Devil In Tuxedo

      TODAY IS Friday, which means today is the party in Silvercrest. My first party after almost five years and my first time seeing my new boss, the CEO.

The theme is Silver and Gold. I already bought a dress with the help of Jel, It was a silver Sequins v-neck maxi dress, and the dress has a high slit. Ako na mismo ang mag-aayos ng sarili ko dahil marunong naman ako. 

Dahil 7pm pa naman magsisimula ang party ay inasikaso ko na muna ang kambal. Tinimplahan ko ang bathtub para doon sila papaliguan.

"Bubbles! Bubbles! I love bubbles!" Zhara giggled while scooping some bubbles into her tiny hands and blowing them in front of Zacki's face.

"Huwag ikaw likot, Zhara! I'm relaxing here," reklamo naman ni Zacki sa kakambal na kanina pa naglulumikot dahil pinalalaruan niya ang bula na nanggaling sa body wash nila.

"Play tayo, bubbles, Zacki!" She grab Zacki's arm and shake it a little. "Don't sleep here! This is not the bed!" 

"I'm not sleeping! I'm relaxing! You're so ingay talaga!" Zacki slapped the water, and Zhara did the same.

Napailing na lang ako at kinuha ang baby shampoo nila sa istante. I applied shampoo to their hair and massaged it slowly and carefully. Napangiti ako nang gumalaw ang balikat ni Zacki, nakikiliti siya.

"Sarap, massage..." Zacki uttered, eyes closed.

"More pa, Mama..." sabi naman ni Zhara.

Nang matapos maligo ang kambal ay binihisan ko na sila at dinala sa living room kung saan nandoon si Jel at nagbabalot ng shanghai. The twins ran and sat next to him. Too bad I can't eat Shanghai!

"Ikaw na bahala, Jel. Maliligo na ako at anong oras na," sabi ko.

Tumango naman siya. "Sige, San. Ako na ang bahala sa mga pamangkin ko," 

Napangiti na lang ako at dumiretso na pabalik sa kwarto. I took a bath for about 20 minutes then, nagpatuyo na muna ako ng buhok bago naglagay ng make up. Since my dress was already alluring, I didn't want my makeup to be overboard. So, I only did a subtle makeup look on my face. Instead of black, I stuck with brown eyeliner. I also put a light dusting of the shimmery beige eye shadow onto my lids. Then, my lips are color nude.

My hair was in a wispy bun: my hairline was highlighted in the middle, and a few hairs that I curled was loose in front of my face. Before I left the room, I sprinkled my perfume all over me.

"Mama, alis na po ikaw?" Nakangusong tanong ni Zhara.

I nod and sit on the sofa, embracing each one of the twins. "I'll be back later, baby. Si Tito Jel na muna ang kasama niyong magsleep, okay?" I said calmly.

"H-How about me, Mama?" Zacki uttered in a small voice, he was pouting his lips. 

I cupped his face and smiled. "I already let Teddy wear my shirt, baby. You can hug Teddy while Mama is out,"

Mas lalong humaba ang nguso niya. "Gusto ko ikaw, Mama..."

I sighed. "Babalik din naman kaagad si Mama, eh. Bukas pagkagising mo, ako na ang katabi mo matulog,"  sabi ko habang nakangiti, inuuto siya.

He scrunched his nose and embraced me tightly. "Balik ikaw agad,"

"Opo, boss baby." I kissed him on the top of his head and kissed Zhara as well. "Be a good girl, Zhara, okay? You two pray before sleeping, okay?"

"Opo, Mama!" They nodded and answered in unison.

Nagbook na lang ako ng grab dahil mas matatagalan pa ako kung sasakay ako ng jeep. Nang makarating sa building ng Silvercrest ay namangha na naman ako at nalula nang makitang marami na ang tao. Before I can even entered the building, the guard greeted me.

"Ms. Mendoza, come here," The old lady, Ms. Sunny, gestured for me to come near her.

I flashed a polite smile. "Good evening po," bati ko sa kanya.

"Oh, mamaya ipapakilala na ang boss natin. I-check mo na ang mga bisita sa banquet hall para alam natin kung nakapunta ba ang mga big investors natin."

"Sige po," sagot ko at nagpaalam na pupunta sa banquet hall kung saan gaganapin ang party. I frowned when I saw someone familiar on the table near the stage.

Am I seeing right, or I'm just hallucinating?

Did I really see Leoniel?!

I tilted my head and shook it. "Malabo... Wala naman ang pangalan niya sa mga guest," I mumbled to myself.

