The Business Rivalry

Chapter 9

Blaine's POV

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Today is Sunday and we finished our work at 1 PM ng magyaya si Hannah mag shopping.

We headed home and changed our clothes.

I wore an orange jacket, black turtle neck top, black loose fit shorts. I styled my hair in a sloppy bun with a black cap and, of course, I wore my shoe brand, sneakers.

"Blaine, smile naman dyan." Without hesitation, I immediately smiled at her.

"Paparazzi lang ang peg?"

"Gondo! Look." She showed me her captured photo.

"Hmm, not bad."

"Galing ko talaga kumuha, p'wede ng photographer, ano?" She said while wearing her proud grin.

"Are you lowkey saying that you want to resign? Are you tired? Am I giving you a hard time? Is your salary not enough?"

"Wala naman akong sinasabi, napaka advance mo talaga mag-isip."

"Syempre, nowadays it's hard to find a trustworthy secretary. I don't want to—"

"You don't want me to resign? Yieee~ concern ka sa'kin no?" She teasingly elbowed me.

"I'll drive, ikaw sa paguwi." At inunahan ko siyang umupo sa driver's seat. "Malamang, you're my sister kaya and I want you to quit—"

"Ang daya talaga, pagod na tayo mamaya tapos ako magda-drive?" She wears her seatbelt and adjusted her seat. "Ano?! You want me to quit?!" Ngayon niya lang yata narealize 'yung last words na sinabi ko.

"Yes, beca—"

"Bakit? Hindi ba ako magaling? Am I not qualified enough? Am I not doing it properly? Hindi mo ba maintindahan 'yung mga sulat ko or notes ko?"

"Hindi sa gano—"

"Wala naman akong nakakalimutang meetings and calls ah. Hindi din naman ako nakakatulog sa oras ng trabaho. Oo alam kong nakikipagtsismisan ako minsan pero—"

"Hans! Can you let me finish?"

"Ay, may sinasabi ka ba?" She let out a giggle as she scratched the back of her neck "Okay, go on. Sorry."

"I want you to resign as my secretary... and... you know the President's position is still vacant. I want—"

"Hep!" She raised her hand in front of my face for a while, "Uunahan na kita. I don't like that position."

"Hannah, I—"

"Shh! A.yo.ko. End of discussion."

I let out a frustrated sigh and started to drive.

I've honestly persuaded Hannah for that President position for like... 5 years and she always declined my offer.

It's not that I'm against her being my EA and I'm not looking down on that job. But because she has potential.

"Bakit kasi ayaw mo? Magaling ka naman ah."

"I'm not qualified, Blaine. Ikaw lang ang sasalo ng mga kamaliang magagawa ko... kung sakali mang..."

"You haven't even tried it yet you're thinking of messing up your job? Why don't you try it first before you say you can't."

"That's a big responsibility, and I know I don't have any skills for that position."

"Magaling ka, Hannah. May utak ka. Duwag ka lang."

This woman is obdurate. You can't convince her once she makes her decisions.

Yes, she's great. May utak siya, lahat naman tayo. Pero ito kasing si Hannah she knew this industry, she knew how to handle my work and I trusted her. She has the skills that entrepreneurs have. But there's one thing you can complain about her: her low self-esteem.

Kung gaano siya ka confident magflirt, 'yung sa work confidence niya sobrang baba. She also doesn't like long meetings. Yeah, that's two.

She's muzzy when the company faces a crisis. Okay, that's three. She can't think straight kapag may biglaang problemang nangyari. I should say, she has a weak heart.

"Okay. Fine. I'll stop asking you for that position. Sorry." Ang tagal na niya kasing hindi nagsasalita. Nakakapanibago.

"Can we stop talking about work? Wala na tayo sa office oh." Sabi niya at tinuturo pa 'yung kalsada.

"Oo na po, hindi na. Okay na?"

"So, anyway. May utang ka sa'kin. Hindi mo pa kinukwento 'yung sa nangyari sainyo ni Rayni sa theater room."

"Wala namang nangya—"

"Anong wala?! Nasa gano'ng position kayo tapos wala?! Come on, Blaine. Spill."

"Uhhh... she... we... um..." How can I get out of this topic?! "I'm hungry. Where do you want to—"

"Confirmed." She snapped her fingers and crossed her arms. "May nangyari."

"Wala nga." Bwakanangshit! Nagred light pa, f**k!

"You can't fool me. I know when you're lying." She turned her body on me while squinting her eyes. "How does it feel?"

"Feel what?"

"Blaine! Ang lapit niya sa'yo! Kulang na lang umibabaw siya eh. Imposibleng wala kang naramdaman? That's bullshit."

