Chapter 5: Walking Failure

A/N:

By the way, UNI timeline is 2 years from the start of DWTD timeline. If you haven't read, DEALING WITH THE DEVIL (BOOK 1 OF VANDER SERIES) there will be a lot of spoilers here.

JAJA

I rolled to the other side of the bed to reach for my ringing phone. The clock on the side showed it's 5:30 in the morning.

What the heck? Sinong tumatawag sa akin ng ganitong oras?! I didn't bother checking who called at mabilis na sinagot ang tawag.

"If this isn't a life and death situation, do yourself a favor. Don't show yourself to me or I'll kill you with bare hands," bati ko sa kabilang linya.

"Wow, is that how you will treat your employer?"

What the hell?

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon at tiningnan ang cellphone. It's really Cooler Vander- but wait, seriously calling me at 5:30 AM?!

"Huwag mong sabihing ganitong oras ka magpapaturo?" tanong ko sa kanya. Pasado alas tres na ako nakatulog kagabi dahil may raket pa ako tapos ganitong oras siya tatawag?

"No, we'll start at 6, so you have 30 minutes to prepare-"

Hindi ko maiwasan mapataas ang kilay. "Nababaliw ka na ba?"

"In case you forgot Miss Rustia, our terms say it's my call when our lessons will start. And this is so kind of me to call you this early dahil as we agreed, I don't like tardiness. I have a meeting at 9 AM so this is my only free time. If I were you, I would jump my ass out of the bed at naghanda na. I'll see you at the nearest coffeeshop sa office."

And he dared to drop the call!

Hindi pa man ako nakakasagot ay pinatayan na niya ako ng telepono! This is so annoying but what can I do? Man is kind enough to give me a job after my blackmail. So yeah, I will consider him good because like he said, he isn't a frugal employer. Sa ganoong paraan ay makakapag-ipon ako ng pampiyansa kay Jules.

Sa ilang beses ba naman niyang pagkakulong, I ran out of people na malalapitan ko kapag kailangan kong umutang ng pera. At first, pumapayag pa silang magpautang. Then next, they will tell me to stop dating Jules for some reason. That's when I stopped asking them to help me dahil kasunod niyon ay ang walang tigil na panenermon sa akin tungkol sa relasyon ko kay Jules.

I'm tired of telling them he will change soon. Hindi man ngayon ngunit may tiwala akong magbabago si Jules. Binilisan ko na lamang ang pag-aayos at agad na pumunta sa coffeeshop na sinabi ni Cooler.

I arrived on the specified plaxe at exactly 6. Iilan pa lamang ang tao sa coffeeshop na iyon kaya mabilis ko siyang nahanap. He was sitting on the corner, with his legs crossed at may umuusok na tasa ng kape sa harap niya. He's wearing a suit, with his coat on the chair beside him, leaving him in his blue inner shirt and black ties. He was reading something on his iPad at tiningnan niya ako nang mapansin ang presensya ko.

He sat straight at tinuro ang upuan sa harap niya. "I ordered you breakfast, you don't mind coffee and some toast, right?"

Tumango ako at magpapasalamat sana ngunit muli siyang nagsalita.

"It's free."

Napasimangot ako. Hindi naman iyon ang iniisip ko, but I chose not to say a word dahil mukhang seryoso siya sa ginagawa. Minsan na nga lang siya kung humigop sa kape, nakakunot pa ang noo niya.

Pinili kong manahimik at kumain na lamang. Libre naman daw eh. Ilang saglip lamang ay isinara niya ang laptop at bumaling sa akin.

"Sorry, I just have to check something," sabi niya. "May naiisip ka na bang ituturo sa akin ngayon?"

Kinagat ko ang muffin bago sumagot. "Hmm, mga basic gaya ng card tricks."

He snorted. "Kabisado ko na iyon."

"How about pulling something from empty hands?" tanong ko habang ngumunguya.

Mas lalo siyang napangiwi bago humigit ng ilang baraha mula sa gilid ng tainga ko. Not bad, pero seriously, ano pang ituturo ko sa kanya kung ganyang ang dami na niyang alam?

"You don't expect me to teach you how to cut bodies in half, do you?" tanong ko. Wala naman siguro siyang balak sumali sa circus, hindi ba?

Mukhang gusto niyang matawa ngunit pinigilan niya ang sarili. "I want magic tricks, not murder."

Napabuga ako ng hangin. If he knew that much, ano pa ba ang puwede kong ituro sa kanya?

Biglang tumunog ang kanyang cellphone kaya agad niya iyong sinagot. "Good morning Sir, my presentation will be ready by 9—" Bigla siyang natahimik na tila ba nakikinig sa kabilang linya. "Pero Sir, we agreed—okay Sir, I'll be there right away."

