Chapter Text
Kahit saan pumaling, tanging ingay lang ang maririnig sa porma ng ibat’ ibang klaseng kanta na sinusundan ang mabibilis na ritmo na siya namang nagiging dahilan sa pag indayog ng mga taong nakapaligid.
And in the midst of the sea of people who are mindlessly swaying to the rhythm, there are two men quietly sitting at the second floor of the bar. “Sebastian,” mahinang bulong ng isa kung saan mabilis naman na pumukaw sa atensyon ng isa pang binata na prenteng nakaupo lang sa couch, just looking at the people who are having the time of their lives.
“Yeah?” The called man answers, looking to his right to face his friend, Seungcheol. Nakita naman ng binata na tahimik lang na humihipak ng yosi ang kaibigan habang hawak ang isang basong naglalaman ng whiskey.
Seungcheol just shrugged his shoulders, “Kamusta NYL?”
Sebastian figured that the man will ask about his company—they are business partners after all. Nagkakilala kasi ang dalawa matapos ang isang technology meeting somewhere in Shanghai. The event was attended by esteemed businessmen to expand their network and to possible venture with other fields of businesses.
One of them was Vernon Sebastian, who at that time recently just assumed the empire of his father, the NYL Inc. So, the young Sebastian was obligated to attend since that was the first time that their company was represented by the heir. While Seungcheol was just there to have a good time, since the man was already loaded. He literally owns most of the print industry across the globe. Seungcheol was there just to drink wine and taste eclairs.
Sebastian and Seungcheol’s friendship came after bumping into one another and talking about the possibility of investing to each other’s company.
At ngayon, nandito sila sa isang sikat na bar sa Makati matapos magkayayaan dahil kalalapag lang ni Seungcheol sa Pilipinas. “The hell Choi,” the younger, Sebastian just chuckled. “You sound just like my father, asking me about the company and all that shit.” Natatawang sambit nito saka tinungga ang isang baso sa harapan niya.
Seungcheol, tends to be like that. He is literally like a brother to the only child Sebastian.
The older one just hums, “I could be your daddy,” he jokes, wiggling his eyebrows in a suggestive manner.
The response from Sebastian was fast, sending a glare to the other. “You’re fucking disgusting,” ani nito, even slightly pushing his friend. “I don’t know how Kuya Jeonghan puts up with you.”
Upon hearing his lover’s name, Seungcheol is quick to whip his head towards the younger’s direction, “Bastardo,” he mutters. “How come you call Hannie, kuya? You ass licking motherfucker, I’m literally the oldest.” Dagdag pa nito, pointing the cigarette towards Sebastian while explaining.
Sebastian just gives him a look, “That’s because you’re a grandpa,” sambit ng binata. To which the other just takes a hit from his cigarette and blows it on Sebstian’s face as his response.
Maingay pa rin ang paligid at tila pumupulso na ang lapag dahil sa lakas ng musikang pumapaligid sakanila. Ngunit nanatili ang katahimikan sa pagitan ng dalawa. At sa pagkakataong ito, muling binasag ni Seungcheol ang katahimikan, “You fancy on seeing someone right now, Sebastian?” then he laid back down to the couch. “If you want, I’ll set you up with someone. I know a girl. Really pretty, intelligent—”
“And Kuya Jeonghan is going to whip your ass, if I tell him about your friend,” Sebastian threatens.
Natawa nalang si Seungcheol, dahil napaka himod pwet talaga ng kaibigan niya sa boyfriend niya dahil napakagaling na sales ni Jeonghan. Lalo na at magkasama pa sila sa workplace, natural lang talaga na maging close ang dalawa. “Dami mong alam, kaibigan nga. Magkaiba ang kaibigan sa boyfriend,” tugon ni Seungcheol. “Yung kaibigan nakakausap, boyfriend nakakantot. Single ka kasi kaya hindi mo alam yun.”
“I’ll bet you ten thousand dollars right now, I can take anyone home by just tapping their shoulders and giving them the kindest smile I can possibly offer,” mayabang na sabi ni Sebastian habang naka de-kwartro pa.
