Chapter 29: WING REGAL
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ZYNC ORLANDO

(10 Months later after Reina's awakening...)

"In my office."

Nagmadaling tumayo ang secretary ko nang marinig ako nang madaanan ko siya sa kanyang table. Pagod kong binagsak ang katawan ko paupo sa swivel chair at sinapo ang kumikirot kong ulo.

"Sir, are you okay?"

Umayos ako ng upo saka umiling. "Rivera, what's my schedule for today?"

Mabilis niyang nilabas ang kanyang tablet, "8:30am Sir, you have a breakfast meeting with Mr. Chua of Chua Company. 10am, you have conference call with the OC regents. You are free from 11am-1:30pm. Then 1:30pm-3pm, monthly inspection in Ynca Mall main branch. 4pm, you'll meet Miss Sophia Dolor in Sorento Restaurant."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Sophia Dolor? Who is that person? What is that appointment about?"

"Miss Sophia Dolor is the daughter of Director Diego Dolor. Tumawag po ang sekretarya niya na hindi po makakapunta si Director Dolor sa Subic for the business conference on Monday, may emergency daw po siya kaya ang anak niya po ang ipapadala niya sa conference."

"What?" napahilot ako sa aking sentido. Mr. Dolor is one of the stockholders dito sa kompanya. "Then why was he wanted to send out her daughter to that conference? It's a big event! Hindi pwede kung sino-sino lang ang ipapadala ro'n. Pumili ka ng representative dito, Rivera at 'yon ang ipapadala natin! I don't have trust with that Sophia! And why does she have to meet me?"

Tumikhim si Kurt at nagkamot ng ulo, "I heard from Director Diego that his daughter is his only heiress and she graduated in Business Administration with flying colors and got her masters in New York."

"And so?"

"Baka po, tini-train na siya ng tatay niya."

"Then I don't care! Magpadala ka ng tao sa Subic ang hindi ipapahiya ang kompanya ng pamilya ko! Ikaw ang pumili, Rivera! I trust you! O 'di kaya ikaw na lang."

"Sir naman."

"Nagrereklamo ka ba?"

"Hindi po, Sir. Sige po, maghahanap na po ako ng representative ng kompanya. Do you have more to say, Sir?"

"Cancel all my meetings today. I wanted to rest and please don't disturb me." Sinapo ko ang aking mukha at naisip na naman ang mga kaliwa't-kanang problemang nasa palad ko ngayon.

"But Sir— your conference call with the regents cannot be cancelled, Sir. It's an urgent—"

"Fine. Leave that one but the rest cancel it."

"Copy that, Sir."

Nang marinig kong naisarado niya na ang pinto ay sumubsob ako sa mesa at inabot ang litrato ni Katarina.

"C, kailan ka ba babalik? Umuwi ka na sa akin please. 'Di na ako galit. Hindi naman talaga ako galit. Tampo lang naman. Ang tagal mo naman eh. Magtatatlong taon na pero bakit wala ka pa rin? C. Miss na kita. Miss ka na namin ng mga anak mo. Alam mo bang awang-awa na ako kay Sia? Sobra siyang naaapektuhan sa pag-alis mo. Hindi man siya nagsasalita pero kitang-kita kong nahihirapan siya at nasasaktan. Hindi niya na naaalagaan si Allius pati sarili niya. She's been blaming herself sa pag-alis mo dahil hindi siya naging magaling na squire mo. Pati si Al, nakikita kong hirap na hirap na siyang intindihan si Sia. Please naman oh. Bumalik ka na. Sige ka kapag nag-break sila, ikaw ang may kasalanan."

Napapikit ako nang mariin saka muling nagsalita.

"Nag-aalala na rin ako sa kambal dahil sa loob ng higit dalawang taon ay hindi ka nila hinahanap. Bakit parang ramdam kong nagpaalam ka sa kanilang aalis ka? Bakit parang handa sila? Minsan gusto ko na nga ring mag-break muna dito sa kompanya dahil napapagod ako. Lalo na't ang dami kong anumalyang natuklasan habang tumatagal ako sa posisyon kong 'to. Pero hindi pwede, kailangan kong gampanan ang responsibilidad ko, kakayanin ko kahit ano pang anumalyang haharapin ko. Gaya ni Guanzon, nito ko lang nalaman na kaya pala nag-leave siya ng ilang buwan ay dahil sa ginawa ni Sia sa kanya. Kinidnap siya ni Sia at pinahirapan. Hindi ko naman magawang magalit kay Sia dahil kung pinrotektahan niya lang ako. Pinagtangkaan ako ng Guanzon na 'yon na lasunin, inutusan niya pa ang sekretarya niya. Kaya galit na galit si Sia. Nalaman ko ring may malaking account siyang nilimas sa isang Arab investor gamit ang pangalan ng kompanya."

