Harley Ezra Smith

I'm here busy raoming the nearest place sa university na pinapasukan ko para maghanap ng trabaho. I've already been through several workplace pero hindi ako tinanggap because of my lack of experience. Hindi ko na alam kung makakahanap pa ba ako ng trabaho ngayon, but I'm still hoping na after this day may trabaho na ako.

Dahil sa pagod I decided to take a rest muna. I see a bench near a fountain kaya agad akong naglakad papunta roon at umupo. At katulad ng nakagawian ko I wear my earphone at nagpatugtog.

Ang ganda ng paligid, the peaceful scenery makes me calm. Hindi ko maiwasang mamiss sila mama at papa ng makakita ako ng pamilya na masayang nag-bobonding. Kamusta na kaya sila? hindi ko sila makausap kasi every time na tatawag ako busy sila tapos kapag tatawag sila busy ako.

Magpapasama sana ako ngayon kay Aiden kaso sabi niya busy daw siya para sa mga gagamitin ko for the pageant. The contest will be held two weeks from now. Hindi naman ako masyadong kinakabahan sa pageant, sa magiging reaksyon ni Sebastian ako natatakot. Speaking of the devil, I saw him with a girl at naka-angkla pa sakanya yung babae. Ang saya nilang tignan napakaaliwalas ng mukha ni Sebastian, mukhang nakahanap na siya ng katapat niya. Napangiti ako.

Ibig-sabihin hindi na niya ako kukulitin and that only means na hindi ko na siya proproblemahin at malaya akong makakasali sa contest. Dahil sa tuwa bigla akong sinipag para magpatuloy sa job hunting ko. Pagkatayo ko saktong dumeretso ang tingin ko sa kanya, nagulat ako kasi tumingin din siya. I see how shock he is pero umiwas lang ako ng tingin at nagmadaling lumakad patalikod.

Hinihingal akong napasandal sa gilid ng poste nang makalayo ako sa lugar na 'yun. It's so tiring avoiding  that playboy. I was actually  hesitant if I'll  still continue to join that pageant 'cause even  though how much I hate to admit it, It terrifies me every time I remember how scary his face can be. It terrifies me to the core! I know that I can do self-defense pero kapag andiyan na siya sa harapan ko nanghihina ako.

There's something about  him that I can't  grasp, more like I'm afraid to grasp with 'cause my instincts screams danger.

I was busy regaining my strength when I heard a waitress put a stand board that make a loud bang, probably  because  of it's heaviness.

I walk near the stand board para basahin ang nakasulat nang tuluyan ng nakaalis ang waitress.

"JOB HIRING : CASHIER"

Upon reading that I immediately get inside the cafe. The bell above the door that I've opened  created an echoing sound. Siguro naman matatanggap na ako kasi hindi naman kailangan ng experience sa pagiging cashier. As long as alam mo gamitin ang cash machine.

Nang tuluyan na akong makapasok, the aroma coming from flour and coffee powder welcomed me. I heared my stomach growl because of hunger. Hindi ko ito pinansin at dumeretso sa counter to ask about the job hiring.

"Miss? I just want to ask if pwede ako mag-apply as a cashier? Nakita ko kasi yung post board na nilagay mo kanina." I asked the girl who put that post board outside.

"Ah yes po pwedeng-pwede! Actually kayo po pinaka-unang nag-apply." she answered beamingly. "Hali po kayo sundan niyo po ako sa Manager's Office." she added sabay lakad sa kaliwang bahagi niya.

I immediately oblige and follow her. Pagkalabas niya sa counter area agad siyang kumanan at agad siyang tumigil sabay tingin sa akin.

"Dito po yung office. Dala niyo naman po siguro ang mga needed requirements diba?"

"Ah yes I bring it with me."

She nodded then quickly knock the office door. At ilang saglit pa agad na may sumigaw mula sa loob.

"Pasok!"

After hearing that, the waitress immediately open the door. She glance at me and smiled.

"Halika ka na. Pasok na tayo."

I smiled also and follow her inside.

"Good Morning Sir. Caballero. Siya po yung mag-aapply for cashier po."

I was stunned on the spot. Did I heared it clearly? Tinawag niyang Mr. Caballero yung lalaki? Is that playboy somehow connected with this man?  Maybe it's a coincidence? I don't thinks so. Hindi naman ganun kataas ang usage rate ng surname na Caballero.

