Bodyguard in Disguise

Chapter 17

[Ashley]

"Maayong buntag. Nikaon naka?" Napatingala ako sa taong humawak sa balikat ko. Medyo busy kasi ako sa pag-intindi sa file na binabasa ko.

"Po?" Kunot-noo kong tanong.

Tumawa naman ito ng konti bago umupo sa may desk ko.

"Sorry I forgot, hindi ka pala Cebuano. I said good morning. Kumain ka na ba?"

"Ahh. Hindi pa po, Sir. Mamayang lunch nalang po siguro. Ang dami ko pa kasing gagawin." Nakangiti kong sagot dito.

It had been a week since I left Palawan.

Pagdating ko sa airport sinabi ko sa sarili ko, habang bitbit iyong maleta ko, wherever the first flight will be going, doon ako tutungo. Hindi pa ako handang harapin si Tristan o si Daddy at mas hindi ko pa kayang harapin ang buong mundo.

Nilibot ko ang mata sa kabuuan ng office. Its a typical office area. Private offices of the boss's. Outside are cubicles and computers for the employees. Busy people all around.

Nakakapanibago lang, hindi ako sanay sa ganitong uri ng trabaho. Too conservative, too upright and too serious in nature.

I'm currently working at a law office, the biggest in Metro Cebu.

I had been working here, 3 days now. Luckily, I had been hired as a Legal Researcher since I graduated law. Being a graduate from one of the most prestigious schools in Metro Manila... it hadn't been difficult for me to start a career here. Eventually, I'll use this as stepping stone to pass my bar exam this year as well. Self review nalang ang gagawin ko. Sabi nga nila, first hand is experiences are better than a tons of books in a shelf. Hindi ko na irerelate sa love dahil pagdating sa experiences ko tiyak na first honor na ako sa katangahan. Zumma cum laude pa pagdating sa kagagahan.

"Are you somewhat related to Attorney Enrico Salameda?"

Napabalik sa kasalukuyan ang isip ko sa tanong niya.

Napatikhim ako at biglang kinabahan ng maisip ko ang dapat na sagot sa tanong na iyon.

"I... I'm not, Sir. We maybe of the same last name but surely i'm not related to that person."

"Hmmm. I thought kilala mo siya. He is one of the most successful lawyers here in the Philippines. It will be so much pleasure whenever I get a chance to meet him. He's one hell of a lawyer. Sobrang galing niya."

I looked at the man in front of me. Kung alam mo lang na tatay ko ang tinutukoy mo. He maybe a good lawyer but not a good father. Kasabwat kasi ni Tristan sa kalokohan nitong naisip.

Hmmm. I may say that this man in front of me is as good-looking as Tristan. He is of a serious and intimidating kind of guy as Tristan. Same height and built as Tristan. Seemed to be ma-TLC as Tristan.

Oh hell! I'm comparing Tristan with this man. Maybe, I do miss him. No! I'm sure about missing him. Maybe that's the reason why I wanted to fx myself. Be the woman appropriate for him. Iyong maipagmamalaki niya kahit kanino pagdating ng araw.

Napabuntong hininga ako.

"Is there something wrong, Ashley?"

I stared at him and offered a smile. "I'm fine, Sir. Maybe, I miss home."

"Hmmm. That's why I'd been interested to get to know you better. Karamihan din kasi sa mga Bisaya wanted to work in Manila. I will be glad to work for Atty. Enrico Salameda's firm if permitted. Pero ikaw...mas pinili mong dito magtrabaho sa Cebu."

"Hmmm. Personal reasons Atty. Alcantara. Gusto ko rin sigurong makalayo sa mundong itinatakwil na rin ako."

"Ang lalim, Ashley. Why don't we go out with the others, tonight? A sort of a welcome party for a new co-employee. And to be able to understand what that quotation means."