Chapter 2

Mavis Estrella

"Mavis, it's really weird," Amon said while watching me run on the treadmill. He paused his own machine and leaned on it with his hands. I raised a brow at his serious  expression since it's rare to see it on his moronic face. "Yung totoo? Bakit hindi mo siya pinalayas sa kompanya?"

I think it's already the hundredth time he asked that.

Hindi ko na lamang siya pinansin at nagpatuloy sa pagtakbo. Tumagatak ang pawis sa aking noo, leeg, pati na sa aking likuran pero gusto kong alisin sa utak ko ang kung ano-anong mga spekulasyon.

I need a distraction. These peculiar thoughts are slowly wearing me out.

Isang buwan na ang lumipas mula noong binigyan ko si Liz ng isa pang pagkakataon para patunayan ang sarili niya sa akin. Hindi niya naman ako nadisappoint. Truth be told, she was getting better at her job that I felt at ease.

And that's what's bothering me. I kept on thinking about all the people I got rid of because of one single mistake.

Nagkamali ba ako? Dapat ba ay binigyan ko silang lahat ng pagkakataon?

Do all people really deserve a second chance? I don't really think so. Sabihin na lang natin na sa oras na 'to, tanging si Liz-ang mabait, mahinhin, at tahimik kong sekretarya ang dahilan kung bakit kinikwestiyon ko ang mga desisyon ko sa buhay.

Was it really necessary to get rid of all the people in my life who made wrong decisions?

Kaiden's crying face suddenly crossed my mind so I staggered and quickly turned off the treadmill. Maagap namang umalalay si Amon sa akin.

Ah. I'm being clumsy.

"You okay?" he asked in worry. "Ever since you've given Liz a chance, you space out once in a while."

I couldn't refute that though but Liz isn't too be blamed for my actions.

"Just leave it alone, Amon," I murmured and sighed with a heavy heart. Pumunta na nga ako rito sa gym para ma-distract pero heto at nilalamon pa rin ako ng mga bagay na bumabagabag sa isipan ko.

"Why don't you go take a shower to cool yourself down?" May pag-aalala pa rin sa asulan niyang mga mata kaya hindi ko mapigilang sumimangot. Why is this man still here anyways? I've always told him to go away but here he is, even exercising with me. "I'll wait for you. Mag-dinner muna tayo bago kita ihahatid pauwi."

I shook my head.

"Huwag na. Hindi ako gutom."

"Kahit na, Mavis. Kaka-exercise mo nga palang. Dapat bawiin mo ang nawala mong calories!" sabi nito, tila ba gurong tinuturuan ako.

I gave him a strange look.

"That's why I'm exercising—to loose a few pounds."

He tapped my shoulder with a smirk and eyed my body while propping his chin up with his thumb.

"Sexy ka naman ah," he said. He hugged his body and posed. "Di mo na nga kailangang mag-exercise. Nasa dugo na natin 'tong godly metabolism."

Umiling ako dahil sa sinabi nito.

"That doesn't mean that we should neglect our health though."

"That's true." He pondered for a while. "I should've told my mother to exercise more often then." Nanahimik na lang ako nang makita ang malungkot niyang mukha. "She shouldn't have died with a heart attack if I only cared that much."

Amon Cedric Nokorov, my half-brother, has just lost his only family 2 months ago. After his mother's burial, he met me and told me about how he's my Father's bastard son. Hindi ko iyon mapaniwalaan noong una pero matapos ang iilang DNA tests, napatunayan na magkadugo kami.

I couldn't cut him off completely since it's not his fault that he was born out of marriage. I couldn't do it since I felt like he needed to be around someone for a while.

He was left alone too.

Matapos manatili sa Russia nang ilang taon, nagdesisyon itong manatali sa Pilipinas kung saan namatay ang kanyang ina. Nagplano pa itong magsimula ng business dito kaya nanghihingi ng tulong sa akin.

Hindi ko naman ito matanggihan. May karapatan din naman siya sa shares ng kompanya, lalo na at anak siya ni Dad, kahit bastardo ito kaya binigyan ko ito ng 5% ng stocks.

Ayaw pa nga niya sanang tanggapin pero pinagbantaan ko itong hindi ko na siya kakausapin kailanman.

He made a mistake a while ago though. He barged in my condo unit without saying a word and found me crying.

Nahihiya akong maalala kung paano gulat na gulat si Amon na maabutan akong humahagulgol na parang baliw.

I should've cut him off already but he became n exception since he usually defied common sense. Kapag paaalisin ko ito sa buhay ko, baka mas lalo itong magpumilit na sumiksik sa akin. And we're still blood-related. I couldn't cut off my ties when it comes to family.

