Chapter 9: 9

She started to browse more files that I pointed to at my phone. She seems very apprehensive as she saw more. A few minutes pass, we arrived at the compound. She stopped looking at my phone then she handed it back to me with complex expressions.

“Here we are, better call this place your home too. I could be lying to you about what I showed you in my phone, but think of it like this… If I lied, you’d still be paid more, have better living conditions and have a boss that likes to joke around that has a sick sense of humor. If what I showed you is real, let’s just say that you’d have a better chance here than the place you were living at. Fair yeah?” I said.

I looked at her and she was just starting to take in the information I gave her earlier. Judging from the look in her face, the half-doubt she was keeping inside her is gone but the look of worry is still there.

Also, I should let it out of my system, “Technically, I really kinda kidnapped her to be honest. But judging from her living conditions, also technically, I saved her by ‘kidnapping’ her. One bad thing and one good thing done, an equivalent exchange.” I said to myself.

“So, what kind of work would you need me for, some sort of a secretarial job?” she asked before we stepped out.

“Yes, you have something that I do too. I could do what I hired you for but I’m sure I’m gonna be busy these coming days. What you have is very similar to mine.” I said.

“And that is?” she looks at me, intrigued.

“OCD.” I said very flatly.

“Oh.” she chuckled. “My employer, Mrs. Thelma told me I have that, that’s why she placed me in that position. Some people call it a bad thing, but I beg to differ.” she said with a pensive look.

“I agree with that, they can call it whatever they want but I still think that having this is a good thing. Come on, I’ll show guide you to your room.” I said as I grab the bags behind the car. She grabbed her duffel bag and offered to carry some of the bags in which case I handed her two, I immediately identified where those ‘boxes’ were and I placed a death grip on it. We were greeted by my aunt and her family as we passed by them.

“Sky! bring the sisters down too, it’s time to eat.” She yelled as I close the door. Lois probably told them about Rin, so she never asked me why I brought another person along.

I walked her upstairs and guided her to the third door on the 2nd floor. I handed her the keys to her room then I told her to change, since she’s still wearing her uniform from where she worked at. She tried to ask about her job description more but I waved her down and told her to go down to the next house on the left after she changed.

I then walked to the second door to check on the two.

*knock* *knock*

“Hey, time to eat. Are you guys awake?” I said behind the door.

The door was opened by Kaley, I saw her sister sleeping on the bed while hugging Zeus and he gives me a look of needing help. It seems that Zeus can’t wrestle out of Olivia’s death grip no matter what he does. I gave an amused expression and then I looked back at Kaley, I noticed that her eyes are red while she’s clutching her phone.

“Something happened?” I asked.

“Yeah…I just found out that Angel, my coworker, was attacked on their home earlier. The police said that someone under the influence tried to break into their apartment. Her boyfriend tried to confront the person but…” she said with a tremble in her voice. “Well… you get the idea. She’s in the ICU and her boyfriend was pronounced DOA.” She said after a sigh.

“Where were they staying?” I asked.

“Near the pier.” she replied.

“Damn, those guys were close where it started on the news.” I said to myself.

“I’m sorry…” that was all that came out of me.

We shared a moment of silence then I heard a door open. Rin was now changed into a simple attire and she gave us a glance and said, “Mr. And Mrs. Ishiyama, thank you for this opportunity I’m-”

“Nope! Nope! You got it wrong! I’m sorry Kaley, Ehem!” I immediately choked on her words.

“Let me introduce you, this is Kaley, Kaley this is Rin, the girl over there sleeping is Olivia, her sister. We know each other from way back.” I explained.

“Oh, so you guys are just living together then?” she gave another question.

I choked the second time, “Umm, ah… technically speaking, yes we are, but umm-”

I stopped myself before I made it worse. “She’s very straightforward, no breaking balls just fast balls…” I said to myself.

Kaley is smiling with her rosy cheeks that almost looked like a blush while Rin is kinda embarrassed as she just now understood that she misread the situation when Kaley explained for me.

We woke Olivia up then we headed to my aunt’s house with Zeus following behind.

They are gathering the plates and other utensils at the table then I heard a call outside, it’s probably Oscar or my uncles arriving. Turns out, it’s both. I saw our old 8-wheeler truck as I open the gate with Lois. To my surprise, they are followed by a tricycle and two motorcycles. Oscar’s SUV is in the back also followed by the truck from Wilcon’s Depot. They parked near the other vehicles and I walked towards them.

On the truck is my two uncles, Zardon and Zeidrick. The one driving the tricycle is my former employee named Jo, the two behind him is his brother Mario with her twin Maria, but we call them Dong and Mari. There are three people inside the sidecar, Manilyn, Nora and Cleo. They are Jo’s wife, mother and daughter. On the black motorcycle, it was being ridden by Mark and his GF Alice. On the blue motorcycle it was Malong and Ariel riding them. All three of the guys in the motorcycles is in my employ.

I instructed people who are able-bodied to first remove the supplies from the delivery truck from Wilcon’s Depot, we’ll see to the other truck later since I own it. I made other people help my aunt with the food since there are more people that came, she suggested for us all to eat outside because with our numbers, it would be crowded inside their place. Tables and chairs were taken out and placed outside then a plastic sheet was placed over the tables for ease of cleaning later.

Food is now being taken out and other utensils are stacked to one side with the plates. Each one grabbed a plate and started serving themselves. Before I grab my plate, I opened a can of dog food for Zeus and mixed it with rice, he’s happily chomping down his food then I started to get some food for myself.

Today, aunt cooked fried chicken Adobo It’s a traditional Filipino dish where you first fry the chicken then you start cooking it by sautéing it with garlic and onions, adding other spices, then the soy sauce, and then the potatoes. You let it simmer for a bit and it’s done. Weirdly, if you have leftovers and reheat it, it would be much tastier. Must be because the chicken is getting marinated by the sauce and it starts to seep inside the meat.

I held the ladle and I scooped two servings of rice and a serving of the vegetables on one of the containers and I grabbed a bowl of Adobo. I poured some of the sauce over my rice when I grabbed a seat next to Kaley. Everyone seems to be enjoying the food and my aunt is also glad seeing everyone liking her cooking.

I checked my watch 12:30 PM, still no emergency broadcast from the government, I think they are still trying to contain it. I shook my head to their actions, but I understand their situation. They must absolutely, not cause a panic. As I look to the group of people in front of me, a weight of responsibility is now placed in my shoulders.

Kaley scooted next to my left side and she asked me, “Hey, can I ask you something?”

“Shoot.” I replied as I swallowed another mouthful.

“How did you and Oscar really meet? And how come you’ve information about what’s happening now before everyone else?” Kaley said very straightforwardly.