24: To take you not

CAMERON'S POV

My pursed mu lips when I saw the time in my wristwatch.

12:20pm.

In less than an hour, kailangan ko na namang iwan ang kompanya which I hated the most. Though I trust Liam na aalagaan nya ito ng mabuti, Hindi ko parin maiwasang mag-alala. I know my enemies were just lurking around and waiting for the right time to attack.

And this could be that time, while I'm away and unable to protect what's mine.

Sighing, I took the papers na related sa new project ko in Canada from my table. If not with Mr. Izuki's rejection, I wouldn't have even thought of accepting this project and leave my company here. Good thing Liam was here to lend me a hand.

I was just about to pick up another paper from my table when I heard a knock at the door.

Groaning, I leaned against my seat before I answered.

"Come---" Before I could even finish my statement, the door had flunged opened and the damn woman came into view with her healed limbs and looking like she was ready to get herself into trouble again and I don't want to get involved with that.

"Ang tagal mo kasi so I took the honor to invite myself in." She greeted as she gave me a tight smile as she strode towards me with her usual rugged attire.

I just stayed seated in my seat at nakatingin lang rito, observing her movements.

I wonder how she had healed this fast. 

Just seeing her now, everyone would think that she just came from a days long vacation and not from an accident. Kahit na sinabi pa nitong nadapa lang ito, I'm not dumbe enough to believe that. I know she'd get herself into some trouble again.

She's known for that anyway.

I saw her sat on the vacant seat na nasa harapan ko with her arched brow 

I quickly straightened up on my seat then cleared my throat. Enough with studying this woman. I know she won't just barged in here for nothing.

"What are you doing here, Ms. Javier?"

My brow shot up when her mouth stretched out into a smile.

A smile that tells me something was off. She's into something again.

I sudied her for awhile, trying to read what was running in her difficult head.

Everything about this woman isn't good. She's screaming trouble!

"The last time I checked, I'm your assistant secretary, Mr. Del Fuero at hindi mo naman sinabing tanggal na'ko so I'm here."

That made me furrowed my brows at her. 

"If you're here for your job, then why do I feel like you're here for something and not for that? And the last time I checked, you've failed to do your job, Ms. Javier so how do you think I'd let you work for me again?"

"Ah no. I don't think tama 'yong sinavi mo. Hindi naman talaga ako pumalpak, you just assumed that I did because you'd rejected by Mr. izuki."

I groaned when she uttered that.  Being reminded with that rejection. How dare she throw an insult at my face!

"If you're here to insult me---"

"No, I'm not, Mr. Del Fuero." She said, cutting me off, dahilan para magsimulang uminit ang ulo ko. 

She really knows how to annoy me without even exerting an effort.

Sucking a deep breath, I calmed myself by clenching my teeth before I uttered an answer.

"Then why are you here, Ms. Javier? For sure it's not about your 'pretend' job here. Spill it out now. I don't have a day to hear that." I said with bored voice as my hands pick up all the papers na nasa table ko and then slid it inside my briefcase.

My brow arched up again when I heard her cleared her throat. So unusual for her to do that as if she was about to say something she was unsure.

"I'm really here to continue my job here, Mr. Del Fuero. And I'm sor---- aherm! I mean, I'm not happy as well dahil sa nangyari sa proposal mo. And I assure you na gagawin ko na ng mabuti ang trabaho ko.." She said while batting her lashes at me and even pouting her lips. So unusual for her.

Confirming my suspiscion that she was indeed into something.

I studied her features more closely, trying to read what's behind with all of this façade.

Her brown eyes were trying to look apologetic while her long lashes kept batting at my way, looking like she was suddenly experiencing an epileptic episode. Then gaze moved down to her pouted lips. To those rosy lips kahit alam ko namang walang kaalam-alam sa make-up ito. And I don't know why I felt this suddent want to reach out now and touch those lips. 

Why does this woman still looks perfect when not even a tinge of make up is....

