Seducing Mr. Encantadio

Celine’s Pov Hindi parin talaga ako makapaniwala na after so many months of hiatus sa wakas at may misyon narin akong gagawin. I don’t know why Mr. Pemberton gave me this top and exclusive mission when I’m the least expected person to handle this kind of thing. “How can I handle this?” bulong ko sa sarili habang tinititigan ang brown envelope sa kamay ko. I’ve already read the file back at the office and was already shocked about it. They only have his photo and little background about his company. He owned a chain of buildings downtown. He’s an elite and important member of the society. He also pays his taxes. He’s practically a good abiding citizen for me. Yet the government wants to do a thorough investigation about him. They called our boss, Mr. Pemberton and offered me this mission. Which is by the way the most cringe mission I handled since joining the agency. “What’s with the mission title, Mr. Pemberton?” I remembered asking back in his office. He laughed and answered, “What about it, Celine?” “Really, Mr. P? Mission: Seducing Mr. Encantadio?” Panay pa rin ang tawa niya hanggang sa hindi na niya nasagot ang tanong ko dahil may emergency itong pupuntahan. Napakamot ako ng batok at sumandal sa luma kong sofa. I was living alone in the city at iniwan ang parents ko doon sa hometown namin. I don’t want to harm my parents’ well-being and also I really wanted to help them since they’re not getting any younger now. I want them not to go to work anymore and just focus on staying healthy. I can also pay for my brother’s tuition now. Lucky me after a year of being employed here, ilang beses ko ng pinadalhan sila mama ng pera at ako narin ang nagbabayad ng tuition ni bunso. I am so grateful that at least now I can make a decent living on my own. I check the time on my phone, it reads 4:05 pm. Great! Hindi man lang ako nakakain ng tanghalian kanina. I was preoccupied sa mission na ‘to. Lumabas ako ng apartment para bumili ng pananghalian. I bumped on one of my neighbours. I think her name is Sarah. She lives next door. “Hi Sarah.” bati ko rito at ngumiti. She was wearing a fitted dress and paired it with a sling bag with a silver chain and a white converse sneaker. She looks amazing. “Oh hi, Aya. Nice to see you.” She greeted me back. I smiled at inipit ang buhok sa aking kaliwang tenga. Right, I am Aya Black. “Yeah, so where are you going?” I asked. Hinintay namin tumaas ang elevator. Nasa 6th floor kami ng Dean’s Rental. I was living here for 7 years now then Sarah move in last year. “I have a job interview right now.” she enthusiastically exclaimed. “Wow. Congratulations. Break a leg.” Dumating na ang lift namin at sabay kaming pumasok. The door was about to close when someone manages to stop it. Muli itong bumukas at pumasok ang 6 footer na lalaki. Wow, so tall. “Sorry about that.” aniya at napakamot ng kanyang batok. “It’s okay,” sagot naman ni Sarah at pinamulahan ng pisngi. Tahimik lang kaming tatlo sa loob hanggang sa basagin ito ng cute na ringtone. Oh it was, Sarah’s. “Well, excuse me guys. I need to take this important call.” Aniya sabay pakita ng kanyang cellphone. Tumango ako at sumagot naman ang lalaki. “It’s okay.” We parted ways at tinungo ko ang underground parking lot kung saan nakapark ang vintage car ng papa ko. He gave it to me as a gift when I graduated college. It was owned by my grandpa and gave it to my papa. Old but gold at hindi mahirap i-manoeuvre ang sasakyan na ‘to. I was afraid to drive a car back when I was a college student so I always commute on buses going to school. Nakarating ako sa R Mart 6:30 pm. Himala wala masyadong traffic ngayon. Kumuha ako ng basket at nagsimulang mamili ng pagkain. Since, twice in a month lang ako kung mag-grocery, sinasagad ko na. After a long line, sa wakas at ako narin. The cashier punches all the goods. I handed her the money. “Thank you.” sabi ko sa lalaking tumulong sa akin magbuhat ng mga pinamili ko. He was familiar. “It’s our pleasure, Maám. Thank you for shopping with us.” magalang na aniya. Napangiti ako at binigyan ito ng kunting tip. I don’t really give tips but there’s always an exception to the rules. “Finally. Nakakain rin.” Nagluto lang ako ng ramen at umorder ng fried chicken sa labas kasi gabi na nang matapos akong mag grocery. I’m also tired enough to cook rice and a decent ulam. Pagkatapos kong linisin ang kusina at pinasok sa cabinet ang mga pinamili ay chineck ko ang pinto at bintana sa sala kung nakasarado ang lahat. I heaved a sighed at pumasok na sa kwarto ko. Bago matulog ay binuksan ko ang laptop at nagtipa ng plano kung paano ako makaka