La Union Series #01 : The Secret Contract

Prologue

It has only been two weeks since we arrived here in Manila, and my plans for our future is already in shambles.

Tinatahak namin ang kalagitnaan ng EDSA when I spotted a billboard, he really became a big huh? Who knew he could come this far? His life back then in La Union was so different from his lifestyle now. He's probably the standard among men his age.

My phone rang cutting my thoughts short, "Hello miss Gladize? on the way na po ako."

"Pasensya ka na talaga Erina sa last minute notice, Biglaan kasi ang conference dito sa Singapore. I would love to meet him and interview him kaso mas importante eto." She sighed in defeat. She's a big fan talaga.

"I-it's okay." It's not.

"Oh siya ibaba ko na, boarding na ako. Enjoy lang at wag kabahan! It's your first day sa field. Make the most of it, para mapansin ka kaagad ng big boss." She laughed before ending the call.

How can I enjoy when in just a few minutes yung lalaking nasa billboard lang ay buhay na buhay na sa harap ko. I shut my eyes bago hinilot ang sentido. Be professional Riva. This is just a one time thing. Kung hindi mo lang naman first day sa trabaho, tatanggi ka kaagad e. Tiis lang muna. Next time Editor in Chief ka na.

"Dito na tayo Ma'am." ani ng Taxi Driver. I opened my eyes at saka nilingon ang matayog na building. I handed the driver his payment bago bumaba.

S.J Enterprises huh? I thought to myself. Agad akong tumungo sa front desk, "Welcome to Sandejas Enterprises, how can I help you?" The lady asked, "I'm Erina Bartolome, from Forbes Philippines, I'm here for Mr. Sandejas' interview for our magazine." Sagot ko.

She nodded bago may tinawagan sa kanilang telepono. "The elevator is right there just click the top floor Miss, sasalubungin po kayo agad ng Secretary ni Mr. Sandejas." Ani ng babae.

I forced a smile bago tumungo sa direksyon na itinuro niya. I did what she said, agad akong tumungo sa 35th floor, walang pang dalawang minuto ng makarating ako sa floor kung saan daw ang opisina ng kanilang boss. Agad bumungad sa akin ang isang matangkad na babae, she flashed me a smile, "Hi i'm Clarita, secretary ni Mr. Sandejas. He's currently in a zoom meeting, you can wait for him here.." Iginaya niya ako sa isang sofa katapat lamang ng isang malaking tinted glass wall.

I smiled and sat there, at this point hindi na mapigilan ng puso kong hindi kumalabog. This felt weird and familiar at the same time. I just want this to end quickly, and then never see him again.

Ilang minuto pa ay nilapitan ako ng sekretarya niya, "Mr. Sandejas is ready to meet you." Aniya bago ako sinamahan patungo sa isang malaking glass door. "Mr. Sandejas, andito na po yung Forbes representative." Aniya pagkatapos kumatok at binuksan ng kaunti ang pinto.

"Let her in." His voice sent me shivers, 10 years since I last heard his voice but back then his voice isn't as mature as this one.

Ngumiti ako ng tipid sa sekretarya bago pumasok, His back was facing me, that somehow calmed me down, but my heart is racing, halos hindi na ako makahinga sa bilis ng pintig neto.

"Have a seat Miss—" He turned to me and was shocked when he saw me, but he quickly recovered "I need more than a shot," he muttered bago tumalikod uli, this time I clearly saw what he was doing earlier, nagsasalin siya ng alak sa isang baso.

I sat on the chair that is infront of his office desk. "Hello Riva." He said, and I swear to god nagtayuan ang balahibo sa buong katawan ko.

"H-hello Mr. Sandejas." I don't have the courage to look at him eye to eye, lahat ng pilit kong binuong tapang ay nasira with just the sight of him. His face reminds me of everything that I went through in the past ten years of my life.