Chapter Eight
RONNIE
Wyatt Lazaro's Sybarite mansion was made to look at, not to live in. I had easily gotten lost in this luxurious maze and it took me five minutes of walking around to find the grand staircase. The longer I stay here, the longer I start to feel like this was some kind of Renaissance museum with bedrooms. All the marbled pillars and priced paintings on the wall of the hallways, all these wealth was screaming for attention.
I made my way down the marble staircase, my hands gliding along the gold gilt railing. If walls could only talk I knew it would have a lot of stories to tell. Nakikita ko lang ang loob ng mansyon na ito sa mga pictures na kumakalat tuwing naghohost si Wyatt Lazaro ng Sybarite party. I'd seen pictures of women inside this house in clothings that almost leave nothing to do imagination, some without clothes on. Heck! I wasn't a prude. I had no problem with nudity. Hindi naman ako magtatanggal ng pang-itaas sa harap ng gate ng mansyon na ito kung ganon lang din. I wouldn't have any problem at all if those women weren't used as props or some kind of object. There had been pictures and videos of women in obscene situations. Like the body buffet they had at last year's party. They had a naked woman laid on a table and food were placed on top of the naked body. And also that picture where a topless woman who had two grown men latching on each breasts. I shook my head mindlessly, revolted at the images that flashed through my mind.
"Veronica!" Lumapit si Donny sa akin pagtapak ko sa pinakahuling baitang ng hagdan. "Ang aga mo naman magising."
Isang simpleng ngiti lang ang isinagot ko sa kanya. He answered back with a wide smile.
"Gusto mo bang mag-almusal?"
Ngayon lang ako nakaramdam ng gutom. I hadn't eaten dinner last night. I just watched Wyatt eat his food. So many had happened yesterday and all I wanted was to get through the day.
"Teka, nasaan ba si Wyatt?" I asked. I was having second thoughts whether I should have breakfast here or just grab a bite somewhere else. Nakikitira na nga lang ako, makikikain pa ako. Baka naman kasi sabihin niya nakikitira na nga ako, makikikain pa ako.
"Nagjogging si boss sa labas. Katatapos lang kasi mag-lift sa gym niya. Ibinilin ka niya sa akin."
"Ganon ba?" I bit my bottom lip and my stomach growled again. "Ano'ng breakfast ngayon?"
"Hindi ko alam kay chef pero nagluluto na siya ngayon. May gusto ka bang pagkain?"
Kumunot ang noo ko. "As in personal chef?"
"Oo, si Chef Roy. Magaling yun. Dati kasi siyang chef ng Prime Minister ng Italy."
This shouldn't even surprise me. Wyatt's lifestyle was as extravagant as his house. We were a huge family in our house with my sister and her 4 sons with us lalo na kapag dumadating si Kuya Coco and Kuya Miggy with their family. But Mama does all the cooking for us with the help of our helps. Wala kaming personal chef. Wyatt had this home all to himself with a personal chef who was once the chef of a Prime Minister, a personal assistant, a butler, and about a million helps.
We walked into the kitchen. As I expected, his state of the art kitchen was as luxuriously gaudy as the rest of his home. It was renaissance styled too with carved cherry woods and dark marbled countertops and cabinets. A stout man in white chef uniform was there when we went in.
"Good morning." Magiliw na bati ng lalaki.
"Chef, ano'ng breakfast natin?" Tanong ni Donny.
"We're having smoked salmon souffle with blue cheese and spinach for breakfast and tropical parfait for dessert." He beamed.
It was the kind of food we only eat when we're at a fancy hotel. We eat real food at home. And blue cheese? I never liked it. I wouldn't touch it if it was the last thing on earth.
"Is it okay if I cook my own food?" I asked, biting my lower lip.
"May gusto ka bang ipaggawa sa akin? I can cook whatever food you want." Tanong sa akin ni Chef Roy.
"No, it's okay. Wala rin naman akong gagawin ngayon. Just don't mind me." Binigyan ko siya ng matamis na ngiti.
"Baka magalit si boss niyan, Veronica." Sabi ni Donny.
"Bakit naman siya magagalit?" Kunot noong tanong ko.
"Syempre, bisita ka tapos ikaw ang paglulutuin." He said.
