HUGS #3 Hades Luke Martin (God Of The Underworld) -Completed

Chapter 4 -Years Full Of Sadness

High & Untouchable Gods Society

Hades Luke Martin

GOD OF THE UNDERWORLD

written by: Blackrose

Chapter 4 -Years Full Of Sadness

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Hades Luke

The time I stepped inside my office, that's the time I release a deep and heavy breath. My mind is so clogged. I went straight to my office bar and hastily pour myself a hard drink. After filling half of my glass, agad ko itong ininom. The liquor scorch my throat, the rush of heat rolls down in me that made me close my eyes. Her features lingers in my mind. How she moves her lips when she speaks, how she stand infront of me with a certain crisp and confidence, how her eyelashes flutters when she somewhat smirks and smiles.

'f**k!!' I harshly put down the glass I am holding. 's**t!!!' I can't help but still feel helplessly attractive to her and also so frustrated. Here she is, so close to me yet I can't even hold her close to me or even be friendly to her. I quickly grab the bottle of liquor and pour another amount on my glass. Pumasok si Michelle with my cup of coffee that I've forgotten already na nagpatimpla nga pala ako because my mind is so preoccupied of her. After Michelle left my office, I remove my coat and loosen up my tie. Abruptly, I settle down at my chair and massage my upper nose bridge.

Until now, she still has an affect on me. The way she glance at me kanina sa interview, hindi ko inaasahan na susulyapan niya lang ako. I thought she'll stare at me dahil iyon rin ang gusto kong gawin kanina to her. Ni hindi nagtagal ng one minute ang tingin niya sa akin. Her eyes bores undefined seriousness that she didn't seem to know me and that I am somewhat foreign to her. It hurts. Her seriousness, her eyes that shows lack of interest at me, her shallow yet dauntless blue eyes breaks my broken heart even more. Sabagay, I don't have the right to demand for her attention even more to get mad at her coldness dahil ako ang nakipaghiwalay sa kanya noon, ako ang nagtulak sa kanya palayo sa akin noon. So I don't have an inch of a right to feel this way and she have all the right to feel that way.

I pour another amount of liquor in my glass and downed it instantly. Before I can pour another one, my phone rings. When I glance on it, Li is calling me.

'What?!' I said upon placing my phone at my right ear.

'Whoa!! How rude can your greetings be, man!!' I exhaled harshly. 'And what's with the heavy breathing?! Have you awaken on the wrong side of your bed today, Martin?!'

'f**k you singkit!! What do you want?!!'

'Chill man!! You on your monthly period?! Hahahahaha!!'

'Damn you!! Anong kailangan mong gago ka?!!'

'Chill man!! Tss!! I've called to ask you if our meeting on Friday will push through! Baka hindi tuloy because wala pang confirmation sa email ko!'

'Tuloy! 6:30!'

'Do you have a problem man?!! Get laid!! Baka kulang ka lang sa release!'

'I'm good man! I'll hang up, see you soon.' I didn't wait for his response, agad kong pinindot ang end button.

Weeks had passed faster than the usual. I've been busy with the preparation of the opening and the launching of HLM High Rise. All slots for my employees are filled except for one, isang employee na lang ang kulang ko. Nag-back out kasi ang cousin ni Klein who was supposed to be one of my frontdesk personnel, nagkataon pang pinahinto ko na ang job expo that's why I lack one more. After the meeting with one of my prospective client at a nearby coffeeshop here at Gatepath Mall, bumaba na ako sa ground floor. Pagtingin ko sa right side ng mga stalls at the ground floor, I saw a familiar woman who is sitting at one of the benches in between the stalls.

'Hazel.' I called her once pero mukhang hindi niya ako narinig kaya I called her again and this time ay narinig at nakita niya ako. I smile at her and approach her, sitting beside her on a steel bench. 'How are you? I didn't thought I'd see you here.'

'Eto, pagod. Naghahanap ako ng pwedeng mapagtrabahuhan, wala na kasi ako sa Club Zero. Nagpapahinga lang ako, kanina pa kasi ako naglalakad.' she smile half-heartedly at me.

Hazel is the main event girl that I've hired for Reiz's stag party. That's why I knew her. And did I heard it right? Naghahanap siya ng work? Is this my lucky day or what?! I smile back at her.

'Really? I'm needing a frontdesk personnel at my newly built condotel. Baka gusto mong mag-apply sa akin?'

'Talaga? Saan located ang condotel mo? Sana malapit lang dito para hindi magastos sa pamasahe.' now she smile genuinely at me.

