the CastleVille

by Lady_Lemonade_ Out of desperation to free my brother from jail and the overdue mortgage of our parent's house. I, Georgina Pitonghari entered the town's most dreaded place. The place where they think where evil resides and demon rules. The Mackelroy Castle. The town says it is haunted and a beast of a man lived in it. Where they think the spawn of Satan himself lives. Callum Mackelroy. Unbelieving with such atrocities, I once entered the castle lair and left because the resident scared the shìt out of me. And I vow never to returned again. ... but I found myself breaking my own vow and re-entering again and this time I know I cannot escape. I came willingly to be the prey of the predator. A willing victim to the beast's wrath. I might as well offered my neck for sucking to the vampire of the castle. Or open my rib for the demon to eat my heart. But I have no choice. I have to do it for my family. As I moved in, I know my death will be of two things. One, I will die of heart attack Or Two, the resident of the castle will kill me. Letseifitisnami???? Letseifitisnami???? George POV Kumawala ang malalim na buntong hininga ko habang nakatitig sa papel na naglalaman ng matagal ko ng pinangangambahan. Ito ay ang notice ng bangko na pinapaalis na kami sa aming tinitirhan dahil sa hindi na kami nakakabayad ng aming utang at kakakamkamin na ang bahay at lupa namin. I looked upward into our ceiling to control my tears from coming out of my eyes. I blink more than trice and once again took a deep breath. It all started when Papa's business partners robbed us and made a run for our money. We tried to salvage the business by loaning on banks but all went down the drain, we cant push through and we cant recover. We've gone bankrupt, penniless and now soon to be homeless. Ang sabi nga nila, when it rains, it pours. And pour it is when Gian, my younger brother got into a motor accident. We mortgaged all of our properties just to have enough money for Gian's leg operations. Even Gian's leg theraphy cause us a fortune and it was the last of our money. Dad was so devastated with everything that is happening and Mom was in shocked and in tears. I tried to be the stronger person as I arrange everything and tried to put things together and work things out. It was very hard. But we survived and now a new problem arises as I read once again the bank's notice. We are losing our home. The place where Gian and I grew up. The impossible task of thinking of ways to solve the unsolvable is wearying my head when I heard the doorbell rang. Pinagbuksan ko iyon at nakita si Aling Juana sa pinto. Marami ang ilag kay Aling Juana dahil na rin siguro nagtatrabaho ito sa mga Mackelroy. Pinang iilagan ng lahat ang sinumang may kaugnayan sa mga Mackelroy. Pero dahil pala kaibigan ang mama ko at walang pinag iilagan ay naging magkaibigan na sila ni Aling Juana. " Aling Juana, pasok ho. Napadalaw ho kayo?" Magalang kong ani "George, nariyan ba ang Mama mo?" Ani Aling Juana habang pinapalibot ang tingin sa loob ng bahay namin. " Wala pa po. Namamalengke po ata. Parating na din naman ho iyon. Ano pong atin?" Ani ko ng pumasok na si Aling Juana sa sala namin. Nakita ko ang paglungkot ng mukha ni Aling Juana at nangilid ang luha. " May ibabalita lang ako George. Si Jaime kasi, yung butler ni Master Callum. Inatake sa puso. Wala na si Jaime." Anito na ikinagulat ko. Kilala ko si Kuya Jaime, minsan kasi ay pumunta iyon dito pag humihingi ito ng tulong kay papa na maliliit na bagay na kaya naman gawin ni papa. " Ho?! Kelan pa ho?!" Gulat na bulalas ko. " Nung isang linggo lang. Ipinalibing na rin sya ni Master Callum. Wala naman kasing kamag anak si Jaime. Parang ako." Anito habang nagpapahid ng luha. Dinaluhan ko sya at hinimas ang likod. Matagal na din kasing kaibigan ni Aling Juana ang matandang binata " Pasensya ka na George, hindi na maampat