"Mag-sh-shower na rin ako," he murmured and ran away towards the men's room.

I stared at his broad back for a while and remembered he's older than me. I'm his younger sister and he's trying to take care of me.

I didn't need it though but he insisted so he's around me almost all the time now.

Hindi naman ako makapagreklamo. Baka umiyak pa ito o 'di kaya'y ipagkalat kung paano ako umiyak na parang baliw sa unit ko nang walang kahit na anong dahilan.

"Mavis, don't cry." I remembered his stupid words that time and how he cried with me as if he actually felt my pain. But I knew his pain was different.

All people feel different kinds of pain and even a Casanova like him is no exception.

Pero hindi ko pa rin mapigilang isipin na kahit namana niya sa Mom niya ang hitsura, namana niya naman kay Dad ang pagkababaero.

Really... The important men in my life are all heartbreaking jerks.

—

This is on 3rd Person's POV.

Mavis chewed the meat slowly, the exact opposite of Amon's piglike way of eating. Naisip niya na marahil hindi pagkababaero ang dahilan kung bakit walang nobya ang kapatid ngayon. Maybe his horrible table manners took part of it.

She wondered how Amon could eat that dirtily. He even grew up in Russia in a very rich family but his eating habit could only be slightly higher than that of a pig's.

Nilunok ni Mavis ang karne at nagpatuloy sa pagkain. Matapos makita ang kasuka-sukang pagkain ni Amon, iniisip na niya kung may babae bang makakatiis dito.

"Waiter, pitong servings po!" Hindi rin malaman ni Mavis kung paano naging ganito kagaling sa pagsalita ng Filipino si Amon. Marahil ay tinuruan ito ng sariling ina o baka naman ay may linguist na nagturo sa kanya. Or maybe because his mother always took him with her when she visits the Philippines for some holidays.

Sumimsim si Mavis sa baso ng Iced Tea. Parang wala na itong lasa dahil natunaw na ang yelo pero wala naman siyang sinabi. Nagpatuloy na lang siya sa pagkain dahil masarap naman ang karne. Masayang-masaya pa si Amon habang nag-iihaw kaya ayaw niyang magreklamo na para bata.

"A-Amon?" anang isang nanginginig na boses kaya natigilan si Mavis. Nilapag niya ang baso sa mesa at tiningnan ang taong pinanggalingan ng boses.

It was a woman wearing a short spaghetti-strapped dress while showing off her thin legs. Maliit ang dibdib nito pero bumagay naman iyon sa kanyang katawan na pangmodelo. Bob cut ang estilo ng blonde nitong buhok. Although, she looked good, the small face underneath it was making an expression that seemed indescribable due to anger.

"Rita? You're here?" Amon asked with a laidback appearance thay made the woman fume in anger. "Anong ginagawa mo rito?"

The woman named Rita glared at him before checking Mavis' appearance. The latter gave her an impassive look. Nakita ni Rita ang maganda nitong mukha at ang mayelo nitong kulay abong mga mata. She shivered but managed to keep her anger.

"Siya ba? Siya ba ang dahilan ng breakup natin?!" inis na tanong ni Rita kay Amon at muling tiningnan ang suot ni Mavis. Since it's the weekend and Mavis and Amon just got out of the gym, they're both wearing a simple white shirt and leggings. "This cheap woman?!"

But deep inside, Rita was wondering how Mavis' amazing figure was emphasized even by such a simple outfit. She felt insecure looking at her large breasts, slim waist, and well-shaped long legs.

"What are you even talking about? I met her later," mahinahong sabi ni Amon. Si Mavis naman ay nanatiling tahimik at hindi na pinansin ang bangayan ng dalawa. 'It's their problem', she thought.

"Hah! You want me to believe that?! Anong meron ang pokpok na 'to na wala ako?" Amon stared at Rita with disbelieving eyes while overall regretting dating someone like her in the past. "Dahil ba sa boobs niya?! Hah?!"

Napailing si Mavis sa mga pinagsasabi nito. Gusto niyang matawa sa desperadang mukha ng babae. Kung gusto nitong makipagbalikan kay Amon, dapat ay naging disente ang pakikipag-usap niya. Now, the lady's even dragging her in their shitty relationship. There were also a few people looking at their direction right now while listening curiously.

"Excuse me, but you're being too loud," Mavis finally said with a frown. "You're ruining my already ruined appetite so could you go and settle your annoying issues outside?"

