In China

Napaunat si Yumie. Medyo nangalay siya sa pagkaka-upo. This is her first time na makarating sa China, Zeek's birthplace. Yet, it doesn't excites her.

Last week, she were thinking of ways paano makakapagrason kay Zeek na ayaw niya sumama when he told her that they were going to China. But then, her boss was so stubborn that whatever she do, Zeek insist for her to be there. Wala na siyang nagawa kundi iempake ang gamit niyo for a week in Beijing. Besides, as far she knows, bibisitahin lang naman nito ang puntod ng ina.

It was bearable for her though. Lalo na when she found out that Ismael Callejos is also coming. Atleast she'll get the chance to know the Emperor of Callejos. Somehow she considered this trip as an advantage to her.

Napalingon siya kay Zeek na nasa kabilang side ng plane seat. He was still sleeping. Buti na lang puyat ito from clubbing again last night. The 4-hours flight was somewhat peaceful. In days na palagi niya itong nakikita due to her work, walang araw na hindi siya nairita dito. Zeek was so domineering, pilyo at mischievous. He emphasized his rule over her. If she is stubborn, he's thrice as stubborn as she is. Ang hirap nito pasunurin. Hindi rin ito basta-basta napi-please. He's strict when it comes to work but he's naughty when he does his personal agendas. And it's even harder for Yumie to follow her boss.

Zeek started to stretch out from waking up. Mabilis na ipinaling ni Yumie ang tingin sa bintana ng eroplano nagkunwaring hindi nito namalayang nagising na pala ang amo.

"Mayumia..." tawag ni Zeek sa kaniya in a groggy voice.

Nilingon niya ito acting like surprised.

"Oh, you're awake. We are almost there. Just wait a little longer, ok?" aniya in a cheery sarcastic tone of voice.

Saglit na tumingin lang sa kaniya si Zeek saka ulit pumikit. Tila inaantok-antok pa rin ito.

"That bitch from last night put something in my drink that I am still dozing off. Next time, make sure you look after me when I am at a club," turan nito in an eye shot.

Yumie sarcastically grin. Actually, she knows what that girl from the club did last night. Yumie did saw it na may nilagay nga itong kung ano sa inumin ng amo niya. But she didn't stop her. It is actually somewhat favorable for her. When Zeek doze off, mabilis naman niyang pinigilan ang babae na dalhin si Zeek sa kung saan. The girl was surprised nang sumulpot siya. Nagpakilala pa siyang girlfriend nito na lalong ikinagulat ng babae. The girl left and she was able to take Zeek home. Plus naging peaceful ang flight nila to China.

"I am looking after you. She was about to take you somewhere. Nagtawag pa siya ng bouncers na bubuhat sayo not knowing that we we're there. I called the owner of the club, your friend, and he is apologetic about what happened. The girl was just a guest. She didn't know you were a regular there," kwento ni Yumie. "If I am not looking after you, mapipikot ka ng di oras."

Napadilat si Zeek and gave her a warning stare. Iniripan siya nito. Napangiti siya.

"Next time make sure my drink is safe as well."

"Or maybe next time, don't tolerate girls from clubs to flirt with you while drinking. Or better yet, stop going to clubs especially if you have an important trip the next day," simpleng sermon niya dito.

Zeek just winced and pouted. Napapikit ulit ito as he was still feeling drowsy.

Napailing na lang si Yumie. She took something from her bag. Tumayo saka lumapit sa maliit na bar. Bumalik siya sa pwesto nila dala ang isang basong tubig. Lumapit siya kay Zeek.

"Drink this," she said as she handed him an aspirin and a glass of water. "for your hangover."

Napatingin si Zeek sa kamay niya. Napaunat ito at umayos ng upo. He reached for the medicine. Opened it and sinubo then grab the glass of water from Yumie's hand and drank it. Sinagad nito iyon.

"You want more?" Yumie asked.

Tumango lang si Zeek. Yumie went back to the bar and get a bottled water. Inabot lang niya ulit iyon kay Zeek saka bumalik sa upuan niya.

"You can still sleep, I'll wake you up when we're there," aniya.

Zeek was so drowsy that he started dozing off again. Wala siyang kakayahang makipagkulitan kay Yumie ngayon. He has to regain his energy. Thus, nakatulog ulit siya.

