The Ex Factor: Revenge of the Ex

Chapter 5

"Buntis si Lily?!" I was shocked to hear the news. Kaya pala sinabi ni Tom kanina sa phone na we need to replace her. Simpleng malandi. "So what are we going to do now? I have a mini concert next month na kailangan kong i-promote and I can’t do any of my tasks without a PA." I started to panic. It’s true, I couldn’t literally live without a PA.

"Uhm...If it’s okay, I can do it." Tom and I stared at Charles. I forgot na andun pala siya. He insisted to come along and wait para maihatid din ako pauwi. Such a gentleman, right? Mas lalo tuloy naging awkward ang sitwasyon.

"I’m sorry, who are you again?" Tom asked him with confusion on His face.

"He’s uhm--" I started to introduce Charles but he cut me off.

"Charles Agoncillo, sir." He stood up and offered his hand for a shake.

Tom took his hand and shook it. "Are you related to the Agoncillos of The Agoncillo Group of Companies?"

Charles stood straight and said, "Yes, sir. It’s our family business, actually." Ang humble lang ng pagkakasabi niya nun. The Agoncillo Group of Companies was the largest business here and in some countries in Asia at pati sa ibang state sa US. That’s how rich this guy is, and yet, he’s volunteering to be my PA. Wow.

"So why want to be Ellie’s PA? I mean, honestly, we don’t offer much here in our talent agency." Tom asked.

Tumingin ako kay Charles and waited for his answer. Curious din kasi ako. Bakit nga ba ang isang yayamanin na gaya niya, gugustuhin maging PA ng baguhang singer na gaya ko?

"She’s my best friend to begin with. Next is because I want to spend more time with her, catching up kumbaga. We haven’t seen each other for many years." He looked at me and gave me that sweet smile of his. Kamote. Best friend pa rin ang trato niya sa akin. Alam niya ba kung anong klaseng buhay meron na ako ngayon? I had to say something.

"Wait. Stop." I held his arm para tumigil na siya sa ka-cheesy-han niya and I faced Tom, "Can we have a minute, kami lang ni Charles?"

"Sure. I’ll be at my office." At hinatak ko paupo sa couch si Charles pag-alis ni Tom.

"Are you out of your mind?" I was still tugging at his polo.

"I’m not, Ellie. I know what I said and that’s my decision." Mahinahon niyang sabi. Knowing him, kapag nakapag-decide na siya, hindi na mababago.

"But why? Ngayon lang tayo nagkita ulit. You don’t even know what you’re getting into. I’m not the same Ellie--"

"I don’t care. Basta makasama lang kita, I can manage." What the heck is this guy saying? Naco-confuse tuloy ako. I stared at him dumbfounded as he walked towards Tom’s office.

So ayun! After kausapin ni Charles si Tom, he’s officially my new PA. It felt really different. Magta-trabaho ako na siya ang lagi kong kasama-- how awkward could that be? Oo close kami, but that was years ago! Iba na ngayon.

"Are you okay, Ellie?" Tanong niya sa akin kinabukasan while we were in my van going to a commercial shoot in Baguio.

"I’m okay."

"Parang hindi naman. Seryoso, you can talk to me about anything that’s bothering you. Hindi ikaw yan, eh."

I rolled my eyes and sighed heavily. Buti na lang naka-shades ako at hindi niya nakita yung reaction ko. "To be honest, I really don’t get it." I sat up and faced him. Seryosohan na ’to.

"Don’t get what?"

"Kung bakit ka nag-volunteer maging PA ko. You came here para sa isang business thingy, then you suddenly jumped to being my PA. Confusing, di ba?"

"Hindi pa ba malinaw sa ’yo yung sinabi ko kahapon?"

I was about to rebut nang mag-ring ang phone niya. He pulled out his phone from his pocket and looked at the caller’s name. Parang tinamaan ako ng i-ni-spike na volleyball sa ulo nang marinig ko yung pangalan ng kausap niya.

"No Quin, next week pa yun. Saturday to be exact at 8am."

Gusto kong agawin ang cellphone at ihagis ito sa labas ng bintana ng van. He ended the call and looked at me. Nakikita ko yung question mark sa ulo niya.

"Are you okay?"

"S-sino yung kausap mo?" I tried to sound as formal as possible. Tinatago ko ang galit na nagbalik upon hearing just his name.

"Oh, that’s my cousin. Yung kasama kong mag-pe-present ng resort namin sa clients, si Quin Andres."