Okay, I give up. I also need some confirmation so... hay, bahala na.

"Fine. I'll tell you." I gripped the steering wheel. "I don't know what those feelings were."

"That's not an answer I'm expecting to hea—"

"I never felt those things with anyone.... sakanya lang. I'm new to this, Hans."

"So what kind of feelings? Butterflies in your stomach? Electricity?"

I pondered the feelings I felt that night. "I felt my body weaken at her touch. My knees are trembling. Goosebumps. Ticklish. Her scent gave me this... familiar and sedative effect. I was suddenly lost in those prepossessing eyes. When she touched my lips..." I hopelessly wanted to find out how it would feel if my lips collided with hers. "... I felt... this... unexplainable feeling... I don't know any words that are suitable for that. Tapos.... tapos....... masakit na—"

"Masakit?! Bakit pinasok niya ba?!" Her hands were on her mouth and chest.

"Hannah Ruiz! 'Yang bibig mo naman! Anong pinasok na pinagsasasabi mo?"

"Sabi mo masakit. Remember, naka nighties ka lang no'ng araw na 'yun, madali ka lang pasukan ta—"

"Napaka dumi mo talaga, drink some holy water!"

"Hindi iniinom 'yun, oy!"

"Tsk. Masakit kasi para akong na electrocuted. There's something about her touch that makes me want to crave for more."

She clapped her hands like a sea lion, "Yieee~ In love na! I'm so happy! Finally, love is aiming at you!"

"Love? I don't think this is love—"

"I just want to remind you to... be careful. Alam mo namang playgirl siya. If you want to test her to know if she's serious, go ahead. Paalala, 'wag isusuko ang Bataan basta basta."

"Opo, ma." Then we laughed together.

I want to think a million times about this, ayoko na ulit mahulog sa mga breed niya. Masakit, nakakapagod, sobra. Ayoko ng maramdaman ulit na... 'yun lang ang... gusto nila. You know what I mean.

*****

Our destination is here at BMK Mall.

When I parked the car, all of a sudden, Hannah ran.

"Beautiful!"

"Ano na namang ginagawa mo?" Inis na tanong ko sakanya. "Picture? Stalker ka na?"

"Nothing. Ang simple mo kasi. Hindi halatang rich kid." She's now walking along with me. "Oh tingnan mo. Stolen shot."

"Don't post them."

"I know, for research purposes lang 'to."

"Gutom ka na nga. Let's eat first before walking around."

She smiled and placed her phone in her pocket, "Keri ko pa, punta muna tayo sa Yuan-Tan. Wala na akong damit eh." She said while clinging to my arms.

"Wala ng damit, eh you extended your walk-in closet because you have a LOT of clothes."

"Oh, sige tingin lang muna tayo bago kumain. Sige naaaa."

"Tingin your face. Ilang beses mo na ako na scam diyan sa window shopping kuno mo."

"Promise!" Tinaas naman niya ang right hand niya.

"Fine." I rolled my eyes in defeat.

*****

Pagpasok namin sa store nakilala agad ako ni April she just slightly bowed her head and I did the same. Kapag ganito kasi ang outfit ko it means I don't want them to notice me.

At ayun si Hannah biglang naging heart ang mga mata at tinanggal ang braso niya sa'kin.

It's Sunday, so I was not surprised by the number of people here in Yuan-Tan Clothing. They're famous because of their designs, quality, affordable prices, and so forth. They have another brand, Yuan-Tan Crown of Luxury. Syempre name pa lang pricey na, kaya they decided to release low-priced stores nationwide.

I don't know where Hannah is, maliit pa man din 'yung babaeng 'yun kaya kahit magtiptoe ako hindi ko siya makikita.

I'll take a look na nga din in case I like something good.

"Are you deaf?! I said I want to return these!" I instantly swirled my head at that woman's voice.

A few of the customers are leaving. What the f**k is wrong with this woman?!

"M-ma'am, I'm sorry p-pero hindi po p'wede." Sabi ni Faye habang nakayuko. I slowly walked in their direction.

"Where's the manager here?!"

"Ma'am, wala po kayong resibo kaya—"

"Shut up! I said where's the manager!" The hideous customer shouted, raving in anger.

I saw Gael run to them, but fuckshit! Bakit nakayuko din siya?! That's not included in the training!

"What's wrong po ma'am?"

"This stupid girl can't understand the words I'm saying! Ganyan ba ang tinuro ng boss niyo?! Tatanga-tanga."

My face suddenly became hot, but the next thing she did, made me livid.

I strode toward them, standing between the staff and this ugly girl.

