SUZY'S POV
"I've already heard about what happened yesterday in your first day of your internship, Ms. Brigante. At sa sobrang sama ng ginawa mong 'yon, I suggest you to go back to Mr. Montero now and apologize to him this instant. That was just so unforgivable for a student from this prestigious university kaya kung ako sa'yo, go now and apologize."
When again, naalala ko na naman ang mga sinabing 'yon ng Professor namin, napapakagat na naman ako ng pang-ibabang labi ko.
Kagagaling ko lang sa opisina nito para sana magsubmit ng bagong internship application sa ibang company but as unfortunate as I was, I only received that answer from her. And now, nasa labas na'ko ng campus namin and I don't even know where to go!
My God! I'm certain na hinding-hindi mapapalampas ng Liam na 'yon ang mga kalokohang ginawa ko sa kanya kahapon!
"And you think I'd just let you go that way, Suzy?"
I swallowed hard when his words replayed in my head. It just sounded too promising for my taste kaya talagang gaganti ito sa'kin. I could even imagine him now looking so ready to chew me up in rage.
"...go back to Mr. Montero now and apologize to him this instant..."
When those words echoed in my head again, the biting of my lip intensified as I kept heaving up a shaky deep breath.
Knowing that I've got no other choice now but to go there and asked Liam to take me back to his hotel if I want to graduate this year.
Letting out a tormented groan, inis ko nalang na pinara ang taksi na papalapit na sa direksyon ko.
Kahit isako niya pa'ko ngayon, then be it! Basta ba patatawarin niya lang ako then it would be fine.
I quickly instructed the driver to take me to Montero Hotel kahit na kinakabahan na'ko sa mangyayari.
Mga ilang minuto lang, the car had finally halted right before the Montero Hotel.
Huminga muna ako ng malalim before I'd got out of the car. And for a few moments, sinipat ko muna ng tingin ang nakakasilaw na building sa harapan ko. It was already nine in the morning and from here, may iilang guest na rin akong nakikita sa loob ng hotel. Some were either with their luggages for those new guests and others were just about to head out.
I couldn't see any familiar employees inside other than the receptionists. Alam kong magtataka ang mga ito na bumalik pa'ko rito but to hell with them. Si Liam ang ipinunta ko rito kaya ang sasabihin niya lang ang tatanggapin ko ngayon.
Straightening myself, I heaved in a deep breath again before I began to head inside.
Pagkapasok ko palang, pinili ko ng hindi tumingin sa paligid to avoid an eye contact with any of the two receptionists. Dirediretso na'ko sa elevator, ignoring any people na titingin sa'kin until I reached the top floor.
The moment I've stepped out of the elevator, every head were snapped to my way while recognition instantly flashed though their faces. Saka nagbulungan na agad ang mga ito. Clenching my hand, I headed straight to his office without even glancing at their way.
Tumingin ka lang ng diretso Suzy mung gusto mong maayos ang gulong ginawa mo kahapon.
I mentally nodded at that in disagreement saka diretso lang sa paglalakad.
The familiar woman in her late twenties at the reception desk instantly got up from her seat pagkakita pa lamang nito sa'kin. A surprise look was visible in her face as she met me halfway to the CEO's office.
"Excuse me, ma'am. May maitutulong ba ko sainyo ngayon?" Bungad nito sa'kin with a forced smile in her mouth.
"Good morning. I'm here for Mr. Montero. Pwede ko ba siyang makausap ngayon? May kailangan lang sana akong sabihin sa kanya."
"Naku. I'm sorry, ma'am pero hindi niyo pa pwedeng makausap si sir ngayon. He's not in his office right now. He had called in earlier to cancel all his appointments today."
I frowned at that and tried to find any lies in her face but when I spotted none, tumango-tango na'ko rito.
"May I ask kung bakit hindi siya pumasok ngayon? Is he perhaps busy with something else?"
"I don't know ma'am." tugon nito with a shook of her head.
"Wala naman siyang nabanggit sa'kin kanina. Something probably came up."
Napapatango na lamang ako rito while biting my lower lip in dismay.
My God. Saan na naman ba nagsusuok ang gagong 'yon ngayon? Kailangan ko pa naman sanang makausap ito.
