The Heiress' Revenge (SPG)

Simula

"Push! Misis, push more!" Sigaw ng doktor.

"Ayoko! Hindi ko 'to anak! Putangina! I'm not going to deliver this. f**k! No!"

Early in the morning, she felt pain between her thighs. Agad bumangon ang katabi niya para tignan ang kalagayan niya. Liquid was dripping endlessly. That time, she knew it is the day. No, she doesn’t want this day to come. Not in her wildest dreams, this day will come.

Akala ng lahat, ang pagiging ina ang pinaka-rewarding na bagay sa mundong ito. A woman’s purpose on earth is to give life and her everything to the offspring. Maraming babae ang gusto maging ina. Ito na marahil ang pinaka-fulfilling na parte ng pagiging babae. Isang malaking biyaya bilang isang babae. Ito ang makakapagbigay ng saya sa ‘yo habambuhay. Maraming nais maging ina pero hindi nabibiyayaan kaya isang biyaya kapag napagbigyan ng pagkakataon.

Totoo ito sa halos lahat, ngunit hindi para sa babaeng ito. Imbis na ikatuwa niya ang araw na ito, para sa kaniya, ito ang pinakakinamumuhian niyang darating. Sa tanang buhay niya, hindi niya inaasahang mangyayari itong ganito sa kaniya. Sa kaniya pa…

Sa lahat ng tao, sa kaniya pa.

Not that she doesn’t want to be a mother, but this case is different. She doesn’t want this to happen but it’s inevitable. Until now, her pregnancy is a mystery.

How did she get pregnant? Who is the father? Who did this to her? There’s no clue at all. Walang nakakaalam ni isa sa kanila sa kung ano ang nangyari sa babaeng ito. Walong buwan na ang nakakaraan simula nang nalaman niyang buntis siya. Maski siya na alam niya kung ano ang nangyayari sa katawan niya, hindi niya alam ang mga nangyari.

Even if they conduct DNA testing, it will be hard to track. Walang tracking na ganiyan dito sa bansa. They even raised a suspicion to her long-time boyfriend, but it wasn’t his. Tired and full of disappointments, there’s no answer to the questions.

Sino ang may gawa nito sa kaniya?

Pinagpapawisan na ang lahat. Trying their very best to calm down the struggling mother. Kinakabahan na ang mga tao dahil ito ang unang pagkakataong mangyayari ito sa kanilang tanang karera.

Isang babaeng nagtatangkang h’wag iluwal ang batang nasa kaniyang sinapupunan. In her defence, she is virgin. She never had s*x to anybody. Maging sa pinakamamahal niyang lalaki, hindi siya ginawa. Tapos ito ngayon, manganganak nalang siya na walang nakukuhang kahit kaunting impormasyon sa nangyari sa kaniya.

Never been touched.

Even foreplay.

No s*x before marriage, iyan ang pinanghahawakan niya at kapag nalaman niyang may nangyari sa kanila ng kaniyang nobyo, hindi niya ito palalagpasin. Still, it’s not consensual. Ano ito ngayon? Nabuntis ngunit hindi alam kung ano ang totoong nangyari sa kaniya? Hindi makatotohanan. Hindi niya matanggap. Her reputation. Now her life is… now ruined. Something happened to her…

She refuses to accept the child she’s delivering right now.

Hindi ito sa kaniya. Hindi niya matanggap-tanggap.

Kung sino man ang gumawa nito sa kaniya, pinapahanap pa rin ng pamilya niya at hindi siya mananahimik hangga’t hindi siya nakakaganti sa taong ‘yon. Kung ano ang kasalanan ng babae sa kaniya, gusto niyang malaman at tuklasin kung paano niya naisagawa ang kaniyang plano.

Anong ginawa nito sa kaniya?

She’s a virgin.

She still claims, she is.

She knows her body. There was no memory of her being sexually abused.

It’s a pure mystery! It's a mistake.

"Gab, for pete's sake." Anang kaibigan.

"No!" She refused.

Nararamdaman niya na lumuluwang ang butas ng kaniyang gitna. Her body is naturally reacting to the labor. Hindi niya halos mapigilan ang sarili na umire. Ang sakit na ng kaniyang gitna, pero inuurong niya. Her parents can’t even face her. Natatakot ang tanyag na Fashion Designer Athena Claire para sa kaniyang anak. Hindi niya gustong makita na tinatanggalan ng anak niya ang karapatang mabuhay ang isang supling.

