SOLLAIRE
LUCKILY maaga kaming nakarating sa chambers. Wala pa nga rito ang mga asawang nagrereklamo sa akin pati na ang judge na magoobserve sa magiging paguusap namin ngayon. Sana nga ay ma-settle na ang lahat dahil ayoko talaga na mapasara ang pinakamamahal kong negosyo.Pangako, right after everything is settled, I will carefully pick my clients na. Ayoko na ma-stress sa ganito at ayoko na rin na magalit sa akin si Zion. He's all I have, Iyon bang nakakaintindi at nakakatiis sa ugali ko. Hays, I don't know what I will be without him kaya ayaw ko na siyang bwisitin."Aga aga natin sila naman pala 'tong late. Ka-imbyerna." Reklamo ni Nate habang boring na boring na nilalaro ang briefcase ni Zion.Bawal kasi kaming mag dala ng phone dito sa loob because the judge can't risk having the chamber conversations out.Zion, looking tired, yawns. "Ganyan talaga. They're late on purpose. Gusto kasi nila ma-intimidate nila tayo when they walked through the door. It is very usual. Ina-advise ko rin sa mga clients ko yang ganyan." He shared.Sus. Intimidate my ass. Baka sila pa ang ma-intimidate sa akin. But I have to remember na I have to be soft here. Hindi ako pwedeng mag tapang tapangan. Ngayon lang naman, pag tapos nito ay pwede na ulit akong maging dragonita."Ooops, I think sila na yan." Nate whispered when we heard footsteps and noise on the hallway.Napaupo na lang ako ng diretso. Bago pumasok ang mga tao sa loob ay humirit pa ng paalala si Zion."Remember, you are not a dragon today. Instead, you are an angel with twice as much of a halo above your head."I nodded and put in a fake sweet smile. Medyo napa simangot na lamang ako nang makita ko ang asawa ni Zuniga na malaki ang ngiti at malakas ang tawa habang naka sukbit ang kanyang kamay sa judge. My ghad, is he fvcking this old judge man as well? Wala nang pinatawad ang malanding ito.Kaya pala kailangan kong magpakabait ngayon dahil kahit anong mangyari, matik na pabor na ang gurang na judge na ito sa mga asawang nagrereklamo sa akin."Judge Tamayo, how are you?" Magalang at naka ngiting bati ni Zion sa matandang judge.The judge smiled. "Oh, ikaw pala yan Zion. I wasn't aware that you're handling this matter.""Yes, Your Honor." Tumabi si Zion para maipakita kami ni Nate sa Judge. "This is my client, Sollair, and her assisstant, Nate.""Good morning, Your Honor." sabay at magalang na bati namin ni Nate.The judge smile at us. Mukha naman pala siyang mabait, siguro naman he will give us a fair chance at this meeting and he will not be bias."All right, let us start this meeting para maaga tayong matapos. I have two divorce hearing to attend after this."Agad kaming umupo sa mahabang lamesa. Ang panig namin ay nasa kanang upuan at dahil hindi naman occupied ang lahat ng upuan dahil tatlo lang kami ay ginamit ang sobrang upuan ng mga tao na nasa kabilang panig.Sinusubukan kong hindi sila tignan dahil ayoko naman na ma-intimidate ako sa kanila. As much as possible, gusto ko mag mukha na wala akong pakielam sa kanila. In short, gusto kong mag mukha na isa akong unbothered person kahit na ang katotohanan ay kulang na lang na sumabog ang puso ko sa sobrang bilis ng tibok nito dahil sa kaba."I understand that this is about your..." Napahinto si Judge at tumikhim, parang hindi ito makapaniwala sa nababasa niya sa file. "G-giving service to businessmen that happens to be these women's spouses."Judge Tamayo looks at me at sa tingin na yan ay alam ko na hinuhusgahan na niya ako. "Can you tell mo more about this business of yours?" He asks.I smiled and nodded. I sat up straight and looked him in his eyes para mas mag mukha akong confident. "Yes, Your Honor. I established my business years ago, and in this business, every year, pumipili ako ng isang lalaki para maging boss ko at maging secretary nila ako. And in this business, I provide them companionship where they can be comfortable enough to share their hidden feelings with me."Judge nods, "So, basically, you are playing as their therapist?"I heard the wives giggle, yung parang nangiinsulto ba."Yes, Your Honor. I did this service to help these men's mental health. I provided them a companion, but more likely, I provided them a friend."Biglang napatahimik ang mga tao sa silid. Para bang wala silang ma-rebat sa sinabi ko. Eh iyon naman kasi ang totoo.Nag patuloy pa ako sa sinasabi ko, "Most of these men, Your Honor, are seen as strong dahil sa business tycoon image nila, but what people does not know is these men are one of the most loneliest people. Why? Because most of the people in their lives are not trust worthy because it is common for these people to befriend them due to their money..."Natahimik ulit ang silid pero hindi na ako ulit nag salita pa. Hinayaan ko na magkaroon ulit si judge ng sasabihin."Well, I can say that all of that is true. But however, you are being accused of having sexual intercourse with some of these men and these are crucial accusations dahil pwede kang sampahan ng opisyal