The Mafia Don's Affection

CHAPTER 16

HINDI alam ni Rose kung nakailang buntong hininga na ang kaibigan niya. Kanina pa ito tahimik habang kumakain sila ng tanghalian sa canteen. Simula ng lumiban si Iris noong nakaraang linggo, parang laging may malalim itong iniisip. At minsan natutulala ito.

“Iris, ano ba talagang nangyayari sa ‘yo?” tanong ni Rose sa kaibigan.

Iris sighed again. Tumingin siya kay Rose. “Hindi ko rin alam ang nangyayari sa akin.”

“Bakit?”

Umiling si Iris. “Hindi ko alam. My mind was wandering. Hindi pa siya bumalik.” Biro niya.

Hindi naman alam ni Rose kung matatawa siya sa kaibigan niya o ano. “Kumain ka na nga lang.”

Napabuntong hininga si Iris. Ibinaba niya ang hawak na kutsara saka tumingin kay Austin na kasama nilang kumakain. Tahimik lang ito kaya parang hindi nila ito kasama. Though lagi naman talaga itong tahimik.

“Austin, I have a question.”

Nag-angat ng tingin si Austin saka tumingin kay Iris. Tumang siya. “Go ahead.”

“Have you ever confessed to someone?” tanong ni Iris.

Tumaas ang kilay ni Rose nang marinig ang tanong ng kaibigan.

“Confessed?” tanong ni Austin saka umiling.

Iris blew a loud breath. “Then I don’t have anything to ask.”

“So, someone confessed to you?” sabad ni Rose. “Kaya ka nagkakaganyan ngayon. You’re thinking of that someone who confessed to you?” Dagdag pa niya.

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Iris. “I didn’t say anything.”

Rose sighed blissfully. “So, you were affected by someone who confessed to you? Is he your friend?” She really emphasized the word ‘he’. Yes, she’s talking about the person whom Iris mentioned the other week.

“I…” Iris didn’t know what to say. Tumango na lamang siya.

“If you really like him, then give him a chance.” Sabad ni Austin habang nakatingin kay Iris. Of course, he doesn’t want his boss to get heartbroken once this is over.

Iris looked at Austin and replied, “But I didn’t know him very well.”

“Then get to know him.” Sabi pa ni Austin.

Napabuga ng hangin si Iris saka nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

Nang matapos silang kumain bumalik na sila sa laboratory at nagpatuloy sa trabaho. Maya maya pa ay narinig nila ang pagtunog ng intercom.

“Paging, Iris Fontanilla. Please, see Mr. David Santos.”

Nagkatinginan naman si Iris at Rose.

“Tapos na ang meeting natin kaninang umaga.” Sabi ni Rose. “Bakit ka niya pinapatawag sa office niya?”

Nagkibit ng balikat si Iris saka umiling. “Hindi ko rin alam. Nakapag-report naman na tayo kanina sa meeting.”

“Should I come with you, Miss Iris?” tanong ni Austin.

Ngumiti si Iris. “Huwag na.” Aniya. Hinubad niya ang suot na lab gown at gloves. Hindi na niya tinanggal ang face mask na suot at lumabas ng laboratory. Pumunta siya sa opisina ng Project Leader nila na nasa kabilang gusali.

Austin noticed a worried expression of Rose. “What’s the matter?” tanong niya.

Rose sighed. “I’m worried. Alam ko na may pagkagusto si Boss David kay Iris. He called her to his office for no reason.”

“Is he a pervert?” Austin asked.

“It was only a rumor. Hindi ko alam kung totoo.” Sabi ni Rose.

Tumayo si Austin mula sa kinauupuan. Hinubad niya ang suot na lab gown at gloves. “I’ll follow her.”

“Okay.” Tumango si Rose. “Thank you.”

Isang tango ang itinugon ni Austin saka lumabas ng laboratory.

Pagdating ni Iris sa opisina ng Boss nila, kumatok siya sa pinto.

“Come in.”

Itinulak ni Iris ang pinto pabukas. “Boss, pinatawag niyo po ako.”

“Have a seat, Iris.”

Umupo naman si Iris sa visitor’s chair.

Ngumiti si David. “Are you free this weekend?”

Natigilan naman si Iris dahil sa tanong ng Boss. “Ho?”

“Free ka ba this weekend? I know that you have class on Saturday morning. Sa hapon may pupuntahan ka ba?” tanong muli ni David.

Bago pa man makasagot si Iris, tumunog ang cellphone niya. Nakita niya ang mensahe ni Joseph.

‘Let’s go out after your class on Saturday.’

“Kung wala kang pupuntahan, I would like to invite you to have­—”

“Boss, may pupuntahan po ako sa sabado. Importante po.” Aniya habang nakahawak ang isa niyang kamay sa bracelet na ibinigay ni Joseph.

“Oh. Ganun ba?”

“Then have dinner with me later.” Sabi ni David.

Iris fake her smile. “Pasensiya na po pero sasama po ako mamaya sa kaibigan ko. Inaya niya rin po kasi akong mag-dinner. He did me a favor, so, I can’t say no to him.” Palusot niya. Though Joseph sometimes suddenly just showed himself and asked her to go for dinner to his favorite restaurant.

“He?” Kumunot ang nuo ni David. “Your friend? Baka mapahamak ka kung wala kang kasama.”

Boss, mas mapapahamak ako kung hindi si Joseph ang kasama ko.

