Chapter 2

"Joheun achim, Jelay!" pagbati sa akin ni Chini nang makapasok ako sa kitchen area. (Good morning, Jelay!)

I sat on the stool just across the marble countertop. Every stuff in this place is white or spattered with creams paint that looks absolutely endearing. We don't even inside lights as of this moment as the sunlight from the outside coming thru the window is enough. This place is remarkably stunning and I'm thankful that I've got to live in this place for three years—well, that's the year said in my contract and it will only be extended if needed. And if not, luhaang uuwi ulit sa Pinas.

"What's for breakfast?" tanong ko naman. Pagbaba ko pa lamang kasi ng hagdan ay agad na dinala ako ng pang-amoy ko rito sa kusina.

"The usual. Ito naman parang first-time!" Ngisi pa nito. Inilatag naman niya sa harapan ko iyong mga niluto niya. Vegetable omelet, rice with red and black beans, radish kimchi, and tofu dipped in soy sauce. "Pinaghandaan ko na talaga 'to for you. Though mas napadadalas ako sa egg toast sandwich lately dahil nga naging busy ako, but when I've got time, nagluluto ako. It's comforting and I love the smell of my house when it's filled with so many condiments."

"I really miss this, Chini! Halos dalawang taon din 'yon ano. Ang tagal din natin hindi nagkausap at nagkita."

"Yeah, but it's part of the tradition na, e. We just can't be against it and now everything is going back to normal, let's also just be normal and love the way how this world works for us, alright?" She advises and winked at me.

I smiled and nodded with her. Chini's very kind and comfortable to be around. She doesn't make me feel like a stranger kahit na ang tagal naming hindi nagkasama. Or maybe that's just because she's half, she's very hospitable and knows how to treat and convey with people so well. I admire that to Chini.

"Jal meokkesseumnida," she excitedly said.

We brought the plates to the dining table and we sat across to each other and started eating. I appreciate every piece of the meal she cooked for me. I must admit na hindi ako gano'n kasarap magluto, but sometimes I can carry along with no difficulty ang pagluto ng adobong baboy—the sweet one. Iyon lang ang kaya kong ipamaglaki at siyempre ang pagpiprito. Maybe, someday, I can cook for BHJ because I never had the chance before.

In the middle of our breakfast, BHJ called Chini so she puts him on loudspeaker.

"Cini," bungad ni BHJ. (Chini)

Hindi ko alam pero kinilabutan ako ng marinig ang boses. It's not rough, isn't husky as well, but there's something in it that makes him more attractive even it's just only his voice. Nakatitindig balahibo. Hindi rin malumanay, sakto tindig ang tono ng boses niya, something that will make you listen to him because his voice is phenomenally excellent. Kaya siguro superstar 'to.

"Ne, bos?" sagot ni Chini. (Yes, boss?)

"Yunge yeogi onengoha?" muling tanong ni BHJ. (When are you coming here?)

"Urinen yeojenhi siksarlhago issspnida. Ggerteun yeojenhi 8 igo urinen 9 jubioneisseul gutipnida. Jigeum mwhago issni?" Dire-diretsyong tanong ni Chini na pinakinggan ko na lang siya dahil ang bagal mag-translate ng utak ko. Gets ko naman 'yong ilan. Para lang akong nanonood ng kdrama in real life. (We're still having our breakfast. It's still eight and we'll be there around nine. What are you doing now?)

BHJ slightly chuckled over the phone. We both giggled when we heard it. I know I blushed a little when that happens. "Kul! Nanen bangm ilonassda. Na moning coffirl gaziossa coffida griwyo," he answered. I only understand coffee and that the word miss. Maybe I should've been learning the language back when I'm still in the Philippines. (Cool! I just woke up. Having my morning coffee. I miss my coffee, you know?)

"Nanen dangxinyi algo!" Chini replied. (I know you do!)

"Rai Jinceae hamkke issni? Gnionen ima kkaeer issspnikka?" he asked. Napakunot-noo na lang din naman ako dahil narinig kong binanggit niya ang pangalan ko. I confirmed that thought when Chini looked at me, making me say something to BHJ.

I cleared my throat before speaking. Pinadulas ko talaga ang laway ko sa lalamunan ko para swabe at walag gasgas. "Annyeong hashimnikka, Jin-Hyeong."

"Nanen nega gugieser pionanhameul nekkigirl baranda," BHJ said.

I immediately looked at Chini dahil hindi ko nasundan iyong sinabi nito si Chini mouthed the translation to me. "He said he hopes you are comfortable here."

"Ah, yes, Jin-Hyeong. I'm very comfortable here," ngatal pa ang tono ko nang sumagot kasi hindi ako sigurado.

"Jin-Hyeong," pagtawag ni Chini. "Maybe take it a little easy to Jelay on talking hangul with her. She couldn't process it all at once, but she knew, she just couldn't keep up if it's gonna be a long-ass message. And maybe you can talk to us in Tagalog, since you know naman, right?"

"Oo," mabilis nitong sagot sa amin. Medyo shocked pa rin ako kapag nagsasalita siya ng gano'n. "Anyway, see you later here."

