40: The news

SAM'S POV

Napailing-iling na lamang ako habang nakamasid lamang mula sa loob ng sasakyan ko when still, a throng of hungry reporters were at the lobby of DFCS building. Siguro naghihintay na makakuha uli ng scope tungkol sa issue namin ni Mr. Del fuero.

okay. Sneaking into the building without them noticing me would be a bit challenging but I have to get inside no matter what.

I kept tapping the steering wheel habang naghahanap ng malulusutan papasok sa loob ng building na'yon.

I know Mr. Del Fuero was just inside at siguro kasalukuyang nag-iisip kung pa'no aayusin ang bagay na'to. At tingin ko magagamit ko ang bagay na'yon just to get him help me.

With that, I turned to my right side saka dinampot ang cap and uniform ni Suz na hinubad ko kanina.

For the second time, kailangan ko uli ang tulong ng uniform na'to.

Agad ko ng isinuot 'yon, making sure to hide my face well before I got out of my car.

Time for me to say hi to Mr. Del Fuero's bukol and his ego.

With a smirk still carved in my mouth, agad na'kong naglakad papasok ng building and into the lobby kung san ko madadaanan ang kumpol-kumpol ng mga tao.

Nang malapit na'ko sa mga ito, mas minabuti kong ibaba pa lalo ang sombrero ko and hastened up my steps towards the opening elevator. Walking like a robot in turbo mode.

"Kailangan nating makuhanan man lang ng interview ang babaeng yon.."

"Kasalukuyan pa naming tinitrace kung saan natin siya pwedeng makita."

My ear pricked up at that nang marinig yon mula sa ibang nadadaanan kong reporter. Busy with their camera and lenses in their hands na sigurado akong atat na atat ng gamitin 'yon to capture a nice shot once I'd pose here like an international model--- joke. I mean, once they'd recognize me.

Well, they can keep dreaming that.

Shaking my head off, agad na'kong pumasok sa loob ng nakabukas na na elevator and then pressed the top floor button. Good thing na walang ibang nakasakay dito kaya naman I was able to let out a sigh of relief once the door had closed.

Sa ngayon, kailangan ko nalang isipin ng mabuti kung maganda ba 'tong naiisip kong paraan para mapalapit uli rito nang hindi man lang pinaghihinalaan nito.

I've already thought about this and I just hope mauuto ko na naman ang gago sa kalokohang offer kong 'to.

Inhaling deeply, I held my chin up and tried to be optimistic.

Mga ilang sandali lang, agad na namang bumukas ang pinto with a ding sound, indicating that I have reached the top floor.

Agad nakong lumabas and then hastily walked tohis room.

The same two receptionists na nakasama ko before the Canada trip were in the reception area.

Agad ko ng itinaas ang sombrero ko for them to see my face. At pagkakita nga nila sakin, recognition immediately registered to their faces with their eyes instantly bulged out.

Obviously shocked with them seeing me here. At halatang napanood narin ng mga ito ang news kanina.

"M-Ms. Javier!" Tarantang saad ng isa sa kanila nang mahimasmasan.

I just gave them a wide smile like there was nothing unusual happened.

"Nandyan ba si Mr. Del fuero sa loob?" Tanong ko agad sa mga ito while pointing at the closed door of his room.

"O-Oo. Kaso hindi pa tumatanggap ng bisita si Mr. Del Fuero ngayon. Mainit ang ulo nya at--"

"Oh! Ganun ba? Di bale, ako ng bahala sa kanya. Lemme handle him from here!" Putol ko na rito then again, I gave them a fake grateful smile saka agad ng kumatok sa may pintuan and then pushed it open.

"Do everything you can to fix this issue! Hanapin mo kung sino ang kumuha at nagpakalat ng videong 'yon at sa oras na mahanap mo ang taong 'yon, make sure to bring him to me!"

Galit na sigaw nito ang bumungad sa'kin pagkabukas ko palang ng pintuan. His rigid back was facing me while stiffly standing behind his desk, facing his floor-to-ceiling window na tanaw ang buong syudad with his laptop na nakabukas lang sa may mesa nito. And the way his shoulder was trembling right now, talagang galit na galit nga ito and anytime would explode if I provoke him more.

At kahit na gusto ko sanang asarin ito, I think I'll just pass for that now and just do that soon.. Soon when I get another chance to do so.

For now, kailangan kong maging mabait rito at kung maaari, maging maamong tupa sa harapan ng hinayupak na'to kahit na ayoko.

With that, agad nakong pumasok and then shut the door behind me. Dahilan para mapatigil at mapalingon ito sa direksyon ko with his phone still plugged on his ear.

When he spotted me, his eyes instantly narrowed into thin slits. Halatang ikinasaya nito ang makita ang beauty ko rito.

