Ambushed Heart

Three

IT'S just 7:00 in the morning but Im already in my office, drinking coffee and waiting for Van Pelt's cousin---- Rod White, the private investigator that might help me to find 'her' with only the personalized design tattoo in her side hips as a clue.

Ang usapan namin ay alas nuebe ng umaga pero diko alam kung bakit ang aga aga kong nagising. Alas kuatro palang ng madaling araw ay nakamulat na ang mga mata ko at hindi na ako makatulog pa ulit kahit pa anong pilit ko para matulog ulit, kaya nag asikaso nalang ako kaagad at agad ding pumasok sa opisina.

My hours alone in my office used to be fruitful. Marami akong nagagawa at natatapos na gawain. Mula sa pagpirma ng mga papeles, pag tanggap ng mga apointments, pag eedit ng mga kailangang iedit at pag memeeting. I never get tired at hindi ako nakatutok sa orasan na para bang may hinihintay, hindi ako kailan man tumunganga at walang ginagawa. but today, tila napakabagal ng oras at sa tuwing may gagawin ako ay hindi ako makapagconcentrate. Something will just stole away my conciousness and would throw it in the air, until its nowhere to be found, until I lost my contanct with the real world. I always look up at the clock to check the time and I didnt even able to finish signing the pile of papers na nakapatong sa lamesa ko. Thats why I end up having a meeting with the air while patiently and feeling bored while waiting for Rod to arrive.

Sa loob ng dalawang oras na yon ay wala akong masyadong nagawa kundi ang makipag usap sa hangin at minsan ay hanapin ang nawawalang ulirat.

Alas otso kwarenta y sinko ng umaga ay saktong may kumatok sa office ko, I am not expecting someone except Rod. Pero ang usapan namin ay alas nuebe. Napakibit balikat nalang ako. must be Rod, siguro ay maaga ring nagising tulad ko.

"Come in"

I was really expecting Rod but to my surprise its a woman, a very familiar woman who's Wearing a black skirt just above the knee and a white long sleeves. It's the woman in the hotel! Nang tinitigan ko ang mukha niya ay para bang pamilyar ito. Pero sa isip ko pamilyar sya dahil nga nagkita na kami a week ago doon sa hotel. But I can feel that there is more to it and it really feel weird. Its like Im having an amnesia and shes one of my forgotten memory.

"Good morning sir Clever, I am Amélie Shane Martinez" pagpapakilala niya. I already kmow her name. She introduced herself to me at the hotel of the beach resort, where Im supposed to be enjoyimg and relaxing but I end up being kidn*pped by my bastard uncle.

I frowned to her when she called me that way. Sir Clever huh? Even her, calling me Sir clever is weird.

"Why are you here? Sinusundan ko ba ako?" I asked her flatly not minding the familiar and weird feeling that hits me.

"I'm here to be your secretary sir as per someones' request" sabi niya, obviously not minding the last sentence that I said. tumaas ang kilay ko sa narinig mula sa kanya. Something feels off. Nang magkita kami sa hotel ay iba ang pakikitungo niya. Ngayon naman iba. The one from the hotel is lively and naugthy but this one is very professional like, with formal secretary attire and even a glassess is on! Gone the sexy summer beach women shorts and sexy crop top with black personalized leather jacket na suot niya one week ago in the hotel. Oh maybe its just like that because shes going to be my secretary---- oh, wait. Who told her that she'll be my secretary? I hate secretaries!! I dont need one, I can handle everything just fine, everything is going with how I wanted it to be!

"I dont need one, and I dont want one pls kindly get out Of my office and tell that someone to f**k off" I said not minding that she's a woman and she's really familiar that I am feeling uncomfortable with her stares.

"Yes, you dont want one but sure you need one, you need an efficient and trusted secretary which is me by the way, and Im afraid to tell you that I have so much respect for that someone that I am talking about and I cant tell him the words that you want me to tell him" she replied with full confidence, I felt anoyed with what she said and I fuckin dont know why! Wtf? I was about to reply when my phone rang.

