11: The advise and the insect

SAM'S POV

A date???

A fucking date with him????!

Hell no!

Seeing the horror look on my face, the bastard just smirked at me.

I think now was the right time to smack some sense out of him!

"What's with that funny look on your face, Ms. Javier? Don't tell me you've expected me to just rescue your ass back there without even compensating my loss tonight?"

I pursed my lips when he asked that while trying to sound innocent.

He was really getting on my nerves now. But because I don't want to give him that satisfaction, I just crossed my arms and then forced a smile.

"Alright. A date ba kamo, Mr. del Fuero? Then fine. Let's go on a date later. I never know na ganito ka pala kadesperadong makasama ako for you to even pay more than a half million. By any chance, do you have any hidden feelings for me, Mr. Del Fuero? A romantic feelings perhaps?" Then I batted my lashes at him, trying to appear alluring in his eyes. Dahilan para dumilim agad ang mukha nito.

"Dream on, Ms. Javier. Hindi kita gusto and such absurd thing would 'NEVER' happen." He growled out, emphasizing the 'never' part.

I just smirked at that and shook my head.

"tsk, tsk...Don't be so sure about that, Mr. del Fuero. You never know, baka later on, kakainin mo lang lahat ng sinabi mo."

His darn eyebrow instantly arched up at that.

"Are you implying na may possibilities na magkakagusto ako sa'yo, Ms. Javier?" he scoffed then shook his head.

"I have lots of women na isang tawag ko lang, magkakandarapa ng lumapit sa'kin just to please me and do what I what I want them to do. At kahit nag-iisa ka nalang sa mundo, I would never like you as a woman."

That made me burst into laughter, drawing the other's attentions. I quickly covered up my mouth with my hand and silently laughed at his face.

"Oh God, Mr. del Fuero. I never know you have the talent to joke around. As if I'd even be interested in a man like you." then again I chuckled quietly.

"Shut up, Ms. Javier." he hissed.

I just shrugged habang nakatingin pa rin sa kanya with eyes still glinting with amusement.

"The feeling is mutual, Mr. del Fuero...and wait? Magkakandarapa ba kamo? Kaya naman pala kahit asong kagaya ni Gloria naghahabol din sa'yo. How fortunate.."

"I said shut up, Ms. Javier!" He growled out with low voice.

I just gave him a tight smile saka lumapit rito.

"At kaya rin pala kahit mga babaeng nagtatrabaho sa'yo, tinatraydor ka. I guess lapitin ka nga ng mga walang kwentang babae, Mr. Del Fuero."

That made him stiffened beside me and looked at me with confusion in his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

I just smiled at him then crossed my legs.

"Just a guess." I answered with a shrug then looked away from him.

Bigla itong tumahimik sa tabi ko, probably naguguluhan sa mga sinabi ko. Pero laking gulat ko na lamang nang bigla nalang niya 'kong hablutin sa kamay, grabbing me from my seat and then dragged me towards the exit.

"Anong ginagawa mo, Mr. del Fuero?? Saan mo'ko dadalhin?" I whisper-yelled at him while trying to take my hand off from his tight grip.

Agad namang nagsitinginan sa'min ang mga tao, probably confused kung saan kami pupunta. Habang dire-diretso lang ito sa paglalakad na parang walang naririnig at pakialam sa mga taong nakamasid sa'min.

Damn it!

Kanina pa'ko naiinis sa 'hila-hila thing' na'to ah! Una yong baklang 'yon kanina! Tapos ngayon, ang gago namang 'to? Jusko! Mababaliw na'ko nito.

"Mr. del Fuero, saan mo ba talaga ako dadalhin huh?" inis ko na namang tanong rito.

But to my utter disappointment, he just completely ignored me at mas lalo pang binilisan ang paglalakad nito, causing me to double my steps.

Baliw na ba ang taong 'to? Pwede naman naming pag-usapan 'to. Hindi 'yong bigla nalang niya akong hihilahin papunta sa kung saang lupalop ng mundo!.

I have a case na dapat isolve tonight, for goodness' sake!

Once we're outside of the building, he dragged me again straight to nearest car at the parking lot then opened the front seat's door and pushed me in.

But before he could even closed the door, I quickly blocked that with my hand and glared up at him.

"I won't get in 'pag 'di mo parin sasabihin sa'kin kung anong gagawin natin dito, Mr. del Fuero!"

When I growled that, the bastard just groaned but seeing that I was determined to take a fight, he answered me anyway.

"I just want to talk to you in private, Ms. Javier. Just a talk." He answered with annoyance in his voice.

