Chapter 6: Fevered Hearts

Jhoanna's POV

"Paano di magiging pamilyar eh sya lang naman yung umeksena sa wedding ko" sagot ni Stacey, wala talagang preno bunganga ng babaeng toh

I bit my lower lip. Kahit ngayon, nahihiya pa rin ako sa sarili ko.

Mikha stayed in her spot, still staring at me, na parang may iniisip. Napataas naman ako ng kilay, Seriously, hindi ba siya naiilang anlapit na ng mukha nya sakin.

Nakatingin parin sakin si Mikha ng-biglang nag-ring ang phone ni Stacey.

"What do you need again, Gelo?" Sabi niya sa kabilang linya.

Gelo.

Bigla akong natahimik nang marinig ko 'yon.

"Lunch date? Why?"

Mikha finally moved away from me, shifting her attention to Stacey's conversation with her husband.

"As usual, kailangan mo na naman ako para pagtakpan ka. Pasalamat ka wala akong schedule ngayon," sabi ni Stacey habang nakangiti.

Bakit parang ang dali lang sa kanya ngumiti pagdating kay Gelo?

"Woah, talaga? Okay, fine! Pero pumunta ka din sa family gathering natin next week. Kailangan andun tayo kasi alam mo namang laging may press." Ngumiti lalo si Stacey

"What? May sarili akong kotse Gelo. Ako na pupunta doon. No way, hindi mo na ako kailangang sunduin."

"Okay, fine, nakalimutan ko may press nga pala. You're here already? Sige, hintayin mo ako, magbibihis lang ako."

Pagkababa ni Stacey ng phone, tumingin siya sa amin.

"Gelo called, may lunch date kami mamaya. Mikha, ikaw na mag-lock ng bahay 'pag umalis ka na. At Robles..." Tumigil siya saglit at tumingin sa akin.

"Pumunta ka sa Company mamaya. Finish your work at paki-cancel lahat ng schedule ko today. Sabihin mo, hindi ako makakapunta."

Tumango lang ako bilang sagot.

"Okay, magbibihis na ako." Tumalikod siya at umakyat.

Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Mikha.

Tahimik. Walang nagsasalita.

Ilang saglit pa, may pumasok na isang lalaki. Matangkad, payat, at nakangiti papalapit samin.

"Nasaan si Stacey?" Tanong niya kay Mikha

"Upstairs" sagot lang nito.

Tumango siya, paakyat na sana sya, pero bigla siyang huminto at tumingin sa direksyon ko.

Ngumiti siya. "Ikaw ba 'yung secretary ni Stacey?"

Ha?

Paano niya nalaman?

"Y-yes po... ako nga."

Lalo siyang ngumiti, at kita ko ang perfect niyang ngipin. Lagi bang ganto 'to? Laging nakangiti?

"Nice! Tama nga si Stacey, mas maganda ka sa personal".

Hala.

Si Stacey nagsabi nun?

Magtatanong pa sana ako, pero biglang bumaba si Stacey

"Bakit ang aga mo Gelo?" Nakangiti siya habang pababa ng hagdan.

Siya si Gelo?! Asawa ni Miss Sevilleja?!

Napatingin ulit ako sa kanya, saka ko lang narealize na siya nga. Paano ko 'to hindi agad nakilala eh nakita ko na siya dati? Una, noong gumawa ako ng eksena sa kasal nila. Pangalawa, sa mga pictures nila sa Google.

"Syempre, ayaw kong malate tayo."

"Tsssk! Kung hindi lang talaga kailangan 'to, hindi ako pupunta sa mga ganitong date. Ano bang mapapala ko sa publicity na to!" Naiiritang sabi ni Stacey

Publicity?

Ewan ko ba, pero para sa'kin ang weird talaga ng mayayaman. Seriously, may date para lang sa publicity? Wala na bang value sa kanila 'yung privacy?

"Well, wala tayong choice. Tara?" Inabot ni Gelo ang kamay niya.

"Fine."

"Aalis na kami, okay? Mikha, 'wag mong kalimutang i-lock ang pinto. Robles, ikaw na bahala sa kumpanya today. Be sure to make your work properly"

"Yes, ma'am."

Pagkaalis nila, agad akong pumunta sa kusina para maghugas ng plato.

"So, how does it feel about becoming Stacey's secretary?" Tanong ni Mikha

Napatingin ako sa kanya.

"I-I guess... okay lang?"

Ngumiti siya."Not so sure about your answer?"

