Programmed Wife

Chapter 20

Leyla woke up at two A.M. as usual. She was waiting patiently for her father's call but she did not get it again this time. Instead, she worked in the kitchen to stir up some ingredients for a very simple but healthy breakfast.

"Kumakain kaya siya ng tofu? Mukha namang hindi siya mapili sa kinakain hindi ba?" she asked loudly. "Hmm, I hope he does. Kasi kung hindi, nako po wala na akong ibang dala. Kailangan ko ba magluto pa ng iba just in case?" Today marks the second day of her going to work extra early. She even prepares a hearty breakfast for her and the CEO. She's used to it already.

Rui stayed in his office since the night that Kira terrorized his home. Dahil kasi doon hindi na siya palagay sa sarili niyang pamamahay. Masyado na siyang natatakot na baka bumalik na naman 'yong babae na hindi niya alam kung paano niya nagawa. The first night, he slept on Shawn's unit but he did not want to stay there for a longer period of time since he thinks that it would be a burden.

"He likes the tea I made yesterday, so for today maybe a coffee?" she giggled to herself. She always enjoys cooking for others. Lalo na kapag nakikita niya na nagugustuhan ni Rui ang niluluto niya. There's a sense of fulfillment whenever she can see him enjoy every dish. Leyla grabbed the sugar by the counter and added a bit more than she usually does.

"He likes it a bit sweeter, and creamier. But he always pretend that he likes his coffee black."

While she's waiting for the rice to be ready, she checked her emails.

"Sir Albert?" her eyes were fixed to the one email that she received. It was a a very detailed email about Rui and his condition pati na rin ang mga gamot na nagamit niya, mga hindi niya puwede na inumin... basically every bit of information that he gathered over the years.

She sadly closed the email thinking that she will not be able to see him again for a while since he's on his way to the United States as of the moment. Nagustuhan pa naman niya ang lalaki, masaya siyang kasama at magandang kausap dahil matalas din ang kan'yang utak. She already saw him as her teacher and a very good friend.

"Now I'm totally alone. This is a huge responsibility to take, oh gosh. I need to take care of him on my own, I have to protect him."

Her father used to tell her that she needs to do whatever she needs to help someone in need. She is very strong on her own, she was raised to be someone that is impossible to beat. So her talents and capabilities should be used to the extent of helping others.

That left a mark in her brain. Since childhood, she was always the sister that was tasked with the most difficult tasks. Parang siya lagi ang leader, siya ang pinakikinggan, siya ang may magandang reasoning at ideas. She's the one that knows everything and can fix anything. She has to, she's Ayasya.

Rui woke up in his office for the second day. The first thing that he read on his phone is Albert's message, thanking him for everything and bidding good bye. He did not expect to feel as sad as he is that morning. Knowing that he's going to be gone as his secretary.

Luckily he has Leyla. Her work ethics are mind blowing and on top of that, she seems to understand Rui so well that she instantly knows what to do just by looking at him.

He read the last sentence on his text message once again, "Leyla is special Rui. Alam natin pareho 'yon. She's not someone to fear, you can trust her."

He took a deep breath to ponder while scanning his clothes on the small cabinet. It is five thirty in the morning. At around six, Leyla would come and prepare the home cooked meal for them to eat. Hindi niya inakala na magugustuhan niya ang ganito, he likes eating with her. Everything feels normal... it's a very different feeling that he never though he'd experience in this lifetime.

Sinimulan na niya ang pag-aayos para hintayin ang pagdating ni Leyla. Saktong- sakto sa iniisip niyang oras, dumating na nga ito.

"Good Morning Sir!" she cheerfully greeted him. She's wearing a cute black dress to work. The first time that he saw her dress up not as professional, he even thought that she looks like a celebrity rather than a secretary.

"Go-good morning," he almost chocked. Even though he's been with her for a whole week already, he doesn't seem to get used to her beauty.

He watched her prepare the food on the mini kitchen station of his secret room in the office. She's the third person to know his secret room. Dito siya madalas na natutulog sa tuwing may tinataguan siya. Ang huling beses na ginamit niya ito ay noong may mga nakaabang sa kan' ya sa labas ng unit niya dahil sa isang dating scandal.

Hindi niya napigilan na mapangiti habang umiiling- iling. Sino ba naman ang mag-aakala na ang lalaki na noon ay desperado na makalayo sa mga tao lalo na sa mgaa babae, ngayon ay may babaeng kasama sa sekreto niyang taguan.

"Sir? Halika na rito, kakain na!" she called for him.

Rui walked towards the small table. She's greeted by the fragrant smell of her special stir fried tofu and cute heart shaped sunny side up eggs.

"Leyla, why are you cooking for me?" he asked out of the blue.

"Why not? I am cooking for myself anyways."

Rui was not really so sure how to process all of it. She's being so considerate and caring. Something that he never experienced from someone else before.

"Sir, bakit hindi pa kayo kumakain? Hindi mo ba gusto 'tong tofu?"

"No- I mean, I like it. I'm just thinking of something."

"Hmm?" she curiously looked up at him. "Can I ask what it is? Maybe I can help?"

"If someone suddenly appears in your life and they totally changed it in a blink of an eye, what would you do?"

He watched her ponder about the question.

"Was it changed for the better or for worse?" she quietly asked. "If it was for the worse, I will do everything that I can to escape them. If they somehow changed my life into the best way... wow that would be so scary."

He did not expect that answer coming from her. That's exactly what he's feeling. Her big bright eyes were covered with gloom.

"That's a sad story," she whispered. "If someone has that effect in my life, I would be so scared everyday knowing that one day it might vanish... Sir, this story would be a tearjerker. Are you thinking of producing it?"

Leyla saw the saddest smile in the world as he took a big bite.

"I like the food," said Rui. "Thank you very much."

Leyla gave such a deep thought on it which crazily resonated with him and his situation right now. Everything she just said were the exact feelings that he couldn't put into words that well.

"Leyla," he called out. "Is there another way to make the story less sad and scary?"

"Hmm, I think there is... If the main character never loses the special person, that would be the best way. But because nothing is permanent, maybe for me, the I would just enjoy the moment and cherish every part of it."

"Enjoy and cherish?"

"Yup, if one day it disappears, at least I still had the short moment where I experienced it. Losing something very rare and amazing would hurt so much but the memories of having that, I think it cancels out."

There was a moment of silence in the room where in the two quietly ate their breakfast before starting the stressful day ahead of them.

"Sir, I think the story is great. I would love to see the ending."

"I am interested to see it too."

"I wish the lead would be brave enough to risk experiencing hardships and sadness in the future to have a glimpse of joy, hope and life at present," He heard Leyla whisper.

It made him think of himself. Is he willing to take the risk?

Is he strong enough for that? He's not so sure.

"Maybe..." he answered. "Maybe they can."