CHAPTER 14

YUL

"Sir we have to leave now. It's six o clock already," dinig kong salita ni Jewel mula sa aking pintuan.

"Alright tell Alfred to standby," tugon ko habang nagbabasa ng company profile ng isa sa pinagpipilian kong ipapalit sa Lee Con.

"Nasabihan ko na po. He's already in the car right now."

Huminto ako sa pagbabasa at nag-angat nang mukha. I saw my secretary standing beside my door. Pansamanta akong di nakakibo. She looks extraordinary different...Shall I say way prettier?

She is so composed wearing a black skirt suit with white blouse inside. Tumangkad din siya kung kaya't napatingin ako bigla sa suot niyang stilleto. She has light yet fresh makeup and a neat ponytail hair exposing a pair of elegant dangle earrings.

"Oh you changed your clothes," komento ko.

She gracefully smiled that made her look even more attractive. I had to slightly shake my head to be awaken from this short enchantment with the witch that pained me before. I can't be defeated anymore by the superficial side of myself. I know that deep down inside her, she's still hiding that cruelty somewhere.

"Nagpadala po ako ng damit sa mommy ko."

"Ang sarap sigurong magkaroon ng supportive na nanay." I grabbed my blazer from the coat rack and wore them. "Let's go." I said as I approach the door.

"Wait sir!"

Nagulat ako nang bigla niyang hinawakan ang aking blazer. Pinagpagan, inunat-unat, sinarado ang butones at inayos ang collar. Pati buhok ko ay mabilisang sinuklay ng kanyang kamay.

"Ayan. You look better now!" she exclaimed happily. Naiilang akong tumingin nang diretso sa malapit niyang mukha. "Tara na po!" she opened the door for me.

"Alam mo sir malaking bagay sa mga Japanese na nakaayos ka pag kaharap sila. They appreciate it a lot if you meet them looking your best. It's a sign of maturity and great respect lalo na kapag mas matanda o mas nakakataas sayo ang kausap mo," she explained amiably while we're at elevator.

I shrugged. She talks as if she knows a lot about Japanese culture. But I'm pretty sure she just googled them up because she's pressured after warning her not to embarrass me.

On our way to the restaurant, she sits beside me at the backseat just like what Nora usually does. I expect her to talk to me but she won't. She's too busy reading some stuff.

"What are you reading?" I am getting bored. Sanay ako kay Nora na mayroon kami laging pinag-uusapan.

Saka lang siya tumingin sa akin. "I'm reviewing the agenda and the business deal between Mr. Kitamura and CGC. You know, hoping I can possibly contribute some ideas during the meeting just like what Ma'am Nora does."

"But you're not Nora so you don't need to push yourself too hard. All you need to do is to translate to me the basic Japanese greeting and phrases that you were talking about earlier."

Ngumiti siya nang mapakla. "Ah ganun po ba? P-Pero mabuti na rin ho yung may alam ako. At least I can say something during idle moments." Bumalik siya sa pagbabasa. Nagulat ako nang bigla siyang nag-angat ng mukha. "Oh my god! I forgot something!"

Kinabahan ako sa sinabi niya. We can't turn around anymore. Ang layo na namin sa office. "Anong nakalimutan mo?"

She picked up her phone in panic. "Nakalimutan kong i-inform si Ma'am Stella na pwede kayong tawagan ngayon!"

Pinigilan ko ang kamay niya sa pagpindot sa cellphone. "No need. Malapit na tayo sa restaurant. Akala ko naman kung ano na ang nakalimutan mo. Kinabahan ako sayo."

"Ah s-sorry sir. Ayoko lang na magalit si Ma'am Stella," malumanay na salita niya at pagkuway tiningnan ang kamay ko na nakahawak pa rin sa kamay niya.

Agad ko siyang binitawan. "S-Sorry ginulat mo kasi ako. Continue reading."

When we arrived at the hotel, tumingin muna siya sa salamin at nagpahid ng lipstick. Pagkababa sa sasakyan, inusisa niya ulit ang hitsura ko pati na rin ang suit ko.

"You're perfectly clean and tidy looking sir. Let's go inside now," masiglang ngiti niya. Sinasakyan ko na lang ang kakaibang obsession niya ngayong gabi. Alam kong wala naman itong maitutulong sa meeting.

Someone called her while we're approaching the restaurant. "Hello Ma'am Nora... Ah sige Ma'am sabihin ko na lang kay sir. Papasok na po kami sa restaurant. Thank you po! Get well soon ma'am." She hanged up the phone and looked at me. "Tumawag daw po sa kanya sina Mr. Takakura. Mukhang malilate daw po dahil may banggaan sa daan."

