The Maid's Secret

Chapter 4: The Real Beginning

4 Months later...

"Jenny! Ano ba?! Male-late na ako! Hindi pa ba luto 'yan?! For Pete's sake!" sigaw ng pagkabait-bait at pagkabuti-buti kong alaga. Pwe. Mabait at mabuti... maala-demonyo kamo.

Sino ba namang matinong tao ang magpapaluto ng steak kung kailan ilang minuto na lang bago ang roll call sa eskwelahan nila? Nakakapang-init ng ulo ang lalaking 'to. Umagang-umaga, pakiramdam ko makakasuntok ako nang wala sa oras.

Halimbawa na lang ay nitong kanina lang nang magising ako sa kakatalak niya. Kesyo ihanda raw iyan, asikasuhin ang ganito. It's as if all of the people here were hired to become his slaves! He can't even do the tiniest bit of work! Even picking up a candy wrapper! If he'll only be like that until he dies then I better cut his arms and legs off while it's still early. After all, it's been so long since I've used my dear blades.

Or shall I just use the kitchen knives to cut them off?

I've already prepared his favorite pancakes and yet he will ask for a steak? Goodness, gracious. Please give me more patience or else I will really put every method of killing him from my mind into reality.

Inihain ko na kaagad ang bagong lutuin sa harapan niya matapos kong ilagay ito sa plato mula sa lutuan. Medyo hinahabol ko pa ang hininga ko dahil dadalawang oras lang ang tulog ko at sunud-sunod pa ang mga utos niya. Pinilit kong magporma ng ngiti habang pinagsisilbihan siya para kahit papaano ay mapigilan ko ang paglabas ng mga sungay ko.

"Get my bag. In the library," he ordered again the moment he was able to taste of my dish.

I almost roll my eyes in front of him if only I weren't able to look at the other direction. What happened to my self-declaration about teaching him a lesson? To discipline him?!

Mabigat na mga paa akong nagtungo sa ikalawang palapag kung saan matatagpuan ang silid-aklatan. Nagmamadali akong umakyat ng hagdan dahil paniguradong pagsasaraduhan na naman siya ng gate nito. Even so, knowing Derek for four months, he will have his way on that. I'm sure of it.

Flashback.

On my first day of work as his personal mai— I mean, bodyguard, I went to observe him in his school. It's Angelica Vitreux International School. It is quite popular for its outstanding facilities that were inspired by international schools in other countries. The professors are very well-mannered and considerate based on our agency's research network. However, what matters is that if the students are also the same as these professors.

Wearing my golden Venetian mask and black veil, I watched over him from a tree. Maayos naman ang naging pagpasok niya. Tulad nga ng hinala ko, pinapasok pa rin siya kahit na ba taliwas sa regulasyon na pinapatupad ng eskwelahan ang suot at akto nito. I can't blame those guards. The AVIS is very concerned about their biggest donors. One example of that is Derek's father.

Sa pagdating niya ay kapwa nagsisitinginan ang kahit na sinong estudyante na tila ba isa siyang sikat na artista. Ilang sandali pa lang siyang nakakatapak sa loob ng eskwelahan ay dumagundong na ang malakas na tilian ng mga babaeng estudyante. I wonder if they could still shrill more than that once I throw a few buckets of cockroaches at them.

Malamig ang naging pakikitungo niya sa mga taong sa tingin ko ay tagahanga ng walang kasaysay-saysay na pag-aaktong astigin niya. Ni hindi man lang niya binibigyan ni sandaling sulyap ang kahit na sino. Dire-diretso lang silang pumasok ng iba pang lalaki na may kaparehas na porma niya hanggang sa tumunog na ang bell.

Ooh, cliche. He looks like any male lead on those teen films. Cold-hearted, arrogant, and boastful. Usually caused by a traumatic experience or what so ever. Then, as the story goes, the female lead will save him from all of that and change him. The next part would be history. I'm so fed up with those kinds of plots.

Martin sent me a message about his room number, locker number, club activities, his usual spots, and his class schedule so it came out easy for me to trail his footsteps. I somehow felt relieved when I saw him enter the room for his first class. Believing Martin Woods' testaments, I thought that I should wait a little longer for those hidden fiery horns of Derek to arise.

Sa paghihintay ko ay isinandal ko muna ang likod ko sa puno habang nakaupo. Pinagkrus ko rin ang mga braso ko habang naghihintay ng mga susunod na mangyayari. Mga pangyayaring mas makakapagpakilala pa sa akin sa taong poprotektahan ko.