I bowed and gave respect to all the big individuals who came to the party. Nakikipagkamay sila sa akin sa tuwing pinapakilala ako ni Ms. Sunny bilang secretary ng CEO. A few moments later, the managing director came up on stage to announce the arrival of the CEO. Ang lahat ng mga dumalo ay nasa harapan na ang atensyon, including me.

"Good evening, everyone! May I have your attention, please? Thank you. Today is the day when Silvercrest will welcome our new CEO. Who just came home from Switzerland for a business conference, and now, he's finally back..." He trailed off. "I won't let this take longer. Please welcome our new Chief Executive Officer, the oldest son of our previous CEO..." 

I felt my stomach twist, and my heart just dropped when I saw the man who walked like a demigod onto the stage. I felt my legs become wobbly, and my face paled as my heart pounded wildly.

"The new CEO of Silvercrest, Zachariah Duane Silvestre!"

Everyone applauded while I froze in my place when I heard the name mentioned by the managing director. Hindi ako kumukurap dahil pakiramdam ko'y kapag kumurap ako ay mawawala siya sa paningin ko. Nakaawang ang labi ko at hindi makapaniwalang nakatuon ang paningin sa harapan... Sa lalaking halos limang taon kong hindi nakita. 

Tangina!

Siya? Paanong siya ang CEO ng Silvercrest? Akala ko ba Architect siya?!

He's wearing a three-piece dark blue suit paired with a black necktie. His suit is hugging his body habang bukas ang dalawa sa butones ng kanyang shirt dress. His body became muscular, and he looked a bit taller than before. Ang buhok niya ay hindi na itim, it's now on a shade of brown. I can't figure out if that is his natural hair color since he's not a pure Filipino.

Ang gwapo! Fuck!

My breath hitched and my eyes moistened when our eyes met. Parang sinaksak ang puso ko nang makita ang paraan ng pagtingin niya sa akin. It was cold, piercingly and emotionless.

In front of me was the only man I've ever loved.

And the father of my child... Zachariah.

     HINDI pa rin ako makapagmove on sa nalaman ko kagabi. Hindi ako nakatulog kaya ang laki at nangingitim ang ilalim ng mga mata ko. Paanong si Zachariah ang CEO ng Silvercrest?! 

Suddenly, a flashback of our conversation five years ago replayed in my mind.

"Do you like to be the secretary of the CEO?"

Para akong nabuhayan ng dugo sa sinabi niya. "Tinatanong pa ba 'yan? Syempre! Kung hindi papalarin, aasawahin ko na lang 'yong CEO!"

For the second, nabulunan na naman si Zach. Uminom siya kaagad ng tubig habang hinahampas ang dibdib niya gamit ang kamao.

"Pangalawang beses mo na 'yan! Ayos ka lang ba talaga?" Tanong ko.

His lips twitched. "Yeah, I'm good. Nabigla lang ako sa sinabi mo."

"Alin? Yung aasawahin ko 'yong CEO ng Silvercrest?" I asked, and he nodded. I shrugged. "Depende. Pero kung hindi papalarin sa CEO, baka sa anak na lang!"

How can I face him after everything that happened between us in the past?! And what should I do now that he doesn't want to see me?! Nakakainis naman, 'oh!

"Ms. Mendoza! What the hell are you still doing here in the lobby?! Mr. Silvestre was looking for you for a while now!" A ranging head of HR walked towards me, causing me to pale.

Napatigalgal ako at napatayo nang tuwid nang marinig ang galit na boses ni Ms. Sunny. I bowed and nervously flashed a smile.

"P-Paakyat na po," I bit my tongue when I stuttered.

Nakipagsiksikan ako sa loob ng elevator at nang marating ang floor kung saan kaming dalawa lang ng CEO ang gumagamit ay halos mangatog na ang mga binti ko. I let out a deep breath and stepped out of the elevator.

"You're 10 minutes late, Ms. Mendoza," I choked, and my lips parted when I saw Zach. He was leaning against my table with arms crossed on his hard chest. The way his eyes stared at me intently made my legs weak.

Gusto kong sampalin ang sarili ko para mahimasmasan dahil natulala na naman ako. Kamukhang-kamukha niya talaga ang anak ko!

"Ariella!" His deep, baritone voice echoed on the floor.

I blinked. "Yes, love?" Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at napatakip sa bibig nang bigla kong maibulalas iyon.

Ariella naman!

His eyebrows furrowed, and his jaw clenched. "Two more strikes for being late, and you'll get fired," he said, using his stern voice. He walked out and didn't even bother to wait for my apology.