Nagpatuloy ako sa pagkikwento sa litrato niya at hindi ko na napansin ang oras. Nilabas ko lahat ng problema ko dito sa kompany sa kanya.

"C, moving up pala ng kambal last Friday at ang galing nila. Andami nilang awards and with high honors sa class nila. Arri is the Star Reader, Best in Mathematics, Best in English and got the Tiny Tidy Award while Arra is the Star Dancer, Best in Science, Most Courteous and Most Inquisitive. Our little champs top their class, C. I was so proud putting on their medals to them. They also have a dance special number that day, I recorded it. They were so cute and adorable with their favorite animal costume. Papanoorin natin 'yon kapag umuwi ka na ah. Arri chose to be an alligator and Arra was a King Cobra."

Natawa ako nang maalala ang Moving Up Day ng kambal. My kids were weird just like their mother. Nang sumayaw na ang class ng kambal ay talagang agaw-pansin sila dahil sila ang may kakaibang costume.

Hindi ko alam tuloy kung matutuwa ako o magagalit sa Cuenca Triplets na siyang pinakisuyuan kong maghanap ng costume ng kambal. Damn, their costume cannot pass the cuteness award dahil they've got a 3D costume na ikinatakot pa ng ibang bata roon.

Marami tuloy akong narinig na side comments ng mga parents that day. But when my little champs started dancing, tuwang-tuwa na ako lalo na no'ng tawag ng tawag ang kambal sa akin at kumakaway pa kahit nasa stage sila.

"C, andami mo nang namimiss sa paglaki ng kambal. Fifth birthday na nila nextmonth and..."

Napasubsob ako sa frame ng kanyang picture. Naramdaman kong nabasa ang pisnge ko dahil sa 'di ko mapigilang luha. Hinayaan kong malunod ang sarili ko sa pangungulila sa kanya.

"It's my birthday today, baby." I whispered. "Hindi ko pa nararanasang makasama ka sa birthday ko. If you were here, ano kaya ang gagawin natin? We'll go out on a date? On a trip with the twins? On the beach or out of the country? Or just a simple but memorable dinner at home? C... bumalik ka na. Masyado ka nang nagtatagal eh. Please, magparamdam ka naman sa 'kin oh."

Tinuyo ko ang mukha ko, "C... will I be able to see your smile again? Will I be able to hug you again? To kiss you? To be with you in bed again? I miss you so much! I love you, baby. I love you, C. Please, come back to me."

Napahinto ako sa pakikipag-usap kay Katarina nang tumawag si Kurt.

"Sir, Miss Sophia Dolor is here. She wanted to talk to you."

Napakunot ang noo ko, "I told you that don't disturb me! Pauwiin mo 'yan. I don't know her."

Imbis si Kurt ang sumagot ay isang boses ng babae ang nagsalita sa kabilang linya, "Hi Zync. It's me Sophia, can I see you? I'm here outside your—"

"Back off. I don't know you." At malakas kong binaba ang telepono. Mabilis ko ring inabot ang remote control at ni-lock ang pinto ng office ko bago ko narinig ang sunod-sunod na katok doon.

Hindi ko pinansin iyon at napabuga ako ng hangin nang tumigil ang pagkatok. Maya-maya pa ay may tumawag sa business number ko at nakita ang pangalan ni Diego Dolor.

"Yes?"

[My daughter is outside your office. Let her come in. She's there to talk with you about the conference in Subic. She's my substitute. Natanggap ko ang tawag ng secretary mo kanina, he informed me that you'll be sending a representative instead of my daughter. Mr. Orlando, I know—]

"Mr. Dolor, I don't care if your daughter graduated with high honors and had her master's in New York. I don't know her and this is my family's company, I have the right to choose any representative from my people who will bring the company's name to any event."

[With all due respect, Mr. Orlando. I am a major stockholder of Orlando Conglomerates and I was supposed to attend that conference but I can't that's why I'm sending out my daughter. She will have my stocks in the future, so, it would better have your time getting to know my daughter for a good partnership in the future.]

"That conference is a prestigious event, Mr. Dolor! I cannot let someone out of my league to bring my name in there."

[Don't underestimate my daughter's capability, Mr. Orlando. Bago ka pa lang sa mundong 'to pero masyado ka nang mayabang. You don't have your Master's yet and you didn't graduate with any title. Nandyan ka lang naman sa trono mo dahil isa kang Orlando, but you don't have the quality of being a President of a such conglomerates!]

