Programmed Wife

What if you can have the power to design your own future? Will you take it? This is an official invitation from Aphrodite W. You have five days to respond, just type in Aphrodite W on your phone and we will contact to you. Rui Klein Andrews the twenty seven year old owner and CEO of the biggest entertainment company in the Philippines rolled his eyes while reading the letter on his hand. It was in a black elegant envelop placed on top of his table. He ran his long and slender fingers through his hair before pressing a little button on the telephone beside him. A few seconds later, a man in a blue suit rushed to open the door. He quickly ran to the back of the office straight into Rui's table. The man stood still, panting a little. "Albert, how many times have I told you to stop all the letters that were being sent to me? Now even a pyramiding scam or some sh*t recruitment can easily reach me huh?" His secretary tilted his head with his mouth slightly opened as his eyes darted at the envelop on the table. "Mr. Andrews I have already closed the mailbox of the office. Lahat ng sulat na dumadating sa company, dumadaan sa front desk directly. At lahat ng addressed sa'yo, sa akin dumidiretso." He reached out to the envelop and searched for something. "Walang pangalan ninyo Mr. Andrews." Rui is clearly confused with the response he heard from his long time friend and secretary. If Albert says he stopped it, who would have left it in the office? He thought. The silence in the whole room was broken by a loud knock on the door by a lady that went in the room and walked straight into Rui's table without even bothering to look at Albert's direction. The boss looked away to let Albert take the file that the lady was holding. Her bright smile and excited look immediately vanished as she noticed her handsome boss didn't even bother to glance in her direction. He just played with the end of his tie while repeatedly tapping his foot to the floor. "Thank you Shiela, I'll take care of it." Albert's words are basically saying "Thank you Shiela, now leave." And she hated it but she had no choice. Bagsak ang mga balikat ni Shiela na lumabas sa pintuan pero mabilis siyang ngumiti. May dalawang babae na nakaabang sa paglabas niya. Nag niningning pa ang mga mata ng dalawa na halos mapatili habang sunod-sunod ang mga tanong sa kan'ya. "Girl, ano? Anong sabi?" "Nagpaparamdam ba?" "Did he say anything kahit nando'n si Albert?" Shiela smiled and flipped her long brown hair and started to giggle. Para siyang kinikiliti dahil sa naiisip niya kaya lalong naging excited ang dalawang babae na nakaabang sa kwento niya. Sinenyasan niya ang mga ito na sundan siya sa restroom na parang iniiwasan nilang may makarinig sa pag uusapan nila. Cristel, her funny friend started to check each cubicle together with Ana, the youngest of the three. She jumped up and down and ran to lock the door before excitedly turning to hear Shiela's story. "Grabe, hindi ko na talaga alam kung paano ko haharapin si Mr. Andrews." Shiela started, she held her cheeks and fanned her own face. "Bakit? Anong sinabi niya?" Cristel asked. "Kasi dati simpleng tingin, smile tapos minsan patagong pag kakamusta lang siya gano'n, pero gosh! Nando'n si Albert pero hinawakan niya pa rin 'yong kamay ko habang inaabot ko 'yong folder sa kan'ya!" The three squealed quietly. Hindi napigilan ni Cristel at Ana na mag apir habang kinikilig si Lana. "Pansin ko talaga hinihintay niya lang ako na mag respond sa mga signals niya pero nahihiya ako. Kasi syempre di'ba, ako 'yong babae..." The two nodded. "Pero aarte ka pa ba? Rui Klein Andrews! Isa sa pinakabatang bilyonaryo sa buong Asia, successful na tao at ang pinakaimportante, gwapo!" Ana shook Shiela by the shoulder. "Naisip mo ba na si Mr. Andrews ang pangarap nang sambayanang adik sa mga CEO drama? Sobrang perfect kapag nagkataon, ikaw ang pinakamagandang babae sa buong company. Lahat ng mga binata rito halos magpatayan para magpapansin sa'yo tapos si Mr. Andrews ngayon nabihag mo na din! Perfect na boss at empleyado, parang drama lang." Tumango tango si Ana sa bawat sinasabi ni Cristel, nagtakip ng mukha si Shiela na nagpipigil ng pag ngiti. "I mean, of course I like Rui. Hindi ko maalis sa isip ko 'yong amoy ng pabango niya mula noong kinorner niya ako sa file room-" "no'ng muntik ka na niyang halikan?" Shiela covered her eyes and shook her head repeatedly while giggling. "Ihh, hindi kasi... Yumuko lang siya para bulungan ako. 