Shit! Sana talaga mali ang iniisip ko. I can't afford to be associated with another Caballero. Baka ito lang ang maging dahilan para mas makita ko siya.

It's not like I'm affected. Why would I? I mean he already has a girlfriend, so why am I making this a big deal? Dahil lang Caballero ang surname ng magiging amo ko? ganito na ako? Gosh! What's happening to me?!

"Okay thank you. You may leave us now." he formally dismissed her.

Agad namang tumango ang babae at tumalikod sabay ngiti sakin. Sumenyas pa siya ng good luck sa akin bago lumabas.

"Hello. I'm Mr. Caballero the owner of this cafe. You may sit down first."

"Thank you Mr. Caballero."

After saying that I slowly walk towards the chair and sit.

"So give me you're requirements." he said.

Agad kong nilabas ang envelop sa dala kong bag at inabot sa kanaya 'yun. Kinuha niya muna ang salamin sa gilid niya at sinuot 'yun. Nang simula na niyang basahin ang resume ko agad kong nilibot ang paningin ko.

Sa kaharap kong pader ay may isang malaking canvas. Isa itong painting, ito siguro ang buong pamilya niya. Sa pinakataas ng painting ay may naka-lettering na 'Caballero Family'. Napatigil ang tingin ko sa gilid ng painting kung saan may nakatayong matangkad na lalaki.

His tantalizing brown eyes is coldly looking at the front, I feel like he's looking at me. His eyes coldly looking makes me shivered for unknown reason. His cold aura is screaming with danger. If the word 'danger' would be materialized into a human, it would be him. He's like an ocean, calm looking yet surprisingly dangerous. Hindi ko pa man nakikita ang totoong galit niya, but I feel it, deep inside me that it is not a sight I want to see.

So my  not sure 'soon to be boss' has connection with that playboy.

Napabalik ako sa reyalidad ng marinig ko ang kalampag ng pagbaba ng salim sa lamesa. Agad akong napatingin kay Mr. Caballero.

"You have a good  resume and portfolio. Ok, you're hired."

Nanalaki ang mata ako at masayang ngumiti sa kanya.

"Maraming salamat po, Mr. Caballero."

He nodded and extended is hand towards me.

"Welcome to Caballero Cafe."

I smiled and extended my hand too para tanggapin ang kamay niya.

"Thank you po!"

"You may start tomorrow. Since ang time range ng class hours mo is from 7:00 A.M.  to 4:00 P.M., Magsisimula ang trabaho mo ng 5:00 P.M. and it will end at 10:00 P.M."

"Copy po sir!"

"Good, you're dismissed now."

I nodded at agad na tumayo sabay lakad palabas ng office. Oh my gash! Thank God at may trabaho na ako. A permanent smile is plastered on my face as I walk out of the cafe.

Habang naglalakad ako papunta sa terminal biglang may humila sa braso ko. Seriously? Do I have a curse called "Arm Yank"?

"Ano b-" I was cut off my words when I see the person who yank my arm.

"Are you for real? Sebastian? Hindi ka ba naaawa sa braso ko? lagi mo hinihila? Pwede mo naman ako tawagin! Gosh!" ang galit kong sermon dito.

"What are you doing there?" ang madiin niyang tanong sakin.

"There? You mean sa cafe?"

"Yes! Saan ka pa ba nanggaling? alang naman sa salon?" ang pamimilosopo niya sakin.

I look at him coldly. At mukhang natakot siya sa tingin ko. Ang ayoko sa lahat ay yung pinipilosopo ako.

"Why bother asking? It doesn't have to do with you anyway. In short, It's none of your business!" ang irita kong sabi sakanya sabay piglas sa pagkakahawak niya sa braso ko.

"Ok, Fine! I'm sorry. Back to my question. What are you doing there? Inside?" ang seryoso niyang tanong sakin.

I compose myself and look at him seriously too.

"Again! It's none of your business!" I hissed and quickly turn my back to him para umalis.

Masyado akong masaya para ma-istress sa playboy na ito. I won't let him ruin my good mood. I'm going to celebrate! I'll call Aiden para maibalita sa kanya na nakakuha ako ng trabaho.

Hindi pa man ako nakakalayo ng bigla akong makarinig ng nakakatakot na banta sa kanya.