The professor then started the lecture. I adjusted the eyepiece I attached to my mask to get a better view of what he is teaching. Oh, it's accounting. A subject that will literally make you eat worksheets and your very own sanity.

At first, you would believe that he is studying earnestly since he is looking at the book they are using closely. Kaso nang bumagsak ang libro, ayun pala, natutulog na nang mahimbing. Humahagikgik lang ang mga babaeng kaklase niya samantalang nagsimula naman ang mga kalalakihan ng kung anu-anong kalokohan. Naughty kids, aren't they? Too much for kids who were born from reputed families.

Bigla namang nag-iba ang ihip ng hangin nang pumaharap na ang propesor. Hindi na nga napigilan ng mga kaibigan ni Derek ang humagalpak sa kakatawa at pinagbabato pa nila ito ng mga papel para lang magising. Napatingin naman ang lahat sa kanya pero tila ba wala lang ang nangyari base sa itsura niya nang mapagtanto niya 'yun. Malaya pa nga siyang humikab at nag-inat. Gayunpaman, nananatiling matatag ang pasensya ng guro.

I salute you, sir. If I were you, I'm going to get those kids' asses kicked out of the school.

Ibang klase talaga ang lalaking ito. Bulok na nga ang ugali, wala pang respeto sa nakakatanda. Nakita ko naman na napabuntong hininga na lang ang guro bago niya napagdesisyunang patayuin sa likod ang estudyante. Walang gana naman na sumunod si Derek. Nagsimula ulit ang guro na magsulat sa pisara kaya lang 'yung magaling niyang estudyante, ayun pinapatamaan ng mga holen at goma ang mga kaklase niya. Kesyo ang mga nananahimik na ay pawang iniistorbo pa niya.

Wala ba talaga siyang balak na magtino?

Hindi naman ito naririnig ng tagapagturo dahil may katandaan na ito at may pagkahina na siguro ang pandinig.

"I won't let you disrespect him any further," I whispered as I pull one of my darts from my pocket. Humanap muna ako ng tamang anggulo at tiyempo bago ko diretsang inasinta ang whiteboard na pinagsusulatan ng matanda. Madali ko itong naipatama sa pamamagitan ng isang nahayaang nakabukas na bintana.

Knowing those kinds of spoiled brats, they won't bother leaving it open as long as they can still feel the cold air coming from the air conditioner.

Bumalik ako sa pagkakasandal ko kanina at may ngiting inabangan ang susunod na magaganap. Dahil nakabaon ang dart sa board, tinanggal muna ito ng guro bago tiningnan ang buong klaseng hawak niya sa unang oras.

"Hmph, huli kang loko ka," nasambit ko na lang nang tuluyan nang napuno ang professor at pinagbuhat na siya nito ng limang makakapal na libro sa magkabilang kamay niya. Napatahimik naman ang lahat sa paglalabas ng inis ng guro at pawang tinanggal nila ang kani-kanilang atensyon sa ngayon ay nasasadlak na nilang idolo.

This is news to tell Martin once I got home.

End of Flashback.

"Found it!" ani ko nang makita ko na ang bag niya. Wala na akong sinayang na oras pa at dali-dali na akong bumaba.

Hindi ko naman siya sinusundan araw-araw. Siyempre nirerespeto ko pa rin ang privacy niya. That is why on my third day, I came up with idea of attaching tiny cameras, tracking devices, and multi-sensory gadgets to him and to his belongings. Kinabit ko ang iilan sa kwarto, mga kotse niya, motorsiklo rin na pagmamay-ari niya, sa silid-aklatan, sa likod ng mansyon, at sa iba pang sulok ng bahay.

I only check it once the devices forward a message to my gear watch from detecting suspicious traces of actions around the area. It would definitely be a disgrace if I've seen something I should not see. Unlike the other maids, Martin managed to get me my own room. It's in the attic. It is small but it is more than enough for me to store all my valuable babies. The beauty of owning that room is that no one dares to come up in there for there are ghosts inhabiting that area they said.

The f**k with that. I don't believe in those paranormal beings.

Since my gear watch is the one that gathers all the data I need, I always wear it under my uniform's long sleeves. It will also vibrate to give me a signal if anyone is coming close to the room. But as of now, there's nothing unusual from the reports my gadgets are giving.