Oo, because your bestfriend is a very cruel boss.

Gusto ko sanang sabihin, pero mas pinili kong manahimik. Baka sabihin pa niya kay Stacey. Alam naman natin kung gaano kasama 'yung idea na 'yon. Mahal ko pa buhay ko.

"Okay lang, alam ko namang mahirap siyang intindihin. In 15 years of us being together, I really know her better and she's a bad temper kind of person. I'm sure you know that right?"

Tumango lang ako.

Napatawa si Mikha."That Sevilleja, She's still the same as always. I'm not surprised anymore if she will end up single forever"

Huh? Pero may asawa na siya diba?

"What about Gelo? Diba kasal na sila?"

Biglang nanlaki ang mata ni Mikha.

"Ah... right, she already have Gelo"

Hmm? Bakit parang may tinatago siya?

Mukhang nagsisinungaling siya. Kaya nakaisip ako ng paraan para malaman ko lahat. Magtatanong ako hanggang may masabi siyang hindi niya sinasadya.

"Wait, ilang taon silang nag-date bago sila nagpakasal?"

Nag-isip muna si Mikha bago sumagot. "Uh... actually, hindi sila nag-date."

Ha? Hindi nag-date? Possible ba 'yon?

Hindi ko alam bakit ako interesado sa buhay ni Stacey. Wala naman akong karapatang makialam. Pero since mukhang willing si Mikha na sumagot sa mga tanong ko, might as well gamitin ko 'to para mas makilala ang boss ko.

"Wait, so nagdecide nalang sila magpakasal? No dating happened? Is it really possible?" Tanong ko ulit

"Rich people things for power and to to strengthen both of their company, and besides hindi kasi mahilig makipagdate si Stacey. She didn't even have a boyfriend in her whole life. NBSB as always!"

WHAT?!

"But she loves Gelo?" Tanong ko sa kanya

Hindi agad sumagot si Mikha.

"Do you want to know why Stacey doesn't even bother to have a boyfriend?" Tanong nya

Hmmmm.

"Dahil walang nagtangkang manligaw?" Sagot ko naman

Tumawa si Mikha "Seriously? What do you think about Stacey? ugly ? You doesn't have any idea how many suitors she have! If I will count it, I think she can already build her own fansclub because they are so many" Paliwanag ni Mikha

"But knowing Stacey, there's always a person whom she really loved. Her great love and it will always be that person" Dagdag pa nya, habang nakangiti sakin

Napaisip ako.

Tumingin siya sa akin,"You know what, I know na kung bakit familiar ka sakin"

"Huh?"

Tumayo siya. "Nothing, hurry up. Ihahatid kita LSA, papunta din naman ako dun"

At bago siya umalis, may binulong siyang hindi ko masyadong narinig.

"Hyss, Sevilleja you always have your ways huh?" Bulong ni Mikha

-

Timeskip, After 2 days.

"Hi Jho!" Maloi greeted me as I passed by the front desk.

"Hello Ate Maloi! Wait, saan ka pupunta?" I asked, noticing how she was quickly stuffing things into her bag.

"Oh, this?" She glanced at me. "I'm taking my day off today."

"Day off? Pero Friday 'yung day off mo, 'di ba?"

"Yeah, but I switched with Stell kasi may biglang nag-aya sa akin mag-date. Urgent daw"

A date??

A smirk immediately formed on my lips upon hearing that.

"So, may kadate ka na ngayon, huh?" I teased. "In love?"

"Sana nga this year," she replied with a dreamy smile. "We're still getting to know each other, pero I really hope na this time, finally, magkaka-love life na ako."

I nodded.

"Kaya pala sobrang latina mo today! Goodluck Ate Maloi!" I cheered her on.

She giggled. "Monyeka! sige na aalis na ako Jho. I don't like to make my date wait for a long time. This our first and I should make a good impression"

She stood up, slung her bag over her shoulder, and was about to leave when I suddenly checked my watch.

8:10 AM?!

I'm already 10 minutes late!

I held my temple in frustration. Gosh! Hindi ko napansin 'yung oras. I was too busy talking with Ate Maloi that I completely forgot about the time. Sh*t! Patay ako nito!

"Ate Maloi, mauna na din ako, 10 minutes late na ako!" I said while rushing.

Her eyes widened. "What?! Oh my God, lagot ka! Good luck!" she said worriedly.

"Bye Ate Maloiiii!!!!!" I said before sprinting towards the elevator.

I heard her say something, pero wala na akong time para makinig. I kept running.