Ibinaba niya ang tawag at ilang beses na napamura. He looked so stressed out after just one phone call. One thing about Cooler Vander, he sounded so cool with all that swears he spouted. Natatarantang inayos niya ang gamit at halos isalampak na ang laptop at iPad sa bag. He grabbed his coat at tumayo.

"I'm sorry Miss Rustia but I have an urgent meeting."

"Okay lang S-sir, go ahead." It was weird calling him Sir lalo na't hindi pang "Sir" ang ginawa ko sa kanya last time. It was my drastic means to get a job. Halos takbuhin na niya ang daan palabas patungo sa building ng Vander Trading na nasa tapat. Kung anuman ang tawag na iyon, malamang napakaimportante niyon.

Kung ibang pagkakataon ay nainis na ako. Imagine, he called me early only to cancel? Well, at least may kape at pa-muffins and toast kaya okay lang. I took my time sipping on my coffee ngunit mayamaya ay napansin ko ang isang folder.

Iyon ang binabasa niya kanina- and it must be important! Agad ko iyong hinablot, hinigop ang natitirang kape at lakad takbo na rin ang ginawa upang makapunta sa katapat na building.

Pagdating ko sa entrance ay sinalubong ako ng guard at hiningan ng ID.

"Ugh, sorry guard pero wala pa akong ID eh," sagot ko at ngumiti ngunit wala iyong epekto sa guwardiya.

"Edi 'di ka pwedeng pumasok kung hindi ka employee o tenant ng building," striktong sabi ng guard. "Isa pa, mamayang 9 pa magpapapasok ng bisita."

"Please importante lang—"

"Miss hindi pwede okay? May importanteng meeting—"

I cut off the guard. "Alam ko kaya nga kailangan mo akong papasukin."

"Hindi nga pwede!" Pagmamatigas ng guwardiya. Minsan talaga, masyadong passionate ang mga guwardiya sa trabaho nila.

"Alright, ako ang magbabantay dito pero kailangan mong itakbo 'tong files kay Cooler—"

"May meeting nga si Sir, ilang beses ko bang sasabihin sa' yo 'yan? At hindi kita pwedeng hayaan dito!"

Ah, wala ng ibang paraan!

"Okay, okay pero... Take a look at this," sabi ko at pumitik sa harap ng guwardiya. I've always known that hypnosis is a piece of cake but it's something I could not chew whole. I positioned myself properly upang i-focus ng guard ang atensiyon niya sa akin. Pilit kong inaalala ang lahat ng tinuro sa akin ni Tatay at lahat ng mga natutunan ko na may kinalaman sa hypnosis.

I used my words as stimuli and reduced his peripheral awareness, and voila! The guard somewhat looked confused but focused. I smiled and raised the files I was holding.

"Ayaw ko talagang gawin to but you left me with no choice. There's a chair, now sit back and relax. I'll be back!"

Mabilis na nakapasok ako sa loob at halos takbuhin na ang elevator. One set was out of order, the other was already on its way up.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko ito ginagawa. What do I care if these files are important to Cooler Vander? I am his magic tutor, not a business colleague o anuman kaya wala akong kasalanang kung may makompromiso man siyang negosyo.

Or I could be human who can symphatize to a person who might lose a lot because of something he left that I found.

Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako at tinungo ang hagdan sa fire exit. I ran my way up ngunit hindi pa bumababa ang elevator. I pressed the button before running back to the stairs. I moved up to another floor but still couldn't catch the elevator. For the nth time I pressed the buttons at muling tinakbo ang emergency exit.

Nearly three floors before Cooler's office ay saka ko lamang naabutan ang elevator. Mabilis na pumasok ako at pinindot ang palapag na destinasyon. Habol ang hiningang napasandal ako at tiningnan ang dalang folder. Wala akong pakialam kung ano man ang mangyari sa kanya okay, but given that he's nice enough to treat me for breakfast, sabihin na lamang natin na ito ay pasasalamat ko.

Tumunog ang elevator bell at skatong pagbukas ng pinto ay narinig ko ang tila pagalit na sigaw ng isang lalaki.

"I am so disappointed with you, Mr. Vander!" Kahit may dalang cane ay mabilis itong lumabas ng pinto. I saw Cooler ran after him in an apologetic manner.

"Sir, please. This is an important deal and—" he stopped nang makita ako at ang folder na hawak ko. He walked towards me at walang sabi-sabing hinablot ang folder. "Here, I got it. Can we just get back inside?"

With Cooler's authoritative yet respective demeanor, I would have complied and walked insode the office like a good little girl. But no, the man was determined not to hear whatever excuse he has.