'Just across this Mall actually, HLM High Rise. The operation will start next week, I am rushing for staffs and ang kulang ko na lang is one frontdesk personnel. Nag-back out kasi ang isa who is supposedly to fill the position. You want to give it a try, Hazel?' I hope she say yes para matapos na ang problem ko with regards staffing.

'High school lang ang natapos ko Mr. Martin. Qualify ba ako dun?'

'You knew how to speak english naman siguro? And some knowledge at computer? Basic lang naman ang knowledge na needed sa computer as a frontdesk personnel, encoding lang and filings. So you want? Para hindi na ako mahirapan maghanap Hazel. Take the job I'm offering you. 8 hours of working lang naman, either morning, afternoon or night shift. I need 3 frontdesk personnels for the shiftings. Overtimes are paid double and holidays also. May restday rin and with benefits. Follow me if you want the job, Hazel. Come.' I stand and start to walk away. I wish she'll follow me so that I won't have to worry and also spare Beverly from searching someone to fill the slot.

I smirk when I see her walk beside me, we walk towards the exit of the Mall with my bodyguards. When we reach the blue building of HLM High Rise, I walk pass the security guards and head to the elevator. We went at the 16th floor. Dito ang magiging office ng mga managers, Human Resources Departments and Supervisors. Nandito rin ang office ng Security Personnels.

'Cher.' I called her without even glancing at her.

'Mr. Martin?' she approaches us kaya napatingin ako sa kanya. She's wearing a black blazer with white undershirt and a red necktie, her skirt is also black. Its hem is a few inches above her knees and she isn't wearing any stockings. I look at Hazel.

'Hand me your resumé, Hazel.' she modestly hand it to me then I hand it to Cher. 'Hazel here will be part of our team. She'll be the last frontdesk personnel na makakasama pa ng first two on the list.' I glance at Cher, she on the other hand is looking at Hazel. 'I want you to include her at the orientation tomorrow and to trained her personally, every details that she must know.'

'Yes, Mr. Martin.' she look at me then smile.

Oh f**k!! Don't smile at me please, honey. I'll hate myself kung sisirain ko mismo ang pader na tinayo ko sa pagitan natin for 7 years just to protect you. I might show you how I truly feels if you keep on smiling at me like that, honey. I force myself na alisin ang tingin ko sa kanya, I switch my eyes at Hazel and smile at her sweetly instead.

'She's a very good friend of mine, Cher. I am against discrimination and you know that very well. So I expect that respect is given rightfully to everyone of my employees.'

I am so sorry for treating you this way, honey. I have to be rude to you para hindi ka lumapit sa akin. This is for your own safety.

'Yes, Mr. Martin.' I summoned all my strenght to stay serious and poker face sa harap niya.

'If there will be leaks that someone is making Hazel's stay here hard for her, it will be your head that I will cut. Understood Cher?'

I'm sorry honey. Forgive me for saying this to you.

'Y-Yes Mr. Martin.' napatingin ako sa kanya when she stutters. Her face is still emotionless but her eyes are weary. Ayokong mag-isip kung bakit siya nautal at bakit ganyan ang expression ng mga mata niya, I don't want to assume that she is affected with what I just said.

'She'll be here tomorrow at 8 in the morning for the orientation of all our personnels, expect her appearance tomorrow. I want you to keep an eye on her personally and prepare 3 sets of uniforms for her, hand it to her tomorrow.' I roam my eyes at Hazel's body, alam ko kung ano ang sukat ng katawan niya because I've seen her wearing just an undergarments. 'I guess small will fit her.' then I smile playfully at Hazel.

'Yes Mr. Martin.'

'Let's go Hazel.' I start to walk away, hindi ko matagalan ang pagiging masyadong malapit ni Cher sa akin. My body might traitor me kung hahayaan kong madikit pa sa kanya. Hanggang nakakapagtimpi ako, iiwasan ko siya. 'Let's have coffee, I'll brief you with regards to your salary."

'Oh-kay.' Hazel answered back.

We went at the basement of my building. Here, you can see different stalls and establishments that caters foods, refreshments and stuffs. We enter at Starbucks and ask one of my bodyguards to order for us. We sat at a table beside the glass window. We talk and I brief her with regards the things that she has to know. Nabanggit ko rin sa kanya na ex ko si Cher. After briefing her, napunta ang usapan namin sa kaibigan kong si Li at sa kanya. I am intrigue of Li's actions nowadays kaya inusisa ko siya. She also told me her family background and her status in life. Hazel is a breath of fresh air, siguro kaya niya nakuha ang attention ni singkit. She is something and I know that we will get along.

