Cue of secrets

Chapter 11

"Should I hire a new secretary? Wala namang ginagawa si Sofia." Alistair whispered during the meeting.

"She'll eventually learn. Sana." I sighed. I'm not really feeling well.

"Masama pakiramdam mo?" Tanong niya at hinipo ang noo ko. Hinipo niya din ang noo niya para tignan kung parehas 'yung temperature namin.

"Hindi naman masyado."

"No, mainit ka e," he worriedly looked at me and coughed before standing up. "Meeting adjourned. Raelle is not feeling well."

"Sir, kaya ko pa."

"Nope. Kanina ka pang umaga pagod. Sana sinabi mo nang hindi maganda pakiramdam ko. Sinungitan pa kita kaninang umaga. Tara, uwi na tayo." He said and held my hand.

"Sir, magpapasundo nalang ako sa driver namin."

"No, ihahatid kita. Baka mapano ka pa. I told you yesterday di'ba, eat your food. I doubt that you slept."

"Akala ko kasi we'll end that way."

"As if I'll let that happen. Of course not."

Pagdating sa bahay, sinalubong ako ni Mommy na parang may malaking question mark sa ulo but she chose to be silent since Alistair is here.

"Alistair, have you been well?" Mom asked him.

"Yes, Tita Tae Hee. I'm sorry, I declined your invites."

"We understand. Now that you're here and you already know about Raelle, hindi na namin kailangan problemahin 'yung mga paintings at pictures dito na kasama si Raelle."

"Pasok ka?" I asked him.

"May I?" He laughed so I nodded.

"Elle, Yvan is here. He's waiting for you in the living area."

"Tita, Yvan Fuego?" Alistair asked my Mom.

"Yes. Kilala mo?"

"I met him since my colleagues know him. We're not friends. We just know each other."

"Elle!" Yvan ran to me and hugged me. "You okay? Shaniah told me that you're crying and you're not eating. Teka, mainit ka!"

"I'm fine. Napa-dalaw ka? Siya nga pala, kilala mo na siya but again, he's Alistair." I introduced him.

"Hey," Alistair nodded.

"Dude." Yvan smiled.

"Excuse me, palit lang ako." I excused myself and went to my room to change into comfortable clothes.

"I'll wait here." Alistair answered.

Tsaka ko lang naalala that my dress has a zipper.

"Mommy, I need help." I shouted.

"What do you need help with?" Alistair came in.

"Ha?"

"Ninang told me to help you. What is it?"

"It's actually something only Mommy can do."

"Do you need help with your zipper?"

"Can you just call Mom?"

"She's busy doing something. Promise, I won't look." He said and went behind me so he could unzip my dress.

Still, I could feel his hands on my back. Nahirapan akong huminga.

"Thanks." I whispered. Hindi ako makapag-salita ng maayos.

Pumasok na agad ako sa CR to take a short bath. Hindi naman na sana ako maliligo. I just wanted to wash off the awkwardness in my system.