Love and Cigarettes

Chapter One

"Before anything else, Aria..." Miriam trailed hesitantly as she served me with chamomile tea. My friend gracefully sat in front of me. "I want you to know that Lars Altaria is kind. A man of peculiarities and bad temperament, but still kind nonetheless."

I bravely took a sip from the cup. Mabilis din akong napangiwi sa lasa at pinagsisihan kong tumikim pa ako. What did I expect? I was never a fan of tea. I don't even understand why some people like it!

"Don't judge those who like tea. We all have our own preference." pahayag ni Miriam na mukhang nabasa ang iniisip ko.

"It's horrible," I hissed. "Like liquid extracted from feces!"

She shot me a horrified look. "God, Aria. Don't even dare say that in front of my mother. That's offensive to the whole community of tea lovers. Anyway, are you listening to me?"

I giggled. "I'm sorry. What were you saying?"

Miriam rested her chin on the back of her hand. She seemed troubled. Nakatingin sa akin ang kaibigan ko na para bang suko na talaga siya at hindi na niya alam kung anong gagawin sa akin.

"Hindi ka tatagal kay Sir Lars kung ganyan ka, Aria."

My jaw dropped. "Ano ba ako?"

"Girl, you're so detached from reality. It's like you're high everyday from smoking weed." napapailing niyang sagot. "Para kang lumaki nang wala sa huwisyo at puro tawa lang ang alam mo sa buhay."

I laughed nervously. "Grabe ka naman sa akin."

"Please, Aria." She clicked her tongue. "Get your shit together. You can't stay like that forever, you know. Tandaan mo, hindi na tayo bata at kailangan mong magtrabaho para sa pamilya mo."

I grudgingly slumped myself on the wooden table. "They don't need me anymore. In fact, my family is already insanely rich because of Althea. She's the only Moya that matters to them."

"Tigilan mo nga 'yan. It sounds like you're trying to use your sister as an excuse to not do well in life." prangka niyang diwa at tsaka umirap. "Iwasan mo ang self-pity, girl. That's not healthy at all."

My gaze dropped on the floor. Naiintindihan ko naman ang ibig niyang sabihin. I know that Miriam only wants the best for me.

"Anyway," She glanced over the wall clock. "It's already a quarter to seven. We should probably go. Sir Lars is very time-conscious."

Today, Miriam will show me her daily routine as the personal assistant of Lars Altaria. Aniya, bago ko siya palitan ay dapat ko munang pag-aralan ang mga ginagawa niya sa trabaho niya.

Tinahak na namin ang daan palabas ng bahay nila. On the way outside, we passed by the mini garden which my friend proudly showed me. Sari-saring mga halaman at bulaklak ang ibinida sa akin ni Miriam. Too bad I'm not really interested in plants.

"Every Monday, I come to his house to fetch Sir Lars. The weekend is usually hectic for the whole team so he tends to sleep in late." paliwanag ni Miriam nang makalabas kami.

Huminto kami sa tapat ng isang kulay itim na Vios. Pinatunog muna ito ni Miriam bago humarap sa akin at. She crossed her arms.

"This is the company car entrusted to the EIC. As his personal assistant, you'll have to drive him around more often than not."

Napakamot ako sa ulo. "Personal assistant, my butt. Pinaganda niyo pa ang tawag samantalang literal na utusan lang naman."

"Shut up, bitch. You're not really in any position to be picky." inis niyang sambit at inirapan na naman ako. "You should be thankful that I referred you to him. Ilang buwan ka nang tambay, Aria!"