Chapter 3

Celebes Enna Escuadro

Tawang-tawa ako nang balikan namin ni Mago ang nangyari sa amin 3 years ago sa loob ng public male comfort room. Sa pag-k-kuwento kasi nito ay parang gusto na niyang patayin yung lalaking humila sa akin para hindi ako maputukan ni Mago sa loob.

"Fuck him," he cussed.

I chortled in amusement so the crease on his forehead went deeper.

"Whoever that guy is, I salute him. I still couldn't forget his last line." Mas lalong napasimangot si Mago. "Babies shouldn't be created inside the male comfort room, moron."

Napahalakhak ulit ako nang nagpabalik-balik sa utak ko ang pagmumura ni Mago nung araw na yun. Hindi na nga niya natingnan nang maayos ang lalaki dahil nang mahimatay ako ay binalik ako nito kay Mago bago kalmadong umalis. Hindi naman ako maiwan-iwan nitong isa kaya hindi na niya nahabol ng sapak yung weirdong tao.

"Damn him. I should've already given you a child that day," he grumbled. "Napakaweirdo ng lalaking yun. Sino ba namang mangingialam sa dalawang taong gumagawa ng milagro? I bet he was there since the beginning. Stupid madman." Para itong cute na batang nagmamaktol.

Napangiti na lang ako dahil doon.

"You should've thanked him. Baka hindi mo pa nakilala 'yang fiancee mo kung may anak ka nang tatlong taong gulang," I joked.

Lumiwanag ang kanyang mukha kaya lumapad ang ngiti ko. Iba talaga kapag nagmamahal eh ano. Mas lalo nga itong gumwapo matapos ang iilang taon. Hindi nga ako makapaniwalang hahanapin pa ako nito bago ikasal gayong nakipaghiwalay ako sa kanya noon.

That's right. He became my official boyfriend for a few months. Hiniwalayan niya pa ang girlfriend niya para sa akin. Ganun siya kabaliw. It didn't work out though, especially when I could still think about Damien. I got over it though after three long years. Mago also found someone worthy of his heart and possessiveness. He fell in love.

"My fiancee wants to meet you."

Halos mabilaukan ko sa iniinom na juice nang marinig iyon.

"What?!" I asked in horror. "I don't want to be in an awkward dramatic scene. Baka sabunutan pa ako ng girlfriend mo."

"As if naman natatakot ka sa sabunot," he murmured and shrugged his broad shoulders. "She wants a threesome, by the way."

Sa sobrang gulat, nalulon ko nang buo ang macaroon kaya napaubo ako nang ilang beses. The pastry got stuck in my throat as I opened my mouth for air. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Mago bago ito dali-daling tumayo at nilapitan ako. Akala ko bibigyan ako nito ng tubig pero hinawakan nito ang panga ko. He held my jaw as he used two of his fingers to widen my mouth.

Halos hindi ako makahinga nang pinasok niya ang mga daliri niya at dahan-dahang inabot ang pagkain na nasa loob ng bibig ko. Drool formed in my mouth as tears flooded my vision. I felt his long digits slowly pull out the macaroon and I coughed a few times for air.

I wiped away my tears and glared at Mago. The fucker was eyeing the drool-coated macaroon for a while before he slowly put it inside his mouth.

What the hell?!

I openly gaped at him but he just licked his lips after munching the food. He smiled widely. His green eyes shone in mischief. Magsisinungaling ako kung sasabihin kong hindi ko ito namiss mula sa kanya.

Damn. Bakit ang rupok ko pa rin pagdating sa pang-aakit nito? Malapit na itong ikasal pero heto ako at naiinitan sa ginawa niya. I could already feel my pussy flooding in all its lewdness.

"Still delicious," Mago slowly said. I bit my lips and curled my hands into fists. "I miss your pussy so much, baby girl," mahina niyang usal.

Umiling ako at pinunasan ang aking bibig.

"Congratulations on your wedding, Mago gwapo."

Tumitig ito sa akin nang iilang segundo bago ngumiti.

"Thank you, CEE." I noted how he didn't use an endearment this time and felt genuinely happy for him. He really loves his future wife. Humalakhak siya nang malakas. "Akala ko maaakit kita pero nagbagong-buhay ka na pala talaga."

