I asked her before she even vanished through the door.

"I've never been this serious in my life before." I heard her shouting from the corridor. I huffed as I gather my things. I immediately follow her and saw her standing in front of the elevator.

"Cancel all my plans today," bilin ko sa sekretarya ko before following mom at the elevator. We took the lift at dumeretso na sa lobby where mom's driver is probably waiting.

"Next time, inform me beforehand. You know how busy I am, Mom." Pinagbuksan kami ng pinto ng driver. Nang makasakay kami ay agad na itong pinaandar at tinahak ang daan papuntang mall.

"You're not that busy, sweetie. It was your choice to be busy," she said as she rolled her eyes heavenward. I sigh as I look outside the window. It didn't take that long when we reach the mall. Nakasunod lang ako sa kaniya habang naglilibot, from one to nanother shops looking for the 'Perfect Dress.'

I don't even know why I need to buy new dress when I already have a plenty of them. Pumasok kami sa isang kilalang boutique. The staff immediately usher us treating us as a VIP. The surname Salvador is known in this country, so I'm not even surprise why they acted like that. And also mom is a social butterfly, kapag narinig siguro ng iba ang pangalan niya ay agad siyang makikila.

"I want something simple yet elegant," saad ni mommy sa staff. We took a saeat at the sofa as the staff started roaming around looking for a dress.

"Mom, I have a plenty of unused clothes at home," I said I sat on the sofa.

"It's a special event Stella, we need something glamorous," she said. She even move her hands open making her look like overreacting. The staff came back with a rack of different dresses. I grimace at the sight of those shining dress.

"This was our latest designs, Mrs. Salvador. Hindi pa po ito nalalabas sa market," the staff said. She snap her fingers and the other staff immediately take some dresses from the rack and shows it to us.

"That's," mom stop for awhile as she scrutinize the dress, trying to find the right term to describe the dress. "Too showy. I am looking for something simple."

They took some clothes again and shows it to us but mom keeps on rejecting it. I didn't say a thing, I'm not that fond of choosing complicated clothes. I'm more into bags instead.

"That's it! That's perfect," mom exclaimed clapping her hands together. I took a glance on the dress. I won't deny it but it really a nice dress. The staff usher me to the dressing room for me to try the clothes.

It's a body-con baby blue dress that has a loose top and fitted skirt. It was elegant yet simple and conservative type of clothes. I like how it has a long sleeve.

We immediately pay for it and makes our way to the salon. I almost forgot the fact that I'm a attending a dinner date this evening. Gosh, that dress search took so much time. I wish I can just go home, read something and make myself busy, not sitting around with a guy I'm not even interested in knowing.

My phone chimes while I'm having a pedicure. It was a message from Mika.

"Hey babe, can we meet now na lang? I have to go somewhere mamaya eh. I already talked to him and he said he'll make time. Reply asap. Mwah." basa ko sa message niya.

I look at the time and it was already 1pm. That's why I started to feel hungry, this is also a good reason to escape from mom. Mika's name do works at her like it was a magic word for her. I type my reply to her saying that we're gonna meet at the restaurant near here for lunch.

"Okay, gonna finish my pedicure and will headed there after it."

After my pedicure, I immediately excused myself kay mommy para puntahan si Mika. Like what I've expected, she immediately agree as long as I show up on the date. I just agreed para matapos na ang usapan. Agad akong nagtungo sa restaurant na hindi naman kalayuan sa mall. Just a few blocks. Mabuti na lang at dala ko 'yong printed contract.

Our driver drive me to the restaurant. I immediately saw Mika from the outside talking to a man in front of her. I can only saw the man's back since he's facing Mika.

I entered the Café and went immediately to their table.

"Stella, you're here!" she exclaimed as she saw me. Excitement was visible in her voice. I just nodded at her and take the seat beside her. I took the folder from my bag at nilapag 'yon sa table.

I look at the man and was about to speak pero biglang umurong ang dila ko. He might look different because he's wearing a casual clothes. His hair was curly and long na lampas sa kilay niya unlike from the interview na nakaayos ito at naka-gel, but it still suits him just fine. It was that Sebastian guy.

"So, Stella. This is Sebastian Alistair Cortejo, the guardian of one of my patient. Mr. Ali, this is Stella, the only heiress of Salvador's Legacy," pakilala ni Mika. We were just staring at each other. I can't find my words, it's not like I'm embarrassed of I felt shy. I didn't do anything wrong and I'm not aware that he is the one Mika's talking about.

After a long staring contest, he was the first one to avoid my gaze and stood up. Nakatingin lang kami sa kaniya. Mika was looking at him in confusion, his action didn't surprise me. It's either him or me that will leave this place, anyway.

"It was nice to meet you pero ayoko nang tanggapin 'yong trabaho, Dr. Sy," he said while looking at Mika. He didn't even glance at me. He turn his back against us and made his way to the door.

