Chapter 2

• (Kayla POV)
• The scorching of sun… A blessing for a tropical country like Philippines.
• Too sweaty.
• The air was so humid inside the public jeepney transport. The highway looked like a still centipede in the early morning traffic jam. Each vehicle honked in impatience as if it did anything good other than add to the noise pollution. Few minutes passed and our jeepney driver joined the honking spree.
• Oh common guys, don’t anymore contribute somewhat noise pollution!
• “Can you do something about the traffic?! See, I am the one here looks liked a dried squid!” Protested by the woman near at the jeepney door.
• “Ya bitches! I can’t do anything about this traffic!” he grunted at the vehicles behind him.
• Me, I didn’t complain anymore. Those folks were already heated up and besides, I’ve just had my own share of ice cream. The Seven-Eleven convenient store had their promo for the day: Buy three Cornetto’s take one free. So I had four cones to cool my head for at least three hours.
• Just chill…
• But why was the traffic worse that early? Was there a rally? My countrymen really loved their privilege of democracy. So it is not new to me if there is a rally, out there. Politics, the governance… And the issue of corruption and many more to voice out.
• Hmmm. I’m not too nosy so I didn’t really care. But I cared that I’m tardy for work.
• I took my phone out for a social media and decided that I’d rather waste the time on things that my friends post, those gossip-worthy ‘my days’, and shares in my newsfeed. I ticked the open mobile data when a News international app notification popped in. I clicked it since I was suddenly interested on what news it has for me. Philippines was catching international attention due to trending news lately.
• Huh? What are these clamors for?
• The Philippine’s International Airport was closed for an hour to the public. Whoa! NAIA was closed for an hour.
• And what kind of government we have if… Philippine Government Warmly Welcomes the Richest Man in the World, Kian Kayzer Hawk.
• What a great news.
• CEO of Kayzer Hawk Monopolies, Kian Kayzer Hawk, was in the Philippines.
• Ahem. It’s all about the guy… And it seems he is too influential and powerful above the lord of Money. Tsk. Tss.
• Hmm? Sucks, the government was doing royalty treatment as it usually did for rich people. Didn’t they know that traffic’s good for the economy? Even NAIA was closed for just a person, shocker.
• Why’s that Kian Kayzer Hawk brat so entitled?
• Was he relative to Queen Elizabeth? Nah, even the Queen of England didn’t cause so much traffic. Besides, that Kian guy never really showed his face. Even the blog showed only the airline he flew on, so I guessed the ‘royal’ guest was an airplane.
• So annoying…
• Too private for himself, but people who know him, do this kind of damn unnecessary things.
• Ping…
• I got a new SMS and it’s from my Older brother… Asking for a favor again.
• ‘Iron my uniform right away when you get home. I’m with Caton right now, the agency needed us ASAP. I leave your nephew to you.’
• That’s if I could go home early, I thought.
• As if the heavens heard me, the jeep moved. Finally! I was so darn late. When we got to the unloading area, I ran through to the small dentist clinic near the famous landmark called Kayzer Hawk Residential. It was so huge that the entire Mall of Asia could fit inside.
• ‘Run Kaylaaaa! You’re super late, girl!’
• I was running like crazy when I suddenly hit a wall- which, only when I looked up did I realize wasn’t a wall but a panty-dropping-heavenly-chiseled angel without wings. Or maybe he hid it.
• He is too beautiful to be a human!
• “Sorry,” I said to the man said.
• He seemed to have come from a conference because of his formal tucked-in attire. “Next time, mind not to run. A lady mustn’t behave like that. Walk gracefully, my lady. Hope this wouldn’t harm you.” As he helped me to pick some of my belongings.
• Then he smiled, his lips arching up to reveal prominent dimple in each cheek.
• Awww shit! My almond eyes immediately formed hearts.
• “I’m really sorry,” I said while bowing forty-five degrees like a Japanese woman. “But I’m fine.”
• Without looking twice at him, I scooted off. I look embarrassing enough so getting star-struck was out of my options.
• When I got to the building where I am working on…
• “ID,” the guard greeted when I got in the main entrance of our building.
• I rolled my eyes mentally. I mean duh hello mister, you’re not even that old to not remember me going in and out of the clinic for almost two months already. But instead of protesting, I lifted my ID cord confidently. Else I might slap it in his face.
• “Yes Miss?” The guard was giving me a clueless face. And smile idiotic. And I realized…
• “Oh shi—tt…” I mentally screamed when I didn’t see what I expected to see. My ID was missing.
• I scratched my head before the guard could even react when he noticed I didn’t have my card intact. His teeth bared in a grin as if I’d get mesmerized by his set, which apparently wouldn’t even pass a toothpaste commercial audition. I breathed deeply and thought of what I should do.
• That ID was important and my permit for an exam the next day was there. If I lose it, which I did, I’d have to pay for a pass again. No way!
• ‘You’re dead Kayla, you’re awfully screwed.’
• I stuck my tongue out at the guard who’s been my daily cup of bad coffee. ‘They say that bullies either hate you or like you. So mister, tell me which one are you. Don’t tell me you like me? Tsk. Wish you choke!’
• I went back to where I stumbled with the handsome guy and hoped that Dra. Gail was as late as I was so I can still brew an excuse.
• I was so exhausted, and it is too early for this morning.