"Yep," sabi ko na lang at pasimpleng pinagdikit ang aking mga hita. Shit. Three years without sex really made it longer and harder for me. Imagine the frustration! Hindi naman siguro ako napansin ni Mago nang nakangiti itong bumalik sa pag-upo sa aking harapan.

I feel so fucking guilty but this is just a natural reaction. Mago and I shared so many sexual experiences. Now, I'm even sexually frustrated after being free from sex life for three years.

"So no affairs right now? No flings? No boyfriends?" natutuwang aniya. Plural pa talaga ang tanong ng walanghiya. Kilala niya talaga ako... Well, he knows the 'me' back then. Nothing much changed though, except for me being celibate for those three years.

Umiling ako.

"I wanted to protect my heart." And I wanted to stop myself from being consumed by that short-term "happiness". "Mahirap makalimutan si Damien. Inabot nga ng tatlong taon," dagdag ko pa. Mago made a face so I laughed. "Are you still pissed with him?"

"Of course! Even though I was overjoyed that he left you—" he paused and grimaced. "—he still left you broken, Cee."

That's true but it was also my choice to let him go.

"It wasn't his fault," nasabi ko na lang.

"Yeah, right," he blurted out with a sarcastic grin. "Ikaw kasi ang na-inlove."

Binato ko siya ng isang piraso ng macaroon pero maagap niya itong sinalo bago masaya siyang kumagat dito. I pouted at him.

"Don't remind me how I fell for him. Baka bumalik ang feelings ko. I don't wanna take any chances."

"Psh," he scoffed. "As if that fucktard is so good-looking for you to love him again. Love sure is mysterious."

Tinawanan ko ulit ito. Ito lang yata ang napapangitan kay Damien pero totoo naman ang sinabi nitong kakaiba ang pag-ibig.

"See for yourself. You're happily in love now and even getting married. I never thought you'll be committed someday, Mago gwapo. You were never the stick-to-one type."

"What?" Ngumisi ito. "I only learned how to cheat because I met a beautiful woman like you, Cee."

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Sinisi mo pa talaga ako sa kalibugan mo."

"No, that's not what I meant," seryosong anito. "You were and still are a woman so beautiful any man would crave for your affection." May kakaiba sa boses nito nang sabihin yun kaya tumaas ang kilay ko. "You were so amazing that I fell in love with you even when I had a girlfriend back then."

Ilang beses akong napakurap. Naghari ang katahimikan sa pagitan namin nang iilang minuto. Nakatitig lamang ito sa akin na para bang kinakabisa nito ang mukha ko.

Unti-unting nilukob ng kaba ang aking puso.

Hindi naman siguro... Natatakot akong malaman ang kahulugan ng pananahimik nito matapos sabihin iyon. He loved me. It's past tense right?

Right?

Tila gusto kong alugin ang utak ni Mago dahil sa kakaiba niyang pagtitig. Baka ginu-good time lang ako ng isang 'to?

"But it's all in the past now," aniya sa wakas at saka ngumisi kaya napahinga ako nang maluwag. "So now, feel the incredibly painful regret of choosing to break up with me."

"Yabang," nakanguso kong sabi rito. "Akala ko titi lang malaki sa'yo, ego mo rin pala."

Mago stared at me with wide eyes but I just smirked at him and then I burst out laughing. Napailing siya habang nakangiting tumingin sa akin.

"Friends?" he asked and extended his hand to me.

"Friends lang?" I joked.

He groaned and tried to stop himself from grinning. Todo acting na nasasaktan ang loko. Sinapo pa nito ang dibdib bago ngumuso.

I swear he looked fucking awkward acting cute. Sa laking tao nito, para itong barakong oso na nilagyan ng ribbon bigla.

"Friends na lang," he emotionally said as if he's truly regretful.

Binato ko muli ito nang macaroon na saktong sinalo ng kanyang bibig. Humalakhak ako nang malakas dahil siya naman ang nabilaukan. Halos lumuwa na ang mata nito kakaubo pero tumawa lang ako nang husto. Kung hindi lang tumulong ang waiter na dumaan ay baka walang kasalang magaganap dahil ang groom natigok.

