Dela Merced Series #1: Broken Affection

I'm on my swivel chair, rolling around when a knock resounded at the door. I stopped what I am doing and formally arrange my physical appearance, I also pick up a stuck of papers on my desk, feigning to finished the piles. "Come in," The doorknob twisted and my secretary came in. She partially bowed her head after closing the door. "Madame, good morning." she greeted before walking towards me with those hesitant steps and cautious smile. She was too careful for her own sake. "Here's their entries for the interior designing, the theme is old-fashioned with a sprinkle of modern youthness." she informed while I was busy skimming thru the folders. The further I reach the bottom, the deep my stress lines are visible. "What the heck is this? Is this some kind of a mockery?" "What kind of fuckery is this?!" "Hell! Is this what you called a professional inter designer?" "These one looks cheap but pleasing to the eyes, while these one is a bit overboard.." "Are they truly professional to their field? are they taking these seriously?" "What the heck!? What is this kind of s**t?" "Why is this children- related stuff kind of a theme?" "All of these works– ridiculous and newbie!" I slammed the folder down angrily. Meh. These work is stressing me out. I blew a sigh and massage my temple. "Throw all this shits to trash!" I gestured my hands to the piles of folders that were messily scattered at the desk. My secretary, Tiara, looks shocked. Just for a moment, her eyes widen and mouth hanging open but she immediately compose herself upon seeing my glare. "B-but, Madame, you weren't finish —" I gave her a heated stare. "Just do what I say, Tiara." Tiara could only gulped and nod before she clean up the mess. "R-right away, Madame!" she was halfway when I called her again. Tiara stopped and turn to look at me. With her serious face, you wouldn't realize that she is slightly trembling.. but even just a smalles things, I can pick it up. "Yes, Madame? do you want anything?" "Could you please buy me one cup of spanish latte and two chocolate–flavored croissants?" I purse my lips. staring at her monotonely. She blinked before nodding. "Sure, Madame, anything else?" "nope. nothing else," "Right away. if you'll excuse me.." she was obviously shaking when leaving my office. She looks tensed and a little bit afraid. Am I that scary? as far as I know, I'm a charming and stunning mademoiselle. So, what is she afraid of? Tiara Rosale has been my secretary eversince I have inherited these company. For almost six years that we were acquaintances, she would always be tense and anxious around me. I would consider her behavior as a prey. A very pretty prey. Until now, she is always like that to me. I didn't point out again when I had tried to– it will always lead me to an unfortunate situation: Her being unconscious. Tho, in the process I consider her as a friend and i know she did too. I figure out that sometimes I look so intimidating so I pretty much ease it up. I am owning a lavish chains of interiors, hotels, casino and a restaurants. All of them produces and has been making a high caliber products. Long before, I inherited this business. *Tililititit* oh! I was daydreaming. it has to be my tired brain cells thag wants to sleep. Lazily, picking up the phone call of my personal call. "Hello? May I know who is this?" "oh my.. Dear cousin! don't you remember?" a male voice answered. It was husky and smooth like a velvety. My whole body jerked awake! it was as if the man, the voice is the electricity/lightning itself. Running through my veins and lighting me up. "Are you for reall?? Zandrew? is this you?" I can't believe it! my long distance relative pecularly my cousin is in contact! "Wow! can't believe you forgot someone like me? I am offended. The Great Zandrew is forgotten by someone –" I cut him off. Before his airhead will popped off, he will become a dumb, idiotic, ass, cousin of mine. "I miss you, cousin." A sudden silence filled the both of us. His quirky attitude and teasing voice had gone down the drained, all that was left by is a dead silence. An awkward long pause, it was like we are inside a small enclosed are where your voice echoes and you said something embarrassing that was hear by everyone and they all looked at you. All of them were quiet. There's no noise and you can clearly hear the pin-dropping silence. That is what I am feeling right now! I'm embarrassed. s**t. Is it too early to say? was it wrong timing? oh s**t– I should have not say – "Ohohoho, did I hear it right? did you say the word I miss you, my gorgeous, handsome and head-turning cousin? oh shii– you finally admitting it ya–" "Hey! I did–" "oh,you said now! Hahahaha," and now he was laughing. I can't