Cherish Athena

The moment he stepped out of the elevator ay nakita ko na kaagad siya. Who wouldn't? Eh lahat ng gamit dito sa 16th floor is made of fiber glass. Mula dividers to desks to panels, only our rolling chairs ang hindi. Saka lahat ng mga babaeng kasama ko ngayon ay nakatingin rin sa kanya. I can't help but to also look at the woman who is behind him now. Who is she? She is beautiful in the simpliest form of it. She's simple but her angelic face will captivate every man, she also have a thin waist na parang hour glass. Never in my entire life have I felt insecure of any women because I knew myself so well and I knew how beautiful my features are. But seeing him now na may kasamang ibang babae which is the first time I saw him with someone that is not his staffs ay hindi ko maalis na mag-isip ng kung anu-ano. Kung sino ba ang babaeng ito sa buhay niya? At kung ano ba ang meron sa babaeng ito na wala sa akin? Kung bakit siya kasama ngayon ni Luke and they look so close? Nang tinawag ako ni Luke ay dali-dali akong lumapit sa kanila kahit pa I felt a bitter aftertaste from the way he called me.

Bakit? Did you expect him to call you by your endearment just like before? -kutya ng isang bahagi ng isip ko sa akin.

The woman's name is Hazel and by the way he speak now ay mukhang close nga sila ng babaeng ito. Mas na-confirm ko pa na close nga sila when he said that she is a good friend of his.

Friends nga lang ba sila? Or his girlfriend? -paasar na tanong sa sa'kin ng isang bahagi ulit ng isip ko.

Nautal ako sa pagsagot when he said that it's my head that he will cut if someone treat Hazel badly while she is working here. So this woman is really something for him, siguro nga girlfriend niya ang isang ito. Kinuyom ko ang mga kamay ko na nasa likuran ko and I bite my tongue when I saw him roam his eyes at Hazel's body as if scanning her. My jaw drop when he said her uniform size. Ginagawa niya sa akin noon yan kapag hinahanapan niya ako ng damit or brassieres, he knew my body size. Mabuti na lang at hindi niya ako tinignan at nakatingin rin si Hazel sa kanya dahil I don't know if I can hide this unwanted jealousy na nararamdaman ko ngayon. I thought wala na, akala ko tapos na pero right now ay alam kong hindi pa pala tapos ang lahat. I still pull myself together and mask the ache I am feel, I smile back at Hazel when she smile at me. Nang makaalis na sila at nakasakay na sa elevator ay mabilis akong nagtungo sa bag ko saka mabilis na nagpunta sa restroom.

I tried to compose myself parin habang naglalakad papunta sa restroom. Pagpasok ko ng restroom ay agad akong humarap sa mirror only to find out that I am crying na pala. My lips shakes uncontrollably at patuloy na tumutulo ang mga luha ko.

's**t! Cher! Compose yourself!'

Imbes na kumalma ako ay mas lalo pang sumama ang pakiramdam ko. My tears continues and my shoulders starts to shake. I start to move away from the mirror at sumandal ako sa frost glass wall. Akala ko ay okay na ako, akala ko ay tapos na ako dito pero ngayon na makita ko siyang nakapag-moved on na talaga and he seemed happy now with his life... Hindi pa pala ako okay. I am just masking all the pain and sorrow para ipakita sa lahat na maayos na ako after all these years.

Naalala ko noon, the night after he left me all alone at the basement of my condominium. After he said that he is breaking up with me, naalala ko kung paano ako kainin ng lungkot at sakit. I remembered clearly how I've tried to end my life by cutting my wrist and by drinking some sleeping pills. I remembered all those shed tears na hindi lang isang taon ang inabot. I've suffered so much that it took me years full of sadness before I can lift my lips and smile again. Ang tagal ng panahon na nagluksa ako sa pagkasira ng relationship namin at akala ko ay naubos ko ng lahat ang mga luhang iyon. I shut myself from everything that will remind me of him, lumayo ako ng Manila and stayed in Baguio para makalimot at maghilom ang sugat sa puso ko but I am still not totally healed pala. All along I thought I have overcame him already, all along I thought that I have surpassed the pain that he have inflicted in my heart pero mali ako. Nagkamali ako dahil ngayon napatunayan ko that he still owns my heart. Luke was my first love and my only love, I didn't have any other man after him because no one exceeds him inside my heart. Walang humigit sa kanya or pumantay man lang sa puso ko. I didn't close my heart to anyone, nagkataon lang na walang ibang nakahuli ng puso ko but him. All these years na pinilit kong kalimutan siya at ang alaala niya pero bigo ako dahil mahal ko parin siya hanggang ngayon.

