Vintage Love (Stand-alone Sequel)

Chapter 21

Nasa study room si Mikael at tahimik na nagpapahinga habang nakaupo sa kanyang customized adjustable chair. Hinihilot niya ang kanyang sentido. It was a rough day for him. Bloody deal with the tycoons.

Bahagya siyang napaigtad nang biglang bumalibag pabukas ang pinto.

Iniluwa roon ang galit na mukha ni Gillian.

Ang totoo niyan, sinadya niya talagang maghire ng personal nurses kay Deuce para wala na itong rason na tumangging maging secretary niya.

But he didn't expect she'd be this mad.

"Sir Mikael, can I have a moment with you?"Bungad nito.

"I told you... I'm not gonna change my mind."Pagod na sagot naman ni Mikael.

"Your cousin was here."

"Yeah, he texted me. He said he left."

"Yes after telling me that you covered all the medical expenses because my mother begged you to."

Napamulagat ang binata.

"You should have told me. Hindi sana ako nagmukhang ungrateful bitch sa bahay na ito. Do you know I hated you since we've met? Kasi nasa isip ko, pahirap lang ang lage mong dala sa akin. Na isang kamalasan ang makatagpo ng kagaya mo. You know what? I hate you more this time. Pinagmukha mo kong tanga. You made me feel confident around you in a wrong way. Because I thought you have some obligation to us and not the other way around! Pero wag kang mag-alala. Ipagpapatuloy ko ang paninilbihan sayo. Magkano ba ang utang namin sayo?"

Hindi nalang pinansin ni Mikael ang ipinakitang kagaspangan nito sa pananalita.

"More or less, two hundred sixty thousand."

Napanganga ito.

"Ako ba niloloko mo?"

"May tawad na yun. Do you know how much your PTs cost? World class therapists were sent to you."

"And so? Kasalanan ko? I didn't ask for world class! Kung alam ko lang na ako magbabayad nunkang kukuha ako ng ni isa!"

Natawa siya sa nakikitang inis sa mukha rito.

"Who told you to pay—"

"You! Diba nga ako gumagawa ng paperworks mo?"

He laughed in amusement.

"Anong nakakatawa?"

"You—What I mean is, you misunderstand me sometimes. I simply asked for your help not because I want you to pay. I helped you and your family more than enough. So I was thinking maybe you could atleast lend me a hand on little things?"

"In simple words, you want something in return. Technically it is called paying back."

"Well, nothing's free in this world."

Inirapan siya ng dalaga.

She sighed.

"My mom is in the mental hospital. So she can't pay you anymore. God... She's really crazy for borrowing a large sum of money."Anito na pinahina ang boses sa huling pangungusap. Pero dinig na dinig pa rin niya.

"Your mom was just doing you a favor for being her daughter."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah... What do you know?"

Katahimikan.

"But I'll pay you..."

"In your case it'll cost you a fortune to pay me back."Amused na sabi ng binata.

She scoffed.

"Don't underestimate me. Though I can't pay full in time... but I can pay by installments."

"Okay. Suit yourself."Kibit-balikat na sagot ni Mikael at iminuwestra ang kamay.

Akala niya ay aalis na ito pero nanatili itong nakatayo doon.

"Uhm, I have something to ask..."She said, fidgeting.

"Go ahead."Udyok niya dito. Aba first time yata tung kabahan sa harap niya. Naku-curious tuloy siya sa sasabihin nito.

"Uh, never mind."Anito't tumalikod.

"Hey! Just say it! Acting that way doesn't suit you."Aniya nang akmang aalis na ito.

"Fine! Did you already find a new secretary? Is the position still open?"

Nagulat siya sa naging tanong nito.

"Are you serious?"Natatawang tanong ng niya.

"Do I look like I'm kidding? And besides, I have good credentials. Don't tell me I'm not qualified because frankly speaking... my credentials are way better than those women I interviewed."

"Wow, I really admire your guts."

"Sabi nga nila, no guts, no glory. So ano?"

"Okay. You're hired. You can start—"

"Next week."

"No. Tomorrow!"

"Just kidding. Night."Anito't lumabas na ng study room.

"Night."

First time din nitong mag-goodnight kahit tipid at sa masungit na paraan.

I texted Niklaus.

Did you tell her to apply as my secretary as well?

-Well... I pretended like it was just a suggestion. Did she buy it?

It worked. I can't believe it!

-Whoa! HAHAHAHA BUY ME SOME BEER MAN

Yeah... Thanks man. You can buy your own beer. You're filthy rich, asshole.