Along With The Odds

Chapter 2- Rendezvous

"Yesha, have you passed it already ?"

"Yes, ma'am. We're just waiting for their call to know if they'll accept you."

"Okay, as soon as you got the call , update me." pinutol ko na ang tawag at hindi na hinintay pa ang sagot ng aking sekretarya. Nagdirediretso ang lakad ko palabas ng airport atsaka pumasok sa loob ng kotseng nag-aabang sa pagdating naming magkapatid.

"Ate, are you sure about this?" si Gayle ay pitong taon pa lamang ng nangyari ang trahedyang iyon sa aming pamilya. And now, after 14 years, she now grew as beautiful as our mom. But, the grudge in my heart is still here, and nothing will ever make it leave inside me unless I've successfully done my plan.

"Never been sure, Gayle." sagot ko sa tanong ng aking kapatid. After the incident, our father threw us in US and forced us to live with our aunties and uncles abroad. But before that, I was able to go to military school and graduated. Samantala, sa US na nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral si Gayle bago kami bumalik dito sa Pilipinas. Gayle  pursued business management there while I studied again in US and took business management as well. Although I know that this plan of mine might lose the trust of my fellow countrymen, or mapawalang bisa ang pinag-aralan ko due to the repercussions, I will still do it, for the sake of my late mother, and justice, that was long delayed due to the asshole's power and money.

Our life in US was not that perfect, especially that we're both mourning because of the loss of our mom. We are also deeply mad to the person who is behind this, but, Gayle's heart is too soft to maintain the anger in her heart. While studying abroad, I find time to investigate the whereabouts of my mother's murderer. With the help of my uncle, we were able to track the life of Mr. Archiragon Rolen, a business tycoon, the killer.

My plan is to apply as the bodyguard of his son, Aruedin Rolen para manmanan ang kanyang ama. Because just like his father, Aruedin is a prodigy in business and he's the one who is managing their chains of hotel at the age of 26. Well, sakto rin namang his men was not enough to guard him because he doesn't want too much guards beside him kaya naman, his father is looking for a person who can do the job of ten men. That's why it's easy for me to apply myself as his bodyguard for my undeniable skills in shooting and face to face combat.

Pagkarating namin sa mansion ay umakyat na ako sa aking kwarto at gayon rin naman si Gayle. Dahil nga alam naman ng aming mga tauhan ang aming pagdating ay nalinisan na ng maids ang buong bahay at nalabhan na ulit lahat ng mga naiwan ko ditong damit. I took a shower and wear the most comfortable clothes I have in the closet, cotton shorts and shirt. Pagkatapos ko magbihis ay sumalampak na ako sa aking kama at natulog na.

I woke up from the ringing of my phone. Sinulyapan ko ang wall clock sa tapat ng aking kama, it's already 6 am. Agad ko namang sinagot ang aking telepono at itinapat sa aking tenga.

"Ms. Reesha, sorry for the early call but Mr. Archiragon himself had confirmed your resume a while ago. He wants you to report in his son's office right away."

"Okay, I'll be there."

"Okay, ma'am. I'll update him. Thank you." atsaka niya ibinaba ang tawag.

Bagama't hindi pa lubusang nakakapagpahinga ang aking katawan ay bumangon na ako at dumiretso sa banyo at naligo. After taking a bath, I applied lotion all over my body and dried my hair using my blower. I also applied light make up into my face and put up my nude matte lipstick. I wear a fit off shoulder dress and my cream stiletto and I'm good to go.

Bumaba na ako sa aking kwarto saka lumabas ng bahay. Pumara na lamang ako ng taxi sa labas ng aming bahay saka nagpahatid sa company ng mga Rolen. Pagkarating ay nagbayad ako ng isang libo sa driver at nagdire-diretso na papasok ng building without minding the call of the driver for I forgot my change. Pagkapasok ko ay lumapit agad ako sa front desk at tinanong ang office ni Mr. Aruedin Rolen, my boss.

"Are you Ms. Mendez madam?" nakangiting baling ng babaeng nasa front desk.

"Yes, where can I found your boss?"

"Please present first your valid ID ma'am to confirm your identity." agad ko namang pinakita sa kanya ang ID ko atsaka niya tiningnan iyon.

"Ms. Mendez, Mr. Aruedin is in the fifth floor of this building, just approach the guard when you get there. I already updated the guard to guide you in going to Mr. Aruedin's office, ma'am. "

Ngumiti naman ako ng kaunti sa babae atsaka naglakad na papuntang elevator. Pagkabukas ng elevator ay sumakay na ako at pinindot ang fifth floor. The moment I get off from the elevator, ay sinalubong na ako ng guard.