Iris smiled, fake. “Mabait po ang kaibigan ko. He never did anything inappropriate to me.” She defended Joseph even though her boss didn’t know about him. Though she really finds Joseph a gentleman. Dinala siya ni Joseph sa bahay nito pero hindi nito sinamantala ang kahinaan niya bilang babae.

Napabuga ng hangin si David. “How about tomorrow?” Hindi pa rin siya sumusuko.

Pasimpleng napabuga ng hangin si Iris. Hindi talaga titigil ang Boss niya hangga’t hindi siya pumapayag na makipag-dinner rito.

“Iris?”

Napakurap si Iris. “Pasensiya na po, Boss. Pagkatapos po kasi ng trabaho ko, abala rin po ako sa ibang mga bagay.” Sabi niya saka tumayo. “Kung wala na po kayong sasabihin ay aalis na po ako. Marami pa po akong kailangang tapusin sa lab.”

Iris left her boss’ office.

Kumuyom naman ang kamay ni David. Halatang iniiwasan siya ni Iris pero hindi siya titigil hangga’t hindi niya nakukuha ang gusto niya.

Nang makalabas si Iris sa opisina ng boss niya, nagulat pa siya nang makita niya si Austin sa labas ng opisina ng boss nila.

"Austin?"

"Miss Iris, are you okay?"

"Ah?"

“Are you okay, Miss Iris? He didn’t do anything to you, right?” Concerned na tanong ni Austin.

Iris smiled. “I’m fine. Bakit ka nandito?” tanong niya.

Naglakad sila palabas ng gusali.

“Rose told me that David liked you. He called you into his office for no reason, so, I followed you here.” Matapat na sabi ni Austin.

Umiling si Iris. “Don’t worry, he wouldn’t dare to do anything to me on the school premises. Mataas na ang reputasyon niya rito at ayaw niyang masira ‘yon. Let’s go back. Marami pa tayong gagawin sa laboratory.”

Tumango si Austin. Kapagkuwan nakita niyang nakahawak si Iris sa bracelet na nakasuot sa pulsuhan nito. He just smiled.

But Austin doesn’t trust the guy, David. Iba ang ngiti nito noong nasa group meeting sila kaninang umaga habang nakatingin ito kay Miss Iris. He has seen many kinds of smiles. Some of them are scary, dangerous, evil, have ulterior motives, and the Mafia Don’s smile, a type of smile that could make you freeze to death. It was cold and calm, and yet behind the calm smile was danger. When he first saw Don Joseph’s smile, he was terrified.

The guy named David, Miss Iris’ boss, had the kind of smile showing his ulterior motives. He doesn’t trust him at all.

Kaya naman pagdating ng uwian, nagpahuli si Austin. Sinundan niya si Miss Iris pauwi ngunit hindi siya nagpahalata upang masiguro niya na ligtas si Miss Iris na makauwi. Kapag napahamak ito, siguradong mapapahamak rin siya. Don Joseph will surely skin him alive if something bad happens to Miss Iris.

Nang makasiguro na nakauwi na si Miss Iris sa apartment nito, aalis na sana siya nang mapansin niya ang isang kotse na tumigil malapit sa apartment ni Miss Iris. Hindi na siya umalis at pinagmasdan ang kotse. Bumukas ang bintana nito at nakita niya ang boss nila Miss Iris.

Like I thought. This guy really had an ulterior motive.

Ilang minutong nanatili ang lalaki bago ito umalis.

Austin shook his head and left.

When he arrived at the mansion, he saw Don Joseph eating cookies and having coffee, while his brother was reading something on the iPad in his hand.

“Milord.”

Joseph looked at Austin. “Sit and have some cookies.” Aniya.

“Ahmm, I have something to report.”

“Report.”

“Milord, someone is trying to pursue Miss Iris.” Wika ni Austin.

Napatigil si Joseph sa paghigop ng kape. Then he shrugged and calmly placed his coffee on the table. “It’s natural that Iris will have suitors. Iris was a beautiful woman. She’s also adorable—” he looked at Austin. “Did he do something inappropriate to Iris?” he asked. Austin wouldn’t report to him if that man didn’t do anything.

“He followed Miss Iris.” Wika ni Austin saka umupo sa tabi ng kakambal.

“Austin, find out everything about him.”

“Yes, Milord.” Austin bowed his head. “I’m tired. I wanted to rest.” He looked at Don Joseph. Don’t worry, Milord, I’ll find out everything about that guy and give it to you tomorrow afternoon.”

“Okay. Go and have a rest.”

“Thank you, Milord,” said Austin. He tapped his twin brother's shoulder before he left.

Natawa ng mahina si Andrew nang makaalis si Austin. “Milord, the underboss of our family will surely tease you once he finds out about this.”

Joseph smirked. “Then just let him.”

Tinignan ni Andrew ang kakambal na naglalakad paakyat ng hagdan. “He was really tired. I wonder what they were doing in the laboratory. Bakit parang mas pagod pa siya doon kaysa sa operasyon ng grupo?”

Natawa lang ng mahina si Joseph saka kumain ng cookies. But then he lost his smile. Someone is trying to pursue Iris, huh?

It’s not that he wanted it to be only him, to pursue Iris. Hindi naman niya pwedeng pagbawalan ang dalaga dahil wala naman silang relasyon. He only confessed and that’s it. Iris didn’t give him an answer.

Having suitors is okay as long as they won’t do anything inappropriate, because if that happens, he will be the one who kills them. Hindi niya hahayaan na mapahamak si Iris.

Iris had already taken a special place in his heart and he would do anything for her to make her happy.