I quickly pasted a wide innocent grin at him, pretending that I've done nothing wrong like giving him an advance christmas bukol.

"Hi? Nadisturbo ba kita? You know, alam kong busy ka ngayon kaya pumasok na'ko rito without even telling you ahead of time." I started to explain calmly sabay baba sa suot kong sombrero, trying to appear and sound like an innocent poor cat which I hated the most!

Hindi ito umimik at ibinaba lamang ang telepono mula sa tenga nito while murdering me with his dark eyes.

"Nandito lang sana ako to apologize--" kahit ayoko! "About what happened this morning. Alam kong masakit ang---huh!"

A sudden gasp escaped from me nang bigla na lamang nitong ibato ang hawak nitong telepono sa dingding sa may bandang kanan ko, surprising me with it.

"ALAM MO BA KUNG ANONG GULO ANG IDINULOT MO SA BUHAY KO, MS. JAVIER???!!"

I didn't move and just stayed rooted on my feet habang nakatingin lang rito. Can't believe he'd really have the gall to do that in my face!

"Ginawa mo'kong katawa tawa sa harap ng lahat! And now you're here to what?! To apologize? Tingin mo ba magagawa mong ayusin ang gusot na'to just because you've apologized?! Wala ka na talagang ibang ginawa but to destroy my peace of mind!"

Oh-oh... tingin ko mas mabuting umalis na'ko dito and just forget about asking him to help me before he'd strangle me to death.

But heck! Kahit na gusto ko ng tumakbo paalis sa lugar na 'yon at palayo sa kanya, my feet won't even move an inch! Damn it!

Kaya naman I have no other choice now but to calm myself and answer him instead.

"Well, ano bang ginawa ko para mapahiya ka Mr. Del Fuero? Ginawa ko lang naman ang dapat kong gawin kanina para makawala mula sa'yo at tumakbo palayo sa'yo. Alangan namang hayaan nalang kitang kunin ang pinaghirapan kong nakawin mula sa kaibigan mo? Ano ka siniswe----"

Hindi ko na natapos ang iba ko pang sasabihin when he suddenly rushed towards me, causing me to alarmingly take a step back as my eyes turned wide.

"M-Mr. Del Fuero! Don't you dare--" tarantang saad ko saka tatalikod na sana ako to escape from his rage pero bago ko pa man magawa 'yon, nahablot na nito ang kaliwang braso ko and then brutally dragged me towards him.

"Where is it now?? Where's that CD tapes now?? Why do you have to steal those tapes, Ms. Javier??!" He angrily shouted at my face while holding my arm in an iron grip, causing me to hiss in pain habang pilit na makawala dito.

"Ano bang meron sa tapes na'yon para ganun ka nalang kadesperadang makuha yon? Tell me!! Isa ka rin ba sa mga taong gustong magpabagsak sa'kin that's why you have done that?! To kiss me dahil alam mong may nakatuong camera sa'ting dalawa kanina para magamit mo yon laban sa'kin like what was in the news right now! Ganun ba, Ms. Javier???!"

"No! Mali ka, Mr. Del Fuero kaya pwede ba, bitiwan mo'ko!!! I wasn't here to give you another bruises so spare me with the blame." I shouted back at him sabay hablot sa braso ko mula sa mahigpit na pagkakahawak nito.

A loud growl escaped under his throat at that as his eyes almost ready to stab me with a bundle of spears now by just how he was glaring at me.

"Kung anuman ang dahilan ko kung bakit nagawa ko ang bagay na'yon, pwes labas ka na dun! I have only done that dahil may sarili akong dahilan at hindi dahil sa sinusundan kita and blah blah blahh! Malay ko bang sa dinami rami kong pupuntahan, bigla-bigla ka nalang susulpot na parang kabute at halos masira mo pa nga 'yong misyon ko!"

"Your mission to sneak inside my friend's territory and you even dared to steal something from him!"

My lips pursed in line when he snapped that.

This maggot!

"Well, ginawa ko nga 'yon at kaya nga pumunta pa'ko rito ngayon because I want to give it back to you and I even made an apologize to you sa kung anuman ang nangyari kanina but then as grateful as you are, pinararatangan mo na naman ako ngayon as someone na nagpaplanong pabagsakin ka! So fucking kind of you!" I sarcastically spat at him, wanted to break his thick head.

"Bakit? Magagawa mo bang ayusin lahat ng 'to kung tatanggapin ko yang apology mo? Do you think you can change everything dahil sa sorry mo?? Tapos na, Ms. Javier! Nagawa mo ng sirain ang buhay ko and now my Company's reputation!"

I was about to utter a spat but when his words finally registered in my head, I stopped.

His company's reputation...