ampat ang luha ko. Parang kapatid ko na kasi si Jaime." Anito at bahagyang ngumiti para lang mapagaan ang sitwasyon. " Naiintindihan ko ho Aling Juana. Condolence din po." Malungkot na aniko " Salamat George. Para na nga kaming pamilya. Kaming dalawa na lang kasi ang kakalog kalog sa kastilyo na yun. Ngayon ako na lang." Malungkot na ani Aling Juana. Sasagot na sana ako ng biglang pumasok si Mama. Napaluhang muli si Aling Juana habang nagkukwento kay mama ng mga nangyari. Iniwan ko muna sila sa sala at nagtuloy ako sa kusina para ipagtimpla si Aling Juana ng juice at gumawa ng sandwich. Nilalapag ko na ang meryenda ng marinig kong muli ang hinaing ni Aling Juana " Naghahanap din nga ako ng kapalit ni Jaime. Kailangan kasi ng secretary ni Master Callum. Pero parang walang papayag. Alam mo namang ang mga tao dito ay takot sa kastilyo at lalong takot sa nakatira doon." Ani Aling Juana na animoy namomroblema. Nanlaki naman ang mata ko ng may maisip na ideya. " Ah Aling Juana, magkano ho ba ang pasweldo sa secretary?" Aniko " Ang kay Jaime ay thirty thousand kada buwan. Pero syempre lahat kasi ay nakaasa kay Jaime. All around sya kaya ganon. Marahil malapit din doon ang ipapasweldo ni master." Anito na ikinaningning ng mata ko Wow! Thirty thousand?! We can rent an apartment with that kind of money! " Aling Juana, pwede po akong mag apply? I have a backgound in Business Administration." Umaasang aniko na ikinalingon ni mama sa akin. Animoy nagwa-warning ang mata nito. Mukhang hindi ito sang ayon sa sinabi ko. " Naku George, kaya mo kaya ang mga gawain? Baka mahirapan ka, babae ka pa naman." Nag alinlangan na ani Aling Juana " Of course I can. Malakas po ako Aling Juana. Kahit kayod kalabaw pa at walang tulugan kaya ko!" Mayabang kong sagot " George!" Animoy kabadong ani Nanay. " Mama, kailangan ko ho ng trabaho. Ilang buwan na po akong nag aapply. Wala naman pong masama kung sumubok ako sa kastilyo." Kalmang aniko " Subukan kong ipaalam kay Master Callum." Masayang ani Aling Juana na nagpabuhay din ng loob ko. Kung matanggap ako hindi man namin mabawi ang bahay ay may pang upa naman kami sa halaga na pasweldo sa kastilyo. " Pero..." Pagtutol ni Mama pero hindi nya madugtungan, halata ang pangamba sa mukha nya. " Leah, kung sakali man matanggap si George, makakaasa kang hindi sya mapapahamak. Alam mo naman na puros walang katotohanan ang balibalita." Ani Aling Juana kay Mama na ikinabuntong hininga nito. " Pag uusapan muna namin Juana. Sana ay naiintindihan mo kami, alam ko ang patakaran ni Master Callum. Hindi makakaalis si George sa kastilyo basta basta at di din namin sya madadalaw kung dun sya magtatrabaho." Ani Mama. Hindi kasi lihim na kapag nagtrabaho ka sa kastilyo ay hindi ka agad makakalabas doon. Animoy magiging preso ka sa loob ng kastilyo. Wala ring nakakatagal at lahat ng sumubok ay umuuwing animoy nababaliw. Tumango lang si Aling Juana. Alam kong hindi rin sya nagkukwento basta patungkol sa kanyang pinagsisilbihan. Loyal ito kay amo. " Ipaalam nyo agad sa akin ang magiging desisyon nyo Leah, George. Susubok din kasi ako sa bayan, baka sakaling may makatagpo akong nais ng trabaho." Ani Aling Juana at nagpaalam na sa amin. I gathered everyone at the living room and show them the bank notice. " Ma, Pa, Gian, Kailangan na nateng umalis sa bahay na ito. Pasensya na at di ko nasabi agad ito pero pinapalayas na tayo ng bangko. Alam kong wala na rin tayong ibang pagkukuhanan. Kaya kailangan kong magtrabaho sa kastilyo. Para sa sunod na buwan ay may pang upa tayo." Mahabang litanya ko na ikinasinghap ni Mama. Napailing naman si Papa at si Gian ay nanlumo naman sa balita ko. " Kasalanan ko ito! Nagkabaon baon tayo sa utang dahil saken! Kung hindi sana ako naaksidente sa motor..." Ani Gian, kita ang paghihirap sa mukha nya at ang nagbabadyang luha. "Gian! Wag mong sasabihin yan! Nagpapasalamat kami sa Diyos na kasama