I stopped then shrugged those thoughts off my head. 

Goodness! Why am I thinking like this! Jesus! Sa babaeng 'to pa talaga!

I quickly diverted my eyes to anywhere but her.

Kept your mind out of her, Cameron. She's trouble. ..She's trouble!

"Mr del Fuero, I know you've fired your dearest secretary so I believe, naghahanap ka ngayon ng maipapalit sa kanya..." 

Her voice pulled me out of my insane thoughts.

Of course, she knows that. I would be a complete dumb kung papayagan ko pang manatili dito ang babaeng yon when it was her fault kung bakit hindi tinanggap ni Mr. Izuki ang proposal ko and why I have to fly abroad a few minutes from now.

"At sa tingin ko, I'm qualified to take over that position. What do you think? Madali lang naman akong mag-adjust and besides, pretend job ko lang din naman 'to so hindi ko talaga kailangang maging certified secretary mo."

"The last time we've talked about that 'secretary' thing, you've clearly insisted na assistant secretary ka lang. And now you're asking to take it? Ang bilis naman yatang magbago ng isip mo, Ms. Javier."

The woman just rolled her eyes upward then her lips thinned in line, the habit na napapansin kong lagi nitong ginagawa when she's ready to spat back a good argument.

"Well, change is constant, mister so everyone can change their mind."

"Yes you're right." I agreed with a nod. "Everyone can change their mind kung gugustuhin nila but then you're talking to me, Ms. Javier and I'm not just someone na tatanggapin agad ang desisyon mo just because 'you've change your mind'." I said, emphasizing the last words.

Hearing that, her eyes suddenly narrowed into thin slits, a reaction which I expected from her.

"To hell with your petty principles and your damn pride, Mr. Del Fuero! Ba't di ka nalang kaya maging thankful na bumalik pa'ko rito offering my services to you." 

My gaze instantly hardened when she suddenly hissed that. Now, I think she'd already stretched her patience to end.

"Well, kung ayaw mo talaga, madali lang naman akong kausap..." Then she stood up from her seat while looking down at me with eyes challenging me to still reject her dear 'offer'.

"Kung ayaw mo na sa services ko, why don't we just end this contract now kung hindi mo na naman pala ako kailangan? So I could finally find get back to my normal life. What do you think about it, Mr. del Fuero?" She continued, now with hands rested on her hips and with her arched brow, waiting for my answer.

I didn't answered her right away and just studied her for a while with my fingers lightly tapping on the surface of the table., battling stares with her.

Now I'm convinced na may binabalak nga talaga ito. And I wonder what's that.  And I have to know that. And the only way to do that is to take her back again and let her stay under my employ. Just until I could find someone I could trust again. Pumalpak man ito, hindi naman ito nagtraydor sa'kin. 

I mentally nodded at that thought, agreeing with it.

Good enough.

Sighing, I straightened up and clasped my hands before me as I finally made up my mind.

"Fine. I'll take you back--"

"Oh? I thought ayaw mo ---"

I quickly held up my hand to stop whatever she'll say, dahilan para mapasimangot ito at mas lalong tumalim ang pagkakatingin nito sa'kin.

"No more sarcastic remarks, Ms. Javier. I'm giving you another chance to prove yourself by taking you back as my secretary. That's it."

For a moment, she just stayed silent as she just stared down at me. As if she was giving it a deep thought.

"Fine."

"Good. I'll try to trust you again, Ms Javier. But remember that the next time you'll fail your job again, then you'll be--"

"Out. I'm out. I know..." Putol nito with a roll of her eyes and with bored voice.

This woman really don't know when to cut in.

"No. HIndi ka agad matatanggal, Ms. Javier but a certain punishment will be given for every failure na magagaawa mo. Nagkakaintindihan. ba tayo, Ms. Javier?"

Again, she didn't answered right away and with the look she was making with her face, I know she's quite against with it.