"Teka lang." Pipigilan sana 'yon ni Mika but I stop her.

"Let him," I said as I watch him leave. "I'm not gonna hire him, anyway."

I gather my things and put it inside my bag. I lost my appetite now. I went outside calling my driver. Nakasunod lang naman si Mika sa akin at tila nagtataka sa nangyari.

"Do you know each other?" she ask.

"Kind off. He applied at the company but I rejected his application," I explained. "I get it why he acts like that. He might hold some grudges after what I've done."

"What?" 'di makapaniwalang tanong niya. I sigh.

"Don't worry. I can look for someone else." Nang makarating na ang driver ko ay agad akong nagpaalam sa kanya. I went straight home since that Angelo guy will fetch me there.

I took a shower para naman presko sa pakiramdam. I strip on my clothes and took a glance on my mirror. I slowly trace my fingers along those ugly scars.

"Did someone hurt you?"

I stop on my track as I listen to a small voice.

"They're so bad! But don't worry Kuya will protect us," usal nito.

Iniwas ko na ang tingin ko sa salamin at naligo na. After taking a shower ay nagbihis na ako at naglagay ng kaunting makeup. I was putting some lipgloss when phone began to ring.

Mom's calling...

I press the answer button before putting in between my shoulder and ear.

"Are you ready?" she asked in the other line. Tinapos ko muna ang paglalagay ng lipgloss bago sumagot.

"Yeah."

"Great! He'll be there in a few minutes. Enjoy the date, hon." After that, I already end the call. I huffed as I take my things.

Maya-maya lang ay may dumating ngang panauhin. I went outside to wait for him. A man wearing a formal suit was sitting inside his car. He's wearing a glasses that makes him look like a handsome nerd. Bumaba siya at umikot sa gawi ko. I can tell kung ano ang gagawin niya kaya inunahan ko na siya. I didn't wait for him to open the door for me dahil ako na mismo ang gumawa no'n. He laugh as I entered his car without a word.

"You should at least let me act like a gentleman." He said before walking her way to the driver seat. He chuckled as he start the engine.

"No, thanks. I can manage myself, just drive," I said blankly. Nakatingin lang ako sa labas ng bintana. He stop the car in front of an Italian restaurant. Just like earlier, I open the door for myself and entered the restaurant, not waiting for him.

"Table for 2," I directly said when a man in uniform approaches me. He look taken back by what I said but immediately usher me to a table for 2.

"Atat na atat ka na bang maka-date ako?" Angelo said as he came and sit on his chair. I rolled my eyes. The waiter take our order.

"Nope, I just want to go home already that's why I'm rushing it, I don't even want to go here in the first place," I said, whispering the last sentence.

"The more you rush it, mas lalong mapapadali ang engagement which leads to marriage," he said while shrugging his shoulders. Parang wala lang sa kaniya ang nangyayari. I fold my arms in front of my chest. Dumating din ang pagkain namin at nagsimulang kumain ng tahimik.

"I have a question," I said. He looks at me and nodded his head in approval. "Do you like me?" I asked bluntly.

He looks at me, surprise by my sudden question. He laughs afterward as he out down the utensils. "No," he said with a sly smirk on his face.

I nodded my head as I grab some tissue and dab it in my lips. "Great, the feeling is mutual so we should stop this insanity, I'll go," saad ko saka kinuha ang gamit ko at tumayo na.

"You're already leaving?" he asked confusedly.

"Any problem with that?" He shook his head as an answer. "We're both not compatible kaya as early as possible, tigilan na natin 'to." I give him a one last glance before heading to the exit. I felt his presence behind me but I tried to ignore it. Where did my driver go?

"Let me drive you home. You're mom wants me to drive you taht why probably your driver is not here to pick you up," Angelo offered.

"No thanks," I answered. I was still on my phone, not looking at him when I suddenly feel a hand on my elbow.

"Come o-" I immediately swat his hands away not letting him finish his sentence. I glare him.

"Come on, Stella. I promise your mom to drive you home," he said. He tried to hold my arms again kaya nagsimula akong mag-panic. I look around but there's no one outside.

"Don't touch me!" I yelled. I was having a hard time to breath but he's still insisting me to come with him.

I can feel my tears in my eyes. I can't cry in front of him! I tried to pull my arm again but someone did it for me. I didn't have time to look at the man's face due to my blurry vision. He snake his arm around my waist, and put my head against his chest. I immediately smell his scent, it was strong with a hint of mint yet it's smells good. My body started to relax against him.

"Don't touch her," the man said. Who is this man? Why am I reacting like this to him?

"Who are you?" Narinig kong tanong ni Angelo.

"I'm..." The man stop. I was about to look at him when he suddenly completed his word.

"I'm her boyfriend."