Though I wanted to bash his head for bringing me here by force, pumasok na lamang ako, curious with what he was going to say.

He quickly closed the car door beside me then ran towards the other door at the driver's seat.

"Sabihin mo na kung anong sasabihin mo. I still have business to do after this. I don't have a whole night para makipagtsismisan lang sa'yo rito so spill it out now." Agad na bungad ko sa kanya the moment he'd shut the door.

For a moment, he just looked at me with his serious face.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin kanina?"

When he'd asked that, I couldn't help but blew out a sigh.

I should've just keep it a secret knowing that he won't stop 'til he'd heard everything. But what's done is done now so I guess I have no choice now but spill out the beans.

Para matapos na'to.

Sighing out, I started.

"What I mean dun sa sinabi ko, Mr. Del Fuero, that you have someone under your employ na tumatanggap ng suhol galing sa kalaban mo."

Kumunot agad ang noo nito pagkarinig sa'kin.

"I think alam ko na ang info na 'yan, Ms. Javier."

I just rolled my eyes at him. Again.

"Okay. But how about the accomplice then?"

"There are none, Ms. Javier. Isa lang ang traydor sa kompanya ko and I've already know who was that."

I clucked my tongue at that and shook my head.

"Then is it a she?"

"A he."

"Then does it even occur in your head that ECC won't just rely to a single person para gawin ang mga binabalak nila para patumbahin ka,Mr. Del Fuero?"

He looked at me with confused eyes.

"Are you saying that there are more than one?"

"Exactly. Hindi ba inamin ng lalaking 'yon kung sino pa ang kasamahan niya?"

He shook his head.

"But-"

"I didn't confront the bastard. Yet."

"why?"

Imposible namang hahayaan nalang nito ang lalaking 'yon. I know he's the type that won't just let anything slide so I'm sure he won't just let that traitor be excused with his ire.

"I don't have to tell you everything, Ms. Javier."

My eyebrow quickly raised at that.

"Okay then. So as your P.I, pwede ko rin namang hindi sabihin sa'yo lahat ng information meron ako. How about that, Mr. del Fuero?" I retorted back with my sarcastic voice, causing him to look at me with defiance.

"So now you're saying that you are my P.I., eh ni hindi mo pa nga pinipirmahan ang kontrata natin, Ms. Javier. And I don't even know kung hanggang kailan mo gagamitin yon just to blackmail me."

"Yeah, yeah." Agad na sagot ko rito while nodding my head.

"And now you know how it feels like when you are the one being blackmailed. Does it feel satisfying, Mr. Del fuero??"

He turned silent but after a few moments, he smirked and then crossed his arms.

"Fair square."

"Ahuh. "I agreed then looked at him with serious look on my face.

"So now, tell me why the hell you didn't confront that bastard."

He groaned while looking at me like he was thinking kung dapat ba nitong sabihin sa'kin yon. But after a few moments longer, narinig ko na itong bumuntong-hininga then shook his head as he gave in.

"I'm planning to slap that fact on Enriquez's face later.. na alam ko na kung sino ang espiya niya sa company ko, and that again, his plan had failed."saad pa nito with a wicked smile on his face.

I frowned.

Seriously? That was his plan?

I shook my head at that. I can't believe he was planning to do that stupid act.

"I don't think it was a good idea, Mr. Del Fuero. Mas maganda siguro kung 'di mo nalang muna sasabihin 'yon sa kanya."

That caused him to look at me in confusion.

"And why is that, Ms. Javier? Care to explain your point?"

I smirked before I answered him.

"Think outside the box, Mr. del Fuero. Once alam na niya na alam mo na ang plano niya which is 'to spy on you using your own employees', then I'm sure hahanap at hahanap na naman 'yon ng butas to plant another spy in your company and we don't want that, do we? Dahil dagdag trabaho na naman 'yon para alamin kung ano na naman ang gagawin nila laban sa'yo."

Agad na tumaas ang kilay nito habang nakatingin sa'kin, looking like he can't believe me saying that.

"Baka nakakalimutan mo, Ms Javier. It's your job as my P.I to find out everything and whatever they are planning against me."

That made me rolled my eyes upward.

I didn't know he could be this stupid para 'di agad magets kung anong ibig kong sabihin.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, I answered the bastard.

"I know that so well, Mr. del Fuero. Ang ibig ko lang namang sabihin sa'yo ay 'wag mo munang ipaalam sa kanila na buking mo na sila because you can use that to your advantage."

"So I have to use them against Enriquez without them knowing?"