I was about to ignore it but I saw that it is dad who's calling so I answer it immediately.

"Hey, dad! Good morning!"

"Good morning to you too, by the way has Ms. Amélie Martinez arrived? She'll be your secretary. She'll help you with everything."

Napabuntong hininga ako when I realized that it is dad who sent this secretary! But, we already talked about it! I dont want one, really. Napahilot ako sa sentido ko. Sakto naman na may kumatok sa labas ng pinto ng office ko.

"Come in" and there I see Rod and I just motioned him to sit down sa sofa set na nandito lang din sa loob ng office ko.

And then I realized again that this secretary is talking about my dad! She respect my dad! Well, my dad is really respectable so, no need to argue about that matter.

"Dad, I told you I dont need a secretary, I can handle everything just fine. Wala namang nagiging problema simula ng itake over ko ang company natin eh, napapalago ko pa nga siya without the help of anyone, and having a secretary would just make me uncomfortable" marahan kong sabi kay dad as I massage my temple lightly.

"Anak, you need one! Your mom told me that youre planning to find the woman who helped you so, I dont want you to be stressed, Miss Amélie Martinez can help you with the paper works she is so effecient. I promise this will lessen your stress at hindi mo na kailangan pang alalahanin masyado ang mga paper works mo, just tell Ms. Amélie to do it and she'd do it" dad has a point. Kung may secretary ako, I can find the woman sooner but I'm not really comfortable having a secretary around my office and not to mention that she's a woman.

Isang malakas na buntong hininga ang muli kong pinakawalan.

"Come on son, If you have a secretary then no guards, kung wala, then sorry I'll hire five guards for you with black polo, sunglasess and earphones who will surround you whereever you go. Office, mall, and restaurants whereever you go they'll be there, even at the back of the comfort room door." dad said Threathening me or more like bargaining with me to have a secretary rather than a complete uniform bodygaurds that will follow me as to whereever I'll go. 

"Okay, okay a secretary then, but Can I have a guy secretary? Dad, Im not comfortable working with a woman---"

"Son, dont worry, Ms. Omor-- I mean Amélie Martinez is really trusted and effecient, her credentials are incredible! Youll be comfortable with her and I trust her she's really good and have a lot of credentials! She is brilliant!"

I was shocked with daddy's words. He never trusts easily but he said that he trust this secretary right at my face. She must be really something.

"Wow dad 'trust' thats a very big word from someone like you. She must be really something, But dad---"

"No more buts my little Wayys, either you take Ms. Martinez as your secretary or you'll have the complete package of guards ---"

"Okay okay dad, Ms. Martinez for a secretary then"

"Good choice my dear son"

Dad said and happiness is very visible in his voice like she's relieved or something. I frowned with his reaction. 

"Youre so happy dad and somehow relieved why is that?, It feels weird" I said flatly that make my dad clear his throat and speak.

"Be good with her, I have to hang up now, Im on a date with your mom, I just called to inform you about your new and first ever secretary, I promise she'll be a big help. And always remember that finding someone couldnt be as difficult as you think it is. Kung ramdam mo na na wala na talagang trace or clue then try to look around you maybe anjan lang sa tabi tabi ang hinahanap mo"

Napatingin ako sa cellphone ko ng bigla nalang pinatay ni daddy ang tawag. Weird, habang tumatanda si dad ay paweird din sya ng pa weird. Tsk.

Nang mag angat ako ng tingin ay dalawang pares ng mata ang agad na sumalubong sa akin. I just shrugged and spoke.

"Ms. Martinez, please have a seat there, I'll talk to you later" I said to my new secretary or should I say my first ever secretary!, then I motioned her to the secretary's table na katapat ng table ko. It's dad's office na tinake over ko din kaya meron ditong secretary's table kahit na ayaw ko naman sa secretary. I told dad to take it but he wouldnt let me.

"Okay sir, sure"

"Mr. White, good morning"

"Good morning to you too Mr. Wayys, but please just call me Rod, Mr. White is too formal its kinda uncomfortable"

"Okay, Rod it is, then just call me Clev" I said and give her the two bondpapers kung saan ko idinrawing ang babae na nakamouth mask at ang tattoo nito sa side hips niya.