ka pa namin ngayon! At kung uulitin man, ganon pa din ang gagawin namin! Kahit pa isangla ko pati kaluluwa ko! Kaya wag kang mag isip ng ganyan!" Pagalit na aniko kay Gian. " Anak wag mong sisihin ang sarili mo." Ani Mama sabay yakap kay Gian. Napangiti pero malungkot pa din ang itsura ni Gian. " Kasalanan ko ito. Hindi ko kayo nabigyan ng magandang buhay. Nagpaloko ako at nagtiwala sa mga magnanakaw na iyon!" Naiiling na ani papa na ikinapilig din ng ulo ko. Halos nakakadurog ng puso ang makita si papa na naiiyak na sa sama ng loob. " Pa, wala kayong kasalanan! Wag po tayong mawalan ng pag asa. Pagsubok lang ito. Kaya naten ito, basta magkakasama tayo.." Ani ko sa kanila. Nakita ko ang pagtango nilang lahat. " Pasensya na anak." Ani Papa sabay yakap sa akin na ikinangiti ko. Sumunod naman si Mama at si Gian na yumakap. " Grabe ang drama nyo ha!" Pabirong aniko na ikinatawa nilang tatlo. " Ikaw nga itong madrama eh!" Ani ni Mama na naghalakhak pa. " At dahil Pitonghari ang apelyido naten paniguradong kayang kaya ko ang isang hari sa kastilyo!" Ani ko ng pabiro na ikinangiti ng magulang ko kahit banaag pa din ang pagkabahala sa mga mata nila. " Ate, ang corny ng joke mo! Wag ka ng uulit." Seryosong ani Gian na mas ikinatawa ng magulang ko at ikinasimangot ko naman. " Di mo lang nagets!" Nakaismid na aniko " Ate, paano yan? Hindi kaya maging katulad ka ni Aling Juana na tumandang dalaga na sa pagsisilbi doon? Wala pa namang nanliligaw dito sayo sa labas lalo na siguro pag pumasok ka doon." Ani Gian na sanhi para batukan ko sya. " Loko ka ah! Bastos ka sa ate mo! Abat talagang yan pa ang naisip mo?! Para sabihin ko sayo marami ang nagkakandarapa sa akin! Wala lang akong type sa kanila!" Aniko na ikinatawa naman ni Mama at Papa habang ngingisi ngisi si Gian " Pa, Ma wag ho kayong mag-alala! Ako na lang ho ang magpapatuloy ng ating magandang lahi." Ani pa ni Gian na ngingisi ngisi. " Abat talagang! Lumapit ka nga dito Gian Leandro! Kukutusan kita diyan eh!" Ani ko habang pilit inaabot ang nakababata kong kapatid na nagtatakbo ng paakyat sa hagdan habang nagtatawa. Si Mama at Papa ay nagtatawa na din at kahit papaano ay napangiti na din ako sa biro ng kapatid ko. Hay... Paano nga kaya?! I need lots of luck! Awesome loving it already.... George POV I am now standing at the highest brass gate I have ever seen. The gate has wild vines coiled into it making a dilapidated and uninhabited look. The first thing you can notice is the chimera statue, a lion with eagle wings, that is at the top of each post in their most sinister form, maybe it was put there to scare whoever wanted to enter the castle. I gulped my fear and tried to make a courageous step with my wobbly legs. How stupid is it that I am not yet inside the castle and yet I felt an intense fear already. I pushed the rusty old gate and walk the leafy path towards the huge castle. Even the whole castle has an eerie vibe in it. The mossy walls with some spikey vines that crawl tall gives me the creeps. The small glass windows in the whole house was almost too dark it loose its purpose of being a window. I looked up and saw the stone statue of the same chimera I saw on the gate but this time it is much bigger and sinister looking with the lions' mouth agape and wings spread wide. I felt a spine-chilling shiver runs through me as I take in sight the whole castle. It is really fearsome and without a doubt the most spooky place I have ever been in. The whole castle just screamed of horror. I wouldnt even be shocked if the place is really haunted like what the town folks says. I sighed as I recall the news circulating around the Mackelroys. It is said that they are of royal blood anchestors of some royal prince of England. Rumors says that the prince fell inlove with a filipina and married her and thus built a castle for her. They are too withdrawn and private of their own