Elle's POV
Pagkatapos naming kumain ay nag-ikot pa muna kami sa mini garden sa gilid ng restaurant ni Tita Zyra at tsaka kami bumalik na sa company.
Alas-dos ng hapon ay nakabalik na kami sa company at bumalik na sa naiwang trabaho hanggang sa mag ala-singko na ay doon ko lang natapos ang ginagawa kong report at pag-aayos ng mga papers na need ulit i-review at pirmahan ni Ms. Mirabelles
Knock… knock… knock…
"Come in" sabi ko at pumasok naman si Candice na may dalang makapal papers
"Here's the reports and contracts na need din ng signature ni Ms. Mirabelles" sabi nito habang palapit sa table ko
"Palagay na lang muna dyan sa gilid" sabi ko habang inaayos ko ang papers na hawak ko
"Ok. Hindi ka pa ba uuwi?" tanong nito
"Tapusin ko lang ayusin ang mga papers na ito. Pwede ka na mauna"
"Oki, umuwi ka na rin huh. May bukas pa. Una na ako for sure ay hinihintay na ako ng baby ko" tumingin naman ako dito at nginitian sya
"Go ahead, pasabi kay Camille miss ko na sya"
"Naku, miss ka na rin ng batang yun, for sure matutuwa yun kapag binanggit kita, lagi ka kayang hinahanap nun. Bisitahin mo naman minsan haha"
"Bat di mo na lang dalhin dito bukas?"
"Good idea. For sure matutuwa talaga si Camille hihi. Sige mauna na ako gurl. Byeee"
"Bye, ingat"
Pagkalabas nya ay inayos ko na rin yung dinala nyang papers para kapag nagpunta ako sa bahay ulit ni Ms. Mirabelles ay nakahanda na lahat
Si Camille ay hindi anak ni Candice, kung tutuusin ay kapatid nya ito sa mga umapon sa kanya. 3 years old na si Camille, namatay ang mama nila pagkapanganak kay Camille habang ang tatay nila ay namatay dahil sa depression sa pagkamatay ng asawa nya kaya naman kay Candice na naiwan si Camille at tinuring nyang anak ito upang hindi lumaking walang magulang ang bata, isa rin sa reasons bakit nagkahiwalay sa sila ng dati nyang boyfriend. And ayoko magkwento ng nangyari talaga sa kanila, wala ako sa posisyon para ikwento ang bagay na yun.
Pagkatapos kong ayusin ang papers ay umuwi na rin ako sa condo ko at pagdating ko dito ay binagsak ko ang katawan ko sa kama.
Ang sarap sa pakiramdam, pagkatapos ng madaming trabaho ay nakahiga din. Ilang minute akong nakahiga hanggang sa mag ring ang phone ko. Pagtingin ko naman dito ay nakita ko ang pangalan ni Aiden kaya naman sinagot ko ito
"Hello?" sabi ko
"Hi, love. Nakauwi ka na?" sabi naman nya sa kabilang linya
"Yes, love. Actually, halos kararating ko lang. Ikaw ba?"
"Good to know. I'm still here in my office, madami pa ako dapat asikasuhin" sabi nito
"Umuwi ka ng maaga para makapagpahinga ka rin, wag mo masyado pagurin at stress-in ang sarili mo sa work, masama rin sa katawan yan love" sabi ko dito
"Yes, ma'am haha"
"Seryoso ako love, and also, kumain ka on time, ok? Wag kang magpapalipas ng gutom baka mamaya bigla na lang bumagsak katawan mo nyan" seryosong sabi ko
"Yes, love. Hindi ko pababayaan sarili ko, kailangan malakas katawan ko kasi magpapakasal pa tayo at magaanak ng pito haha"
"Pito ka dyan, tigilan mo nga ako, love. Basta wag pabayaan ang health. Sige na, ipagpatuloy mo na yang trabaho mo. I love you" sabi ko
"Okay, love. Bawi ako ulit sa weekend, I love you too"
"Bye" sabi ko at binaba ko na ang call
Tumayo naman na ako para magbihis at magluto naman ng dinner ko
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Pagkatapos kong kumain ay saktong may tumawag naman sa akin kaya naman sinagot ko ito
"Hello?" bungad ko rito
"Goodevening, Ms. Elle" bati naman ng nasa kabilang linya
'Goodevening din, Mr. Diaz. Any good news?" tanong ko rito
"Well, about the old case, I can't give you any good news but for the new case, I already gathered all information you want to know" sabi nito, isang private investigator si Mr. Diaz at masasabi kong isa itong napakagaling na investigator dahil walang case ang hindi nya nalalaman except that old case but he already has some clues and malapit na rin malaman ang buong katotohanan. Natagalan lang syang maghagilap ng information dahil na rin sobrang linis ng pagkakagawa ng kung sino man ang nasa likod nito.