Kaya wala nang naggawa si Seungcheol kung hindi ay umiling, whispering a silent ‘Vernon Sebastian, you’re a fucking asshole’ under his breath. “Oo na, tangina mo. Nagkukusang loob na nga ako na ipakilala ka, minamasama mo pa.”
Sa ilang taon kasing nakilala ni Seungcheol ang kaibigan, never pa niya itong nakita na magkaroon ng stable na relasyon. Palaging casual, palaging romasanhang pansamatala lang. Seungcheol understands that maybe it is in Sebastian’s nature, just succumbing to lust and never being able to commit to one person. He understands, really.
Sadyang gusto niya lang talagang makita ang kaibigan na makakilala ng katapat niya.
“Baka naman sa office may makilala ka? You know,” Seungcheol says as he downs a shot of tequila. “Office romance and all that shit, maybe your kinky self is into that.” Biro pa nito.
But Sebastian just shrugs, a clear sign that he is not entertaining that idea any longer.
Don’t get him wrong, he does not hate the idea of dating someone. If an opportunity knocks and his schedule permits him, then why not? It’s just that, being a chairman of such big company really does not warrant him all the liberty in life—included therein is dating and meeting other people.
In short, he is too busy and occupied to date, to care for another person. So, he just settles with casual fucks.
And as Sebastian looks down, he sees a short haired blonde woman dancing her heart out. The girl is petite, and when the light strikes through, he notices that the woman has multiple tattoos on her left arm.
Hot, too sexy even. Tipo ng mga babaeng gustong gustong pinapaingay ni Sebastian sa kama.
Which is why after downing the remaining whiskey and killing the cigarette on the ashtray in front of him, that’s when Sebastian decides that it’s time to get the fuck out of the stiffy bar. He pats Seungcheol’s shoulder, “Bro, I’ll get going.”
This made the older furrow his eyebrows, clearly confused since the night is still young. “Saan ang punta?”
But Sebastian did not answer anymore, he just directed his friend’s gaze towards the girl he was looking at, a few minutes ago. “Ah, sige. Go ahead, I’ll stay a little bit longer. Maybe call Jeonghan,” the older answered. “Enjoy the night Sebastian!”
The younger just nodded at him, heading straight to the stairs to get down the dance floor. The place is too crowded and Sebastian is feeling bodies pressing against him all at once. But after a few steps, there he spots the girl.
Mabilis niyang ipinulupot ang kamay sa bewang ng babae at hinapit ito papalapit sakanya, “Hello pretty,” he greets.
The woman who is facing against Sebastian just grins, looking back to try to get a glimpse of the guy who is holding her waist. Another whisper, “Been looking at you for a while now. You want to get out of here with me?” Tanong ni Sebastian habang mabagal na ginagapang ang kamay nito papunta sa dibdib ng dalaga.
And as always, no one ever says no to Vernon Sebastian Chwe.
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Mangiyak-ngiyak na tinatakbo ni Charles ang terminal papuntang Pasig para makasakay ng jeep papuntang office. Paano, trenta minutos nalang at ma la-late na siya sa trabaho. So, the poor guy who is commuting all the way from Binangonan is just biting his nails, clearly nervous.
Hindi naman kasi inakala ng binata na tatamaan siya sa kapeng ininom niya bago matulog.
Wala na kasi siyang barya pauwi para ibayad bilang pamasahe kagabi. Kaya napilitan muna siyang huminto sa coffee shop na malapit sa terminal at bumili ng maliit na kape para magpabarya.
At matapos non, pasado alas tres na ng umaga ay hindi parin siya nakakatulog.
So, Charles is not only palpitating, but he is also running with three hours of sleep. Dehydrated, hungry, and sleep deprived.
“Manong, bayad po. Tulay lang!” Malakas na sigaw ni Charles para iabot ang dose pesos niyang pamasahe. Alam niyang hindi na siya aabot ng alas nwebe sa opisina dahi sasakay pa siya ng isang jeep para makarating dito. At kung eestimahin ay mahigit isang oras pa ang byahe niya.
Ngayong araw pa naman ang naka-schedule na presentation niya sa chairman kasama ang ibang boards para sa monthly alignment meeting ng sales and marketing team patungkol sa mga profit loss and gain nila with their clients.
And with that thought in mind, Charles concludes na baka bukas, wala na siyang trabaho.
