Chapter 5
"You're really interested, huh?" she teased, her voice dripping with amusement.
Sinong tangang maniniwala na pinadala ako dito at kahit amo ko ay hindi ko kilala?
I rolled my eyes good-naturedly, but Keyrel just chuckled and dropped a bombshell:
"He's Aleoscar Nixon Gonzalo, is the most successful billionaire in Asia and CEO of Gonzalo's Enterprise." She paused for dramatic effect, her eyes glinting with mischief.
"And, oh yeah, he's also a... Mafia boss."
The words tumbled out, and then Keyrel's eyes went wide in horror as she slapped her hand over her mouth. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her statement.
"A mafia boss huh?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Shh, don't say it out loud! Walls have ears, you know," she warned, glancing around nervously. "I-I mean Tilapia boss, that's the brother of Hofiang monggo, masarap 'yon.."
Ang daldal ng babaeng 'to, hindi mapigilan ang bunganga. Kita mo nga naman.
I nodded along, even though she hadn't finished speaking.
"I'm really talkative, huh?" she muttered under her breath, loud enough for me to hear.
I was about to ask another question when we heard footsteps approaching the kitchen. We pretended to be busy, with Keyrel suddenly re-washing the plates she'd just finished wiping, dunking them in the water and then wiping them again.
When can I meet this so-called mafia boss? I'm sure he's just another scumbag trying to live up to his family's name.
"Goodmorning po, Señorito, Señorita.." Keyrel's greeting was dripping with an unmistakable edge of sarcasm and irritation as she acknowledged the two arrivals.
"Ales, babe, stop... I'm hungry." Ani ng babae, tumingin ito saamin ni Keyrel. "What are you still doing? Hurry up! And where's our breakfast? We're starving!" Sigaw niya saaming dalawa ni Keyrel. Sino ba itong pugita na babaeng 'to? Maka utos saamin reyna ha!
Keyrel and I began serving. The two guests took their seats at the table. I grabbed a pitcher and glasses, poured their drinks, and placed them on the table. After finishing, I waited beside Keyrel, who was almost done, so we could wrap things up together. Nang matapos si Keyrel ay akmang magpapaalam na kami para makaalis na.
"Who is she? I've never seen her before." The low, rich voice resonated through the air, and I felt my breathing grow heavier for no apparent reason.
Ako din, hindi ka kilala.
I'd kept my eyes down while serving, avoiding even a glimpse of them, so i had no idea why my blood suddenly rushed to my head. I've got a weird feeling something's about to go down.
"Don't look at her like that, it's disgusting!" Singit ng pugita.
"Bago lang po siya rito, Señorito." Keyrel said, unbothered by the woman's look.
Tahimik lang akong nakikinig sa kanila, nararamdaman ko pa rin ang kanina pang nakatitig saakin pero isinawalang bahala ko nalang at tahimik na pinakiramdaman sila. Pagkatapos magsalita ni Keyrel ay natahimik na ulit at ang tanging maririnig nalang ay ang kubyertos na nagbabanggaan.
"Señorito! Señorita. Magandang umaga po!" Napatingin kaming lahat sa bumating iyon. Si Terry lang pala, yumuko pa siya ng bahagya bago ako tinignan. "Sumama ka sakin, Jaire. May ipapagawa si mayordoma sayo." Tumingin pa muna ito sa dalawang taong nasa lamisa at yumuko bago kami tuloyang tinalikuran.
Nagangat ako ng tingin at sinalubong ang tingin nila. Unang dumapo iyon sa lalaking nakaupo sa dulong gitna ng misa, nakatingin ito saakin ng deretso. His piercing gaze bore into mine, as if I was drowning in the dark depths of his eyes, like staring into the abyss of the ocean, unsure what lurked beneath the surface.
I didn't seem to bother him and bowed a little, but before I could turn away, I caught a glimpse of Keyrel. Tumango lang siya.
Sumunod ako kay Terry, hindi pa ako nakakarating sa pwesto niya ay agad siyang humarap saakin na may masamang tingin. "Sabi ni mayordoma linisin mo daw ang kwarto sa ikalawang palapag, ngayon na. Siguradohin mong walang maiiwang kahit na alikabok, kundi malilintikan ka." Sabi ni Terry at padabog na inabot saakin ang susi. "Tss, makaalis na nga!" Umismid pa ito saka umirap sakin bago umalis.
Kumuyom ang kamao ko at pinatama ito sa palad ko. Okay! Job is a job, Jaire!
I did as I was told. I grabbed a cleaning cloth from behind the house and headed up to the second floor.
As I opened the door to the room, I was greeted by the sight of a spacious, slightly dusty floor and walls painted a dark, masculine gray. The room was adorned with sleek, black furniture and display cases showcasing expensive-looking figurines and leather-bound books.
A humidor sat atop a polished, black side table, alongside a framed photo of a suited man with a stern expression. The room was massive, easily the size of my entire apartment.
My eyes landed on a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf, its dark wood shelves lined with tomes on business, politics, and power. A white curtain billowed out from the terrace, casting a subtle glow over the room. Despite the meticulous organization, a thin layer of dust coated everything, waiting to be wiped clean.
Nilinisan ko ang dapat na linisan pagkatapos ko sa silid ay ang veranda naman at panghuli ang Cr. Just as I was about to open the door, it was flung open with a loud crash, making me jump back in surprise.
With the mop in my hand, I walked slowly and deliberately, making sure not to make any noise that would alert whoever was outside. Kung sino man iyon. Hinanda ko ang sarili at dahan-dahan na binuksan ang pinto.
"Who are you? What are you doing in my room?" I dropped the mop, my eyes widening in shock.
I stood frozen, drenched in sweat, as I stared at the man in front of me. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. My mind was a blank, my thoughts racing to catch up.
"You don't speak?" I swallowed hard, finding my voice and meeting his gaze with a mix of confusion and curiosity.
"I-I apologize, I was just following orders to clean here. I had no idea I wasn't allowed in," I said calmly, my voice slightly shaking as I gripped the hem of my shirt tightly.
"Who's daughter of a bitch ordered you?" he growled, his eyes narrowing.
He slowly approached me, his eyes piercing and cold, his every step deliberate and measured. I stood firm, refusing to back down, but my grip on my shirt hem tightened instinctively as my heart pounded in my chest.
"Terry said the lady of the house ordered me to clean here," I said, my voice steady, but my words barely audible over the sound of my own ragged breathing.
"Oh, that daughter of a bitch!" he muttered, his voice low and even, his fist clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white as he gazed at the door with a calm, calculating intensity that sent a chill down my spine.
Napatingin din tuloy ako doon. Wala namang tao r'on ah, may nakikita ba siyang hindi ko nakikita? Oh, Stupid me.
"I-I'll just leave now... I'm really sorry." I muttered, bowing my head as I picked up the mop and other cleaning supplies I had brought.
"What's your name?"
I was taken aback by his question, but I didn't let it show. Maybe he was one of my employers. I needed to be extra careful with my movements since I wasn't in my own territory.
"Akira Jaire... Señorito," I said, then quickly turned my back on him.
My legs felt like they might give out, but I managed to make it to my room without stumbling or falling down the stairs. Turning my back on him like that might have seemed rude, but I had shown respect by calling him Señorito.