Lead Me To You

Kabanata XX

Francis

Side (Part Two)

"I need to speak with Monica,"

Carter is guarding her door as usual. I cannot go in because of him.

"Signorina is currently taking her rest. She will not accept any interruption." He said.

"This is important-"

"You can talk to her tomorrow morning..."

How dare he cuts me off?

I clenched my jaw because of irritation. Kapag gusto kong makausap si Monica ay pinapagbawalan ako ng lalaking ito. Grabe kung protektahan niya ito na pati sa akin ay inilalayo niya ito. Should I fire him? No, I can't. He's good at his job kahit ganyan niya ako tratuhin.

The next morning, I came down to the kitchen to take my breakfast. The maid prepared all the food and set the table. Nakaupo na si Monica sa usual niyang pwesto sa hapag. Tahimik na kumakain at kahit ang aking presensya ay hindi nakapagpabaling ng kanyang atensyon.

"Magandang umaga, Francis. Pinahanda ko na ang sasakyan na gagamitin mo paluwas ng Maynila." Si Manang Ophelia ang sumalubong sa akin.

"Maraming salamat po. Kumain na po ba kayo?"

"Mamaya na kami kakain pagkatapos niyo," sagot nito at umalis na sa aking harapan.

I will go to Manila this afternoon. I was told that there will be an organization meeting tomorrow since all the board directors and CEO of the company will come to the office. It was so sudden and my secretary only told me yesterday. What could be the reason for this meeting?

Umupo na ako at kahit ang paglapit ko ay hindi nakapagpatinag sa kanya. I was about to reach for the plate of egg that was in front of her but she suddenly stood up.

"I'm done eating," she said to the maid.

She excused herself before leaving the table.

Does she know that her husband will come?

I can't find the right time to tell her. Dapat ay kagabi ko pa sasabihin ngunit hindi naman ako pinahintulutan ni Carter. Matteo insisted on telling her instead but I refused. I wanted to personally talk to her.

I sighed.

The morning have passed na hindi ko pa rin nakakausap si Monica. Nagkulong lamang ito sa kanyang kwarto. I am almost prepared to leave for Manila but I just can't. She have to know at least.

"What are you talking about that he's not here? I need to talk to him! Let me in!"

I heard a commotion down in the lobby from my veranda. Eugene is causing a scene, and the guards prohibit her from entering the house. She looked up in my direction and stood still. 

"I will not leave until you talk to me!" She struggled with her arms but the guards' grip was stronger.

"We have nothing to talk about, Eugene," I said.

"Meron. Marami!"

"Let her go," utos ko sa mga guards.

"Isa na ito sa pinunta ko dito!" May dinukot siya sa kanyang bag at tinaas ang kanyang kamay upang ipakita sa akin ang bagay na iyon.

I am not familiar with that thing and haven't seen any of that for a while. But I know the purpose of it.

I let her in and went straight to the library. She wants us to talk in private and that's the only place in this house that only I can control. Sumunod ako sa kanya at nilock ang pintuan bago ko siya harapin.