Play Pretend

Chapter 36

#OLAPlayPretend

Chapter 36
Email

One week had passed since the first day. I had finally adjusted to working. Mabilis kong nagagawa at natatapos ang mga naka-assign sa aking tasks. Mas nakikisama na rin sa akin ang mga katrabaho when they realized I was harmless.

They found me intimidating at first. No one knew how to act around me. Inamin nila 'yon sa akin. Hindi ko naman sila masisisi dahil alam nilang lahat na asawa ako ng kataas-taasan. Kung ako man ang nasa posisyon nila, I would also feel that way.

I had to thank Cess for being the bridge that connected me to our other colleagues. She showed them how easy it was to befriend me. Na hindi nila kailangang layuan ako. Na kaya ko ring makisama sa kanila. I was also once an ordinary employee like them before marrying my CEO.

"Saan tayo kakain ng lunch mamaya?" tanong ni Geneva, ang nakaupo sa harapan namin ni Cess.

Laging nasa isip niya ang pagkain. Madalas kahit kakapasok pa lang, nagtatanong na siya kung saan kakain o ano ang gustong kainin. Madami rin siyang nakatagong snacks sa pinakailalim na drawer ng table niya. She liked sharing them with us.

Naging kasabay na namin siya ni Cess sa pagkain. Sometimes, the other staff would also join, pero madalas may kanya-kanya talagang grupo.

"May bagong bukas na Japanese restau malapit sa unang stop light! Subukan natin! Malapit lang naman!" aya niya sa amin. You could really see her enthusiasm when it came to trying new foods.

"Puwede naman..." sabi ni Cess saka ako nilingon. "Gusto mo ba?"

I smiled and nodded. "Okay lang din basta hindi tayo mala-late pagbalik."

With that, we finally decided to eat our lunch at the newly opened restaurant. Mabilis naming tinapos ang ginagawang trabaho para maagang makaalis para sa lunch. Patapos na ako nang nag-notify sa akin ang company email ko dahil sa natanggap na mensahe.

To: chantalbdelavega@dvh.com
Subject: Invitation for a Lunch Meeting

Dear Mrs. Dela Vega,

Greetings!

It is with great pleasure that I inform you that I will be available from lunch until two in the afternoon. In line with this, I would like to invite you for a lunch date at any restaurant of your choice. We can also go for a quick stroll if we have more time to spare.

I look forward to your quick and favorable response.

Regards,

Xaiver Vincent Dela Vega, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
Dela Vega Holdings

Hindi ko napigilan ang kumawalang tawa sa akin. Huli na nang takpan ko ang aking bibig. Napatingin naman si Cess na siyang nakarinig sa akin. Her eyes slightly narrowed as she turned to me.

"Okay ka lang?" tanong niya.

I sheepishly smiled and nodded. She immediately bought my answer and mind her own business. Binalik ko ang atensyon sa imbitasyon ni Xaiver. Instead of replying through email, I chose to send him a text message.

To: Xavi
Sorry, Mr. Dela Vega, I have to turn down your invitation. Nagkasundo na kami nina Cess at Geneva na kumain sa bagong bukas na Japanese restaurant.

Kagat-kagat ko ang aking labi at pumangalumbaba nang pinadala ang mensahe. I could only imagine his reaction while reading it. At gaya ng in-expect ko, mabilis nga ang naging pag-reply sa akin ni Xaiver.

From: Xavi
No chance of canceling your plans with them?

Napabuntonghininga ako. Ang sarap pagbigyan, pero talagang nakapagbitiw na ako ng salita. Babawi na lang ako siguro ulit mamayang gabi. I'm gonna cook his favorite at sana ay makakain na kami nang walang aberya.