Saving Harper

"Good morning, Harper. Legal sent this for review. They already revised it based from your email last night." Xavier greeted me with his usual smile pag dating ko sa office and handed me a folder. Wow, nauna pa sya saakin. "Good morning, thanks." I tried saying without smiling pero nakakahawa yung ngiti nya. I think I just bared my teeth.

Ang aga-aga ang awkward ko na agad. E tangina mukha kasing alam nya na nakatulog ako kagabi sa opisina ko and I called out his name dahil for some reason napanaginipan ko sya. Well shet talaga. I tried to forget about that. I needed to bury that memory somewhere else para di ko paulit-ulit maalala every time na kaharap ko sya.

Ngumiti ka nalang the next time Harper para di awkward. Di naman porket gwapo sya pipigilan mo ng ngumiti. Parang first time mong makakita ng gwapo. My subconscious sarcastically told me. I wonder if mabango din sya? I haven't had the chance to sit or stand near him enough to find out. At talagang gusto ko pang malaman yon? Sobrang distracted na nga ako sa itsura nya dadagdagan ko pa.

I reviewed the contract immediately since I want to finally have Andrei and his agent sign this. Xavier went in to give me coffee without me asking for one. He smiled at me again and I smiled a little. Pigil na pigil lang Harper??? "Xavier, please tell Legal na okay na tong contract and have someone from their team be present later if ever I can get a schedule with the agent for contract signing." I told him. He just nodded and lumabas na.

I called Jeremy Angeles and ang swerte ko nanaman that they can swing by ni Andrei this afternoon to do the contract signing which I asked Xavier to remind me baka makalimutan ko lang.

I went on my usual morning, meaning meeting nanaman. By lunch time bumalik nako sa office ko and I was surprised to find my lunch waiting for me on my desk, again without asking for it. I think safe na masanay ako sa ganito?

I opened the paper bag and took out the contents. What?? Xavier bought me salad??? Don't get me wrong I do eat salad from time to time. Was he lowkey telling me I'm getting fat? Ganon yon diba pag pinakain ka ng boyfriend mo ng salad lang? Ay boyfriend talaga? Any guy. Any guy, Harper!

Isa ako sa mga swerteng nilalang na hindi tumataba kahit nabubuhay ako sa junk food and fast food. But how can I live through this day ng salad at ilang mug ng kape lang yung laman ng tiyan?

True enough, bago pa mag simula yung 2pm meeting ko with Marketing, gutom nako. Uminit tuloy agad yung ulo ko and I ended up going through the meeting ng nakasimangot lang. Akala nila walang magandang idea para sakin. "Xavier. May nickname ka ba?" I asked him nung nadaanan ko sya sa area nya pabalik galing sa meeting. Pumasok ako sa kwarto ko hoping na nagets nyang sumunod sya sakin. "Wala. Ikaw?" He returned my question pag dating nya sa office

ko.

Napasimangot ako sa pag balik nya ng tanong ko saakin as if I was doing it to make small talk. Wala akong nickname, though my friends used to call me "H" nung college pero nairita ako kasi my older sister Holly was also called "H" by her friends.

"Wala." I finally told him. "Maganda na yung Harper. I like your name." He said with a smile. I bit my lower lip hoping na mapipigilan nito yung kakaiba kong nararamdaman. Oh shit kinikilig ba ko?

I had to remind myself again why I needed him here which was not for small talk. His presence was REALLY distracting and wala pa kong nagagawang paraan para hindi ko maramdaman yon. He was wearing a simple white shirt with ripped black jeans and sneakers. He wore a denim jacket over his shirt. Bakit kaya pag mas simple yung suot ng mga lalake mas gwapo sila? At bakit kaya ako distracted na distracted sa kanya? Again, he was not the first good-looking guy I've seen. "Anyway, can you order me cheeseburger sa pinaka mabilis mag deliver? I have nothing against salads pero nagugutom ako agad." I told him. Medyo nahihilo na nga ako sa gutom and that reminded me of what I needed and snapped me out of scanning what he was wearing and thinking how good he looks in it.

"Okay, sorry Harper. May kailangan ka pa?" He asked me. "Am I fat?" I blurted out bigla sa hindi ko malamang rason. What the hell Harper?? Sanay ba yung mga lalakeng assistants sa ganitong tanong? I don't even ask that question except kay Jem at Olivia.

