PARADISE OF THE DEVIL (GONCALVES 1)

Chapter 22

I was fidgeting with my pen as I studied the requests and reports of the sales department through emails.

My brain wasn't functioning right now as I kept waiting for my phone to buzz from Jair. It was almost lunchtime and I hadn't heard from him.

I was supposed to just go on with my day but I just couldn't. I kept thinking of him and it was not making me productive.

I had a lot of things to do. I had to finish the summary before lunchtime and would have a meeting with other designers about it before the end of the day. Lastly, I had to visit the nearest Fera store for a short meeting with the head of the management team.

Also, the theme of the fashion show was changed from sea to forest. It was a sudden notice and we had worked on the designs to submit for months, now, we had to come up with new ones though Ms. Fera already sent us some samples.

The least of my priorities right now was Jair's whereabouts at the villa with Lilia. Even though I wanted to get updates from him, I shouldn't force things on him.

I turned off my phone so I would not constantly be tempted to check it. It was not helpful and it only made me feel anxious.

Dahil nahuli na ako sa oras at natapos ang summary bandang ala una ay dumeretso na ako ng store at pinalipasan na muna ang lunch.

Nag-open ako ng phone para mag-update sa manager. Inaasahan kong magpop-up ang message ni Jair pero wala pa din hanggang ngayon.

Fuck! I shouldn't act like he needed to hit me up from time to time. He was not my boyfriend. And I was not his girlfriend to waste his time with things as cringy as I wanted.

Ibinulsa ko ang phone ko bago ako lumabas ng sasakyan bitbit lang ang isang folder. Tirik na tirik ang araw ngayon at lalakarin ko pa hangang sa store.

Ito yung oldest and first store ng Fera kaya masyadong valuable. Humingi ako ng pasensya sa late arrival dahil 1 p.m. ang arrangement namin. Dahil sa pagiging distracted ko ay naaapektuhan ang trabaho ko.

Mahigit isang oras kaming nag-uusap ni Mr. Clint tungkol sa mga bagong items na ipupush para sa summer season. Pinili nyang dito kami magmeet para mas maipaliwanag nya ang agenda ng meeting namin.

We were planning to push new designs into the market. He was giving me criticism as well as suggestions. Since he knew more about the consumer than me, he gave me some tips.

May kalakihan ang store at may mga customers na nagtitingin. Umalis na si Mr. Clint at hinayaan ako ng mga staffs na nandito para ereview ang mga items. Pag-aaralan ko kung ano pa ang dapat na iimprove.

Naglilibot ako at umabot ng second floor. Nagkukuha ako ng mga pictures nang may marinig akong pamilyar na boses.

Pagkalingon ko sa kaliwang banda ko ay nakita ko si Madam Quervo at Sariyah na namimili ng dresses habang may nakasunod sa kanilang isang staff.

"Sariyah! Keep your phone away. We are shopping!" narinig kong bulyaw ni Madam Quervo sa anak.

"Ate Lilia was just active. I am sending her messages," Sariyah answered.

"Let her be." Madam seemed to be so nonchalant about Lilia's bearings right now. And she was more concerned about shopping than her daughter.

"I just want to make sure that she's doing okay."

"You don't have to worry, darling. She's with     Jair right now. Raina just tipped me," nalulugod nyang batid kay Sariyah.

"Oh. That's a relief." Sariyah quickly put her phone in her bag when she said that. Sariyah must also be rooting for the two of them.