Athena thinks she’s a failure to her own unica hija. Wala pa siyang nahahanap na may gawa sa kaniya nito. Their rich were enough to search for this person but she’s hopeless. Hindi rin maklaro ng mga doctor kung may medical condition ba ang anak dahil ayon sa mga test nila, nabuo ang bata dahil may semelyang natagpuan sa kaniyang gamit na natagpuan sa basurahan isang buwan makalipas at nang malaman nitong buntis niya.

They still can’t confirm the semen’s owner. The entire family is hunting for the suspect.

There’s still no answer to the missing pieces.

Until the very end, Gabrielle Lariza Montenegro is denying the child.

Unwanted child! This child is not mine. I refuse to accept. She said inside her head.

A huge mistake! Bakit pa niya pinaabot ng siyam na buwan? Kahit na nasa sitwasyon na siya na kailangan na niyang magluwal, hindi niya tanggap na isa na siyang ina.

"Hindi ko 'to anak!" She screamed to her lungs.

"Come on! Gabrielle, mamamatay ang bata kung hindi mo iluluwal!" Sigaw ng kaibigan, umiiyak na para sa kaibigang matigas ang ulo.

Clarissa is nervous for her dear friend. Siya ang halos nagtaguyod nito sa walong buwan para hindi niya maisip ang pagpapalaglag nito. Hindi ito kailanman umalis sa tabi ng kaibigan. She too wants justice to what happened to her friend. She also blames herself for this had to happen to her dear friend. She felt like she’s responsible for everything. Hindi niya kaya patawarin ang sarili dahil sa tingin niya siya ang punut-dulo ng lahat. Kung hindi niya ito pinilit na sumama sa kaniya, kung naging double ingat ito sa kaibigan, walang ganito na naganap sa kaniya.

She wants her friend to deliver the baby safely. The amount of stress she experienced for the past few months was at the peak. At least man lang, maging successful ang pagluwal nito. She’s scared for the baby her friend is refusing to deliver and now for her friend’s life.

It’s at stake.

Tanggapin man niya ang bata o hindi. She needs to deliver child before it’s too late.

Clarissa, Gabrielle’s one and only best friend doesn’t want to lose the child, at the same time her friend’s life.

"Misis, nasa alanganin na ang buhay ng anak mo at ang buhay mo." The doctor's trying to push her patience.

Gumagawa na sila ng alternatibong paraan para magtagumpay ang panganganak ng pasyente ngunit nasa sa kaniya pa rin ang desisyon ng lahat na ito. They to save both, but the patient was giving them a hard time.

Maging ang boyfriend nitong dapat kasama siya sa delivery room ay nasa labas. Naghihintay sa labas dahil ayaw ni Gabrielle na naroon siya. She doesn’t want her long-time boyfriend to be disappointed of what happened. Kahit na pinakita ng nobyo na hindi niya tatalikuran ang nobya, Gabrielle is not taking anything. Right now, only her best friend, Clarissa was allowed.

"Ah!" Sigaw ni Gab. Mariin siyang pumikit, iniinda ang sakit na hindi niya lubos maintindihan. “Hindi! Just kill me.”

Nagmamatigas ito.

Pinapalibutan siya ng mga midwives and nurses, tinataguyod ang isa sa pinakamahirap na shift sa buong buhay nila. They were doing their best for a safe delivery, but the patient is making it hard.

“H’wag mo siyang iiwan, miss. She can do it…”

Tumango si Clarissa sa midwife.

No! Hindi ko iluluwal ang batang ito I should’ve aborted this child!! In her heart and mind, she couldn't accept this. Magbabayad ang mga taong gumawa sa kaniya nito. She is just a normal college student and enjoying life. She’s virgin! Never been touched, even her dearest boyfriend.

Ever, she claimed.

May mali dito! Hindi ito totoo! This is not happening to me. I rather die than giving this child a life!

Hindi niya lubos maisip kung papaano niya pinaabot sa araw na ito ang lagay niyang ito. There's something wrong about this! This is not true. Nanaginip lang siya.

"Sige pa! Please h'wag kang tumigil. Bumabalik ulit ang ulo ng bata. It's not good..."

Ah! Sigaw niya sa isip.

This is not a dream? Is this real?