"Ikaw na nga ang may sabi, I am an Orlando. I am the only heir of my Clan's wealth. Hindi mo ako madidiktahan, Mr. Dolor. Mas malaki pa rin ang shares ko at kayang-kaya kong kunin ang shares na mayroon ka."

[If you're an Orlando, why can't you be a professional facing my daughter? You don't need to threaten me snatching my shares. Let her come in and talk to her like an Orlando should do.]

"Don't boss me around, Dolor."

[Don't prove me right that you are undeserving having the spot, Zync Orlando.]

Napalatak ako nang binabaan niya ako ng tawag. How dare he?! I pressed the intercom button, "Is she still there, Kurt?"

"Yes po."

I unlocked the door, "Let her come in. And Kurt,"

"Yes sir?"

"Give us something to eat and please make it possible to cancel the conference call or if not, attend in behalf of me. I trust you."

"Okay sir, got it. Don't worry I'll take care of it, Sir."

Napasandal ako at hinilot ang ulo kong kanina pa hindi humuhupa ang sakit.

"Hi." Agad akong napatingin sa kanya. Masigla ang pagkakabati niya na para bang hindi nabadtrip sa paghihintay sa labas ng office ko. Looking at her, she looks a typical brat from a rich family and a btch but she has this sophisticated aura. Yes, she's beautiful and walks with elegance but I don't give a damn.

"Please take your sit, Miss Dolor."

Nagtaka ako nang imbis na umupo ito sa tinuro kong upuan ay lumapit ito sa akin at dumukwang. Pero bago pa siya makahalik sa akin ay nilayo ko ang sarili ko sa kanya.

"I'm not courteous neither a gentleman so back off and sit on that chair." Matigas kong saad at tinuro ang upuan sa harap ng desk ko. Natigilan siya at parang hindi makapaniwala sa sinabi ko but she immediately regained her poise and clears her throat.

She gracefully took the seat and faced me with a smile plastered on her face but I knew better that behind the smile there's a gritted teeth hiding.

"Tell me what brings you here because I don't have that much time to entertain you."

Inayos ko ang necktie ko at inayos ang mga papeles sa desk ko. Pagkatapos tumuwid ako ng upo at tinaasan ng kilay si Sophia nang hindi pa rin siya nagsasalita.

"So?"

Bahagya pa siyang napaigtad at doon ko lang napansin na nakatingin pala siya sa nakalapag na picture ni Katarina sa harap ko. Kinuha ko 'yon at inayos na nakaharap sa akin. Tinaasan ko ng kilay si Sophia.

"Who is she?" tanong niya habang nakatingin pa rin sa frame kahit hindi niya na kita ang picture.

"Yan ba ang ipinunta mo dito? If it is, you may now leave."

Tinaas niya ang dalawang kamay, "Woah! Hang on there, babe. You're too uptight! Loosen up." Natatawang aniya.

Tumalim ang tingin ko sa kanya, "Don't babe me, Miss Dolor."

"Okay. Okay. My bad. I'm sorry."

Magsasalita na sana ako nang pumasok si Kurt na may bitbit na tray. Nang mailapag niya ang two glass of fresh fruit juice at two plates of sliced cake ay agad siyang lumabas, bitbit ang pinadala kong folders sa kanya for the conference call.

Inalok ko kay Sophia ang pagkain. Nanlaki ang mata ko nang walang kaarte-arte niyang kinain ang cake at mabilis na naubos. Dumighay pa siya nang malakas nang masimot niya ang juice. Ni hindi ko pa nga nagalaw ang sa akin.

"Opps. Excuse me. This chocolate cake was so heavenly good even the fresh Guyabano juice. How did you know that I love guyabano?" nagningning pa ang mga mata niyang tiningnan ako pero agad bumaba ang tingin niya sa pagkain ko. Napakagat labi pa si Sophia at parang natakam.

Pasimple kong hinila ang platito at ang juice ko papalapit sa akin saka malakas na tumikhim. Tumingin siya sa akin na may pilit na ngiti at parang nagmamakaawa.

Matigas ang mukha ko siyang tiningnan, "Talk already about your intention here in my office. I am not giving you my cake and my juice. Back off!"

Umismid si Sophia, "I am here to tell you that you don't have to worry if I'll represent your name in that Int'l business conference in Subic. I assure you that Orlando Conglomerates will be the talk of interest of foreign investors after that event. I'll put pride in your name." may pagmamalaking ngiti pa siya sa mukha niya. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay bago sumubo ng cake, na kanina niya pa sinusulyapan. Napalunok pa siya nang sumubo ako.

