Chapter 10
817 Words
Charle's POV
Nakasimangot si Mayumi nang makauwi kami. Hindi ko alam kung bakit. Tinulungan ko na nga kanina pero parang galit pa.
Malayo rin ang nilakad ko pabalik sa kotse kanina. Medyo masakit pa nga ang likod ko.
"Are you hungry?"
I asked.
"'Di."
Matipid niyang sagot.
"K,"
I answered.
I didn't know words can be expensive these days.
Pumunta ako sa kitchen to grab water, then I came back to the living room and sat on the sofa beside her.
She was about to stand up when I sat down, so held her hand to stop her.
"Anong ginagawa mo?"
Pagsusungit niya.
"You might fall."
I answered, pointing at her wound na binalot ko kanina at nilagyan ng ointment so it would heal faster.
"Tsk."
Inalis niya ang pagkakahawak ko sa kaniya at tila pilay na naglakad palayo para lumipat sa kabilang sofa.
I just secretly smiled, and I don't know why.
I find her attitude funny most of the time. Masarap siyang asarin.
"Did you open your school supplies already?"
"Hmm. Thank you."
She's not even looking at me whenever she's talking.
"'So why are you mad at me?"
I asked.
"Hindi."
"Hmm. Okay."
It must be because of that guy, Renzo. I carried her away from him.
I don't like that guy around.
Hinayaan ko nalang muna si Mayumi sumimangot. Mawawala rin yan mamaya. I know for sure dahil ganyan din si Rianne. They either need food or space.
I started watching a series as I ate snacks we bought earlier at the convenience store.
Tsk.
I should stop buying there, so they will go away and move somewhere else.
Never mind, it's not like I'm going to come back to this place again once the contract is done, anyway.
Inilipat ko ang tingin ko kay Mayumi to check on her and saw her sleeping.
She's hugging a pillow tightly while her hoodie covers her head. She looks comfortable.
I grabbed the remote and deducted the amount of volume of the television. I don't want to wake a grumpy dwarf.
I turned it off after two episodes, and then I went to my room to change clothes.
I messaged Jolo to drive me to the gym.
I have work tomorrow, so I need to look great.
It's a photoshoot for a brand campaign. They want me to be topless.
"Good morning, Sir."
Jolo greeted.
"Charles nalang."
It sounded good when Jolo called Mayumi by her name, so maybe mine would sound good too.
"Oh."
"Call me like that starting today."
"Yes, Charles. Here's your protein shake."
"Thanks."
Sumakay ako sa loob ng kotse at nang maisara na ni Jolo 'yong pinto ay sumakay na rin siya at nagsimulang magmaneho.
"Do I have any schedules next week?"
"Yes. Full schedule."
"Hmm."
Pagtango ko.
"What time are we leaving tomorrow?"
"I cannot come with you tomorrow, Sir... I mean... Charles."
"And why?"
"Rianne told me."
"That old shit."
If only I could fire her as my manager.
They won't let me change manager as Rianne is obviously the only one who can handle me. I already changed eight managers in the past.
"You have Mayumi. People need to see you actually working with her in public."
That makes sense, but I don't think Mayumi can cover all the work that Jolo does.
It's a fast-moving work.
"Hmm."
"What do you think of Mayumi, Charles?"
"What do you mean?"
"In general."
"Annoying."
Mayumi can be loud sometimes. We often disagree as she wants to do things that I don't want to do. I hate it when people tell me what to do.
"And?"
"Am I supposed to say more?"
"She's hardworking and a kind person. Life has been hard for her."
"Life is hard for everyone. Just different kind."
"That is also true."
"Why are you asking me about her."
"I think she's good for you."
"Then you marry her. She's not my type."
"That's not what I mean. I think Mayumi is a good company for you."
"How so?"
"You'll know."
I have no idea what Jolo is talking about and I don't have the energy to think either kaya hindi na ako sumagot.
Nang makarating kami sa gym ay pinagtambay ko muna si Jolo sa katabing coffee shop.
I usually work out for one to two hours. It depends on my mood.
This is an exclusive gym kaya walang pwedeng manggulo.
I first connected my headphones to my phone to listen to music. I started to warm up and do some stretching, and then I began my actual workout.
I wonder if Mayumi is awake by now.
I hope not.
Paniguradong maglalakad-lakad nanaman 'yon sa bahay kahit na hindi pa magaling 'yong sugat niya.
I'm not thinking about her because I care for her but for myself. She has to come with me to work tomorrow. Baka ako pa ang mag-alaga sa kaniya bukas niyan.
- Writer
