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Chapter 21: Started

Unedited Chapter

Chapter 21: Started

"M-ma'am Azaleah, Mr. Suarez wants to talk to you." My secretary told me. I saw her fix her glasses and look away after telling that to me. "Oh, good thing he finally arrived. Thank you, Levine." Pasasalamat ko rito. Agad kong inayos ang mga gamit ko.

Sinamahan ako nito patungo sa guest room, at naabutan ko roon si Riley na may hawak na bouquet of roses. Natulala ako sa kaniya, he shouldn't be doing this.

"Oh, hey Azaleah. Here, accept this." He told me and smiled sweetly while handing me the roses. I faked a smile. "Thank you, hindi ka na sana nag-abala pa. I already told you, Mr. Suarez--"

"Riley nalang." Tipid niyang wika at inilagay ang dalawa niyang mga kamay sa bulsa ng pantalon niya. "I mean, Riley, alam mo namang hindi ako open-minded sa relationship right now. I'm busy with my business, marami akong ginagawa. Y-you're wasting money for me.." Nahihiya kong sambit. Kumamot ito sa batok.

"Yeah, I'm aware. You told that to me the nth time. I won't give up." He replied and smiled once more. "Uh, kaya ako pumunta rito ay para yayain ka sanang, m-magdinner mamaya?" Alok nito sa akin. His cheeks turned red. Kahapon ko pa siya sinabihang huwag na niya akong yayain na maghapunan, dahil mula noong isang araw ay palagi na niya akong niyayaya. I guess I should let it pass for now.

"Uhm, s-sure." I answered. "Great! I'll see you at 7 p.m. Ihahatid kita." He added and walked out while waving.

Napasapo ako ng ulo. Pumasok na muli sa loob si Levine at naglakad na kami pabalik sa office ko. "Ma'am, may nagset ng appointment sa inyo bukas. His name is Harvey, Leonard--"

"No. Cancel it. We haven't-- just, tell him I'm on a leave tomorrow. Don't leak that it's a lie, Levine." Saad ko at hinilot ang sentido ko. "But Ma'am, he said it's urgen--"

"Nothing's urgent if I'm the one telling it."

"But Ma'am, gusto niya kayong makita."

"A no is a no, Levine. Cancel it. That's final." Tanging saad ko at inasikaso na ang papeles sa harapan ko.

That guy is the one that appeared at my company last week. Pansin kong sinusundan ako nito. But I didn't mind it, sapagkat makalipas ang ilang linggo ay hindi ko na ito napapansin. Iyon ay nang nalaman ko ang ngalan nito.

Levine sighed heavily. "Alright Ma'am. Excuse me." Huling wika ni Levine at umalis ng office ko.

Maya-maya pa ay may kumatok. Damn it, sino na naman ba 'to? I am damn busy.

"Come in." Tipid kong saad habang nakatingin pa rin sa papeles ko. "Hey, Ms. Taylor. Heto na po ang report ko." One of my employees told me. Nakangisi ito sa akin at nagtaas-baba ng kilay. He leaned on my table and licked his lower lip. Pinasadahan ako nito ng tingin sa aking kabuuan. Matapos ay akmang sisipol ito nang itampal ko sa kaniya ang papeles na ibinigay niya sa akin. "This fuck, you are fired." Seryoso kong saad. Umayos ito ng tayo habang nanlalaki ang mga mata.

"M-ma'am, bakit naman biglaan?" Gulat nitong tanong. "Bastos, umalis ka sa harap ko. I didn't know I have a maniac employee." Seryoso ngunit may diin kong wika sa kaniya. Lumunok ito at bagsak ang balikat na tumalikod.

These men just want me on their fucking beds. Pare-pareho silang mga.. ugh.

Kasabay ng pagbukas ng pinto ng empleyado ko ay ang pagpasok ni Avalyn. "Hi, Azaleah! Oh, bakit ang sama ng mood mo ngayon?" She asked me. Sinapo nito ang aking noo, tinitignan kung ako ay may lagnat. Napatawa bigla ako.

"I'm fine. I just fired that asshole over there. What a maniac guy. Kung sana hindi niya ako ginanon ay narito pa siya sa kompanya natin." I hissed. "'Wag ka nang sumimangot. Magsaya ka, girl! Look at me, kahit walang boyfriend, blooming pa rin! Find other happiness. Okay?"

"Yeah, I guess I really need to. Thanks for your advices, Ava. I knew you'll support me." Nakangiti kong pasasalamat dito.