"And how would you do that?"

"I have connections, Mr. Orlando."

"What connections?" napangisi pa ako nang ilang beses pa siyang lumunok dahil nangangalahati na ako sa cake. Inabot ko ang juice at uminom.

"Connections that this company still don't have."

"I'm not impressed. You are not attending that event under my name. You may now leave." I gestured her to go out my office but still she didn't move.

"Hindi ka lang madamot, ang gaspang pa ng ugali mo! Hindi mo ba alam that big companies in abroad are after me but I chose to went back here to render my skills and capabilities in your company!" singhal niya. Tiningnan ko siya nang masama. Wala siyang karapatang sigawan ako!

"I did not ask you to so don't put the blame on me. Go back to the place where big companies are rooting to have you and show them what you've got. Leave!"

Inis siyang tumayo saka walang pakundangang hinablot ang platito ng cake ko at kinain ang natira.

"Hey! That's my cake!" bago ko pa mahawakan ang baso ng juice ko ay nalagok niya na lahat ng laman.

Nangunguyam na nilahad niya ang dalawang kamay sa harap ko, "Wala na." nakangising aniya.

Napaismid ako at sinamaan siya ng tingin.

"Leave!"

"No! I won't until you'll let me attend that event!"

"Leave before I'd call the security to drag you out of here!" Tinuro ko ang pinto.

Nilabanan niya ang masamang tingin ko, "No. You can't make me leave this building. I am Sophia Hanna Go Dolor, daughter of Diego Dolor who has 10% of stocks and shares in Orlando Conglomerates! I have the right to walk around here because I will own that shares soon!"

Tumawa ako at ngumisi, "I am Zync Salem Orlando, the President of Orlando Conglomerates and I have the 25% shares in this company, soon I will have the 40% shares of my father and it will make 65% in total. So, tell me, Miss Dolor. What can your 10% do in my 65%? Better leave before I'll drag you out!"

"Ang yabang mo!" namula ang mukha niya habang nanglilisik ang mga mata. Ano ba ang ipinaglalaban ng babaeng 'to?

Bumuntong hininga ako, "Tell me, Sophia. Bakit ba gustong-gusto mong pumunta sa event na 'yon under my company's name?"

Looking at her, hindi siya 'yong babaeng ipagpipilitan ang sarili sa isang bagay na umayaw na sa kanya. She looks proud and mighty. I can sense that she's into something deeper than this.

Looks like I hit the button dahil umiwas siya ng tingin at ngumuso.

"Pwes, kung ayaw mo edi 'wag. Good bye." Malungkot siyang tumalikod. Nakonsensya naman ako. Dahil nakita ko ang sarili ko sa kanya na para bang may gustong patunayan sa malikot at marahas na mundo ng industriyang kinabibilangan namin.

"Fine, get back to your sit. I'll let you bring my company's name in that event but you have to tell me what the real catch is that makes you so eager to put yourself in this."

Napahinto siya at napailing na lang ako nang humarap siya sa akin na may malaking ngiti. Para bang hindi kami nagsigawan. She happily sat down again and blinked her eyes while supressing her smile that made her dimples to show up. I admit she looks cute doing that. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"Ang sama mo talagang tumingin. Ang damot mo na, masama ang ugali, nang-aaway ka pa ng babae. How old are you? Why are you so grumpy?"

"You're taking too much time, Miss Dolor. Kung ayaw mong bawiin ang pagpayag ko sabihin mo na sakin ang dahilan kung bakit gustong-gusto mong maging representative ng kompanya namin?"

Bumuga siya ng hangin at napatingin sa kawalan, "I'm the black sheep daughter of our family, I was kicked out in different high schools, I think, three times back then. I got into troubles. I joined a gang and beat myself into riots—"

"Hold on, right there! You're not narrating your biography on me! Just be direct to the point, missy!" I stopped her.

Mas lalong lumalim ang simangot niya, "Hayaan mo na lang ako kasi mas lalo tayong magtatagal dito eh. Gusto mo ba 'yon?"

Bumuga ako ng hangin, "Fine. Don't put on details and make me bored. Or I'll send you out my building."

"Tss. Okay po," nagawa niya pa akong irapan, "Ito na. Ayon nga, I was a badass daughter before. Isang akong rebelde na gustong mapansin ng magulang na nalunod sa negosyo nila at wala nang oras sa mga anak. I really don't how my siblings handled our parents without being a rebel like what I had become. One day, four years ago... I met a girl in my age. She became my friend after I discovered she's a badass like me. Heck! She's the most dangerous woman I met. I got myself into trouble after I decided to quit the gang because of her. They let me out but I didn't know they'll chase me. But she came for my rescue and saved me from them."