that a few people have the liberty to see them. Their descendant is Callum Mackelroy, the only living Mackelroy. But the most controversial story about them is Callum's grandparents and parents. They were all killed in the fire four years ago. No one lives except Callum Mackelroy. Town folks says that Callum was the one to blame. People says he is insane and that is why he burnt his family to ashes. Some story says he killed them all first then burn their bodies to cover up murder. Other story says he was also caught in the fire and burnt and he is now looking and acting like the monster that he is. A lot of version was circulating about Callum Mackelroy, and those stories are enough for people to stay away from him, fear him, hate him and some curse him. But the town cannot live without Callum Mackelroy. He practically own the whole town. Everywhere you look it is his. Every establishments, every buildings and practically almost everything... Mackelroy Malls, Mackelroy Hospital, Mackelroy University, Mackelroy Bank. Name it, he owns it. People hate him but they all work for him. They work for him as if they dont talk behind his back. The level of irony of it makes me wanna puke. I've learn from my experience that some people are not just trust worthy. I swallowed hard as I knock on the tall wooden door. I also press hard on the door bell. It is now or never. I have to do this. I patiently waited for the door to opened. I know the castle is humongous and Aling Juana must have walk a length just to answer doors. Finally it opened after almost five minutes. " Oh...George, napaaga ka yata?" Ani ng ngiting ngiting si Aling Juana. " Maaga pa po ba ako?" Aniko ng may pagtataka. Kung bakit kasi alas singko ako pinapunta ni Aling Juana. Graveyard shift ba to?! Tumawa lang si Aling Juana at niluwagan ang pinto para makapasok ako. " Tara pasok ka na. Maya maya ka pa iinterview-hin ni Master." Ani Aling Juana. Unang pagtapak ko sa kastilyo ay ramdam ko na ang kakaibang lamig na nanuot sa balat ko. Nilibot ko ang paningin ko sa naglalakihan at kulay gintong mga kasangkapan. Grandiose is the word to describe the inside of the castle. The painted ceiling and over the top gold furniture with royalty ambiance welcomes me. It is as expected, a royal castle. Sa naglulumaan pero nagkikislapang kasangkapan natagpuan ko ang sarili kong nakatitig sa mga modernong gamit. There is a high security passcode alarm on the front door. Platinum steel bars surrounding the whole area. An A-class CCTVs and lots of motion sensored lights that lights up as we walk. " Doon muna tayo sa parlor. Sumunod ka sa akin." Ani aling Juana kaya natigil ang paglingid ko at sumunod sa tinatahak nyang hallway. Nakakapangilabot ang kabuuan ng hallway dahil sa mga naka display na pugot na ulo ng ibat ibang hayop. Napansin marahil iyon ni Aling Juana ng lingunin nya ako. Bahagya syang natawa sa itsura ko. " Mahilig mag-hunting si Master Callum. Yan ang ilan sa mga nahuli nya." Ani Aling Juana na iminumwestra ang mga hayop na nakadisplay. Napasimangot lang ako at hindi na nag abala pang sumagot. Shît! Doesnt he realized that its animal cruelty to hunt them?! "Maiwan muna kita dito George. Sasabihin ko muna kay Master na andito ka na." Ani Aling Juana habang iginigiya ako papasok sa isang malaking kwarto. Mabilis din nya akong iniwan at sinara ang pinto na hindi na ako nakapagprotesta pa. Inilibot ko ang paningin sa paligid. The walls of the room is painted in bloody red paint. There is only one furniture in the room, a grand gold chair at the center and nothing else. Napaakap ako sa sarili at napanganga ng makita ko ang mga paintings na nakadisplay doon. Kulang ang salitang nakakatakot sa mga paintings na nakadisplay. There are gore illustrations of human's dismembered bodies. Paintings of demons with goat horns and if I am not mistaken it is an incubus leaning over