Programmed Wife

Chapter 10

Rui Klein Andrews

Sometimes the things that are too good to be true are the most dangerous obstacles. My condition got worse, but to her... I am not feeling anything? How could that be even possible? To someone that I don't even know?

"Ridiculous." I would never believe that. So after years of struggling with this condition, one day she pops out of nowhere and then I am immune to her for some reason?

That's one hell of a drama plot line I must say. That is very suspicious, something that I could never trust.

"Sir Rui, is there any problem?"

What the heck! I almost fell from my office chair upon hearing her voice. Since when did she arrive? I couldn't even notice her standing beside my table. Am I that immersed with my thoughts? What the hell are you doing Rui? You seem to always show how dumb you are. This is embarrassing, what the hell?

"Sir, bakit po kayo gan' yan makatingin? May problema po ba?"

"Huh?" Bakit? Paano ba ako tumingin? Wala naman akong ibang sinusubukan na gawin, gano'n na ba ako nakakatakot tumingin? Well, that's not news to me.

Leyla looked down at the paper bag that she's holding and quickly smiled cheerfully. Why is she walking closer to me?

"Why-"

"Sir, I bought you breakfast. Please enjoy and call me whenever you need anything," she said.

The same croissant and coffee that I like. This is the second time. I have asked Albert about this, did he lie to me? He said that he did not tell her anything about my liking in food.

"You can take it, I don't like that," I lied. How does she manage to buy these breakfast that I love and actually crave? It makes it harder for me to criticize her.

"I can't take it back Sir. Ipamigay niyo nalang po sa iba kung gusto nin' yo. 'Wag niyo ibalik 'yong mga bigay sa inyo, 'wag din po kayo magsayang ng pagkain."

What did she just- wow, now she's lecturing me? How am I just taking it? I am not supposed to be like this, absurd. Kung minsan talaga, hindi ko na alam kung ano ba ang iniisip nitong babaeng 'to. She has her own opinions and she makes sure that she's heard. Which is technically not a bad thing, but I wanted to win the argument.

"Better go and prepare all the documents that I have requested. Later in the meeting, pass them to Albert. He's coming with me."

Am I seeing this correctly? She's shaking her head while grinning at me? Bakit parang ako pa ang kailangan na matakot at makinig sa kan'ya?

"No Sir, I'm afraid that I can't. From now on, I am going to every meeting with you as per what Mr. Albert has ordered me."

"Do you think this is funny? Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Your eyebrows are furrowed, while looking really mean and angry. Your voice started to sound like growling- no, not a joke. Bakit ko naman po 'yong iisipin? Nagbibiruan po ba tayo?"

"Who's orders are you supposed to follow huh?!"

"You are the CEO of the company Mr. Rui-"

"Exactly!"

"But Mr. Albert's order sounded more logical as of the moment."

That's it. That is one thing that I hate the most, being questioned. I could never tolerate someone acting higher than me. This is too far. What was I thinking yesterday?

"Miss Leyla, sa tingin mo ba talaga makakausap mo ako nang gan' yan?"

For the first time, I saw her eyes widen with shock and panic. Serves her right.

"You are not being reasonable right now., you're being very disrespectful."

She took a step back to bow down and apologize. Sakto naman ang pagpasok ni Albert at kaagad niya akong minata. Parang tinatanong kung ano ang nangyayari.

"Great! Now that you are here," I looked at Albert then focused my glare at Leyla.

"Find me a new secretary."

Albert rushed to Leyla's side. Clearly shocked with my statement. At talagang nagbulungan pa silang dalawa habang gigil na gigil ako rito sa tabi nila. Bakit ba kasi pipili nalang siya ng secretary, 'yong mahilig pa tumaliwas sa kung ano ang sasabihin ko.

"Ano ba ang ginawa mo?"

"Sinabi ko lang naman po kung ano ang totoong naiisip ko," bulong pabalik ni Leyla.

"Stop pretending to whisper when I can hear both of you very clearly!"

Albert signaled her to leave the office which she did in a rush, she really know how to listen to him, but not to me?

"Kumalma ka nga, bakit mo kasi sinisigawan? Kita mo ba mukhang natakot sa' yo."

"She's so disrespectful! Harap-harapan pa niyang pinapamukha sa akin na ikaw ang mas papakinggan niya. She's not listening to anything that I say!"

I can't believe this, he's actually laughing at my face right now.

"Albert, f*ck off. I am not trying to ruin my entire day even more. Just f*cking find me a more suitable secretary!"

"'Wag ka kasing masyadong mainitin ang ulo, explain it to me."

"I want her to hand over to you the documents for the meeting. And she lectured me on how she's not doing that because your orders are more reasonable that mine."

Albert smirked and tapped my on the shoulder.