"Huh? No. Dahil ba to sa salad? Sorry. You're not fat. Opposite of that actually." So masyadong ba kong payat? Di naman nya siguro sinasabing sexy ako no? Is he allowed to even say that? Syempre nadistract nanaman ako. He just continued. "Sabi kasi ni Franco mahilig ka daw sa salad, pero baka sinabotahe lang nya ko." He explained while thinking about it.

Close ba sila? Bakit parang nag uusap sila palagi saka parang napaka casual lang nya sa pag mention kay Franco? Pero mukhang casual naman din sya sa lahat, even saakin. I hesitated na itanong yon sakanya and decided to just ask Franco about it the next time I see him.

"By the way, be present as well for the contract signing ni Andrei Salvador para alam mo kung anong nangyayari." I told him.

Ay weh. Sya yung unang assistant mo na kailangan mong isama sa contract signing. Because sya yung unang matinong assistant ko, and no other reason.

I'm too defensive about this. I can do whatever I want with my assistant anyway.

Except mag kagusto sa kanya.

"Yeah sure. Cheeseburger and contract signing." He smiled again his usual distracting smile. "Thanks." I said and he headed out of my office.

"Thanks, Andrei. Welcome to the Carte Publishing family. We look forward to working with you. One of our editors will get in touch with you regarding the submission of your drafts." I stood up to shake the young writer's hand and smiled at him who returned it enthusiastically. Aba dapat lang ngumiti sya ng malaki. My boss instructed me last night to increase the price of the contract just to make sure maclose na namin to. The lawyer from the legal department gathered the contracts from the boardroom table that we just signed and headed out after shaking hands with our two guests. I also went to Jeremy around the table to shake his hand.

"Hey we should have dinner sometime, Harper. Are you still dating Franco? The one you came with during our meeting yesterday?" I froze at his question. I didn't know he even knew I was dating Franco before. Baka nagamit ko ng excuse yon or natanong na nya dati?

Parang tanga naman to bring up this topic while we're here and after a meeting.

I unsurely looked at Xavier na nakataas yung dalawang kilay saakin, na mukhang naghihintay din sa sagot ko. I let his gaze go and tumingin nalang kay Jeremy ulit.

I really wanted to say no, pero ayoko din pumayag sa dinner invitation ni Jeremy. "Yes, Franco and I are still together. If you want, maybe we can have dinner sometime with Mr. George Romualdez so we can see your writer lineup." I answered hoping na magegets nya na ayokong makipag date. Well kung pinangharang ko naman na si Franco at yung boss ko, I think gets na nya yon.

Jeremy just slowly nodded his head. Nanguna nako palabas ng boardroom and ushered them out para ihatid sa lobby. It didn't help that Xavier went with me. Ayoko syang tignan baka ano ng naisip nya sakin dahil sa sagot ko.

Hindi naman bawal to date coworkers here sa office unlike yung usual rule sa ibang trabaho kasi hindi naman strict dito. We don't even have policies for what you can wear at the office kaya madami saamin naka smart casual or even casual lang yung suot especially the artists and editors. Pero I don't think alam ni Xavier yung lenient dating policy dito dahil bago lang sya and that's why he looked concerned that I was 'dating' my coworker. But someday soon malalaman din naman nya na I'm alone in life so there's really no point in clarifying with him what I said to Jeremy about Franco.

And I was the boss so I don't need to explain anything. I reminded myself.

Pero bakit conscious parin ako at di ako makatingin sa assistant ko? Finally, lumingon nako kay Xavier who was walking beside me pabalik sa area namin. Nakakunot yung noo nya as if nagiisip. Iniwas ko na ulit yung tingin ko sa kanya bago pa nya ko tignan. Pumasok nako sa office ko.

Nagulat ako when he came in after a while with coffee. It's as if he can read what I need before I can think about it and ask for it. "Thanks." I said. Hindi pa sya umaalis sa tapat ko like he wanted to say something. Shit don't tell me tatanungin nya ko about Franco.

"Franco and I are not dating, just to be clear. Well before we used to date, but now hindi na." I just said para malinaw at wag na nyang itanong.

