The Maid's Secret

Chapter 8: Depend on Me

"Sir Derek?" may katamtamang lakas ng boses na tanong ko matapos kong kumatok ng tatlong beses sa pinto ng kwarto niya. I am still a bit hesitant to look at him on the eye again but I have no choice. I can't let him end this day without filling his stomach with something.

When he dismissed me a moment ago, I came back to help the other maids with the house chores but they still insisted that I must earn the young master's forgiveness tonight. Nakumpira ko rin galing kay Manang Delia na hindi pa nga ito kumakain simula nang dumating siya mula sa ekswelahan. Sa loob ng napakaraming oras, tiniis na lamang daw nito ang kanyang gutom sapagkat nag-aalala ito kung nasaan ako at nagmamatigas ito na wala siyang ibang kakainin kung hindi ang hapunan na ako mismo ang maghahain.

He sure is hard-headed. He won't listen to anyone unless his demands were granted.

Just like his father, I thought.

That is why I cooked his favorite dish which is sinigang. Unbeknownst to him, I am using the recipes his mother, Miss Sarah compiled in the hopes that her dishes would immortalize the love she has for her son.

Well, thanks to Woods, I was able to found it.

I tried to ask for permission to enter again for a few times but it seems like I'm just asking for the wind to give me a reply. Geez. Did he fall asleep already?

Hinayaan kong ang isa kong kamay ang sumuporta sa bigat ng tray na dala ko nang sa gayon ay maabot ko ang seradura ng pinto. Fortunately, it's not locked. As I slip my head into his room, I heard a cocky bear snoring. That's when I realized that he really did fall asleep already.

Derek tends to forget to lock his door whenever he's too exhausted to do so.

That reminds me, was that exhaustion somewhat relevant to the reason why he came back home earlier than usual?

I can't help but heave a loud sigh as I enter the room with the meal I prepared for him. Looks like I just have to reheat it tomorrow. Bago pa man ako magdesisyong magpahinga na sa kwarto ko ay ninais ko munang tingnan ang bagay na pinagkakaabalahan ng alaga ko para makatulog siya nang ganito kabilis.

So I put the tray down first to the coffee table and check the door is locked or not. Mahirap na na mahuli rito ng ibang empleyado. I don't want to be the center of hatred by the maids who admire Derek so much. Hindi biro ang magpanggap na wala lang ang paghampas-hampas nila sa akin.

Agad na naabutan ng mga mata ko ang isang Derek na nakatulog na sa harap ng computer niya. Mas nilapitan ko pa siya sa kinatutulugan niya at napansin ko pa ang sandamakmak na mga papeles at mga print-outs sa ilalim ng ulo't mga braso niya. Nilibot ko pa ang paningin ko sa iba't ibang kagamitang nakapalibot at nakakalat sa paligid niya hanggang sa dumako ang mga mata ko sa isang sticky note na nakadikit sa kalapit na pader.

Presentation for the company tomorrow afternoon, draft for thesis, evaluations, project, business plan... If you have so much to do today, why did you even waste your time worrying about me?

Though you are not aware of who I really am, I can protect myself just fine. You don't know how much I wanted to tell you that being concerned to someone who has always been asked to risk her life for someone else's sake is unnecessary. Getting close to the cliff that leads to death was not a danger but a zone of judgment where I can prove that even though I wasn't able to protect my family, I still have the capability to save other people's lives.

That's one reason why I can't get my a*s out of this job. I was trying to prove something to myself. I am trying to justify every little thing of tragedy in the past. I want to stop blaming myself from everything that happened.

"What an idiot to concern oneself for an agent who has dirtied her hands to defend herself every single time," I whispered as I sit in a squatting posture. This way, I will be able to look at him closely as long as no one interferes and he doesn't wake up.

It's a crime to own a very handsome face like that. Isip-isip ko. Malayo sa pala-sigaw at pala-utos na amo kada umaga. Para bang ibang tao ang kaharap ko ngayon.

