That Night

Kabanata V

Mr. Monteverde's POV

"Hindi ka ba napapagod na paiba-iba na lang ang mga sekretarya mo?!" Dad exclaimed in frustration.

I just shook my head and let him talk. Hindi rin ba siya napapagod na sermonan ako? I don't even know why my secretaries keep on resigning. Wala naman akong ginagawa. I don't even bad mouthed them or mistreated them. I never talked with them maliban na lang kung may tinatanong ako sa kanila. I am just shocked the next day, or the following days ay nagre-resign na sila. Also, I don't want them. They are not my type of secretary. I can really sense that they are after my attention. Lol. As if I do really care about them.

"Dad, can you please calm down? It's not my fault kung hindi sila nagtatagal dito. Wala akong ginagawa sa kanila," I said to defend myself.

"You also need to tell Celestine about her attitude towards your secretary! I am receiving rumors about how she mistreated them."

Yeah, Celestine Shawn. She's my girlfriend. A model and a hot chick. I know about Celestine's dirty works. Alam ko rin na isa siya sa mga dahilan kung bakit nagre-resign ang mga sekretarya ko. I just don't mind her and her own dirty businesses. Kaya ko rin naman siya hinahayaan dahil gusto kong sa iba ang atensyon niya. So I can still do whatever I want.

"Dad, when will you stop? I'm already getting annoyed." I hissed.

"This will be the last time I'm going to find a secretary for you. Kapag itong bagong sekretarya umalis pa, bahala ka na. You'll go find your secretary on your own!" he said before he left my office.

Instead of stressing myself out, I came up dialing Celestine's number. After two rings ay sumagot na ito.

"Yes, hon?"

"I need you. Dad's stressing me out. You know you are my stress reliever. You know what to do. Where are you at?"

I heard her chuckled. Oh, that sounds good.

"I'm at my condo, hon. You can drop by," she said so I immediately hung up the call and put on my coats back. I left my office without even telling anyone where the hell did I go.

Upon reaching Celestine's condo, she welcomed me with her sweet kisses. That's it. This makes me calm and the rest was history. I woke up with her by my side. I put my shirt back and just hang my coat on my left arm. Hindi na ako nag-abalang gisingin pa siya because I hate cuddles. We usually do this everytime I'm stressed. A s*x with her already makes me calm. I don't bring any girls to bed except Celestine. That doesn't mean I am loyal to her. I know Celestine's intention about me, and I know her dirty little secrets.

Nang nasa kotse ako ay biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko and saw Bruno's name in there. I connected my phone's speaker in my car and answered his call.

"What do you need, assh*le?"

"Calm. Kalma ka muna. Nasa bar kami ngayon. Do you wanna join us?"

"Okay. Give me ten minutes," I said and immediately ended the call.

Upon entering the bar, I already saw those assh*les where we usually take place. They're with their random girls again. Nang makalapit ako sa kanila'y nag-alok na agad sila ng isang baso ng alak sa akin. Hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip pa at tinanggap iyon saka nilagok ang laman ng baso. Naghiyawan naman sila.

"Hey, Mr. Monteverde. Do you wanna spend your night with me?" A girl approached me. I know she's trying to seduce me, but nah, she doesn't even look tempting.

"Nah, you're not my type. Back off," I hardly said to her.

Umupo na ako saka naglagok muli ng alak.

"What's up, bro? Kumusta ang bago mong secretary?" Bruno asked.

"As usual. She resigned," walang ganang sagot ko.

They all laughed because of my answer.

"Paniguradong stress na naman si Tito Clyde sa'yo," singit ni Ryko—the real womanizer among us.

"I pity your secretaries. They only want to have a peaceful job pero sinisira 'yon ng girlfriend mo. Why are you letting her do that?" Lucas uttered.

"That's a girl thing I shouldn't interfere. Problema na nila 'yon," I answered.

"Pero you need to protect your secretary at all costs. Hindi kaaya-aya iyong ginagawa ng girlfriend mo. Dapat nga hindi na siya nakikisawsaw diyan sa kumpanya mo," Bruno said.

Kinabukasan ay muli akong pumasok sa kumpanya. As usual, people bow down their heads to greet me. Dire-diretso ang lakad ko papunta ng elevator. I glance at my wrist watch to check what time is it now. Well, I'm a bit early now. It's still 7:30 in the morning. Nang bumukas ang elevator ay pumasok na ako roon. I dialed Dad's phone number.

"Dad, have you already found a new secretary for me?" I asked.

"No one wants to be your secretary anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"Where are you?" he diverted the topic.

"At the company. I need someone to prepare a hot coffee for me."

"See? You can't even work on your own. Tapos hindi mo inaalagaan ang sekretarya mo?"

Here we go again.

"Dad, it's too early to lecture me. I need my secretary, now."

"Magtimpla ka para sa sarili mo. Wala nang gustong tumanggap bilang secretary mo. So work on your own."

Then the next thing I heard was the *toot* sound. Really? Saktong bumukas na ang pinto ng elevator. No one welcomed me. Is Dad really serious na hindi na siya kukuha ng secretary para sa’kin? Damn this.

I entered my office—the rays of the sun reflecting my glass windows. This is what I actually love about my office. I placed my leather attaché briefcase on my table and walked towards the window to see the entire view of the city. Nakaramdam ako ng biglang pagkalam ng sikmura. My stomach is asking for a hot coffee. Pero sinong uutusan ko?

Wala na akong nagawa kundi ang lumabas ng opisina and went to the storage area where my foods are stored. I don't even know where the coffee sachets are. This is not my thing. Isa-isa kong binuksan ang mga cabinet na nandoon. The first thing I saw is my cup. Kinuha ko ito at nilapag sa lamesa, then the next thing I looked for was the ingredients. Abala ako sa paghahanap nang biglang may nagsalita sa likuran ko.

"Mr. Monteverde, kailangan po ba ninyo ng kape? Ako na po ang magtitimpla para sa inyo."

I quickly turned my back at her and saw a smiling girl wearing her neutral office attire which really suits her body and color. But her smile slowly faded away when he finally saw me. Damn, she's beautiful. Wait, did I just say she's beautiful? Nah, she's not.