Deepest Treasured Fantasies

Chapter 5

I've made it to the office without having a tea, so I immediately went to the employee's lounge, the most convinient place to get a coffee or tea.

Muntik na ako ma-late kanina, napasarap kasi tulog ko kagabi. Isang factor na rin dahil sa panaginip ko. I'm leaning against the counter waiting for the water to finish boiling when a tall man with glasses walks in. He's wearing a suit without the jacket. "Hi," he said politely.

I smiled at him. "Hello."

Tumango siya at kumuha ng cup at nagtungo sa may coffee brewer. Parehas kaming naghihintay sa may counter. "You must be the CEO's new secretary?" His voice is quiet as he waits for the coffee to finish.

"I am," tipid kong sabi sa kanya. Nakita ko si Roy na pumasok din sa Employee's lounge. Nang magkasalubong ang mga mata namin at tinanguan niya ako't ngitian. Pupunta na sana ako sa gawi niya nang biglang mag-salita ulit 'yong lalaking may salamin.

"I'm Rio and you are.." He reached out his hand to me while introducing himself.

I took it and he grips my hand. "Inez."

He studied me from head-to-toe and from that moment, I already know what he wants. Gwapo at cute siya pero hindi ko type kalampagin dahil mukha siyang bata. "I'm from the accounting department," he said while pushing his glasses up on his nose.

"I've heard so much about him and most of those things are really bad," He paused and winked at me. "So if you want to talk about it just send me a private message using the chatline. Rio Grande."

Flirt mo totoy, pa-mature ka muna.

I smiled at him while I pour the hot water on my cup. "We'll see." Nilagay ko 'yong youth berry teabag na binili ko pa sa starbucks. Iniwan ko siya at pumunta ng fridge para kumuha ng honey.

"Good morning, Ms. Nat." bati sa'kin ni Roy. Binati ko siya pabalik.

"Kamusta na po kayo?" tanong niya.

"Ayos naman ako. Masarap ang tulog ko kagabi." Kung tinutukoy niya 'yong nangyari kahapon, nakapag-move on na ako dahil kung iisipin ko lang 'yon ay masisira lang ang ganda ko. Ayaw kong magka-pores!

"Mabuti naman po kung ganoon. Nagbreakfast na po ba kayo?"

Tumango ako. Mabait si Roy at kung bibigyan ako ng pagkakataon na magpalit ng kapatid, ipapalit at isusuko ko ang kakambal kong may kuliling para sa kanya.

"Sabay tayo mag-lunch mamaya, treat ko," masayang sabi ko sa kanya.

"Nako, Ms. Nat. Huwag na po nakakahiya."

"Pumayag ka na lang dahil wala ka namang magagawa." Nagpaalam na ako sa kanya at nagtungo sa may elevator. Doon ko nasa taas iinumin ang tea dahil baka biglang dumating ang demonyito't maghasik ng kasamaan kapag hindi ako nakita sa pwesto ko.

When the elevator opened a familiar face welcomed me. Siya 'yong babae sa elevator kahapon na tiningnan ako mula head-to-toe dahil sa email. I stepped inside and hit the thirtieth button. "Good morning po, Ma'am."

Her voice burst into the elevator, startling me. Lumingon ako at alanganing binati siya. Parang kanina lang 'yong dalawang receptionist nag-good morning din sa'kin. Huh, weird.

Nang makalabas ako ng elevator ay nagtungo agad ako sa pwesto at umupo sa swivel chair. I sipped on my tea and felt calm. Kahit kailan talaga hindi ako binigo ng "youth berry" sa starbucks. My phone buzzed.

Penny texted me.

From: Pennywise

Hey, Did you just send an email to me using your company's domain. You shouldn't have done that, Tash. IT peeps can detect it. Anyways, flight ko bukas pabalik ng pinas. Let's meet. Luv you.