April (Gugma Series 1)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Don't Leave Me

From: The CEO

I am warning you. Don't leave me.

Nakaupo ako ngayon at naghihintay sa kanya.

Matapos ang pagkakape niya kanina. Hindi na ulit kami nakapag-usap dahil naging abala na siya sa ibang aktibidades niya. He had a lunch meeting with Mr. Ong and a golf meeting with Mr. Liu.

Kinahapunan, inanyayahan siya sa isang dinner ng pamilya at tinanggihan ko ang kanyang alok na sumama. Hindi pa naman ako ganoon ka-close sa kanila at nag-aalala akong baka makita ako ni Donya Thylane. I have a secret about her and her husband.

"April, ikaw ba 'yan?"

I looked at the guy who just called my name, and my eyes bulged upon realising who he was! His tantalising blue eyes struck me!

"Pietro?" anas ko.

He smirked. Taas-noo siyang nakipagkamay sa akin. "The one and only!" aniya.

Sinuyod niya ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. I am still wearing my office attire, which is a brown pantsuit and a white camisole. Ngumiti ako sa kanya. "Wait! Are you having a date with someone right now?"

Nilingon ko ang five-star restaurant na kinaroroonan ko. It was dimly lit, with soft lighting casting a warm glow over the room. Ang mga dingding ay pinalamutian ng magagandang likhang sining ng Tsino, at wala ni isang ingay akong naririnig.

"Actually, no. Katatapos ko lang," pagsisinungaling ko. Wala akong ganang mag-order dahil busog pa ako sa kinain kong banana cue kanina.

"So, you are about to go home?"

"Sort of." Inayos ko ang strap ng shoulder bag at umambang tatayo na.

"Then let's go. Ihahatid na kita. Sa Makati ka pa rin nakatira?"

Tumayo ako. "Oo naman. Doon pa rin."

I felt a sense of relief wash over me as we both went to the exit of the restaurant. It was like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I couldn't stand being in the same room as my boss's mother if she had ever seen me.

Seeing Pietro was a blessing in disguise, and I knew it was my chance to make an escape. May ibang araw pa naman para makausap si Iñigo at may ilang oras pa akong mag-isip kung kukunin ko ba ang alok niya o hindi?

Sa paglabas naming dalawa sa restaurant, inaasahan ko na ang tuluyang pag-uwi at pagpapahinga pagkatapos ng mahaba at nakakapagod na araw sa trabaho.

"Pi-nark ko ang sasakyan ko roon!" aniya sa mapagmataas na boses.

We walked towards the VIP parking area. Pero namilog ang mga mata ko noong makita ko si Iñigo na nakatayo sa tabi ng kanyang kotse. Madilim ang mga matang nakatingin sa akin.

"Where do you think you are going?" he said, his dark voice roared.

"Uuwi na, Sir," I replied, trying to keep my distance from him. Kumapit ako sa braso ni Pietro.

"Well, let's go. We need to talk about my 'business' proposal," his voice echoed, gesturing for me to follow him.

"Pero may kasama na akong uuwi, Sir."

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. "Don't make me mad, Miss Dimagiba." He opened the driver's seat.

Tingnan mo? Ang arogante talaga ng taong 'to! Gusto niya akong kausapin, pero ni hindi man lang niya ako kayang pagbuksan ng pinto ng kotse.

Pietro gazed at me, wiggling his eyebrow. "Who's this hot guy?" halos tumili niyang bulong sa akin.

"Itigil mo 'yang kalandian mo, Pietro..." gigil ko siyang kinurot sa braso.

My eyes widened a fraction when he raised his hand. "Ah, sir. Kayo na lang po ang maghatid sa bruhang 'to. Baka hindi na naman kasi ako bayaran sa pakiki-hitch hike niya sa 'kin."

"Gaga ka..." bulong ko. Halos paghiwalayin na ang balat niya sa pagkurot ngunit hindi man lang nasaktan sa ginawa ko.

"Sige na, chance mo nang makabingwit ng mayaman! Boss mo pala 'yan."

"Boss ko lang at hindi ko siya type."