If this is my last day, then so be it.

Thanks, God, for years of existence.

By the time I reached Stacey's office, I was already panting. I stood in front of the door, hesitating. Hindi ko alam kung anong klaseng gulo ang papasukin ko if I walk in, pero wala na akong choice.

Sabi nga nila, "Better late than absent."

I just hope na tatanggapin ni Ms. Sevilleja 'yang quotation na 'yan.

I took a deep breath before entering.

"Good morning, Ms. Sevilleja. Sorry I'm late," I said while bowing my head.

I was expecting a harsh response-something like "Bakit ka late?!" or "Alam mo ba kung anong oras na?!" or even "Binilhan na kita ng relo, late ka pa rin?!"

Pero wala. Tahimik lang siya.

"Ms. Sevilleja?" I asked, slowly raising my head, and what I saw surprised me.

Stacey was asleep, her head resting on her desk. Her hair was a mess, her sleeves were undone, and her eyebags were very visible. She looked exhausted.

Wait... Dito ba sya natulog ?

But that's not the point.

She's still asleep.

Which means...

I silently squealed in victory. Oh my God, buhay pa ako! It means God still loves me! I mean, I'm safe, and I can still continue living my life to the fullest. Thank you, Lord, sa walang sawang pagmamahal! Promise, magsisimba na talaga ako!

Good thing she's still asleep, kasi if she found out na late ako, for sure, magagalit siya.

Pero now that I'm safe, another problem comes in-paano ko siya gigisingin?

Ayokong sirain 'yung peaceful sleep niya, pero she needs to work, lalo na today kasi punong-puno 'yung schedule niya. Hindi ko naman basta-basta macancel 'yung mga appointments niya.

Let her sleep peacefully or wake her up?

Nag-isip ako for five minutes before deciding on the best choice for everyone. I'll wake her up-pero in a nice way. At least, nice pa rin, 'di ba?

"Ma'am Stacey?" I said softly, gently nudging her shoulder.

"Ma'am?" I called again, pero wala pa rin.

"Ma'am, wake up. You still have work to do," I continued shaking her lightly, pero mukhang ang lalim ng tulog niya.

Paano ko siya gigisingin ngayon?!

Okay, last try. If she still doesn't wake up, hahayaan ko na lang siya matulog.

I was about to shake her again when my hand accidentally touched her skin. My eyes widened in shock.

I touched her again just to be sure, and-

Oh sh*t! She's burning up!

Stacey has a fever!

Sh*t, Jho! Kanina ka pa tuwang-tuwa na tulog siya, tapos may sakit pala siya! Ang sama ng ugali mo!

Tiningnan ko ulit siya. She was still asleep, but now I noticed her pale face and dry lips. Napatingin ako sa kanya with concern. She really looks exhausted. She needs to rest.

Ano gagawin ko?!

I started pacing around, trying to think of a solution, when my eyes landed on the couch beside her desk.

Couch! Tama! Kailangan niyang mahiga nang maayos!

I quickly went back to Stacey

"Ma'am, I'll just carry you to the sofa. Para mas makapagpahinga ka ng maayos," I whispered before carefully lifting her.

I gently placed her arms around my shoulder and wrapped my arm around her waist. I made sure to be extra careful, ayoko siyang magising.

Luckily, she stayed asleep.

"There you go, ma'am. You can rest properly now," I said, smiling as I placed her on the couch.

I was about to get her medicine when I suddenly felt her hand grab my wrist.

"Don't leave me, please Jho..." she whispered weakly.

I looked at her again. Her eyes were half-open, her face covered in sweat, and yet... she still looked insanely hot.

"Ma'am, hindi ako aalis," I reassured her while gently removing her grip on my wrist. "Kukuha lang ako ng gamot mo. Promise, babalik ako agad."

I turned to leave, pero-

"I. SAID. YOU'RE. NOT. LEAVING!" she suddenly said firmly, tightening her grip on my hand.

I slowly faced her, nervous as hell. Pucha, kahit may sakit siya, nakakatakot pa rin!

"But ma'am, you need to take your medi-"

"I don't need that," she cut me off, looking straight into my eyes. "It won't work on me. I need another one."

"Another one?" I asked, confused.

She slowly opened her eyes. "Yes, another one," she repeated.

"Ahhh, okay! Gusto mo ng cold compress. Wait lang, kukuha ako ng warm water and towel-"

Bigla niyang hinawakan ang braso ko at hinila ako pabagsak sa kanya.