a sleeping woman form. There are paintings of imps and faun and other demonic creatures that I myself wouldnt know who. I felt the shiver that runs down my spine. I closed my eyes as I turn around ever so quickly, facing the door. My hands are shaking as I reached for the doorknob but found it locked. Oh my God! I am starting to panicked as I try to twist and turn the knob of the door but it didnt bulge. Why is this door locked?! D*mn! Relax Georgie! Paintings lang yon! Paintings lang! Walang magagawa ang paintings sayo! Breath in... breath out... Breath in... breath out... Breath in... breath out... Napatalon ako at napahiyaw ng may biglang tumunog na nakakabinging tunog... Oh my fvcking Ghost! Awesome Gosh! exciting indeed...?? George POV Ang walang hiyang cellphone ko lang pala ang tumunog. Tinakot ko lang pala ang sarili ko. Nag echo ang tunog non sa empty room kaya halos matulig na ako bago ko pa makuha iyon sa dala kong shoulder bag. Napasimangot ako ng makita na si Gian ang tumatawag. " Oh Gian, bakit ka ba tumatawag?!" Aniko sa kapatid ko " Ang sungit talaga! Kaya ka tatandang dalaga e! Kinakamusta lang kita, makikibalita. Anong itsura ng demonyo?" Ani Gian sa kabilang linya. Palaisipan sa lahat ng tao sa probinsyang ito ang itsura ni Callum Mackelroy. Wala pa kasing nakakakita sa mukha ng binata. Bukod kay Aling Juanan at sa sumalangit nawa na si Kuya Jaime ay wala ng ibang taong nakakita kay Callum at tikom ang bibig ni Aling Juana pag dating sa amo. Marami ang nagsasabi na mukha daw itong demonyo, may nagsasabi na mukha itong bampira at may nagsasabi na sunog na sunog ang itsura nito na halos magmukha ng halimaw. " Lokong to! Kakaalis ko lang diba? Tigilan mo nga ako. Hindi pa nga ako naiinterview!" Aniko sa kanya " Sus! Inaalam ko lang naman kung buhay ka pa eh! Baka kasi bampira ka na dahil titira ka sa bahay ng bampira!" Anito sabay nagtawa ng malakas. " Aist... Gian Leandro! Makukutusan kita pag uwi! Tigilan mo ang pagsasayang ng load ha at ako din ang nagloload nyan!" Aniko na ikinatawa naman ni Gian " Ate hindi ka na nga makakauwi eh. Diba dyan ka na titira?!" Dagdag pang aasar pa nito sabay tawa at patay ng tawag nya. Abat pinatayan pa ako ng tawag ng damuhong yon! Alam na alam na sasagot pa ako sa pang aasar nya! Kahit kelan talaga ang kapatid kong yun ang stress reliever ko. Dahil sa tawag nya ay sandaling nakalimutan ko ang takot ko at napalitan ng bahagyang ngiti. Ganon lang kasi kami mag usap at mag asaran pero mahal na mahal namin ang isat isa. Muli akong napalingon sa likod ko at sa mga gore paintings na naka display doon, pakiramdam ko kasi ay may nakatingin at nagmamasid sa akin. Kinilabutan akong muli ng ilibot ko ang tingin sa walang kalaman laman na kwarto. Nagsisi pa tuloy ako kung bakit nag sleeveless ako. Niyakap kong muli ang sarili ko at sa kabadong dibdib ay naghintay sa pagbalik ni Aling Juana. Halos isang oras na akong naghihintay sa parlor kung saan pinagdalhan sa akin ni Aling Juana pero hindi pa rin nya ako binabalikan. Natitigan ko na din lahat ng paintings dito at isa isang ininspeksyon. Pakiramdam ko kasi ay may kakaiba sa kwartong ito pero hindi ko ma-pin point kung ano. Matagal na rin akong nakaupo sa gintong trono na tanging kasangkapan sa kwarto. Naiinip na nangalumbaba ako. Kung alam ko lang na ganito pala katagal akong paghihintayin ay sana nagpagabi na lang ako ng dating. Muli kong kinuha ang cellphone ko at maglalaro sana ng tumunog ang warning, Lobat na din pala ang baterya non kakalaro ko kanina pa. Ipinasok ko na lang iyon muli sa shoulder bag ko at tumayo. Pinasadahan ko ng hagod ang sleeveless black dress ko. At pinasadahan ko din ng kamay ko pasuklay ang buhok kong inayos ko pa at kinulot sa dulo para lang magmukhang presentable. Napatingala ako para iunat ang ulo ko ng mapansin ko ang isang cctv na naka installed sa may gilid ng kwarto. Napakunot ang noo