"Sus. Bihira magkaroon ng boss na kasing-hot niya. Kadalasan ng mga nakikilala ko, malalaki ang tiyan at mga panot na."

"Napaka-judgemental mo talaga..."

"Bilis na!" He pushed me a little. "Pera na 'yan 'day!" susog pa niya sabay tulak sa akin.

"Sa 'yo na lang ako sasabay," giit ko ngunit desidido na siya base sa lakas ng tulak niya.

"Sige ka, sisingilin kita sa utang mong diyes mil! May pambayad ka na ba? Kung wala pa, puwes...Sumakay ka na sa boss mo..."

Kumunot ang noo ko. Gigil kong sinipa ang tuhod niya na ikinatawa lang niya. Kung mamalasin ka nga naman. I hesitated for a moment but then decided to go against my better judgement and follow Iñigo. Pinagbuksan ko ang sarili ko at pumasok na rin si Pietro sa kotse niya, dalawang kotse mula sa amin.

Malamig ang tingin ng boss ko nang tingnan ako. But as I put my seatbelt on, my boss's phone rang, and he answered it, going out of his car.

Halos limang minuto na ang nagdaan ngunit walang Iñigo na bumalik.

I took that opportunity to slip away unnoticed, knowing that I couldn't deal with his attitude at the moment. I decided to go home alone, hoping to find some peace and quiet in my humble house.

Papara na sana ako ng jeepney nang makita ang pamilya Almerino na lumalabas ng restaurant. Huli na para magtago dahil nasa open space ako.

"Miss Shortcake! What a small world!" Donya Thylane almost shrieked in excitement, but she still held it with class.

I was taken aback dahil lumakad pa siya at niyakap ako ng mahigpit.

"K-kumusta po?" alanganin akong ngumiti.

"I'm doing great!" She smiled back. But she must have realised that everyone was looking at us kaya inakbayan niya ako at ipinakilala sa pamilya niya.

"Si Miss Shortcake nga pala, ang dahilan sa matatag na pagsasama namin ng daddy ninyo," pakilala niya sa akin.

Ngumiwi ako. Hindi ko gusto ang nangyayari.

Sir Jacques Almerino, the former CEO of ATV Network, extended his hand towards me. "I've seen you before; call me Jacques. And you are?" he asked.

"I'm April," I replied, feeling my knees go weak at his intense gaze. Napakaguwapo naman kasi!

"Beside me is my beloved, wife Alyn, and our two sons, Johannes and Jaxon."

Ngumiti ang asawa niya at naglahad din ng kamay.

I was stunned by her simple beauty. I shook hands with her and couldn't help but admire her simple yet stunning curly hair. Ganoon din ang napansin ko sa kanyang mga anak na lalaki, na nagmana ng kanyang mga kulot ngunit mayroon ding kapansin-pansing abong mga mata at maputi na balat ng kanilang ama.

"I'm Koko," said the youngest son, introducing himself.

"Call me Cress."

The famous model from our network, Cressida, then introduced herself. I couldn't help but be in awe of their beauty, as they were a mix of Spanish and Chinese descent. Don Jackson, who was still in his wheelchair, gave me a smile. I overheard him whispering to Donya Thylane, which made me think that he was feeling much better.

"Is she the s*x guru that we hired years ago?"

"Yes, darling," pabulong ding sagot ng Donya.

Halos tumakas ang lahat ng dugo sa aking mukha. Hindi yata iyon narinig ng kanilang mga anak dahil may kanya-kanya na silang mundo matapos makipagkilala.

Nilingon ako ng boss ko na hanggang ngayon ay may kausap pa rin sa phone. I needed to go home, so kumaway na ako sa kanila noong makakita ako ng jeepney na papuntang Makati.

Iyon ang pinakakatakutan kong mangyari! Ang malaman ng iba na isa akong dating s*x guru at hindi ko iyon nilagay sa curriculum vitae ko. That could risk my work and result in my expulsion. Ang trabaho ko na lamang ang tanging bumubuhay sa amin. I can't afford to lose it!