"Ako na ang bahala kay Wyatt. Magluluto ako ng pancake at bacon. Meron ba kayo nun?" Sabi ko at inabot ang apron na nakasabit sa isang banda ng kitchen.
I was used to cooking breakfast. I cook for Ate's kids all the time. Ako ang iniistorbo nila sa tuwing magigising sila ng maaga dahil alam nilang puyat ang Mommy nila sa trabaho. They'd bug me until I get out of my room and cook for them. Sid was a sweet tooth, he likes pancakes and waffles. Brad's in love with bacon and Monty likes just about every cereal but he was especially fond of Lucky Charms. One day away from home and I already miss my nephews.
Donny and Chef Roy assisted me in cooking. I made pancakes and Chef Roy made his signature bacon, the way Wyatt liked it. Crispy and baked. They say Wyatt was a health freak kaya minsan lang ito mag bacon but he loved them bacon crispy.
"Baka mainlove sa'yo niyan si Wyatt at hindi ka na pauwiin. Sabi nga nila, di ba, a way to a man's heart is through his stomach. " Chef Roy teased after we were done. "At saka ikaw pa lang ang nakapag-overnight na babae dito."
"Chef, hindi naman kasi yan babae ni boss. Magkaibigan lang sila." Depensa ni Donny.
"Hindi kami magkaibigan ni Wyatt." I rolled my eyes and picked up a plate full of pancake. Donny tried to get it from me but I insisted. Dinala ko iyon sa dining room. One of the help, Susan, brought out the plate of bacon. The help were very accomodating to me. Nakipag-tsikahan din kasi ako sa mga kasambahay ni Wyatt habang naghahanda ng breakfast.
Then, Susan stood in the corner of the room and silently watched as I sat down. I felt weirded out. I'd seen this happen last night.
"Kumain ka na ba, Susan?" I politely asked. "You can join me if you want."
"Nag-almusal na po, Ma'am." Her hands clasped right in front of her.
"So, you're just going to stand there?" Kumunot ang noo ko.
"Kung may kailangan po kayo, mas mabilis ko kayong matutulungan." Magalang na sabi ko.
Tumingin naman ako kay Donny. "Huwag mo sabihin titigan mo lang din ako? Samahan mo ako kumain."
"Hihintayin ko na lang si boss, Veronica. Ako ang kasabay palagi kumakain nun." He told me.
"Ronnie na lang." I said. I wanted him to warm up to me. He seemed like a genuine guy. "Please, hindi kasi ako sanay na kumain mag-isa. Sanay akong palaging may kasamang kumain. Hindi ba sabi mo gustong-gusto mo yung bacon ni chef Roy?"
"Sige na nga, titikim lang ako ng konti." Aniya bago umupo sa tabi ko at kumain na din.
"Bakit ang laki ng galit mo kay boss?" Tanong niya habang ngumunguya.
"Wala siyang pakialam sa kapakanan ng ibang tao bukod sa sarili niya. He's making millions by exploiting women. He had reduced the value of women to being sexual objects. And the way he treats you and the helps speaks for itself." Naiiling na sabi ko. "Hindi dapat ganito ang trato niya sa inyo."
"Ano'ng ibig mong sabihin? Mabait sa amin si boss, ah." Donny defended him. "Parang Kuya na ang trato ko sa kanya."
"Tignan mo nga si Susan. He makes his help stand in the corner and watch him while he eats. Ano'ng klaseng tao siya?"
"Ma'am, mawalang galang na po pero mabait talaga sa amin si sir Wyatt. Ginagawa lang namin ang trabaho namin. Sa lahat ng naging amo ko siya ang pinamapagbigay. Wala pa kaming hinihinging tulong, nakarating na sa amin. Noong lumapit kami kay Sir Wyatt, walang-wala po kami noon. Pinag-aral niya po ang tatlo kong anak, siya din ang tumulong sa amin na magpundar ng sakahan sa probinsya namin at tumulong din siya sa pagpapagawa ng kubo namin noon. Kahit kumikita na ang sakahan namin hindi ko pa rin magawang iwan ang trabaho ko dito." Susan said with quivering appreciation in her voice.