WHAT THE F*CK?!

My eyes widened as I processed what just happened. Stacey Sevilleja is underneath me. On the same couch. Our faces just inches apart.

One wrong move, and-

"If I told you I needed another one, this is what I meant," she smirked.

"H-Huh?" I stuttered, still in shock.

"You really don't get it, huh?" she whispered before pulling me even closer-

And the next thing I knew...

Her lips were on mine.

HOLY SH*T.

Her lips were already crushing against mine. Oo guys, she was kissing me, and I had no idea why this was suddenly happening.

I froze on the spot. Stacey's lips started moving against mine, pero ako? I was too shocked to even move. Parang naging statue ako-yes, Stacey is kissing her own personal statue. My mind couldn't process what was happening.

Ito ba 'yung "medicine" na sinasabi niya?

A kiss?

On my lips?!

She started cupping my face now as she deepened the kiss. Guys, help? Anong gagawin ko?! Dapat bang mag response din ako sa kiss nya? F*ck!

Alam kong nakakahiya ito, pero in my years of existence, never pa akong nakaranas ng ganitong kiss. Yes, Taneo and I were together for almost five years, pero we never went this far. Aminado akong nagkiss na kami before, pero smack lang-oo, peck lang! Never kaming nag-French kiss, guys! Oh come on!

Pero si Stacey? Hindi niya ako nilubayan. She kept brushing her lips against mine, and I was just sitting there, completely clueless.

Okay, fine! Whatever happens, go with the flow!

Without thinking, I found myself closing my eyes, then slowly, I held her nape even closer and started kissing her back her nape, tama ba 'tong ginagawa ko?!

We kissed each other passionately, and habang tumatagal, naramdaman kong dahan-dahan bumababa ang kamay nya sa bewang ko. I didn't even bother to protest because I'll be a hypocrite if I told you guys that I'm not enjoying what we are doing right now.

One thing I realized habang hinahalikan ang boss ko-ang lambot ng labi nya!

"Ms. Sevilleja? Are you there? I need your signature for the sales report," someone suddenly knocked on the door.

"Ma'am? I'll open the door now," she added.

F*ck!

Parang may sumapi sa akin bigla. I quickly pulled away from Stacey and stood up as fast as I could.

Woah! That was close!

"Ma'am, I already-" Hindi na niya natuloy ang sasabihin niya nang makita ang lagay ni Stacey.

"W-what happened to Ms. Sevilleja?" she asked worriedly.

"A-ah, she has a fever, kaya pinahiga ko siya sa couch para makapagpahinga nang maayos," I explained.

She nodded. "Okay, since Ms. Sevilleja is not feeling well, iiwan ko na lang 'tong report sa table niya. Paki-remind na lang siyang pirmahan 'to kapag gumaling na siya, okay? Kailangan ko 'to bukas."

"Noted ma'am!"

"Okay, I'll get going now," she said before leaving the room.

Siguradong nakalabas na siya, kaya agad akong lumingon para tingnan si Stacey

"Umalis na?" she asked, raising a brow.

"Y-yeah, umalis na," I shyly answered.

"Good," she smirked. "Come here." She patted the space beside her.

Oh, come on! Don't tell me she wants to do it again.

"B-but ma'am-"

"I said, come here!" she snapped. Wala na akong choice kundi sundin siya.

"Now hugged me" she ordered.

"H-hug?" I stuttered.

She shot me an annoyed look. "I'm cold! Yakapin mo ako! Bingi ka ba? Kailangan ko pa bang ulitin 'yon?"

Napalunok ako. Ano bang nangyayari sa kanya today?! Ganito ba siya pag may sakit?!

"Bullsh*t!" she grumbled before hastily pulling me towards her, making me land beside her on the couch. She immediately wrapped her arms around my waist and tightened her grip.

"S-Stacey," I stammered. I could feel her warmth-sobrang lapit namin, and I could even feel her breath against my skin.

"Shut up. Gusto ko nang matulog," she murmured, pulling me closer.

I bit my lower lip, trying to stop myself from smiling. F*ck, anong nangyayari sakin?! Bakit niya 'to ginagawa?

But you know what? Let's not think about it.

For now, let's just say...

Enjoy it.

Right, I'll just enjoy this wonderful moment.

I buried my face in the crook of her neck, and my smile widened when her vanilla scent filled my nose. I could stay like this all day-she smells so damn good.

Stacey... you're really something else.

⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ── End of Chapter 6── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