"This are the only clue that I have. And Van said that the tattoo could be a personalized design"

"Saan makikita ang tattoo na ito ng babae?"

"Sa side hips niya" napatingin sa akin si Rod na parang hindi makapaniwala.

"How could I look for a woman with only this clue? At nasa tagong parte pa ang tattoo, dont you have any other clues.

"Wala na, just that"

"Its gonna be hassle and kinda time consuming I have to pull some strings for this"

"Can you do it?"

"Of course its just gonna need more time"

I blow a loud and deep breaths two times.

"Okay then"

"I'll call you for updates"

"Okay"

Then Rod left my office. Napahilamos ako sa sarili kong mukha. Mukhang medyo matatagalan ang paghahanap ko sa kanya.

Napaangat ako ng tingin ng may mag lapag ng isang bottle ng maliit na grapes na mogu mogu sa ibabaw ng lamesa ko.

I look at my secretary with an annoyed expression in my face. Is she playing with me? Seriously? Mogu mogu!? Cant she see that I am stressed and what I need is a cup of coffee? And where the hell did she get that?

"Seriously? A mogu mogu? Tsaka where did you get that?"

"You look stressed sir" she said as if that could answer all the unanswered questions in the whole wide world!

"Yeah, I am stressed thats why you should give me a cup of hot coffee and not some childish drinks"

"Too much coffee can cause too much stress sir besides, mogu mogu is better than coffee dont you think? And by the way I bought that, I have tons of that in my apartment, it relieves stress trust me"

Pasalamat sya at appreciatible akong tao kaya kinuha ko ang mogu mogu and open it then I directly drink it.

Well, it is nice. I leaned on my chair as I drink the mogu mogu and carefully chew the nata de coco in it.

Then my gaze went to my secretary. 'Amélie Shane Martinez' I really felt a really strong familiarity upon seeing her. I always remind myself na nagkita na kami at maaaring iyon ang dahilam kung bakit familiar sya. But her familiarity doesnt end there. I feel like there is more to it and it feels weird.

"---Sir? Sir? Earth to sir, You have something for me to do?" Napa kurap kurap ako ng mapabalik ako sa ulirat ko at napatingin sa secretary ko na kumakaway sa harapan ko.

"W-what is i-it you need something?" Napailing siya sa sinabi ko.

"Im asking if there is something that I can do for you?"

Her familiarity really feels weird. And I should forget about it.

"Get these papers and read it, then if you think the offers are nice then put a partial sign in it and put it back on my table kung sa tingin mo naman ay pangit ang offers then ibasura mo agad. But before you put it on my table make sure na may copy ka and then make a report out of it, then ipepresent mo sakin yun the day after tomorrow" if dad trust her, then I will too. Dad wont trust anybody ng ganun ganun lang and I believe this secretary is really good for my dad to trust her easily.

"Noted sir!" She said and immediately carry the papers on my table to hers. 

I was about to help her to carry the pile of paper to  put it in her table but she carry it right away.

Ang bilis ng kilos niya at binuhat niya ang maraming pile ng mga papeles as if it doesnt weight even a little.

Kung ibang babae ito siguro ay nahihirapan na ito sa pagkuha ng mga papeles. But to her, it looks like shes just carrying a single ball.

I look at her with this unbelievable look in my eyes.

"Yes sir? May iuutos ka pa po?" She asked politely and I cant even voice out a single word so I just shook my head as a response to her question.

I just sat on my chair with the mogu mogu still on my hands and eyes are on her that she doesnt even realize na nakatitig lang ako sa kanya. And there it goes again, the familiarity. But I just shrugged it off and drink the mogu mogu straight from the bottle.

Well, mogu mogu is good.

 When I finished the mogu mogu, I call on my secretary to get me a breakfast. Sa kamamadali ko kanina ay hindi ko na naalalang mag breakfast.

"Ms. Martinez" no response.