"Kahit ako, mahal ko ang trabaho ko dito. Hindi na ko makakahanap ng among katulad ni boss." Sabi ni Donny. "Dahil sa kanya napa-opera ang tatay kong may sakit sa puso, kung saan-saan bansa ako nakakarating, at marami akong mga chicks na nakilala. Tignan mo si Chef Roy, hindi mo aakalain na tinaningan na yan noon, di ba? Naghirap yan dahil sa pagdadialysis, bumigay na ang atay. Iniwan ng pamilya. Lumapit siya kay boss at naghahanap ng trabaho para man lang makaipon daw sa gagastusin sa pagpapalibing sa kanya. Tinulungan ni boss at siya din ang gumastos sa liver transplant. Mapagbigay si boss sa mga nagtatrabaho dito, sky is the limit pagdating sa pagtulong niya."
They talked about Wyatt like he was some saint. Okay, he may have done a few good deeds but it still doesn't change the fact that he was exploiting women in his magazine. Kahit ano ang sabihin nila, hindi pa rin magbabago ang tingin ko kay Wyatt Lazaro. He would remain the chauvinistic pig that he really was.
"Good morning. Already eating without me?" Wyatt Lazaro walked in. Wala siyang suot kung hindi ang itim na running shorts, tumatagaktak ang pawis mula sa noo niya pababa sa mukha pati sa dibdib niya. I straightened and held my chin up, trying to keep my eyes from going further down his tight abs. This man was pure muscle.
Agad na tumayo si Donny mula sa silya at lumapit kay Wyatt. Inabot ni Wyatt ang isang walang laman na water bottle at bimpo.
"Hindi na kita nahintay. Napakain ako. Nagluto kasi si Ronnie ng almusal—"
"Ronnie?" He cocked a brow.
"Si Veronica, boss." Parehong nabaling ang tingin nila sa akin.
"It's Ronnie now, huh?" His brows suddenly furrowed. "Did the warrioress sleep good?"
"I slept just fine." I let out a sarcastic smile and I made sure he knew it wasn't genuine.
"You're a ball of sunshine in the morning, aren't you?" He chuckled, wiping his sweat off his face with the fresh towel Donny had handed him. "So, Ronnie-"
"Please don't call me Ronnie. Hindi tayo close." I told him.
"Si Donny pwedeng tumawag sa'yo ng Ronnie tapos ako hindi pwede?" He looked at me, bewildered. "I gave you a roof over your head, woman."
"Kung makapagsalita ka akala mo ikaw na ang nagpalamon sa akin buong buhay ko! Hoy, Lazaro, you want me on your stupid magazine then deal with me living here!" I said and stood from my seat and was ready to march out of the room.
Hinarang niya ang kamay niya sa arch kaya hindi ako makadaan. I looked at him with eyes narrowed. I caught a whiff of his scent. He smelled as manly as he looked, I wouldn't deny it. Even though I hated him, my senses were still unbias towards him. Of course, it doesn't smell like daffodils and lavender. That would just be plain ridiculous. I know he was good-looking and whatnot but it would be bullshit to say that. It was musky and strong but not in a disgusting way, it was definitely not offensive to the nose. He smelled like a real man would minus the expensive cologne or anything. It must be all the testosterones his sweating out.
"Where are you going? Are you not going to join me for breakfast?" He asked.
"No." I said in a hard tone, barely looking at him. "May trabaho pa ako!"
"Wow, you've another job other than trying to bring my business down." He chuckled, amusement in his face. "So, what do you do, Veronica?"
"I'm a social worker. I work with women and children." I answered rather coldly. I hide to bite my inner cheek to stop myself from telling him to fuck off. I didn't want to be thrown out of this house. I'd probably be sleeping in the street tonight if I did that.
"That's nice." He nodded his head. "I've always thought you were just a bored rich brat who had too much time in her hands. How long have you been-"
"Don't." I shook my head.
"What?" He looked confused.
"Please, don't make small talks. I've had a long day yesterday and I just want to go to work." I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes. "Pwede bang tumabi ka sa dadaanan ko? You smell like a homeless man."
Tumawa siya ng malakas. His laughter filled the whole room and then he lowered his arm to his side. "You are so entertaining, Ronnie."
"Veronica!" I said before stepping out of the dining room.
Umakyat ako papunta sa kwarto at nagshower na. My luggage was already in the room, it was brought up to me by his butler last night. I wore my uniform, a pink polo shirt with the logo of the organization I was working for and simple pants. I wore my hair in a ponytail and swung my body bag around my body.