Nahihilo na siya. Tumutulo na ang kaniyang mga luha. May tinurok sa kaniya ng nurse na nagpapaantok sa kaniya at mas lalong nagpapaere sa kaniya at the same time. Paulit-ulit na chini-check ng mga nurses ang kanityang vital sign dahil sa epekto ng gamot na tinurok sa kaniya. Even though, they’re shock with this new case they’re into, all of them are focused to their designated job.

The goal is to keep both safe. Pagod na si Gabrielle, maging si Clarissa na nanginginig na sa kaba para sa kaibigan. Paulit-ulit niyang kinukumbinsi na umire para matapos na ito. She keeps assuring Gab that they’ll figure everything out after this. Gab will just need to let the baby be born.

She’s delaying it.

Everyone is tensed.

How can this be? Who did this to her? Who could be the father? Hindi niya lubos maisip ang lahat ng ito ay nangyayari. There's something wrong about this. She is sure that she's virgin! She's never been touched.

Paulit-ulit niya itong sinasabi sa isip niya.

“The baby is out! The baby is out!” The one nurse declared.

Dali daling inasikaso ng lahat ang paglabas ng sanggol at sa ina nitong halos hindi na naririnig ang mga nangyayari sa paligid niya.

She’s tired, dizzy and confuse.

Galit siya sa nangyayari.

Mataas ang kaniyang blood pressure kaya inaasikaso na siya. The baby was immediately separated to her. Hindi niya ito matignan-tignan. Hindi niya matatanggap kailanman.

“Miss, pakitawag ang mommy ni Gab please. She needs her now.” Pakiusap ni Clarissa sa nurse.

Nilapit ng midwife ang bata kay Clarissa at nagkaroon ito ng pagkakataong mahagkan ang sanggol ng kaniyang kaibigan.

“Ang ganda ganda mo…” naiiyak niyang sambit.

Inaalu niya ang umiiyak na sanggol. Hindi siya makapaniwalang magtatagumpay pa rin ang panganganak kahit na inaayawan na ng kaibigan niya.

“You’re an angel. Your mommy will change her heart if she sees you. Don’t worry, okay?” Pangako nito sa bata.

“Hindi na ba talaga natin ilalapit sa ina, miss?” Nag-aalangang tanong ng nurse.

Binalik ni Clarissa ang bata sa kaniya at umiling.

“Pagpahingahin nalang po muna natin. Hindi pa niya lubos nauunawaan ang mga nangyayari,” anito.

“Sige, kami na ang bahala sa baby. Inform nalang naming kayo mamaya sa kalagayan niya.” Sabi ng nurse.

The midwife in-charge announced safe delivery of Gabrielle. Hindi rin kritikal ang pasyente kaya hinahayaan nilang magpahinga ito pagkatapos linisan at patawan ng paunang lunas. They assured that everything is fine and will update them once they check the condition of the baby and the mother.

Napaiyak nalang si Athena Claire nang makita ang anak na wala nang malay. Nasa malayo lamang ito dahil inaayusan pa siya ng kaniyang mga nurses. She was so worried for the two. Lalong-lalo na sa sanggol. Hindi kasalanan ng bata ang nangyari sa kaniyang ina kaya hindi dapat ginaganito ni Gab. Athena will make sure she will give everything to the baby. Hindi niya ito ilalayo sa kanila.

Mabait ang anak niya, hindi niya ito sasaktan. She will eventually learn that what she did is wrong. She will regret what happened today. She just needs the time.

Natatakot siya sa kayang gawin ng kaniyang anak pero gagawin niya ang lahat para maging maayos ito.

“Thank you, Riss.”

Umiiyak na silang dalawa sa harapan ni Gabrielle.

“I’m happy tita. Thank you for your love to Gab. Thank you po at hindi ninyo siya sinukuan.” Masayang sabi nito kay Athena.

Nagkayakapan ang dalawa dala ang pasasalamat nito sa isa’t isa at saya dahil sa wakas nairaos itong pinakamahirap na araw para sa lahat.

Gab has been threatening everyone of ab*rting the baby. It's illegal and inhumane to do. She had many attempts during her pregnancy, but all failed because it was discovered early. They decided to follow her 24/7 to stop her from what she is planning.

“She’s now sleeping, Mrs. Montenegro. Ililipat na namin siya ng kwarto. Update kami sa inyo mamaya. Pahinga na po muna kayong lahat.” Wika ng isang nurse na nag-aasikaso kay Gabrielle.

“May magbabantay ba? I’m afraid that she’ll self-harm.” Nag-aalalang tanong ni Clarissa.

