Adler's Legacy #1: Subtle Romance

Epilogue

Epilogue

For Shien, it was just another typical day. He was simply going about his daily routine as he examined his company's files. He had the full support of his grandmother on the path he was now on. Hindi niya alam kung kakayanin niya ba lahat lalo na ngayon na kakagaling lang niya sa matinding problema. Arianne was able to manipulate him in ways he never imagined. Even after giving Arianne everything, she still decided to cheat on him.

Gabi-gabi ay nasa bar siya para mag-inom dahil hindi niya pa rin alam kung paano remedyuhan ang sakit na nararamdaman niya. He was really lost.

"Coffee?" a woman's voice asked him. He immediately lifted his head to check the owner of that voice.

Nakangiti ito habang dahan-dahan na ibinababa sa mesa niya ang kape na tinimpla nito. "Black coffee," anito. "Hindi na muna ako nag-order sa baba. Sira 'raw kasi ang coffee maker nila," dagdag nitong saad.

Shien was caught off guard. This was his new secretary. He hired her without even thinking. Don't get him wrong. Wala namang mali sa bago niyang sekretarya, pero napapansin niyang panay ang titig nito sa kanya. He was not used to it.

"It's okay," aniya at muli niyang ibinalik ang atensyon sa mga papeles. Nakatayo pa rin si Valencia sa harapan niya. He just didn't mind her.

"S-Sir, may itatanong lang po sana ako."

"What is it?"

"Hmm," tila nagdadalawang-isip ito kung magtatanong ba ito sa kanya o hindi. "S-Sir, iyong kagabi kasi m-may overtime po ba iyon?"

She meant about last night when she fetched him from the bar. Hindi na matandaan ni Shien kung ano talaga ang nangyari kagabi at hindi niya na rin alam kung paano siya nakauwi. He was really drunk. Si Manang Sila, na matagal nang kasambahay sa kanila, ang nagsabi na wala na raw siyang malay na iniuwi ng kanyang sekretarya. Shien readied himself when Valencia would ask him about last night.

Gusto niyang magtanong kung may iba pa ba siyang ginawa maliban sa maglasing ng sobra. Pero sa tingin niya ay wala naman.

Shien cleared his throat before answering Valencia. "Yes, we'll consider it as your overtime," sagot niya kay Valencia.

"Thank you, Sir," sagot ni Valencia sa kanya. "Pero if need ninyo ng tagahatid sa bahay, tawagan ninyo lang po ako. Kailangan ko 'rin kasi ang extra na pero kaya makakatulong po talaga sa akin ang overtime," anang Valencia.

Shien looked at her again. "Aren't you busy after work?" he asked curiously.

Valencia shook her head. "Hindi naman. Wala rin naman akong ginagawa after work."

"So, are you okay with this kind of overtime?"

"Oo naman. Wala namang problema, Sir."

"Okay."

"Okay? Anong okay po?" tanong pa rin ni Valencia sa kanya.

Shien drew his breath. "Fetch me at the bar when I get drunk. Let's settle it as your overtime."

That became their routine. Gabi-gabi ay naglalasing siya at si Valencia naman ang sumusundo sa kanya. They became good at that kind of setup. Walang problema si Valencia, bukod na lang sa palagi siya nitong binubungangaan kapag sinusundo na siya nito. May isang beses pa na bago siya nawalang ng malay, binatukan pa siya nito. Naalala niya rin na minsan ay nakapangtulog na ito habang sinusundo siya. Valencia was really dedicated to her work, and he admired her for that.

There were times when Valencia would stay in the bar just to guard him. May iba kasing nagtatangkang iuwi siya kapag nalalasing na siya. Pinagtiyagaan siya ni Valencia Vega. Alam niyang ginagawa lang naman nito ang napagkasunduan nilang trabaho, pero hindi niya pa rin maiwasang mas lalong humanga kay Valencia. She was really amazing to him.