Because of the issue, tiyak masisira ang reputasyon ng kompanya nya na kahit ako, ayokong mangyari.

And that was what I had feared to happen before that's why I had chosen to help him once before. Kahit patago lang.

Dahil kung hindi, lots of his employees would be affected with it.

And now, nangangamba na namang mangyari yon just because of what I had stupidly done to him this morning.

Shit.

I swallowed the sudden lump formed inside my throat and stared up at him. Now bothered with those thoughts.

"What??? Ba't hindi kana makaimik diyan ngayon? Do you happen to lose your tongue now?? O baka gusto mong pagtawanan muna ako? Then do it now, Ms. Javier!! Pagtawanan mo na'ko! Yan ang pinakagusto mong gawin kahit noon pa hindi ba? Pwes, gawin mo na ngayon!"

Nanatili lang akong walang imik at hindi kumikilos sa harapan nito, staring at him na mamula-mula na dahil sa galit nito habang tiim ang mga bagang at kuyom ang mga kamay.

Obviously stopping himself to strangle me dahil sa galit niya sa'kin. Kahit na gustung-gusto ko ngang pagtawanan ang taong 'to, but now I think it wasn't right to do that.

Solving this issue right away is what was right to do now.

I mentally nodded at that thought, agreeing with it.

Kailangan ko munang ayusin 'to before doing what I've really came here for.

"Ano? This is what you had always dreamt right?" He added when still, I made no answer for him.

"Magpakasaya kana ngayon din and if you have nothing to say now, then get out from here! At wag na wag ka ng babalik pa rito dahil baka ano pang magawa ko----"

"I'll help you."

"Sa'yo---" he suddenly halted when he heard that. His forehead creases in confusion.

"Anong sabi mo?"

I let out an exasperated breath and then meet his eyes.

"I said I'll help you fix this mess. Anything, Mr. Del Fuero. I'll do anything na tingin ko makakatulong na maayos ang lahat ng 'to." I saiD with decisive voice.

I scowled when he suddenly let out a scoff at me and shook his head in disbelief.

"Naririnig mo ba ngayon ang sarili mo, Ms. Javier? Help? You'll help me fix this mess? Do you really think na magagawa mo pang ayusin ang lahat ng 'to just because you said you'll do anything to help??! You are impossible!"

"Basta! Maaayos pa natin 'to, Mr. Del Fuero. It's just your thick head telling you it can't!" Inis na sambat ko rito, annoyed with him being so pessimistic.

Hearing me saying that, his nostrils instantly flared out with utter annoyance towards me while his jaw kept twitching.

I just gave him a pointed look nang hindi man lang ibinababa ang tingin and just stared back against his murderous eyes.

Alam kong gustung-gusto na niya akong tirisin ngayon but I take no heed of it. I know I can still fix this one at ang kailangan lang naming gawin ngayon was to think the most effective way on how to do that. As in lightning fast!

Pero ano naman kaya yon?

He just groaned loudly then instead of strangling me, he rushed off to the center table na nasa gilid ng silid na yon and then picked up the TV remote control mula roon and turned on the TV.

"Kasalukuyan parin kaming naghihintay kay Mr. Del Fuero dito sa loob ng DFCS building. At kasalukuyan parin naming pinaghahanap ang naturang babae na kasama nya sa video upang makuhanan ito ng statement sa kung ano nga talaga ang tunay na nangyari. At kasabay ng pagsabog ng isyung ito ay ang muling pagkaungkat ng kaso ng Ama nyang si Mr. Ronaldo del Fuero na hanggang ngayon ay nanatili paring palaisipan sa lahat ang-----" then he suddenly turned it off and threw the remote control back to the table saka tumingin uli sa'kin. Dark eyes glaring at me with rage glinting in it.

"Now tell me.. do you think maaayos mo pa ang bagay na'to, Ms. Javier?? Akala mo ba nagbibiro lang ako?? You'll help? How do you suggest to do that then? Tell me now and try to convince me how you can possibly help me." He demanded with gritted teeth.

Yes. Maayos ko nga ba'to? Hindi ko inaasahang ganito na pala kalaki ang gusot na'to in just a matter of seconds..

Shit! Paano nga ba? I don't think matatapos agad ang issue na'to once I give my statement to the press na hindi naman talaga ako sinaktan ng gago and I just kissed and brutally bashed his head dahil sa gusto ko lang talaga.

Then that would make me appear some pervert in the public's eyes! And besides, ayokong humarap sa press! That's not good for my career and for my peace of mind! Tiyak makikilala ako ng lahat ng mga naloko ko noon just to close my past cases.

No,.no, no! Erase that. Saad ko sa sarili ko while mentally shaking that thoughts off my head.