"Bingo!" I exclaimed with a snap of my fingers.

Good thing nakuha nya rin ang point ko.

He became silent for a while, probably giving it a deep thought or analyzing my point.

Of course, that would surely work out.

And after a few moment, he nodded. Agreeing with me.

"Hmm..good point."

"Indeed." Sang-ayon ko agad rito.

"So now that we've sorted this out, kailangan ko ng bumalik sa loob para gawin ang ipinunta ko rito."

He nodded.

Agad ko ng binuksan ang pinto sa gilid ko.

"kailangan ko na'ring bumalik sa loob, I have to find Liam."

When I heard that, I turned to look at him who was just about to open the cardoor beside him.

"Speaking of Liam, ba't hindi ko pala ito nakita sa table mo kanina?"

He just smirked at that saka tuluyan ng lumabas ng sasakyan. Tuluyan narin akong lumabas saka lumapit rito at sumabay na rin ritong naglakad pabalik sa loob.

"He was trying to fix his suit in the restroom."

"Fix?"

"Yes. Just ask him yourself why he had to do that." Then with that, he hastened up his steps, causing  me to almost run just to keep up with him.

Damn with this Giant man and his meter-long steps!

"Pwede mo bang bagalan ang lakad mo, Mr. del Fuero?" reklamo ko agad rito..

He just glanced at me pero hindi binagalan ang lakad nito.

"And who told you to walk with me, Ms. Javier? I didn't right? Walk on your own." The bastard answered with his voice full of sarcasms then with that, he doubled up his pace and leaving me behind while throwing a glare at him that could dig a hole in his head.

Damn with that bastard!

I just continued walking while stomping my feet, following the giant man with a head as hard as his facial expression!

Pagdating ko malapit sa mesa namin, para na'kong galing sa jogging activity dahil sa pawis ko.

Good thing Liam was quick to run for a rescue when he spotted me. Agad na niya 'kong inalalayan papunta sa upuan ko. Napansin kong wala na itong suot na suit jacket ngayon. Only with his long sleeves and vest.

I wonder wat happened to him earlier. Maybe konting kamalasan?

Hmm. Probably. Given na parang ibang-iba ang facial expression nito kaysa sa happy version nito kanina, no doubt something bad happened.

"Samantha? Okay ka lang ba? Pinagpapawisan ka yata ah?"

I heard Mr. del Fuero snorted beside me. Causing me to glare at him.

"Okay lang ako, Liam. May mga tao lang talaga diyan na nang-iiwan!"

He just scoffed at that then shook his head.

"What do you mean, Samantha?"

"Never mind about it, Liam. Wag na nating pag-usapan 'yang mga walang kwentang tao. Ayokong masira ang gabi ko dahil sa mga ganung klaseng tao."sabay lingon sa tabi ko para rinig na rinig talaga ng gago ang mga sinabi ko.

I heard him grumbled under his breath. Probably cursing me in his mind now.

Good. Serves you very right!

"Yeah, yeah. wala naman tayong mapapala sa mga taong 'yan. Such a waste of our time."

That made him snapped his head to the obliviois Liam and glared up at him with eyes ready to make a hole in his head.

I smirked.

Now you've got what you truly deserved!

Sighing in satisfaction, umupo na'ko sa tabi nito. Liam sat as well beside me.

"So liam, ano bang nangyari sa suot mo? At ba't wala ka rito sa table mo kanina?"

Dumilim agad ang mukha nito when I asked that. As if he had remember something unfortunate happened earlier.

"Something wrong?"

He quickly shook his head.

"Nothing was wrong, Samantha. Naiinis lang ako sa waitress na 'yon kanina. Siya pa nga itong may atraso sa'kin, siya pa talaga 'tong may ganang magalit sa'kin. Accusing me na kasalanan ko ykn dahil tatanga-tanga raw ako! At------"

He stopped when I held up my hand to stop his rumbling.

"Slowly. Ano ba kasing nangyari? I know hindi magagalit sa'yo yon kung hindi mo naman talaga yon kasalanan, 'di ba?."

Agad na kumunot ang noo nito while looking at me with disbelief in his eyes. Probably thinking I was on that waitress' side.

"It wasn't my fault, Samantha. I swear! Tatanga-tanga lang talaga siya. Nagmamadali lang naman ako noon to meet....."

agad na tumaas ang kilay ko dun then I give him a knowing look, causing him to look away then grinned.

"...well, to meet those hot celebrities---you know, they've got that perfect bodies----"

"at anong nangyari nung palapit kana sa mga celebrities na yon, Liam?" I cut him off when I think alam ko na kung saan na papunta ang sasabihin nito.