"So, how are you going to get to work?" Tanong ni Wyatt sa akin ng makababa ako. He was sitting in the living room, all freshed and made up now. He looked expensive in a black shirt with a burberry print across it and black pants. "You didn't have a car with you when you came here, did you? You can use mine if you want."
"No, thanks. I'll just use grab."
"I have a chauffeur, I can have him-"
"I'll use grab." I firmly said.
"Bakit ba ang tigas ng ulo mo, Ronnie?"
"Veronica." I rolled my eyes.
"If something bad happens to you baka dalhin ako ng ama mo sa Luneta at ipabaril sa firing squad." He shook his head. "You don't know whose car you'll be riding."
"That's a too noble way to die for someone like you. And I actually do know who my driver is. His name is..." I looked down at my phone. "Phidel Reyes and he's 3 minutes away so lalabas na ako, okay?"
"Kaya ka sinusuka ni Phoenix Cordova." Naiiling na sabi nito.
"Excuse you?" I put a hand over my hip.
He quietly stood up from his seat and walked up to me. "What time are you going to be home? You're going to be home before sun down, yeah?"
"Hanggang 4 o'clock lang ako."
"Hatid na kaya kita." He said.
"Don't treat me like a kid. You're not responsible for me, Lazaro."
"I'm sure that's not what your father would think if something happens to you."
"Nothing's gonna happen. I can take care of myself just fine."
"Look, if you need me for anything call my number." He handed me a calling card.
Even when I didn't want to take it, I took it because I didn't want to argue with him. My phone buzzed telling me that the driver was already here and I quickly went out of the Sybarite mansion.
"Ronnie!" Nang papasok na ako ay humabol sa akin si Donny. "Sandali lang."
Bigla akong natigilan.
"Bakit?" I asked him.
"Sabi ni boss kuhanan ko daw ng picture yung driver." Sabi ni Donny bago inilabas ang phone niya at itinutok sa mukha ng driver. "Kuya, say cheese."
Pagkatapos ay hiningi nito ang lisensya ng driver at kinuhanan din ng picture. Pati ang plate number at rehistro ng kotse. I just had to roll my eyes as I got in.
"Sige na, Kuya. Okay na." Donny gave the driver a thumbs up. "Ingatan mo yan, ah. Dalawang malaking tao ang manghuhunting sa'yo pag nagalusan yan."
I apologized to the driver and swore with my life that I'd give him a 10 star if possible.
My shift had ended. It was an okay day today. I handled a few reports and complaints about domestic abuse. I see all these everyday but somehow I still wasn't desensitized. I feel for every women and children I'd ever come across with. I had developed a different sense of empathy towards them lalo na at napagdaanan namin ng pamilya namin ito with Ate Drey. Our family and I had felt everything these women had felt.
I let out an exhale. I wouldn't lie and say this jobs was easy. It could be emotionally tolling at times hearing stories about abuse towards women and children. But I needed to do what I had to do.
I thought of going to the groceries before I go back to Sybarite mansion. I needed to buy my own toiletries, toothbrush and other things a woman should have. I had to resort to just using a mouth was this morning because I didn't have my toothbrush with me. I was also not used to using the shampoos and conditioners Wyatt had in his bathroom. I knew it was an expensive brand of shampoo and conditioner but it wasn't the one I wanted.
"Ma'am, ayaw po talagang mag-work ng credit card niyo." Said the cashier after swiping it a dozen of times.
"What do you mean? Malaki pa ang limit niyan." My brows crumpled.
"Eh, ma'am, ayaw talaga." She shook her head. "Baka may iba pa po kayong card?"
I gave her another credit card. The black card, the one without a credit limit. Umiling lang ang babae at ibinalik sa akin.
"Try this. Debit card na yan." I shoved it in her hand as I tried hard not to lose my cool. That's where I put all the salary I get from my work. She swiped it again but still nothing.
Napakurap ako. I looked behind me and I was holding back a long line of people now. Even though it was embarrassing, I had everything I had in my cart cancelled. Nang nasa labas na ako ng grocery, I furiously dialed the bank's number.
Someone from the customer service gave me a warm greeting.