Nagpaalam na lamang ako rito and just left there kahit gustong-gusto ko sanang makausap agad ito.
Is he perhaps with one of his women again? Wala namang ibang inaatupag ito kung wala sa trabaho kundi pambababae so he might be.
For some unknown reason, bigla nalang bumigat ang dibdib ko. That heavy feelings in my chest I felt everytime na maisipan ko na nambababae na naman ito.
That weird feeling na hindi ko dapat nararamdaman sa lalaking 'yon. Wala naman 'yong ibang ginawa kundi guluhin ang buhay ko.
Clenching my teeth, iwinaksi ko nalang 'yon sa isipan ko saka pumasok na'ko agad sa loob ng elevator pagkabukas nito.
Wala akong ibang kasabay sa loob but when the elevator stopped at the 24th floor, I almost cursed out my fate when a few employees came in.
Oh shit..
The moment they'd spotted me, agad na natahimik ang mga ito as they stepped inside.
Pinili ko nalang na tumingin lang sa isang direksyon and never to their way.
"Suzy?"
That made me looked up when that cheerful voice called out my name.
Napangiti agad ako when Klent appeared in sight na hindi ko man lang namalayang nakasunod rin pala ito.
He was wearing his usual aesthetic smile in his face as he stepped inside and stood beside me.
"How are you? Akala ko hindi ka na babalik rito after what happened yesterday?"
My smile became a grimace when he was kind enough to remind me with event sa harap pa mismo ng mga tsismosa na nasa likuran namin.
"I was just here para kausapin sana si Sir Liam." Mahinang sagot ko rito while avoiding his eyes.
"Oh ganun ba? I heard he wasn't around since yesterday afternoon at hanggang ngayon. He was probably busy with his appointments."
"Or maybe with his women.." when I mumbled that to myself, agad na napatingin ito sa'kin with his knitted brows
"May sinabi ka ba?"
I quickly shook my head in denial, aware that a few ears behind us were listening.
"No. Nothing. Saang floor ba ang baba mo ngayon?" I asked to veer off the topic.
"Floor--- oh.. Dito na ako."
When the elevator reached the 20th floor, bumukas na agad ang pintuan nito.
"Mauna na'ko sa'yo, Suzy. I hope na makakabalik ka na rito bukas. It's just felt too boring here kung wala ka rito. Bye now." Then before I could even react, lumabas na agad ito kasama ang ibang employee na kasama nito. Leaving me alone again inside habang natitigilan pa rin sa mga sinabi nito.
Too boring without me here? Sinasabi niya ba sa'kin na namimiss niya ko?
Just the thought of that, di ko na mapigilang mapangiti dahil dito.
Oh no.. Totoo nga kaya yong sinasabi ng gagong Liam na 'yon na sinundan niya talaga ako rito dahil may gusto rin ito sa'kin?
Just thinking that possibility, my smile turned into a grin now. Grinning alone in that elevator like I was out of my mind.
When the elevator door opened up at the ground floor, lumabas na'ko agad and then headed straight to the exit now with a smile in my face.
Di bale ng hindi ko mahanap ang Liam na 'yon rito. Ang importante, nahanap ko rito si Klent ngayon and I was fortunate benough to hear those----
My thoughts were suddenly interrupted when my phone vibrated in my jean's pocket.
Hinugot ko na 'yon agad mula sa bulsa ko as I stepped outside of the building.
A familiar phone number flashed through my phone screen.
With a frown, sinagot ko na ang tawag na 'yon habang papalapit na'ko sa daan para pumara ng masasakyan pauwi.
"Hello----"
"S-Suzy??"
I halted with my steps the moment I heard that voice from the other line. Just on time na hinahanap ko rin ito para makausap.
I'm certain it was Liam pero medyo garalgal nga lang ang boses nito ngayon. I wonder what got him to have this voice now.
"Anong kailangan mo sa'kin?"
My brow quirked up when I heard some rustling of sheets in the background.
Is he still on his bed at this hour? Tanghali na but this bastard was still in his bed with some woman? Naba----
Napatigil na'ko sa iba ko pang iniisip nang bigla ko nalang narinig na umubo ito before he talked again.
"C-Can you come by to my house today and buy some medicine for me? Please?"