"At ba't di ka na makasagot diyan ngayon, Ms. Javier? Got your tongue tied now dahil wala ka naman talagang maitutulong sa'kin to solve this issue?" Panunuya pa nitong tanong sa'kin nang hindi ako umimik.

Shiit... Now I'm starting to regret ever saying that to him.

"Now you can't think of any excuses dahil--"

His speech was suddenly interrupted when something sounded from his desk. Causing him to divert his gaze to that direction.

Growling loudly, he ran to his desk and then tapped some keys in his laptop keyboard.

"Mr. Del Fuero! Have you seen the news today? You're name is all over the news right now!" A man's voice greeted him that from his laptop. Probably he was having a video call right now with one of his investors.

"You know kung anong maaaring maidulot nito sa pangalan ng kompanya, Mr. Del fuero kaya sana naman maayos agad ito. This issue would do no good for our stocks and other investors."

His jaw twitched than ever as his face became more stressed at that. I hadn't saw him act like this before. At hindi ko akalaing makikita ko ang taong 'to na maging ganito. So stressed out at balisa sa isang bagay.

Of course. He's Mr del Fuero. The granite headed bastard that appeared so perfect in everyone's eyes. And I am used to him being so cold towards me kaya naman ngayon, I can't believe I'd even witness this moment.

I noticed him inhaled deeply before answering the man in the monitor with his lips tightly pursed, halatang pinipigilan lang nitkng pumutok sa harapan ng kausap nito.

"Ginagawan ko na ng paraan 'to, Mr. Tañada. No need to worry about it. I'll make sure na maaayos ang bagay na'to before tomorrow."

"Please Do that, Mr. Del Fuero. Our stocks were starting to drop down as soon as this issue had blown up this morning and I worried that it'll continue like this. Other investors would surely back out and pull out their investments kung magpapatuloy pa ito." Anang lalake with worry visible in his voice.

Yes. Sino ba namang hindi if billions of invesments is what was at stake here. At lalo na ang mga taong umaasa sa kompanya nito.

And when again, thoughts about his employees came in mind, I can't help but curse out as those thoughts were eating up my conscience.

Oh hell! Bakit ba kasi kailangan ko pang problemahin pati ang bagay na'to! Pwede naman sanang pabayaan ko nalang ang mga taong 'yon and be selfish just this one time!

"At kailangan mo ring mahanap ang babaeng kasama mo sa video na 'yon, Mr. Del fuero. Malaki ang maitutulong niya rito kung mahahanap mo siya at maihaharap mo siya sa media and probably..."

My brow arched up when Mr. Tañada trailed off, waiting for him to finish whatever he had to say.

"Probably what, Mr. Tañada?" Tanong ni Mr. Del Fuero sa kanya na halatang interesado ring marinig ang iba pa nitong sasabihin.

"Probably you can tell to the press that you two were just having a love quarrel para paniwalaan kayo ng---"

"WHAT???!!"

I exclaimed out of surprised before Mr. Tañada could even finish his bloody suggestion! Which made Mr del Fuero to turn to my way with a deep scowl in his face kahit na halatang hindi rin ito sumasang-ayon sa kalokohang sinasabi ng kausap nito.

Love quarrel???! Heck! Love quarrel my foot!

I'd rather die with my eyes open kesa humarap sa media at sabihin ang kalokohang yon! No, no, no, no, no! Bloody no!

"Wait?.. May kasama ka yata diyan ngayon, Mr. Del Fuero.. "

Mr. Del Fuero, the bastard just groaned and then sighed.

"Pusa. Alagang pusa lang ng empleyado ko, Mr. Tañada.."

P-Pusa???!

Agad na uminit ang ulo ko dun.

This shit! Ginawa pa talaga akong pusa ng gago!

Good thing I have nothing with me right now na pwede kong gamiting pambato sa gagong 'to! Basag sana ang bukol sa noo nito!

I think mali talagang pumunta pa'ko dito ngayon. I should've just stayed somewhere but never be here!

Yes! Mabuti pa nga!

Nang maisipan yon, I was about to turn on my heels para sumibat na but I stopped. I stopped when I was bombarded by those thousands of employees na mawawalan ng trabaho.

At that, I couldn't help but groaned again in frustration while gritting my teeth so hard.

"I'll think about your suggestion, Mr. Tañada.. Don't worry. I won't stop until I solve this matter." Sagot nito na halatang napipilitan lang na sabihin yon.

"Okay. Please do that...I understand kung hindi niyo kayang gawin 'yon pero atleast man lang sana, Mr. Del Fuero na maiharap mo ang babaeng yon sa harap ng media so that they could atleast hear out her statement."

No! There's no way I'd do that and foolishly tell the press that we were just having an LQ! That's a big no, No, for me! People would surely try to dig my life, my past, if I ever appear again in every news.. Lalo na ang media which was I feared the most to happen.