"It's alright we can just wait for them inside the restaurant." I shrugged.

Nakangiting binati agad ni Jewel staff na nakatayo sa pintuan ng restaurant. "Hi I'm Jewel Gaviola! Ako yung nagpareserve from CGC."

"Ah yes Ma'am Jewe! Nice to meet you! Ako si Nadine yung kausap niyo. Halika ihatid ko na po kayo sa private dining room niyo."

She is unusually friendly to the staff. Smiling effortlessly. Nakakapanibago pa rin. She used to be the type who wouldn't initiate a conversation with the stranger.

"Ma'am Jewel do you want to take the order now?"

"We'll take the order now," I said. "Paki serve na lang kapag dumating na yung ibang mga kasama namin."

"Yes sir."

Pinili ko sa menu ang pinakamalaking serving ng mixed sashimi and a wagyu beef for everyone. "For now can you give me glass of red wine. How about you Jewel what do you want?"

"Water na lang sir."

"Okay give her a glass of water."

"At saka Ms. Nadine," Jewel interrupted. "Pag dumating yung mga Japanese guests namin, can you please serve hot tea immediately?"

"Okay ma'am"

"Thank you."

Nang umalis ang staff, Jewel fixed her clothes again. "Sir saan po ako uupo?" she asked.

"Just sit beside me."

"Okay sir."

Umupo siya nang tuwid na tuwid nang tila may nakapermament glue na ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. Pakurap- kurap lang at di gaanong gumagalaw. Our chairs are facing the door so we can know immediately if our associates arrive.

"You can still relax, wala pa naman ang mga kausap natin," I said.

"I am very relaxed sir. Gusto ko lang hong maging handa anumang oras dumating sina Mr.Takakura." Sobrang pormal na sagot niya nang may mala-robot na pagngiti. She's really taking it so seriously. Maybe she's thinking she can get an extra credit points if she'll do a good job at the meeting. A newbie goal of course. "By the way sir, can I text Ma'am Stella now? Mukhang mamaya pa naman darating sina Mr. Takakura."

"No need. I'll call her after the meeting. Ayokong maabutang nasa telepono ng importanteng kliyente."

She bowed. "Naiintindihan ko po." She put her hands on her knees. Hindi man lamang lumalapat ang likod sa sandalan ng upuan.

She won't say a word. The silence is making me uncomfortable. "Kumusta na kayo ngayon ni Mr.Lee?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya sabay lingon sa akin. Saka lang naging tao ang mala-robot niyang reaksiyon. "Sir bakit niyo naman ho kinukumusta ang isang estranghero sa akin? I have no idea what's going on with his life now," she answered without dropping the formality.

"Tell me. Was he the reason why you got married to me?"

Tarantang nagpalinga-linga siya. "Shhh sir baka may makarinig sa inyo. Why bring up that topic now?" she whispered.

"So siya nga ba?" I persisted. I won't ask a sensitive matter kung alam kong may makakarinig sa amin.

Uminom siya ng tubig. "Y-Yes. But it was too long ago so you don't have to be concern about it anymore sir."

"Hindi ka na ba niya hinaharrass?"

Naulit ang panlalaki ng mga mata niya. "Sir, d-did you happen to hear our conversation?"

"Yes I did."

Uminom ulit siya ng tubig. Huminga siya nang malalim at pagkuway nilingon ako nang may maamong reaksiyon. "Sir alam kong wala ho akong karapatang magtanong pero itatanong ko pa rin. B-Bakit niyo ho ba kinansel ang kontrata ng CGC at Lee Con?"

"Because of you," diretsong sagot ko.

"M-Me? Why me?" natutulalang sambit niya.

"I'm taking your side. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable working at CGC because of him."

She smiled bitterly. "I'm grateful for your concern but you don't have to be involved with my personal issues. Problema ko na ho kung maging uncomfortable man ako na kanegosyo niyo ang Lee Con. It's up to me to handle it and I can assure you that no matter what I'll remain professional to my work. If that is your reason for revoking your contract with them, nakikiusap ho akong bawiin niyo ang naging desisyon niyo."

"Pero hanggang saan mo kayang tiisin ang panghaharass at pambabastos sayo ni Mr. Lee?" ngisi ko. "Kung sa una pa lang ay katakot-takot na pambabastos at panggigipit ang ginawa niya sayo, what more sa mga susunod na pagkikita niyo?"

