The Nasty Pretender [ON GOING]

33. Distance

Chapter 33

Me: Good morning, sleepyhead. Nakaluwas na ako.

As soon as I hit the send button, I immediately shifted my attention to the closet which full of suits infront of me.

I decided to go straight to my condo rather than going back home this morning. Pagkatapos ng mga unexpected na pangyayari sa Lobo, particularly sa relasyon namin ni Kosher, ay ayoko pang makaharap si Nanay Tess. I am pretty sure she'd shoot me with tons of questions at isa pa, pakiramdam ko ay magiging uncomfortable at awkward ako sa kanya. I don't know why. . . After everything she asked of me for her son which obviously I did not grant, I just couldn't be comfortable around Nanay Tess anymore.

Saglit lang akong nag-stay sa condo. I literally just took a shower and put on a business suit before I headed for the office.

Kosher: Miss na kita agad. :(

I sighed with a smile upon reading her reply. Nai-imagine ko kasi na nakalabi siya. Sobrang cute pa naman niya kapag ganu'n. Nagreply muna ako sa kanya bago saktong pinagbuksan ako ng pinto ng kotse ng guard.

Me: I miss you too. Aral kang mabuti dyan. Text me only when you're free.

Pagpasok sa building ay sinalubong agad ako ng secretary ni Mama which apparently ay secretary ko na. As far as I can remember, Aicel is 3 years older than I am and has been working for my Mom for five years already that's why I am complacent that she can help me with all the workload.

"Good morning, Sir," natatarantang bati niya nang makalapit sa akin.

"Good morning," I greeted back and then walked straight to the elevator.

"Thank you for coming back, Sir. Everything is in chaos after your mother left for London that's why we need you here," aniya bago ako inabutan ng kape na binili niya sa Starbucks gaya ng ginagawa niya kay Mama.

Hindi ako sumagot. Kumakalam na kasi ang tiyan ko kaya humigop muna ako sa kape. It's been a while since the last time I tasted expensive coffee kaya naman parang nanibago ang dila ko sa lasa ng kapeng ito. Nanununtok sa tamis. Shet.

"Uh, Aicel..."

"Yes, Sir?"

"Don't bother buying me coffee from SB."

"Oh. Noted, Sir." Her panic obviously increased by what I said. Panay ang ayos niya ng kanyang suot na sunglasses habang attentive na nakikinig sa kung anumang sasabihin ko. "Sir, do you prefer, Tim Horton, Coffee Bean or Seattle's Best?"

I shook my head no as an answer. None of the options. "Mas gusto ko ng kapeng barako ng Batangas."

"Uh... Sir, may brewed black coffee po sa—"

"Ng Batangas, Aicel," I said cutting through her words that made her mouth gape open. Napatango nalang siya at nanahimik na.

Pagkabukas ng pinto ng elevator ay sumalubong agad ng bati ang bawat nakasalubong namin— from the guards, receptionist and other employees.

I felt awkward from that very moment. Damn. Hindi na ako sanay sa ganitong treatment. Talagang nasa Maynila na nga ako ngayon. Iba na ang magiging daily routine ko. Wala na akong papakaining mga manok at ang rant buddy ko na si Meehh. Hindi na ako maglalaba ng sariling damit at maglilinis ng bahay habang wala si Jordan. Hindi na rin ako magluluto ng sariling lunch at maghuhugas ng pinagkainan. At higit sa lahat, hindi ko na makakasama si Kosher tuwing hapon sa Malabrigo lover's lane pagkatapos ng class dismissal nila.

Damn. I miss Batangas already. Hindi ko naman 'yon tunay na tahanan pero nakaramdam na ako ng pagiging homesick.

"Sir, this will be your office for the meantime," deklara ni Aicel nang makarating kami sa kwarto katabi ng opisina ni Mama.