"Do you think so, Mr. Tañada? Do you really think she could fix these mess if I ever get her talk to the press na wala naman talaga 'akong' kasalanan dun?"

My brow instantly arched up with the tone he used.

Talagang pinatatamaan ako ng gago..

"No doubt. She can fix this mess if she ever talk to the press and confess that eveything was just a misunderstanding and that you two were just having a little....fight as friends..kaya nangyari ang lahat ng 'yon."

This time, mas napasimangot pa'ko lalo nang sabihin nya yon.

For a moment, he just stayed silent, Probably weighing the other man's point.

Nagkibit balikat lang ako habang matalim na nakatingin rito, challenging him to ask me to do it.

Huh! As if I'd do that!

Pero mga ilang sandali lang, he slowly nodded his head in agreement na siyang dahilan na mas lalo pang umarko ng kilay ko.

"Okay... I think tama ka nga, Mr. Tañada.. tingin ko maganda nga yang sinasabi mo, Mr. Tañada."

I can't help but let out a disapproval groan when he agreed to it.

"Well, thank you, Mr . Del Fuero. Aasahan naming maaayos mo agad ang bagay na'to."

Agad naman itong tumango before the call had ended.

"Ms. Javier."

I groaned then glared at his way when he called my name.

"What?! Whatever you have to say now. NO!! Ayoko!" I snapped at him before he could even tell me na gawin ko ang bagay na pinakaayoko!

"Hindi dahil sa sinabi kong tumulong sa'yo, you can just take advantage on that at gawin nalang lahat ng kagagohang gusto mong gawin ngayon so no!" I firmly refused.

"Let's make a deal.."

I frowned when he suddenly stated that habang palapit sa gawi ko.

"Deal? At ano naman kaya yon? A deal that I won't gain anything?Thanks but no, thanks! Sinabi kong tutulong ako sa'yo but not to talk to the press. That would be the last thing I'd do now."

His lips automatically turned in a pursed line when I sarcastically commented that.

"I know you'd say that, Ms. Javier kaya nga gusto kong makipagdeal sa'yo. A deal between two professionals."

Now it's turn for my brow to arch up when he mentioned that 'professional' thing.

Being reminded with something about that word.

"The last time you've mentioned that 'professional' word, pinapagalitan mo'ko because I was no professional with you."

The bastard just shrugged his shoulder then folded his arms bang makalapit ito sa'kin.

"Whatever you say, Ms. Javier. Just hear me out now. You won't know, magugustuhan mo rin pala ang deal na'to."

"Huh! How could I like this deal kung alam ko naman na dadalhin mo 'ko sa harap ng media and let my face be plastered all over the news at hayaan nalang ang lahat ng tao na pag-usapan ako?! Hell no!"

"You said you'll do anything to help right? Then do that. That's the deal." Matigas na saad nito which I just answered with folded arms.

"Yes. I had said that pero hindi ko sinabing gagawin ko ang gusto mo. And then what? Kung gagawin ko yan, ano namang mapapala ko kapag maaayos ko ang bagay na'to aber? I'm sure the press would just pester me everyday after I advertised myself in the public so no. Ayoko." I strongly declined while kept shaking my head.

There's no way na gagawin ko yon!

"Then here's the deal, Ms. Javier. Kung gagawin mo ang pinapagawa ko sa'yo at magagawa mong ayusin ang gusot na'to...."

When he trailed off, I just glared at him while waiting for him to continue that.

"What? Anong magiging kapalit nun?" Atat na tanong ko sa kanya, wanted to know what I would get in return after I do his bid.

"I won't tell, Atty. Maximillan na ikaw ang pumasok at nagnakaw sa loob ng cafe nya. That's the deal here, Ms. Javier. Fair right?"

Hearing that, a growl instantly escaped from me as my glare now literally pricking needles in his dark eyeballs!

This bastard!

"Ito ba ang sinasabi mong deal, Mr. Del Fuero? Then why does it feel like you're blackmailing me right now? " inis na angal ko rito, not liking 'his so-called 'fair deal' one bit!

He just shrugged then folded his arm.

"Call it whatever you like, Ms. Javier but that's the deal here. And besides, you're the one who caused this mess in the first place so nasa sa'yo na ito kung tatanggapin mo ba ang inooffer ko ngayon o harapin ang galit ni Max. Hindi mo alam kung paano magalit ang taong 'yon. He could even let you rot in jail kung gugustuhin niya... your choice."

I didn't answered him right away and just gave him a narrowed look.

Now really regretting coming in here and hating the fact that he had a point!

Tiyak na hindi palalampasin to ni Atty. Max. Especially when this bastard was a friend of him. Tiyak didiktahan na naman niya ito kung anong mas dapat gawin sa'kin to punish me and it would surely be something I would never like!

