Wild Encounter

Chapter 4 - Nathaniel

When I left home, I promised to myself not to come back anymore. I can't even call it home, more like a s hithole. I need to forget those pople who has caused me pain, who treated me like I'm not part of the family. Sina Tita at ang pinsan ko ang dahilan ng paghihirap ko sa syudad. They made my life a living hell and I won't forgive them even if they'd shed blood. Hindi ko nga dapat sila iniisip pa. Wala na silang espasyo sa buhay ko at iwinaksi ko na ang koneksiyon namin noong umalis ako.

When I was out of that house, I was relieved because finally, I escaped. Wala akong pinagsisihan sa ginawa. Being here in the Elysian Island is the best thing I have ever done in my life. Masaya ako at naging bukas ito sa akin, lalo na ang oportunidad na ibinigay ni Sir Niel sa akin.

From day one, he was there to help me survive. Bago pa man ako rito, nahanap ko siya sa social media who were looking for an assistant and ever since, I didn't regret applying. Oo, minsan nakakainis talaga ang boss ko. He's strict and very annoying but easy to get along with. Hindi siya madamot. He treated me equally as others. He value his staff, that's why I can't say yes to Rey's offer because I am content of being with Sir Nil.

Huminga ako nang malalim bago kumatok ng tatlong beses. I heard his voice inside so, I opened the door and saw him sitting on his chair with lots of paperworks on his table.

My nose wrinkled. That's a ton of work. He's workaholic but at the same time, he knows how to enjoy life. He was out for Manila for weeks. Kaya ngayon ay hindi na nakakagulat ang gabundok na gawain sa kaniyang mesa.

"I lost the bet with Flynn," he uttered frustratingly.

My brows furrowed. Tumayo lang ako sa likod ng pintuan at nagtataka.

"A bet? With your friend?" I clarified.

"Yeah, yeah. You know that punk, ayaw magpatalo. We were just playing and the next thing I know, I lost one of my businesses."

Bigla akong kinabahan doon. "Don't tell me..."

I've heard he was trying to sell his business, The Bar. Hindi ko lang alam kung seryoso siya roon kaya tuwing naiisip iyon ay abot langit ang kaba ko! And it seems like this is the business he lost with Flynn, a friend of his. Isang beses ko pa lang nakita si Flynn, he's years older than me, parang si Sir Nil. Although we haven't talked but I've heard a lot of things about him.

Isang beses ko pa lang siya nakita at hindi ko na masyadong maalala ang kaniyang itsura. But a lot of girls are ogling for him. Well, he was handsome. I can barely remember his features but I can say that he's a god in terms of physique.

"Ah, yes... He wanted the bar. I had no choice and besides, I want to retire here and live abroad."

"But..." My voice shook a little.

Paano na lang ang trabaho ko? Saan ako mapapadpad? It has been months since I went here and now, I can't leave the island. This has become my home. Isa pa, wala pa tatanggap sa akin sa trabaho na may kalakihan ang sahod. My work as his assistant wasn't that hard as he made sure that everything he gave me is something I can do.

Kahit kaya ko naman pag-aralan but since I'm a noob when it comes to business works, he refused to give me workload which is very fine. Kasi ang dami ko pa no'ng oras. I can still have time for my hobbies, I can explore without getting pressued about work because it wasn't difficult. Isang buwan na rin at papasok na ako sa skwelahan.

I can't lose this job. Hindi maaari.

"I can almost hear your thoughts," he uttered.

My eyes went to him. Sumandal siya sa kaniyang upuan at humalukipkip. A sly smile is playing on his lips as if he wasn't affected by the fact that he lost his business.

"I made Flynn promised not to fire anyone in my staff especially you, Zuri. I know what you've went through in the past few months and actually, I appreciates you more refusing to resign to work with that guy, Reynaldo."

Medyo kumunot ang kaniyang noo. My brows furrowed, too, but I refused to acknowledge his last sentiment.

"Thank you, Sir Nil! Hindi ko talaga alam ang gagawin ko kung sakaling mawalan ako ng trabaho."

Itinuro niya ang upuan sa harap ng kaniyang lamesa.

"Take a seat," paanyaya niya.

I didn't hesitate. Umupo nga ako roon at ngumiti sa kaniya nang matamis. I like how civil we are towards each other. Although sometimes I felt like a kid at how he treated me. After all, I'm still on my eighteen and Sir Nil is nearly thirty. Pero wala pa ring girlfriend.

"I assumed you already saw Flynn," he said and I nodded.

"Once. When you brought your friends here because it was his daughter's birthday," I mentioned.

Flynn is a single dad. They once celebrated Farah's birthday here. Iyon nga lang, hindi ko naman nakita ang bata. Hindi rin naman ako interesado pa. It seems like they're really good friends. Sabagay, wala naman na nababanggit si Sir Nil tungkol sa iba niyang kaibigan bukod pa sa kaniya at iba pang parte ng grupo nila.

"He will be your boss next month. Inirekomenda kita sa kaniya at pumayag naman siya but once you fail a simple task, I can't help you, Zuri. I can't stop him from firing you."

I bit the insides of my cheeks. Is that how ruthless his friend is? Hindi man lang ba siya magbibigay ng isa pang pagkakataon na bumawi kung sakali man na pumalpak ako?

Napangisi siya roon. "But don't worry, I don't think he will do that. You're welcome to do stupid things around him. That would piss his as s off."

Umiling ako. "I can't take risk. But I will do my best to serve the new owner, Sir Nil. I just felt a bit sad because you're leaving and I'm sure others would feel the same way."

"Ey, don't be too dramatic. I'll occasionally still visit the island to party and get laid," he chuckled, fixing the buttons of his sleeves.