'Di ba nga sabi ko tinanong niya lang ako noon kung kumain na ako." "Pero bakit naman gano'n kalapit?" Ana snapped her fingers. "Ewan pero pansin ko tuwing kinakausap niya ako talagang yumuyuko siya para magkalebel 'yong mukha namin." Albert and Rui passed outside of the restroom and was startled by the loud joyful squeals coming from the inside. "What the f*ck was that?" The neutral expression of Rui was replaced with pure confusion and Albert started to laugh. "Bossing hayaan mo na sila baka may pinagkukuwentuhan lang. Tara na kailangan na nating pumunta sa celebration party." Rui always hated parties but this time he has no choice. "Congratulations Mr. Andrews, another blockbuster film has been made. "With Cristina" is an incredible film, hindi ko mapigilan ang luha ko habang nanonood. At mukhang makakaabot pa ito internationally base sa mga nababalitaan ko? Mr. Shawn is a brilliant actor, he's been a great addition in our company." Rui Klein Andrews sipped his wine. He's been the owner and CEO of Phoenix Inc. the most known entertainment company in the Philippines and is creating a buzz in Asia. They pretty much control the entertainment industry by producing films, dramas and managing top tier celebrities on all platforms. "Yes that's true. Thank you very much Mr. Calma, I wouldn't have done all of this without the support of everyone. This is the success of us all." The man gave out a small smirk looking extremely dapper in his black suit with gave his broad shoulders enough justice. Rui has always been one of the most known entrepreneurs not only because of his entertainment company but because of his looks. Halos lahat ng tao na adik sa mga pinapanood nilang drama tungkol sa mga nag gagwapuhang CEO, kilala si Rui. He has his own fans kahit na hindi siya kailanman nagpapakita sa public maliban nalang kung may mga interview siyang kailangan puntahan. Well you can't really blame them. The man has everything! He looks like a perfectly drawn animated character that came to life. His eyes could easily hypnotize you for just looking at them shortly. He's something else, he is breath taking. A guy tapped him on his shoulder while drinking with his business partners. It was Alfred telling him that someone wanted to meet him at his office which is the actor Shawn Gonzales, lead of "With Cristina". Rui simply nodded, respectfully said goodbye to everyone in the rented room in a highly rated fancy restaurant. The smile that didn't reach his eyes immediately faded as soon as he walked out and Alfred closed the door behind them. "These fake people makes me want to vomit." He clenched his fist and let out a deep sigh. As soon as they reached the black Benz, Rui loosened up his tie letting himself breathe better. "I can't believe them. Sinimulan ko ang project sa movie na ito na si Shawn lang ang naniniwala sa akin. He's the only one that supported me with to push this kind of plot. Hindi ba sila 'yong sobrang takot na sinasabi pang sobrang tragic 'yong kwento? They even threatened me with their investments. Ngayon na naging beyond successful 'yong project, sila pa ang proud na proud." Natatawang nilingon siya ni Alfred na nagmamaneho. Kilalang kilala na siya ni Alfred. They have been working together for six years, kung kailan kakasimula palang ni Rui sa kumpanya. Alam niya ang pinagdaanan nito, dahil sa bata pa nga, kung ano ang sinasabi ng board ay minsan napipilitan siyang makipag cooperate. "Mr. Andrews, hindi ka pa nasanay. Ikaw ang gumagawa ng paraan para matuloy lahat ng projects at kapag naging successful, unahan silang lahat sa promotion at pagtanggap ng mga interview as if they did all of the work. Kapag may isang mali, ikaw ang may kasalanan. Gano'n talaga siguro dahil kahit papaano may shares sila sa kumpanya at nag-iinvest din sila sa bawat proyekto natin." Rui rolled his eyes in anger. "Can't I just buy off