ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH?

Chapter Forty-Six

NILAGPASAN NI JEANIE ANG DESK NG SEKRETARYA NI BASIL. Malapit na ito sa pinto nang tumayo ang sekretaryang naka-uniform ng blouse at pencil skirt at puti.

"Ma'am Jeanie," tawag nito, "kakaalis lang po ni Sir Basil."

From looking at the twenty-ish woman over her shoulder, Jeanie carefully turned her heels to face her.

"This early? Saan ang punta?" painosente nitong awang ng mga labi nang matapos magtanong. As far as I know, Basil cancelled all important meetings today. May urgent daw siyang aasikasuhin.

That's also why I went here rightaway today. I have to know what that urgent thing is.

Hindi pwedeng mahuli ang COO sa balita! Lalo na't may kinalaman sa taong kung kanino siya subordinate!

"Hindi po nagpaalam, eh. Nagmamadali siyang lumabas ng office kani-kanina lang at sumakay ng elevator. Nakasunod sa kanya si Miss Lily."

Jeanie's eyes narrowed. So, si Lily 'yong urgent na 'yon?

She smiled at the secretary sweetly. "Oh, I think I have an idea now where to find him. Thankies."

Then, Jeanie gracefully walked along the hall towards the elevator. As she walked, her thinking resumed.

Since when has he paid that much attention to that Lily? Alam naman nilang papansin lang ang babaeng iyon. That's why whatever craziness she does, they just let it pass. Jeanie stopped in front of the elevator and pressed the down button. Pinapaubaya na lang ni Basil kina Miss Jackie ang pagdisiplina sa Lily na 'yon.

Sumama ang timpla ng kanyang mukha habang naghihintay sa pagbukas ng pinto ng elevator.

So why all of a sudden, he's paying too much attention to Lily? An evil smirk slowly spread across her face. Mukhang nasagad na ng Lily na 'yon ang pasensya ni Basil.

Nung bumukas ang pinto ng elevator, nagmamadaling pumasok doon si Lily.

I can't miss this! I have to see what's going to happen! I have to confirm it by myself kung tama ang hinala ko. She smiled again, suppressing her wicked chuckle, as the doors slowly pulled close. I don't want to miss the chance to see that headache being kicked out of here by Basil himself!

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SI PAULA ANG UNANG NAPATAYO nang marinig ang boses nila Lily at Basil. Pagsilip nito sa ibabaw ng dingding ng cubicle, tanaw ang pagpasok ni Basil. Hinahabol ito ng laki ng mga hakbang ni Lily. Lily ignored her and returned her eyes on Basil.

"Why are you even doing this?" habol pa rin ni Lily sa kapatid. "Ipapahiya mo ba ako sa mga tao rito?"

Basil did not respond. Lily took that as answering a yes to her question. Dahil doon uminit ang bunbunan niya.

How dare he! This is too much!

"I want to see your computer," Basil demanded, almost in a murmur before making a turn to enter her cubicle.

"Yeah, sure," she lazily groaned. Nilagpasan niya ang kapatid para unahan sa kanyang desk.

Prenteng umupo sa swivel chair si Lily at ginalaw ang mouse para buhayin ang monitor ng computer.

Nasaan naman kaya si Jared?

Oo. Iyon ang una niyang napansin nang marating ang kanyang desk.

Na wala roon si Jared.

He should be just right here, waiting for me! Unless...

Her bored eyes turned to Basil. Nasa tabi na niya ang kapatid, nakatukod sa kanyang desk ang mga kamay habang nakasilip sa kanyang computer.