Hindi ko maiwasang mapabuga na lamang ng hangin out of frustrations while gritting my teeth hard, despising the fact that this situation gives me no other choice but to accept his deal.

Pero hindi naman pwedeng wala akong mapapala sa gagawin kong 'to.

Right! Well, kung gusto niya talagang ayusin ko ang bagay na'to then be it! Gagawin ko kahit nakakatakot harapin ang mga gutom na paparazzis na 'yon.

"Fine." Mariing saad ko na rito after a few seconds, now determined na gawin ang kalokohang 'to.

"I'll accept your deal."

Hearing that, a satisfied smirk appeared in his face while nodding his head.

"Good to hear that then. So now, let's go down to the lobby now so that you can start telling your tale now sa harap ng press. But first thing first, Ms. Javier. Hand me the CD tapes first." Saad nito as he held out his hand to me.

Oh yes. Muntikan ko ng makalimutan.

Agad ko ng inilabas yon mula sa loob ng jacket ko then handed it to him which he quickly hid it under his coat.

"Let's head down to the lobby now. Ayusin na natin ang gusot na'to." And then with that, he ushered me to the door.

But I didn't moved an inch. Causing him to turn and frown at me with questioning eyes.

I just smirked at him then take a step back away from him.

"Mr. Del Fuero.. May konting sasabihin lang muna ako tungkol sa deal na'to."

His frown deepened more at that.

"And what was that, Ms. Javier? Alam mong kailangan na nating ayusin ang gusot na'to ngayon so spill whatever you have to say now."

"Well, aside sa hindi mo'ko isusumbong kay Atty. Maximilian, may maliit na bagay pa sana akong hihilingin sa'yo after I fix this mess. Just a little request.."

Agad na umarko ang kilay nya saka tuluyan ng humarap sa'kin.

"What request? Tell me now."

"Well, maliit lang naman 'to at tingin ko kayang-kaya mo namang gawin yon---"

"Wag ka ng magpaliguy-ligoy pa, Ms. Javier. Time is ticking and your wasting it! Kaya sabihin mo na ngayon din ang gusto mong sabihin!"

I groaned when he suddenly snapped that with irritated voice.

Calm down, Sam. Calm down. Kahit na gustung-gusto mo ng upakan ito, calm down. Remember you're here to make friends with him and ask him to help you with the case. At para hanapin ang bagay na maaaring pag-aari ng ama nito.

I mentally nodded at that thought saka huminga na lamang ng malalim and just answered him.

"Well, gusto ko lang sabihin na kung pwede, tulungan mo'ko sa bagong case ko."

"What case?"

"I'll just tell you the details pagkatapos kong ayusin ang bagay na'to. So ano na? Deal?"

He made no answers to it and just stared at me with an annoyed look.

"Okay. I guess I'll just take your silence as a yes. Let's go now!" Then without waiting for his response, nauna na'ko ritong lumabas sa solid na'yon.

Okay! Time to face the press now. Kahit na kinakabahan ako sa maaaring mangyari sa baba at pagkatapos nito.

I couldn't help but bit my lower lip just the thought of the possibilities.

Hindi ko na pinansin ang dalawang receptionists when I'd passed their table, too caught up with my thoughts now.

Ano naman kayang sasabihin ko sa harap ng camera?

I was never comfortable with my face being advertised on TV before because the last time I've appeared on TV, I was being interviewed about my parents' death... Kung ano talaga ang nangyari.. At ngayon naman, I have to face them again to let those people bombard me with questions again na tiyak magpapakulo na naman ng dugo ko.

"Hey everyone! I'm that woman na pinaghahanap niyo at kahalikan ng gagong kasama ko sa video and blah blah bla----"

"Just try to tell that to the press then I would never help whatever case you have right now."

I scowled when he suddenly interrupted that beside me, stopping me from my little practice, not even sensing na nasa tabi ko na pala ito while stiffly walking towards the elevator with his usual meter-long steps.

"Then ano sa tingin mo ang dapat kong sabihin mamaya, Aber?" Inis na tanong ko na rito as I tried to keep up with his steps.

"Wala akong ibang maisip dito and do you think people would believe me kahit na sabihin ko pang----"

"Sabihin mo lang kung ano ang totoong nangyari kanina and you're done with it, Ms. Javier. Nothing else." He cut off as he was now pressing the arrow down button of the elevator.

Pagkabukas ng pinto, agad na itong pumasok which I hastily did the same.

"Yong totoo?" kunut noong tanong ko rito which he just answered with his silence as the elevator started to move down.

"You sure about that? Sasabihin ko talaga that we've really fought back there and kissed you to stop you from---"

"Don't ever try to tell that to the press, Ms. javier!"