Pag-out ko ng 5pm at HLM High Rise ay tumuloy ako sa PNP Detective Unit. I want to relax kaya nagpunta ako sa firing range after kong dumaan sa office ko to get some magazines. After loading my gun, wearing an ear muffs and firing goggles ay tumayo ako ng tuwid and ready myself. I aim my gun at the target paper and fired it, emptying all 8 cartridges. 7 bulls eyes over 8, not bad. I fix another set and fired around round. After doing 3 straight rounds, I got out of the firing range and went back to my office.

The following day is HLM High Rise's Orientation. I am in-charge on the first 3 months with the Frontdesk Personnels and the Housekeeping Deparment while Divinagracia is with the Security Department plus the Food and Beverage Department. We brief all the employees that are under us and get to know them first. Then we lay down their duties and responsiblities. Foods are distributed during lunch, courtesy of the owner. Kasama ko sa table si Divinagracia and those who were hired for the HRD. Sa kabilang table naman ay ang tatlong frontdesk personnels with some from the housekeeping staffs. Maya-maya pa ay bigla na lang dumating si Luke, agad kong binaba ang tingin ko and focus on my food. Sa gilid ng mata ko, I saw how he went at Hazel's table. He greeted her with warm and a smiling face, his hands are at her shoulders and I can see how Hazel's new friends are looking at them with malice. Kitang-kita ko kung paanong pinisil ni Luke ang balikat ni Hazel and smile at her when she look up at him. Biglang may bumara sa lalamunan ko and I know that it isn't because of the food because walang laman ang bibig ko. Mabilis akong uminom ng water habang sumulyap ako sa table nila Hazel. They are smiling and Luke is so close at Hazel na ang sweet na nilang tignan. I look again at my food na ngayon ay hindi na nabawasan, all of a sudden ay nawalan na ako ng ganang kumain. Sabay pa kaming napatingin ni Divinagracia when we heard laughters at their table. Luke is laughing with Hazel like he was having the time of his life.

'Mukhang close na close ang mga frontdesk personnel kay Mr. Martin. At parang may something sa kanila niyang babaeng hawak niya ang balikat, Cher.' bulong sa'kin ni Divinagracia.

'Hazel ang name niya. Kaibigan ni Mr. Martin.'

'Really? Mukhang hindi naman. Parang higit pa sa pagkakaibigan ang meron silang dalawa. Siguro girlfriend niya yang si Hazel. Sa tingin mo Cher?' muli akong tumingin sa table nila, saktong nakita ko ulit ang pagpisil niya sa balikat ni Hazel. May biglang kumurot sa puso ko at alam ko kung ano yun. I lay my utensils on top of my plate and stand up. 'Oh! Saan ka Cher?!' I saw how Luke's eyes gaze at where I am. I immediately grab my phone and fake a smile at her.

'Restroom lang ako sandali, I'll just pee.' I didn't wait for her response, I walk away from all of them and leave the conference room.

My heart is beating frantically and was mixed with the shallowness that I feel inside my stomach. Dahil sa pagmamadali ko ay hindi ko napansin ang konting basa sa flooring that made my foot slip.

'Ayyy!!' I close my eyes and waited for my fall. My body fell on something hard but warm.

'Careful now.' kahit na hindi ko alamin kung sino ang sumalo sa akin, my body especially my mind knew who he is and I knew that scent very well. He help me get up. His left hand is at my back while his right hand is at my waist. Even if I love being in his warm arms and I miss his warm embrace, mabilis akong lumayo sa kanya and fix my coat. He stood there looking at me intently. 'You're legs are exposed.' mabilis kong tinignan ang skirt ko, nakatupi ito at kalahati na lang ng hita ko ang natatakpan ng red skirt ko.

's**t!' agad kong inayos ang skirt ko. I can feel my cheeks flushing at ramdam ko rin ang pagtingin niya parin sa akin that made me even conscious. Marahas akong huminga before I walk away, leaving him without a word.

'Thank you.' his words were laced with sarcasm and amusement na nagpahinto sa paghakbang ko. Pumikit ako at huminga ng malalim before opening my eyes saka humarap sa kanya.

'I didn't ask for your help.' mahina ngunit madiin kong sagot sa kanya.

'Is that how you repay someone who saved you from hitting the cold floor? Hmm?' amusement is still present with his voice. He slightly chuckled kaya tumaas ang kilay ko sa kanya and look icily at him.

'Saved me? What the f**k! Tss!' tumalikod ako sa kanya and start walking again.

'Ang taray mo na pala ngayon.' he still sound amused. I know my face is flushed kaya hindi ko na siya tinignan pa.

'Pake mo! Tss!!' I head towards the restroom and quickly went in.

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