Cause of death: Eating macaroon. But anyways, Mago can really be fun when he wants to. I guess his girlfriend influenced him to be "somewhat" brighter. I just wish them all the best.

"Congratulations for surviving, Mago gwapo! Tuloy ang kasal," I said with so much joy.

He glared at me as he drank the water given by the waiter.

"Unang araw nating magkaibigan pero muntik na akong mamatay," pagdadabog nito na may kasama pang paggulo ng buhok. "Pambihira. Friendship na nga lang hinihingi ko, tatapusin mo agad?"

"So maybe we weren't destined to be friends?" His face became impassive after I said that but I bet he's still acting. May sasabihin pa sana si Mago pero tumunog na ang phone ko kaya nasapo ko ang aking noo. "Argh. It's time for me to go back to work." Ngumuso ako at padabog na uminom ng tubig. "I'll catch up with you some time, Mago gwapo. Priority ko talaga ang trabaho ko ngayon eh."

Mago smiled. Muntik pa akong mabulunan dahil ang gwapo niya sa ngiting yun. Aakalain mong anghel ito kahit may pagkademonyo talaga sa kama.

"It's fine. Sa'n ka nga pala nagtatrabaho ngayon?" he said and stood up from his seat. Just like always, he placed some paper bills on the table. He always wanted to pay. Di na talaga mawawala ang generosity nito. Sa sobrang pagka-generous ako lang lagi ang iniisip nito dati. He's always been a considerate guy.

Inihilig ko ang ulo ko dahil sa mga naaalala. Hindi oras ngayon para isipin kung anong sinayang ko.

"Secretary ako ni Alexandrio Ramirez," I replied.

He gaped at me.

"You mean the one who owns AX Industries?"

"Yep."

Tumayo ako at kinuha ang phone ko bago ito pinasok sa dala kong black leather shoulder bag. Napatingin pa ako sa kinakain naming deserts na halos hindi na namin naubos.

"Cee, seriously? Pa'no ka naging sekretarya nun? Huwag mong sabihing kabit ka nun? Akala ko ba loyal yun sa asawa niya?"

Inabot ko siya at saka binatukan.

"Baliw. Anong akala mo sa akin? Ang trabaho, trabaho. Magaling kaya akong empleyado," depensa ko sa aking sarili. Ang walanghiyang 'to, alam nang nagbabagong-buhay na nga ako, tinatawag pa akong kabit. Hindi naman ako na-offend dun dahil hindi rin naman totoo. Dati akong naging kabit oo, pero matapos nung iniwan ako ni Damien para sa mag-ina niya, wala na. Oh wait, I did fuck around with Mago while he still had a girlfriend before. But anyways, my point is having a relationship isn't in my priorities right now.

"Really? Eh ikaw na lang kaya ang gawin kong sekretarya ko?" suhestiyon nito. "Sa akin ka na lang. Baka magustuhan ka nung boss mo at pilitin ka pang maging kabit."

"Ganun ako kaganda sa paningin mo?" Naglakad na ako habang natatawa sa kanya. Sumunod naman ito sa akin at saka inakbayan ako. Nang tiningala ko siya ay nakasimangot na ito.

"Of course. You're the most beautiful woman in the whole wide universe."

"Kapag marinig ka talaga ng fiancee mo—"

"But it's true, Cee. I'm not lying. Mukha ba akong nagsisinungaling?" I giggled at his irritated response and reached to pinch his cheek.

"Thank you, Mago gwapo."

He bit his lips, as if trying to stop himself from smiling.

"Hatid na kita, Cee ganda?" Inikutan ko ito ng mata dahil sa kakornihan ng kanyang sinabi. "What? You don't like my new nickname for you? You call me Mago gwapo so I'll call you Cee ganda. It fits, right?"

Daming alam ng loko.

"Whatever." Hahayaan ko na lang siya dahil panigurado wala naman din akong magagawa sa pamimilit nito.

It sounds cute too coming from his usually pissed face. Didn't know Mago has a side like this though. His fiancee did really good things to him.