Mas lalo pa'kong natitigilan ngayon when he asked me that. Too unusual for him to say 'please'.
"Why? Are you sick right now?"
He just coughed again, more worse than before which caused me to feel alarmed with it.
"Where are you? Wala bang ibang pwedeng pumunta diyan ngayon other than me? Your maid perhaps?"
"No. I only have Nana Bising with me but she's on leave right now and---" he coughed out again, more louder than before.
Dahilan para mag-aalala na'ko rito as guilt began to crawl up in my chest.
Nagkakasakit ba 'to ngayon dahil sa ginawa ko sa kanya kahapon?
At that thought, I consciously bit my lower lip hard as I felt more guilty about it.
"You can just drop the medicine at my doorstep, Suzy... I'd really appreciate that if you do that. Thank you." Came his weak voice.
I was about to utter a response for him pero bago ko paman maibuka ang bibig ko, pinutol na nito ang linya.
Naguguluhang ibinulsa ko nalang uli ang phone ko and for awhile, nanatili lang muna akong nakatayo sa labas ng hotel while giving it a deep a thought.
Pupuntahan ko ba ito? May sakit nga kaya talaga ito? Baka naman niloloko niya lang ako ngayon just so he could get back on me?
"C-Can you come by to my house and buy some medicine for me? Please?"
" ..I only have Nana Bising with me but she's on leave right now.."
When his words echoed through my head, napaisip pa'ko lalo.
Please? Hindi naman 'yon mahilig magsabi ng 'please' so he must really be sick right now. And he was all alone right now.
This time, nag-alala na'ko rito lalo na't kasalanan ko naman talaga kung bakit ito nagkakasakit ngayon.
Hindi naman siguro 'to nagsisinungaling lang ngayon ano?
Well, kung nagsasakit-sakitan lang talaga 'to ngayon edi bugbugin ko nalang nang magkasakit nga talaga ito.
Heaving up a breath, I think alam ko na ang gagawin ko ngayon. I'll just go there and check his condition in his house. Nang makausap ko na rin ito.
With that thought in mind, bumalik na'ko agad sa loob ng hotel and then asked for his home address to his secretary.
Unit 3, 8F, Paseo de Dios Condominium. The address where that pervert Liam resides.
Nalulula na tinitingala ko ngayon ang matayog na building sa harapan ko. Like any other exclusive condominiums, this building screams luxury from outside. It was mostly made up with glass walls with lovely uniformed verandas each unit.
Glancing down at the plastic pack in my hand, I checked the medicine kung tama na ba lahat 'yong nabili ko kanina. When I think it was enough, naglakad na'ko agad palapit sa guard outpost sa may entrance.
"Magandang araw ma'am. Anong atin?" Nakangiting bungad agad sa'kin ng matabang guard pagkalapit ko rito.
I returned his smiled and voiced out my concern.
"I'm here for Mr. Montero, guard. Tinawagan niya kasi ako para bumili ng mga gamot and I'm here to send this to him." I informed him sabay turo ng puting supot na dala-dala ko.
"Oh? Mr. Montero? Tumawag nga siya rito kanina. Ikaw siguro si Ms. Suzy, tama ba ko?"
"Tama. Ako nga po 'yon." Nakangiting tugon ko rito, grateful that the bastard was kind enough to give this guard a heads up for my arrival.
"Pwede ka ng tumuloy, ma'am. Mukhang kailangan na po ni sir 'yang gamot niya."
"Salamat po."
Nang makapagpaalam na'ko rito, I quickly headed to the elevator.
Pagkapasok ko sa loob, wala man lang akong nakasabay paakyat. This place must be that exclusive for rich people, specifically for bachelor men like him.
It didn't took me long before the elevator door opened at the 8th floor. Lumabas na'ko agad mula doon and began to stride along the bright hallway. Wala man lang ibang tao rito na naglalakad at----
Natigilan na lamang ako nang may bigla nalang may lumabas na babae mula sa ikatlong pintuan. She was wearing a nude strapless dress na hapit na hapit ang magandang hubog ng katawan nito.
"F**k you, asshole!!" She cursed out before kicking the closed door na nasa harapan nito, hurting herself instead.