I swallowed a big lump in my throat and shook my head, preventing myself not to shed a tear. He's just being professional. Yeah, professional. I already expected him to be like this after what I've done pero bakit ang sakit pa rin?

Bagsak ang mga balikat kong umupo sa swivel chair ko at sinabunutan ang sarili. "Aish! Anong yes, love ka dyan? Ang harot mo talaga, self..." Kung may makakakita lang siguro sa'kin ngayon na kinakausap ang sarili ko ay mapagkakamalan nila akong baliw.

I jumped in fright when the intercom suddenly lit up and rang. I took a deep breath before answering. "H-Hello, Sir? Bakit po?"

I heard him clear his throat in the other line. "What's my schedule for today?"

"Y-You have a meeting with the CEO of Callahan Enterprise for the collaboration between Silvercrest and Callahan Enterprise for the upcoming resort casino in Cavite. The meeting will be at 1pm, Sir in Zuriel's Le Arômes," tumigil ako sa pagsasalita para huminga. "And you also have a brunch meeting with the President of Valencia Holdings at 10 am, Sir. Ms. Karen Valencia is expecting you to be there," I want to clap for myself because I didn't stutter.

Teka, Karen?! Bakit parang pamilyar sa akin ang pangalan na 'yon?

"All right," he trailed off, and I heard typing sounds in the background. "Bring me a cup of coffee right now,"

Napakagat ako sa labi at napatango na parang nasa harapan ko siya. "What coffee do you like me to prepare, Sir?" Tanong ko.

I heard him take a deep breath like he was really struggling to speak.

"Sir Zach?" I bit the inside of my cheeks after I called his name.

He cleared his throat, and it took him a moment before I heard his answer. "I-I want Ariella's style,'' he trailed off. ''T-The Extra sweet and hot," bigla niyang pinatay ang tawag!

My lips parted and my cheeks turned crimson red. 

Nang matapos ang tawag ay tulala akong dumiretso sa pantry. Muntik pa akong bumangga sa pader sa inaakalang iyon ang pinto. I slapped my cheeks in a minimal force to get a grip. Nanginginig pa ng bahagya ang mga kamay ko habang nagtitimpla ng kape. I felt so many memories coming back while preparing his coffee.

Nang matapos ay dumiretso na ako sa office niya. Dahan-dahan na kumatok bago binuksan ang glass door. Bahagyang umawang ang labi ko ngunit mabilis ko rin iyon itinikom dahil mukha akong tanga.

Kusang bumagal ang mga hakbang ko nang makita ang kabuuan ng malaking opisina niya. The color of his office is a mixture of black and gold with a touch of silver. Agaw pansin ang chandelier na nasa ceiling, ang buong opisina ay gawa sa makapal na glass wall kung saan malayang nakikita ang buong syudad. There was a silver-gray carpet under his long black working table. Sa likuran niya mismo naroon ang malaking bookshelf na nagsisilbing background niya na mas makintab pa sa highlighter na suot ko. Sa bandang kaliwa naman ay mayroong mini living room na may mahabang lamesa, dalawang single couch at isang mahabang sofa. There is also an electronic fireplace under the large television. May tatlong portrait painting pa ang nakasandal doon sa may table console. Bahagyang naningkit ang mga mata ko dahil parang pamilyar ang isang painting na nakadisplay doon. Saan ko nga ba nakita 'to?

The painting is dark, dreary, and melancholy, and it looks like the raindrops symbolize the suffering of the unseeable human figure sitting under the heavy rain in the painting. I felt a sharp object hit my chest as I stared at the painting.

"You're not here to just stand and waste time. Come here and give me my coffee," he said, using an authoritative voice.

Noong bumalik sa kanya ang paningin ko ay halos maihi ako dahil nahuli ko siyang nakatingin sa'kin. His left arm was resting on the armrest of his swivel chair while the right one was playing with his prominent jaw. His eyes were on me, pinapanood ang bawat galaw ko.

Zachariah is like a wine. The more he gets older, The more he becomes yummier.

I cleared my throat and fixed myself before I walked toward his table. "Here's your coffee, Sir." Inilapag ko sa table niya ang mug.

Dahil malapit ako sa kanya ay amoy na amoy ko ang pabango niya. He still smell like before! Dior Sauvage!

He cleared his throat when he caught me sniffing him. I bit the inside of my cheeks to hide the embarrassment. He arched his brows and glanced at the coffee I served. Walang lason iyan!

"You may now leave," he said using his controlled voice.

I pursed my lips and bowed. Wala man lang thank you! Hmmp! "I'll go now, Sir."