"You should really get yourself a girlfriend. You're almost thirty."

"Well, I will once you're ready to commit yourself to me."

I gawked at him and laugh sarcastically. Of course, he was joking. As I've said, we are very casual. Nathaniel isn't that hard to please and besides, he knew how to treat his staff. He never made us felt like we were in a low class level than him who's in a higher class in social status. Kaya nga ako nalulungkot dahil mawawala na iyong nakasanayan ng lahat.

I'm kinda nervous for next month. Matagal pa naman iyon pero hindi na mawaglit sa isipan ko ang papalit kay Sir Nil. I just hope he's not too strict that he'd restrict us to enjoy our free time and take advantage of it to use for work hours.

"But kidding aside, I don't think I can leave without saying goodbye to everyone. So I want you to plan a party for my despedida a week before I leave the island. My friends would be here at that time so make it a bit manly, Zuri."

"How manly do you want it, sir?" I almost rolled my eyes.

Parties. It was me whom he always trust to organize one. He didn't fail to remind me to make it manly.

He chuckled teasingly. "Kapag nagtanong kung lalaki ang nag-organisa ng kasiyahan."

Umiling-iling ako sa kaniya. "You should endorse me to your friend's if ever they need an event organizer. Dagdag income iyon sa akin."

He hummed. Inilagay pa niya ang daliri sa baba na tila nag-iisip pa.

"Aren't you earning enough from me?" Umakto siyang tila na-offend sa sinabi ko.

"I do but I want more," I joked. "I'm going to college soon. I need some funds to afford my tuition."

"Shall I ask Flynn to increase your salary?" Bahagya pang tumaas ang kaniyang kilay.

"Well, why not?" I smirked at him. "Maayos naman ako magtrabaho, Sir. I have proven my capabilities. I'm sure like you, your friend would like my hardworking side. Baka magkaroon ako ng bonus na mas mataas pa."

"Ang luho mo..." bulong niya na ikinatawa ko lang.

Nang tumahimik, nanumbalik ang lungkot sa akin. I'm sure the ones working in The Bar would be really sad once they learned he's leaving. Baka nga ay may mag-resign pa. Maybe after a week under Flynn’s supervise, there would be staff who would decide to quit depending on his performance.

Ayaw namin nang malupit. I don’t know him and even though he’s friends with Nathaniel, I can’t say if he’s a good man or not. Although there were rumors about him being ruthless in the business world but I hope he won’t be that strict since we are all doing our best to work.

“Everyone, please get ready for later’s party. Hindi natin kaya na mabigo si Sir Nil at ang kaniyang mga bisita! And he said the bill’s on him so take advantage of the drinks if you want,” I smiled sheepishly at them.

Mabilis lang ang oras. Now is the time for his farewell party. Hindi pa alam ng iba na aalis siya. I guess this night would be both happy and sad at the same time.

“So, pupunta nga rito ang mga kaibigan ni Sir Flynn?” asked Rose.

Saglit akong tumigil sa pagpapump ng balloons para tingnan siya. Rose is my friend I found when I got here. She has a morena skin, wavy brown hair and stand about five seven. She’s petite and being Filipina is really evident basing on her soft features. Pareho lang kami ng edad pero mas mukha siyang matured sa akin kung titingnan. Lagi rin nakaayos ang kaniyang maninipis na kilay at paborito niyang suotin ay off-shoulder tops.

I shrugged. Nasabi naman sa akin ni Nathaniel na pupunta ang mga kaibigan niya pero ayokong pangunahan.

“Siguro... Walang nabanggit si Sir Nil sa akin pero knowing him, I’m sure he’d invite his friends but don’t get your hopes too high.”

“I hope they’d be here! Especially Flynn, ang pogi kaya niya, Zuri! He’s in Manila soaring high in corporate world, a good man and a father. Ang tanga naman ng ina ng anak niya, ‘no? Leaving that kind of man who’s almost perfect. Sayang!”

I shook my head and continued pumping. Everything is actually ready and just waiting for time to comes.

“I’m not really interested to know that,” I told her in a matter of fact.

“Gosh... Your heart turned numb. Ang daming pogi kaya! Kung hindi ako papalarin kay Flynn, then I would say yes to the one of our guest proposal. Green card rin iyon!” she exclaimed.

Dumating ang isa naming kasamahan. Nasa loob lang kami ng bar at sinisiguro na maayos ang lahat. Nathaniel is out and I haven’t seen him. Usually, he checks everything first but today is a bit odd. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s having his best times with girls around him.

“Uy, uy. Anong tsismis?” si Amelie na isa rin naming kasamahan.

“Si Flynn, baka pumunta rito mamaya!”

“Oh...” Amelie looked disappointed as she gaze at Rose. “Akala ko ba ay reyna ka ng tsismis? Bakit hindi mo nalaman na dumating na si sir Flynn kagabi?”

I was shocked. But I hid it. Hindi ko iyon alam! Nakausap ko naman si Sir Nil kagabi pero wala siyang nabanggit. And it’s Flynn! The news didn’t spread in the island? Ganoon katahimik siyang tumapak dito.

Now I wonder what would be their reaction upon knowing that he’s our new boss.

“Don’t kid around,” Rose warned.

“I’m not. Masyado kasi kayong occupied rito hindi niyo tuloy nakita na lumalangoy ang hot papa de asukal na ‘yon sa dagat!”

“Oh god... oh gosh!” Rose fanned herself. “Sayang at ‘di ko nakita! His abs... tone muscles, my eyes wouldn’t get tired staring at that god’s creation.”

Shaking my head, I tied the balloon and drop the air pump on the table.

“I should go, guys. I’ll be here before the party to check everything.”

I bid my goodbye before I went out of the bar to see Nathaniel.