Between Hate and Love

Chapter 10

We had been quiet throughout the ride. As in walang nagsasalita. Khal’s forehead was still creased as he was driving, while I was in the shotgun seat. I was about to sit at the back, but his forehead got even more creased as I was about to do it, so I sat beside him.

Wala siyang sinasabi. Basta lamang nakakunot ang noo niya at hindi niya ako pinapansin. Mukhang wala siya sa mood. I wondered if it was because he saw me with Hendrix or because he had a short time with Sarah.

I would be glad if it was the former.

Hindi siya nagsasalita kaya tahimik lamang din ako. I watched the view of the vehicles in front of us, and indulged myself at the traffic of this busy city. Halos isang oras na kaming bumibiyahe, and I was still uncertain kung malapit na ba kami o malayo pa. Wala kasing nagsasalita. Hindi ako nagtatanong sa kanya, habang wala naman siyang balak na kausapin ako.

I crossed my arms. I couldn’t believe how much we dreamt of having a car together back then. Nagbibiruan pa kami kung saan kami pupunta. Sabi niya lagi niya ako’ng ipagdadrive and we would go to different places and go to unplanned trips.

Ito ang unang beses na sumakay ako sa kotse na pagmamay-ari niya, kahit na hindi kami nag-uusap. It was close to what we both dream of before. I was glad for him. I was glad he was able to survive the world on his own.

Later on we arrived at an exquisite restaurant in China town. He parked and quickly left the car, so I swiftly moved and ran after him. Mainit at dahil naka blazer coat ako ay nakadagdag ‘yon sa banas na nararamdaman ko.

Nauna si Khal sa akin papasok sa restaurant, while I was merely following him. Hindi talaga siya nagsasalita at hindi niya ako pinapansin. He was walking as if he was not with me.

“Reservation for Mr. Ejercito,” he informed the host that greeted us as we entered the restaurant.

“This way, Sir.”

We passed through several seats and then we went upstairs where there were more private areas. Tinuro kami sa pinakadulo na mesa, malapit sa floor to ceiling window.

Mr. Aziz, the shareholder that he told me we would have lunch with was still not there. The waiter gave us the the menu. I just looked over it and let Khal order for everyone of us. Meanwhile, I checked the ipad, where most of his schedule was and the emails that he had.

I wondered how he survived all these years without a secretary, he only got an assistant recently and he did most of the scheduling of his time and answering of the emails back then. Then, that assistant was fired, and here I was.

“Why aren’t you ordering?” finally, he spoke.

“I thought you’ll be the one to order, Sir,” I replied honestly.

Khal shook his head. “Order something for yourself. Don’t worry, hindi ko ibabawas ‘yan sa sweldo mo,” he stated.

I shrugged.

I checked the menu and did what he asked me to do.

Nang makuha na nu’ng waiter ‘yung order namin ay suminghap siya. “What’s your problem?” he asked me.

My forehead creased. “Huh? What do you mean, Sir?”

“You’re not speaking. You were just so happy earlier with Hendrix. You even hugged him, and the two of you looked so engaged in a very meaningful conversation. Then all the way here, you are very quiet. Are you mad because I interrupted your chatter with him? Did I do something wrong that would affect your efficacy as my assistant, Ms. Reyes?”

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa sinasabi niya. Siya itong hindi nagsasalita at nakakunot ang noo kanina pa, pero ako pa talaga ang tatanuning niya na galit? What was wrong with this man?

“No Sir,” I said, suddenly feeling tired. “Hindi po gano’n ‘yon. There was no need to talk, so I didn’t speak. Also, I wasn’t mad. Who am I to feel mad, Sir? I am actually concerned about you. Nabitin siguro kayo sa oras niyo kasama si Ms. Sangson, so you’re not in the mood for this lunch meeting with Mr. Aziz.”

Khal’s forehead creased even more. Para siyang nagtitimpi dahil sa higpit ng kamao niya.

“You even asked me to leave, Sir. I’m sorry. Don’t worry, by the next time that Ms. Sangson visits your office, I will immediately leave the two of you alone… Sir.”

My voice cracked a bit. I wasn’t looking at him. My eyes were glued on how his fist was formed into a ball.

Ano kaya ang problema niya? Siya itong hindi nagsasalita kanina kaya hindi rin ako nagsasalita, tapos tatanungin niya ako kung galit ako sa kanya?

“Ms. Reyes, you can quit now. You know that.”

Why was he being mean?!

I did not say anything. He was still my boss and I wanted to understand him as much as possible. I would not quit.

Dahil binabanas ako gawa ng panahon, at dahil binabanas ako dahil sa mga sinasabi ni Khal, I removed my blazer. I was left with my white halter dress that was above my knees.

“I will not quit, Sir,” I iterated to him. “I’m sorry if it seemed to you that I was mad. I wasn’t talking because there was no need to, Sir.”

Ba’t nga ba kami nag-uusap ng ganito?

Sasagot pa sana siya nang sakto ay dumating ‘yung waiter, pati na rin si Mr. Aziz.

Mr. Aziz greeted us with a smile. A noticeable feature of the man in his mid-60s, dressed formally for a meeting, could be his gray hair. It was neatly styled, with some hints of silver mixed with his natural color, suggesting his age. Despite any signs of aging, his confident demeanor and refined appearance convey authority and experience.

“Mr. Khal Ejercito. Our youngest CEO,” he said, greeting Khal.

He was with his three bodyguards and they all had stern faces.

“This must be your secretary, she’s pretty. What’s her name?” Mr. Aziz asked Khal, pertaining to me. He reached for my hands and then kissed them, making me feel a bit weird.

“Ah. Yes, she’s my personal assistant, Ms. Reyes,” Khal informed Mr. Aziz. Since I was sitting adjacent to him, he pulled me a bit closer to him and put my blazers back on my shoulders.

Mr. Aziz smiled at me and nodded. I awkwardly smiled back at him and we all sat down together.

“You don’t have to smile back at him if you feel uncomfortable,” Khal subtly whispered to me before their meeting finally began with food on our table.