“Hmm…”

“Ako na ang magbabantay. You too should go and rest…” singit ni Rence sa likuran nila.

Hinawakan ni Athena ang kamay ng nurse, “maraming maraming salamat sa inyo. You saved my daughter and her baby.”

“Our duty.”

She couldn't remember. She woke up without any remembrance of what had happened. She's just so sure that it was just a dream.

Hay! It's just a dream.

"Ahhh! Gising na siya." Sigaw ng isang hindi pamilyar na babae.

Hindi pa siya lubos na gising habang pinapakinggan ang sigaw ng babae. Mabigat ang katawan niya at hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit napakasakit ng buong katawan. Para siyang paralisado sa kinahihigaan niya. Gusto niyang magsalita pero walang lumalabas na boses sa kaniyang bibig. Para na rin siyang nahihilo dahil masakit ang kaniyang ulo.

Nanlaki ang mata niya. This is not a dream, right? I'm fully awake!

Gusto niyang abutin ang kaniyang tiyan pero ni paggalaw ng kaniyang kamay ay hirap na hirap siya.

I did not give birth, right? She keeps on repeating in her head. It was just a dream! For her, it is all just a nightmare. She must have done something bad in her past life to dream as horrible as like this. She’s lived her life as modest as she can be. How horrible this dream could be?

Her body is so weak, but she felt nothing but stiff.

She said to herself, this is the worst nightmare.

She fell asleep.

"Dok, gising na siya! I was not mistaken."

“Check her vital signs.”

“Totoo ba talaga ‘to?” Tanong ni Trina, Gab’s caregiver.

“Saan na ang kaniyang magulang?” Tanong ng doktor.

Trina rechecked her phone, but nothing notified. She called Athena Montenegro when she first found out she regained her consciousness. Nanginginig pa siya nang napatawag dahil hindi niya aakalaing magigising ito. Natatakot siya baka namamalikmata lang siya kanina.

Now, she’s positive, Gab is fully awake.

Binuka muli ni Gab ang mga mata. She woke up in a room with full of white.

White wall…

White ceiling…

White bed sheets…

White appliances…

She turned her head left and right slowly as she can’t even lift a finger, her heart throbbed. Later, she tried to open her mouth and at first no words left. Para bang nakalimutan na niyang magsalita.

She has forgotten her ABC.

“Where am I?” She was trying to speak.

No, she hasn’t forgotten her ABC. She knows everything…

She wondered why she can’t her her voice.

Binuksan ulit ni Gab ang kaniyang bibig para magsalita at magpatulong kaso wala talagang lumalabas sa kaniyang bibig. Ano ba itong nangyayari sa akin? Where am I? Where's mom and dad? Gusto niyang itanong kung sino man ang nakikinig.

"Impossible!" Someone gasped.

"Check her vital signs. Update her board..." rinig niyang sabi ng pumasok na tao.

She knows she's in the hospital. Seeing all sides of white walls and corners. She's familiar with all of it. What happened? And how long she'd been here? Where are her parents? She hopelessly stares at the doctor. Is she paralysed? Wala siyang maigalaw kahit kaniyang mukha.

"Oh gosh! Gising na nga siya." She heard another gasped.

She closed her eyes and tried to breath smoothly. Random pictures are showing. She couldn't think properly. Bakit siya nandito at ilang oras na siyang nandito?

"Ms. Gabrielle Lariza Montenegro, can you move your fingers? Can you hear me? Please try to move a finger if yes."

Napadilat itong muli sa tanong ng lalaki. He's a family doctor.

Hindi niya maramdaman ang katawan niya pero sinusubukan niyang igalaw ang kamay.

"Can you recognize me? Please response with your finger."

She tried to lift his finger for the second time. She’s struggling, but she wants to do it.

She wants to ask what happened to her? How long has she been here? Paulit-ulit sa isip niya na parang sirang plaka pero hindi niya maisabuhay ang gusto niyang sabihin.

Mom?

Dad?

Who is this lady here? She’s crying like she knows me whole her life!

Where’s everyone?

Anong nangayari sa akin?

Lumunok siya kahit na tuyo ang kaniyang lalamunan.

"That's alright. You don't have to push yourself... but at least blink once if you can understand me."

Gabrielle is still confused of what’s going on and what she’s been hearing, she did what is told. She blinked slowly because that’s the only way she can do for now. She’s disabled.

She doesn’t know why.