"Sir Derek, ito na po."

This demonic young master of mine. You really love to torment me. Mahingal-hingal ako sa pagmamadali tapos wala ka na pala sa may hapagkainan at nandiyan ka na pala sa loob ng kotse.

Even so, I was able to smile as I give it to him. Sa isip-isip ko, hindi rin makakaligtas sa akin ang bag niya. May tracking device din 'yan. Hindi niya lang talaga mahahalata dahil mas maliit pa iyon sa pambura ng lapis. Nasa pinakakaila-ilaliman ng bag niya kung kaya't talagang hindi niya ito mapapansin liban na lang kung hahalughugin niya ito.

Knowing him, he would never try to sort his things inside the bag. I could bet a million with that.

"Tss. Slowpoke," aniya at pinangharang na niya ang papataas na car windows. Napaatras naman ako nang biglaang binuhay ni Manong Edgar ang makina.

Tch. Walang respeto, spoiled brat, batugan, bastos, barumbado, tarantado, ano pang bagong pang-uri ang madadagdag sa listahan ko kada araw para lang ilarawan siya?

Anyway, it has been this household's habit to escort them up to both their arrival and leave so the maids and butlers gathered at the step door to wave their hands at their masters. It's as if bidding them words such as take care and good luck.

As the young master's car has driven out of the area, I can't help but to evaluate everything that happened for the past four months.

On my first month, the job really bored me to death. It was entirely a child's play receiving all those death threats and warnings which never came to us in real form. Hanggang pananakot lang sila.

Wala namang sumasalakay o kung anuman dito sa mansyon. Ni wala ring kakaiba sa paligid o rito mismo sa subdivision. However, I was always reminded by my gear watch the time I have left to spend here and there are still freaking eight months remaining!

During the past few months, I tried to eliminate the boredom through paperwork, meetings, and physical exercises but it was of no use. I guess, my body and mind have expected a lot from this job. And it is continuously waiting for the right moment to arrive when they can be pushed to their own limits.

I also tried to teach Martin some basic skills of self-defense in case there is an emergency. He's my back-up after all. See? I have been so productive on other things but for my main job as of now? Nah.

"Jenny, iha. Pwede bang pakisampay 'yung mga kumot doon sa labas? Aasikasuhin ko muna 'yung mga hugasin sa lababo. Nandoon na sa likod 'yung lalagyanan kaya pupunta ka na lang doon," mahinhing pakiusap sa akin ni Manang Delia na naging malapit na rin sa akin sa araw-araw na pag-alalay niya sa lumpong karakter ni Jenny Rosario.

Mabilis ako pumayag dahil naiintindihan ko naman na masyadong maraming gawain dito araw araw. Lalo na para sa kanya na may edad na.

Three butlers, six maids, four guards and two drivers. Marami-rami rin ang mga nakakasama ko rito at ang ibig sabihin nito ay marami rin akong dapat pagtaguan ng lihim ko.

Si Manang Delia ang pinakanakakatanda sa pamamahay na ito. Nagsisilbi na siya dito mula pa sa lolo ni Derek. Samantalang 'yung iba ay mag-aapat o maglilimang taon na rito. Everyone is very happy and energetic with their chores everyday. Madali lang naman sila pakisamahan. Sadyang ako lang ang sumasalo ng mga hampas ng mga nagseselos na mga katulong sa tuwing nakikipag-usap ako kay Martin. Hays.

Fresh air... It's as if this is the only moment I was able to breathe it. This is the only advantage I can see for not doing anything extreme yet. That reminds me, I never really get myself into a vacation.

Because once I did, the agony of my family's death will start to crawl out again and reach me from the deepest corner.

"Doing good?" Martin Woods.

Inalis ko na ang tingin ko sa mga nagsasayawang mga puno at halaman. I thought it would look so vulnerable to me. "Just fine. I'll handle that bastard's attitude somehow until the contract's end," I replied. Matapos na nga lang ang pagsasampay.

Isa sa mga iniiwasan ko na gawin sa harap ng mga tao rito sa mansyon ay ang pagsasalita ng Ingles. Ang alam kasi nila, elementarya lang ang natapos ko. It will be a little bit suspicious if they will hear me speaking fluently in a foreign language. Though I'm still working on it since I've been in overseas a lot.

