The Mafia Boss' Heart

CHAPTER 19

PAGPASOK ni Nicolo sa loob ng Romero’s Company. Nakita niya ang ilang mga pamilyar na mukha. Bahagya pang yumuko sa kaniya ang isang guard sa entrance. Nahilot ni Nicolo ang sentido saka lumingon kay Alonzo.

Mabilis namang nag-iwas ng tingin si Alonzo. He didn’t dare to look at the Young Master. He knew that Young Master Nicolo was pissed.

Nicolo didn’t know what position his subordinates took to enter the Romero’s Company. It must be his father again who did everything by his connection. Napabuntong hininga na lamang siya saka agad na napatingin sa workstation ni Haze nang makapasok siya sa loob ng Accounting Department. Nagsalubong ang mata nilang dalawa. Nicolo smiled at Haze and Haze smiled back.

‘Let’s have lunch later.’ He texted Haze.

Haze didn’t reply but she thumbs up to him.

Nicolo smiled and went to his workstation. Hindi pa man umiinit ang kinauupuan niya nang lapitan siya ng pinsan.

“Nicolo, let’s talk.”

Tumayo si Nicolo saka sinundan si Grace sa loob ng opisina nito.

“Your father sent your people to protect you?” Grace asked. Then she added, “I saw many unfamiliar faces in the company.”

Ngumiwi si Nicolo saka tumango. “Yeah, I apologize for that. If you and my cousin-in-law are uncomfortable, I can send them away.”

Umiling si Grace. “Liam said it’s okay. Your people can take your order but won’t obey you if your father orders them to protect you. It’s alright. Just let them. At least I am not worried now.”

“Worried?”

Grace sighed. “We’re cousins. We’re family. Of course, I will get worried about you.”

Ngumiti si Nicolo. “Thanks.”

Nicolo went back to his table. He didn’t notice that Haze was looking at him.

Haze didn’t know that Grace and Nicolo were relatives.

“Everyone, let’s have a meeting.” Pagtawag ni Grace sa atensiyon ng mga nasa loob ng Accounting Department.

Inayos ni Haze ang suot na salamin. They have a department meeting every week to address the different agendas, problems, and queries. Of course, everyone had something to say. They report their agendas, problems that arose, and their queries.

As for Haze, since she was the Senior Accountant, she recommended some ideas on how to reduce the cost of their raw products and enhance their revenue.

Napapangiti naman si Nicolo habang nagte-take note. He likes how professional Haze is. While Haze was speaking, he was looking at her. Haze's gait was different from the Haze he knew. The Haze he was seeing right now was a strong and independent woman but behind the smile she showed was a woman with a past. He admired Haze because she was strong despite her sad past.

“Lovesick fool,” mahinang parinig ni Grace kay Nicolo.

Nicolo just shrugged. Wala na siyang pakialam kung ano ang itawag sa kaniya ng ibang tao.

“By the way, Nicolo and Haze, come with me inside the office. I have something to talk with you,” said Grace.

Tumango si Haze saka napatingin kay Nicolo. She gave him a questioning look. But Nicolo shrugged and mouthed, “I don’t know.”

Sumunod si Nicolo at Haze sa loob ng opisina ni Grace.

“Maupo kayong dalawa.”

Umupo naman si Nicolo at Haze sa visitor’s chair.

Kinuha ni Grace ang dalawang folder na nasa ibabaw ng kaniyang lamesa at ibinigay sa dalawa. “Here.”

Kinuha ni Nicolo at Haze ang folder saka binuklat.

Bahagyang lumaki ang mata ni Haze nang makita kung ano ang laman ng folder. “This is…”

Grace smiled. “It’s a Bleisure Travel. It was out of town trip. You will meet our clients, negotiate new and existing contracts. Ako sana ang pupunta pero hindi pumayag si Liam lalo na at,” ngumiti siya saka hinaplos ang kaniyang tiyan, “buntis ako.”

Natuwa si Haze. “Congratulations, Ma’am.”

“Thanks, Haze.” Grace smiled. She looked at Nicolo. “So, since you’re my assistant, it’s your job to take over. Take Haze with you. She’s the Senior Accountant and I want her to expand her horizon in terms of business.”

Lihim na napailing na lamang si Nicolo. Alam niya ang trip ng mag-asawa. They deliberately come up with a plan to arrange a travel for him and Haze. But what his cousin and cousin-in-law did was a big favor for him.

“Don’t worry about the expenses. Ang kumpanya ang bahala.” Sabi ni Grace habang nakangiti. “It’s a two-week Bleisure travel. After you work, you can have your personal vacation.”

Haze looked at Nicolo.

Nagkibit ng balikat si Nicolo. “Alright. I’ve never been to other places in your country. It’s time for me to look at it.”

Grace smiled and shook her head. Ang saya ng loko. Sabi niya sa kaniyang isipan. Tumingin siya kay Haze. “Haze.”

Napakurap si Haze at napatingin sa kaniyang Boss. “Ma’am.”

Grace smiled. “Are you okay?”

