PARADISE OF THE DEVIL (GONCALVES 1)

Chapter 25

I just arrived at the studio from an appointment today. I had a little break and was replying to emails from clothing companies from Paris regarding my applications. I already had schedules for interviews but as they got closer, I felt more anxious.

May kumatok sa pinto ng tube office ko at nang sumagot ako ay sumilip si Clover. Malaki ang ngiti nya sa akin kaya sinubukan kong hulaan kung ano ang balita nya.

"I don't know the reason but Ms. Frida ordered pizza for everyone," she informed.

"I'll be there," sagot ko at mabilis na tinapos ang pagrereply ng emails.

Hindi ako inabot ng 5 minutes ay sumunod ako kay Clover. Ano kaya ang nakain ni Ms. Frida at nanlibre ngayon. Bihira lang naman nyang ginagawa ito, o di kaya kapag may okasyon kagaya ng birthdays.

I had to gain weight so recently I decided to eat as much as I could. I tried every flavor of the pizza on the table and stopped on my 7th.

"One of the designs was approved and I want the two of you to go to the main tomorrow to talk to the head designer," utos ni Ms. Frida kay Juvy at Rowena.

Mabuti naman at hindi ako sinama dahil sobrang layo at ayokong magtravel. Gusto kong dito lang ako sa studio dahil komportable. May bagyo na darating kaya mas mabuting hindi ako pumunta kahit saan.

"Yung sa wedding? The tux should be finished by the end of this month," paalala ni Ms. Frida.

I was not part of that task so I was unaware of its updates. I was with Clover and the others with the fabrication of the orders. It was a little easier than the personalized ones since there were no demands from the clients.

"Bukas ay isasama ko kayo Clover at Eden sa tea party na inihanda ni Madam Goncalves."

Muntik ko nang maibuga ang iniinom na softdrink dahil sa narinig. Si Madam ang kahuli-hulihang taong gusto kong makasalamuha. I had adored her, yes, but after the incident last Saturday, I wouldn't have the face to see her.

"Ininvite tayo, Ms. Frida?" nasasabik na tanong ni Clover.

"Not for leisure but also for work," putol ni Ms. Frida sa excitement ni Clover.

"Marami akong gagawin bukas, Ms. Frida. Baka may gustong umattend ng tea party para sa akin bukas," I excused.

"Personal na hiniling ni Madam na sumama ka," ani Ms. Frida.

I expected that the time would come that I get to talk to Madam Goncalves after last Saturday night but I didn't think it'd be this soon.

Kinakabahan akong makausap sya. Ayokong magkamali ng sasabihin. Impossibleng tungkol lang sa trabaho ang ipupunta ko bukas lalo na ngayon na sinabi ni Ms. Frida na dapat sasama ako sa kanya bukas.

"Madam Goncalves really likes you so it's natural that she'd ask you to come," dagdag pa ni Ms. Frida.

Hindi ko magawang magdiwang sa sinabi nya dahil nangingibabaw talaga ang kaba ko. She might like me because of my work ethic but it was a whole different idea when it came to seeing his son. Ano ang isasagot ko sa kanya? Na walang ibang rason ang pagkikita namin ng anak nya maliban sa sex?

Should I tell Jair about this? So at least he could save me from having a conversation with Madam Goncalves. Na sya nalang ang magpaliwanag dahil sya naman ang anak at maiintindihan naman siguro ni Madam dahil lalaki sya.

"May problema ba, Eden?" tanong ni Ms. Frida na nagpabalik sa akin sa kasalukuyan.

"Wala naman, Ms. Frida," sagot ko nalang.

Until I came back to the apartment, the idea of meeting Madam Goncalves didn't leave my mind. I had to compose my reasons and be careful about whatever I would answer to her. I had to be calm and take control of my tongue.