"So, I can call you that, Cee ganda?" Napangiti na rin ako nang marinig ang boses nitong na-e-excite. Hindi ito bagay sa malaki niyang katawan pero dahil pogi siya, bawing-bawi naman. "Cee ganda?"

"Hmm?" I hummed and gave him a glance. "What?"

Lumiwanag ang kanyang mukha. Para bagong nickname lang, ang saya na nito.

"Yes!" He even pumped his fists and licked his lips. "So, I'll drive you to work?"

"Okay."

—

"Good job!" My boss, Alexandrio Ramirez flashed me a handsome grin that vaporized all my worries about the preparations I made for his son's party. Sa edad na singkwenta y cinco ay masasabi ko talagang gwapo ito. Marahil ay maraming babae ang nagkakandarapa sa kanya noong kabataan nito o maging ngayon. He's still "fuckable" for his age. With his tall built and healthy physique, the few grey hairs didn't diminish his good looks. That's why he's a match made in heaven with his wife. Xandy Ramirez. Maganda rin kasi ito kahit singkwenta na. Pareho rin silang mabait. Kaya nga napili kong dito magtrabaho dahil sa kanilang dalawa. The pay is beyond my imagination too. "Thank you so much for doing this, Ms. Escuadro."

"It's my job, sir," magalang kong sagot dito. "I just wish your son is going to like the party."

"I doubt that he's going to like anything related to business, Ms. Escuadro. That son of mine—" he shook his head as if remembering a very disappointing memory. "Let's just say he's not that responsible. Bago nga lang ito nagsimulang tumino at sumunod na sa gusto kong pamunuan nito ang kompanya. Klaro namang napipilitan lamang siya para sa kanyang magiging asawa. They're planning ahead of time for a dozen of children. Can you believe that?"

Ah. Grabe naman itong anak ni Boss. Isang dosena talaga ang gustong anak? Kumusta naman daw ang magiging asawa niya matapos manganak? Tsk. Eh kung siya kaya ang magbuntis?

Tinikom ko nang maigi ang bibig ko nang hindi ko masabi ang naiisip.

Isa pa, ba't nag-k-kwento bigla itong si Boss tungkol sa anak niya? Baka ginagawa niya lang 'to para may alam naman ako kahit papaano sa ugali ng magiging boss ko. Ililipat na kasi ni Boss ang pamamahala papunta sa panganay nitong anak na lalaki. I heard he has three children. Two girls and a boy. I couldn't help but wonder how hard must it have been to protect his younger siblings from boys. Boss's daughters are so pretty, after all.

Sa kanilang pamilya, yung lalaki lang ang hindi ko nakikita. Doon kasi ito nag-train sa labas ng bansa nang iilang taon.

"Mahal na mahal nung anak ko ang girlfriend niya. Kahit nga LDR sila nang iilang taon, pinamanmanan ko ang anak ko at talagang wala siyang naging babae. Their relationship started off rocky because it was all arranged for the two companies but that girl managed to change my son for the better." Nakinig na lang ako kay Boss dahil mukhang masayang-masaya ito sa kinukwento. "I can't help but think about my future grandchildren. I'm so excited to see them already! Will they be as handsome as me?" Pagkatapos ay bigla rin itong sumimangot. "Pero sa ngayon, baka next year pa ma-p-proseso ang pagiging lolo ko dahil hindi pa raw sila gumagawa ng baby eh," maktol nito.

What the fuck. How the hell does Boss even know that? My heart shivered. May pagka-stalker pala itong si Boss.

Natawa ito.

"You must be wondering how I knew about this?" Itatago ko pa ba? Curious din ako kung bakit. I nodded at him. "Of course, because my son talks about this with me! He told me he has been so frustrated after being celibate for years. Ang loko. Parang hindi na makapaghintay ng isang taon para sa magiging asawa niya kahit halos pitong taon na siyang naghihintay para maka-score."

Napaubo ako sa nalaman.

Seven years?! Damn. I pity that guy. Boss's son must have suffered a lot of nights with blue balls. May simpatya akong nararamdaman dito dahil doon. Ako nga rin ay sobrang na-f-frustrate na matapos ang tatlong taong walang dilig. Pa'no pa kaya kung pito?