May sinusulat ang nurse sa kaniyang dalang board habang ang doctor ay sinusuri ang mga mata niya gamit ang maliit nitong ilaw.

"That's good. We'll call your parents again. Hindi pa fully awake ang mga nerves mo. You're still paralyse but it will not take long. Don't force yourself too much." He smiled.

She trusts his words, so she didn't panic much. Ilang sandali ay nakaramdam siya ng pagod kaya pinikit niya ang mata.

Inalala niyang muli ang panaginip niya. Hindi niya gusto ang bangungot na ‘yon. It didn’t happen right? She doesn’t feel sore down there. It was a normal delivery in her dream and she’s fine down there. No pain, no anything. Her head is just throbbing a bit, but she’s all fine.

Yes, it’s just a dream.

The reason why she’s here probably is…

She doesn’t remember. Wala na siyang memorya sa huling nangyari sa kaniya para mapunta siya sa hospital. Malabo sa kaniya ang kaniyang memorya. Kahit na pinagpahinga na niya ang utak kanina, para pa rin siyang napagod kahit na sa konti nitong galaw.

Opening her eyes are tiresome for her.

Nanghihina na naman siya kahit na wala pa siyang nailalabas na enerhiya. She is so weak and mentally not prepared.

“Please rest your eyes for a while. We will recheck your vitals once you’re well rested.” Anang doktor sa akin.

She obliged.

I rested again my eyes and sleep.

"Talaga? Nagising siya? After five years?" Sabi ng taga-linis ng private room.

Napadilat ng mata si Gabrielle.

“Ssh… h’wag kang maingay baka marinig ka…” saway ng isang kasama.

Tumango ang kausap at tinakpan ang bibig para kontrolin ang kaniyang boses. Inikot ni Gab muli ang kaniyang paningin sa paligid.

Yung babaeng umiiyak kanina, wala na siya sa kwarto. Lumabas lang ito saglit para sagutin ang tawag galing sa pamilya.

Unlike earlier, she’s well rested. Her memory is still a blur to her, but her head is no longer aching.

Who are these people?

“Buti hindi nawalan ng pag-asa ang magulang niya sa kaniya. Ang mahal kaya ng babayarin dito. Yung life support niya, aabot ng milyon-milyon.”

“Ano ka ba? Baka pa nga, piso lang sa kanila ang isang milyon, e. Akalain mong limang taon! Iba talaga ang nagagawa ng pera. Nakakadugtong ng buhay…” Anito.

"F-five y-y-years?" She uttered.

Napatalon ang dalawang babaeng nag-uusap at nanlaki ang mga mata.

Akala nila’y multo ang nagsasalita. Hindi nila namalayang nakikinig na pala ang pasyente sa kanilang pinag-uusapan.

Are they talking about me? How is that even possible?

Tumaas ang balahibo niya sa narinig. Impossibleng mangyari ito sa kaniya. As she was trying to move her body to try to confirm what she had heard, it’s not cooperating. She’s dysfunctional.

She wants to talk so badly. She wants them to help her be enlightened of what’s going on. Kailan lang siya rito? Anong nangyari sa kaniya? Was it an accident? Admitted for what illness?

Malalim na humugot ng hangin si Gab. Five freaking years! She's awake after five effin’ years. That’s too much! Hindi siya agad naniwala pero gusto pa niyang magtanong ngunit nagsitakbuhan ang dalawang babae. Ngayon, ramdam na niya ang kaniyang katawan. Kahit na hirap pa rin ay sinikap niyang bumangon.

"F-five years?" She gasped as she tries to check every inch of her skin.

I was about start my reports when I forgot to log-in. Nanlalaki ang mga mata kong umikot. Mabilis akong tumakbo papunta sa office na sobrang layo sa reception. Para akong hinahabol ng aso sa bilis kong pagtakbo. Mabilis kong tinutok ang mata sa biometric at nagpa-scan. Parang lumipad ang kaluluwa ko no'n. Panigurado, mag-aalburuto ang main office sa mga time-in and time-out ng mga employees. Well, it's not my fault at all, look they're a 3-star rated hotel, but they still have the defective biometric.

Mayaman ang may-ari ng hotel na ito. My family knows the owner, but I think he's not yet on our level. Nagsisimula pa ito sa larangan ng hotel industry. I must commend that the service here is good. Well trained employees, including myself. Pang 5-star rated ang attitude at ang building mismo.

