His Broken Gem

HBG 5

Stella's POV

I walk inside the building with grace and confidence. As usual maaga ako because I want to be a good role model for my employees. Marami na rin ang nasa office ngayon, much better than the previous employees. So far, magagaling ang bagong hire na mga employees, hindi ko pa sila nakikitaan ng lapses. That's a good sign but I shouldn't let my guard down. I'll observe them quietly. Madalas ay sa una lang sila magaling, but sooner or later ay lalabas din ang mga tunay nilang personality. I'll make sure that they are responsible for their duty in here. Everything they will do will be monitored.

I saw my secretary waiting for me at the door. Nauna akong pumasok sa office at agad namang sumunod ang secretary ko. I open my laptop to check some personal emails. I don't need to remind her what to do, she already knows her job.

"Ma'am, this paper needs your signature ma'am. Ito po 'yong report ng accounting department for last month." She handed me 3 folders, all reports from last month's revenue and expenses. This should be the job of the accounting department but I always check it to make sure they did their job right.

"I'll check that later, anything else?" I asked her as I check every email that I received. I ignore most of them though, they are just some invitation at the a party or celebration. I don't like socializing so I would rather avoid attending any gala or party unless it is very important.

"You have a meeting with Mr. Gonzales this lunch po ma'am, at 3 pm meeting with investors po ma'am, and dinner meeting with Cordova Merchandise at 7 pm," wika niya habang chine-check ang tablet na may laman ng schedule ko for the whole month.

"Gonzales? Again? What's the issue this time?" I asked while scanning the report they made. Mr. Gonzales have been pestering me since last last week. It turns out that he was the one Mom was talking about. The business partner that has good and decent son, Angelo Gonzales. It started when mom pushed the idea of marriage, Mr. Gonzales starts to invite me in meeting and events. Mostly, just a gathering. Ano na naman kaya ang issue niya this time.

"May mahalaga raw po kayong pag-uusapan maam. About the...engagement," mahina niyang sinabi ang huling salita. I stop reading the report and huffed in annoyance. Spreading this kind of news without my approval, the nerve of that old man.

"Tell him, I'm busy. I'll reach him out once I'm free. For the other meeting, reschedule it, you're dismissed." I continue reading the reports, so far wala namang mali. All are accurate, just a few errors from the grammar which is not that important. They'll edit it for sure.

I did all my works para wala na akong po-problemahin mamaya. I'll be having a meeting with him, we're down to contract signing. We will be discussing our conditions for the contract. I bring my laptop with me para mas madaling ma-edit ang terms and condition na mapagkakasunduan namin.

When lunch time came, I gathered my things and headed to our meeting place. I contacted my lawyer para pumunta, hahabol naman si Mika kasi siya ang witness sa contract signing namin aside from my Lawyer. While driving, my mind wanders about what will happen later. Paano kami nalagay sa sitwasyong iyon?

It all started when mom keeps on pushing the arrange marriage thing and him being desperate for financial assistance. Sebastian Alistair Cortejo, his names sounds gallant, but he's just a commoner struggling for living.

I laugh on the thought. Funny how money can make the people do ridiculous things. Yes, my plan was ridiculous. It was childish to be exact, like seriously? Pretending to be in love with someone you don't know. That sounds so childish.

"Your freedom was at risk, that was the easiest way we can do for now. So, stop complaining."

"For f-ck sakes. Shut up, Megan," mahinang bulong ko.

I park my car outside the restaurant. Naroon na rin ang Lawyer ko, but he's nowhere to found, talking about punctuality. I sigh as I rolled my eyes upsidedown. He only have 5 minutes left. Pumunta na kami sa ni-reserve naming table, it was secluded at wala masyadong tao. I prefer it here, tahimik.

I glance at my watch to check the time. Where the hell is he? He's late! Ayoko pa naman sa lahat ay 'yong irresponsible sa oras. Time is precious, hindi lang sa kanila umiikot ang mundo.