"Well then, go ahead"
"She's not the real daughter of Mr. Charles. His real daughter has been missing since her birth. Also, the first wife of Mr. Charles is already dead. Annika Charles is the second wife of Louise Charles and another shocking news is that Mr. Charles did not know that Mikka Charles is not his own blood and flesh. Annika Charles or Annika Gallio is the second child of old Gallio from Gallio International that is currently Rank 10." Pagbabalita nito sa hinihingi kong impormasyon about Mikka
"So, you mean, Annika Gallio faked Mikka's identity to be Mr. Charles' daughter to be able to marry him? Am I right?"
"Yes, Annika and Louise were in a relationship before he met his first wife and they met again on his bachelor's party held by his friends before his wedding with Scarlett Hart, his first wife. They were indeed fixed marriage, but they learned to love each other after their wedding. Back to his party, something happened to them, but it did not made Annika pregnant. After 2 months that day, she was kidnapped and raped. She became pregnant after that incident, and that is Mikka. Mikka was aware of her mother's past, so basically, they both planned to deceive Mr. Charles."
"Wait, you said they both planned? You mean, Mikka was old enough when they show up to Mr. Charles?" paglilinaw ko
"Yes, she was 10 years old already when they showed up in front of Mr. Charles' house claiming that Mikka was his daughter. And they showed up on the 8th death anniversary of Scarlett Hart"
"How about the real daughter?"
"She's been missing a month before Scarlett Hart died. As what I found, she was kidnapped by the nanny when she was just one year old baby"
"Hmm, I found it suspicious. Please look deeper on what really happened to Scarlett Hart and the baby. I think, Anikka Gallio has something to do with it? Please, look for it and prove my intuition."
"Sure, Ms. Elle. That's all for now. I will also send the complete files and evidence I found about Mikka Charles' identity"
"Thank you, Mr. Diaz"
"You're welcome, Ms. Elle. I'm just doing my job"
"But don't forget my first case, I want it soon, got it?"
"Got it, I'll make sure to gather evidence faster."
"Thank you again, Mr. Diaz"
"No problem, do you have anything else to ask?"
"That's all for now"
"Well then, have a good night, Ms. Elle"
"Likewise, Mr. Diaz" sabi ko at binaba ko na ang call
Not just an illegitimate daughter huh? But also, a fake daughter? You're really something Mikka. You're enjoying the life that should be for the real daughter. Let's see hanggang san ka dadalhin nyang panloloko nyo
I did not expect na mas malalim pa ang malalaman ko about you, ang gusto ko lang naman malaman is your simple background. But it's looks like you don't have simple background, huh.
Binuksan ko naman ang laptop ko at nakita ko ang email ni Mr. Diaz, binuksan ko naman ito at nakita ko ang DNA Test na nagpapatunay na hindi talaga anak ni Mr. Charles si Mikka.
Napangisi naman ako dito.
Wag kang magkakamaling may gawin against me in the future, hindi natin alam hanggang kailan ko itatago ang madumi mong nakaraan at pagkatao. Don't you ever underestimate someone's capability based on their status you see.
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Mikka's POV
That b*tch!