I groaned and glared at his way when he'd snapped that.

"Ang alin ba ang hindi ko dapat sasabihin dun? Yong Pakikipag-away ko sa'yo o yong 'kiss'?"

Pagkarinig dun, a loud growling sound can be heard from him while glaring down at me. Growling like a mad lion.

"Anything but the 'kiss' part."came his tormented voice.

And I think I already know kung anong ikinapuputok na naman ng butsi nito.

He's allergic with that 'kiss' topic.

My, my, my... Kung siniswerte ka nga naman ano...

I smirked when I realized that.

"Just tell whatever you'd think that could fix this mess but not that! Gumawa ka nalang na kahit anong kwento which you think effective para maayos ang bagay na'to. Nagkakaintindihan ba tayo, Ms. javier?"mariing pagpapatuloy nito.

"Ang alin, Mr. Del Fuero? Yong kiss?" Nakangising tanong ko rito which caused him to squeeze his eyes out in obvious frustrations hakbang kuyom ang mga kamay nito sa gilid. Obviously stopping himself to throw me out from the elevator.

"Pwede ba, ms. Javier! Tigilan mo na yang mga kalokohan mo bago pa magbago ang isip ko to possibly consider your request later."

Pagkarinig dun, my mouth snapped shut as I quickly straightened up myself.

"Aherm! Aherm! Ang bagal naman ng elevator na'to oh! Ba't ba kasi ang bagal-bagal nito!" Reklamo ko agad sabay patid sa pinto ng elevator, pretending that nothing had happened.

Mahirap na, iba pa naman ang topak ng gagong 'to baka totohanin pa nito ang sinabi nito and I don't want that!

He didn't answered and just stayed silent beside me throughout the ride.

Mga ilang sandali lang, the 'ding' had finally sounded, an indication na nasa may lobby na kami. And I have to face the press now. Causing the crazy butterflies inside my stomach wreak havoc again.

Ano nga uli yong sasabihin ko?

Mr. Del Fuero quickly got out of the elevator whereas me, nagdadalawang isip pa kung tutuloy pa'ko sa kalokohang 'to.

"Ms. Javier, lumabas kana diyan."

When he ordered that, agad na'kong lumabas saka lumapit rito and instantly let out a curse nang mamataan ko na ang mga nagkukumpulang tao sa may di kalayuan, causing me to feel more unsettled now.

"Ah, Mr. Del Fuero. A-Ano nga---" shit! Nauutal na naman ako!

"Ano nga uli yong sasabihin ko??"

"Just be creative, Ms. Javier. And for God's sake! Stop stuttering! At kung pwede, " then his eyes eyed me down with disgust in his eyes. "Take that disgusting uniform off of you. Tiyak pagtatawanan ka ng lahat once you'd appear like that in the camera." He continued saka agad ng tumalikod at naglakad na patungo sa direksyon ng mga pesteng mga reporters na'yon!

And because I don't want to appear ridiculous in the press, hinubad ko na agad ang uniform na 'yon but not my cap saka agad ng sumunod rito habang bitbit ang hinubad kong damit. This is Suzy's uniform kaya di ko pwedeng itapon na lamang 'to.

Mas binilisan ko nalang ang paglalakad ko seeing Mr. Del Fuero walking like an addict robot dahil sa laki ng mga hakbang nito.

Kahit na gusto kong magback out nalang sa kalokohan na'to, but no.

I've already gotten myself into this hellhole so I have no choice now but to face this.

Ang kailangan ko lang namang gawin ngayon is to create a tale in front of the camera at siguraduhing maaayos ang bagay na'to nang hindi

No matter what.

With that thought, I mentally nodded my head at mas lalo pang binilisan ang paglalakad hanggang sa maabutan ko na ang gago.

Di bale ng macocompromise ang identity ko nito as long as I could fix this mess. Para rin naman 'to sa hihilingin ko sa kanya mamaya after this show.

The moment those people had noticed us, agad ng nagsitakbuhan ang mga ito palapit sa'min saka dinumog kami sabay subsub sa kani-kanilang mikropono and cameras to our faces.

"Mr. Del Fuero! Mr. Del Fuero! May masasabi na po ba kayo ngayon tungkol sa isyung kinakaharap nyo ngayon? Nahanap niyo na po ba ang----"

The woman stopped when Mr. Del Fuero suddenly held up his hand to stop her habang matalim niya itong tiningnan.

Seeing his hand, no one had dared to open their mouth, just their cameras who kept flashing their lenses through our faces.

"Everyone, you have wanted to find that same woman na kasama ko sa video right?" He began, dahilan para magbulungan agad ang mga 'to sabay tingin sa direksyon ko.

I quickly gave them a tight smile.