na kaso rito if all of these are proven true."Sasagot pa sana ako nang biglang sumagot si Zion. "Your Honor, it is right that my client did have sexual intercourse with some of her clients, but those men are single and we have all of the client's file that could prove this.""We don't have to bring evidences as of the moment. Today, we will try to resolve this issue as much as possible." Judge Tamayo said.Napatanggo na lang si Zion."How about the other side?" Tanong ni Judge sa mga asawang nagrereklamo sa amin.Syempre, as expected, nauna mag salita ang asawa ni Zuniga."Well, nag usap usap na kami ng mga asawa ng kliyente ni Sollaire and we've come to a decision not to file a case against her if she agreed to make a public apology containing of every thing she did."What the fvck? Ain't no way I'm doing that shit."Fuck no, Zion. A public apology? That's bullshit!" Pabulong kong sigaw sa tenga ni Zion."You don't have a fucking choice, Sollaire. Either this or thet kick you out of your business." Inis niya ring bulong sa akin.Napatingin kami nang biglang mag salita si Judge Tamayo. "Well, that seems fair with all of the emotional and psychological effects these events had brought into these wives life. May I ask for your alternative in case the conditions are not met?"Zuniga's wife smiled. "If the conditions are not met, we wan't her business to be out. Para hindi na rin siya makapanira pa ng relasyon at pamilya."Nag pintig ang tenga ko at kumunot ang noo ko. Kung pwede ko lang hablutin ang buhok ng babaeng ito mula sa kabilang lamesa at ginawa ko na."This court will give you two weeks to adhere with the conditions said. We expect you to follow---""Fuck no."Napatingin ang lahat sa akin ng dahil sa sinabi ko."Excuse me?" Nalilitong tanong ni Judge Tamayo.Bahagya akong kinurot ni Zion sa ilalim ng lamesa. "Your Honor, what my client means is that--""What I said is..." I sighed. "Fuck no."At kinuha ko na ang bag ko at tuloy tuloy na lumabas ng chambers.ZIONAfter Sollaire walked out, all of us are stunned at walang nagsasalita ni isa man lang. However, sobrang daming mura na ang nasasabi ko sa utak ko because what the hell did just happened?Judge Tamayo knows me as an honorable lawyer. He knows that every case I present, I will mostly win. If not, I will lose it honorably. Pero itong ginawa ni Sollaire? I am sure that my career is forever stained in Judge Tamayo's head.From now on, in his head, I am a lawyer who let my client disrespect me in his presence.Bumalik na lang ako sa aking huwisyo nang maramdaman ko ang pagsiko at marinig ko ang pagbulong sa akin ni Nate."Huy, speak up." Nate whispered.Doon ko na lang napagtanto na naka tingin na sa akin ang lahat."A-ah...." Panimula ko dahil wala akong masabi. "I would like to apologize for that, Your Honor-- everyone. It seems that Ms. Sollaire-- my client-- is overwhelmed.""That is not an excuse!" Zuniga's wife blurted out. Alam kong inis na inis siya dahil hindi umayon sa kany
SOLLAIRE I went straight home after walking out of the chambers two weeks ago. YES. Dalawang linggo na ang nakararaan simula noong mag walk out ako mula sa mga nagrereklamo sa akin, kay Judge Tamayo, Nate, at si Zion. Because when I heard the word 'public apology' I know na hindi ko kayang gawin iyon. At kung ano man ang rason, dahil iyon sa mga magulang ko. I don't want them na pagtawanan ako pag nakita nila ang public apology ko dahil baka ang isipin nila ay isa akong malaking disappointment at hindi ko kayang bumuo ng matinong buhay nang wala ako sa puder nila. Noong mga unang araw matapos akong mag walk out, maraming text at calls sa akin si Zion. Lahat iyon ay puro hindi nasagot. I know that he is angry. Of course, pinahiya ko siya sa harap ni Judge Tamayo. Tama lang na magalit siya sa akin at alam ko naman na deserve ko iyon. Pero si Nate, hindi lang ako sa text at tawag kinulit pero andito rin siya sa apartment ko ngayon. Kahit nga ilang beses ko na siyang palayasin ay hin
VERNONWHAT in the mader fvcking shit is happening in my office?Nakakalat nanaman lahat ng papel at naka lapag lang ang mga office folders sa sofa. Napaka gulo nga kaya hindi ako makapag trabaho nang maayos. Simula rin nang makita ko kung gaano kakalat ang office ko ay uminit na rin ang ulo ko bigla.Hindi ko naman ito maiuutos kay Jane dahil nasa staff meeting siya kasama rin ng mga ilan sa mga staff dito sa CEO floor. If only I have a secretary, hindi ko na poproblemahin ito.Kaya lang wala nga akong secretary, so what else can I do to solve this irritating problem?"Shit, of course, I have to do this myself." I whispered then I began organizing the papers that is on my table.Wala pa nga ako sa kalahati ng ginagawa ko ay bigla nanaman akong nairita. Hindi ko kasi gets kung paano ayusin ang mga papeles na ito at kung ano ba ang mga papel ang dapat magkasama. When I took a glance at the papers that is on the floor and the folders that is sitting quietly on my sofa, napaupo na lang a