May mga mahahabang pilikmata, may para bang perpektong iskulptura ng ilong, at napakaamong mukha. He looks so fragile like shining glass. While he sleeps so peacefully, he seems like someone who must be protected no matter what. Like me being here to guard him is just damn right. That this is where I belong. That this is where I should be.

I can't help but caress his hair with my hand. It is surprisingly soft considering that he sometimes style his hair as if it's a bunch of spikes. "Someday, you have to move forward without my presence, Derek. And I... I have to proceed to the path I have chosen for myself a long long time ago," nasabi ko na lang. Hindi pwedeng magpatuloy si Derek sa ganito.

Hindi ko maaaring hayaan na nakadepende siya sa akin kahit sa mumunting bagay pa.

I was about to pull my hand back when my eyes caught a glimpse of the book that is resting on his lap. Seriously? He's reading a good damn book? Derek De Guzman?

Kahit na ba tila nakakabigla na naglalaan pa siya ng oras upang makapagbasa o kahit tumingin lamang sa isang libro ay pinagkainteresan ko pa ring tingnan kung anong klase libro at anong libro ang pinagkakaabalahan ng lalaking ito.

Sun Tzu: The Art of War

What a classic. Despite having a record of being a consistent honor student before, I can't believe he would take a liking on this book. For a millennial such as Derek, I expected he would rather browse the web than getting himself a hard copy. After all, it would lessen the cost and time consummation.

"You keep surprising me everyday, Derek," at binigyan ko siyang muli ng isang sulyap.

Although we are in modern times now, there are ways indeed to avoid getting forgotten by people. Making every reader perceive what he really intends to distribute in his society. The wisdom not only useful in a war but in all sense of life.

Sun Tzu became widely popular to the business industry with his quote, "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."

To imagine the young master giving an effort on reading this, somehow, I can visualize what he will become someday. The day when his father was able to pass him the rights and responsibilities of leading their company. The day when he successfully graduated from college. The day when he would gratefully accept to carry the load of burden his people have.

Rieda, kahit gaano kalalim mo pa isipin ang araw na iyon, wala kang tyansa na masilayan ang mga iyon nang malaya, nang malapitan, at nang harapan.

That's because... You only have eight months left. And the days are passing by so fast like a storm that you can't seem to notice in any way.

He wants to win a hundred battles in the business industry but he learned that he won't be able to achieve that if he, himself was lost. Kaya ba hindi ka na gaanong nagsasasama sa mga lakad ng grupo mo? Kaya ba sumusunod ka na sa mga gurong lagi mong pinapasakit ang ulo? Kaya ba inaakala ng lahat na nagbago ka na?

Martin, I didn't change him. I just made him realize what he really wants.

Napatingin na lang akong muli sa sankaterbang mga gawain na hindi pa niya nasisimulan. Paniguradong malalagot siya kinabukasan kapag nalaman ng tatay niya na hindi niya ito nagawang matapos nang dahil lang sa hinahanap niya ako at sa insidenteng nangyari. Business knows no excuses once terms and conditions were settled.

For an heir like him who is currently under the supervision of his own father, he can't afford to disappoint him or anyone in the board. Not being able to gain those elders' approval and trust is like being a king with no people. A king who only has a title and a throne.

And since I can say that I am almost entirely responsible for this, I guess I have to be nice a little bit more by helping him to get through with this crap. Yeah, I can absolutely feel the same way as this guy who is struggling to meet deadlines for paperwork and such. Mark is quite a monster, you see. Sometimes, he just really knows how to bully me in one corner when we are talking about some company matters.

So, even if I might get questioned if I let you be attached to me any further, I guess allowing you to do so until you reach that day won't hurt, right? They asked me to help you, don't they? If you could be the person I am imagining a while ago then, I'll let you have your way.