"Ma'am dito po tayo. Wala pa po dito si Mr. Aruedin sapagkat siya'y dumalo sa isang pagpupulong ng lahat ng stockholders ng kumpanyang ito. Pakihintay na lamang po siya, Ma'am." atsaka ako inalalayan papasok sa isang double door na made of glass. Pagkapasok ko ay sinalubong ako ng isang malaki at maaliwalas na opisina. The walls in front are all made of glass that able you to see how beautiful the city in a bird's eye view. Meron ding parang mini living room sa isang gilid na may center table na may nakapatong na vase with freshly arranged flowers. Samantalang ang table naman ni Mr. Aruedin ay punong puno ng folders but properly arranged on one side of his table. His office is simple, relaxing, and I love the ambiance. The guard guided me into the sofa and made me sit on one of the corners of the sofa. Tahimik nya namang inexcuse ang kanyang sarili saka lumabas na ng office.

Habang nag-eenjoy ako sa aking nakikita sa mga gamit niya sa office ay biglang bumukas ang pinto at bumungad sa akin ang isang lalaki. He got this pointed nose, deep and enchanting eyes, a clean cut hair,  malantik din ang kanyang mga pilik mata, tan ang kanyang kulay at matipuno ang katawan, to make it short, he's handsome, malayo sa itsura ng taong paghihigantihan ko.

Agad akong tumayo pagkapasok niya to pay respect. Saglit nya akong tinapunan ng tingin saka dumiretso sa table nya at umupo sa kanyang swivel chair.

"I believe you're the one being talked about by my secretary and my father. Are you the bodyguard, miss?" tanong niya gamit ang naaasar na tono.

"Yes, I am, Mr. Aruedin." saka ko siya binigyan ng pilit na ngiti.

"Come join me here, miss." saka siya nagpakawala ng malalim na hininga.

Lumapit ako sa lamesa niya saka umupo sa upuang nasa tapat niya. Inayos ko ang damit kong tumaas ng konti saka ko binalik ang titig sa mga mata ng boss ko.

"Let me be honest with you, miss. Well, I.. wait! By the way, I kept on adressing you with miss, what's your name, miss?"

"Mendez, Reesha Mendez."

"Okay, Mendez, Ms. Mendez, I don't really need a bodyguard. Mr. Archiragon only insist that for safety, but as far as I can remember, there's no danger in my life, and if there is, I can handle myself." paliwanag nya habang nakatitig sa aking mga mata. Pagkatapos magsalita ay pinaikot nya ang kanyang swivel chair saka pinagsalikop ang kanyang mga kamay at inilagay sa baba ng kanyang baba.

Umayos ako ng upo saka nagcross legs at tumingin sa kanya with confidence. I let out a small chuckle and met his blazing eyes with a sarcastic smile.

"To tell you frankly, Mr. Aruedin, I am employed by your father and if he told me that he don't want me anymore I will go. I'm staying not because I care for you " atsaka sya tiningnan mula ulo hanggang paa atsaka pabalik sa kanyang mga mata. " ...or particularly enjoy your company, but because... never mind." and then I showed my sweet smile to him.

Nakita ko ang pag igting ng kanyang mga panga at niluwagan ang kanyang tie. Saka siya matalim na tumitig sakin at dahan-dahang ngumisi ng nakakaloko.

"A man guarded by a woman, really? No thanks, I can handle myself."

"You don't know what I can do, Mr. Try me first before judging my skills."

"Okay then, you can start now. Stay in that sofa, and never mind my business."

"Sure." tumayo na ako sa pagkakaupo at nagdire diretso papunta sa sofa. Pagkaupo ko'y bigla siyang nagsalita.

"Are you going to protect me with that piece of fabric on your body, Mendez?" tanong nya sakin habang mukhang stress na stress na sa nangyayari sa kanyang buhay.

"Ahuh." sagot ko sa kanya habang hindi pa rin tinatanggal ang nang-aasar kong ngisi.

Inalis nya ang titig sa akin atsaka nagpakawala ng isang malalim na buntong hininga at ibinalin na ang tingin niya sa kanyang mga paperworks sa kanyang lamesa at nagpatuloy na sa trabaho.

Pagkaupo ko'y saka ko inalis ang aking pekeng mga ngiti and maintained my bitchy face. Let the games begin, Rolen.