"Then here she is now kasama ko. She can give you the information you all want kung ano talaga ang nangyari kanina why that 'unfortunate' incident happened gaya ng napanood niyo sa video."

I smirked when he sounded so tortured when he'd said the 'unfortunate' incident part habang nasa tabi ko.

Tsk, tsk, tsk... Parang hirap na hirap nga ang gago na banggitin ang halikan na nangyari kanina.

Hmm... Eh kung ganun man, ba't di ko nalang ienjoy ang moment na'to at ayusin ang bagay na'to ng walang kahirap-hirap? And at the same time, to annoy him more.

I quickly pasted a tight smile at them, wanted to appear that they are very much welcome to throw some questions at me.

"Miss! Pwede mo bang ilahad sa'min kung ano talaga ang tunay na nangyari sa inyong dalawa kanina??" Tanong ng isa sa kanila sabay subsob ng hugis lollipop nitong mikropono malapit sa mukha ko.

"Miss, sa ano pong kadahilanan kung bakit po nangyari ang bagay na'yon kanina?"

"Kayo po ba talaga ang babaeng yon na nasa video, Miss?"

Again, mas lalo ko pang nilakihan ang pekeng ngiti ko sa kanila before I answered that last question.

"Yes. Mr. Del Fuero here was right. Ako nga talaga ang babaeng 'yon and I'm here to reveal what had really happened between us this morning." kalmadong sagot ko sa mga ito nang hindi tinatanggal ang matamis na ngiti sa labi ko. So sweet that could rotten their faces!

"Ang totoo nyan, nagkatuwaan lang talaga kami nitong si Mr. Del Fuero kung kaya't nangyari ang bagay na'yon kanina. We are just doing some...wrestling practice back there---"

"Wrestling practice? At ba't naman kayo magpapractice ng wrestling sa lugar na yon, miss? You're a woman kaya nakakapagtaka naman kung yon lang ang dahilan nyo."

At the mention of 'woman', I can't help but glare at the piggy man na syang nagtanong nito, suddenly wanted to give him a headbutt nang masampolan ko naman ang baboy na'to.

"Eh ano naman ngayon kung babae ako? Women are free to do anything they want even doing wrestling, Sir. I could even give you a sample now kung gusto mo. To let everyone know that any gender could do the wrestling." I uttered in between with gritted teeth.

"And Mr. Del Fuero here is one of my coach kaya naman kung anumang nangyari kanina, walang kinalaman yon sa kung anumang akusasyong binabato niyo sa kanya."

"Miss! Miss! Then what about that kiss?? Are you having a secret affair with Mr. Del Fuero?"

That question made me snapped my head to that person as it fucking caught my attention!

An affair?!

Seriously??!

"You two have kissed each other kaya posible bang may namamagitan sa inyong dalawa?"

"NO!"

Napalingon agad ako sa tabi ko when the bastard suddenly snapped that.

Aba, aba.. Kung makareact naman ang gagong to, para bang hinihingi ng mga taong to na bigyan nya ito ng maagang pamasko.

"Walang namamagitan sa'ming dalawa. Hindi ko siya hinalikan and she just kissed me first!"

This shit! He really have the gall to make me appear as some maniac here at may pagnanasa sa kanya! How dare he!

They seem surprised about it saka lumingon uli sa'kin ang mga ito.

"Totoo po ba yon, Miss? Everyone wanted to know kung ano talaga ang kaugnayan mo kay Mr. Del Fuero."

"Tell them now, Ms. Javier. Tell them now na wala talagang namamagitan sa'ting dalawa and that kiss was just nothing!" He firmly demanded beside me in a whisper, not even sensing my annoyance towards him.

Satan knows how much I wanted to bit his head off now.

Siya pa nga 'tong tinutulungan, sya pa talaga tong may ganang gawin akong manyak sa harap ng camera!

Well, he want me to be creative with my tale right? Eh ba't di ko nalang kaya simulan 'to ngayon?

With hands tightly balled in fists, I straightened my body then answered them.

"You all wanted to know the truth right?"

Sabay-sabay na nagsitanguan agad ang mga 'to, now looking more desperate to receive an answer from me.

Then good. Dahil ako hindi!

Then I quickly turned to Mr. Del Fuero then tightly clung to his arm na siyang ikinagulat nito with his brows creasing in confusions.

"What are you doing, Ms. Javier?" Galit na bulong nito sa'kin habang matalim na nakatingin sa'kin.

I just raised my brows at him and then turned to the camera again now with no nonsense face.

"Everyone, we are actually dating."

A surprised gasped instantly escaped from their mouths the moment I've uttered that. And then in a second, mas lalo pang nagkagulo ang mga 'to and then blinded me with the flashes of their cameras.