"Don't you even dare continue stepping out of my sight. We will talk right now, this instant. I swear you'll not prefer to see me angry. It's unsightly babe." he said in a serious and menacing voice. Shit!

That seriously sent thousands of shiver to my whole body. Para akong estatwa na napatigil sa paglalakad at nanlalaking nakatingin sa harapan ko. I may look calm and collected outside but inside I'm trembling uncontrollably. This guy  never disappoint me in terms of making me terrified.

Sa sobrang abala ko sa pag-iisip, hindi ko naalayan na nakalapit na pala siya sa akin dahil sa pagkatulala ko.

"Good Choice babe. I hate to scare you but you leave me no choice. I hate sharing what's mine. I don't want to have any conflict especially to my brothers. You're mine Harley. Mine. Alone!" ang sabi niya sa tenga ko ng may halong pagbabanta at diin.

I nodded my head unconsciously because of fear that's slowly eating me. I'm not the kind of person to be easily swayed by fear or to be intimidated but with this man, I can't seem to put myself to be brave.

"Follow me. Let's talk." he said casually and start walking.

It takes me a minute to woke up in daze. I lightly slap my face and pinch it. I still can feel the rapid pounding of my heart inside my ribcage.

"Hey! Babe! still not wake up? Want me to hold you bridal style?" he said smirking with a lace of mocking in his voice.

Ugh! this playboy. Gosh! I can't believe that he over intimidated me. I glared at him and annoyingly walk towards him. Hindi na nawala ang masama kong tingin sa kanya habang naglalakad kami.

"Babe, stop glaring at me. You don't know what you're glaring face made me feel. Honestly it turns me on. So stop it before I bring you to a private place" he said maniacally then lick his lip and wink at me.

"Bastos!"

"HAHAHAH. So cute babe. Seriously, stop that while I still can control myself." this time his serious.

Bigla akong napalunok at umiwas ng tingin. Playboy talaga siya, napaka bastos. After a while may nakita siyang Starbucks kaya pumasok siya doon na sinundan ko naman.

Pagkapasok namin lahat ng kababaihan at napatingin siya kanya. At itong magaling na lalaki naman ay mukhang nag-eenjoy sa attention na nakukuha niya. Flirt!

I was busy digging a graveyard for him in my mind kaya hindi ko napansin ang lalaki na lumapit sakin.

"Miss?" mababakasan ng hiya ang boses niya at hindi makatingin ng deretso sakin.

"Yes po?" I answered politely.

"Ahmm... I'll get straight to the point. I like you. May I know your name?"

"His name is none of your business." before I can answer this man bigla na lang may nagsalita sa gilid ko and there I saw Sebastian hardly and darkly glaring at this stranger.

Mukha namang natakot ang lalaki kaya dali dali itong umalis.

"You don't have to be so rude. I can handle it myself."

"I'll be rude to any man that will dare get near you. You're exclusively mine Harley." he said dead serious.

I can't  even argue with that 'cause his scaring me again. I just look at him defeatedly na nagustuhan naman niya. He really likes to be the boss. His looks suits his personality, very dominating and domineering.

"Let's go babe. I'll order our foods just go find a place for us. By the way, what do you want?"

"Anything with vanilla." I simply said.

"What about my Vanilla? Wanna try it?" this pervert!

"Kapag hindi ka pa tumigil iiwan kita dito." I'm seriously and genuinely angry right now.

Mukhang nakita niya na seryoso na ako. Honestly it's pissing me off how bossy he is. His to controlling! I hate it.

"Okay, fine! I'll stop. But in case you change your mind just tell me." he said then wink at me at dali daling pumunta ng counter.

I can't really believe this playboy. I know his pervert but I didn't expect it to be this worse. Napailing na lang ako at nagsimulang maghanap ng upuan namin.

I'll take this chance para kausapin siya ng masinsinan about sa mga kinikilos niya. Like seriously, he can get any woman he want. Why me? I'm just nobody.

for now.

Dahil ba sa itsura ko kaya ganyan siya? Kung itsura ko ang habol niya I'll never let him. Madami diyang magaganda at higit sa lahat tunay na babae.

If this is his game. I won't let him win.
He'll never going to win!

A/N :

Thank you for those who patiently waited for my update. Thank you so much! I love yahh Guys! 💖