"You don't have to explain yourself Harper. I was only going to ask you kung pwede kong basahin yung manuscript ni Andrei." He said while clearly pinipigilan yung sarili nyang ngumiti sa sinabi ko.

Shit. Nakakahiya ka Harper! Nag explain ka e hindi naman nya gustong malaman.

I turned around and inirapan ko yung sarili ko ng paulit-ulit while I reached for my copy of the manuscript. I fixed my expression na kunyari hindi ako napahiya and I turned around to face him and handed him the manuscript. "Thanks. By the way, it's good to hear you're not dating Franco." He said with an amused smile then he turned to leave.

Napasimangot ako. What does 'good to hear' mean exactly? Good thing that I wasn't dating Franco anymore? Good news for him? Puta ano bang pinagiiisip ko??

Ayoko nang isipin mamaya mag feeling nanaman ako sa mga iniisip ko sa pinagsasasabi nyang open for whatever interpretation. I took a mental note na hayaan ko na muna sya mag tanong in the future kesa ipahiya yung sarili ko answering something na hindi naman pala nya tinatanong. God.

After a few hours, pumasok ulit sya while I was answering emails. "Can I take this home?" He waved the manuscript. "Yeah sure, knock yourself out." I said looking at him.

"Anong gusto mong dinner? Cheeseburger?" He asked. "Kahit ano. Surprise me." I answered di ako makaisip ng maayos kasi ako lang tinitignan nya.

Well malamang kaming dalawa lang nandito saan pa sya titingin. Para nanaman akong tanga.

"Magugulat ka ba kung salad ulit bibilhin ko?" He asked slyly. Now I'm starting to get it. Mahilig lang syang mag biro. Kailangan ko lang ayusin yung mga reaksyon ko sa mga biro nya and to not take everything so seriously. Or worst, isipin na may meaning lahat.

"Ibahin mo naman yung surprise mo, nagamit mo na yung salad e." I said and pursed my lips joking about it. "Noted." Natawa nyang sabi then got out.

"I'm disappointed. Pasta nanaman?" I chuckled when I opened the container he gave me that contained lasagna. "Hindi yan yung surprise. Eto." He handed me another paper bag. It had coffee ice cream inside. I love coffee ice cream and eto yung go-to overtime food ko dati. "Wow, paano mo nalaman?" I looked up at him curiously.

"Research." He casually answered with a shrug. Like he was proud of himself. "Ok fine, good surprise." I said and started eating my lasagna. Ayoko ng mapangiti kaya sumubo nalang ako. At ayokong ientertain yung pag bilis ng tibok ng puso ko over a damn ice cream.

He surveyed me again, more intently this time. Tinaasan ko sya ng kilay, fixing my gaze. "What?" I asked him. Shit, baka may something ako sa bibig? I casually got the tissue and wiped my mouth. "They're wrong. Kala ko you'll be... a bitch. They said I wouldn't last a week." He shrugged.

Nagulat ako sa sinabi nya. "What? Did someone say to you that I'm a bitch?!" I asked incredulously. Tangina sino yang mga yan??? "Is it HR???" Nakasimangot kong tanong sa kanya.

"No! Sorry! No one said "bitch" ka! Sorry, term ko lang yon. They said you're difficult. I was just warned na di ako mag tatagal as your assistant. I'm really sorry." He apologized but I was still frowning. Mukhang pinagsisisihan nyang may sinabi pa sya.

"Next time you call me a bitch, di ka talaga mag tatagal dito." I said sternly. Pinipigilan ko yung sarili kong wag mag taas ng boses at mang gigil. Unsuccessfully. Now I take back what I said that he's doing a good job so far. I can't believe he called me a bitch. Kahit totoo, I'm still his boss.

"I'm really, really, sorry." He said again. Buti nalang Franco entered. Xavier turned to leave and Franco tapped him on the shoulder. Nakasimangot parin ako. Xavier closed the door behind him.

"O, what? May nagawa na syang katangahan agad?" Franco sat down sa sofa and looked at my expression of annoyance. "If you call calling me a 'bitch' to my face katangahan, then yes." I said sourly. I continued with my food kahit naiirita ako kasi gutom na pala talaga ako. Now I want to eat my ice cream because I'm pissed off.