Of course, she always lacked courtesy and her rudeness have been quite innate to her over the years. The woman Rita didn't know that though. Ang nakikita nito ay ang pagpapahiya ni Mavis sa kanya sa harap ni Amon.

"Shut up! Hindi ka kasali sa usapan!" Rita shrieked while pointing at Mavis with trembling  eyes that screamed of anger. "How dare you try to get Amon's attention?! You cheap whore!"

'Okay, that's it.'

Napatayo si Amon at aawatin na sana si Rita pero nauna si Mavis sa pagsasalita.

"A cheap whore? You must be talking about yourself."

"Walanghiya ka!" tili ng nababaliw nang ex-girlfriend ni Amon at akmang sasampalin si Mavis pero natigilan sa pagkabigla nang dinampot ni Mavis ang baso at walang pasabing sinaboy ang Iced Tea kay Rita. "A-Ah!"

Mavis had a small smile on her face when she looked at the other woman's poor appearance. Sapol na sapol sa mukha nito ang Iced Tea na napunta pa sa buhok nito at mga balikat.

"Bagay sa'yo ang wet look," Mavis muttered sweetly and stood up. Nanginginig sa galit si Rita habang nakakuyom ang mga kamay pero wala itong magawa habang tinititigan nang malalamig na mata ng babae. "Stay away from Amon, slut," she icily whispered before looking at her dumbfounded half-brother. "Let's go."

Kaagad namang dumiretso si Mavis sa Management ng restaurant at nagbayad para sa abala. Tungkol naman sa ibang mga taong kumuha ng video ng nangyari, hinayaan niya na lang ang mga ito.

To be honest, she doesn't care but she'll take care of it since it might affect her company. She'll pay a few bills to take down those photos, videos, or articles later.

"Whoa whoa!" Amon said when they were already in his Lambo. His sparkling blue eyes stared at Mavis as if he found a gem. "I didn't know my sister can do that."

'That's because you just met me 2 months ago,' Mavis thought but just kept quiet while maintaining her pokerface. Her eyes looked weary though. She didn't know where she found the energy to stoop down to that woman's level.

"Mavis, kapag susugurin ka ng mga ex ko in the future, ako na ang bahala. Nagulat lang ako dahil biglaang dumating si Rita kanina," paliwanag ni Amon bago sinusian ang kotse at hinawakan ang manibela. "I don't want to bother you with the women I dated. I made a lot of mistakes with those girls. Akala ko mahal nila ako pero gusto lang pala nila ang mukha ko, ang katawan ko, at ang pera ko." He grimaced and started driving. "I'd like to feel love, not an unhealthy obsession."

Mavis looked outside through the car window and murmured, "I didn't tell you to explain." Iyon lang pero lihim siyang nabigla sa sinabi ni Amon. Hindi halata sa lalaki na malalim itong mag-isip, lalong lalo na tungkol sa pag-ibig. He doesn't seem to be a sentimental person with his cheeky boyish smile and playful blue eyes. Mavis knew there's more to people though other than their appearances.

Just like her.

Amon is just like her.

"Amon," tawag niya sa nakatatandang kapatid at tumingin dito. He glanced at her with a confused look but then kept driving. "Mon."

Napapreno si Amon sa sobrang pagkabigla. Buti na lang at walang sasakyan sa paligid nila kaya napahinga siya nang maluwag.

"What did you call me?"

"Mon," she repeated with a slightly red face. "I'll call you Mon from now on."

Amon smiled brightly.

"Can't you just call me Kuya or Big Bro?" ani Amon na halatang gusto pang maisahan si Mavis. She frowned so he hurriedly said, "Of course you can call me Mon, baby."

"Don't call me baby." Inismiran ni Mavis ang lalaki. "Baka mapagkamalan tayong—"

"That's it, Mavis! Para hindi ka lapitan ng mga walanghiyang lalaki, ako ang magiging gwardiya mo."

"Baliw ka," she mumbled while Amon drove the car again.

"I'll also have to call you with a cute nickname other than baby," anang lalaki habang napapaisip. "Then shall I call you Vis?"

Mavis actually thought he'll say he'll call her 'Mave' but Amon chose the last part of her name. She was silently relieved. Naalala niya si Kaiden sa palayaw na 'yon.

She shook her head. She was getting weird feelings just by remembering him. She didn't like it.

Not one bit.

"Bahala ka."

"Vis."

"Vis."

"Vis."

She sighed while her crazy brother began whistling happily.

—

"You're only telling this to me now?" Dumagundong ang malamig na boses ni Mavis sa loob ng opisina. Napalunok ang lalaking kasalukuyang namumutla sa takot. "Didn't it occur to you that I should've known about this a month ago?"

