Pursuing My Nemesis

Forty Four

Chapter 44

I RETURNED TO my own unit after my misunderstanding with Aniel. I don't even know if it's just a misunderstanding. It was so clear to me that he lied and deceived me. He did the same thing he has done years ago. He played me good. And I'm such a fool to let myself a victim of the same game the second time around.

Nasa opisina na ako noong araw na 'yon nang magtawag si Architect Cordova ng isang meeting. The whole department was noticed. Alam ko na kaagad kung para saan ang meeting na 'yon.

"Hindi ka ba pupunta, Nemmie?" tanong ni Kendall nang mapansin niyang hindi pa rin ako nag-aayos.

"I wish I could. But I need to go somewhere else," sagot ko.

"But what if it's about the position? There's a big chance na ikaw ang ma-a-appoint," she said. I smiled sadly at her. A few weeks ago, Kendall might be right. But it's different now.

"If..." Tumikhim ako. "If it happens that the Architect will call my name for the appointment, call me. Babalik agad ako. But if it's not..." Kendall arched her brows. "This is an emergency, Kendall. I really need to go."

She stared at me warily before sighing. "Fine. Basta kapag ikaw ang tinawag, babalik ka."

I nodded my head. "I will."

I felt so empty inside. Wala akong maramdaman kahit katiting lang sana na pag-asa, na sana tama si Kendall, na matatawag pa rin ang pangalan ko, na mali lang ang pagkakarinig ko kay Miss Jemma... at kay Aniel. But I don't want to kid myself anymore. I'm already a fool for believing Aniel's lies. I don't want myself to be a total idiot for still hoping that I can have the position.

Umalis na rin ako pagkaalis nila Kendall. I drove my car to Coeurs et Fleurs. Alam kong sinabihan na ako ni Mama na huwag nang makialam, but I still wanted to help her. She's my mother alter all. Hindi naman matigas ang puso ko para hindi mag-alala sa kinakaharap niyang problema ngayon.

"Good morning, Miss Nemesis," bati ng isang staff pagkapasok ko sa loob.

"Good morning. Naka-uwi na ba sila Mr. and Mrs. Bonneville?"

"We're expecting them to arrive this evening, Miss Nemesis."

I smiled. Oh, thank goodness. They're finally coming back.

"Alright. Thank you. Babalik na lang ako mamaya kapag nandito na sila."

Nakangiting tumango ang staff. "Sige po, Miss Nemesis. Sasabihan ko po sila."

"Thanks." Tumingin ako sa suot kong relo. It was still early to go back to the office. I'm not even sure if I wanted to go back. Hindi na rin naman tumawag si Kendall para pabalikin ako. I swallowed hard. That only meant one thing. Aniel's already appointed by the head.

It's done. He won. I lost. I fucking hate it that I lost in another dirty way of his.

I decided to have my snack at Coeurs et Fleurs. Naalala ko si Channing na nag-aaya kahapon para magmeryenda rito. I was too busy to join him. Hindi ko alam kung tumuloy pa siya since Freeda also declined the offer. Ngayon, ako naman ang nandito at kumakain mag-isa.

Pagkatapos kong kumain ay tumambay muna ako roon nang ilan pang minuto bago ako nagdesisyon na bumalik na sa opisina. Pagkarating ko roon ay naramdaman ko agad ang kakaibang tingin ng mga empleyado sa akin. Most of them were watching me as I have my way towards the elevator. May ilang umiling habang nagbubulungan, may ilan din namang umiiwas ng tingin sa akin kapag nakikita nilang tumitingin ako sa kanila.

Hindi ko na lang sila pinansin at sumakay na sa loob ng elevator. Mag-isa lang ako sa loob. Pinindot ko na ang floor ng department namin. I was fidgeting the last button on my blouse while watching the numbers go up.