Agad na naman itong sumimangot na parang bata.

Well, may pagka childish nga minsan ang taong 'to base sa pinapakitang attitude nito pero mas mabuti na'to kaysa sa ibang tao diyan. Hindi lang matigas ang ulo, blackmailer, walang puso, and etcetera, etcetera....

"Then out of nowhere, agad nalang sumipot ang babaeng 'yon kaya ayon tuloy, lahat ng drinks na dala nya, natapon sa'kin! Such a clumsy woman!" galit na kwento nito sa'kin while shaking his head.

And you're more stupid than that.

Having no words for him, I just let him continue his rumbling.

"And when I was about to say sorry, agad naman niya 'kong pinagalitan. Saying 'bulag ka ba huh? Nakita mo ng may dadaan, tumatakbo-takbo ka pa!' ..Dios Mio!"

I chuckled when I heard that from him, trying hard to mimic that woman's voice.

Geez! I didn't know Liam can do that!

Seeing me chuckled, agad naman itong tumawa, causing Mr. del Fuero to clear his throat, obviously wanted to silence us.

I quickly muffled my laugh with my hands. Liam doing the same.

Alright. I think this is enough. This isn't the right time to joke around and act like I have no case to solve here.

My eyes quickly locate my target. I spotted him standing at the corner and closed to the restroom. Medyo madilim sa parte na'yon and he was talking with some woman right now. I quickly took that opportunity to excuse myself from them.

"Liam, Mr. del Fuero. I have to leave again. Bye for now." And without waiting for their replies, I got up from my seat.

Time to do some eavesdropping-----

"Wait."

That made me halted with my steps. Frowning, I turned to the bastard.

"What?"

"Be careful."

My brows almost reached at Mt. Everest's peak at that.

I am not just hearing things now, Am I?

"Kahit hindi mo pa sabihin 'yan, I am always careful, Mr. Del Fuero. So don't worry, I'd be very careful kung yan ang gusto mo. Anong tingin mo sa'kin? Bata?"

"I didn't mean about yourself, Ms. Javier but your dress! Malaki ang nabayad ko diyan so don't you dare ruin that! And why the hell I'd be worried about you? Ano ka? Siniswerte?"

Can I beat him up first? Can I?

My glare now almost ready to prick some poisonous needles to his thick head while stopping myself to just end this night in a one on one wrestling with him!

Dumadagdag pa talaga ang gagong 'to sa mga problema ko!

Heaving up a deep shaky breath, tiim ang mga bagang na sinagot ko na lamang ito.

"No worries. I will try to never ruin your dress but I can't promise you na hindi masisira 'to once I'd kick your ass tonight. I'm leaving now." Inis na panunuya ko na rito before I walked out, furiously walking to where I have to be now.

He should be grateful na may misyon pa'ko na dapat tapusin ngayon because if not, baka kinurot ko na ang pwet nito!

Kahit nagngangalit pa'ko sa galit, I set aside that issue from my mind just for now.

And without taking off my sight from my target, dali-dali na'kong naglakad sa direksyon nito.

I hope tonight would be my lucky night para matapos na ang case na'to.

Nang makalapit nako sa kanila, I studied the woman closely. 

She was younger than me for sure. She was with the same uniform as all the waitresses here. I wonder kung anong sinasabi ni Frederico sa babaeng 'to dahil nakayuko ito at patango-tangong nakikinig rito.

Kahit ayoko mang may mangyari rito, I still hope na ito na 'yong susunod na bibiktimahin ni Frederico.

I just have to stop before everything became complicated.

Nang malapit na'ko sa kanila, I pretended to get into the closest restroom. Keeping my eyes focus in one direksyon though I can still see them from the corner of my eyes.

Mukhang busy ang mga ito dahil 'di man lang ito lumingon nang dumaan ako sa tagiliran nila. Agad na'kong pumasok sa loob saka isinara ito but just leave it ajar para masilip ko kung anong nangyayari sa labas. And from here, tanaw ko ang mga ito.

"Hindi na'to dapat maulit sa susunod. Buti nalang napakiusapan ko yong boss ko na 'wag kang tanggalin dito.."

"Yes sir. Thank you po talaga. Tatanawin ko po talaga 'tong malaking utang na loob sainyo sir."

Wrong. Di mo gugustuhing magkaroon ng utang sa taong yan, miss.

My brows arched up nang bigla nyang hawakan nito ang waitress sa balikat saka ito pinisil.

Eww.

"Talaga?"

She nodded.