Kaya naman wala na siyang naggawa kung hindi sunod-sunurin ng text ang kaibigang si Hoshi mula sa kabilang departamento.
‘Friend, pa tulay palang ako di na ko aabot ang traffic.’
‘Sinend ko sayo yung visual presentation and mga reports ng statistics from our pharma clients.’
‘Umusog na yung jeep, baka makarating ako after 40 minutes.’
‘Joke lang, ang traffic uli.’
‘Hoshingie huhuhuhuh’
Pero walang natanggap si Seungkwan na sagot ni isa mula sa kaibigan. With a throbbing heart, mariin na pinikit nalang ni Charles ang mga mata at pinilit nalang na tanggapin ang katotohanan.
And of course, life will not be too kind to Charles dahil bente minutos matapos ang pasado alas nwebe ay heto naman siya ngayon, tinatakbo ang elevator para dumiretso sa office.
But of course, life can sometimes be kind to Charles dahil matapos niyang pasukin ang elevator, he immediately punches the 24th floor, and that’s when he only notices the two figures reflecting in front of the glass mirror of the elevator.
His boss. Sebastian.
The man is wearing a white long sleeves polo—two buttons popped open, tucked in his fitted slacks, some polished black shoes, and his multiple rings decorating his thick fingers.
Kung ganito ang makikita ni Charles bago siya sisantihin sa trabaho, okay lang.
“Mr. Charles, correct?” Malalim na boses ang pumalibot sa apat na sulok ng elevator na kung saan gumising sa diwa ni Charles.
His heart is still pumping because of too much adrenaline, pero hindi niya maiwasang bahagyang tumingin sa gawi ng boss niya para mahagip ang itsura nito nang malapitan. “Hello po Mr. Chwe,” then he teared his gaze away from the other, after briefly locking eyes with him.
He is too shy. And embarrassed, to the point that he is feeling how hot his cheeks are becoming. Hindi alam ni Charles kung dahil sa stress, pagod, puyat, or kilig.
Ngunit tila hindi naman ito napansin ng matangkad at nagsalitang muli, “You’re late.”
Okay.
Ito na yung oras na kung saan bibigyan siya ng termination letter at mawawalan na siya ng trabaho. Okay lang naman, kaya naman maghanap ng panibagong trabaho. Sadyang nanghihinayang lang si Charles dahil ni hindi pa nga siya nakakapagpapicture sa boss niya.
“Are you still with me, Mr. Charles?” Tanong muli ng chairman na muling kinagulat ng maliit kaya mabilis na tumingala ito para tigan sa mata si Sebastian. And upon seeing the shy smile on the brunette’s tiny face, the taller can’t help but to smile.
Cute.
The chairman just avoided the smaller’s gaze and cleared his throat, “As I was saying, I expect you to be at my office after lunch, is that clear?” Tanong nito.
Ngunit hindi pa nga nakakasagot si Charles para itanong kung bakit siya pupunta sa office ng chairman ay tuluyan na itong lumabas ng elevator, getting off the 18th floor to get to his office.
Ang natandaan lang ni Charles ay kailangan niyang pumunta sa office ng boss niya after lunch, but the reason behind that? He has no idea.
That’s why upon arriving to his desk area, agad agad siyang dumiretso sa kaibigan na si Hoshi to ask about the presentation that he missed, “Hoshingie,” iyak na tawag ni Charles habang naglalakad papalapit sa kaibigan.
The called friend turned his head to face his friend, “Oh, gago. Tanga ka, late ka sa presentation,” simpleng saad ni Hoshi habang pinagmamasdan ang kaibigan na tila paiyak na. “Alam mo na ba gagawin?”
Marahas na tinulak ni Charles ang kaibigan mula sa swivel chair nito at siya mismo ang umupo to bury his face on the desk table, “Ayoko na. Mawawalan na ko ng trabaho. Nakasalubong ko pa si chairman sa elevator,” he said, voice muffled.
Natawa nalang si Hoshi sa inaasta ng kaibigan. Alam naman kasi nito na hindi gawain ng maliit na mahuli sa trabaho. So he softly pats the fluff of brown hair, “Di gagi. Di naman galit si chairman, inexplain ko nalang na nagka emergency lang din sa bahay niyo,” he starts, now caressing the back of the still sulking Charles. “Punta ka nalang daw sa office niya mamayang after lunch para ikaw raw mismo ang mag present ng mga statistics with our other partners.” Paliwanag nito.