SOLLAIREWhen Zion arrived, we were immediately greeted with his serious face.No one attempted to greet him nor speak with him in anyway. Para bang bumigat ang aura nga paligid nung dumating siya. Bakit ko ba nararamdaman na may ibabalita siyang hindi maganda?Instead of greeting me with a hug and a kiss on the cheek katulad ng lagi niyang ginagawa, he went straight to the kitchen para uminom ng malamig na tubig na galing sa ref.Nate is looking at me, obviously asking what to do. Hindi niya pa kasi nakakasalamuha si Zion na ganito kasungit. Zion is the most patient and understanding man ever.Bumigat nanaman tuloy ang pakiramdam ko nang maalala ko na ako ang dahilan kung bakit siya nagkakaganito. If only I said sorry publicly, hindi naman ito mangyayari sa amin. Ang kaso nga lang, hindi ko iyon kaya. I can't let my parents be satisfied on seeing what kind of disappointment I am at hindi ko rin gusto na makita nanaman nila kung saan ako nakatira. Kung nalaman nila, they're just goi
SOLLAIREIt's the paintings that I asked them to take out first. Isang buong truck ang okupado ng mga paintings sa building ko. Paano ba naman halos mag mukha nang museum ang office building ko dahil sa karamihan ng mga kliyente ko ay nagbibigay sa akin ng mga painting at iba pang mga art works.Kahit nga hindi ko na sila kliyente ay patuloy pa rin nila akong binibigyan ng mga regalo. Mayroon tuwing okasyon ng Valentine's day, Christmas day, New Year's day, Halloween Day, at siyempre ang aking birthday.Ito rin siguro ang isa sa mga mamimiss ko, ang mga mababait kong kliyente. Pero hinding hindi ko mamimiss ang mga asawa nila. Hindi naman lahat ng asawa ng mga naging kliyente ko ay may masasamang ugali, pero karamihan sila ay ganon."Ma'am, ito po saan?" Tanong ng helper habang nakaturo sa painting na naka sabit malapit sa elevator ng third floor.Napasimangot ako. "Tapon niyo na lang po kuya, or kung gusto ninyo, inyo na lang. Pwede niyo po iyang ibenta, nasa seventy thousand ang pre
AVON "Miss Avon, galit na galit po yung isang considered candidate. Bakit daw po siya nareplace sa pwesto? He said that he was getting ready to join the program. I don't know what to tell him po." Lesley, one of my operating staff said while her head is down. "Lesley..." I softly called and approached her. I lifted her head using my finger. "If they intimidate you, intimidate them back. Drop that call. Him being angry only proves that he is not that worthy to be in our program. Come back when you are finish dropping that call." When Lesley turned around and walked out of my office, I sighed. I am just so glad that I did not accept that candidate or else one of my girls would have to deal with that kind of attitude. Napalingon na lang ako ulit when the door opens. "You dropped the call?" I asked her. Lesley nods, but I can still sense that she was frustrated being shouted at minutes ago. Oh dear... "Sit down, dear." I commanded her. When she sat down, I poured her a gl
Warning: Mature ContentSOLLAIREHINDI ko inaasahang dadagsa ng ganito karami ang mga application ngayong year. Matapos ko ba namang lubusang pasayahin ang CEO ng isa sa pinaka malaking wine production sa Asya, malamang sa malamang ay talagang dadagsa ang application nila ngayong taon.I am Sollaire Castro, the famous One-Year Secretary. If someone is a wife of a billionaire, she must know my name and hates it.Billionaires hire me to make them happy. Not in a sexual way, but in a genuine way where they can vent everything they can not with their wives or their families.Sure, I had sex with some of my clients I had before. Pero hinding hindi ako nakikipag sex sa alam kong may asawa o ka relasyon. The last thing I want is to ruin someone's relationship.Para maging malakas ang loob ko na mag trabaho na ganito ang ginagawa, iniisip ko na lang na para lang akong baby sitter o di kaya naman therapist ng mga bilyonaryo. "You have to choose one soon, Sollaire. Malapit na mag december." Pa
VERNON"Hindi mo ba kayang gawin?" I smiled at this girl in front of me.Ang babaeng nasa harap ko ay ang secretary na kakahire ko pa lang noong nakaraang linggo matapos kong sibakin yung isa."I can do it, s-sir. I just need the time to--""Time to what?" I asked.With that question, nangilid na agad ang luha niya.I closed my eyes. I'm trying to control myself ."I am asking you for what?" I asked again.I can hear her teeth chattering. It irritates the shit out of me. "F-for me to f-fully understand what you're asking me, sir..."Napapikit na naman ako. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko at itinapon sa sahig ang kapeng binili niya. "I specifically asked you to bring me coffee. STRICTLY with no sugar." Pagdiin ko."Yet, you brought me a coffee that could bring me to a diabetes coma. Do you know how bad that is?" I irritably said. "I expected very high from you and now what did you do? You disappointed me." Napahilot ako sa ulo ko."I-i'm sorry, sir." Yumuko ito at pinulot ang baso s