STRANGER

15 - I Like You So Much, You'll Know It

Deanna.

"Hey cuz. Good morning. What's up? Hindi na yata kita masyadong nakikita dito. Busy at work or busy on someone?" Edward asked.

I looked up to see him enter my room. Hindi ko namalayan na nakapasok na pala siya. Ang aga yata niya para mapadpad sa office ko. He usually show up here late afternoon which is very seldom. 

Hmmm, he needs something, I'm sure of it.

"Good morning. How can you see me if you don't regularly show up at work? Let me remind you, I'm consistently here and always busy working unlike someone I know." sagot ko while rolling my eyes.

Napakunot noo naman siya sa sinabi ko.

"Haha, are you pertaining to me? Alam mo naman na I'm keeping myself busy as well, like working too but silently." he said as he sat down at the chair in front of me.

"I didn't say that it's you. Natamaan ka ba? Baka ikaw nga. Anyway, what do you want?" diretsong tanong ko dahil may hinahabol akong trabaho.

Napataas ang kamay niya.

"Jeez, calm down. Ayaw mo na ba akong makita? I miss you cuz. Hindi na tayo nagkakausap since you came back from your US trip. Alam kong busy ka pero sa work ba talaga? I'm just concerned that you are more interested in your secretary than her performance." he replied.

"What are you talking about? Do you have any problem with Jessica?" mabilis na tanong ko.

Napatigil na ako sa aking ginagawa at tinignan ko siya ng mata sa mata. Sa lahat ng ayoko ay idadamay niya ang ibang tao sa usapan namin lalo na si Jessica.

"Wooo, did I push the wrong button? Well, may mga nakikita ako na hindi mo naman dating ginagawa. You changed dramatically ever since she worked in the company." he said.

"And your point is?" I asked. 

"You have always been dealing everyone here professionally and for that, I salute you. But for some reason, your treatment to your secretary is quite different. Anong meron sa kanya na wala sa mga nauna mong flings?" he asked.

Bakit napunta na sa flings ang usapan?

"Kailan ka pa naging interesado sa personal life ko? Pati ang taong walang ginagawang masama ay idinadamay mo pa. Jessica is my secretary and as far as I can see, she's doing her job perfectly. I don't need you personal opinion on her." I straightforwardly answered him.

"I see." tipid na sagot niya.

"You see naman pala. Ang alam ko, puro business and money lang naman ang laman ng isip mo. I don't know why the sudden interest on people working here. Piece of advice Edward, magtrabaho ka na lang para malinisan yang madumi mong utak." inis na sabi ko.

"Hey, I don't mean any harm and it's just an observation. Masyado ka yatang tiwala sa Jessica na yun. Biruin mo, isinama na agad ni Valerie sa board meeting. Anong alam niya? Saka, confidential ang mga pinag uusapan doon, we should not let someone in na hindi natin kilala pa masyado. I'm just protecting our business." sabi niya sabay kindat pa.

Napatayo ako ng wala sa oras.

"Edward, cut the bullshit. Leave my secretary out of our conversation. You know nothing about her. I can trust her more than I can trust you when it comes to running our business so if you don't like her, tough. Not my problem." I replied.

"Okay, easy cuz. Ang sa akin lang naman, masyado pang maaga para pagkatiwalaan mo siya. She is your secretary but not your replacement per se. Besides, nandiyan pa naman si Valerie. She already proved to us that she can do the job, there's no need to add another person." he said.