Kinakabahan ako habang papauwi ng bahay. Our house was a small, one-story structure made out of concrete and wood. It had a tin roof and a small yard in front that was overgrown with tall mango trees. Despite our humble house, it was a place that my family called home, and I cherished it dearly.

But as I arrived at our house, I was surprised to see a car parked outside. All I knew was that I had left him at the VIP parking area, and I wondered how he had managed to get to my house before me.

Sinilip ko ang loob ng kotse ngunit tinted iyon kaya wala akong nakita. I even knocked twice, but no one answered.

Luminga linga ako kung nasa paligid lang ngunit wala siya. My eyes darted at the door of our house.

My stomach churned, intensifying the feeling of unease that had been brewing inside me.

I entered the house, and I saw my Lola serving dinner to Iñigo, who was seated at the centre of the table. I felt a hollow pit in my stomach as it slowly sinked in that he had really followed me home.

"Hello, Miss Dimagiba. I hope you don't mind that I stopped by." His voice was smooth and calming, parang hindi naninigaw sa opisina.

I forced a smile at him. "No, sir. I just didn't expect you to come here."

"I wanted to talk to you about some work-related matters," he casually said, taking a bite of the chicken adobo.

Lola, who was a hospitable woman, smiled warmly at him. "Gusto mo pa ba ng kanin, apo? Marami pa rito, kumuha ka lang."

He smiled back, and I couldn't help but raised my brow while looking at him, comfortably talking with my lola kahit na ngayon pa lang naman sila nagkakilala. I knew that he was just using his charm to get what he wanted, and I couldn't stand it.

I entered my room and waited for him to finish, but my grandma knocked on my door.

"Hindi ka ba maliligo? Nagpainit ako ng tubig, Apo!"

"Mamaya na lang po!"

I busied myself with my phone and read some meditation quotes on a Hallow app.

I soon got up as I heard my grandma announce that my boss had finished dinner.

Lumabas ako. He turned to me. "I need you to come to the office early tomorrow morning. We have a lot of work to do, and I need you to be there to assist me."

I sighed, knowing that I couldn't say no to his request this time. "Okay, sir. I'll be there."

"Good. And please, don't be late," he said, standing up from the table.

Pagkaalis niya, hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam ng inis at galit. Alam kong kailangan kong pakisamahan si Iñigo at ang kanyang mga gusto, ngunit alam ko rin ang gusto ko. I know how to fight my rights. Hindi ko hahayaang tratuhin niya ako ng ganito.

"Ayos ka lang ba, apo?" tanong ng lola ko sabay lagay ng kamay sa balikat ko.

Tumango ako. "Ayos lang, Lola. Pagod lang po sa trabaho."

"Naiintindihan ko, apo. Lagi mo lang aalagaan ang sarili mo," aniya habang nakangiti sa akin.

Ngumiti ako pabalik sa kanya. Alam kong kailangan kong manindigan para sa sarili at huwag hayaang samantalahin ako ng sinuman, gaano man ito kalakas pero may pagkakataon din para tumiklop, may pagkakataon din para magpakumbaba.

"Maligo ka na at nang makapagpahinga na," bilin niya sa akin bago pumasok sa kuwarto.

Papasok na rin sana ako sa kuwarto para kunin ang tuwalya nang mahagip ng mga mata ko ang ilang puting sobre na nasa tuktok ng aming TV. I looked at the white envelopes and opened it.

Foreclosure notice ng bahay at ng buong compound?

I shut my eyes in an instant, hinilot ko ang sentido. Nagsimulang manginig ang mga kamay ko noong makita ko pa ng ibang letters na galing sa mga lending companies. Parang pinipiga ang utak ko habang binabasa ang mga iyon.

Umabot ng 20 million ang utang ni tatay! Ni umiyak ay hindi ko na nagawa. Wala akong ibang bahay kundi ang kinatitirikan ng compound na ito. It may not be a perfect house, but that's all I have. That's all we have. Alam kong hindi ako kasundo ng mga kamag-anak ko, pero kadugo pa rin sila ni Tatay. At maysakit si lola at matanda na, hindi ko kakayaning makita siyang natutulog sa bangketa.