Sa sitwasyon ko at sa karakter na kinakailangan kong pangatawanan, hindi kita mapoprotektahan nang gamit lang ang kaalaman at mga kalkulasyon ko, alam mo ba 'yun? Kaya kahit man lang sa ganitong paraan, sana matulungan kita. Sana mapagaan ko kahit papaano ang mga dala mong suliranin. Nagbabakasakaling mabawasan naman ang kasungitan mo sa aming lahat.

So, just go on with your dream, Derek and I'll take care of the rest. I will eliminate those who will try to harm you and I will block any danger coming for you.

****

"Done!" mahinang sambit ko nang matapos ko na lahat ang mga nakalista sa sticky note. It sure took me a few hours to finish it and to proofread but all is well. Derek's notes in his journal made everything way faster and easier.

Honestly, I am expecting awful handwriting since seventy percent of the male species that I know have really bad penmanship. Pero itong alaga ko? He took everything he learned from his father and mentor down nicely and well-detailed. It is so commendable that I had to write a new page of reminders for him about the presentation and school works to ensure that he'll be able to catch on to everything that I have put in there.

Anyway, what time is it?

"It's already two in the morning. Andrea and Maricel tend to wake up at this hour to go to the washroom. I advise you not to go out without any prior notice from me."

"Ooh. Thanks, Vanna," and she went into rest again. She'll probably review the footage of every device that I connected in her.

Looks like I have to stay a little longer. For now, I have to organize his things. I'm sure he'll wake up a little late so preparing everything he'll need would be good so that he can still arrive at the company a few minutes before the meeting. He will have some time to check out the notes I've written for him.

Abala ako sa pag-aayos ng bag niya nang marinig ko ang pag-hatsing ni Derek habang patuloy pa rin yatang naglalakbay sa kung saan ang isip niya. "Well, well, you can't get a cold right before your big day, can you?" at kumuha muna ako ng kumot mula sa aparador niya nang may mapananggalang siya sa lamig.

Maingat ko itong ibinalot sa kanya at hininaan ko nang kaunti ang lakas ng air conditioner. I was about to put the air conditioner's remote back to its place when my phone vibrated from my pocket. Who the hell would call at this time of the night?

Nevertheless, I still pull my phone out to answer the call without looking at the name of the caller. "Hey," bungad ko rito at inipit ko muna ito sa pagitan ng tenga at balikat ko nang maituloy ko ang pagliligpit.

["Rieda, it'me, Mark."]

Mark? Ugh, please don't tell me I still have a tons of papers remaining to read and to approve. My eyes won't agree even if he tells me that it is the reason why he called. Anyway, I have to finish this up. I can't talk to Mark openly like this regardless of the placid atmosphere.

"Nīgo dímgáai a?" (Trans: "What is the meaning of this?")

Alright, I'm done here.

"You can go back to your room now."

As I read my guardian's notification from the gear watch's screen, I took one last glance on Derek to check out on him. Nang mukha namang maayos naman na ang pagtulog niya ay kinuha ko na ang tray na dala-dala ko kanina upang makalabas na.

["A report just came in right now. There are people who are currently investigating the person behind your disguise, the golden Venetian masked person. As of now, the other agents are carefully following those men around to know their motives."]

"Eh?" Napatigil na lang ako pagkasaradong-pagkasarado ko sa kwarto ni Derek nang maintindihan ko ang kasalukuyang sitwasyon. Sa hinaba-haba ng panahon na maraming pumalya pag-alam ng totoong pagkatao ng nagmamay-ari ng maskarang iyon ay ngayon na lang muli ako nakatanggap ng balita na may naglalakas-loob na mahanap ako.

It's been years since the last report about an individual looking for me. And now, just months after the incident about Luxwell, there are people who are trying to track me down? Is it possible that Luxwell is the one behind this?

I tried to regain my composure back and proceeded on taking the tray back to the kitchen with my one hand and the other finally holding the phone close to my ear. "What did Master say about it?"

