Scandalous Affair: Atlas Mate

36

O L I V I A   V A L E Z

Each crowd moves as if they are being dragged to directions by unknown hands, or I could say the hands of destiny. Their gaze was drawn to one thing and then another. They reacted consistently, each having a daily objective to attain. However, behind that comes free will, the power to select one's own path thoroughly. Because they choose that destiny, that was why its hands are leading them.

I tore my eyes out and stepped back to the glass wall on dad's office. People were so busy surviving this world. So busy trying to reach their dreams. So busy trying to seek opportunities. And I was one of those people. Now that dad was away, and I would be handling our bank. Nandito ako ngayon sa office ni dad, at nakatayo sa magandang glass wall niya. Tinatanaw ko ang mga tao sa umagang ito. I was trying to ease my mind, and seeing all those people working hard, made me want to work harder.

I instructed his secretary to put all the paper works on my office, pati na rin ang mga parating pa na trabaho. I didn't want to work here at my dad's office. Feeling ko, I was invading his privacy. I mean, this office was like his bedroom. Halos dito na niya ubusin ang oras niya. Everything here screams Oliver Valez. From the colors of the wall, the modern chandelier on the ceiling, the plain gray carpet, the black couch, and his neatly arranged office table: Oliver Valez, CEO. 

Napangiti na lang ako roon. My dad deserved his success. He was the most hardworking person I knew in my whole damn life. Napabuntong hininga na lang ako nang tignan ko ang mga papeles sa table niya. Naka-organized ito sa tatlong category. Approved, to be reviewed, and rejected. Kinuha ko ang nga nasa approved at to be reviewed. Saka bumalik sa sarili kong opisina.

Hindi pa nga tumatama ang pwetan ko sa aking swivel chair, nang pumasok si Sue sa office ko na may malawak at nakalolokong ngiti.

"So... how's the big D?"

I rolled my eyes at her and started fixing the papers on my desk. Lumapit naman siya sa akin at tinapik-tapik ang balikat ko.

"Looking at your face," Hinawakan niya ang balikat ko at iniharap sa kaniya. Tinaas niya ring ang mukha ko, para mas makita niya nang mas maayos. "Mukha kang tigang." at nagawa pa niyang ngumiwi.

"Pupunta ka lang ba sa office ko, just to ask me about my sex life?"

Hinampas niya ako sa braso at tumawa, "Ano ka ba! Syempre hindi, pero baka kasi gusto mong makaramdam? Itanong mo naman kasi sa akin pabalik."

I sighed and leaned on my chair, "So... how's the big D?" ginaya ko pa ang pagkasasabi niya nito kanina sa akin.

Sue squealed and giggled. Ang talanding ito. Gusto niya lang pala na ibabalik ko sa kaniya ang pangangamusta niya sa akin.

She leaned on my desk, facing me, "Oh, my god! Alam mo ba, I met this guy on an online dating up, pero alam mo na, ang iba do'n 'di naman talaga date for relationship ang hanap."

"What happened to the guy you met?"

"Ay, shit! Pinagpapawisan ako kahit inaalala ko lang!"

At totoo nga ang sinabi niya. Sue was blushing and kind of sweating as she fanned herself. Napailing na lang ako sa kagagahan niya.

"Ma'am, may dilig na 'ko! Hindi na 'ko tagtuyot, at grabe! Talagang grabe 'yung nagdilig. Parang five or six inches yata 'yon! Jusko, biyaya na magpa-aabot sa langit!"

Hinampas ko siya sa binti at tumawa, "Kaya pala iba ang energy mo ngayon."

"Syempre naman!" Tinagilig-gilid niya ang mukha niya, "O, tignan mo, ang blooming ko 'di ba?"