A Mafia's Obsession

CHAPTER 20

"Oh, Liana. Hindi ka pa kakain? It's lunch time na, baks, halikana" Ella said, Jake, my coworker, beside her. I've been in the Philippines for three weeks now, and I landed a job as a secretary before even arriving.

"I'm not done encoding yet, and I'm going home early. I need to spend time with Kyle," I told them, continuing to work.

"The boss isn't here yet, and that work isn't urgent. Come on, let's go," Ella insisted. I shook my head, laughing, and stopped working, turning off my monitor. I couldn't argue with her persistence.

Inirapan ko sila, kung sabagay sa martes pa kailangan ang mga 'to.

"Fine, you win. Besides, the deadline is Friday. It's only Tuesday, so we can go home early.  I have a son to go home to," I said, gathering the things on my desk.

"Fine, let's go. The canteen's probably going to be packed. I want to see that handsome guy who works across the hall," Jake said, fixing his hair with a flirty smile.

"You're always so gay. Calm down, you flirt," Ella retorted. Here they go again, bickering.

"It's just friendly flirting, you know," Jake fired back. I laughed at his comment.

"Oh, please. I just don't find him attractive," Ella scoffed, rolling her eyes. I shook my head, amused by their banter. These two always bicker when they're together, it's never-ending.

Well, sabi nga nila hindi maganda ang trio kung hindi laging nag aaway ang dalawa.

"Stop it, you two. You're always arguing, for goodness sake. Hurry up, or we'll miss the elevator. You two shouldn't be together, really," I said, rolling my eyes at them. I felt like their mother, always having to discipline them.

"What about you, Liana?  Anyone hitting on you? Or Kyle's dad? That boy is handsome, so his father must be a looker," Ella said.

"With your looks, no way? I don't believe you. Kyle is handsome, and he snagged a good-looking dad," I said, and Ella nodded, the two of them high-fiving each other.

"Oh yeah, Baby Kyle is such a cutie. Who's his dad? He speaks English so well. May lahi si guy for sure. I can tell," Ella said with a flirty smile. They all know about my son. I don't hide him, he's my child. But if I needed to keep him hidden from others, I would.

I didn't mind their comments about Kyle's looks. It's obvious he has mixed ancestry.

"You're being so random, asking about his dad. Why don't you ask her about that guy she were talking to on the phone this morning?" Jake said with a smirk. I grimaced. It was Francisco. He called because they were coming back tomorrow, and Ella and Jake were right there, listening to our conversation.

"It's Francisco. He's a friend from the States," I said, and Ella nodded.

"Oh, he's from the States? Does that yummy guy have a girlfriend?" Ella asked, playfully hitting my arm and putting her arm around me.

"Yeah, sis. If he doesn't, you can have him," Ella added, wrapping her arm around me.

I pushed them away in annoyance.

"He doesn't have a girlfriend, but I don't know if he's seeing anyone or not," I said, shrugging.

"You have to find out! Baka siya na ang forever ko, diretso kasal na 'to" Ella said, her voice dripping with flirtatious drama. She squealed like a giddy teenager and playfully slapped Jake's arm.

I just shook my head. That's how they always are. If they see a handsome guy, they automatically want him to be their "forever."

"Ouch, sis! That hurts. Besides, he wouldn't be interested in you. 'di hamak na mas maganda ako saʼyo," Ella said, making me wince and shake my head at their antics.