"Gra, urinen godisseulgoha!" Chini said and BHJ dropped the call. "Okay! Bilisan na nating kumain and then we should be ready right after." She reminded us so we could be on time for all the stuff we needed to do today. (Yeah, we'll be there soon!)

We didn't take too long to eat as I love what she cooked for us today. Chini washed the plates and other stuff while I headed to my room and take a bath. It only took me fifteen minutes and then wore my clothes for today. T-shirt at jeans lamang ang suot pati na rin sneakers so I should be comfortable moving all day. Hindi rin naman kailangan maging maarte dahil hindi naman ako lalabas sa TV para pagkaguluhan. Ang sabi pa nga ni Chrizzle dahil nakita niya iyong dating mga paparazzi pictures na nakuhaan din ako sa shot, she even has the nerve na magsuggest kung anong damit ang susuotin ko kasi sobrang baduy ko raw. Hindi ko naman kailangan ng atensyon so why would I bother looking so fashionably, e, hindi rin naman 'yong ang trabaho ko.

As I meet Chini downstairs, she's wearing a midi denim skirt with a four-inch slit in front of it tucked underneath her brown sweatshirt, pulling off with brown vintage eyewear. She looked so celebrity for me tapos ako itong super simple lamang. Well, she managed BHJ, and most of the time she's meeting executives as well just like yesterday which she hated how it happened. Hindi siya maka-move on do'n.

"Ganyan ka lang ba?" tanong ni Chini sa akin. Tiningnan niya ako from head to toe. "Hm... okay lang naman. If 'yan ang bet mo. Ready ka na ba?"

"Yup!" Tango ko naman. "I'm already fine with this. Hindi naman kailangan ng magara, 'di ba? At halos behind the scenes naman ang trabaho so I really don't need to be in front of their eyes."

"Tama ka naman! But let's go, he must be waiting for us."

Nauna naman ako kay Chini lumabas ng pinto at iyong driver ng sasakyan namin ay naghihintay na sa amin. Nauna na rin akong pumasok sa loob dahil pinagbuksan na ako ng pinto. Sa likod ako umupo while Chini sa tabi ng driver. Our ride to BHJ's condo is just around thirty minutes kaya mga nine o'clock ay makararating na rin kami ro'n.

Just like what I thought of, nalilibang lang ako sa tanawin nang nadaraanan namin ay narating na kaagad namin Seoul Forest Trimage. The driver just parked the car onto the designated parking area of the building and then we just got into the elevator swiftly delivered us into BHJ's condo unit. May access na naman si Chini so we didn't have to call BHJ from the lobby.

Huminga pa ako ng malalim nang bumukas na ang elevator at saka namin hinahanap kung nasaan si BHJ ngayon. Chini started calling his name, but no one's answering us so we figured out he's elsewhere in his penthouse. But not that long when we took a turn in the gym area, we found him there topless and covered with sweat. He's sitting on the bench press there, just lying down on his back doing nothing. But from afar, he's breathing so deep and he's letting it out a few seconds.

Chini found a mini-soft ball and she targeted BHJ by closing one of her eyes and threw it at him, but we didn't expect that she will shot him on his crotch that's why BHJ fell out of the bench press gripping his hands on it. He then opened his eyes looking in our direction, removing his earpiece tucked in his ear, and shakes his head.

He grunted, showing pity about his situation. Napangiwi na lang din naman ako while Chini just showed peace sign on him. Kumuha na lamang ng clean towel si Chini at inabot sa akin at inutusan akong iabot din iyon kay BHJ. I hesitated at first dahil topless at ang suot lamang niya ay ang red plaid boxer shorts.

"Boss, wipe your sweats," I said and handed over the towel to him. He only patted it on his body.

"Would you mind wiping it off my back?" he asked and I gladly took the opportunity of doing it. As I get the towel back and patted his sweats off.

I just noticed how his body changed drastically. He's slimmer now and a little bit boney, though he gained muscles and maintain his figure—maybe it's just the result of their training and I know he's doing a great job to it.

"I thought you're already prepped up when we arrived," Chini said.

He smirked. "I thought of working out just a few minutes so people could admire my muscles."

Chini rolled her eyes. "Yuck. Anyway, after lunch pa naman talaga ang schedule mo so do whatever you want muna. Dito lang muna kami ni Jelay. If you need anything, call Jelay and she'll be there for you. That's not my job anymore."

"Alright." He chuckled and see me from behind. "Are you done scrapping my back there?" He asked, laughing. Tumango naman ako at binawi ko ang kamay ko sa kanya. "I'm just gonna continue working out. Would you please get me some Gatorade from the fridge? Get the blue one for me, okay?"

I nodded. "Yes, boss."

"You know where the kitchen is, right?"

"Yes, Jin-Hyeong, she knows where the kitchen is. It's not her first time, duh? She's been here before. Hindi mo kasi pinapansin since..."

"Don't ever talk about that Chini," he said, shaking his head. "Don't ruin my morning please."

Chini grinned as if she has a plan to keep it going. Hindi na naman ako nakisali sa usapan nilang dalawa and I just went to the kitchen, going through his stuff on the fridge, grabbing what he ordered me to get and get back to where he is and dropped it off next to him.