"Ha? Paano? Bakit?" He asked habang natatawa. I can't believe he finds this funny. Well ganito naman si Franco e, everything's funny para sa kanya. "It's not funny, bitch. Someone warned him that no one lasts as my assistant then inakala daw nya na bitch ako dahil don." Inirapan ko si Franco dahil natatawa parin sya.

"So, tatanggalin mo na sya?" He asked habang tinaasan nya ko ng kilay pero nakangiti parin. "No! He's the most decent assistant I've had so far. But I told him the next time he calls me a bitch di sya mag tatagal dito." The nerve of that guy. "Harper give him a chance if okay naman pala sya." Franco said knowingly. "Yeah, ayoko na ng bagong assistant na tanga." I answered him.

"Saka wag mo ng ideny na bitch ka. Alam nating dalawa yung totoo. And feeling ko naiisip na din yun ng ibang tao dito once a week." Biro ni Franco. Inirapan ko sya. "Gago." I made a face at him and just continued eating.

Totoo din naman, I can be a bitch. Naisip ko na din naman yon. But it was because I need to be a bitch at times. Lalu na kapag people need to be told the truth, especially the hard ones that no one else has the balls to tell them. I guess weird lang that it came from another person other than myself or Franco.

"Teka lang, you seem close? I didn't know kinakausap mo yung mga assistant ko?" I asked him. "I do talk to them sometimes. Di naman ako katulad mo Harper na ako lang yung ka-close dito sa opisina." Biro nya. Kumunot yung noo ko. But that was also true. Wala na din kasi yung mga kasabayan namin ni Franco dito so parang hindi nako umeffort na makipag kaibigan sa iba. But I know most people here. Well yung mga nakakatrabaho ko mostly. Hindi ko naman mapupuntahan isa-isa yung mga tao dito para lang makipagchikahan at alamin kung sino sila.

"And parang okay sya for you. I think he's exactly what you need." He smiled again. Di ko alam kung nang aasar lang sya. Ayoko ng basahin kung ano mang ibig sabihin nya don. Parang lahat ng sinasabi nila ni Xavier double-meaning. Baka kaya sila nagkakasundo.

"Paano mo naman nalaman that he's exactly what I need?" I scoffed. "Wala ka pa kasing binabato kahit na naiinis ka na." He pointed out with a shrug.

Huh. True. Ibig sabihin di pa ko ganon ka irita.

Buti nalang pag labas ko para umuwi, wala na si Xavier. Kung hindi, baka mainis lang ako. It's a good decision for him na to leave before me.

The following day, I came in early sa office and I panicked when Xavier was not in his area. Did he resign?? I quickly opened my office door to check if nandon sya sa loob. Wala din. Shit, I think I drove him away.

I thought guys aren't supposed to be sensitive? Hindi naman sya yung natawag na bitch so bakit sya aalis? Haay tangina nawalan nanaman yata ako ng assistant.

When I approached my desk, nagulat ako dahil may coffee nako sa desk and a muffin. I sat down and found a note beside my coffee.

'I'm really sorry for last night. Let me make it up to you. Dinner later? My treat. So I can also get to know my new boss. :) - Xavier'

My heart raced. Oy, Harper, relax, di yan date. It's an apology dinner. And be thankful na hindi sya nagresign. I decided to just text to him my reply.

(text) Me: Thanks for the muffin. I'm not sure about dinner.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

Yung five minutes ko pang inisip yang text na yan. Why am I so conscious about everything pag dating sa kanya?

(text) Xavier Arnaiz: It's just dinner don't worry. Kailangan kong bumawi sa katangahan ko. It will make me feel better for being an asshole last night. And I'm really sorry again. Pinagisipan ko ulit. Should I? As he said, it's just an apology dinner. I mean okay lang naman siguro diba? Yes, I'm overthinking this.

(text) Me: Ok sa sorry and sa dinner. Btw, where are you?

(text) Xavier Arnaiz: Wag mo ko masyadong mamiss, boss. I gave your notes to Alice and submitted the approved drafts to the Creatives team. You have a meeting at 10am, 11am, 2pm and 4pm. Your phone will alarm 10 minutes before your first meeting, and I'll be on my area in 10 minutes if you need me. Eat your muffin.