"Who told you that you could lay a hand on her?" I calmly said. Kalmado pa ako sa lagay na 'to.

"And who are you?! Umalis ka nga dyan at 'wag kang makialam."

"Ma'am, she said a while ago that you don't have a receipt. That's a basic rule if you need to return an item."

She scanned me from head to toe and she smirked, "Do you know how much these shirts are? Based on your appearance, you can't afford to buy one."

I saw Hannah in my peripheral vision, I glare at her for 3 seconds, and she immediately responded. She sent all the customers out of the store, she closed it at kinuha niya sa'kin ang bag ko.

"Can you afford all these items?" I said with a bit of a mocking tone, pointing to the clothes in the entire store.

"I can, how about you?" She arched a brow and crossed her arms.

I smirked, as much as possible I'm avoiding myself not to burst. "Can't you read the sign? I'm sure you understand it." I pointed at the not-so-small sign that hanging on the wall at the counter.

"So?"

"Can you read it for us?"

"Why don't you?" Tanggalin ko 'yang taray mo eh, imbyerna ka gurl!

"Okay, it says 'Customer is not always right.' This is not those other malls that you can make a scene just because you don't want the thing you purchased before."

"Who the f**k are you to interfere?! At kayo!" She pointed at the staff behind me. "Stupid workers you can't afford—"

"Pwede ba! Stop saying those words to them! You're not the boss here and even their boss can't say those offensive words at her employees!"

"Alam mo kanina ka pa eh. Sino ka ba?!"

"Oh, you don't know who I am?" Nilibot ko 'yung mata ko sa buong store. There are no other people except us, then I removed my cap and sunglasses.

Her reaction is worth it! Napaatras siya, a shocked face and froze at where she was standing.

"Tanggal angas mo ngayon 'no?" Hannah grinned while her arm was leaning on the clothing rack.

"What's your name?" Hindi siya sumagot at nanginginig na 'yung kamay niya. "It's okay, I have my ways. I'll find it out in no time."

"G-gusto ko lang naman ibalik 'tong mga 'to." And now her head is lowered than Faye did a few minutes ago.

"Like what she said, you don't have your receipt. Do you understand that or do you want me to translate in tagalog?"

"I-I understand, y-you don't need to—"

"I hate what you did to her." I stepped to the side at tinuro si Faye.

5 seconds has passed and she didn't say anything. Ang slow!

"You owe her something, miss. Those words you said, hindi ko 'yun sinasabi sakanila, and I don't have any plans to say those in the near future. You don't have the right to hurt them physically and verbally."

"S-sorry." She whispered as she bowed her head.

"Lou.der."

Lifting her head and looked directly into my eyes, "Sorry!"

"Galit ka ba? Hindi ganyan ang humihingi ng paumanhin."

She lowered her head, again. ".... Sorry for what I did."

"Leave in 3 seconds or I'll kill you." Natatarantang tumakbo siya sa nakasaradong roll up door. Sinenyasan ko naman si Hannah na ibukas niya at isarado ulit 'pag labas no'ng babae.

"Blaine si FC tumatawag." Hindi yan Feeling Close ah, si Forever Crush 'yan. FC ang tawag namin sa kanya 'pag nasa public place kami para iwas gossip.

I gave her a sign to ignore it and I'd call her later, then I faced the employees behind me. They were lined up horizontally.

"Faye, Gael, April, Erin. What was that? Did I train you to lower your head if something like that happened?" Isa isa ko silang tiningnan at nakayuko pa din sila at nasa harap ng tiyan ang mga kamay.

"Nakakatakot po kasi ma'am. Tapos gusto pa kausapin si manager."

"Itaas niyo nga 'yang mga ulo niyo. Wala kayong kasalanan para yumuko ng ganyan." They did what I said. Medyo napangiti ako kasi parang nasa military camp kami.

"Ma'am, pasensya na po—"- Gael.

"For what? Kakasabi ko lang na hindi niyo kasalanan. Faye was right, she didn't have a receipt. The only thing you did wrong was you allowed her to push you and showed her that you were scared, bakit? Dahil tinaasan kayo ng boses?"

"Hay nako, pa'no kung wala kami dito? Edi nasa social media na kayo. Buti na lang niyaya ko si Blaine dito bago kami kumain. Malamang sa malamang nakanganga lang kayo diyan kanina."

"Ikaw, tumayo ka nga din dito. Huwag kang magmayabang diyan." She shook her head and I widened my eyes at her, she eventually gave up and stood in line.

"I don't want that scene to happen again. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am." They said simultaneously.