Tumigil ang matanda at halos ituro na si Cooler gamit ang hawak na cane. "This is the second time, Mr. Vander that you wasted my time. It's disappointing to know that Cool will let you take over the business na kahit simpleng mga bagay ay hindi mo magawa. The business will definitely go dwn once you take over. You're such a disappointment."

Wait, that was below the belt! Definitely below the belt.

"Hoy, that's hasty generalzation!" biglang bulalas ko, sanhi upang lahat sila ay mapatingin sa akin. I gulped few times at alam kong mas masama ang tinging ipinupukol sa akin ni Cooler.

But that old man is really mean! Just becasue Cooler made him waste his time for the second time around, he's concluding that their business will fall?!

"Who the hell are you?" tanong ng matanda.

Tila nanlamig ang buo kong katawan. "No one, definitely no one! But I know for sure that you're being too harsh—"

"Rustia..."

It was Cooler's voice that almost sent chills down my spine. How could he sound like that?! I mean, you know that voice that tells you you're in great trouble.

"This is none of your business," dagdag niya at malamig ang tinging binibigay sa akin.

Napalunok ako at tinangkang magsalita but there was literaly no voice that comes out in my mouth. I swallowed hard again but still I can't find my voice. Inalis ko ang tingin kay Cooler at muling hinarap ang matanda. Looks like I was only scared of Cooler Vander and not this old man.

"S-second time and you're saying he's a disappointment? So how about me? Do you know I have to audition thirteen times just to become part of our school play for the Sleeping Beauty?! Labindalawang beses akong nag-aksaya ng oras, panahon, effort and all just to fail but on my thirteenth try, I passed and got the role of a tree! I had to take college preparatory course because I didn't make it to the cut-off for my desired program! I had to undergo so many interviews just to have a decent job that will help me pay my bills! Tapos ikaw, pangalawang beses and you're telling him things that might haunt him forever?! If he's a disappointment, how about the people like me? Ano, alikabok lang talaga kami sa mundo?!"

Now I'm throwing tantrums. I was scared that it made me mumble so many things. Hindi ako natatakot sa matanda, what scared me is Cooler Vander but hey, I already did it. I messed with him and that probably means my whole life is now a mess.

Teka, do I even know what this person is? I mean forget Cooler Vander, so what if he's really part of that so-called Vander Mafia, ngunit paano kung maging ang matandang ito rin pala? What if he's some sort of dangerous mob boss?

Tila naguguluhang napatingin ang matanda sa akin. There was a defeaning silence before Cooler fished his phone from his pocket. "Pick up this woman here and don't let her go until I said so."

Ilang saglit lamang ay dumating ang dalawang private guards. The men in their tuxedo suit picked me up without a word and I was at loss for some too. I could only scream for help when the elevator door closes at pababa na kami sa palapag na iyon.

***

I sat on the conference room at nakaabang sa pinto ang dalawang gwardiya. I bet they were instructed not to let me out of the building. Halos isang oras na ang lumipas ngunit hindi pa rin ako nakaaalis doon. Thanks to Cooler's instruction to keep me here.

Ano ba naman kasi ang naisipan ko at ginawa ko 'yon? Cooler messed big time but I guess I only made it worst. Pero napaka-inconsiderate naman talaga! Na-trigger ang pagiging walking failure ko dahil sa pang-iinsulto niya kay Cooler Vander—who failed to meet his expectations for the second time.

Maybe for them, second time was too much pero tama bang magconclude na ito na ganoon ang kahihitnan ng negosyo ng mga Vander kapag si Cooler na ang namahala?

Definitely no!

Napabuga ako nang hangin at muling sumandal. I turned around in the swivel chair, enjoying the comfort of being here ngunit malakas pa rin ang kabog ng dibdib ko sa tuwing naiisip ko kung ano ang gagawin ni Cooler.

Tiyak matatanggalan ako ng trabaho. Hindi pa man ako nakakapagsimula pero heto ako, I messed up. Ilang beses kong tinampal ang noo na para bang maibabalik ko ang lahat sa paraang ginagawa ko. There's no turning back and I'm well aware of that.

Nakarinig ako ng mga yabag at malalakas na boses mula sa labas. I whipped my head towards the door to see who's approching this way.

"Please don't—" Napatigil si Cooler nang tuluyan nang mabuksan ang pinto. From the glass door, pumasok ang isang babaeng buntis. Walang nagawa si Cooler kundi mapabuntong-hininga lamang at sinundan ang babae.

Her tan skin looked like she just got it from her beach trip. Medyo malaki na ang umbok sa kanyang tiyan but she slayed that sexy dress she's wearing. Matangos ang kanyang ilong and her body looked like she's blessed during her pregnancy dahil mukhang hiyang siya sa pagbubuntis. Napansin ko rin ang mga visible na tattoo sa kanyang dibdib by how her low cut dress hang loose.

