His Broken Gem

HBG 26

Stella's POV

"Aren't you going to rest more? Baka mabinat ka niyan," Seb worried asks as he observes me packing my stuff for work.

We are now in the living room checking for my things while Sebastian keeps on nagging me ever since he saw me dressed up for work. He didn't want me to go and insisted that I should take a rest.

"Sebastian, I told you I'm fine," I grunted while trying to convince him. I place my bag at the coffee table and went to the kitchen to grab some water to drink.

"Kagagaling mo lang, ang taas taas ng lagnat mo kagabi," he reminded. Concern is still visible in his voice.

I sigh as I remember the events last night. Having a breakdown in public is really embarassing. Idagdag mo pa na maraming nakakita no'n. Seb was the one who went and fetch me, hindi ko alam kung paano niya nalaman kung nasaan ako but I'm thankful that he came. In the past, I would be anxious if someone ever saw that side of me, but unknowingly, I'm just fine with Sebastian witnessing it all.

Ano bang mayro'n sa kaniya to makes himself different from everyone? How can he make me feel this...safe?

"I'm already used to it, Seb. And please, kindly forget what happened last night, okay?" I pleaded.

I heard him sigh deeply. I glance at Shy who was silently eating her breakfast at the dining table.

"Hindi ba talaga kita maaawat?" he ask in a defeated tone. I look at him and nodded confidently.

"Okay," he stated. I thank him in my mind when he suddenly talks again. "Pero kapalit no'n mag-aagahan ka rito, hindi makkalabas ang walang kain," he said, not giving me time to react as he dragged me by my hand towards the table. Shy look upon us and smile at us.

He made me sit at the vacant seat in front of Shy at agad na nilapag ang niluto niyang pagkain. I look at him.

"I can just eat at my office--" he cuts me off as he takes my spoon, puts some omelet, and feed it to me, making me shut up.

"Kakain ka o kakain ka?" he warns emphasizing the word. I huffed making my cheeks puff as I chew on my food. What was the purpose of the choices kung pareho lang naman 'yon?

Why is he ordering me around? As far as I remember, I am the boss here. Kumain na lang ako at hindi na umalma pa, he also took his seat between Shy and I, since I have a round table at my unit.

We were in the middle of our meal when Sebastian's phone rang. He excused himself and answered the call. Hindi naman ganoon kalayo ang puwesto niya sa amin kaya naririnig ko pa rin siya. It was as if he doesn't care if we can hear their conversation.

"Yes Sir... May emergency lang po kagabi kaya hindi po ako nakapasok, Sir," I heard him says. It's probably his boss calling him by the way he is addressing the caller. I mentally rolls my eyes when I realize na ni minsan ay hindi niya ako tinawag na boss or ma'am when I become his employer.

"Yes, Sir...copy, Sir. Papasok po ako mamaya..." I heard him said before ending the call. Bumalik din naman agad siya sa upuan niya at pinagpatuloy ang pagkain.

I glance at him, contemplating if I should ask him or not. In the end, I ended up asking him.

"Is that your boss who called?" I asked him.

"Oo," he simply said before taking a big bite. I nodded my head as I also took a bite from my food.

"What did he say?" I asks again as I observe him eating.

"Tinatanong niya lang kung bakit wala ako kagabi," kibit balikat na saad niya.

Maya-maya pa ay mas nauna siyang natapos sa amin. He immediately clean his dishes at sinunod naman si Shy. Nagtataka ko naman siyang sinundan ng tingin.

"Are you going somewhere? Why are you rushing?" I asked him in confusion.

Pinapagpgan niya ang uniform ni Shy habang pinapainom ito ng gatas at gamot nito. He look at me before standing.

"Yep, may pinapakuha ang boss ko para mamaya," he said before taking my empty dishes at hinugasan 'yon. I didn't even notice na tapos na akong kumain.I put my elbow on the table and lean on my hand as I look at him doing the dishes.

I just notice na napapadalas ang pag-absent niya sa work this pst few days. And it's hard to believe that I am involved in it. He's busy taking care of me.

"Papasok ka sa trabaho mamaya?" I asked him.

"Yes."

"Are you in trouble? I can talk to your boss if you want," I suggested thinking that he might be in trouble because of me.

"No need, I can handle it..." He washed his hands and wipe them on the dry towel near the sink. He faces me and smiles. "Let's go. Ako na mag-da-drive," he said.

We all took our stuff and leave the unit. Hawak-hawak ko ang kamay ni Shy as we entered the elevator. An elderly woman was there, she smile at us when we entered the lift. Binati naman ito ni Shy.

"Good morning po, Lola," Shy greeted. The elderly immediately smile back at her as she waves her hand at Shy.

"Good morning," the elderly greeted back. "Papasok ka na ba sa school?"

Masigla namang tumango si Shy rito. " Opo," she said cheerfully.

"Ang bait naman ng batang 'to. Paniguradong tinuruan ka ng magandang asal ng mommy at daddy mo," the elderly said as she take a glance at me and Sebastian who is standing beside Shy. Napapagitnaan siya ni Shy at ng matanda.

Wait, is she thinking that we are Shy's parents?

I saw Shy smiling micheivously bago hinarap ang matanda babae. I was still holding her hands, kaya naman nadala ako nang hilain niya ang kamay ko para ipakita ako sa matanda.