Suddenly, an unknown number popped up. It's calling me.

Sinagot ko ito, maybe it's one of my clients.

"Azaleah Cryzia Taylor speaking, may I know who this is?" Sagot ko sa tawag. "Hi. Why didn't you let me in?"

Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan. I shouldn't be talking to him. Akmang ieend ko na ang tawag nang magsalita itong muli.

"I'm a client, Ms. Azaleah. Nais kitang makausap. In person. I'd want to talk about something." He seriously said. Napairap ako.

"Why are all the remaining jewels on you the past times?" He asked me. I can sense his strong aura.

Jewels? Anong sinasabi nito?

"Ha? Ang gulo mo, Mr. Leonard. Kitain mo 'ko sa guest room. Doon tayo mag-usap." Huling saad ako at tinapos na ang tawag.

Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Ano bang gusto nitong palabasin?

Inayos ko ang sarili. I am currently wearing a gray suit with a white short-sleeved polo inside, partnered with a red skirt that reaches just above my knees.

--

Nagtungo ako sa guest room kasama si Levine. "Ma'am, who is he? Bakit sobrang kinakabahan yata kayo ngayon?" Tanong ni Levine sa akin. "He's my stalker. Hindi na nakakapagtaka na rito sa kompanya natin niya naisipan na magtungo." I hissed. Napatango ito. "Ah, goodluck on your meeting with him, Ma'am. Call me if you'd need security. I'm here to help, Ma'am." Nakangiting wika ni Levine. I just smiled at her.

Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago pumasok sa loob.

Then I saw the guy, looking outside of the huge window infront of him while his hands are on his pocket. Humarap ito sa akin, at napatitig siya sa akin.

He looked matured, mas well.. gwapo ito, and he looked fierce. Ibang-iba sa isang stalker. Ugh, sino bang mag-aakalang sinusundan ako nito noon?

Bumalik ako sa ulirat at umupo sa upuan na kaharap ng isang glass table. He also sat in front of me.

"Nice meeting you again, Mr. Leonard." Pormal kong bati rito. "Just call me Harvey, Azaleah." He corrected. Napataas ang kilay ko. "No. I prefer calling you 'Mr. Leonard'. And please, call me Ms. Taylor. We're not close." Madiin kong wika rito. He smirked.

Imbes na maasar, kinalma ko ang sarili ko. Nakakairita siya, gawa-gawa lang ba niya ang tungkol sa jewels na sinasabi nito kanina para lang kitain ko siya? If yes, then he's desperate.

"Bakit mo 'ko pinapunta pa rito? I thought we'd talk." I told him. He cleared his throat and stared at me once more. "Yeah, of course. Why are the jewels with you? Alam mo bang nakaw lamang ang mga iyon? Or, ikaw ang nagnakaw?" He asked me seriously. Napaawang ang bibig ko. "You're damn crazy." Tanging saad ko.

"Tell me, where the fuck are the jewels?!" He loudly asked. Sinamaan ko ito ng tingin. "I know nothing about your damn jewels." Nangangalaiti kong sigaw pabalik rito. "Or did snipe didn't take them?" He whispered to himself. This man's insane.

"Is that all?" I asked him. "I will find it. Malalagot ako sa plano namin kung hindi ko 'yun mahahanap. I know you're the suspect, Ms. Taylor. Watch, malalagot ka sa desisyong ginawa mo." He said and walked out of the guest room.

Nakaramdam ako ng kaba. What is he talking about?

--

"Alright, uuwi na 'ko Levine. Remind the guards to lock every door here." I told Levine. It's 9 o'clock in the evening. Pauwi na ako. Ang mga empleyado ko'y nakauwi na rin. Nagstay ng ilang minuto si Levine dahil daw iimisin pa nito ang kaniyang mga gamit. Palibhasa'y makalat ito. But I don't mind, as long as nagagawa niya ang trabaho niya, ayos lang sa akin.

"Sure, Ma'am. Keep safe!" Paalala nito sa akin bago magsara ang elevator.

--

I walked out of my company. Nagtungo ako sa parking. Wala nang kotse rito bukod sa akin. Akmang sasakay na ako ng kotse ko nang may magtakip ng aking ilong. I can't scream because he's holding my neck.

"I told you, you'd regret it." He lastly said. Until I felt my mind surrending, as well as my body. Dahan-dahan akong bumibigay sa hawak nito hanggang sa nagdilim ang lahat.

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