ko don. May nanonood ba sa cctv? Kaya ba pakiramdam ko ay may nakatingin sa akin?! Kabadong lumapit ako at tinitigang mabuti ang cctv. Halos hindi talaga ito mapapansin dahil sa pulang kulay din nito. Inusog ko ang upuan para apakan at makitang mabuti ang cctv ng biglang may nakakabinging tunog na animoy mikropono na hindi nai-tune. Napatalon ako mula sa pagkakatayo ko sa bangko at halos takbuhin ko na ang pinto sa gulat sa nakabibinging tunog na iyon. Diyos ko! Magkaka- heart attack na yata ako! Kanina pa ako nagugulat! Nasobrahan ka ata sa kape ! AHAHHAHA Awesome George POV Iniikot ko ang saradura kahit alam kong sarado iyon. Talagang nagpapanggap lang akong hindi apektado sa lugar na ito pero talagang nanginginig na ako sa takot. Itsura pa lang ng kwarto ay makapanindig balahibo na, paano pa kaya ang may ari? " Introduce yourself." Biglang may nagsalita na animoy sa isang mikropono na ikinahiyaw ko. Napahawak ako sa dibdib kong animoy lalabas na ang puso ko sa sobrang pagkabog non. It's a man's baritone voice that is so scary and sharp in my ears, it sounded kind of muffled like he is speaking with a mask in his mouth. I didnt even know where the sound is coming from. Napapikit ako at pilit pinapakalma ang puso ko ng muling may nagsalita sa mikropono. " I said, Introduce yourself."he said and he sounded irritated. I faced the only possible thing that could imply that I am talking with someone. The cctv in the room. I cleared my throat as I tried to open my mouth, then I swallowed again the invisible lump that is restraining me to speak. Damn George! Calm your nerves! " I... I'm Georgina P-Pitonghari." Aniko at napahinga ako ng malalim dahil sa wakas ay may lumabas na salita sa bibig ko. Kaya tinuloy ko pa ang pagpapakilala ko. Hoping not to stutter this time. " You can call me George. I'm applying for the position as your secretary sir. I am a BS business Ad graduate and I've worked for the last two years as an executive secretary of SevenStar Corporation. I'm twenty four years old and I'm willing to..." I heard him chuckled which stopped me from talking. I am actually looking at the cctv as I clamped my lips together. Its as if I am being interviewed through the lens. I waited for the voice to tell me what's wrong and why is he interrupting my introduction. " Do you really think I will hire a woman for a secretary?! Dont you know who I am?!" Then he laughed evily that made my toes curled and my heart almost popped from too much thumping. His evil laugh echoed at the whole room stretching my fear of him more. But I tried to mask my fear. I need this job. My family needed this. Sir.. I am efficient in what I do. A woman can also fullfill the position as a secretary as much as a man can. I will..." I didnt finished what I have to say when I heard him growled ever so beastly. The sound rolled in the whole room, echoed over and over in my ears. It made me jump from shock and then it weakens my knees. " Get out of here woman! If you work for me, I promised you, you will not be here as a secretary! Because the only position you will be having is a spread legs in my bed and I...filling you, eating you and sucking the life out of you!" I staggered back with his words as if he is in this room advancing to me, looming over me and scaring me. And I know my face turned ashen. Too shaken with what He said I moved wobbly to the door almost tripping in my attempt and slam my hands on the wooden door when the knob didnt turned. It opened with Aling Juana standing there on the other end with her troubled expression but I was too afraid to even speak to her. I walked passed her and started to run. I ran as fast as I could away from the horrifying castle. I ran as fast as my slender feet can take me just to get away from the detestable beast. The monster named Callum Mackelroy. Awesome Big Brother is that you?! Callum POV Nanay Juana