DATE THY ENEMY | ES:1

41

Happy reading, enjoy!

+ + + + +
Chapter 41
''Reason''

''Ikaw ha, you're stalking the De Leons again.''

Agad kong naibaba ang cellphone na hawak. Marian, one of my workmates wiggled her eyebrows at me. Alangan akong ngumiti bago ibinalik ang pansin sa pagkain. We only have thirty minutes before noon breaks end. I should hurry up.

''Lagi kitang nahuhuli na nagbabasa ng articles tungkol sa kanila. Especially Javier de Leon. Inutusan ka ba ni boss para bantayan ang ka-kompentensya natin?''

I stayed silent. When she heard no response from me, they did not tease me anymore, until we eventually went back to our own tables.

I work now as an accountant. I wanted to gain experiences first before transferring to our family's company. We were having brunch with the Montecarlos when we talked about that.

When Senyora Amanda heard I won't be working at ours right away, she offered me a job in their company. Of course, I refused. At lalo na't head position agad ang in-offer sa'kin. The next day, Carlos offered a job with the starting position I wanted. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nangingialam na naman si Carlos pero tinanggap ko naman. Kaya heto't sa kanila ako nagta-trabaho.

My family was reluctant at first but eventually supported me on my decision. Pero tumutulong din ako lalo na pagkailangan. If they need me, I'll always be there. Tulad ngayon, pinatawag ako ni Papa sa kanyang opisina.

I smiled at Apollo who got out of my father's office. Mukhang masama ang timpla niya ngunit ngumiti din nang makita ako.

''Everything okay?''

''Yeah. Just about work.''

While I worked for the Montecarlos, Apollo Manuel worked in our firm. He graduated with flying colors and topped the bar, my grandfather was so proud of his boy.

Kahit papaano ay naging malapit na rin kami. Madalas ko na kasi siyang nakasalamuha. He's an apprentice of my grandfather even before he worked for our firm. And our family got closer to the Montecarlos. But unlike before that he would just snob me, he does initiate the conversations now.

We chatted a bit before I bid my goodbye.

The next day, I was busy working on my computer when I heard a few whispers from my colleagues. I don't want to be nosy but their whispers are followed by giggles, kaya naman inangat ko rin ang mata at hinanap ang pinagkakaguluhan nila.

Carlos Lorenzo Montecarlo in his business suit, carrying an aura of authority and power around his shoulder, walked at the accounting department like a tyrannical king.

Ngumiwi ako at agad na ibinalik ang tingin sa ginagawa. I hope he isn't here to annoy me. But the hell he would be here randomly, right?

''Vernaise,'' He tapped at my table two times. ''You busy? Let's play Polo.''

''Carlos, it's working hours for goodness sake!'' sita ko pero halos bulong dahil baka marinig ng ibang empleyado.

''So? I'm the boss. No one would dare reprimand you if it's me.''

I rolled my eyes at him. 

Carlos assumed the position of his cousin, Maxwell Montecarlo. I heard he wanted to take a break because of family matters. And now that Carlos is the acting CEO, he did nothing but slack around here. He even has his own, but it seems like handling multiple companies doesn't make him busy. He sure has lots of time on his hands.

''Go away.'' I shoo him.

May inabot siya sa may desk ko. Before I could even stop his hand, he already got the Polariod picture I pinned on the small corkboard.