I hate and love this hotel. I don't know, I love the benefits but… I don’t like the management. Sa mga hotels na inapplyan ko, I can say this is one of the decent one.

Phew.

"Hoy ter! May guest!" Salubong sa akin ni Polly from housekeeping department.

What? That fast? Kakaalis ko lang kaya sa reception. Hindi ako nagpakita na nabigla, ngumiti lang ako at tumango sa kaniya. I ran as far as I can to do this and voila! May guest agad. Really? This is what it feels like to work in a night shift like this huh? First time ko dahil kakasimula ko lang din. I made a huge turning point in my life. Shocking but I applied to become a receptionist. I feel like I wasted my time partying and spending my money on drinks. Gusto na rin ni mommy na matuto ako sa trabahong ito. They want me to work in our chain of hotels, but I rejected them. Funny, I rejected my employer, but I want to learn well.

Dali-dali akong tumakbo pabalik sa reception para ma-accommodate ang guest na sinasabi niya. Hindi ko dapat iniiwan ang reception ng matagal. Lagi pa namang nakatutok si GM sa CCTV niya 24/7. Baka mapagalitan pa ako kapag nalaman niyang naiwan ko ang post ko. Hindi naman niya ako pinapagalitan dahil sa kilala niya ako at mukhang natatakot siya sa akin.

Habang tumatakbo ay nakakasalubong ko ang ibang mag-a-out na mga empleyado.

"Bilis! VIP guest." Anila.

Para silang natataranta para sa akin.

VIP? May VIP ba sa reservation today? Parang wala naman a. I reviewed the reservation book before I stormed out.

Walang naka-note na VIP.

Talaga ba? Hindi na tuloy ako sure ngayon. Anyway, VIP is a VIP!

Grr. Baka naman pinagloloko lang nila ako. Patay talaga ako! I can't fail my family name for this. Kung anu-ano pa naman ang ina-assume nila tungkol sa akin. Baka naman niloloko nila ako. They tripped on me on my first week here.

Kahit na! Kapag nakita ni GM na walang tao ang reception at may guest, mapapagalitan talaga ako. Bakit ba kasi ang layo ng office sa reception? Almost there!

Nang makarating ay huminto muna ako't nagpunas ng pawis. Sayang ang Chanel N1 ko, na wipe-out lang ng pawis ko. I should next time buy cheaper brands. Even my shoes, hindi mapapansin ang Gucci brand dahil nakatago lang sa counter so what’s the point. I'm choosing the wrong path in life.

Are you with me Gab? Kakasimula mo pa lang! Ang dami mo nang mali! But it’s meant to happen right? Kabago-bago ko palang kaya! I am meant to make more mistake even their expectations are too high.

Doon ako sa likod dumaan para hindi ako makita ng guest. This hotel is making me sweat big time. I didn't have time to take a break to breath in pumasok na.

To my brave shock, it's Mr. Aga. Nanlaki ang mata ko na parang uurong. Why is he here? Again!

"S-Sir Aga!" I said, horrified.

"What took you long? Paano kung may VIPs." Agaran niya puna.

Lumunok ako sa gulat.

"I'm sorry—"

"Where have you been?" Tanong niya.

I'm not sure if he's mad or what. Hindi kalmado ang tono niya pero hindi rin galit. At himala, wala siyang kasamang babae ngayon. He's alone this time! Which is not normal.

Nakakagulat. He's the sole owner of this hotel. Malapit lang sa school ko kaya malapit lang sa akin kapag shift ko na. My shift starts 2PM to 9PM usually but this time, it was changed. Naka 8PM to 5AM shift ako ngayon for some reason. I didn't tell my parents, but they know the drill, they know how this works too. We're fine here.

"Nag time in lang ako, sir. I'm sorry po." Grr.

I'm not really sorry. I don't like him. They tested me. Well, it's fine but I'm a bit annoyed right now. Calm down, sweetie, you need to be as modest as you can. H'wag mong ilabas ang pagiging palingkera mo.

"Did you receive my text?" He ignored my apology. As always, rude.

Text? Nag text siya?

I immediately checked our phone. I scrolled down to see if we have received a text message from him. But I don't seem to find it.

"Sorry, Sir Aga! Baka may defect yung phone or may system problem ang sim. Walang text na galing sa 'yo." Bakit napapadami ang sorry ko ngayon?

Sorry? I am not freaking sorry.