lapit kay Mr. Encantadio. He’s a very private entity. Wala masyadong impormasyon ang masasagap sa kanya. Not even his birthday. Minsan lang din ito mahagilap sa kanyang company. Secretary niya lamang ang kanyang inuutusan gawin ang lahat ng mga bagay. They’re stocks are always in demand in the market. Maraming investors ang nagkukumahog maka-invest lang sa kompanya niya. It’s really weird though. Why would the government want his personal information? “What did you do, Mr. Encantadio?” Kinabukasan. I received a mail from Mr. P. na simula ngayon hindi ko na kailangang pumasok sa agency hangga’t hindi ko natatapos ang mission ko. He also gives me a warning note na kapag hindi ko matapos ang mission ay tanggal na ako sa trabaho. Great. Just great. I was sitting in the lobby of Encatadio Group of Companies. Yes, simula sa araw na ‘to. I am going to work here. Tamang-tama at nakita ko kahapon ang hiring ad ng company. They’re looking for an admin. I immediately submitted my fake resume and application. “Are you, Miss Black?” A man in a black suit approaches me. If I am not mistaken, he’s the secretary of Mr. Encantadio. “Yes sir. I am Aya Black.” I exclaimed and extended my right hand for a handshake but he just bowed down a little. Pinamulahan ako ng pisngi at binulsa ang kamay sa suot kong gray coat. Nakakahiya. Tinuro niya ang HR Office kung saan gagawin ang interview para sa position. On our way, hindi ko maiwasang mamangha sa mga paintings na nakasabit sa bawat hallway. I was so fascinated by it. The artist of those paintings must be really a genius. I can feel different emotion swirling inside me. After an hour, natapos ang interview ko. Hindi ko mawari kung bakit ang swerte ko. I was hired on the spot and they only need last admin. Baka napulot ko talaga ang four clover leaf back when I was a child or something. Nakangiti akong lumabas sa opisina ni Miss Karen. I insisted on calling her maám but she said to just call her Miss. She’s a really kind hearted person. She’s different from any hiring officer manager. She will start a conversation far from the position. Just a casual one and I found myself thinking that this isn’t a job interview. It felt like she’s my friend or something. I thought magiging istrikto ang hr dito since you know one of the top companies ito dito sa Paraiso City. Tapos na ang business ko sa company, pero instead na umalis ay nanatili ako since maaga pa naman. It’s still midday at wala naman ako masyadong gagawin sa apartment. Might as well I poke inside this company. I was on the third floor in the building at sa pagkakaalam ko nasa pinaka tuktok ang opisina ni Mr. Encantadio. So, it was on the 13th floor. Yes, the only building with the 13th floor downtown. “Hi, are you lost?” Nagulat ako at biglang napalingon. Bumungad sa akin ang isang lalaki na nakasuot ng suit and tie. He’s sharp jaw make him look like surreal and was carved by some genius artist. My jaw literally dropped. He is handsome as hell. “Missy, you’re drooling.” he said casually. I almost choked on my own spit. Kadiri. I hastily wiped it but then stopped when I didn’t feel any wetness. “Just kidding,” he smirked and laughed a little. “Didn’t think you would fall for that.” “Are you for real?” hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko rito. Wow huh? Kung makapag-joke siya ng ganun. Close kami close? Napaubo ito at inabot sa akin ang kanyang kamay. “Sorry about that. I am Drew. And you are?” he smiled. What a great line of teeth. Wala na bang mas ika-perfect ang taong ‘to? “It’s Aya.” nahihiya kong aniya at inabot ang kamay nito. It was so cold and soft like a child. “Aya Black? The new addition?” Tumango ako at napakamot ng braso. Bilis naman yatang kumalat ng balita. Bigla akong nahiya sa kanya. Mukha siyang tagapagmana ng isang kompanya. The air surrounding him felt something different from ordinary. Mukha siyang nanggaling sa ibang planeta. Matteo Do, ikaw ba 'yan? “Great. I’m one of your colleagues. Also an admin officer.” So, he’s a normal employee like me. “Really?” “Yeah. So if you need help. Just call me, okay?” he offered and gave me his number. Nagpaalam na ito dahil may pinapagawa sa kanyang importante. I waved goodbye to him until nakapasok na ito ng elevator. Napatitig ako sa number niya. “First time to have someone’s number. Hindi rin pala masama.” Napahiga ako sa kama at balak na magtipa ng mensahe kay Drew. Pero nagdadalawang-isip ako dahil baka akalain niyang masyado akong feeling close. Napabuntong-hininga ako. I dropped my phone on the bed beside me at tinakpan ang mukha ng unan. “Why did my heart skip a beat back then?”