KUMPAS

Chapter 50

ELLA

"Okay ka lang?" tanong ko kay Jema when I had a chance.

Hindi na kasi kami nagkaroon ng alone time. Sobrang busy ko na kanina pa sa pag estima ng mga bisita. Halos nakausap ko na lahat ang mga bigating tao dito sa ground breaking ceremony. I have given my calling cards to a few potential clients too.

So far, so good.

"Yes, thanks. Gutom lang ng slight." sagot niya.

Napangiti ako. Food is life talaga kay Love. Sabagay parehas lang kaming gutom na.

"Not long now, Love. In a bit ay tatakas na tayo sa kanila." I replied.

Tumango ito at bahagyang hinawakan ang braso ko.

"Hey Ella, I've been looking for you. This is John, the one that I mentioned to you earlier." biglang tawag ni Mae.

Mae has been telling me nga na may ipapakilala daw siyang John sa akin dahil gustong gusto daw akong makausap ng personal. Nagulat ako dahil parang kilala ko ang John na sinasabi niya.

"Hello Ms. De Jesus! What a small world." this certain John said.

Kumurap kurap pa ako just to make sure na itong John na kaharap ko ngayon ay ang ka-date ni Ate Joyce the other day. He extended his hand so I grabbed it.

"Wow, I believe we already met John." I replied as we shook hands.

He grinned, showing his white teeth.

"Yeah, my apology for not properly introducing myself the first time because I was so nervous. Your sister is such a beauty that I was left speechless." he said.

The way he said it makes me wonder if he's really telling the truth. Tipong may halong bola. However, I don't want to dwell on that since it's personal. It is between them only, Ate Joyce and the John that she dated once. 

I do not want to waste anymore of my time, I am more interested on his presence to this event. Who is he and what is he doing here?

"What brings you to this event? Are you with Mae?" I asked as I looked at them.

They eyed each other briefly. Obvious naman na magkasama sila pero gusto kong makasiguro. Jema, on the other hand is quietly observing us.

"Oh yeah, he is with me. Let me introduce the two of you properly. Ella, this is John, aka JRS. John, this is EDJ." Mae said.

JRS?

I suddenly remember that this project is owned by a certain person named JRS. However, puro representatives niya lang ang nakausap ko dati pa. JRS initials lang din ang nasa documents na nabasa ko kaya naman hindi ko alam what it represents.

So, J stands for John. Ano kaya ang totoong name nito?

Wealthy people usually do that, parang trademark na nila ang initials. Just like my Dad. He is known in the business industry as boss DJ. 

Isa lang ang ibig sabihin nito, si John aka JRS, is the owner of this project that we recently acquired.

Damn. How come I didn't know that he is personally attending?

This one is a massive project that I closed while I was the one in-charge of the company. You know why? Tumataginting na 500M lang naman ang contract na nakuha namin sa kanya. Buong buo na 500M. Honestly, bibihira ang pagkakataon na may dumating na ganito kalaking project sa company namin. Kaya naman tuwang tuwa ako.

I was so proud of myself when I broke the news to Dad. Kahit hindi siya masyadong nagsasalita ay alam ko na masaya siya sa nagawa ko.

Kaya naman as the Vice President of the company, I must make sure that the client as big as John, is treated like a King!