With that, mabilis na bumangon sa pagkakayuko si Charles, sending a surprised look to his friend. “Anong ako? Ako lang?” He said, holding on to Hoshi’s hands. “Hoshingie dibale na. Mag re-resign na ko. Hindi ko kaya na kaming dalawa lang baka mahalata ni chairman na kinikilig ako sakanya tapos—”
Ngunit bago pa man ipagpatuloy ng maliit ang litanya niya ay agad na siyang dinagukan ni Hoshi, “Gaga. Mag p-present ka lang ng data, hindi ka kekerengkeng. Trabaho, Seungkwan. Trabaho kaya ka niya pinatawag.” Ani nito habang dinudutdot ang noo ng isa.
Charles just looks at the void, hoping that everything gets better later.
Except, it doesn’t.
Pano naman kasi, pababa palang papuntang office ni Mr. Sebastian, ramdam na agad ni Charles ang bilis ng kabog ng dibdib niya. Bukod kasi sa ninenerbyos siya lulan nalang na magisa lang siyang mag p-present sa harapan ng chairman, kinakabahan din siya kung anong sasabihin nito sa kanya.
The fact that the chairman himself had to make some time for his presentation after failing to arrive on time is what makes Charles feels like he is about to shit his pants. Downing two cups of americano certainly did not help making him feel at ease too.
So here he is now, about to enter the office of the company owner. “This way po Mr. Seungkwan.” Malambing na sambit ng sekretarya ng chairman, directing him to where the chairman’s office really is.
Ang buong 18th floor kasi ng building ay inaakupa lang ni Sebastian habang ang natitirang mga vacant rooms ay ang nagsisilbing conference rooms tuwing kailangan mag meeting ng mga tauhan niya.
Ilang conference room rin ang nilagpasan ni Charles at ng sekretarya bago huminto sa isang itim na pintuan, which he guesses is the chairman’s office. Kumatok muna ang sekretarya bago tuluyang binuksan ang pintuan.
And upon arriving, Charles is immediately in awe. Sobrang lawak ng opisina ng boss niya, making him feel almost too mad, dahil totoo pala na may ganitong kayayaman na mga tao? Literally the size of the office is thrice larger than his rented place.
Binati kasi siya ng naglalakihang bintana, revealing a fancy view of Makati. Napansin din ni Charles na kahit daytime, ay hindi masyadong maliwanag sa loob ng opisina so he figures that it has something to do with the large windows in front of him.
While situated in the middle of the room is a presidential desk made with the finest ebony and surrounding the working table is the multiple shelves that house hundreds of books. While at the far-right corner of the room is a lounge sofa and beside it is a black coat rack.
The room is just screaming luxury, being dressed in gray, white, and dark blue.
At nang ipagpatuloy na igala ni Charles ang mga mata niya sa silid, saka lang niya napagtanto na tinititigan pala siya ng boss niya mula sa presidential chair.
“I hope that my office impressed you, Mr. Charles,” panimula nito nang mapansing ilang segundo ring pinagmasdan ng empleyado ang opisina niya. “Please take your seat.” Dagdag pa ni Sebastian matapos ituro ang upuang nakatapat sakanya.
And with a throbbing heart, Charles followed. Sitting himself down to that lone chair in front of his boss.
Hindi rin makatingin ng diretso ang maliit dahil sobrang intimidating ng chairman tumitig, lalo na at sila lang dalawa ang magkasama. Pero hindi naman pwedeng hindi siya magsalita at humingi ng pasensya matapos ang mga inconvenience na dinulot ng pagka-late niya ngayong araw.
With a soft voice, Charles dared to speak. “Good afternoon, Chairman. I just wanted to apologize for causing inconvenience on your end after arriving late today. Rest assured that I will try my hardest to not let it happen again and—”
But Charles is quick to cut his apologies when he heard the man in front of him silently chuckle, making him throw a questioning look to the other.
