TYRANT BROTHERS SERIES 1: MAID FOR YOU

Kabanata 4

"HAVE YOU heard the news?" tanong ng kapatid ni Santiago na si Romano o Rome kung tawagin. Pangatlo ito sa magkakapatid at siyang pinakamalapit sa panganay na si Santiago.

"What news?" Santi asked in a bored way while he's signing some documents. Rome is sitting on the visitor's chair, busy throwing a tennis ball in the air.

"That Papa will not let us inherit anything once he dies. He's gonna give all the money to charities." Umismid ito. "Maybe he thought donating his wealth to charities will erase all of his sins."

Bumuntonghininga si Santiago. "I don't mind. Only Antonio will whine about it," aniya na ang tinutukoy ay ang saksakan ng sama ng ugali nilang bunsong kapatid.

That spoiled brat never learned anything useful in life anyway. Without their Dad's money, the son of a b***h will surely end up in big trouble.

Ngumisi si Romano. "Well, Martinez hates the idea as well. He thinks the money should be given to the most successful son."

Santi scoffed. His brow lifted as irritation thrummed in his system. "And he thinks he's the most qualified heir, hmm?"

Rome smirked. "Technically, he has the biggest net worth among the four of us."

Nope. Santiago's declared net worth is just ten percent of what he truly owns. His money is kept somewhere safe and will be given to his kids once they reach the right age . . . or if something bad will happen to him.

A portion of it will also go to his annoying maid. Kahit naman madalas sumakit ang ulo niya kay Neela ay balak niya rin itong ambunan ng yaman niya dahil sa maganda nitong pakikitungo sa mga bata.

Isa pa ay ulirang anak si Neela. He found out that Neela sends her entire paycheck to her family in the province. Although Santiago isn't a fan of sacrificing for others, bumibilib siya sa ugali ni Neela. Hiling niya lang na sana kahit paano ay magtira rin ito ng para sa sarili.

Santi closed the folder and put down his pen. "Here. Everything is already signed."

Dinampot ni Rome ang folder. "I'll bring it to Papa." Tumayo ito. "By the way, I'll visit Tino and Esme on Saturday." Ngumisi ito. "Pasilay na rin sa cute mong katulong."

He grunted. "For the last time, Rome. Leave the poor girl alone."

Rome scoffed. "Why? I just wanna be friends with her. She's fun to talk to."

"Kilalang-kilala na kita. Huwag si Neela ang puntiryahin mo."

Mahinang natawa ang kapatid niya. "Napaka-possessive."

Umiling-iling na lamang si Santiago. He's just looking after the girl. After all, he's fourteen years older than her. Kung tutuusin ay parang nakababatang kapatid na rin niya ito. Sadyang matindi lamang talagang magbigay ng sakit ng ulo dahil may kakulitang taglay.

Hindi naman ito ganoon noong una ngunit nang masanay na sa kanya ay lumabas na ang kakulitan. He gets it. Neela is still young. She hasn't experienced enough heartbreak that will take the childish side of her away.

Nanatili pa sa opisina niya si Santiago ng ilang oras matapos umalis ni Rome. He reviewed all the reports that were sent to him, making sure all of his businesses are running smoothly.

Nakarinig siya ng katok sa glass door. He shut his laptop and leaned on his swivel chair as he spoke.

"Come in."

His secretary walked in. "Sir, I just wanna remind you about the plant visit tomorrow."

Tumango si Santiago. "I won't forget. I'll bring my kids and Neela with me."

Napansin niya ang pag-asim ng mukha ng kanyang sekretarya. Tuwing nababanggit niya si Neela ay tila ganoon ang nagiging reaksyon nito.

Hindi na lamang niya inintindi. He put his laptop in the bag and gathered the rest of his important belongings before he stood up.

"Don't forget to do a follow up in the property we're planning to buy. If they will insist their price, tell them they can look for a new buyer," seryoso niyang sabi.

"Yes, Sir." Humabol ito sa kanyang paglabas. "Uh, Sir? Would you like to come over tonight? It's my birthday and-"

"Happy Birthday, but I'm sorry I wouldn't miss dinner with my kids to celebrate with you."

Lumamlam ang mga mata ni Secretary Peach. Tila nasaktan sa naging tugon niya. Wala namang pakialam si Santiago. She could cry all she wants and he would just look at her with a cold façade.

Tuluyan siyang dumiretso sa elevator at bumaba ng basement. Pagkalabas ng elevator ay kaagad tumakbo palapit sa kanya ang pamilyar na reporter. Sumama na naman tuloy ang mood niya. When will this reporter stop bugging him?

"Do I still have to file a restraining order against you so you'd leave me alone?" inis niyang tanong sa babae.

Ngumisi ito. "You know you don't have to do that if you think your hands are clean." Tumaas ang kilay nito. "Are they, Mr. Carbonel?"

Umigting ang panga ni Santiago. "Wala kang mapapala sa akin, Miss." Tinalikuran na niya ito saka siya naglakad nang mabilis patungo sa kanyang sasakyan ngunit talagang humabol pa ito.

"Seriously, how hard is it to say that you're not the reason of your wife's death-"

"This is the last time that I'd ever hear your f*****g voice, dahil oras na guluhin mo pa ako dahil sa lintik na scoop mo, sisiguraduhin kong walang istasyon na tatanggap pa sa'yo."