Well, it was either tatanggapin niya ang mga kondisyon ko or just leave now. But knowing that she was desperate to get this job, I know she'd accept it. Dahil ang nakikila kong Sam Javier, she'd do everything just to get out of our contract but here she was, wanted me to take her back. Now I have the upper hand of this contract. I secretly smirked at that. Happy with it.

After a few seconds, narinig ko itong bumuntong hininga saka pasalampak na umupo uli sa upuan habang nakasimangot.

Clearly not liking my conditions.

"Fine, fine. Whatever! As long as hindi mo ito aabusuhin, I'll be fine with it." She uttered, now with a deadly stares at me.

"I'm not that kind of employer, Ms. Javier. You know that." But I can't promise you as my employee. Gusto ko pa sanang idagdag 'yon but knowing na hindi niya 'to palalagpasin, I chose to keep that with me.

Agad naman itong tumango-tango but with her brow raised in suspicion.

"Siguraduhin mo lang, Mr. Del Fuero. You know I can sack you kung magiging abusado kana sa'kin. At hindi ako mag-aatubiling ilibing ka ng buhay kapag ginawa mo'yon." she said with threatening voice.

"Rest assured." tanging saad ko rito just to shut her up and stop her suspiscions.

Agad namang tumahimik ito which is good because I only have less than half an hour now para pumunta sa Airport dahil sa kanya.

Taking my briefcase on my table, agad na'kong tumayo and then straightened my suit.

"You can leave now, Ms. Javier. I won't be around here for a few days so you can take this as your chance for your injuries to completely heal."

Hearing me, agad na umasim ang mukha nya and stood up with crossed arms.

"At sino namang may sabing hindi pa'ko magaling aber? I'm stronger than what you think okay!"

I just let out a deep sigh then shook my head saka nagsimulang naglakad patungo sa pinto, planning to ignore her, feeling exhausted to argue with her.

Yes, you're strong but still a woman na madaling masaktan. My mind commented.

Pero mas mabuti ng tumahimik dahil for sure, gagawin niya lang itong malaking issue.

"Gawin mo na lamang ang gusto mong gawin, Ms. Javier. I don't give a damn about it. I'm leaving now." I answered then was about to open the door but stop when she opened her mouth again.

"Ah Mr. Del Fuero? May nakalimutan ka yata.."

That made me turned to look at her way with a frown.

"What nonsense are you spouting about, Ms. Javier? Dala-dala ko na lahat ng gamit ko and I'm sure as hell na wala akong nakakalimutan."

She just shrugged her shoulder and then gave me a knowing smirk.

"Your secretary, Mr. Del Fuero. You've forgot me." she said while pointing herself.

Causing my frownn to deepen.

"Excuse me??"

My lips pursed tightly when she rolled her eyes again. This woman!

"Ang ibig kong sabihin, Mr. Del Fuero. I am your secretray so I'M.COMING. WITH.YOU." she said slowly with emphasis habang nakangisi ito.

Nababaliw na ba ang babaeng to? Kanina, she want me to take her as my secretary and now? She want me to take her with me??

"Nagbibiro ka ba, Ms. Javier?"

"Do I look I am? I don't right? And besides, you know I'm not in a habit to joke around. Lalo na sa'yo." She said after she stopped a meter away from me with her challenging voice and still wearing her serious face.

"At mas lalong hindi rin ako nagbibiro. Hindi ito kung anu-anong lakad lang na pwede kang sumama and bless me with your awful luck, woman."

A scowl automatically appeared on her face nang sabihiin ko 'yon. Clearly not liking it one bit.

I mentally scoffed and shook my head at the thought of that.

Sa tuwing kasama ko ang babaeng 'to, I think trouble would always come to our way. A trouble magnet that she was.

"And now, ako pa talaga ang malas ngayon?? But whatever! I'm still coming with you, Mr. Del Fuero. Whether you like it ...."

My brow raised up when she trailed off, challenging her to continue that one.

