“The informant here is Maria Zenaida Cabrera.”
I sank after hearing the name. Although that was a common name, I had known no one in that name. I then wondered if she was someone I knew before or someone I met in Japan.
“Yen, what happened to you? Why do you have this diagnosis?” Myrna wasn’t able to hold back her curiosity anymore. I knew she was already dying to know everything about me, but she just couldn’t dare to ask.
“I don’t know, either.”
“Do you still know everyone in your clan? Your friends, classmates, or neighbors?”
“Of course,” I replied curtly.
“Then what could be the basis of this diagnosis?”
“I don’t know,” I lied. How could I tell her I married in Japan and forgot about him after a few months?
“Then do you still remember when you were admitted?”
“Yes. I had fever and body pains at that time.”
“This must be an error,” she concluded. I didn’t correct her because I couldn’t explain what happened to me.
After I got my medical abstract, I called for an appointment with Dr. Rivera. My heartbeats raced as I thought about seeing him, and tremors suddenly spread all throughout my body. The secretary replied I could see the doctor the next day, so I hailed a taxi and went to the office. Although I wanted to avoid Kim, I knew I should set my personal grievances aside.
A few minutes after I settled behind my desk, a call came. I picked the intercom, and a male voice floated in my ear.
“Miss Yen, this is Romeo Cepada, Kim Yuan’s purchasing officer. I want you to look at the company car I have purchased.”
“Me? Why?” I complained because there was another manager who handled the purchases.
“Yes, ma’am. The boss wants your opinion on it.” I no longer cared who the boss he was referring to because there were many of them, including Kim. And all I cared about was for this petty thing to end.
“Okay, where is it?”
“In front of our main entrance.”
I went down, grumbling in my head. Why did they have to bother me with this thing? Thinking of the many purchases this company was having, I couldn’t imagine myself checking all of them. A Few minutes later, I was already in the parking space in front of the main entrance.
“Hi, Miss Yen,” a man hollered at me, showing his hand out. “This way, please.”
I nodded and stopped right next to him.
“What can you say about this car?”
I pulled my brows as I watched the car. It was a metallic blue car, and the BMW logo just above the grilles greeted my eyes.
“It’s one of the BMW 7 series. The agent will discuss with you the rest of the features.”
“If it’s approved already by our heads, then it has no problem with me,” I said, but my thoughts were on how this car spoke millions. Maybe this car would be used in fetching VIPs and investors from wherever they were.
“Your opinion matters, ma’am. Can we please sit down first in the lobby?”
Feeling the direct heat of the sun that irritated me already, I didn’t think twice. We then walked towards the lobby, and Romeo chose a quiet corner where we could gather undisturbed around a glass coffee table. This company was so elegant that its lobby looked like those in hotels. There were lots of chairs and table sets you could choose from. The staff may also order snacks and coffee from the counter if they like to discuss a deal with clients here.
“Good morning, ma’am!” I got startled when a man suddenly appeared by my side. “I am Vince, one of the company’s agents. I want to discuss with you the features of this model.”
His huge grin and glowing eyes made me say yes. I didn’t have the heart to dampen his spirit. Romeo then gestured for him to sit down next to me.
“I’m sorry I’m not able to join you right away. I just had some discussions with Mr. Mori,“ he grinned awkwardly, running his eyes on the two of us.
My heartbeats quickened at the mention of Kim. And I didn’t know if I should feel flattered to know that I have become the wife of the man behind the success of Kim Yuan Microelectronics. But, instead, all I felt at that moment was discomfort and thrill combined into one combusting emotion.
“Here are the papers, ma’am. Would you please sign them if you like the unit? But I would suggest that you take this because this is what Mr. Mori has recommended.”
“If he likes that, why would he still need my opinion?” I argued. It’s for the guests’ comfort, so he should know better.
“Women’s tastes are different from men’s,” Romeo commented.
“It’s alright. This is his first choice, so I have no objections.” I then picked up the documents and saw that my name was there as the buyer instead of the company’s name. Before I could raise another objection, the agent opened his mouth again.
“Okay, ma’am, here are the keys. You may try running the car around while I am still here to guide you.”
“Leave the papers to me, Vince, Romeo. Miss Yen and I have to talk,” Kim’s voice suddenly sounded over my head, and I almost jumped from my seat.
Romeo and Vince stoop up right away, and both of them moved to another table far from us. Kim also sat next to me.
“I don’t want to see you riding in anybody’s car anymore. It’s so dangerous. So, this is my gift to you.”
I remember Kim’s sour mood as he chased me last night. This man was such a freak. He should at least be glad that I was commuting through a taxi and not a jeepney. Zed and I had only one car, and most of the time, he took me to wherever I wanted to go. So, I didn’t need a second car, aside from the extra expenses I was most hesitant about. Although Zed had coffee shops as his side business, apart from his being the highest-paid motivational speaker, we were not rich.
“I can’t accept that,” I said.
“I insist,” Kim said, sliding the pen and the document in front of me.
“I said no. But thanks for the thoughtfulness.”
Kim moved closer to me and placed an arm on top of my couch. His skin was already touching my shoulders. And if anyone sees us, they might think Kim was placing his arm around me.
“If you will not sign that one, I’ll French kiss you right here. And if you scream, I’ll tell Zed to pack up and leave because I am still legally your husband.”
I looked straight into his eyes, and I knew right away that he was not kidding.
“Look, Kim. You’re unfair. I know I have no way against you if you’ll bring our case to court, but please try to see our situation clearly. We live different lives already. Maezy will be brokenhearted if she knows about us. Let everything that happens to us be in the past. We were wed in Japan, so there will be no issues if you won’t make it big.”
“Will you sign the papers or not?”