helped but to also feel relieved. at least, he had a way out of an awkward situation. "But didn't you just say–" "Shut it, Zandrew!" "Just kidding!" we were bantering within the last 15 minutes, counter attacking each comebacks with our own wits.. it was fun until he opened up another topic. "How have you been lately, En?" The light atmosphere that was surrounding us a moment vanished. placed by a tranquil ambience, a melancholic serenity atmosphere.. "I-i'm good, I guess.. you see I manage an empire!" I said with a fake laughter but he did not even laughed. My laughter died down immediately. Even if how much trying I did for the past years, the unresolved conflicts will always haunting me down. "it was difficult.. when they died. I felt like my world was ripping apart. They were the only family I had back then.. my siblings were not there. They weren't on my side where I needed them most. I was alone. No one to share the pain, the comfort that I have finding. Their words to encourage me and nothing to held me up when I was at my lowest... But now, here I am. After sinking at the bottom of an abyss where I have nothing but my own self. I thrive hard, lifted my self-up even if it is too hard for me. Many times that I had fell, I will always lift my self up and come back stronger." When life f***s you up, you just need to f**k it off. Remind yourself that. "wow.. that was a tearful, inspiring story from you, En! many people would be encouraged to be like you!" Zandrew's always the mood maker. even if the situation is too dire, he would always make a side comments just to either calm or worsen the situation. The result would always be the latter. of course it is Zandrew, what do I expect from him? "Ew, stop making people cloning me. They should have their own identity," "Thats not what I meant!" Zandrew defended. His voice is one of those person who were neither offended or sarcastic. "sure you do," That was also the cue for Tiara to come in along with Zandrew's farewell. "Talk to you next time, En-en! still busy here in Russia so I'll schedule our talk with Zandrew again!" "sure thing." "so dry.." "f**k off." stretching my body who fell into a sleepless dream, I saw Tiara careful placing the tray with my foods. "Here's your latte and croissant, Madame. Enjoy," I wasn't paying attention to her. Too busy drooling on my favorite food not until something caught my eyes. I shifted my eyes on Tiara that was about to turn her back on me. "Wait, what's that?" I ask, my eyes pointing at the thing she's holding. She looks dumbfounded for a moment. "Wh-whats, Madame?" she looks terrified. poor little Tiara. "The thing you're holding," "Ohhh.." A sighed of relief " Yeah, Ohh. so what is that?" it looks like rolled something just to keep it hidden in the eyes. But not on me. it caught my attention. "This, Madame?" she waved a rolled something in between her index and thumb finger. I raised my eyebrows. silently prodding her on what it is. "ahh.. this is a resume, Madame. pinapasabi nga daw ng may-ari na hanggat pwede ay huwag isabi sa iyo. Pero dahil ay loyal at faithful ako sayo, ay sinabi ko." pinagkrus ko ang mga daliri ko at humalumababa. Eyeing Tiara with smiling face and a wicked eyes feigning those innocence on my eyes. "That is a very good behavior and trait, Tiara. you should influence it to others. Keep it up," Tiara suddenly went from a rigid stone to a blushing mess. Jackpot! Tiara is someone who likes to be praised and patted for all I know. so I would take this as an advantage. "May i know who owns that papers?" Tiara suddenly hesitated. "Ahhm... Madame! we will be breaking rules here.. hehe," alanganin siyang ngumiti sakin. Pinagtaasan ko naman siya ng kilay. "I am the one who made the rules, noh? as long as it may concern towards our company, I can bend it." She paled. Her lips were trembling and hands are shaking while giving me the rolled paper. What's the issue? Mabilis ko iyong hinablot at binuksan. But i was stunned for a moment nang makita ang contents neto. It was a resume of a woman. Someone whose I am very familiar with. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa papel habang ngingisi-ngisi. "Is she applying for–" "Y-yee..s Madame!" "Hire her." "H-huh? Agad-agad?" Binigyan ko sya nang matalim na tingin. "Do what i said. If you don't want to be replaced." Leaning back on the swivel chair, I sip on my latte and took a bite of my croissant. Thinking about something that would make that woman life a living hell here. She's the woman, who took everything away from me. The one who plotted my downfall and the one who leaves a deep scar on my heart... I've been searching for years and now that she's here. Isn't she aware? Or is it the Karma's gift for me to avenge my scornful revenge.