"Or just like it." She said with a shrug of her shoulders.

I grunted at that. Her stubborness really gaves me a headache. Letting out an exasperated sigh, I pocketed my left hand while looking at her with an exhausted look.

"Can't you just listen to me kahit ngayon man lang, Ms. Javier? This isn't something na pwede kang sumama dahil gusto mo. This is an important business trip so---"

"No. I won't listen. I'm your PI slash secretary now kaya kung saang lupalop kaman pumunta, I should be with you, at your side. PERIOD." she firmly said, emphasizing the last word. 

Dahilan para matigilan ako sandali and just stared at her for awhile. The way she had said it, mukhang hindi ko na nga mababago ang isip nito.

And why should she be with me at all time? It wasn't included in her job description so why would she? 

'I should be with you, at your side...'

That words echoed in my head, making me tightened my grip of my briefcase.

She shouldn't do that for the sake of my own sanity.

Sucking a deep breath, I uttered an answer.

"This is a business trip, Ms. Javier at hindi mo na kailangan pang sumama pa. Just stay here and just help Liam---"

"No. I won't. Sasama ako sa'yo and that's final." shefirmly cut off while shaking her head and with decisive look on her face.

"Malay natin, kahit sa labas pala ng bansa, there some people out there who will attempt to murder you like what I always wanted to do with you kapag kasama kita kaya kailangan kitang samahan dun because that's part of my job. Ang alamin kung sino ang mga taong ,yon. No more buts and lame excuses. I'll go now. Sa baba nalang kita hihintayin---"

"STOP."

With a glare, she was about to take a step closer to me but I held up my hand at her to stop her.

There's no way na hahayaan ko na lamang itong gawin ang gusto nito. Enough with giving in with everything she want, I have to stop her now.

"Mr. del---"

"I said stop, Ms. Javier. Sundin mo nalang ang sinasabi ko and just take a few days rest while I'm away. I am your boss kaya sundin mo nalang ang sinasabi ko sa'yo. Wag ng matigas ang ulo!" I muttered under my breath. Now annoyed with her.

Hearing me, her gaze thinned into slits now looking at me full with protest.

"No! I won't. Kahit ano pang sasabihin mo, I'm still coming with you. I can do whatever I want at kung gusto kong sumama sa'yo, wala ka ng pakialam dun! " Matigas na sagot nya. Clearly not planning to take my advise, causing me to suddenly massage my temple. Feeling like a sudden headache triggered.

Hindi talaga marunong makinig ang babaeng 'to! For Godsake!

Heaving a deep breath, I opened my eyes saka tumingin rito with my clenched teeth.

"Hindi ka talaga makikinig ano?"

She held her chin up with stubborn look.

"No. Never."

"Hmm. Okay.." I said while slowly nodding my head, dahilan para biglang umarko ang kilay nya with suspicious eyes.

Yes. She should really be. And must be ready with what's going to happen next.

"Dahil hindi ka naman makikinig sa mga sasabihin ko, then I guess..." 

Mas lalo pang umarko ang kilay nito when I trailed that off.

"Then you guess what???"came her annoyed voice.

I smirked and then tightened my hold at the doorknob.

"Then I guess I have to do this.." Then swiftly, I opened the door saka dali-dali ng lumabas and then locked it before she could even react.

Just after I did that, a loud pounding behind the door can be heard.

"MR. DEL FUERO!! Buksan mo'tong pinto, you shit! Kung makakalabas ako rito, I'll make sure to kill you! You'll pay for this, you bloody-stupid-graniiiiiite!!!!!!" Galit na sigaw nito mulà sa loob while pounding and even kicking against the door. At sa lakas ng sigaw nito, I already have an idea how furious she was right now.

I mentally smiled at that. And with a triumphant smirk in my face, I headed to the elevator. Ignoring the roaring tigress inside my office and my two receptionists who just followed me with gaping look.

Time to leave now without some stubborn woman annoying me to hell.