Termination of Desire

Kabanata 22

"This way, Miss Villarosa. Mrs. Esquivel's been waiting for you."

Iginiya ako ng secretary ni Mrs. Esquivel sa isang mahabang hallway. Ngayon ang nakatakdang meeting namin tungkol sa pagbubukas ko ng store.

We entered the lift, and I saw my reflection in the mirrored door in front. I'm wearing a red coat with a black tube top inside and a pantsuit. My face is just slightly made up, but my lips are red, and I just let my long hair fall to my back.

Nang lumabas kami ay iginiya ulit kami ng secretary sa isang malaking conference room.

"Ma'am, Miss Villarosa is here."

Mula sa mga pinipirmahang papel ay umangat ang tingin ng ginang sa amin at nagtama ang aming paningin. Malawak agad siyang ngumiti at sinalubong ako.

We kissed each other's cheek.

"Hi! You're early!" she greeted.

I only smiled and greeted back. "Good morning, Ma'am."

She chuckled and pulled out a chair for me.

"Please, have a seat."

"Thank you!"

Naupo kaming lahat at sinimulan na ang meeting.

I have created my guest list, and we are expecting a hundred guests from different business owners, perfumers, executives, beauty editors, and so on. Dahil hindi naman masiyadong kilala ang brand ko dito, tinulungan ako ni Mrs. Esquivel na magdagdag pa ng mga kakilala niya.

I was amazed at how she had a lot of connections with different companies and executives. Hindi na dapat nakakapagtaka 'yon pero nagulat pa rin ako.

"I've been managing Bella Beauty for more than three decades now, so... I believe I have already earned their trust," pagkukwento niya habang marahan kaming naglalakad papunta sa laboratory.

"I'm also thinking of having a collaboration with you. I believe Bella Beauty and Frances Fragrances could make a good couple, wouldn't they?" She chuckled.

I chuckled a bit though I was shocked.

"Really?"

I don't know if she was just kidding but I can feel the excitement.

"I haven't had any perfumes launched since Bella Beauty started because we focused on marketing cosmetics alone. Although Scentatique had once offered me then, I...never entertained it," may pag aalangan sa boses niya. "I don't know. Maybe I wasn't ready yet. But when I met your brand, that's when I got interested in perfumes." She chuckled.

I chuckled awkwardly with her.

"I know what you're thinking." Mahina niyang tinampal ang balikat ko. "I'm not betraying our perfume company. I just feel like...I want something new... and fresh."

Nagkatinginan kami. Ngumisi siya samantalang hindi naman ako nakapagsalita.

"I don't know. There's something in your fragrances that I like. It's quiet addicting. Hindi nakakasawa at lalong hindi masakit sa ilong." Bahagya siyang natawa. "You know, fragrances back then could make you actually feel dizzy. Yours was unique. It's fresh and youthful."

I couldn't be more flattered. I didn't know she liked my perfume that much.

Nang makarating na kami sa tamang palapag ay dumiretso na kami sa isang laboratory na may mini service area. Dito raw sa level na ito mismong ginagawa ang mga perfumes ng Scentatique at dito nag o-opisina ang mga chemists nila.

"The senior chemist must be here," marahang wika ni Mrs. Esquivel habang naglalakad patungo sa isang pinto.

May lumabas na isang lalaki naka-lab coat at mask at saktong nagkasalubong sila. Nauuna si Mrs. Esquivel sa amin kaya siya ang naunang binati.