They have reached the Callejos Penthouse sa pinakamayamang district sa Beijing ilang oras ang lumipas. Yumie got wide eye nang malamang it was Zeek's place in China. Ito ang itinuturing na safe heaven ni Zeek simula nang maging Callejos ito. Yumie might be somewhat a princess for being a Dela Torre. But loosing everything at a young age, naging salat siya sa anumang yamang meron sila.

She was really mezmerized of how luxurious the place is. Sa lobby pa lang everything exudes extravagance. The receptionist and security was in formation when Zeek got off his car. She felt small standing beside this king in the making. The staff greeted Zeek in chinese as they walked towards the elevator. Pagdating sa elevator, Zeek walks in sa loob at dahil groggy pa ito, sumandal pa ito sa pader ng elevator. Susunod dapat siya but a security stopped him to do so. Napalingon siya doon and she realized na si Zeek lang ang pwedeng umakyat sa penthouse nito. She simply nodded as a sign that she understood.

Pasara na ang elevator nang pigilan iyon ni Zeek. Nakita nitong hindi siya sumunod. Hinarap nito ang security na pumigil sa kanya at may sinabi in chinese. Hindi iyon naintindihan ni Yumie but it seemed like Zeek was pissed. Sumagot ang security habang napayuko.

"Get in," ani Zeek na sa kaniya naman na nakatuon. Nilingon ulit ni Yumie ang security and this time nagmwestra ito pumasok na siya sa elevator. Yumie get in the elevator hesitantly. Nagsara ang pinto ng elevator at sila lang ni Zeek ang naroroon.

Sumandal ulit si Zeek sa pader ng elevator as if naliliyo pa rin ito sa hangover. Yumie looked in kung anong floor sila patungo. There is only one button sa elevator na iyon. It says PNH on the button.

"It stands for Penthouse," ani Zeek na tila sagot sa non verbal question niya. "This elevator is exclusive to the penthouse which I only have access. No one gets in there if I am there. The guard who stopped you earlier is the only security that is allowed to come in the penthouse para magbantay ng maglilinis. I told him you will be staying in the penthouse."

"I will be staying at your penthouse?" ani Yumie.

"I insist on tagging you along on this trip because I needed an assistant. Ayokong kung saan-saan ka pa hagilapin if I need you," simpleng turan ni Zeek.

Yumie sneered. Zeek is making her feel more like a servant rather than an assistant. Tila nagiging personal assistant na siya nito not really corporate assistant. But she just shrugged it off. Somehow, Zeek was showing powerful attitude. It fits him well.

"It's just that parang everyone is surprise na you are letting someone stay in your penthouse. The way I see and feel it parang it never happened before." Her one eyebrow raised sarcastically. She wanted to emphasize on Zeek that she will be the first to do that. She somewhat felt special.

Zeek stared at her narcissistically. "Then you should be flattered. Everyone would fight to get on your shoes," he said. The elevator door opens at nauna nang lumabas si Zeek. Napapailing na sumunod na lang si Yumie.

As expected, Zeek's place was all extravagant. It's all blue and gray like his office. Everything is manly ni walang bakas ng feminity. Ultimo paintings and decors obviously na lalake ang nagdesign. It seemed that no female have ever set foot on Zeek's kingdom.

Yumie looked around. She appreciates the luxury but since she's a female, the place is not appetizing to her. For her it was all plain and lifeless. Somewhat dark and unfriendly.

"You can use that room. Mine's on the right," turo ni Zeek. "Don't worry about our stuff, iaakyat nila yun later. I'll be sleeping all throughout the day so don't bother me," anito as he walked towards the said room.

"Wait," pigil niya rito. "Uhm, since you'll be sleeping all day, can I take this day as my off? This is my first time in Beijing. I wanna see the place around," aniya.

Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Zeek. "Wala ka bang jetlag?"

"It's just a short flight. I'm ok."

Zeek looked at his watch. Then looked at her. Tila ayaw siya nitong payagan but he was really drowsy. Pagbibigyan niya muna ito ngayon.

"Then, be back here before dinner. I want my dinner by 7," turan nito. Tumuloy na ito papasok ng silid habang hinihilot-hilot ang ulo na tila liyong-liyo.

"Yes, Boss! Sleep well," masayang turan ni Yumie. Somewhat she felt excited on the part that she is in China for the first time.