"Told 'ya. Pero hindi mo ba napapansin, bakit puro mga pagbabanta lang ang mayroon sa ngayon?" So he did notice. If someone else really did notice then, it is worthy of being cautious from now on. There might be a storm brewing as we speak. I can't let Derek suffer any kind of negligence.

Bakit nga kaya? Dahil ba iyon sa pagharang ko sa mga posibleng kapahamakan o naghihintay lang ng tamang pagkakataon ang mga taong iyon para patayin siya?

Hindi ko maiwasang hindi mapatingin sa parte ng bahay kung saan madalas nakatambay si Derek. Projecting the possibility of him being shot right there, right before my eyes is absolutely unacceptable. I can't afford to let him be lured on those guys' traps.

On the contrary, Derek seems not to be that bothered as much as I am. I guess he thinks being a g**g leader and a gangster himself would be enough to save him from Death's grasp. I don't know if he is just used on experiencing this kind of harassment or what not.

"I think, someone's planning something. To take some precautions, I'll visit the local headquarters later. Cover me up, 'kay?" I told him. I have to make sure that everything will be fine as time goes by.

He held out his hand forming an 'okay' sign. "No problem. Then, how about your relationship with the young master?" he asked. Hindi na ako nabigla sa tanong niya. Sa apat na buwan na pananatili ko rito, hindi ko na mabilang kung pang-ilang beses niya ng tinatanong 'yan.

"Ayos lang," mabilis at maiksi kong tugon. Napansin ko ang pag-ismid niya sa naging tugon ko na animo'y hindi ito naniniwala. Napatigil tuloy ako sa pagsasampay at binigyang oras ko ang balaan siya ng isang masamang tingin.

"Sorry, I can't help it. Alam mo bang kahit ikaw ang pinakanapag-iinitan niya pagdating sa mga utos, ikaw lang nakakapagpatigil sa kanya kapag nagsaway ka na. Sumusunod pa siya sa sinasabi mo kapag nahahalata na niya na naiinis ka na talaga sa kanya. Tumatahimik kapag sinamaan mo ng tingin. At higit sa lahat, ikaw lang ang nakapagpasuot sa kanya ng tamang uniporme niya matapos ang ilang taon. Bilib na talaga ako sa'yo."

I tried not to pull one of my throwing knives resting inside my leg's knife sheath. Instead, I just ignored him and continued putting these clothes onto the racks.

Even if he said those, it doesn't change the fact that I'm here to be his bodyguard, not as some kind of a teacher. I might be some sort of unique material for Derek for now, but it won't last long once he found out the real me. He may even summon his mischievousness again if that happened.

Bakit walang sumasalakay? Bakit walang kumikilos? Bakit hanggang pananakot la— "Someone's here," I gasped. Martin got alarmed immediately and took the form of a defensive stance that I've taught him before.

Mas pinakiramdaman ko pa ang paligid. Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali. May nagmamasid sa amin na kung sino. Hindi basta-basta ang presensya na naramdaman ko kanina. Tanging sa isang tao mo lang ito mahahanap.

I brushed my uniform's skirt aside, revealing my right leg tied by a leather knife sheath holding four throwing knives in total. Kinuha ko ang isa nang marahan at nang muli kong maramdaman ang presensya ay maagap ko itong itinapon sa direksyon na pinagmumulan ng presensya.

Nagkatinginan naman kami ni Woods sa biglaang kaganapan. Agad kaming nagtungo sa direksyon kung saan ko itinapon ang patalim ko at halos mapamura kami nang isang pusa ang nakita naming nakabulagta sa likod ng mga halamanan. Bukas ang mga mata nito at nababalutan na ng kanyang sariling dugo.

They had escaped. That's quite fast. I can't help myself to form a fist.

"They're trying to scare us. I think they have decided to start now," walang bahid ng birong sambit ni Martin habang pinagmamasdan ang kaawa-awa at walang kamalay-malay na pusa na ginamit upang balaan kami.

To execute this bold taunting move within the De Guzman house area, it means they are just close. They're waiting for the right time to knock the sole heir down. "Edi mabuti. Kaysa naman nagduduwag-duwagan sila. Next time, I caught their aura, I will make sure to slit their throats," nasabi ko na lang bago ko tinanggal sa pusa ang kutsilyo ko.

I need to talk to Master Phoenix.

At sa susunod, sisiguraduhin kong dugo niyo naman ang babalot sa lugar na ito. Hinding-hindi ko hahayaan na makalapit kayo kay Derek.