"B-Boss, sinabi kasi ni Dylan na siya na ang bahala makipag-usap sa kanila—"

"Who the hell is Dylan?!"

"One of the Department heads, Boss. You fired him a week ago. Dahil sa galit ay ngayon lang niya sinabi ito."

Nagkasalubong ang mga kilay ni Mavis habang inaalala kung sinong baliw ang nakipaggaguhan sa kompanya niya.

'Dylan, Dylan...'

Kahit wala siyang pakialam sa maraming tao, kilala niya ang iilan sa kanyang mga empleyado. The name Dylan rang a bell. He tried showing interest in her and even gave her flowers so she naturally ended their connection with each other.

Mavis tried to keep her cool but she couldn't stop her growing headache.

His ex employee Dylan, purposely ended negotiating with Zamara, a good enough advertisement company that's well within their budget and taste, and instead chose a company that had unreasonably high demands, Lambarde. Masyadong malaki ang hinihingi nitong pambayad at hindi na naisama sa budget ng kompanya. Lalong-lalo na at marami siyang empleyado na "pinalayas".

Ngayon at nag-de-demand na makipagpirma ng kontrata ang kompanya, hindi alam ni Mavis kung anong sasabihin dito. Dylan was the one who negotiated with them since she was busy entertaining Amon's business for the past month. Lambarde also didn't contact them for weeks so she just knew about this now. The other company was already certain that they won't back out.

She can tell them it was all a misunderstanding but her company would gain harsh criticism in return. It could tarnish their reputation if they couldn't do what was promised. Connections are built on trust and if they'd break another business' trust on them, it might create a chain reaction that could harm them in the future.

And Lambarde's CEO, Pacé Lambarde is notorious for holding grudges. Mavis agrees that Lambarde, even though it may be unreasonable, had a high standing in the business world for 50 years. Kayang-kaya nitong siraan ang kompanya niya kapag magalit ito sa pamamahiya niya.

But where could she get the money? She can't just pull out some funds when they were already planned for something. Hindi rin sapat ang pera sa emergency fund.

From her own bank account? But it would take some time to withdraw 10 million pesos in cash.

Isa iyon sa mga baliw na request ng Lambarde. Tumatanggap lamang sila ng cash. And they'll need to give it all immediately right after signing the contract.

Isang malaking insulto para sa Lambarde ang hindi pagkatiwalaan ng mga mismong lumalapit dito.

"Damn you Dylan," Mavis cursed under breath. Sa bawat paglipas ng oras ay mas lalong sumasakit ang kanyang ulo.

Ngayong araw na mismo pupunta ang Lambarde pero wala silang nahandang kontrata at pera.

It would be such an insult. Mahal ang oras ng Lambarde CEO na si Pacé. Kapag darating ito ngayon, ano na lang ang sasabihin niya?

Sinisi ni Mavis ang sarili dahil naging pabaya siya.

"I-It's not your fault, B-Boss," sabi ng empleyado niyang namumutla pa rin ngayon sa takot. Tila nabasa nito ang iniisip ng babae. "Si Dylan, pati ang maraming mga empleyadong na-fire niyo ang nagkaisa para itago ang mahalagang bagay n-na 'to."

She pursed her lips so her employee looked down.

Mavis found it funny that she was made fun of by those shites she fired already. Hindi niya alam kung paanong nakontrol nito ang impormasyon sa loob ng kanya. There will surely be a goddamn purge later. She will all hunt them down until her anger subsides.

How dare they?!

"You may leave. I'll take care of it." Iyon lang at napasandal si Mavis sa kanyang swivel chair.

"Y-Yes, Boss," nagmamadaling sabi ng empleyado niya bago kumaripas ng takbo.

Nahilot niya ang sintido habang iniisip ang mga dapat sabihin niya nang hindi naiinsulto si Pacé Lambarde.

'He'll probably think I'm taking their company for granted', she thought.

"Miss," tawag ni Liz sa kanya kaya nilingon niya ito. "I will help you." She said that with a determined expression and shining eyes.

Mavis paused and chuckled.

"No, Liz. This is all on me, now. Trabaho ko bilang boss niyo ito," agad niyang tanggi. "Isa pa, isa lang ang kaya kong gawin ngayon."

She really have to hope Pacé wouldn't be as unreasonable as her.

"Miss, alam kong kaya niyo pero may ibang solusyon dito."

She was curious about Liz's words so she asked, "What solution?"

"I'll talk with Pacé."