The Mafia Boss' Heart

CHAPTER 13

SUPERMARKET

Haze went to the supermarket after eating and Nicolo followed her. She thought Nicolo would buy his groceries too but she noticed he was just following her along. Nicolo even pushed her cart and casually looked around. She cleared her throat to get Nicolo’s attention.

Napatingin si Nicolo kay Haze. “What?” he asked when he saw her look at him.

“Won’t you buy?” Tanong ni Haze.

“No,” Nicolo shook his head. “I don’t know how to cook. I’m eating outside or ordering take out.”

“Then you will spend a lot,” said Haze.

Nicolo shrugged. “It’s alright.” Anito.

Haze narrowed her eyes at Nicolo. Something was fishy about him. She thought. She’s a reserved person. She knew that to herself but even though she was not observant, she could tell that Nicolo was hiding something. Well, I hope he won’t harm me.

“I wonder what was your work? For you to spend money on food like it was nothing—like it was just a casual thing to happen. Eating outside was already expensive for me.” Haze said as she took the push cart from Nicolo. “Let me do it.”

Ngumiti lamang si Nicolo saka hinayaan si Haze sa gusto nitong gawin.

“Rich people…” Haze mumbled and continued to pick some vegetables. Then she went to the meat section, she bought two kilos of chicken meat and one kilo of pork meat. She also bought fish. Yes, it was her stock for one week. Ayaw niya ng bili ng bili kaya naman mas maganda kung may stock na siya sa apartment niya.

Haze also gets grains, bread, milk, eggs, fruits, and condiments.

“Do you always do this every weekend?” Nicolo asked while following Haze, his hands were on his pockets.

“Yeah,” Haze nodded. “Sometimes, every after two weeks. It was good to have some stocks at home.”

Nicolo looked at Haze and smiled. He was really whipped by love. Until now, he couldn’t believe to himself, that he came here just for her. Just to pursue her. But he knew that even though they already knew each other, he couldn’t confess recklessly. Baka matakot si Haze lalo na at halata na medyo lumalayo ito sa kaniya. Naiintindihan naman niya ito. After all, even if they already know each other, they are still stranger. Haze doesn’t know his background. Though he knew something about Haze, that doesn’t guarantee he knew her. There are things he doesn’t know about Haze including her past that Haze was the only could know.

“Haze, where’s the beverages?” tanong ni Nicolo.

“That’s the way. At the corner.” Itinuro ni Haze ang daan.

“I’ll buy some beer,” he said and walked towards the beverage section.

Napailing na lamang si Haze habang nakatingin kay Nicolo na naglalakad patungo sa beverage section. “Men…” she mumbled and went to the hygiene sections. She frowned seeing the brand of her favorite pads on the top of the shelves. Napasimangot siya ng hindi niya ito maabot. “Why did they put it there?”

Haze didn’t have a choice but to jump to reach the top of the shelves but she couldn’t reach it. Her height was not enough to reach the top of the shelf.

“Want my help?” tanong ng pamilyar na boses sa likuran niya.

Haze was startled when she heard Nicolo’s voice behind her. Mabilis siyang lumingon sa lalaki.

Nicolo put the can in beer in Haze’s cart. “I’ll get it later.”

Haze was confused. Ang bilis naman yata niya. Bakit hindi ko napansin? She didn’t hear Nicolo’s footsteps coming towards her.

“What brand? I’ll get it for you,” said Nicolo.

Haze was embarrassed but she didn’t have a choice, so she accepted Nicolo’s help. She pointed to the brand of pad she wanted. “Three packs. Thanks.”

With Nicolo’s height, walang kahirap-hirap na inabot nito ang itaas ng shelf at kumuha ng tatlong pack ng pads na gusto ni Haze. Inilagay niya ito sa push cart ng dalaga.

“Are you shy?” Nicolo asked when he saw Haze couldn’t look at him. “It’s alright. It’s normal for women to have their monthly period. No need to be embarrassed.”

Haze glared at Nicolo. “Easy for you to say.”

Nicolo smiled and shook his head. He knew that women have their monthly period. At it’s not easy for women because they felt pain and they are uncomfortable.

When they went to the cashier, Nicolo took the ten cans of beer from Haze’s cart and paid for it. He noticed that Haze wrinkled her nose. “Why your expression was like that?” he asked. Haze was looking at him like he did something unforgivable.

Umiling si Haze. “Nothing.” Men are really alcoholics.

