Nakatulala lang ako habang naka titig sa kanya. He doesn't seem surprise. Is he expecting me since last week pa nangyari ang screening and maybe he has been reviewing our papers. Nahihiya akong lumapit sa kanya tsaka umupo when he sign me to take a sit across him.
My heartbeat has been racing since I entered the room. A silence filled the room of murmurs from the outside. Naka tingin lang ako sa sahig waiting for him to utur a word. It's suffocating me. Our meetings have been quite ordinary so meeting him here feels like a dilemma.
"How are you?" He asked without looking at me. He's reading the portfolio I gave. I smiled timidly cause I don't know how to address him. Should I say sir or kent like I used to say? It's really awkward wtf. I shouldn't apply to this company. If only my current company have been good to me. But here are the opportunities I can't pass by. This is really important for my career. I sighed and think enough words to say only to find out myself saying "I'm doing fine but isn't it unnecessary to ask personal questions?" I blushed thinking I might get it wrong. Maybe he asked about how my well being will affect his company OMG. Our personal relationship is getting ahead of me.
He sighed. He put my portfolio down then he looked at me. Tumikhim ako at umayos ng upo.
"Ms. Eirendil..." He said suspensing his sentence. "Isn't it's uncommon to leave your on job training in less than a month before finally fulfilling it?" Nag-unahan ang pagtibok ng puso ko. Expected ko na tatanungin to sakin pero sharing it to him makes me nervous. I want to complain that it's a personal reason but my career here is in risk.
Bumuntong hininga ako tsaka ko sinimulang ikwento sa kanya ang nangyari.
"It's sexual harassment sir. It was our team building dinner night. After drinking and such, I bid goodbye then the head of our company followed me and started to harass me on the elevator thinking I'm not sober. Thankfully I got to get out on the next floor because someone got in. I didn't get justice instead got kicked out for complaining. Sadly, the hotel are one of their investment so they never wanted to provide a copy of the cctv. The worst they called me lier."
Napayuko ako remembering what happened last month. I could still feel the fear and anger. It's not that bad but it's really alarming how he attempted to kiss me and hold me in waist so I couldn't peg away.
"What is the name of the hotel?" He asked maybe out of curiosity.
"It's fanta hotel sir" I said.
"What's the exact date" maawtoridad niyang wika.
"It's February 28 sir, 9 in the evening. " I said
His calm aura became dangerous. I saw how he clenched his fist. Tumahimik nalang ako and waited for him to talk. Parang mapuputulan na ako ng hininga.
"You can start on the day after tomorrow." Kumunot noo ko at nagtatakang tumingin sa kanya.
"Why? You haven't even interview me." Wika ko. Ayokong magassume pero baka he took me because of our connection. Ayokong maging unfair. I know there's someone who's more deserving especially those who wanted to start the job and take the job. I'm just here for school requirements and purposes.
"If you're thinking about our personal involvement that's what I've taken you, then drop that thoughts. Our company has high standards. I've already reviewed your papers. You plates are astonishing. I know you can be a great help on our company" He explained. Napangiti naman ako in relief.
"Thank you, kent" I said intentionally calling his name in my sweetest tone, just like how I called him in his bed.
Napatawa ako ng mahina nung kunot noo siyang tumingin sakin. Dali dali na akong tumayo leaving his office with a smile on my face. Atleast I have a reason now to see him.
