Programmed Wife

Chapter 28

As usual, Leyla woke up extremely early. She started off her day by neatly folding her blanket and tidying up her entire room. Waiting for the clock to strike three, she started to make herself a toast to snack on. Part of her daily routine is to wait for her father's call at three A. M.

"Sopas, mukhang favorite nga talaga niya," she whispered to herself and giggled. Just thinking of cooking for him, it makes her ecstatic and giddy. Yesterday was a scary episode. It it something that she could never forget, "I hope he's doing better."

At the exact time that she's expecting, her laptop started ringing. She skipped her way to the couch to answer the call, "Pa, hello!" she happily said.

"Hello Ayasya, how are you doing?"

"I'm doing good Papa, there is nothing-" she was about to tell him how smooth sailing her day have been yesterday but she couldn't shake off the thought of Rui.

"There is obviously something wrong, tell me about it. Maybe I can help you with it."

Leyla slowly nodded, "My boss had another episode yesterday. He's been... he had an attack and it's the most serious one yet."

He's face through the screen didn't show any emotions. Patiently, he just waited for further information and just responded with a nod.

"His friend reminded him of the girl, the cause of his attack a month ago. Hindi ko maintindihan kung anong kinatatakutan niya kay Kira. I get it, anxiety, that sucks. But he's reaction,it's not just anxiety, there's something deeper."

"And you said it's just caused by that girl called Kira?" he asked.

"I have seen him have a slight reaction towards other girls before but after that night that I found him, but this is different."

"I see, so what exactly happened to him and Kira that night?"

She bit her lips, "He- he said that when he got home, Kira was on his bed, waiting for him."

Her father started thinking. She knows that he's a doctor and a scientist, Leyla knows that his take would be a great help for her in helping Rui even more.

"Ayasya, are you sure that he's just someone with anxiety?" Dr. Carlos asked. "Based on your past stories, I have only heard you tell me about his reactions towards women. I have been thinking for a while that this could be a case of gynophobia."

"Gynophobia? But I have been really close to him and he did not-" Leyla caught herself in the middle of her own sentence, "Mr. Albert has told me that I am different," she said. Realizing the connection of Albert, Shawn and Rui's reactions when they all first met.

"Dahil sa mga kuwento mo, isa lang ang naiisip ko na maaaring nangyari. Your boss is a huge, he's capable to overpower a woman by himself. But why would he be so scared of a skinny girl like Kira?"

"That has been bothering me too, I know he can fight her. But somehow he's just scarred. He couldn't."

"He may have a past trauma. Maybe from his childhood, when he was powerless. He sounds like someone who was taken advantage of by a woman. Maybe someone that he trusts so much. I have read about cases like that. They end up growing with it, they would never let anyone of that gender touch them."

"But why is he having no reaction with me?" Leyla asked in a soft voice.

"Ayasya my daughter, what have I told you before? You have always been a special girl. For some reason he seems to trust you with his life so much that he doesn't see you as a threat. With you, he couldn't see a glimpse of his tragic past."

Leyla did not know how to react, she doesn't know how to feel, "Your theory is very plausible, I have seen the signs. But I did not think of it to that extent. I could be possible, Mr. Albert may have hid some of the information from me since he did not trust me enough at that time. But yes, his signs... I couldn't deny."

"Ayasya, since we came up with this deduction, you need to do your best to stay closer to him. Kung tama ang hinala natin, walang mangyayaring masama sa kan'ya kapag malapit ka. Kapag kasama ka niya, he might not have any reactions at all."

"No reaction?"

"It seems like it. If you can make him calm in the middle of his attack in just a minute, without any medications, you might be able to do much more than that. Besides, you can be the only woman out there that could stand closer to him. From what I could tell, he even has some attraction towards you. And that could help a lot more."

"Attraction?" she whispered.

"Come on Ayasya, you can tell. In a quick analysis, you could tell in the eyes don't you?"

"But-"

"What are you afraid of my dear? I know you could read his emotions, you have a talent in that," he joked. "But by the looks of it, you are denying it because you feel it too."

Leyla was caught off guard with her own father's reading on her emotions, "I- I don't-"

"Ayasya come on now," his old voice had a hint of slight laughter. "I raised you, I know you the best. You don't need to hide anything from me."

She sat still and did not say a single word.

"My dear, first times are eventful. You don't need to be scared, you just have to cherish it and do what you have to do."

Their whole conversation has left her with a bunch of questions in her mind. First is the depth of Rui's condition. Second, her feelings. Both of which are a grey area for her as of the moment. She's lost, but she knows that she needs to figure it out as quickly as she can.

Even though she's still bothered by her thoughts, she did not forget to prepare for their breakfast. She happily parked her car at the back of the company. Noticing a small group of women who got to work earlier than they used to.

"They're really spying huh?" she thought to herself. Leyla knew that they were here to check the information that has been going around lately. Siya na naman ang topic ng mga tsismosa sa office.

"Good morning Sir!" bati niya sa lalaki na nakaabang sa pagdating niya. She was greeted by his warm smile as he sat on his swivel chair in his black suit.

"Good morning," he responded. "You never fail to show up this early huh?"

Leyla nodded, "I may have inspired some people to do the same."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

The woman giggled to brush it off as she carefully scoop out the hot soup on their bowls, "Halika na rito Sir Rui. Mainit pa, bilis bilis!"

Finally, Rui felt the familiar warmth. Something that he got a taste off and he couldn't just let it go. Her cooking, it can literally make him feel better.

"Grabe, hindi ko na kaya," said Rui.

"Pangatlong mangkok, doon ka palang nabusog?" Leyla giggled. "May tira pa rito Sir, baka magutom ka pa mamaya. Iinitin ko nalang."

"I will finish it later, hindi ko sasayangin 'yan!"

At exactly eight in the morning, Leyla sat on her desk to start working. On her peripheral, she could clearly see a group of her office mates gossiping about her. Kahit na hindi niya marinig, ang usapan, sapat na ang mga tingin nila.

Luckily the telephone rang to distract herself, "Hello good morning, this is Leyla Cruz of Phoenix Enter-"

"Leyla, it's Shawn. I forgot to get your number yesterday."

"Oh! Mr. Shawn, is there anything you need?"

Shawn's voice sounded frantic, "I heard from my sources in the media that Kira has been stirring up something lately. News about the cancellation of her contract got out. At ngayon mukhang may binabalak siya."

Kira, that crazy girl again. Mukhang hindi na makakatakas si Leyla sa problema na dala no'ng babaeng 'yon.

"What did she do this time?" she asked.

"Leyla do you have my number? I need to send you a picture."

With how serious Shawn was sounding, Leyla could tell that something huge is happening. Something that may involve Rui. And no, she wont let that happen.

"I got it, I will message you Mr. Shawn, I have your number from Sir Albert."

"Okay but please don't let Rui know. 'Wag mo rin akong tawagin na Mr. Shawn over the phone. Think of a random name or something. Natatakot ako na baka makatunog siya at ayaw ko na siyang mapaisip pa."

"Got it Coconut!"

"What the heck?"

"I'm sorry Coconut that's what I thought of first."