After Haze paid for her groceries, Nicolo helped her to carry the groceries. She hailed a cab when they stepped outside the supermarket.

“Thanks,” Haze said after putting the groceries in the taxi’s compartment. “You can go now on your business.”

“No, I’ll escort you home. I don’t trust taxi drivers,” said Nicolo as he opened the backseat door, and went inside.

Haze could only sigh and step inside the taxi. She told the driver her address. While they were on the way to Haze’s apartment, they were both silent. As they reach Haze's apartment, Nicolo pays the driver before Haze can pay.

“Nicolo, I…”

“It’s okay,” said Nicolo and carried the groceries.

“Thank you,” Haze said as Nicolo put the groceries on the table.

Nicolo’s eyes simply looked around inside Haze’s apartment. “Nice home.”

Haze smiled. “Thanks.”

“I’ll go now.” Paalam ni Nicolo.

Haze nodded and followed Nicolo to the door. She closed the door and cupped her chest. Her heart was beating so fast. “Anong nangyayari sa akin?” She asked herself curiously.

Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Haze. For some reason, Haze was bothered by Nicolo’s presence. She doesn’t know if it will do good for her or what.

The weekend has ended. Haze could finally go back to her real work as Senior Accountant. Monday was the start of the Assistant CFO and they will meet him today. She let out a sigh and sat down at her workstation.

“Boo!”

Someone suddenly tapped her shoulder. Haze just calmly faced Janine. “What?”

Janine pouted. “You are not surprised at all. I took a lot of effort to startle you.”

Haze shook her head and looked at her wristwatch. “Just go to your workstation and start working. Today, we will meet the new Assistant CFO.”

Janine crossed her arms. “I hope she is as kind as Ma'am Grace's last assistant.”

Haze shrugged her shoulder. “I don’t know. Let’s see.”

Janine went to her cubicle.

Haze opened her computer to start her work. A few minutes later, the CFO arrived and someone was with her. Her eyes widened when she saw the person who was with the CFO. “Why is it him?” Haze mumbled to herself. She was surprised to see Nicolo. Don’t tell me he was the…

“Attention, everyone!” Grace gets the attention of the people inside the Accounting Department.

Everyone looked at the CFO. And their eyes were focused on the handsome man beside the CFO.

Grace smiled. “Everyone, this is Rafael Nicolo Parisi. He will be the Assistant CFO. So, I hope that everyone would welcome him.”

Napansin ni Haze na parang kinikilig ang mga babaeng kasamahan niya sa trabaho mas lalo na ‘yong mga hindi pa kasal at walang kasintahan. She looked at Janine and like her, Janine was also surprised. She just shrugged her shoulder when Janine looked at her with questioning look. Anong alam niya? Hindi nga niya inasahan na si Nicolo ang bagong CFO. Kung paano nangyari ‘yon ay hindi niya alam.

Haze looked at Nicolo and he just smiled at her.

After the introduction of the new Assistant CFO, everyone went back to work. Pero si Nicolo ang naging sentro ng usapan ng buong department nila. Napapailing na napapangiti na lamang si Haze.

When it was lunch, Janine invited her to eat in the cafeteria. After getting their own food, they sat down on the vacant chair. Haze was heartily eating her food when someone put pineapple juice-in-can in front of her. Haze looked at who put it. She was stunned to see Nicolo.

Nicolo smiled. “For you.” He pointed to the juice. “Can I sit with you?” he asked.

Haze looked at Janine.

“Sure,” it was Janine who answered.

“Thanks.” Nicolo sat in the empty chair.

Haze looked at Nicolo. “I was wondering about what was your job. Honestly, I was surprised earlier.”

Nicolo chuckled. “Just eat.”

Janine was staring at the new Assistant CFO and the Senior Accountant in front of her. Why does she feel that something is amiss? Looking at Haze, she was smiling genuinely and that was rare. Haze rarely smiles especially to men. What was happening?

Janine also noticed the way the Assistant CFO looked at Haze. It was different. It was not a kind of look that had ill intention but it was really different. The Assistant CFO was looking at Haze with affection in his eyes.

Their table fell into silence. Tanging ang ingay lamang ng kubyertos ang maririnig. Ang ilang kakabaihan naman sa cafeteria, na kay Nicolo ang atensiyon. Nicolo noticed the stares but he ignored it. It’s not worth it. Then he felt Haze stare at him. He smiled and looked at Haze. “What’s the matter?”

Haze shook her head. I don’t know but I am happy seeing you again.