Sebastian just waved his hands to his employee, an amused grin painted on his face. “Nah, no need to say sorry Mr. Charles. No biggies. In fact,” the guy trails, looking hesitant as if what he is about to say is something confidential. But he continued, “You just saved my ass from being grilled in one of my scheduled meetings today. Had to cancel it and I reasoned out that I had to urgently align with my marketing team for the upcoming release of our new labelling stickers.” Paliwanag nito, still smiling down at the still confused brunette.
So, Charles just hesitantly chuckled, dahil hindi rin siya sure kung nakikipag biruan ba sakanya ang boss niya dahil napaka informal nitong kumausap. “Ah, okay po sir,” is what he settled with. Sinundan naman ito ni Charles ng pag-abot ng isang folder sa chairman kung saan naglalaman ng mga documentation and reports ng mga trial with other customers for the whole month.
Deeming that it is proper to start his presentation since the other is just intently looking at him, he heaved a sigh to cheer himself up. “Bale sir, if you can see on the first half of the month, we reached our quota after receiving a purchasing order from the—”
“You’re the marketing guy who said na gwapo ako sa cafeteria, few weeks ago right?” Putol ni Sebastian sa maliit.
The reaction from the smaller is instant. Deep red coloring his cheeks down to his neck due to severe embarrassment.
Mabilis na iniwas ni Charles ang tingin sa chairman at yumuko ito dahil sa hiya. Tanging nais niya lang naman ay matapos na ang reporting niya para makaalis na agad. The room is too suffocating for the brunette, added the fact that Sebastian is too intimidating for him, especially when he is plastering that amused yet arrogant smirk.
Charles was about to explain himself when Sebastian cuts him off again. “I’m just kidding, tiny,” he said with a chuckle. “You can go ahead and continue.”
So, the marketing employing did just that. He quickly cleared his throat to speak again, “As I was saying, according po sa ating purchasing department the demand for the offset—”
Another deep voice interrupted Charles once again before he could even continue with his presentation. “So you really think I’m handsome?” Sebastian asked, laying back down to his swivel chair and twirling a lighter on his finger, while his other hand is holding the printed reports.
“Yes po—ay I mean, ano po sir,” natatarantang paliwanag ni Charles. Hindi na niya alam ang gagawin niya o kung anong sasabihin. Ano ba naman kasi itong boss niya at bakit parang natutuwa pang asarin siya.
The response made an impression to the chairman, inevitably making him raise his eyebrows. “Glad to know, Seungkwan. Alright, you may proceed,” Sebastian said, his smile not leaving off his face watching his poor marketing employee get flustered.
While Charles completely forgot what his report was even about, Sebastian was quick to assist him. “The purchasing department said that?”
“Said that… that the orders po ay,” the brunette completely fumbled. Sobrang bilis parin ng kabog ng dibdib niya, and whenever he dares to look at the chairman, he will always find the man looking at him dead in the eye. Glint of amusement flashing in his eyes.
So when Sebastian leaned on the table to look at the other closer, that’s when Charles feels like he is about to pass out. “I’m just messing with you, Seungkwan. Never knew that I have such cute marketing employee like you in my company,” nakangiting sabi nito. His hands now empty of the lighter and other paper works, readying to reach out to the smaller.
Charles is about to speak to defend himself, when he feels an unfamiliar hand patting his hair gently. “You’re dismissed Seungkwan, you can now go back to your office,” the chairman said.
Ignoring his thumping heart after literally being patted by his boss, Charles speaks again, “Pano po yan Sir? Hindi pa po ako tapos and—”
“I already reviewed your report, after Mr. Hoshi sent it to me,” Sebastian said, looking at the marketing employee unconsciously biting his fingers.
Charles hesitantly stood up when Sebastian threw him a kind smile, a sign that he really could go back to his office.
Ngunit bago pa man mapihit ni Charles ang pintuan para makalabas ng opisina, narinig niya muli ang pamilyar na boses, “And Mr. Seungkwan?”
A silent, “Po?” was the brunette’s only answer.
“Don’t call me Sir, when it’s just the two of us. Call me Vernon alright? Since I’m sure that we are going to see each other more often.”
After his meeting with the chairman, there are only two things that Charles is now sure of. One is that his boss is definitely a flirt. And two is that the man has a large triple spiral tattoo on his neck.