"How about your mobile? Hindi ka ba nagbabasa ng text? I've been texting you the entire day." The last sentence was almost like a whisper as he looked away saying it.

Namumula ang kaniyang tainga.

I wondered. He texted me. He got my personal number. Where did get it? Well, of course no wonder Gab. Sa dami ng kilala mo.

"Never mind. I called a while ago knowing that you took graveyard shift." Mas lalo siyang namula sa sinabi. Why would he ask about my schedule and what about?

Is he hitting on me? Gosh! I don't like him at all. I'm loyal to my dear boyfriend.

There shouldn't be an issue here. Ugh! Go away.

Nakatunganga lang ako sa harapan niya. Nagdadasal na sana may calls. Minsan kasi ang hirap niyang kausap. Iniiwasan siya ng mga kasamahan ko rito. Bakit niya ako kinakausap? Does he know my entire schedule? I find him creepy.

Eww.

Wala akong pake kung CEO siya. He's creepy. My dad or my brother doesn't rule like that in our businesses. Halos hindi nga ito nagpapakita sa mga employees nila, e. I understand him since he’s organizing and managing this business himself, not that big but he is so freaking creepy to be really honest.

Tumikhim siya. "May available room pa ba?"

Himala, wala siyang kasamang babae. On my first week of shift, I've seen him with many girls every night. Hindi pa niya ako napapansin nang isang buwan dahil trainee pa lang no'n. Ngayon na hinahayaan na nila akong mag-isa desk, napapansin na niya ako.

Maybe nahihiya na siya, ipapasunod niya nalang sa room niya. Oh right, I know better.

We are so fully booked right now to be honest, I wanted to tell him that but I still tried to search the system. Ayaw kong isipin na pinapaalis ko siya ngayon. I won't turn him down just like that, he’s our CEO. Mapapagalitan ako.

And voila! There is...

I thought we are fully booked. There is something wrong here. I’m not probably checking our system accurately. This is not good…

Ibuka mo ng mabuti ang mga mata mo, girl.

I even checked it twice. Walang hiya! Mayro'n talaga. I'm sure he's gonna budge the hell of me for the next few hours.

“Let me see first, sir. I think we’re fully booked.” Sabi ko pa.

Sige, gawin mo ‘yan sa boss mo, tignan natin kung hindi ka matatanggal sa trabaho. Mukhang hindi pa naman nagbibiro ‘tong kaharap mo ngayon. Wala ba ‘tong bahay at dito sa hotel siya matutulog? O baka, may darating na kalandian.

Bakit ‘di niya dalhin sa bahay niya? Baka nga wala siyang bahay. Kawawa nga naman.

“I’m sure there’s one for me.”

He’s getting into my nerves! Hanap ka nalang ng ibang hotel, uy. Nang-iinis siya, a.

“Oh, they may have reserved one for you. Let me check po.”

Nakatunganga lang ako sa system kahit na kitang-kita na mayro’n ngang room para sa kaniya. Malamang ay nag-iwan ng isa ang reception para sa kaniya. Nag declare lang sila ng fully booked pero may vacant na isa.

I was happy for no reason.

“We have one reserved for you,” I said with full of smile.

“Nice. Let me check-in.”

“Certainly.”

Mabilis kong pinagpalit ang isang booking na malayo. Same type of room, at wala naming specification na gusto nito malapit sa pool. Hindi pa naman nakakacheck-in at kung interesado ito sa pool sa gabi, hindi na niya maaabutan dahil mag-sasara na ito. Perfect! Mas magandang mas malayo siya sa akin.

I just don’t like him for no reason.

Am I that bad?

I let him check in to the farthest room we have. Doon siya malapit sa pool pero malayo sa reception. Para naman ang housekeeping ang magkanda-ugaga sa mga walang katapusang request niya.

But who am I kidding? He's going to make me crazy tonight.

“If you have any request, you may call the reception.” Please h’wag na h’wag mong gagawin. Hinding-hindi ko sasagutin.

If he plans to ruin my night, I won’t let him go easy. Marami akong audit na gagawin. May mga naiwan pang reports dito at maraming emails na dapat i-attend. Ang dami pa namang iniwan na trabaho sa akin ng mga naunang receptionists.

“Do you have anyone to accompany you tonight? I will direct—”

“No, it will just be me.Why are you assuming I’m with somebody?” Putol sa tanong ko.

"I didn't, sir. I was asking."

Taimtim niya akong tinitigan sa mga mata.