"Yes, sir. Kailangan ko po talaga ang trabahong 'to kaya tawagin niyo lang po'ko 'pag may kailangan kayo. Gagawin ko po agad para makabawi naman po'ko sainyo."

Good job, girl.

The maniac nodded his head  at that good news. Probably happy with that. Ibinulsa agad nito ang mga kamay nito sa gilid then straightened up his body.

"Ba't di ka nalang kaya magtrabaho sa'kin? That way malaki pa ang magiging sahod mo kaysa sa pagwawaitress mo."

"Talaga po? Ano naman po kayang trabaho yon sir?" excited na tanong ng babae. Halatang 'di alam kung anong gulo ang pinapasukan.

Now I know kung pa'no nito pinasasakay ang mga biktima nito. Pinipili niya talaga 'yong mga inosenteng babae na sa tingin niya ay tatahimik nalang pagkatapos ng lahat.

And I would be damned kung hahayaan kong may mabibiktima pa ang gagong 'to. I will make sure na sa kulungan ang bagsak nito sa susunod na mga araw.

"Personal assistant ko."

Agad na kumunot ang noo ng babae nang marinig yun. Halatang naguguluhan sa kanya.

"Palagay ko po di po'ko qualified sa ganyang trabaho sir. Hindi pa po'ko nakakatapos ng college kay-"

"No. okay lang yan, iha."

Halos maduwal ako sa narinig kong yun.

Gods! Kaya naman pala maraming nabibiktima ang gagong 'to! Jusk-

My thought were suddenly interrupted when I felt something na dumapo sa kanang balikat ko. Thinking na langaw or lamok lang yon, agad ko ng tinampal 'yon, not wanted to be disturbed and missed their conversation.

"As my personal assistant, kailangan mo lang sumama sa'kin kahit sa bahay para iassist ako sa mga ginagawa ko."

Assist my foot!

"Ah ganun po ba? Pero part-time lang po ang pwede sa'kin kasi may classes po'ko pag umaga at minsan sa gabi."

"Walang problema, iha. magagawan natin yan ng paraan."

"Talaga po??"

"Yes. So ano? Pwede ka na bang magsimula tomorrow?"

"Yes po!! Salamat po talaga sir! Ang bait-bait nyo po." Maluha-luhang saad pa ng babae. Halatang masayang-masaya sa balita.

Poor girl. Kailangan kong mapigilan ang anumang binabalak ng taong 'to sa babaeng 'to. Gusto ko man siyang sigawan na ang tanga-tanga niya. Pero dahil sa pangangailangan nito, I think I understand her. Being choosy---

Again, may naramdaman na naman akong dumapo sa balikat ko.

"Bweset!" I muttered under my breath sabay tampal uli sa balikat ko. Now irritated with those damn flies or whatsoever insect it was. Ke ganda-gandang building pero maramin namang insekto!

Geez.

"O kung pwede nga pagkatapos mo agad dito mamaya, kung okay lang sa'yo."

Kating-kati na siguro ang manyak na'to kasi 'di maka-antay ng bukas!

Pwes, mas maganda na rin yon para matapos na'ko rito.

"Mamaya po? Eh gabi na po, pwede bang bukas nalang po?"

"Well, pwede naman bukas. Pero dapat sumama ka sa'kin mamaya kasi dapat mo pang kunin ang uniform na isusuot mo tomorrow. "

Niknik mo, gago!

Pinag-isipan muna ng babae ang bagay na'yon.

Go na girl. Wag mo ng pag-isipan.

Bad Sam. Bad.

Well who cares if bad yon? Hindi ko naman hahayaang mapahamak ito.

Then after a few seconds longer, agad na itong tumango.

Jackpot! Good gi----

A loud asthmatic clearing of throat behind me suddenly stopped me from my thoughts. Making me froze on my feet.

A clearing of throat?? Then does this means...

At that thought, I quickly stepped back from that door saka hinay-hinay na lumingon sa likod ko.

Then my eyes widened in shock when I someone was actually towering over me now with his crossed arms and....an angry looked on his face!

Yes. His face. Because he's a he! And seeing the urinal cubicles at the corner of this room, nakalimutan ko palang sa men's CR pala 'tong napasukan ko.

And this man here was lucky enough to be here!

Holy shit!.

So all this time sya pala yung kalabit ng kalabit sa balikat ko kanina? Ba't di ko agad naisip yon?

Sshiiiiit!

"Anong ginagawa mo diyan sa pinto? This is the men's CR and you are not allowed here!"

Oh-Oh. Another trouble na naman 'to.