interrupted my afternoon walk with my dog, Titus and told me someone is applying for the positon Jaime left permanently. I feel at lost without Jaime, He was my trusted man. He knows what I've been through, he's been with me through my darkest hours and my loneliest days. I sighed as I just gave nanay Juana a nod. I know she will direct the applicant to the parlor, where I have installed a cctv and a hidden audio system. I usually take my interviews in there. I have a lot of executive official who I talked to in that room. Out of my perversity and devilry, I put all the gore paintings which they said I look liked, just because I like to mocked them with their own idiosyncrasies. I like how they squirmed and jump from fear when they hear my voice on the room. It somehow lessen my bitterness with the unfair world I lived in. I sighed as I moved towards the library where I can talked to the applicant below. I guess he must have been quivering by now. I chuckled to myself as I turn on the monitor only to be dumbfounded at what I am seeing. The He that I thought is undeniably a she. What in the world is nanay Juana thinking?! Is she seriously considering me to hire a woman for a secretary?! D*mn! I realized I am looking at her figure for a full twenty minutes, taking in every curves and graceful movement. I gulped hard as I zoomed in on her face and she looked afraid but fighting her fears is what she is doing. I zoomed in more and found myself staring at her doe-liked eyes and there's an uneasy feeling that envelops me. Then I look down at her full lips and I squirmed. D*mn! Am I the one who is being squirmish now with my own doing?! The tables are turned and I am now the one who is uncomfortable in this goddamn room. I watched her more as she inspect all the paintings that I put up. Is she not afraid of them? Then I watched her sat herself down on the chair and gave out a big yawn. Now she's sleepy?! Damn this woman! Isnt she affected with the room she's in?! I watched her more as she pull her cellphone and tapped it vigorously as if she is playing some games on her phone. My eyebrows knotted at her serious face. She even pouted her lips which took all my undivided attention as I observed those upturned lips, making my insides react and my loins swells. Then she noticed the cctv and pull the chair near it. Stood on it and look straight into the monitor. It's as if she can see me through the lens as I swallowed the lump that is beginning to form in my throat. Damn! This is enough! I have to turn her away! I slam the on button of the microphone and I saw her jump in fear. That is what I like. For her to fear me! I just want her gone as I said all the mean things in her face. I dont need a secretary that can distract me from my solitude. My door opened in a loud swung. " Callum naman! Ano naman ang sinabi mo kay George? Bakit nagkandarapa yung umalis?! Anak pa naman yun ng kaibigan ko, ano na lang ang sasabihin ni Leah sa akin? Nangako pa naman akong walang mangyayari sa anak nya!" Mahabang litanya ni Nanay Juana. " Who said that I want a woman for a secretary anyway?!" Inis na sagot ko kay Nanay Juana. " E parang naman andami nateng pagpipilian! Wala ngang gustong mag apply sa'yo eh at tinatakot mo lahat!" Anas ng matanda. " Those people did it to themselves with their endless gossiping and empty heads!" I said as I turn to my paperworks. " Hay... lagot ako kay Leah. Sya lang naman ang kaibigan ko dito sa probinsya. Mabait naman ang pamilyang yun Callum eh! Hindi sila tulad ng iba. Tsaka desperada lang yung si George dahil mawawalan na sila ng matitirhan kaya sumubok sayo." Kwento ni Nanay Juana na ikinataas ko ng kilay. " Do you think I care about them?!" Sagot ko na ikinabuntong hininga naman sa akin ni Nanay Juana. " Hay na bata ito. Yan ka nanaman... Osiya sige na at ihahanda ko na ang hapunan mo." Sagot ni Nanay