their shares, we're doing pretty good now. We can manage it on our own. Sawang sawa na ako na makipaglokohan sa mga taong pinanganak na unreasonable." Alfred giggled while shaking his head. Sanay na siya sa iritableng ugali ng boss niya. Hindi na siya nagsalita hanggang makabalik sila sa building ng office nila. It is currently seven in the evening and only few people who are finishing of their work for the day are left. Rui didn't even bother fixing his messy tie, he just wants to finish everything and rest. Pagbukas niya sa pinto ng kan'yang opisina, may isang matangkad na lalaking nakahiga sa sofa niya. It was Shawn Gonzales, one of the most known artist in the Philippines. Kababata niya si Rui at halos magkapatid na ang turing nila sa isa't-isa. "Why are you still here? I thought you're just signing?" Rui's deep voice woke him up. He immediately smiled, stood up and ran to Rui with open arms it made Rui evade and push Alfred to his crazy bestfriend. "What are you doing Shawn are you f*cking drunk?" Shawn started laughing and eventually gave up on chasing Rui. "Gusto ko lang naman magpasalamat sa movie na binigay mo sa akin. Sobrang ganda ng sinasabi ng mga tao sa movie. Nadagdagan ng five hundred thousand 'yong followers ko sa i********:!" "So gusto mo lang pala sabihin sa akin, salamat kasi hindi ka na laos?" Parang nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig si Shawn sa narinig niya. Hindi talaga mapipigilan itong si Rui na sirain ang mood niya. Instead of letting his words get in to him, Shawn calmly sat down and handed a hard folder to Rui. "I already signed the renewal contract, pero may isa pa akong dahilan kaya gusto kitang makita ngayon." Napaangat ang kilay ni Rui. Dahan-dahang iniangat ni Shawn ang kan'yang phone at alam na ni Rui ang iniisip ng kaibigan. "Come on Rui, you know how much more followers and engagements I get whenever I post a picture with you. Isipin mo nalang na way of promotion na rin natin to sa movie. Lead actor pati producer oh 'di ba?" Rui looked at Alfred as if asking his trusted assistant if this is a good idea. Alfred nodded in agreement and he sighed deeply in response. "I look so sh*t tho, tinanggal ko na 'yong tie ko hindi magandan-" He immediately stopped in the middle of his sentence as he watched Shawn remove his own tie and even messed up his hair a little. Parang naintindihan naman ni Alfred ang balak ni Shawn, kabisado na niya ang nangyayari. He went on the pantry of Rui's own office, got the hidden wine and two wine glasses. Nilagyan niya ng kaunti ang dalawang baso at iniabot sa dalawang lalaki. Wala na rin nagawa si Rui kung hindi kunin ang baso at ngumisi sa gawi ni Alfred na kumukuha ng mga litrato. Umakto ang dalawa na nag cecelabrate, masayang nakangiti si Shawn habang pilit ang ngiti ni Rui. Hindi talaga siya sanay sa harap ng camera. Kung maaari lang ay mananatili siyang nakatago sa kabila ng bawat nangyayari sa kumpanya niya. "Okay na yan, tama na. Gusto ko na magpahinga." Rui stated, tumango si Shawn at masayang tinignan ang bawat picture nila. Ngayon ang problema naman niya ay ang pagpili ng ipopost niya. Iba talaga ang problema ng mga taong halos perfect ang itsura, hindi siya makapili dahil lahat ng picture nila ay perfect at papasa bilang cover ng magazine. Rui was picking up his stuff on the table and checking if he left anything important, prepa ring to go home. But his eyes were fixated onto a little black envelop in the middle of everything and just shoved it into one of his folders. "Uuwi ka na ba bestie? May isa pa akong meeting." Inakbayan ni Shawn ang bestfriend habang pinapakita ang tatlong picture na pinost niya sa i********:. It was captioned "The genius producer who always believed in me." Hindi naitago ni Rui ang saglit niyang pag ngiti. He has a cold and rude aura but you know that deep inside, he's actually very supportive and proud of this man beside him. He knew that Shawn's career is slowing down. And he knows that there are a lot of other actors that were much more famous than Shawn. But he had faith in Shawn, he knows that he is the perfect one for the film. And he was spot on, walang ibang makakagawa ng ganoon kagandang