Veiled Motives | Lies Between Lines Series #3

CHAPTER 4

Chapter 4: A mistake

I HEAVED deeply that I am now on the front of Amadeus Real Estate Company. Where it is in charge is the person I will guard and provide protection. I am the lucky one chosen among the ten choices of our headmaster.

This is my key to be completely close to the Amadeus family. The guy is just a little impatient but that’s alright. My job is to keep an eye on him.

When I approached the guard ay ipinakita ko sa kaniya ang I.D ko at hindi naman siya nagdalawang-isip na pinapasok ako sa loob ng kompanya.

After that selection, two of my superiors gave me a brief orientation and gave me information about the Amadeus family. I did write a few details and had my own research on them, especially that guy.

Inilabas ko naman ang cell phone and I fixed my earpiece too. Nasa bulsa ko na rin ang walkie-talkies at ang ibinigay ni Klein na pepper spray.

Elvis Vladimier Amadeus, he was born on October 5, 1996. He is also the only son of his parents and eldest son. He has two younger sisters, one is an actress and model, and the youngest is still in college.

Matalino ang lalaki at simula pa lang sa grade school ay matataas na ang grades niya. He went to college at a prestigious university here in the Philippines and had Latin honor when he graduated. Not only that, he also studied his master of degree at Oxford University.

Because he is expected to be the successor of his parents. AREC has been established long ago and from the information I have gathered. Their company is very famous and they have built many buildings, subdivision and schools, those are their projects.

Every month their income reaches 200 millions pesos. Another thing, they have other businesses as well and they really are the richest in the country. No wonder they really need bodyguards for their safety and all I need is to do the job properly. Because if I failed I’m dead at ako talaga ang malalagot.

I actually heard my earpiece drop and listened to it very closely. “Hey, C. Have you been there yet?” That was Jamie’s voice.

“Yes, I’m already here. Pasakay pa lang ako ng lift,” I replied and the employees couldn’t avoid looking at me. Gayunpaman ay hindi ako nagpakita nang emosyon ko. Pinindot ko lang ang 8th floor kung saan ang office ni Sir Elvis.

I’m wearing a black suit. Instead of black heels ang susuotin ko, I chose a flat shoes. I’m used to wearing high heels. But at my height of 5’7 that’s not necessary. I’m more comfortable with this. Malaya akong makatatakbo kapag nagkaroon ng gulo or something. But I’m hoping na wala naman.

AREC is on the 15th floor. This is huge even though the building is only this tall. It’s so beautiful inside and you’ll think you’re just in a hotel.

Their company doesn’t have uniform but they have a dress code. Women should wear mini skirts, high heels and pants are forbidden. The same goes for men, they are all wearing suits. You only know what their position is their ID string.

The lift is open so I stepped out. From the info I’ve gathered, this whole floor is exclusive for the chef executive officer.

A man got up from his seat and had a table there. He has a lot of paper piled up on the surface. I stared at his face. He’s good looking and it seems a nice guy too.

“Good morning! I am Nikolas San Gorte. I am the secretary of Sir Elvis Vladimier Amadeus. Are you Miss Chendra Alderto, his personal bodyguard?” I nodded in response and reached out my hand. I’m wearing a white hand glove.

He accepted it with a smile. “Can I have his schedule?” I politely asked the man, though I still don’t have emotions.

“Sir reminds me, just ask him to take his schedule,” he replied and raised my other eyebrow. Bumitaw na ako and nodded a little. “Please enter now. He’s waiting for you already.”

Huminga ulit ako nang malalim at kumatok nang tatlong beses. “Come in,” narinig kong tugon nito at nagsimula na namang magkarerahan ang t***k ng puso ko.

Pinihit ko na ang seradora at itinulak pabukas ang pinto. Bumungad sa akin ang napakaganda at napakalaki niyang opisina. Sa sobrang linis nito ay parang kumikinang ang floor at ang kulay kremang pader.

Nasa kaliwang bahagi na nakapuwesto ang mesa niya at nakaharap ito sa kanang bahagi kung nasaan naman ang puting sofa at center table. Nasa likuran niyon ay ang bookshelf at salamin ang pader sa dulo kaya malayang-malaya na makikita mula roon ang buong Manila. Paintings and some other things are there, maayos na naka-display ang mga ito.

“Won’t you come near me, Miss Alderto? Are you just going to stand there?” the man asked me, walang nababakasan ng kahit na ano’ng emosyon ang boses niya.

I stepped towards him and bowed down. My two hands are hiding behind my back. He’s just sitting in his swivel chair and frantically tapping the top of his table.

“Good morning, Mr. Amadeus,” I greeted him politely and remained just bent. As long as he doesn’t say anything ay ganito lang nakatungo ang ulo ko. He’s one of my superiors now.

“Chendra Alderto, 23 years old. Born on April 20, 2001. You are one of the women who passed the training of that said Academy. Your credentials are good. I just want to ask you one thing, Miss Alderto,” he said at wala pa man siyang katanungan ay kinakabahan na ako.

Why is his presence like this? My nervousness and fear for him runs through my whole system. He is really intimidating.