"Opo! Mabait po si mommy at daddy ko," she said proudly. I blink multiple times as I was still dazed by what she said.

"Ang ganda po ng mommy ko, hindi ba?" she asked still smiling widely as if it was normal.

"Oo nga, mana ka sa mommy mong maganda, pati na rin daddy mo na guwapo," nakangisi naman saad ng matanda. I frown by her statement and immediately mask it with a uncomfortable smile.

"Siyempre naman po," Shy said.

I look at Sebastian to see his reaction. He was just calm and just smiling as if he find the situation amusing.

Aren't he gonna say a thing?

'How about you're the one who should say something?' Megan asked crossing her arms on her chest.

I pouted as I remain silent. Right, I should be the one stopping this nonsense. I was about to talk to correct the misunderstanding when the elevator's door open. Nauna nang lumabas si Sebastian sa amin, Shy followed him from behind since he was holding her hands. At dahil magkahawak kami ni Shy ay nahila rin ako.

"Mauna na po kami sa inyo," paalam ni Seb sa matanda habang kumaway naman si Shy rito.

Kanina pa ba siya nakahawak sa kamay ni Shy? Ba't 'di ko napansin 'yon?

We reached my car and Sebastian takes care of Shy first, putting her in the backseat and securing her seatbelt. I attempted to open the door when he had already done it for me.

Him and his gentleman side.

"Ate, Kuya? When are we gonna practice our entry ba? Next week na po kasi ang Family day," Shy said when we entered the car.

I look at Sebastian and saw him also looking at me.

"When are you free?" he asked.

"Uhm... I can spend time tomorrow onward..." I said as I thought of my schedule for this week and next week. There's actually nothing important. Halos mga meeting lang naman with clients which I can send someone over.

"We can start tomorrow if you want," I said to Shy. She nodded her head smiling brightly.

Inuna naming ihatid si Shy sa school niya saka ako inihatid sa kumpanya namin. He parks the car in the basement and turn the engine off. He hands the car's key when we got out of the car. I look at it and decided not to take it.

"You can use it," I said.

"Ha? Bakit? Paano ka uuwi mamaya?" naguguluhang tanong niya.

"I can ask our driver to fetch me. Sige na baka ma-late ka pa sa pupuntahan mo," I stated pushing him towards the car.

"Are you sure? Hindi ko naman to magagamit kasi mamaya pa naman ang pasok ko," he said. I just nodded my head reassuring him.

"How about ako na lang ang susundo sa iyo mamaya?" he suggested.

I don't know why but I suddenly felt happy when he said that.

"Are...you sure? Hindi ka ba busy?" I asked.

"Hindi naman, alas 5 pa naman ako papasok." Napa-isip naman ako do'n at napgpasyahang tanggihan ang offer. Balak ko kasing mag-oveer time ngayon para wala na akong poproblemahin mamaya.

"Forget it. Mag-focus ka na lang sa work mo, I'll just call our driver to fetch me," I said.

"Are you sure?" he asked for the second time.

"Yes, Seb. I am sure. Now go!" I said.

Umalis din naman siya pagkatapos no'n kahit na nagdadalawang isip pa rin siya. I watched him until the car disappear in my sight. I sigh as I went towards teh entrance. I took the elevator, may tao rin doon sa loob. I press my floor number and stand in the side, feeling bored.

"Good morning po, ma'am," one of the employees greeted.

I just nodded my head and replied in a bored tone, "Morning."

I heard them gasped kaya naman nilingon ko sila. Agad naman silang napayuko at patuloy pa rin sa pag-uusap. I ignored them and waited for the door to open. Nauna na silang nagpaalam sa akin nang makarating na kami sa floor nila. I just nodded at them and saw him bickering while walking away.

When I reached my office ay tahimik lang akong umupo sa swivel chair ko. There's nothing to do here. Did I already done my job without me noticing?

Hours passed and I already have a nice nap on my office. I was awoken by the knock on my door.

"Come in," I said as I fix my hair and check my face on the mirror.

"Ma'am, lunch na po. Should I order you a lunch po?" my secretary said. Instead of answering her, I look at the time. It's still 12 noon.

"Do I have a meeting today?" I asked her. Sandali naman siyang napaisip dahil hindi niya dala ang tablet niya.

"Meeting po for Mr. Gonzales about his firm in Makati," she said. I mentally rolled my eyes as I gather my stuff. Angelo's dad has been pestering me. Sana pala ay hinayaan kong matalo ang case namin and just pay the damage. Baka nakumbinsi pa ni Angelo ang dad niya na tigilan ako.

"Reschedule it next week, day after the Family day," I said as I walk towards the door. Huminto anman ako nang may maalala ako. I faced her.

"Kindly look for Shy tonight, you're dismiss," I told her.

Naglakad na ako palabas ng building, I took out my phone and call Mika. After 4 rings ay sumagot din siya.

"What did I do para tawagan mo ako ng kusa?" bungad niya sa kabilang linya. I rolled my eyes on her even though she can't see it. But it looks like she has a power.

"Why do I feel like you're rolling your eyes right now?" she added.

"Are you free today?" I asked her ignoring her statement.

"Hmm. Medyo, katatpos lang ng 39 hours shift ko," she said as she yawn.

"Good we are going somewhere," I said and ended the call.

Might as well take Sebastian's advice to took a day off at work.