execution. Shawn is a good actor, he just needed a boost and he will be unstoppable. He was proud that he helped his best friend continue his dreams. "Rui ngumingiti ka na sa akin. Mukhang inlove ka na?" Nawala ang expresyon sa mukha ni Rui at malakas na itinulak palayo ang tawang tawa na artista. "F*ck off dude. I'm going home." It wasn't a very long drive but Rui was extra tired when he got home. He lives alone in his condominium but he was surprised to see a set of female sandals by the door. His heart immediately warmed seeing it. He slowly walked in, the smell of freshly cooked soup made him smile wide. His feet led him to the kitchen and there he watched a beautiful woman with her hair in a bun scooping the hot soup into a bowl and turning around to smile at him. "Ma, you didn't tell me you were coming home." He walked fast to hug his mom like a little kid. His mom cutely laughed and pat him in the back and he let her go after five seconds. "How have you been?" The elegant woman asked. "Everything is going well, Shawn's new movie is the biggest hit right now. Halos triple ang naging sales compared sa expected namin. How about you? How was Guam?" Patricia his mom smiled and pulled out the cute little keychain with the word Guam on it from her pocket to his hand. "It was beautiful anak. Sayang nga wala ka. Nagenjoy kami ni tita Steph mo. Ito lang ang mabibigay ko sa'yo na souvenir kasi naman hindi ko alam kung ano ang wala ka pa. Pero sigurado ako wala kang ganito! Kapag meron, may back up ako na ref magnet. 'Yon talaga wala ka pa." Rui laughed at how funny his mom is. His mom made him his favorite sopas. Hindi niya makakalimutan ang lasa ng sopas na ito. Talagang kahit ano ang mangyari kapag natikman niya, makakalma siya at makakalimot ng mga problema. But there's something that is a little bit off. "Ma, akala ko three months ang bakasyon ninyo ni Tita Stephanie? Bakit umuwi ka na? Wala pa kahit two months?" His mom's face became more serious. Hinawakan niya ang isang kamay ni Rui. "Bumalik ng Pilipinas si Arturo. I was just worried with whatever he's planning. Baka magparamdam na naman sila, kasama niya siyang umuwi." Rui immediately changed, he instantly became angry. Pinipilit niyang hindi magmura sa harapan ng nanay niya. Arturo is his father who they left since he was eleven. He was the most abusive human being that there is. Bata pa noon si Rui pero alam na niya na sinasaktan ng tatay niya ang mama niya. Kaya ganoon nalang ang pagkakalapit nilang dalawa. Si Rui ang nagpupumilit na ipagtanggol ang nanay niya laban sa tatay niya na isang sipa lang ay napapabagsak siya. But aside from his biological father, there is one person that he hated the most. It is his father's sister, Anje. She was his only blood related aunt. And the one that gave him the biggest burden in the world. When he was eleven, Anje took him away while hugging his mother to protect her while she was getting beaten up by his own father. And Anje trapped him in his room then started doing inappropriate things to him, saying disgusting things as how he looks like a strong man at eleven. He was mortified at how his own aunt acted. He remember that day like it was yesterday. His father came home drunk again and he knows how things will be when his father started to drink. His only hope was his favorite Aunt Anje who just came back from the province. Little Rui rushed to call her and asked her for help to save him and his mother who couldn't do anything. He trusted his aunt to help him protect his mom. But in the end the woman that he trusted with their lives started abusing him. It was the most disgusting thing ever. Luckily that night his best friend Shawn just got home from his summer acting camp. Shawn had an idea to surprise his friend since they were neighbors. He can easily jump over a fence to look through Rui's room and scare him with his creepy looking mask that he just got from the training camp. But that night Shawn saw the most horrifying thing through that glass sliding window. He saw Rui struggling to push his Aunt away as he cry for help. The twelve year old Shawn didn't think twice. He saw his best friend desperately cry for help