"Kung alam niyong tama kayo, 'wag kayong matakot. May CCTV tayo if ever na pinagbuhatan kayo ng kamay." I let out a sigh and massage my temple. "Please naman hindi porket ganito ang trabaho niyo you will let someone degrade you." I stood in front of Faye. "Faye ha, sa susunod... ayoko ng may susunod pa pero kung may susunod nga, hahawakan ka pa lang niya ibalibag mo na agad."

"Pero ma'am—"

"Who's your boss?"

"Ikaw po."

"What's my name?"

"B-Blaine Kingsley po." Yuyuko sana siya but I snapped my fingers and she raised her head again.

"Blaine lang hindi B-Blaine." Five of them giggle while Faye slowly smiles. "I have your back IF, if you're on the right side. Syempre kung mali kayo hindi ko kayo kakampihan."

"Opo, ma'am."- April

"Yes, ma'am."- Gael

"Salamat po."- Faye

"Magtraining ulit kayo for a month. All of you. I don't want any scaredy cats inside my building, entiendes? You can talk to your instructors regarding your schedules."

"Yes, ma'am. Copy." They replied while smiling at me.

"Oh sige na, back to work. Ayokong may makaalam nito ah, Company's number 1 rule. You read them, right?" They nodded in unison in response.

Si Hannah naman ayun, may bitbit ng mga shopping bags. Sabi na scam 'yung 'tingin' lang eh.

'Yung ibang customers na pinalabas ni Hannah naghihintay sa labas, sana all naghihintay. Pumasok sila ng itaas namin ang roll up door.

"Galing. Tingin lang muna pala, huh?"

"Bumili na ako para hindi na tayo bumalik, iwas hassle." And she gave me a super wide and creepy smile.

"Ewan ko sa'yo. Tara doon tayo sa stairs."

"Hephephep! Bakit mo tinatanggal 'yang cap mo?" Hinawakan niya 'yung braso ko. Tinanggal ko kasi ang sunglasses at cap ko as soon as we arrived at the stairs.

"May gagawin tayo." I grinned like a lunatic.

"O-oy, 'wag mo nga akong tingnan ng ganyan, saka h-hindi kita type!" She hid her body using her arms.

"Napaka dumi talagaaaa." Pinitik ko naman ang noo niya. "Maghahanap tayo ng artist tapos magpapanggap na Karen."

"You want to test them?"

"Ye—" I didn't finish what I was going to say and Hannah and I turned behind us when we heard someone scream.

"Oh my gosh! Blai—" I immediately covered this girl's mouth.

"Shh! Do you want 5k? 5,000 PHP?" She repeatedly blinks for several seconds before nodding her head at tinanggal ko na ang kamay ko sa bibig niya.

"I'm a big fan po!" She holds my hand tightly.

"Salamat." I smiled sweetly at her. "How old are you?" She looked like a minor kasi. "Can I have at least 10 minutes of your time?"

"Ah, 19 po. Puwede naman po, magkikita lang naman kami ng friends ko at wala pa 'yung iba."

"Okay, ganito gagawin mo." Pointing at the store, "Buy anything in that store in Yuan-Tan. Paglabas mo ng store, siraan mo 'yung binili mo or mark with pen or marker do whatever for the clothes to destroy. Then ask for a change item. Medyo tarayan mo din sila ng very light."

"Po? Bakit po?" She loosened her grip on my hand.

"I just want to test my staff. Can I count on you? I'll give you 10k."

"Ay! 10K. Grab mo na yan, sis. Ibibigay niya sa'yo 'yun, don't worry hindi siya related kay Cayetano." Tumabi si Hannah sakanya.

Ano daw? "Ano na naman 'yang pinagsasabi mo sa bata?"

"Tinuturuan ko siyang magkaroon ng 10k, dahil 'yung kay Alan hindi na matutu—"

"Sige po, I'll do it. 'Wag na po kayong magtalo."

I smiled and hugged her. "Please don't touch them, okay? And don't be so harsh." Tumango naman siya at binigyan ko na ng budget para sa bibilhin niya.

Hinili ko naman si Hannah sa mas visible na lugar para kita namin 'yung ganap sa loob.

"Sa tingin mo kakagat kaya sila? That kid looks like a good girl. Nako, basta labas ako dito Blaine ha."

"Eh kung literal kaya na palabasin kita sa mall na 'to, you want?" I placed my arm around her neck.

"Sabi ko nga we're all in this together once we know that we are—"

"Will you be quiet or will I hurt you?"

"At bakit naman ako mananahimik?" She removed my arm from her neck, "You're restraining my human rights!"

"Animal rights kamo." I rolled my eyes at tumingin sa store.

"Ano?! Aba, sumosobra ka na ah. Hindi porket younger sister kita you can say anything you want." Lumayo siya sa'kin at inirapan pa ako.