Her eyes scanned me from head to foot. Bahagyang nagtagal sa dibdib ko ang tingin niya. I cannot say if that's disgust, disapproval or what in her face.

Bumaling siya kay Cooler na tila mas lalo pang nastress sa presensya ng babae kaysa sa nangyari sa kanyang business deal kanina.

"Not screaming big but not flat as board," sabi niya kay Cooler. "Congratulations, Cooler. You finally broke the curse that's been going around the Vanders."

Huminga nang malalim si Cooler. "Pi..." Napakamot siya sa kanyang ulo at tila gustong hilahin palabas ang babae but I don't know what's preventing him to do so. Takot ba siya sa babaeng 'to?

But the woman strode towards me. Inilahad niya ang palad sa harap ko. "I'm Lennon Pi Bellomo Morisson. Nice to meet you."

She doesn't seem friendly at all. Sa tingin ko ay siya ang tipong magagalit kapag hindi agad tinatanggap ang nakalahad niyang kamay. I wiped my hands at the side of my jeans before accepting her handshake.

"Jaja Rustia," sagot ko. Wala akong ideya kung sino siya at mas lalo akong wala ideya kung ano ang pinagsasabi niya.

She doesn't look impressed. "Jaja? That's your real name? Jejemon ba ang mga magulang mo?"

"It's my nickname. My real name is Jennifer Angelina."

Tumawa siya nang malakas. The woman is pretty but definitely the brat type. I'm not sure what's her deal but I better not get on her bad side

"Your parents fan of Brad Pitt?" pabirong tanong niya.

Well, they were. Otherwise why would they name my brother Brad while I was named as the beautiful women he got involved with?

"I suppose they are," sagot ko sa kanya. Nagpalipat-lipat sa kanila ni Cooler ang tingin ko. So who's this woman again? I mean, hindi ang kanyang pangalan...

Tumawa ang babae. "Can't blame you. My parents were also a big fan of John Lennon  plus my dad's obsessed with Mathematics so he named me Lennon Pi and my brother's John Archimedes."

Nakitawa na lang ako kahit gulong-gulo ako sa nangyari. What happened upstairs? Galit ba sa akin si Cooler dahil sa ginawa ko kanina? Anong nangyari sa matandang businessman?

"Pi..." tawag ni Cooler sa kanya.

"What?!" taas-kilay na sagot niya. If Cooler Vander was scary, looks like she's scared of this woman too. "Go back to whatever you're doing. I'll stay here, looking around. Wala naman akong gagawin sa bahay. Rocket's not around for the next three days so I'll be here for three days too."

Although she sounded jolly, what she said sounded more like a threat. Ano bang meron sa babaeng' to at tila tiklop sa kanya si Cooler Vander.

"Pwede na ba akong umalis?" tanong ko.

"Why, no!" sagot ni Pi. "Cooler owe you big time."

Ha?

Napasimangot si Cooler. Mukhang gusto niyang salungatin ang sinabi ni Pi, but he just don't know how.

"I owe her nothing Pi."

Inakbayan ako ni Pi, much to my surprise. "Kung hindi dahil sa kanya, you think you'll close that 300-million deal? Nope."

Okay I'm so lost.

Napatingin sa akin si Pi at saglit na nag-isip. "Well, technically it's not because of her pero somehow she knocked sense on that Old man's dry brain. In one way, Jaja is helpful."

Oh, I think that deal turned out good.

"Sometimes, life give us lemons, and I simply made lemonade, Pi. Look, Misa Rustia was helpful but I closed that deal because I am capable."

Oh, looks like Cooler Vander has insecurities about himself. You know, despite screaming perfect, there might be a story behind that old man's disappointment in him.

"Of course Cooler, you are capable," sagot sa kanya ni Pi. "Why would I fell for you way back kung hindi ka capable? I'm not up for something less than amazing men. Look at Harry Styles, I like him because he screams perfect. I like you because you scream perfect. I love Rocket because he's perfect. Also, if life gives me lemons, I'll squirt them in people's eyes."

I mentally cringed. This woman is unbelievable. I think despite her petite physique and that sweet smile, she's not the woman who whines when she break a nail.

Pi suddenly made a face. "Oh shit, my nail came off. Hindi na ako babalik sa spa na 'yon!"

Maybe I was wrong. She does whine.

"But hey I think it came off when I shove my brother's face down the hood of his car and gun him down when he damn messed with my Harry Styles Album collection," nakangiting sabi niya.

Scary.

This woman is scary.

#

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