"Anyways, since he's going to be your next boss, I'm telling you this. He doesn't want to have female secretaries. Maybe because it's harder to avoid cheating on his girlfriend if there's a beautiful woman hanging around him all day. Gusto niyang malayo sa tukso pero ngayon, wala na siyang magagawa. Isa lang ang kondisyon ko para payagan siyang mamahala sa kompanya, na ikaw ang magiging sekretarya niya pero may tiwala naman akong mapipigilan niya. Pitong taon nga kinaya niya." Humagikhik si Boss na para bang isang bata na napapalakpak pa. Tumikhim din ito kaagad at nagseryoso anng makitang nakatitig lamang ako sa kanya. "Anyways, I know you won't be swayed by good looks, Ms. Escuadro, even money. I've watched you for years and you're a decent and competent secretary. Your performance is outstanding. You always think about your employer's well-being. Alam kong magagabayan at maaalagaan mo siya para hindi naman siya masobrahan sa pagtatrabaho. Ako ang malilintikan sa asawa ko kapag magkakasakit ang panganay namin."

Pinigilan kong huwag matawa. Anong akala nila sa anak nila? Bata? As far as I know, he's already 29 years old.

"He's changed into a good man, Ms. Escuadro. Hindi ka masyadong mahihirapan sa kanya dahil ginagawa naman niya ang trabaho niya nang mabuti para sa kinabukasan ng magiging pamiya niya." Sumundal siya sa swivel chair at umiling. "Pero ang boring 'di ba?" Huh? What's he talking about? Which is boring? "I'm never a fan of arranged marriages. I would allow it if ever my son finds a woman that he could bring in front of us, not because we chose her for him but because he loves her. He told me he loves her current girlfriend but it's too boring. So, I was thinking that you could be a great distraction for him to spice things up a bit."

Ano raw? Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko habang iniisip ang sinabi niya.

Is this what I think it is? He's telling me to seduce his son for some enjoyment? Okay, I take it back. May problema pala sa utak 'tong si Boss.

"I think it's not appropriate. I don't like it," I blurted out. Pasalamat na lang ako na hindi ako nakapagmura.

Tumitig ito sa akin at masayang humalakhak.

"See? I really like you to be my son's secretary. Hindi ka basta-basta sumusunod sa utos. Binibigyan mo ng importansya ang sarili mong opinyon. Don't ever forget that you're human too while working under him, alright? My son can be an asshole sometimes."

Ah... Okay. I thought he was pushing me to cheat with his son. It was just a test so I'm all in all relieved.

"Yes, Mr. Ramirez."

Napangiti ito sa maikli kong sagot. Sa tingin ko'y nasanay na rin siya sa pagiging seryoso ko sa trabaho.

"You're a really good employee, Ms. Escuadro. You're too good and too serious with your job. May time ka pa ba para mag-enjoy sa buhay?"

"Yes, sir."

Tumango-tango siya.

"That's great. Good luck for next week, Ms. Escuadro. Enjoy your weekend."

Muntik na akong mapanguso sa sinabi ni Boss.

As if I can enjoy my weekend. It's so boring when I'm not working! Mas nagiging klaro ang pagiging single ko kapag wala akong ginagawa! Argh.

Tipid akong ngumiti at tumango. Mabuti at seryoso kasi akong empleyado sa loob ng opisina kaya kailangan kong pangalagaan itong image ko.

"Of course, Mr. Ramirez," magalang kong sabi. "I'll get going now."

Tumango-tango ito at masayang sumipol-sipol. Yumuko ako at naglakad na papunta sa pinto.

"Will my son be swayed?" he whispered. I glanced back at him because I didn't hear him well.

"Escuse me?" I asked him.

"Oh, nothing, Ms. Escuadro. Just an old man's excitement!"

O—kay... What? Yumuko na lang ako at umalis sa opisina niya. Hindi ko na lang pinansin ang pinagsasabi nito. May mas importante pa akong iisipin.

Where can I get big dicks? I'm still not over how I got wet earlier today because of Mago's seduction.

Shall I find someone for a quickie?