Ngumiti si Haze saka tumango. “Thank you for the opportunity, Ma’am.”

Yeah, I’m creating the opportunity for the man beside you. Sana lang hindi na magpakatorpe. Sabi ni Grace. She gave Nicolo a subtle look.

Nicolo thumbs up secretly.

LUNCH TIME.

“Bago ka ba dito?” tanong ni Janine sa kasama ng Assistant CFO.

Alonzo who didn’t understand the woman’s word looked at his Young Master.

“Oh. She’s asking you if you’re new here,” Nicolo translated for Alonzo then he looked at Janine. “He is my friend. Best friend,” he said. Though it was true. Lahat yata ng anak ng mga tauhan ng kaniyang ama ay mga kaibigan niya. Pero kay Alonzo at Alessio siya pinakamalapit.

Tinapik ni Nicolo ang balikat ni Alonzo.

“Ang haba ng pila,” sabi ni Haze nang makalapit ito sa kanila at makaupo sa tabi ni Janine. Then she saw the unfamiliar man beside Nicolo. “You’re new here?”

Alonzo nodded.

“No wonder. Ngayon lang kita nakita,” sabi ni Haze.

Janine leaned to Haze. “Hindi siya nakakaintindi ng tagalog, girl.”

Alonzo looked at his Young Master. “Di cosa stanno parlando, signorino?” What are they talking about, Young Master?

Nicolo looked at Alonzo. Hindi dapat malaman ni Haze ang tungkol sa isa niyang katauhan. Huwag muna ngayon. “Non preoccupartene. E non chiamarmi 'signorino'. Chiamami semplicemente con il mio nome.” Don't mind them. And don't call me 'young master'. Just call me by my name.

“Sarebbe irrispettoso, signorino.” That would be disrespectful, Young Master. Alonzo replied.

Nicolo gave Alonzo a subtle look. One look from the Young Master, Alonzo didn’t have a choice but to obey. He nodded his head.

“Anong pinag-uusapan niyo?” tanong ni Haze.

Umiling si Nicolo. “Nothing.” Ngumiti siya. “Anyway, I forgot to introduce to you. This is Alonzo, a good friend of mine.” He tapped Alonzo’s shoulder then he gestured his hand to Haze, “This is Haze and Janine.”

Alonzo knew the woman named Haze since she was the reason why the Young Master was here in the Philippines. He wonders what is the level of their relationship now. The Young Master’s parents would probably be happy if the Young Master succeeded in giving them a daughter-in-law.

“Hi,” Janine stretched out her hand to Alonzo. “Nice to meet you. Welcome to the company.”

Alonzo shook hands with Janine. But he didn’t dare to shake hands with Haze. His Young Master would probably skin him alive.

Habang kumakain sila, nag-uusap si Janine at Haze. Ganun din naman si Alonzo at Nicolo.

“You’re going out of town?” gulat na tanong ni Janine.

Tumango si Haze.

“How many days?” Janine asked.

Haze showed her two fingers. “Two weeks.”

Lumaki ang mata ni Janine saka napatingin kay Nicolo. Then she looked at Haze. Bumulong siya, “are you really comfortable with him?” she asked.

Haze nodded. “He’s a gentleman.”

“Pero mag-ingat ka pa rin,” paalala ni Janine. “Alam mo naman na ang mga lalaki. Santo lang ‘yan kapag nakaharap pero demonyo kapag nakatalikod na.”

“Santo? Demonyo? What’s that?” tanong ni Nicolo kay Haze at Janine nang marinig niya ang usapan ng dalawa.

Umiling si Haze. “Nothing. It’s a nonsense word.”

Janine glared at Nicolo.

“Why are you glaring at me?” Nicolo asked as if he did or he would do something unforgivable.

“Sinabi ni Haze na may out-of-town trip kayong dalawa.”

“Yeah.”

Mas lalo pang naningkit ang mata ni Janine. “Only the two of you?”

“Yeah. What’s the matter? We are both ordered to oversee our clients,” said Nicolo.

Ibinagsak ni Janine ang hawak na kutsara sa lamesa pero hindi naman ganun kalakas. “You better behave yourself.”

Napailing naman si Haze.

“Don’t glare at—” napatigil si Alonzo sa pagsasalita nang sipain siya ni Nicolo sa paa.

Then Nicolo gave Alonzo a subtle look, so Alonzo shut his mouth. Tumikhim na lamang siya.

“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to Haze,” said Nicolo.

“You better be.” Seryosong sabi ni Janine. Tumingin siya kay Haze. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ng kaibigan. “If something happens, just call me.”

Natawa ng mahina si Haze saka ngumiti.

“I’m serious.”

“Alright. Alright. I will.” Sabi ni Haze para mapanatag ang loob ng kaibigan.

“Young Master—”

Nicolo glared at Alonzo.

Alonzo immediately zipped his mouth.

Haze noticed that Alonzo was afraid of Nicolo. As if Nicolo was his Boss. But he ignored it. Baka ganun lang talaga ang magkaibigan.