"Bakit hindi na gumagana ang mga credit card at debit cards ko?" I growled in mixture of embarrassment and anger. "I held up a line inside there! It was so embarrassing! Bakit walang gumana kahit isa? I pay my dues! I am a good client!"
"Ma'am, we know that. We have your credit history." Sabi ng babae sa kabilang linya.
"Eh bakit nga hindi gumana ang card ko?"
"All your cards had been cut off."
"Ano'ng cut off? Pati yung debit ko? You've got to be kidding me. I would understand if it was just my credit cards, I worked hard for that money! I earned that!" I knew I was as red as a tomato now.
"I'm sorry, ma'am." She said in genuine apology.
"You can't do this to me."
"We know we can't but Mr. Phoenix Cordova certainly can." She said.
I groaned frustratedly. I wanted to throw my phone to the ground. I only had one thousand pesos in my wallet and I won't have any until the 15th of this month, my pay day, and the month had only began. Ano'ng gagawin ko? Yung grab nga lang kanina, naka 400 pesos na ako. Paano ko titipirin iyon?
I won't ask for Wyatt Lazaro's help. It was enough that I'd begged him to let me stay in his mansion. I couldn't afford a grab ride right now as the price had skyrocketed to 550 pesos from here back to Sybarite. Naisip kong magbus na lang. I asked around and they told me I had to ride a jeepney first before I get to the bus stop.
Sinakyan ko ang jeep na sinabi ng mamang nakausap ko. I felt so independent right now. I didn't need my Dad to support me anymore and I was slowly learning how to commute just as most people are doing. Nakatayo ako sa tabi ng kalsada at tumitingin ng bus na dadating nang bigla akong nakaramdam ng kamay na umakbay sa akin.
I turned my head and saw a teenage looking boy with scuffled hair. My brows furrowed and I was about to jump away from him when he held me by my shoulders tightly.
"Miss, kung ayaw mong masaktan ibigay mo na sa akin yung bag mo. Huwag ka ng lumaban." And then I felt a sharp object poking my against my ribs. I looked down and saw a knife pointed at my gut.
I swallowed back a sharp inhale, afraid to move.
"Don't hurt me." I said with shaky voice. "Hindi ako manlalaban. You can have my bag."
I peacefully handed it to him and then he tucked it inside his jacket and walked off like nothing had happened. It took me awhile before I was able to move from where I stood. Mag-iisang minuto ang lumipas bago ko naramdaman ang panginginig ng tuhod ko at kasunod nun ay ang buong katawan ko. I wanted to cry at that moment. I had never experienced anything like this. I grew up surrounded with bodyguards. I had never felt this unsafe.
Hindi ko alam kung paano ako makakauwi ngayon. He had my bag which where all my money and phone were in. I had nothing. Absolutely nothing with me. I didn't know where to go or what to do or who to ask for help. The first time I was thrust into the real world and this was what happened.
I walked looking for a police officer nearby but there was none. Nahinto ako sa isang tindahan nang makita ang telephone sa harap nun at may nakasulat na Payphone na karatula. I asked if I could use it and I promised I'd pay them later. Naalala ko ang calling card na ibinigay sa akin ni Wyatt. I took it out from my pocket and dialed his number.
After a few rings, he picked up. "Hello?"
"Wyatt?" Doon na ako napaiyak. "Wyatt, please come here."
"What the hell? Are you crying? Ano'ng nangyari?"
"May tumutok sa akin ng kutsilyo at kinuha ang bag ko." Humihikbing sabi ko.
I heard him cuss on the other end. "Nasaan ka ngayon?"
Tinanong ko ang tindera kung nasaan ako at iyon ang lugar na sinabi ko kay Wyatt.
"Calm down. I'll be there in a few minutes. Please, don't go anywhere. Not unless you feel unsafe." He instructed.
Mabuti na lang at mabait ang tinderang nalapitan ko. Sinabi niyang marami talagang snatcher at holdaper sa lugar na ito. She offered me a soda to drink because I was crying so hard. I felt like a scared little girl.
Maya-maya pa ay may tumigil na pulang sports car sa harap ko. Wyatt hurried out from his car. I stood up from my seat and in sheer desperation, threw my arms at him. He felt like the safest thing right now. Muli akong napaiyak when he protectively wrapped his arms around.
"It's okay..." He gently stroked my hair. "It's going to be okay, Veronica. Nandito na ako."
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