"We talked about this Mr. Rui, she's coming with you on every meeting from now on. I'm leaving this friday, Rui you know that she's capable of doing an excellent job here, you're just trying to brush her off. Be honest with me, bakit?"

That's right, he's leaving. What choices do I have left, really?

"Can you just find me a male secretary at least?"

"Leyla is amazing. She's working very efficiently, and she's only been here for a day! At kahit na babae siya, wala kang kahit anong reaction-"

"And that's the problem!"

Hindi ko na mapigilan ang inis. I buried my face on the palm of my hands, as Albert is trying to talk some sense into me.

"Malaking pagbabago ito sa' yo, actually boss, mas maganda pa nga kung mag- stay ka nang mas malapit sa kan' ya."

"Do you know how terrifying this is for me? She's very different from the other women, what if I get used to it, then one day I instantly became susceptible to her as well? It will instantly kill me for sure!"

"Stop thinking that way, hindi ka pa nga nagtatagal na kasama siya, sa future na kaagad ang bato ng utak mo. Advance ka rin mag-isip no? Future niyo na ang iniisip mo!"

"Shut up, this is not funny at all!"

"I'm being serious! Hindi mo naman kailangan na isipin ang mga ganoon kalalang ending kung hindi pa nga nagsisimula ang istorya," he said.

"But this is not what I want, I don't enjoy being terrified."

"You are doing it again," he said. "You are always scared to trust."

"I am, you know that I am."

He is right, of course I am. Trust is something that is too powerful, too scary, too difficult to hand out to people.

I hate how I can see a small glimpse of hope because of the new girl.

"Trying is not that hard, what if it all works out in the end?"

"If it does, I would never know. I am not really interested in finding out."

"Mr. Andrews-"

"Albert, my meeting is coming up. Please get the documents ready."

I heard his loud sigh, hindi niya nagustuhan ang pag-iwas ko sa malalim na usapan namin. This is just too much for me. I don't like where it is going.

The only option plausible in my mind right now is getting rid of her. Stay away from her at least.

A loud knock on the door stopped me from reading some business proposals. Looking up, I saw her worried face peeking in. She looks scared.

I really scared her off big time huh? Why do I feel bad?

"What?" pasigaw na tanong ko sa kan' ya. Mukhang nagulat siya dahil bigla siyang napatalon palabas ulit ng pinto.

Cute. What the f*ck did I just...

"Mr. Rui, it's time for the meeting."

"What? I can't really hear you from there!"

Dahan- dahan siyang sumilip ulit para malumanay na sabihan ako.

"Time for the meeting Sir," she's not looking at me now.

"Who's coming to the meeting with me?" maybe now she actually listens.

"I am Sir,"

"What the-"

"I can't locate Mr. Albert, he left the building and never came back."

"That bastard, he's really forcing me into this huh?"

"Ano po 'yon?"

Hindi ko na sinagot ang tanong niya, at naglakad nalang ako papunta sa kan' ya.

Lavender, she smelled like lavender.

"Si-Sir Rui?"

"Hmm?"

"Sir, ano po ang..."

"Oh, I apologize."

What the heck Rui, that's very embarrassing! Why do I have to act like a f*cking dog. Sniffing her neck so closely. God!

Ngayon ako naman ang hindi makatingin nang diretso sa kan' ya. Why the hell did I do that? The f*ck Rui?

It's the scent. That's it, the scent. Yes, you grew up with that scent to keep you calm and relaxed, you're just drawn to it because of the nostalgia, that's all. Stop putting much into it.

"Do I smell bad?" I heard her soft voice ask me. Napalingon ako sa kan'ya. Because of out height difference, I can only stare at the top of her head when she hides her face while looking down at her perfectly fitted red suit and slacks.

"No, you smell quite nice-uhh, it's fine I mean."

"O-Ohhh?" wait, why the heck did she react like that?

"Why did you say it like that?"

"Like what Sir?"

I swear, she sounded like she's teasing me or something.

"Forget it. Let's head out to the meeting room."

"So you like lavenders?"

"You know what, drop it Leyla."

"Got it!"

Mabuti naman at madali siyang kausap ngayon. Mukhang pinakinggan niya nga ako. Thank freaking goodness!

"Theoretically, if someone bought you a nice lavender scented candle, will you forgive them?"

I did not respond but smirked at her question.

"Asking for no reason at all Sir, will you not get mad at the person if they gift you two lavender scented candles, maybe even some hand lotions-"

"No, you can't bribe me with those. If you still continue to get under my skin, I will fire you in an instant."

"No- wait, no! Sir, hindi ko naman po sinabi na ako... pero kasi 'yong pagkakasinghot niyo talaga kanina, enjoy na enjoy eh. Parang may chance na maging bargaining chip ko 'yon-"

"Drop it."

"Got it! Understood, Sir!"