How dare her to talk to me like that! Argh!
Let's see! I will do everything to be able to work here and I'll your life miserable!
Do you think I don't know your relationship with Kris? Huh!
Anong karapatan mo para agawin sakin si Kris! Isa ka lang assistant, hindi ka nababagay sa kanya. Ako lang ang nararapat kay Kris!
Pag-uwi ko sa bahay ay nakita ko naman si Mom na nanonood sa living room
"Mom!" napatingin naman sya sakin
"Did something happen? Bakit nakakunot ang noo ng maganda kong anak?"
"Mom, akala ko ba you already talked to Tita Kristel? Bakit umaaligid kay Kris na higad?!" inis na sabi ko kay Mom
"What are you talking about? She hasn't informed her son dahil masyado itong busy sa companies nila"
"Busy sa companies? Baka busy kamo sa malanding secretary na yun!" sigaw ko
"Wait, sino ba yan? Hindi ba't si Spencer ang secretary nya?" takang tanong ni Mom
"She's not his secretary! The secretary of Mirabelles Company's CEO!"
"What?! Masyado namang mababa ang standard ni Kris! Don't worry, I'll talk to Kristel and I'll investigate that b*tch. Hindi nya pwede sirain ang plano natin. Malaking tulong ang pamilyang Lee sa plano natin. So, anong balak mo ngayon anak?"
"Dad won't let me work in his company" galit kong sabi "and that b*tch did not help me to work in their company, she wants me to submit my resume tomorrow at HR Department!" sabay hampas ko sa sofa na inuupuan ko
"That wench! How dare her do that to you?! Don't worry baby girl, I'll talk to your father to atleast contact the Mirabelles" napangiti naman ako sa sinabi ni Mom
"You're the best mom!" then I hugged her "Once I get there, I'll make her life miserable. Just because she's the secretary of the CEO, she acts like she's the boss there!"
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Kinabukasan…
"I'm sorry, Ms. Charles but we are not accepting employees without experience. We strictly follow the rules from the higher management" seryosong sabi ng matandang HR Head
"Don't you know me?" inis kong sabi dito
"Sorry, Ms. Charles but your family background will not help you to get what you want. We are just following the rules" halata na rin sa mukha nya ang pagka irita
"No! I can't let this happen; I should work here!" sigaw ko sa kanya
No, this can't be happening!
Elle! That b*tch! It must be her! She told her for sure!
"Don't make a scene here, Ms. Charles! Watch your attitude!" galit na sabi nya kaya naman napatingin ako sa kanya at sinamaan sya ng tingin
"It's you who should watch your attitude towards me! I won't let this slide! I will tell my father on how you treat me!" galit na sigaw ko sa kanya
"I already warned you, Mikka Charles to watch your words when you're here in our company" sabi naman ng taong bagong dating kaya napatingin ako dito
"You!" sabi ko sa kanya, napatingin naman ako sa paligid at nakita kong madami ng tao na nanonood samin
"Mrs. Castro did the right thing. She just followed what Ms. Mirabelles instructed and the fact that your attitude is like that, you're not really fit here. We don't accept a brat like you" tinignan ko naman sya ng masama
"I will surely tell this to Dad! He will not tolerate how you humiliated me! Both of you should be prepared to lose your job!" sigaw ko sa kanila habang tinuturo silang dalawa
"Go ahead, Ms. Charles. As if he can do anything" nakangising sabi ni Elle, na mas nagpagalit sakin
"Of course he can do anything, he's a shareholder here!"