Oh yes, I wouldn't fire this guy kahit araw-araw nya kong tawaging bitch. Pero wag naman sana.

(text) Me: Thanks.

(text) Xavier Arnaiz: It's my job. Thank you for agreeing to dinner.

Di nako sumagot, mamaya isipin pa nyang I'm flirting. Well actually ako lang yung mag iisip non.

Medyo kinakabahan ako sa dinner. Buti nalang I was wearing a dress na suitable for a dinner out. Ay. Hindi nga date diba? Pero 30 minutes before 7pm when we planned to leave, nag retouch pako ng make-up. Gaaaahhhh this is not a date Harper! I had to tell myself for the fifth time in the last hour already. But it would be my first time again to dine out with a guy, who's not Franco or my boss kaya kinakabahan ako. Yes I think yun yung rason.

I really don't know how to do this dinner thing. Pati yata social interaction kulang na sakin. See? This is a good thing. Relax lang Harper. You'll just get to know him malay mo di ka na madistract sa kanya pag nakilala mo na sya. Or mas lalu kang madistract.

We headed out to a fancy restaurant in Rockwell, where he made reservations. Date-levels, but not a date. Buti hindi masyadong awkward sa car because I drove so hindi ko sya masyadong tinitignan and he interviewed me on some basic things like what he needs to do pa or if I need his help in reviewing manuscripts, inspecting the first print, etc. Lord, thank you again for this guy. I mean for giving me a decent assistant.

When we got to our seats, we reviewed the menu. Puro steak. I think he's trying to humor my huge appetite. Mukha ba kong malakas kumain?

Nagulat ako when a familiar voice called me. "Harper? This is a nice surprise!" I looked up and I was right sa narinig kong boses. It was my mom, walking towards our table. And behind her was my dad, my younger sister Hilda and her fiancé Nick. I wanted to groan aloud.

"Shit it's my family." I whispered to him with a building panic on my voice na hindi ko matago. Nagulat si Xavier dahil pamilya ko pala yung tumawag sakin but he was more concentrated on my reaction. Nagtataka sya kung bakit ako nag panic bigla sa sarili kong pamilya.

They all approached our table. Agad din nilang tinignan si Xavier. Most probably wondering who he is. They've never seen me with any guy. Hindi ko din naman sinasabi sa kanila when I'm dating anyone. Well, as if meron akong kailangan sabihin sa kanila.

"Hey, what are you all doing here?" I stood up to kiss my mom and dad and sister. Malamang nahalata din ni Xavier yung pag palit sa tono ng boses ko. From panicked to lowkey horrified. "Oh, we just met with Hilda's wedding planner. Are you finally out on a date?" My mom's judge-y voice rang on my ears while she looked at Xavier who smiled at them.

Shit what would I tell them? That I'm out on a dinner with my assistant? They'll probably pity me dahil mukha nakong desperado dahil assistant ko nalang yung kasama kong kumain sa labas.

Sa totoo lang wala naman talaga akong kasamang mag dinner usually dahil sa office nako kumakain during overtime. Deep inside, I eat there most of the time kesa kumain mag isa sa condo. At least may ginagawa akong trabaho habang kumakain. Yes, this is how I convince myself that I'm not lonely. Which was also pathetic.

Hilda's face was smug and challenging while waiting for my reply. She knew I don't date kasi Jem says na yun yung palaging tanong sa kanya ng kapatid ko. She probably thinks I couldn't get myself a date. At hindi ko choice maging single. I internally rolled my eyes kasi ever since she got engaged last year she never fails to parade that fact over every one of us na single parin sa mag pipinsan. It was another reason why I hated reunions. At pag napipilitan akong mag dinner kasama ng pamilya ko, wala syang ibang bukang-bibig kung hindi yung kasal nya and all their plans about it. I really wanted to wipe off that look from my sister's face.

They waited for me to introduce the guy I'm with. Nakatingin na silang lahat kay Xavier. Xavier was looking at me waiting for what I'm going to say. I can feel the mounting pressure at the pit of my stomach. Hilda's smug face was still plastered on. "Ma, pa, this is Xavier. My boyfriend."