After a few minutes ay nakita ko na silang pumasok sa restaurant. Lakad-takbo ang ginawa nila papunta sa puwesto namin. I rolled my eyes when I saw Mika's awkward smile.

"Sorry, nasiraan kami ng kotse. I offer him a ride kasi, so hindi niya kasalanan kung bakit late siya..." bungad na wika niya nang makarating sila sa mesa. "Anyways, let's start?" Umupo siya sa kaliwang upuan, kaharap ko naman si Mr. Sebastian. He's not looking at me. Guilty.

Pinaliwanag ng attorney ko ang terms and condition ng contract namin, I already printed out a hard copy of the contract. If ever may changes man, I have my laptop with me for editing the content.

"I'll pay you 50,000 every month for your service. Ako na rin ang bahala sa bill ng anak mo..." I stop mid-sentence realizing something. "You're not married, right?" I asked him. He was just staring at me, creased line was visible on his forehead. He's looking at me with a confused eyes. Maya-maya lang ay tumawa siya.

Why is he laughing? Ako ba pinagtatawanan niya? Masyado bang mababa ang offer ko? What is his problem?

"What?" may halong inis na tanong ko sa kaniya. Why is he laughing ba? Even Mika and my lawyer were confused at his reaction. I feel like he's insulting me tuloy.

Nang makaramdam siya na hindi kami natutuwa ay tumigil din siya. He cleared his throat, trying to stop his laughter.

"Sorry...Natawa lang ako sa part na anak..." He stop his sentence and smirk at me, it's annoying. "Shy is my sister, in case na hindi mo alam."

I look at Mika to confirm what he said. Pero katulad ko ay naguguluhan din siya. "Huh? Hindi ba guardian ka ni Shy?" tanong ni Mika kay Sebastian. Tumango naman ito. Now i get it, how can Mika become so dumb.

"Yes, I'm her guardian not father," he's said still smirking. Argh! I wish I can removed that annoying smirk in his face! Might remove his face na rin. I rolled my eyes upsidedown. Whatever!

"Well someone had given me a wrong information. Anyways, is 50,000 enough? Or want a bigger offer? I'll give you a blank check with my signature, you can put any digits you want as an advance payment. But make sure your service was worth the price," I explained. He's not smirking now, he was serious. He look away after that. They may not be able to see it but literally saw him rolling his eyes. The nerve of this guy!?

I raised my brow at him, challenging him. "I can cancel this meeting if you're not interested," I said with a hint of sarcasm. I saw him clenched his jaw before sighing.

"What's your conditions?" he asked. I smiled secretly thinking that I won. Even Megan was laughing so hard right now.

"I only have an simple conditions, first, it's a secret agreement. No one should know about our deal, except from Mika and my lawyer," I said. He nodded his head agreeing to what I've said.

"Don't worry, wala akong plano na ipagsabi sa iba ang tungkol sa atin."

I raise one of my brow at his statement before I release a sarcastic laugh. "There's no us. Get that buried in your skull."

I sigh as I nodded my head. "Anyways, that's good to hear. So the second one is, the deal will be on-going until I said so, as long as my mom keeps on pushing the arrange marriage and still doubting our relationship, then you'll be stuck in the agreement until maniwala siya." I saw him pursed his lips while reading my conditions. Hindi siya nagsalita kaya naman nagpatuloy ako. "Third is mind your own business. You do yours, I'll do mine."

"Iyon lang?" nagtatakang tanong niya. I raised my brow at him.

"Hindi mo ba ilalagay na bawal mahulog sa isa't-isa?" dagdag tanong niya.

I scoffed at his statement. "We're having a deal here, not writing a novel. And also that's...to cringe, saka it's already understandable when we're in this situation. The deal is about pretending not investment of feelings." I rolled my eyes after talking. He's watching too much drama, too much for a guy like him.

"Naninigurado lang. Hindi ba tayo titira sa iisang bahay?" he asked again. For the nth times, I rolled my eyes.