"Oh really? Then, maybe you should go now and complain to your father"
"Huh! Just wait!" sabi ko at umalis na doon
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Nag-shopping muna ako bago umuwi para magpakalma. Hindi ko namalayan ang oras kaya ginabi na ako uwi
Pagdating ko sa mansion ay nakita ko naman si Dad nan aka upo sa sofa sa living room at hawak ang ulo
"Hi Dad! Are you ok?" sweet na tanong ko
Bigla naman syang tumingin sakin ng masama
Tumayo sya at sinampal ako
Napatingin naman ako sa kanya ng maluha luha at hawak ako pisnge kong sinampal nya. This is the first time pagbuhatan ako ng kamay ni Dad
"Are you out of your mind?! What made you think na makakapasok ka sa Mirabelles Company?! After all what I did para mapabilang sa company na yun, sinayang mo lang yung hirap at pagod ko! You ruined everything!" sigaw nya sakin na kita ko pa rin ang galit nya sa mata nya
Bigla namang dumating si Mom na sa tingin ko ay galing sa kwarto, bigla naman nya akong niyakap at sinigawan si Dad
"Louise! How dare you hurt our daughter!" galit na sigaw ni Mom
"Wag ka makisali dito, Annika! She ruined everything!" sigaw nya kay Mom
"Don't shout at my Mom!" sigaw ko sa kanya
Sinampal naman nya ako ulit kaya naman tuluyan ng tumulo ang luha ko
"Louise!"
"Don't you dare shout at me woman! Wala ka na bang magandang gagawin huh?! How can I let you manage my companies if you are like that! You're such a shame in this family! How dare you offend, Ms. Mirabelles?! I lost my shares because of your f*cking attitude!" sigaw nya sakin
No! That can't be happening! It must be Elle again! She's the assistant of Ms. Mirabelles
"No! That b*tch! It must be Elle, Dad! I'm sure she told Ms. Mirabelles to pull-out your shares!"
"How did you know, Ms. Elle?! Is she the one you offended in Mirabelles Company?! Are you really an idiot?! She's the second person you'll never want to offend! She's the second powerful person there! The late president of Mirabelles Company was the one gave her that authority when Ms. Mirabelles is not around!"
Nagulat naman ako sa sinabi ni Dad. No, that can't be. How can an assistant have authority like an owner of the company?
"Pinag aral kita sa mamahaling eskwelahan, but I don't think you learned something good! Walang wala ka sa kakayahan ni Ms. Elle! How can an assistant be more knowledgeable than you?! You're such a shame! How I wish my daughter is here!"
*pak
Napatakip naman ako ng bibig sa gulat, this is the first time na sampalin ni Mom si Dad
"Don't you ever mention your dead daughter here, Louise! Tama na yung mga masasakit na salitang binitawan mo!" galit na sigaw ni Mom
"My daughter is not dead!" nanggagalaiting sabi ni Dad
Hanggang ngayon umaasa pa rin pala syang makikita nya ang babaeng yun!
"Gumising ka na sa katotohanan, Louise! Ilang taon ng nawawala si Louvelle, sa tingin mo ba buhay pa yun? isang taon! Isang taon palang sya ng mawala sya! Sa tingin mo mabubuhay pa ang walang kamuwang muwang na bata? 23 years in Louise, nandito naman kami, nandito ang anak mo, si Mikka. Bakit ba hindi mo pa rin sya matanggap?" naluluhang sabi ni Mom
"Wala kang pakialam! Wala kang alam sa nararamdaman ko dahil hindi ka pa nawalan ng anak at namatayan ng asawa!" sigaw ni Dad at umalis na
"Mom huhuhu" iyak ko sa kanya at niyakap ko sya
"Shhh, tahan na Mikka. Sisiguraduhin kong makakaganti tayo sa Elle na yan. At nasisigurado ko sayong hinding hindi na makikita ng Dad mo ang anak nya" giit nya
"B-but Mom, what if she's really alive?"
Iniharap naman nya ako sa kanya at seryosong tinitignan
"That won't happen, she's dead, for 23 years. Wag mo ng isipin yun, ang isipin mo ay kung paano ka mapapatawad ng Dad mo, hindi pwedeng hindi sayo mapunta ang kumpanya, maliwanag ba?"
"Yes, Mom"
"Sige na, go to your room, take some rest. I'll talk to your father"
"Ok Mom, goodnight" sabi ko at hinalikan sya
"Goodnight too, sweetie"