"Ysa? "
My head turned to the side when I heard someone called my name. A familiar woman was gawking at me like I am some sort of undefined specie.
I'd like to believe that she's just awe-stricken by my beauty.
Yes, that's it. No other reason.
"Yes? " Napataas ang aking kilay, hindi sinasadyang magmukhang suplada pero gano'n ata ang kinalabasan.
She gasped in shock. Parang nakakita ng multo, amp. Konti nalang talaga, mao-offend na ako! Bakit ba ganyan siya maka react? Ang ganda-ganda at ang sexy ko kaya!
Char.
"Oh my gosh! " She shriek in a high pitch voice making me flinch and frown a little. Marami ang napatingin sa direksyon namin ngunit binalewala ko na lamang.
"Why? " I asked. At the back of my mind, an idea was already forming to why she is reacting like this.
My, my... Looks like this is the start...
"Omg, I... I didn't recognize you! I-Is that r-really you? " Uutal-utal pa niyang tanong. Parang tanga, sinagot na nga kanina diba? Tumango na lamang ako. She gasped again.
"Goodness, dati you look like basahan pa! What happened? Nakabingwit ka ba ng mayamang kano? Sugar daddy? " Nanunuya niyang ani, sinusuri ng tingin ang aking kabuuan na para bang hindi talaga siya makapaniwala sa nakikita.
Well, I was just wearing a white YSL high-waisted pants, a black Celine halter top, on my arm is my white coat from YSL again. Black Hermes bag and some black pair of Louis Vuitton heels.
Nothing special, really.
"Uhm, do I know you? " I asked in genuine innocence. Pamilyar talaga siya sa akin pero nakalimutan ko, eh.
Her jaw dropped. She paled and I heard some people around us snickered. We were in the middle of the building's lounge. Timing pa na breaktime ng mga empleyado kaya marami kaming audience. Well, personally, I don't want attention and drama. My life's not a teleserye and I don't want someone gossiping about me unless if it's about my beauty, sexiness, and wisdom.
Kaagad namula sa pagkakapahiya si... hindi ko alam sino siya basta the one who called me basahan.
She gritted her teeth and annoyance is clearly plastered on her face while mine remained serious and a bit confuse kasi iniisip ko talaga kung saan ko ba siya nakita or kung anong pangalan niya. Clearly, she knew me before.
"Wow, Ysa! Nakapagbihis ka lang ng damit pang normal na tao, nagyayabang ka na? For all I know they're fake naman! I have many of those I and could tell that they're not original, my goodness! Mukha ka lang basahang nalabhan! So cheap and mabaho pa rin! "
She was really enraged. Halos umusok na ang kanyang ilong at mukha siyang Toro na nakakita ng pulang bagay. She was blabbering like a mad rapper, I could see a potential.
She should join some rapper contests or fliptop battles, she's got a high chance of winning. Ready to fight na siya, mga bessy.
"Ah, really? " I boredly said which angered her more.
My, my... Galit na galit?
I glance at my wrist watch and saw that I only have five minutes before the meeting. I look at her again and was about to bid my goodbye, but my body suddenly froze when I saw a familiar man approaching. I felt my whole system froze, and for a moment, I feel like it dysfunction.
"Clarisse. "
He called with his usual cold, deep and baritone voice. My heart boomed like a I was near the biggest stereo in the world. Kaagad nawala ang inis sa mukha ng babaeng kaharap ko kanina at napalitan ng nanunuyang ekpresyon. The same time I finally remembered who the hell is she.
"Oh hi, babe. " Malamyos niyang tawag sa lalaki sabay lingkis sa braso nito. He was about to say something when his eyes met mine. He stood there, shocked and frozen while I finally gained my composure.
I made sure that my face sport a stoic look. Iyong hindi mukhang galit, seryoso at propesyunal lang. I want to look like I don't care...
Because, dear, that's elegance and class.
"Soraiya... " He muttered so sweet and softly, I almost shivered. The insides of my stomach churned and my knees badly want to wobble. But I need to be firm. I held my face straight and made sure that I didn't look affected or what.
I was about to excuse myself when my secretary thankfully butt in.
"Excuse me, madam. Tinatawag na daw po ang CEO para sa board meeting. "
My, my... Ate Laila you're really my favorite and the most loyal secretary. I fought the urge to smirk.
"Excuse me, I guess I'm already being called. Have a nice day ahead. "
I was about to leave but then where's the fun on that? I stop midway, glancing at the couple both with stunned faces.
"Oh, before I forgot to answer your question. No, I haven't leech my way to some rich men, darling. That's so cheap, right? Of course, I bought these from France with my own money. All limited edition and specially designed just for me. Oh well, I could let you borrow my VIP card from all the stores, if you want. Just call me, okay? Excuse again. "
And I flashed my sweetest yet most mocking smile to her before I turn around, my hair flipped like it has been choreographed in advance before I walked like I own the damn lounge as my runway.
Oh, wait. I owned this building pala.
I smirked.
"Soraiya! "
I was about to enter my private lift when I heard someone called. God knows how much I fought the urge to stop and close my eyes as I heard that voice again calling my name.
Soraiya...
Is long, long gone...
I fastened my pace and entered the elevator. I saw him walking briskly towards me, at the same time my heart is beating faster and louder. Each step he take, the tighter my heart feels. And just when he was already five steps near me, the door of the lift finally closed.
My knees wobbled.
"Madam! " Sigaw ng butihin kong secretary. Kaagad niya akong inalalayan.
I was panting, and I realized how I stopped breathing a while ago.
My goodness gracious. My first week and I already met him!
Lord, parang hindi na po talaga Kayo makapaghintay. Huhu I know everything happens in Your perfect time, pero ba't naman gano'n, Lord?
I just want to savor and feel the present longer... Why does the past need to butt in so quickly?
"Okay lang po ba kayo, madam? " Asked my ever so loyal and faithful secretary. Remind me to give her a raise.
"I-I'm okay po, ate Laila... "
I leaned on the elevator and closed my eyes tightly when I remembered his serious yet pleading eyes.
Why...
No.
I'm not going back there again. I'm already done with that part of my life.
I've already moved on.
There's no turning back anymore.
The soft, innocent and naïve Soraiya is long gone.
Friday, July 16th of year 2021.