"Let's eat at Max's." I said while my eyes were looking at the store.

"Gusto ko 'yung adobo rice." She said pouting. "Kare-kare din."

"Okay." Ang dali talaga paamuhin ang isang 'to.

"Tofu sisig as well and.... and..." She stopped and gasped. " Inihaw na pusit ni Gerry's! Mag Gerry's Grill na lang tayo. Pero 'yung adobo rice." Her shoulder slumped.

"Ano ba talaga? Decide now kung ayaw mong sa Food court ang bagsak natin."

"Wait lang, gumagalaw na 'yung bata."

Nasa gilid ng store 'yung bata, may nilabas din siya sa bag niya. Hindi ko makita kung ano malayo-layo din ang pwesto namin ni Hannah sa store eh.

At ayun na lumapit na siya kay Erin.

Nice, she didn't lower her head. Even Faye is looking at the kid directly in her eyes.

"Mukhang nagtake notes ang mga bakla sa mga sinabi mo kanina ah."

"Tara, lapit tayo." I clung my arm to Hannah's and we walked toward the store.

"Ma'am, no'ng binayaran niyo 'yan wala namang damages." Napangiti ako sa sinabi ni Erin.

"Eh anong gagawin ko dito sa sirang damit? Kakabili ko lang sira na agad, sayang 800 ko."

"799 lang po 'yan." Mukhang palaban na ngayon si Erin ah.

"It's the same thing. Can I talk to your manager? Baka sakaling mas maintindihan niya ako."

"Sandali lang po." Pumunta siya sa loob para tawagin si Gael. Lumabas din naman sila agad agad.

"Hello, miss. Ano pong problema?"

"I need to change this shirt ng mas maayos. May damage po kasi." Inabot niya kay Gael 'yung shirt at chineck naman niya.

"Pero sir, no'ng binili niya po 'yang shirt wala naman akong nakitang damages."

"So what are you trying to say?" She slightly raised her voice.

I think this girl is a natural. Does she always do these kinds of things?

"Ma'am, I'm sorry but she said there was no damage when you bought this," Gael said while maintaining his posture.

Good job, guys. I'm so proud of you.

"What do you want me to do about this damaged shirt? I can't......."

I didn't hear the next words she said as my phone vibrated inside my bag. I gaped when I saw the caller. Si babe na naman namiss yata ako.

"Sasagutin mo na ba siya? Este 'yung tawag. Sasagutin mo ba?" Ngumiti naman si Hannah ng nakakaloko.

"Mamaya na. What did she say? Did they pass?"

"Hmm, puwede na. Better than the scene earlier, they look like pros now."

"Okay, let's get inside."

"Bravo!" Hannah shouted, clapping her hands together.

"Well done, guys. I'm so proud of you." I stared at them one by one.

"Uh... ma'am?" Gael with furrowed eyebrows.

"This girl is my friend." I placed my hand around her shoulder. "I'm sorry but I paid her to cause a scene."

"Pasensya na po hehehe napag utusan lang." She gave Erin a peace sign.

"Well, I'm impressed. You did great, so I will give you a budget for meryenda."

"Si ma'am talaga." Napakamot naman ng kilay si Erin.

*****

"Salamat po sa mga damit na binigay niyo, sobra sobra na po tapos may 10k pa."

She requested a picture inside the store and a signature on the clothes I bought for her. I wish I had a sister like her. Bihira lang ang teenager na may manners sa panahon ngayon. I'm lucky that she saw me and she took the stairs instead of the escalator.

"I should be the one thanking you at hindi mo sila tinulak or said something offensive, and your voice didn't raise that much. I liked your performance." I nudged her shoulder and smiled at her.

"S-sige po dito na ako, baka makita po kayong ng friends ko I'm sure they will never leave you alone."

We bid our goodbyes.... and I'm still watching her walk further away from us.

"Tawagan mo na, mukhang importante at ilang bese ka na tinawagan."

"What?" Napaisip pa ako baka may nakalimutan akong gawin.

"Don't tell me you forgot about FC because of that girl?"

"Ay, s**t!" I swiftly looked at my phone and dialed her number.

It's in the fifth ring. Is she mad? It seems that she has no intention of answering my call.

I was about to end it when I heard her voice.

"Hello, Rayni? I'm sorry, I didn't answer your calls ahead of time."

"It's fine. I... uh." Sheeet, her phone voice is really lovely.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Do you have a date for the event? Remi's auction event?"

"No, I don't have a plan on asking anyone. Why did you ask?" Don't tell me...?! 'Wag assumera, Blaine.

"Will you be my date?"