He released a long and deep breath as I wait for his answer patiently. It seems that the Master is not pleased with the sudden report. ["To secure your identity and to ensure your ongoing assignment won't be jeopardized, Master Phoenix wanted you to lie low a little bit. Any actions that would catch their attention are prohibited. If you failed to comply, not only your mission will be affected but as well as your service license. You wouldn't want it to be revoked, would you?"]

Tila nabato naman ako sa harap ng refrigerator sa mga huling salitang binitiwan ni Mark sa akin. Talaga bang pati ang lisensya ko bilang agent ay madadamay sa oras na pumalya akong sumunod sa nais niya? Pero paano kung may pangyayaring hindi inaasahan? I can't make my moves limited and my ways of doing my work restricted.

Even so, he has a point. What if Derek got involved with this matter and got hurt? I should not act carelessly. The name of Ishtar with a mission success rate of one hundred and one percent is at stake. Since the Master told me to do it then, I'll just have to follow it.

["Rieda? You still there?"]

"Ah, yeah. Tell him I won't disappoint him," I replied. Now it is my turn to emit a long breath of tiredness. I can't believe the master is trying to put my service license at the center. Sabihin na nating para rin naman ito sa akin at sa trabaho pero, wala ba siyang tiwala sa akin na hindi ko siya bibiguin?

Over a decade has passed but I never heard him say it to me. I'm proud of you. Narinig ko na ito nang ilang beses sa sarili niyang bibig sa tuwing nakakausap niya iba pang empleyado pero sa akin? Kahit kailan ay hindi pa niya iyon nasasabi.

To think that I've been pushing myself to work harder than anyone to please him.

Iwinaksi ko na ang masyadong pag-iisip at tinungo ko na ang hagdan paakyat sa kwarto ko. "May kinalaman ba si Luxwell dito?" pagbubukas ko ng paksa ukol sa hinala ko. Binantaan na ako ng lalaking iyon na hahanapin niya ako para makaganti kung kaya't hindi malabo na may parte siya sa pagkakaraon ng mga taong nag-sisiyasat sa pagkatao ko.

["I guess I have to tell you, huh. Yes, he is somewhat involved. Pero ang nakakapagtaka lang ay kung saan siya nakahanap ng mga tauhan at mga resources para sa paghahanap sa iyo. After you surrendered all the files and data you got from him, we did everything we can to make him lose his arms and legs."]

Sabi ko na nga ba. Kung ganoon, may iba pang naghahangad ng impormasyon tungkol sa akin. Hindi lang ang m******s na iyon. May iba pa. Perhaps someone who is more capable and more well-connected to the people in this society. Perhaps someone who really has a plan in mind on how to make use of me.

Kung alam ko lang, dapat pinatay ko na siya noong nasa Saudi Arabia pa kami. Nang sa ganoon ay hindi siya namimirwisyo ngayon sa akin at sa trabaho ko.

As soon as I have arrived inside my room, I let Vanna handle all the security measures for me since I've got no strength left to do anything. I'm so exhausted and I badly need a good sleep. Ni hindi ko na nga naisipan pang magpalit ng damit at sumalampak na ako sa kama habang patuloy pa rin ang pagbibigay ng mga paalala sa akin ng kaibigan ko sa kabilang linya.

“Oo na. Oo na. I got it, okay? Ako na ang bahala," paulit-ulit kong sabi sa telepono dahil halos parang praning na inulit-ulit lang ni Mark sa akin ang mga paalalang nasabi na niya kanina pa.

Is he the one on a mission or me?

["I'm just worried, you know. Anyway, Mr. Romuel De Guzman have requested an appointment with you. I'm not certain if it's about his son or if it's about something related to business so make sure that you're not going to make me your substitute again! I'm not the president of this company!"]

"Roger," I answered and before he can talk more, I ended the call swiftly and put my phone on to the side table. I can't take any more nagging from him.

Mark sure is merciless. There's work one after another. On top of that, I myself settled on a choice of letting Derek to depend on me.

And I'm not sure if I can manage to do that along with my other commitments...

"Aish. Damn it. Good night, Vanna."