Napapangiwi na lamang ako rito when she grimaced in pain. She kept cursing under her breath habang nakahawak sa nasaktang paa nito.
Nakalugay lang ang maitim at mahabang buhok nito while wearing a killer heels which really accentuates her figure. A body and a face like a victoria secret's model.
I wonder kung anong ginawa sa kanya ng may-ari ng condo na yan para magalit ito ng gani----
I stopped with my thoughts when suddenly, my eyes caught the room number across that same door.
Unit 3.
Just seeing that, I glared at the grumbling woman and then to that damn door.
Niloloko ba ko ng gagong 'to? I thought he was sick?
Just the thought na niloloko niya lang ako, my hold at the plastic pack tightened in a sudden.
That conniving bastard!
Tumayo na agad ng matuwid ang babaeng 'yon and then grumbling a few curses again, nagdadabog na agad itong umalis mula sa pintuang 'yon. Passing through me like she didn't even notice my presence.
Kahit nagtataka na'ko sa kung anong ginagawa nito sa loob ng condo ng gagong 'yon, lumapit na'ko agad sa harap ng pintuang 'yon.
He better be prepared for what was coming to his way now!
With bared teeth, I quickly pressed the doorbell. More forceful than what was needed. When after a few seconds, hindi man lang niya ako pinagbuksan ng pintuan. I pressed the doorbell again, pressing it five times this time. Now so annoyed with him.
And when again, wala paring nagbubukas, kakalampagin ko na sana ang pintuang 'yon but I was stopped when a low voice came off from the intercom next to the doorbell.
"Just go away, Gianna. Stop this madness now before I'd call the security for ----"
"You're not sick, are you?"
Natahimik agad ito sa kabilang linya when I snapped that out while glaring at the intercom. Imagining that I was glaring at him in person.
"Suzy?" Mahinang tanong na nito after a few moments of his silence.
"Yes. It's me bastard at heto na pala ang pinabibili mong gamot. Isaksak mo sa baga mo ang mga 'to! Niloloko mo lang pala ako!" Asik ko na rito saka itatapon ko na sana ang supot na 'yon sa pintuang 'yon but before I could even do that, the door suddenly burst open and then came out a hand na bigla nalang akong hinila papasok sa loob na siyang ikinalaki ng mga mata ko.
He must've really want me to smack his head now!!
"Anong-----"
Before I could even lash out at him, siyang gulat ko nalang nang bigla na n'ya'kong itulak sa pintuang nasa likuran ko saka bigla-bigla nalang akong hinalikan while firmly holding my face. Surprising me with it.
Natitigilang napapahawak na lamang ako sa balikat nito with his medicine in my hand.
And then he suddenly pulled out and released my lips with a wide grin in his face.
"You came.." parang mangha pa nitong sambit as he gazed down at me na napapakurap lang na nakatingala sa kanya.
Drug addict ba ang gagong 'to? Bigla-bigla nalang nanghahalik kahit kailan nito gusto!
When I recovered from my shock, I straightened up saka sinipat na ito ng tingin. Studying his face closely dahil may kakaiba lang sa masayang mukha nito ngayon. And it was a bit suspicious. Halatang kagagaling lang nito sa kama dahil sa magulong buhok nito at sa puting suot nitong shirt at loose pants. He said he was sick pero ganito naman kalapad ang ngisi nito ngayon.
"I thought you were sick, Liam?"
When I asked that, his hold at my face loosened as his grin slowly disappeared. Causing my brow to arch up in suspicion.
"At bakit wala man lang yatang bakas na may sakit 'yang pagmumukha mo? Nagagawa mo pa'kong halikan na para bang wala ka man lang iniindang sakit sa katawan ngayon?"
He didn't answered at mas lalo pang tumaas ang pagkakaarko ng kilay ko when I noticed his adam's apple bobbed.
"Niloloko mo lang ba'ko----" before I could even finish my interrogation, siyang gulat ko nalang nang bigla nalang ito natumba sa sahig at nawalan ng malay.
Freaking the hell out of me.
"Liam!!!" Tarantang naisigaw ko na as I quickly got down beside him to rescue him.
What the hell?!!!!!
I tried to shake him off para gisingin ito but he wasn't even responding! Goodness with this man!!