"I can't bear living in one roof with a stranger, like we're not even on a real relationship to be on that stage." I shrugged my shoulders.

"Same. Just make sure na hindi tayo pagdududahan," wika niya. He scan the contract thoroughly, not missing a single word.

"Okay naman ang offer, pero ito lang ang masasabi ko. Tawagin mo man akong corny but I'm telling you, do not fall in love with me, I can't catch you. You're not the woman that I wanted to be with," he said in a serious tone. I stare at him intently.

"You're also not the type of the man I want, don't get ahead of yourself," I rebut.

"Good. Anyways, hindi ko na kailangan ang 50,000 na sweldo, the bills were enough."

"I insist. This is a give and take agreement. I give you the money, you give me your service and that's final." I emphasizes the word 'final' for him to understand na I won't take no for an answer. I even give him a short sarcastic smile that didn't last for 2 seconds before putting back neutral face.

"Do you like flaunting your power and wealth?" he asked with a bit of disgust in his voice. I shrugged my shoulders at him.

"I don't see anything wrong with it. It's the result of my hardwork so why would I try to hide it?"

"Are you even happy?"

"My happiness doesn't concern you. I am fine this way, I can buy anything that can make me happy," I said with confidence. Lahat naman ay napapaikot ng pera. You show them your money and they surely praise and worship you as if you were their god.

"Hindi lahat ng bagay ay nabibili ng pera," wika niya. I squint my eyes at him trying to understand what does he mean by that.

"But I did buy you, am I wrong?" may panunuyang wika ko. Mas tumalim ang mga titig na iginawad niya sa akin. What?! Galit siya dahil prinovoke ko siya? Sino ba ang unang umapak sa linya? It's him! So why is he angry now?

"Okay, guys kalma. Attorney salamat na lang sa lahat. Okay na kami rito. Gawin mo na dapat mo gawin, good bye," awat ni Mika habang pinapasalamatan ang lawyer ko. I'm still looking at him, not willing to surrender. I feel Mika's hand on my shoulder, kaya agad akong napa-iwas nang tingin at inalis ang kamay ni Mika.

"Sorry," mahinang wika niya ng makita ang reaction ko. I took a deep breath before deciding to leave the place. Damn it. It was just a simple touch! Bakit ba hindi pa rin ako nasasanay?!

I was about to leave when he suddenly speak.

"You can't buy a genuine and sincere loved, I'm afraid that you're not even deserving of that kind of loved. Not with you being selfish and arrogant."

"Don't worry. I'm not looking forward for that." I turn my back against them and walk my way to the entrance. Mika was the one who finished everything. He signed the contract. What for? After insulting me, may gana pa siyang pumirma? He looks hypocrite. Akala mo naman wala siyang flaws.

I leave not minding what will happened. I entered my car just sitting at the driver seat and staring at nowhere. I just... can't stand him. My blood will boil everytime I see him. And... I'm also bothered by what he said.

"What, Stella? Are you gonna let that man affect who you are?" mataray na wika ni Megan. I didn't answer her.

"Are you that weak, Stella?"

"No."

"Then why I can feel that you're hesitating and doubting yourself?"

"I'm...not."

"You're not sure with answer."

"I'm not," I said loudly. I came back to my senses.

"That's right! Don't ever doubt yourself and your ability. Let them think what they want to think. Their opinions were not valid and needed. Who cares to what they said anyways."

I nodded my head in agreement with a determine expression as I start the engine. Tinahak ko ang daan pauwi sa mansion.

Megan's right. I am who I am and I should not let anyone stain and break what I build for all those years. I didn't build myself just for them to stain what I believe and break what made myself of. They should look and take care of themselves before degrading other people. Baka mas mabaho pa sila sa nabubulok na pagkain.

I don't need other people's love. I already have my mom, Mika and myself, hindi ko na kailangan ng iba pang tao. Call me selfish but this is me. It's own definition of self worth.

Myself was more that other people. Nothing matters more than that.