"Hindi niyo na po kailangang problemahin yun. I can resolve all my issues with him myself."

"Until when? Paano kung mapagod ka? Paano kung hindi mo na matagalan? And what if you finally give up your work at CGC? I can't bear to lose you now Jewel. You are my only key to one of the most important thing to me now?"

"A-And what is that most important thing sir?"

Nilapit ko ang aking mukha sa kanyang tenga. "The nullification of our marriage," bulong ko.

"Ahh," she nodded. "Pero ano naman ho ang kinalaman niyan sa trabaho ko?"

"Mas kampante akong mapapabilis ang proseso nito kapag malapit ka lang sa akin. What if you ran away again? But don't take it the wrong way. You weren't hired because of this reason. These ideas just got into my head lately after knowing who Mr. Lee is."

"So are you saying now that you fired Lee Con not totally because of me but because of your own personal motives?"

"Sort of."

Napalunok siya. "T-Thank you for being honest sir. At least I know now that it's not my burden to carry but yours. Allow me to be honest too. Even if I'm working at CGC or not, I'd love to void the marriage by all means."

I sip my wine. "Mas gusto ko pa rin ang sigurado ako." I simply replied.

Ngumiti siya nang matamlay at tumingin sa oras. "Baka paparating na sina Mr. Takakura," salita niya. Muli siyang naupo nang tuwid.

Her instinct is right. After few minutes, dumating na ang mga ka-meeting namin. Tumayo agad si Jewel nang tuwid na tuwid at yumukod. Nagulat ako sa biglaang pagtayo niya kaya di sinasadyang nagaya ko siya.

"Konnichi wa sacho!" she said with a wide smile and lively eyes. (Good evening sir.)

"Konnichi wa! Touchakuga okurerukoto mousiwake gozaimasen. Zyuutai ga monosugoi desu," hindi ko naiintindihang wika ni Mr. Takakura. Kasama niya si Victor, ang staff niyang Filipino na madalas ay nagiging translator namin.

Jewel looked at me. "He said good evening and I'm sorry for being late. The traffic is really really bad."

"It's alright," I answered.

She faced her again all smiling. "Daijobodesu sacho!"

Kinamayan ako ni Mr. Takakura.

"Mata oaidekite ureshiku omoimasu, Dela Vega san!"

"It's good to see you again Mr. Dela Vega," she whispered near my ear.

"Good to see you again too Mr. Takakura!" I replied with smile while shaking hands.

"You are looking better Mr. Dela Vega!" he tried talking in english.

"Thank you." It's the first time he commented about my appearance.

"Osuwar kudasai sacho," Jewel said and gestured her hand to the host chair. (Please take a seat sir)

"Arigatoi gozaimasu," he said while sitting. (Thank you very much.)

Victor took the seat in front of Jewel while her chair is in between me and my client.

The hot tea that she instructed earlier is served. Jewel gracefully pour it in Mr. Takakura's cup. I can't take my eyes from the flowing tea between the teapot and the cup. She's pouring it just like how they do it in geisha movies.

" Kanozyo wa dare desu ka?" He looked at me. "Norachan wa doko desu ka?"

"Who is she? Where is Ms. Nora?" she translated.

"I'm sorry sir but Nora is sick right now. She's Jewel my new secretary," I answered.

"Gomenazai sacho. Nora wa byou desu. Kanozyo ha watasino atarasi hisyo no JEWEL desu." She smiled much wider then suddenly stood up. "Hajemashite sacho. Watashi wa Jewel Gaviola desu. Yoroshiku onegashimasu." (Nice to meet you sir. I'm Jewel Gaviola. Please take good care of me.)

He stood up too and shook her hand. "Yoroshiku onegashimasu! Anatawa hontouni utsukusi desu." (Please take care of me too. You are beautiful.)

She bowed smiling and didn't bother to translate that one. "Domo arigato gozaimasu." (Thank you very much)

While the meeting is on going, I can't help not to be amazed by my secretary. She speaks fluent Japanese! To my ear, she almost sounds like a native speaker. She can understand and translate everything. Ni hindi na nga gaanong nagsasalita si Victor. Mr. Takakura is undoubtedly very fond of her. From her gestures, body language, accent and intonations, I can see a fine Japanese lady with round eyes. May mga pagkakataong pinapanood ko na lang siyang ngumiti at magkumpas ng kamay habang nagsasalita nang wikang hindi ko naiintindihan. Eto ba yung sinasabi niyang basic lang ang alam niya? How the heck did she learn it? All I know she lived in America and not Japan.