The Ace of Hearts

Chapter 3: His redundancy

"Miss Velrama."

Nagmulat ako ng mata. I heard the voice of a man in an almost whisper tone na tinawag ako. I opened my eyes only to find myself na nakapatong ang ulo sa lamesa at naharap sa gilid. Seems like nakatulog ako nang hindi ko namamalayan. How come kilala niya ako?

Nagkusot ako ng mata sa pag-upo. I even yawned kaya tinakpan ko ang bibig gamit ang isang kamay. I saw a glimpse of a man na nakatayo sa tapat ko. Lamesa ang nagdidistansya sa amin.

My eyes widened when I realized what just happened. Someone familiar is standing in front of me with hands in his pocket. Basa ang buhok niya at nakaayos in a way that it was pushed back. May mga iilang hibla ng buhok nito na nakalugay sa gilid niya. Now, it seems like he has a side bangs on both sides. He's also wearing a bathrobe, meaning... kakatapos niya lang maligo.

"You fell asleep when you were supposed to be studying those papers," sabay tingin nito sa lamesa. I looked at it, and shocks, oo nga pala. Nagbabasa ako kanina just to familiarize everything but how come nakatulog ako nang hindi ko namamalayan.

"I will be resuming with this until evening," I looked at him but there are times I can't, nakakahiya. Bakit ako nakatulog? And what am I even doing here dba?

"There's no time," he checked his watch. May ipinatong siyang isang paperbag sa lamesa. Doon nabaling ang atensyon ko. The size is way larger pero hindi naman ganon kalaki. It has a white ribbon as a seal and also cream-colored. May tatak din ang paperbag, "SERENE."

"Time to work," bumalik sa kanya ang atensyon ko.

What? Kumunot ang noo ko. Hindi ba nagtratrabaho na ako sa lagay na 'to?

"What?" I asked.

"Take a shower in my room. We'll be leaving in a few minutes. Our client is waiting."

"Ha? Wala akong dalang damit at pampalit."

"Stand up," sagot niya na sumenyas pa gamit ang kamay nito. I might not understand why I have to stand but I did it anyways. Tumayo ako habang nakatingin sa kanya. Humakbang siya papalapit. He was scrutinizing me from head to toe. Napahawak pa siya sa baba nito. What is he doing?

"Is there something wrong with my outfit?" para kasing hindi niya gusto. Eh ano naman? Tinignan ko ang sarili. I look fine naman, hindi showy ang suot ko, hindi rin naman mukhang pang-manang. It's a pastel pink coat. Naka-tube din ako na kulay puti. Yet, my feet is dirty. Paanong hindi, inakyat ko lang naman ang bundok para sa bahay niya.

"No, but I don't prefer the color of your style while you work with me. And I can't bring you either to the house with those  dirty feet."

Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong masaktan as if he's trying to insult me or baka sinasabi niya lang 'to para alam ko sa susunod ang isusuot. Bakit ba kasi ako nandito?

I was about to ask my purpose for being here not until, "Take a shower in my room, and bring the paperbag with you. That's what you should wear."

Napatitig na lang ako sa kanya since ngayon ko lang nakita ng malapitan ang mukha nito. He's cute but at the same time, so deadly serious. Tumama sa sinag ng araw ang mata nito. Now, I could clearly see the brown orbs of his eyes.

"I don't like the way you look at me, Miss Velrama," I snapped when he spoked. Agad akong umiwas ng tingin. Can't help but to admire his eyes kase.