"Gamsa," he uttered with a smile and bowing his head to me. I did the same thing I slightly bow my head to him. (Thanks.)

I was about to go and talk to Chini but she's already calling someone so I just stayed on my area, ten feet away from BHJ and I just watched him worked out as there's nothing else I would do today but serve for him. People would say that I'm such a lucky girl to be working for a superstar like BHJ, but what they didn't know is that it's hard for me to do this because I'm far away from my family and I'm striving here alone just to have a better future. It's not that online selling isn't enough, I know that I want our family to have more than just being there.

Siguro sa loob ng tatlong taon at sa almost 120K kong sahod every month, I could make up to 4 million pesos. Iniisip ko pa lamang 'yon, ang laking tulong na no'n sa akin at feeling ko at the end of my contract—or kung ma-extend man, mabibigya ko na ng sariling bahay ang parents ko and they would be so happy for it and it's all because of this topless man working out in front of me.

BHJ is the meaning of success for me so whatever he's dealing with right now, I would be here for him.

A moment later, Chini nudged me off, getting my consciousness back from watching BHJ.

"Pinapanood mo ba si BHJ?" Nakalolokang ngiti at tanungan sa akin ni Chini.

Umiling naman ako. "Hindi 'no. Nag-aabang lang din ako kung may iuutos ba sa akin o wala."

"Ah, talaga na? So kailangan pala titig na titig at naka-focus sa kanya ang mata habang naghihintay ng utos? Nice, Jelay. Nice palusot." Halakhak pa nito. Napayuko na lang din naman ako kasi wala akong takas do'n. Pansin na pansin ata. "Anyway, may ime-meet lang ako sa lobby and we'll talk about something."

"Sure... inform mo pa ba si BHJ?"

Umiling naman siya. "Hindi na. Busy, e. Sabihin mo na lang makikipag-meet ako sa assistant ni Mr. Hwang. Kilala na niya agad kung sino 'yon. Ikaw muna bahala sa kanya, ha? You know the drill, Jelay. Bawal lumuhod."

"Ha? Bakit ako luluhod?" taka kong tanong sa kanya.

She just walked away from me leaving that question to me. Bakit naman ako luluhod? Nang mawala na si Chini sa paningin ko ay binalik ko ang tingin ko kay BHJ. Tumayo naman ito mula sa pagkahihiga niya sa bench press and then when he saw, tinanggal niya ulit iyong ear piece sa tainga niya.

"Cininen adissa?" he asked, wiping his sweat off of his chest. (Where's Chini?)

"Oh, she left. She's about to meet Mr. Hwang's assistant."

"Ah, I see..." He nodded to me as he realized what's happening. Maybe that's his endorsement or some stuff. "Would you want to work out with me?" he queried and I immediately shook my head. "No, come on, you should try this bench press and I'll spot you."

Napangiwi na lang ako at walang nagawa kung hindi ang pumayag. Hindi pa naman pang-work out itong suot ko. Mabilis naman niyang pinunasan ang bench press saka niya ako pinaupo ro'n. Binawasan naman niya ang bigat ng plate ng barbell. Binanggit niyang 2 kilograms na lamang per plate ang naiwan and when he told me to position myself, halos mabilaukan ako dahil siya ang nasa ibabaw ko. I'm seeing everything of him down below. He's... very tempting.

"Ready?" he asked and I nodded.

As he gives the bar onto me, I slowly pull it upwards and then slowly giving it down. Nakaalalay lamang siya sa akin pero isa siyang malaking distraksyon kaya nang matuluan niya ako ng pawis sa mukha ko ay bigla akong nawalan ng balanse at bumagsak ako sa gilid. He had to grab the barbell first and put it on its set-up then he comes to me to check on me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, chuckling.

"I got your sweats on my face," I muttered. He just pulled out his towel and patted it on my face.

What surprised me is that the towel doesn't even smell bad kaya naman binigay na niya rin sa akin kahit hindi naman ako tadtad ng pawis. Tatlong buhat lang din ata nag nagawa ko, bumigay agad ako... hindi ko alam kung dahil ba sa bigat ng barbell o dahil sa titig niya sa akin kanina.

"Maybe that's the first and last try you'll do it." He smirked. "Now, watch me how I do it." He ordered.

I move a little away and then he added some weights on the barbell then positioned himself. Natulala na lamang ako dahil boxer shorts na nga lamang ang suot niya, bumukaka pa siya sa harapan ko and I just a bird na para bang giraffe so I tried not to mind what I saw continued watching him, but I couldn't help myself to think what I just saw... and I just realized that in the end, I was already sniffing his sweaty towel and there he just caught me but never said a word.

Oh, gosh. Pansin na pansin na ako ngayon ni BHJ and I need to stop myself thinking about everything that I just saw. Chini, nasaan ka na ba? Why do I only have to look at this giraffe by myself? This feels so wrong that I invaded his privacy, but why isn't he wearing underwear... I understand he's living alone here... but why?!

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know your thoughts! I would appreciate it so much!

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