Taming the Vampire

SIDE STORY FIVE

M I L L E R

Several years ago when Axel was the Supreme's boss, a certain issue appeared about him playing favorites with his artists. And that artist happened to be the most popular at that time in his company and that they often found together and whatnot.

Yesterday, after Axel dealt with the emergency in the Axellerate he confessed to me about the issue. He also told me about the clients setting him up to women. Para lang mapaburan niya kasi akala ng lahat ay babae ang gusto niya. I mean, I know his past relationships were with men. At ganun din ako, my past relationships were so consistent with women, not a hint of swing, and yet there goes Axel the force who made me bent.

The point is I have realized the heaviness of the competition. Axel might have been dating men but what if he could also date women? I know, it sounds so useless considering the thousand years he has been living pero malay natin 'di ba? Lalo na ngayon na marami palang nirereto sa kanya.

And for the record, hindi ko pinagseselosan ang Supreme. She's happily married to Mateo and she's definitely not the cheater type.

Ah! I really sound paranoid now, am I not?

Mas lumala ang pangamba ko nang pumasok ako sa opisina ngayong araw. Maayos na ang interior ng bar. Mga wirings at connections na lang ang inaayos doon at sa susunod na linggo ay magbubukas na ito. Since I don't have anything else to do, I decided to visit the office and attend some official business activity. I had to sign several papers and approve some requests, which also involves my signatures.

Pero maaga rin itong natapos. I got bored and went outside to kill time.

"Excuse me, have you seen Axel?" I asked a random employee at the snack bar.

She was a little flustered and unsure. But then when another employee came in and they made a single eye contact the employee immediately said, "My apology, sir!"

Ngumiti ang kakapasok lang na employee. I saw his ID and it has the word senior on it.

"Oh. My apologies as well, sir. The newbie must be flustered to know who you are. Uh, if you are looking for Mr. Wesley, he has just left to meet someone in the lobby."

Aah. So, newbie pala ang babae kanina?

Hindi ko rin naman siya masisisi kung hindi niya ako kilala. Kagaya nga ng sinabi ko ay hindi ako madalas dito sa opisina at kung nandito man ako ay hindi ako lumalabas ng silid ko.

Sinunod ko ang sinabi ng lalaking empleyado. Hindi nga siya nagkakamali dahil agad kong nakita si Axel na nakaupo sa lamesang nasa gitna ng lobby kasama ang isang lalaki. Paano ko naman hindi sila makikita kung silang dalawa lang ang naroroon?

By the looks of him, he seems like a journalist. The classic thick lanyard with an annoyingly large ID is hanging on his neck. I can see it so well even if I am still meters away from him.

Agad niya akong nakita na papalapit sa kanila. The unsettledness on his eyes must have made Axel curious as well so he turned over his shoulder.

And as soon as his eyes laid on me, they were beaming with joy.

"Miller!" I can also hear the joy in his voice.

Yet, he immediately cleared his throat and gave me his hand.

"Mr. De Leon..." he called me once more but this time he used a serious business tone as he reached his hand to me.

Oh. I know what he's trying to do there. I can see it as clear as crystal.

Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata pero nginitian niya lang ako. His eyes tell me that he wants me to behave like a professional.

"Gil, this is Mr. De Leon, my business partner and co-founder of Axellerate." Pagpapakilala niya sa akin sa journalist.