I was about to open the glass door of his office when he called my name.

"Ms. Mendoza..."

"Sir? Do you need anything?"

He licked his lip before he lifted the coffee mug. "Thanks for the coffee," he said, causing the butterflies in my stomach to create an entire zoo.

NAG-AAYOS na ako ng mga files sa drawers dahil tapos na ako sa trabaho nang may mareceive akong tawag mula sa intercom, I thought it was from the higher up but it was from Liza, one of the girls from Accounting department.

"Ms. Ari! Are you done with your work?" iyon agad ang bungad niya sa'kin pagkasagot ko sa tawag niya.

"Yes, I'm done. Does the Accounting department need anything from the CEO?" Tanong ko habang nag-aapply na ng lipstick.

"No, Ms. Ari. Nagbabasakali lang ako kung papayag kang sumama sa amin ngayon. Sa BGC lang, and we have a car naman."

I bit my lips and looked at my wristwatch. As much as I want to come and minggle with them, my twins needs me. Simula nang magkaanak ako ay hindi na ako masyado nakakagala dahil ayokong mawala sa tabi nila. Hindi ako mapakali sa tuwing lalabas ako na hindi sila kasama kahit binabantayan naman sila ng pinsan kong si Jel.

"I'm sorry, but I can't go with you tonight..." I said apologetically.

"Gano'n ba? Sayang naman. Minsan lang ito at hindi ka pa namin nakakasama sa night out," She sounded disappointed.

"Pasensya na, Liza. Babawi na lang ako sa susunod," I said apologetically. Nag-usap pa kami ng ilang segundo bago ako nagpaalam.

I gathered all my things and walked towards the elevator. Natigilan lang ako nang magring ang phone ko.

Jel is calling...

I immediately answered the call.

"Hello, San? Anong oras uwi mo?" bungad niya kaagad sa'kin.

"Pauwi na ako, San. Bakit? Nasaan nga pala ang Kambal? Natutulog na ba sila?" sunod-sunod na tanong ko. Narinig ko naman ang pagtawa niya sa kabilang linya.

"Hinay-hinay lang sa mga tanong, San. Tulog na ang prinsesa natin pero itong si Zacki ay mukhang hinihintay pa ang pagdating mo,"

Napakagat ako sa labi at huminga ng malalim. "Let me talk to Zacki," sabi ko.

Narinig ko ang mga yabag niya papunta kung saan mula sa kabilang linya. Narinig ko ang bulong niya sa kabilang linya at napangiti kaagad ako nang marinig ang sagot ng anak ko.

"H-Hello, Mama..." Zacki's sleepy voice uttered.

"Hi, baby..." bungad ko. "Why are you still awake? Hmm?" Malambing na ani ko.

"I'm waiting for you, Mama. Uwi na Ikaw, please..." The mere sounds of his little voice warm my heart.

"You miss me, baby?" I asked, teary-eyed.

"Yes, Zacki misses you..." He muttered in a small shaky voice.

My heart is full right now just by hearing my son's voice. "I miss you more, baby. Don't worry, I'll be there soon. Pauwi na ako, I love you, baby."

Nakangiti akong binaba ang tawag. Excited na akong umuwi! Nang bumukas ang elevator ay halos malaglag ang puso ko sa sahig nang makitang nakatayo sa mismong likuran ko si Zachariah!

Kanina pa ba siya dyan?! Narinig ba niya?!

My lips quivered before I gave him a nod as a courtesy. Malaki ang elevator ngunit halos isiksik ko na ang sarili ko sa pinakagilid! Dahil nasa iisang lugar lang kami ay amoy na amoy ko ang pabango niya. His expensive scent whiffed my nose as he stood beside me.

Walang nagsasalita sa amin hanggang sa umandar na pababa ang elevator kaya mas ramdam ko ang awkwardness na nakapalibot sa amin.

I could feel the same heartbeat and the same nervousness I had years ago.

I stomped my legs on the floor dahil nababagalan ako sa elevator. I almost forgot how to breathe because he was beside me, breathing the same air as me!

"Are you eager to go home to see your baby that you kept stomping your feet on the floor?" He mockingly stated.

My eyes widened, and I quickly turned my head at him. My breath hitched when I met his intense and piercing gaze. Napakurap-kurap ako.

"I didn't know you were that clingy to your boyfriend," My lips parted when I heard him murmur.

"Teka—"

I wanted to correct what he had in mind, but he quickly left when the elevator opened while I was left dumbfounded.

Nagseselos ba siya sa sarili niyang anak?!

*****