Ngumisi ang babae. "You think I'm scared, Mr. Carbonel? I made an oath-"

"No, Miss. I know who the f**k you are. You're one of those people who think that my family owes them something."

Tumaas ang kilay ng babae. "Well, don't you? My father died in that f*****g brewery, Mr. Carbonel. No. He was murdered, and I won't stop until I destroy all of you so whether I have to squeeze the truth out of you or not, I will make sure that people will know that the Carbonels are nothing but a bunch of soulless murderers."

Santiago clenched his fists as he watched the woman walk away. Pinakawalan na lamang din niya ang hangin sa kanyang dibdib nang hindi na niya ito natanaw pa.

He headed to his car and drove home. Mainit ang ulo niya dahil sa inis ngunit pagpasok ng bahay ay tila napawi ang makapal na ulap na nasa itaas ng kanyang ulo matapos marinig ang mga anak na humahagikgik.

"Mommy, endi aman tama po," si Esme.

Natanaw niya si Neela na nagkamot ng sintido. "Ang hirap namang basahin nito, Esme. Lasag-na. Kwa-son. Para akong nagiging ngongo, baby!"

Muling humagikgik ang mga bata ngunit natutok ang mga mata ni Santiago sa napakatamis na ngiti ni Neela. Tila ba nahipnotismo siyang panatilihin ang atensyon sa mga labi nitong nakakurba kaya nang bumaling ito sa kanya ay nahuli siyang nakatitig.

"Sir!" tawag ni Neela saka ito tumayo. Lumundag naman ang mga anak niya pababa ng sofa upang tumakbo palapit sa kanya.

Neela took his laptop bag so he could hug his kids. Pinaghahalikan niya ang mga bata sa gilid ng ulo saka niya sinulyapan ang kanilang katulong.

"What are you reading?" malamig niyang tanong.

"Ay, parang magazine po, Sir ng pagkain. Pinag-aaralan ko lang pong banggitin ang mga nakasulat," inosente nitong sagot.

Santiago nodded. "Let me see the words you're trying to learn."

Lumakad sila patungo sa sofa. His kids sat on each of his sides while Neela sat next to Esme. Ibinuklat nito ang magazine at itinuro sa kanya ang ilang salita na pinag-aaralan nito.

"Kruh-saant," basa ni Santiago sa unang salita.

Nalukot ang noo ni Neela. "Bakit doon sa t****k video, Sir sabi no'ng babae, Kwa-son, kwa-son."

Santiago pursed his lips while watching Neela's lips form a small o each time she's saying the second syllable. Sa likod ng isip niya'y naku-cute-an siya rito.

He drew in a sharp breath when he realized what he just thought. "Not everything you see on the internet is right, Neela. Kruh-saant. Say it."

Umayos ito ng upo na animo'y nasa graded recitation. "Kru-san."

"Again. Kruh-saant."

"Kruh-saant. Kruh-saant. Tama ba, mahal-este Sir?" Uminit ang pisngi nito habang bahagya namang naningkit ang mga mata ni Santiago. Did he just hear her call him 'mahal'?

"Yeah, you finally said it right." Tumikhim siya. "Next word."

"Eto po," she said as she pointed the next word.

"Lasahnya."

Napakunot ng noo si Neela. "Saan na napunta 'yong g, Sir?"

"You don't always have to hear each letter. Sometimes letters are replaced with another when saying it."

"Ah, parang sa pamilya. Pwedeng palitan ang isa-" She covered her lips as if she suddenly realized soomething. Maya-maya ay alanganin itong nag-peace sign habang pilit ang ngiti. "Erase-erase, Sir."

She held his head and acted as if she's massaging his temples. Tinitigan naman ito ni Santiago, naguguluhan kung ano na naman bang pinaggagagawa nito.

Hindi nagtagal ay nasarapan na siya sa ginagawa nitong paghilot. Mukhang napansin naman iyon ni Neela kaya ngumisi sa kanya ang makulit.

"Masarap akong maghilot, Sir!" pagyayabang nito.

He scoffed. "Talaga lang."

"Talagang-talaga, Sir. Gusto mo whole body pa, eh."

Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay. "Really now?"

"Opo, Sir. Swedish, Shiatzu, saka hmm hilot ala Mang Kepweng."

His brows twitched. "What the hell is hilot ala Mang Kepweng?"

"Basta, Sir. Hilot 'yon sa probinsya namin. Parang ano, freestyle gano'n." Ngumisi ito. "Hilutin kita mamaya, Sir?"

Tinaasan niya itong muli ng kilay. "Are you sure? I'm a big man. You might get tired and have a hard time getting up early tomorrow."

"Ay, naku Sir kayang-kaya kita kahit gaano ka pa kalaki!" mayabang nitong sabi ngunit parang iba ang naging dating ng sinabi nito sa isip ni Santiago.

Napahugot siya ng matalim na hininga saka niya iniwas ang kanyang tingin. Tangina. Dala yata ng katigangan kaya iba ang ideyang naglaro sa isip niya.

"Ano, Sir? Sa Kwarto mo na lang mamaya kapag tulog na ang mga bata?" Nagtaas-baba ang mga kilay ni Neela habang nakangisi.

Santiago swallowed the pool of saliva in his mouth before he stood up. "Yeah, yeah," he said in a breathy way before he walked as fast as he could, afraid that Neela would see the growing bulge inside his pants.

Napabuntonghininga siya habang niluluwagan ang kanyang necktie. That woman's innocence will surely cause him more than headaches someday . .