"Ms. Martinez" still no response. Is she that focused para di ako marinig?

Kaya nilapitan ko nalang siya.

"Ms. Martinez"  agad naman siyang nag angat siya ng tingin.

"Ms. Martinez, I've been calling you. Kung nagtatrabaho ka dapat nakabukas padin ang mga tenga mo, hindi pwedeng parang wala ka lang naririnig. Paano nalang pag nasa meeting at may binabasa ka? Di mo na mamamalayan na tinatawag ka"

"Im sorry sir, hindi lang po ako sanay na tinatawag na Ms. Marteniz"

"But thats your surename! Dont make excuses with me"

"Im not making excuses sir, Im stating a fact here, everyone calls me Amélie kaya hindi ako sanay na tinatawag ako sa surename ko, sorry"

Well, Im empressed this woman is courageous and brave. No one ever talk back to me in my company. Well, she have a point.

"Do you want me to do something for you sir?" She asked when I didnt answer her.

"Have you eaten your breakfast?" She looked shock with what I said. Even me myself was shocked with what I just said. Why the f**k did I asked her that?

Even in dazed she replied "yes sir"

"Then go get me a breakfast, Im hungry" 

I said and then she stops what shes doing and stand up and goes out of my office.

A minutes or so after, my secretary enter the office with a tray full of heavy foods. Its not a food for breakfast, more like a lunch dish!

The tray consist of a chili-lime chicken bowls and a glass of some apple drinks or is it an iced tea ?

It should be pancakes, bacons, or eggs.

When she placed the tray on my table I look at her blankly.

"A chili-lime chicken bowls? I want pancakes! Thats a lunch dish"

"Sir, you should eat rice in the morning. Ang breakfast ang pinakamahalagang meal and you should not skip it. You should eat heavy foods for breakfast not just pancakes or breads, were in the Philippines not in France. Besides its already 10:53 in the morning almost lunch na din, so basically this is not breakfast but a brunch, here sir. Kain na po kayo"

I look at her. Well, she have a point.

But, what the hell? Did she just go against what I want?

"Did you just said that Im wrong with eating pancakes in the morning rather than rice? "

"Indirectly, yes sir"

Huh!  How dare she!

"You should not--"

"Sir, the food is getting cold, mas masarap kumain kung mainit. Kaya kumain na po kayo mamaya nyo nalang ako pangaralan" she said and then sit back to her table again.

"I wont eat that, I want pancakes, go get me some" I felt weird. Why am I acting like a kid? What? No! I am not! I just know what I wanted.

"You'll eat that or you go get a pancake yourself, you choose" she said at nahihimigan ko ang medyo pagkairita sa kanyang boses. Wow, sya pa talaga ang may ganang mairita. 

"I wont eat, not until you get me a pancake. At kapag nagutom ako--"

"Pag nagutom ka, at ako ang sinisi mo ay magreresign ako and then your dad  Will hire five hunks body gaurds with black uniforms, sunglasses and earphones that will follow you even at the restroom, how is that sir?"

I look at her with disbelief. H-how? W-what the f*****g f**k!?

"How did you know all that?"

"Your phone is in a speaker mode kanina. Obviously I heard everything oh not just me, the guy earlier also heard it" she said. Wala na ang masunuring awra nito. What I see is a pure brave woman and she has this look that says 'Listen to me, cause Im fuckin superior with you!'

But no! I am the boss. She listens to me!

"Then go on resign, I wont eat that, I want pancakes go get me some" but instead of answering me she just look back at the papers and started reading again! This is unbelievable! I didnt know that this is how it will go by having a secretary !

I was about to ignore the food and sulk at the corner of my table when my stomach grumble. f**k! Im hungry! Then a realization hit me! Why the f**k am I sulking? I am not a kid!

Argh! Umayos nalang ako ng upo at agad na pinulot ang kutsarat tinidor at nag umpisang sumubo.

Well, its good. The chili and the lime combination has complimented and enhanced the flavor of the chicken.

And then I didnt realized that I was already eating happily ang enjoying the food hanggang sa maubos ko ito.