I stared at my phone and dialled my boss's number. Kakapalan ko na ang mukha ko. Isa naman akong dating s*x guru, ano ang pagkakaiba niyon ngayon? I will teach him based on my knowledge, and he will pay for my service. It's a win-win situation.

Hindi sinagot ng boss ang tawag ko. Imbes na magmukmok ay naligo ako at agarang nagbihis. I wore a khaki dress that defined my shapely curves and emphasised my small waist. I paired it with a denim cardigan. I only combed my thin, glossy, straight hair that flowed down past my neck.

Matapos kong magbihis, muli kong sinulyapan ang phone, at nakitang may mensaheng galing sa kanya.

From: The CEO

I am on my workout. Meet me now.

Agad akong naglakad ng dahan-dahan palabas ng bahay. Ni hindi ako nakalikha ng ingay habang isinasarado ang pinto. Ipinagpasalamat kong madaling-araw na kaya bihira na lang ang tao sa labas. Maraming alak sa harap nila at nakayukyok na ang ulo ng karamihan sa kanila. Hindi na napansin ang pagdaan ko dahil sa lakas ng halakhakan nila.

A sleek black car greeted me as soon as I reached the main road. Hindi na ako nagtanong kung sino iyon dahil agad kong namataan sa loob si Mang Tomas.

"May pagpupuyatan raw kayong papeles, Miss April," bati niya sa akin nang makapasok na ako.

"Oo nga po," I managed to say without a shaky voice. Kung patigasan lang ng character ay panalo na agad ako. I have been practising it for years.

Without saying another word, he drove me to our boss. Tahimik kaming dalawa habang nasa daan.

Nagpasalamat ako sa kanya noong makarating na kami. Ngunit para bang naiwan ako sa gitna ng kawalan habang nakikita kong naglalaho ang kotse sa VIP driveway. Hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam ng pag-aalinlangan. Iniisip na ang pagpunta sa boss ko ay isang pagkakamali kung tutuusin.

Pero narito na ako! Ako na lang ang pag-asa ng pamilya ko. Hindi ako aatras. Hindi ko uurungan ang problemang iniwan ng tatay ko.

Palaban ako! Walang hindi kayang gawin ang isang April Rose Dimagiba para sa pamilya!

I swallowed as hard as I could as soon as I arrived at his doorstep. Hindi na ako nagulat noong awtomatikong bumukas ang pintuan.

Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I made my way inside the penthouse. I was greeted by a grand foyer with high ceilings. Hindi ko ito nakita kagabi dahil patay ang lahat ng ilaw.

"Mabuti at mabilis kang nakapagdesisyon?"

Seated on the white plush sofa was the most irritating man I had ever seen. He was on his damp black t-shirt clinging to his chiseled chest. Ang pawisang katawan ay kumikinang sa kanyang balat, at ang kanyang maitim na buhok ay basa pa. He looked even more irritating now, and my annoyance towards him only intensified. His striking hazel eyes seemed to look right through me, instantly assessing me. I couldn't help but notice how his dark, wet hair accentuated his remarkable soft features. He was undeniably attractive, but I don't like him.

"Sorry, I just finished my workout," he said casually, as if his appearance didn't bother him at all.

Pinilit kong hindi pansinin ang nasa harapan ko at sa halip ay isipin ang aking misyon dito. "Let's just get this meeting over with," I said, taking a seat across from him on the sofa.

Sumandal siya, ang basa niyang buhok ay dumampi sa likod ng sofa. "Don't be so uptight, Miss Dimagiba ," he said with a smirk. "You'll enjoy it more if you relax a little."

Pinigilan ko ang pag-ikot ng aking mga mata at sa halip ay huminga ng malalim. Ngunit hindi ko maiwasang mainis dahil sa kanyang basang buhok at ang pawisan na balat niya. Hindi na ako makapaghintay na makaalis doon at lumayo sa nakakairitang lalaking ito.

I will never like him!

"Miss Dimagiba," sambit niya. Ni hindi tumayo ngunit may itinurong folder sa harap niya. "Read that contract, and let's begin with your teaching if you signed it. I won't force you if you don't like to. You are free to go as soon as you wish."