and the next thing he knew is that he picked up the biggest rock that he can to break into the window. Anje was surprised with the loud sound and was taken aback to see Shawn climb over the broken glass window not minding the scratches he got from the glass. Shawn was furious, he then used the same rock to throw at Anje which made her dizzy. That was the first time he saw Rui so pale and helpless. He was still crying trying to hold on to his hands. When he held Rui up to fix his clothes, they heard loud crashing outside and the loud screams of Rui's mother. They ran outside only to find Rui's dad, a man he respected put out a cigarette on the hand of the beaten up lady. Rui's heart broke but he was too shocked at everything that happened to move. Shawn knew that he would immediately be beaten down by the huge man but he held Rui's hand and shook him a couple of times before he got his attention and looked into his eyes. Rui focused on him and carefully listened to everything he said. "Run to my dad, call him and tell him to call the police." Rui nodded and ran as fast as he could. Shawn was worried that Anje will get Rui again when she gained consciousness and he also knows that he's a little bit bigger than Rui, he can at least hold his dad for some time. And so he did, he forcefully grabbed Arturo and pulled him away of his Aunt Patricia. "Tita run to our house!" He screamed. Nanlumo siya nang makita ang umiiyak na ginang habang nahihirapang tumayo. Puno ng dugo gilid ng kan'yang bibig at mukhang nabalian siya sa may paa. Malakas na nagpupumiglas ang lalaki pero pinilit siyang pigilan ni Shawn. Mabuti nalang at mabilis na tumakbo papunta sa kanila ang Papa at Mama niya. His mom hugged Patricia to guide her out while his dad punched Arturo as powerful as he can which made him fall. At lumabas silang lahat ng isinumpang bahay na iyon. Since that time, Patricia and Rui left everything to move away from the cursed family. Dahil maimpluswensya ang tatay ni Rui, nabaon sa limot ang kaso na isinampa nila sa dalawa. They didn't even let his mom file for annulment. Luckily they have Shawn's family as their support system. Kahit na mayaman ang pamilya nila, iniwan nila ang lahat at nabuhay sa kakaunting pera na naipon ni Patricia. Kahit na maraming taon na ang lumipas, hindi pa rin maaalis sa utak ni Rui ang nangyari. This changed him. The bubbly and fun kid has disappeared. Lumipat din ang pamilya ni Shawn kasama nila dahil na rin sa hindi siya mapabayaan ni Shawn matapos ang nangyari. He wanted to be there for him. But he couldn't do anything to bring him back. Mula noon he became cold and maybe because of his own trauma, he wouldn't let any woman touch him. Sinusubukan niya na ibahin ang pananaw niya, he even hired women in his company to try and loosen up a bit. Pero hindi niya kaya. He could never trust a woman again. Piling pili lang ang mga babae na malapit sa kan'ya. Maliban sa sarili niyang Mama, ang mama lang ni Shawn pati ang kaibigan nila na kanilang Tita Stephanie ang pinakamalalapit sa kan'ya na babae. Ito ang tatlong babae na napatunayan niyang poprotektahan siya hanggat kaya nila. Kaya napansin niya na hindi siya natatakot na maging malapit sa kanila. Flings? Dates? Girlfriends? Wala ang lahat ng 'yan sa utak ni Rui. Kahit na ang nagiisang pangarap nalang niya ngayon sa buhay ay magkaroon ng masayang pamilya at magpalaki ng anak na bibigyan niya ng buhay na ibang iba sa naging buhay niya, alam niya na imposible dahil sa trauma niya. He can't even date. All because of his evil disgusting Aunt. "Rui anak, you know I would never let them close to you. Hindi mo na kailangan isipin ang mga nangyari noon. Nandito ako, si kuya Shawn mo laging nandyan din para sa'yo. " Rui woke up from his own thoughts and looked at his worried mom right in fron of him. "Mukhang alam ko na kung ano ang binabalak nila ngayon Ma. I heard her last partner left him again but he was left with a son. At hindi na katulad ng dati ang furniture business niya. Gagawa siya ng paraan para huthutan tayo ng pera sigurado ako kasi hindi pa rin kayo nakakapag pa annul. Wag kang mag alala Ma, I am not that little kid anymore. Now I can fight back."