“Okay, what is that, Sir?” I asked him.

“Why did you choose such a job like this?” he asked at ang nakangiting imahe ng aking ama ang nakikita ko sa balintataw ko. He’s the reason.

“This is my dream, Sir,” diretsong sagot ko. Yes, this is my dream. Just because of my father.

“Wrong.” I lifted my head at what he said. “Besides in your dreams what’s the reason behind?” he asked once again. Isa na yata itong interview.

“I just wish women could work as a ladyguard because from what I see there are no women who work like that anymore. Not even a policewoman ay wala na po talaga akong nakikita sa kahit saang lugar. I just want to show that we as women can do this kind of job like other men do,” I explained.

“Are you questioning policewomen, Miss Alderto?” seryosong tanong na naman niya.

“It’s not like that, Sir. That’s just my opinion. We are free to give an opinion,” I said and his eyebrows slightly increased. He nodded a little bit too.

“Okay. Get to work,” he ordered and I walked out the door when he spoke again. “Where are you going?”

“I will guard outside,” my answer.

“Shouldn’t you always be by my side? Why would you go outside? Will you look after my secretary, Miss Alderto?” My lips moved slightly from what was heard. My chest is pounding so loud at namamanhid na rin ang batok ko. “Dito ka sa tabi ko.” Aawang sana ang labi ko pero mabilis na itinikom ko rin at nang hindi pa siya tumingin sa side ko ay hindi pa ako kikilos.

Ilang dangkal lang ang layo ko mula sa kaniya. Nanatiling nakatayo nga ako sa tabi niya.

“I heard that, C.” Mariin na kinagat ko ang labi ko nang marinig ko ang boses ni Jamie. Umalingawngaw sa earpiece na suot ko ang halakhak niya at hindi iyon nakatulong sa ’kin. “Hindi ko inaasahan na clingy pala siya sa bodyguard niya.”

“Shut up, Jamie,” mahina at mariin na sabi ko. Napalingon pa si Mr. Amadeus bago niya binuksan ang laptop niya. Nagsimula na rin siyang magtrabaho at ako naman ay may pinindot sa earpiece ko para hindi na marinig pa ni Jamie ang mangyayari dito sa opisina.

Despite our silence ay hindi pa rin naman kami nailang sa sitwasyon namin ngayon. He’s just working silently and focusing too much on his laptop and papers. Panay nga lang ang paghinga niya nang malalim.

“Take a seat.” I glanced at him when he spoke. “Have a seat,” he repeated what he said.

“I’m fine with this, Sir. It’s my job,” I said firmly.

“Tsk. Bahala ka,” he said, coldly.

Mayamaya lang ay marahas na bumukas ang pinto and when I saw the gun the guy was holding I automatically ran towards him. I jumped in the air just to kick the thing in his hand. Ang baril lang ang sinadya kong sipain at hindi ang kaniyang kamay.

He let go of it and I held his hand. I didn’t think twice about knocking him off the floor. Napadaing siya at agad akong lumuhod. Idiniin ko ang isa kong binti sa likod niya.

“Aw, shít!” he cussed that because I was holding both his arms from behind.

“Who are you?” malamig na tanong ko.

“What the hèll are you doing there, Vladimier?! Hindi mo ba ako tutulungan dito?!” pagalit na tanong ng lalaki at nilingon ko naman si Mr. Amadeus.

Nakatayo na rin siya at nakataas ang sulok ng mga labi niya. Nagtataka ako kung bakit nakikita ko na parang naaaliw lang siya sa nakikita niya ngayon.

“Let him go. He’s one of my friends,” utos niya at binitawan ko naman agad ito. Nakaramdam man ako nang pagkapahiya ay hindi ko na iyon pinahalata pa.

Nang tumayo ang lalaki ay akma nga siyang sisipa sa ere na diretso sa ’kin ay mabilis kong kinuha mula sa sahig ang baril na hawak niya kanina. Nang itutok ko iyon sa kaniya ay napaatras siya at muli lang siyang bumagsak sa sahig.

Umalingawngaw sa apat na sulok ng opisina ang boses ni Mr. Amadeus at malutong na napamura na lamang ang kaibigan niya.

May isa pang lalaki ang pumasok sa loob at katulad ng lalaki sa sahig ay parang susugod pa siya. Inilabas ko na ang M1911 pistol ko at itinutok ko iyon sa kaniya. Ito naman ang napaatras pagkakita ng baril.

“T-That’s a real gun, Miss. Ibaba mo iyan. Kaibigan kami ni Vladimier,” kinakabahan na sabi niya. Nangunyapit ang isang lalaki sa binti niya para makatayo ito at ngayon ay magkatabi na sila.

“What the f**k?! Babae ang bodyguard mo, Vladimier?!” gulat na sigaw nito.

“Yeah?” Humakbang palapit sa akin si Mr. Amadeus at hinawakan niya ang braso ko para ibaba ang mga kamay ko. Nagulat pa ako roon dahil ramdam ko agad ang mainit na palad na nagmumula sa kaniya.

“The hell!” sabay na sigaw ng dalawang lalaki at hindi pa sila makapaniwala.