Napangiti pa si Sophia, "I was so happy with the thought that I'll be with her anywhere she'll go and whatever she'll do but she rejected me. I thought she was already my friend but no. She said she don't do friendship with a brat who's ruining her life being a rebel and empty head badass. Tinawag ba naman akong bobo. Tangina 'yon."

Nagulat ako nang magmura siya pero napangiti nang malaki. Parang may sayad pa yata 'to.

"I didn't accept her rejection but I challenged her and made a deal between us. I told her that I'll get to finish my course with flying colors and have a title myself. I promised that she'll be proud that I'm her friend. She accepted it and gone like a popped bubble. I fulfilled my promise but she didn't show up until now. Kahit nagpakatalino at nagpakatino ako nang sobra, hindi ko pa rin nakuha ang friendship na pinapangarap ko—"

Sumingit ako sa pagkikwento niya, "Tell me, Sophia. Are you inlove with that woman you're talking about?"

Tumawa siya nang malakas at napapahampas pa sa mesa. "No way! I am not gay! I'm so girly and I don't want vajayjay! I have my own 'no! I just want to be her friend! She's the only person I want to be my friend! I'll die just to be her friend."

"Such a brat."

"Hindi mo naman kasi alam kung gaano siya ka-cool kapag sumisipa at nanununtok siya ng bad guys. She's so hot how she held her gun! She's my idol and I'll do whatever it takes to make her come out and be my friend. Alam ko naman kasing nagsusuot lang 'yon kung saan pero kapag gumawa ako nang malaking eksena she will show herself and would give me a thumb's up!"

"Paano nasali dito ang kompanya ko at ang event na 'yon sa Subic?"

Hindi agad siya sumagot pero napangiwi ako nang ngumisi siya nang malaki, she looks creepy. "Business tycoons here in Philippines will be after me for my excellent skills, wide influence, and exceptional intelligence and my sought after name in the industry. Isn't it amazing? Sabi niya kapag naabot ko na ang pangarap ko at kapag proud na ang pamilya ko sa akin, she will come back and she will be my friend." She said dreamily.

"Bakit hindi ka na lang maging artista, sumali ka sa mga nonsense reality show and be the next superstar? O 'di kaya gumawa ka ng video and be a viral internet sensation? How's that?"

"No way! I'm not gonna do that!" pumalatak siya. "Kapag may napaibig akong business tycoon mas lalong lalawak ang connections ko."

Lakas maka-day dream ng babaeng 'to. Sobrang lawak din ng imagination.

"You're being pathetic, aren't you?" Natawa ako habang nakatingin sa kanya. She looks desperate and determined.

Umiling siya, "No, hindi mo kasi ako naiintindihan. Ito na lang, may sasabihin ako sa 'yong sikreto basta promise me you'll not gonna tell this to anybody." Pinandilatan pa niya ako. "...because if this leaks out, it will cost your life." Umismid ako.

"I blackmailed her noon kaya siya nakipag-deal sa 'kin at pumayag sa gusto ko. I accidentally discovered kasi that she's not just a plain badass on the street but she's a special agent of a big organization in Europe. No, scratch that... she's an assassin! Kaya ko gustong magkapangalan sa business world dahil her usual assignments are related to business tycoons, magnates basta sa elite world. Kapag nagkataon, magkakaroon ako ng connection sa organization na kinabibilangan niya, I could hire her as my special bodyguard so that she will always be with me."

Natahimik ako. Something hit my chest. Napatingin ako sa kanya.

"Hindi naman ako tomboy. I just wanted to make her happy and take her out from the darkness she's living. Alam mo kasi. I saw how lonely she was, I saw how dark her life was. I was so hurt when I saw her crying telling me she's tired and she just wanted to be happy, 'til now I'm hurt reliving her worst state in front of me. I want to help her see the light and give the life she deserves. Hiyang-hiya ako sa sarili ko no'n... I was there ruining my life and destroying everything in me as I let myself walk in to the darkness and she was there trying to seek for an escape out of the dark."

Tumulo ang luha niya at natawa nang mahina.

"Kahit sandali ko lang siya nakilala at nakasama, she changed me. She made me realized that I am lucky and a blessed one that I should be grateful of."

Napalunok ako and I asked, "What's her name?"

Umiling siya, "I don't know but..."

"But?"

"But... she was known to be 'The Wing Regal'."

And my heart twitched.

'My Wing Regal... she's talking about my Katarina, my Chérie.'

-End of Chapter 29-

Thank you for reading freaks! God bless you.

Hugs and kisses,
CL with love.