"Good morning, Miss, may I request an appointment with HAA's CEO, he is expecting me?"
I keep gaslighting myself; I didn't even leave my things at my hotel; I am, I am honestly gaslighting myself, and my foolish brain embraced the idea of walking directly to her agency.
"We have connected you to Mr. Huxley, sir; please proceed to the top floor and speak with his secretary."
"Thank you."
Kahit saan ako tumingin, may mukha si Karyl . . .
A fucking jackpot for her agency.
I instantly hit the button and softly tapped my shoulder for a decent massage. Dahil sa projects sa Pilipinas, hindi na ako nasanay na mag-eroplano at mangibang bansa. Napatigil ako sa paggalaw nang sumagi sa isip ko si Kishna.
Will she be upset if she finds out why I'm here? My attention is drawn to my suitcase. Nabanggit ko naman sa kanyang para 'to sa trabaho. Imbes na matuwa ako sa pag-e-empake niya sa mga gamit ko, napag-initan ko pa siya bago ako umalis.
I let out a loud sigh . . . Ang dami ko na ngang kasalanan sa kanya, dumagdag pa 'to.
"New to work?"
Agad akong lumingon sa katabi ko. Saktong bumukas ang pinto ng elevator nang nagsalita siya. Agad siyag pumasok at hindi na lumingon sakin.
Agad din naman akong sumunod at pinindot ang U na button. Anong meron sa U? The majority of elevator buttons are organized by floor level. "No, I'm just here for a consultation."
"Commercial offers?" he asked as he pressed button 4.
"Personal project." I answered. "My name is Priel Aragones, and I'm an architect." I extended my hand to him.
"Ah, I'm the HAA's head of security personnel. . ." he trailed off, "Kajri."
Hindi naman ata siya maarte kaya tinaggap na 'yung offer kong pakikipag-shake hands. Akala ko maarte. Linis nilang tignan. Kahit security personnel dito parang galing lang sa opinisa namin.
I'm in another country, dammit. It suddenly grows on me that I went all the way here almost immediately, but wasn't prepared to accept the client's offer. Karyl's manager threw me under the bus, and it worked.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Architect." sabi no'ng lalaki.
Tumango ako bilang sagot ko. Paalis naman na siya, hindi ko na dapat i-entertain.
Nang bumukas ang pinto'y agad siyang umalis.
Alam kong mabait si sir Auguste pero 'yung Kajri na 'yon, parang si sir Auguste 'pag galit. Hindi ko naman siya masitang hindi niya dapat ako, kasi nagtatrabaho siya dito.
I'm already an expert in my profession, as evidenced by the way he checked me with his eyes.
I learnt to observe. People are my primary subject matter. Yet I'm not sure if he was already by my side at the elevator entrance, based from what he did, or if he's been following me from the beginning.
I obviously saw him linger at the U button before pushing number four.
***
"Good morning, sir." I say right away.
Hindi ko alam kung nasa lahi ba ng dayuhan ang magmuni-muni habang nakatingin sa labas 'pag alam nilang may bisita sila?
"Good mo -" pagbati ko sana ulit nang humarap siya. "Oh? -- Oh?!" pagod lang ba ako?
"What is it, Mr. Aragones?" he said, seemingly unconcerned, merely asking formalities.
BINABASA MO ANG
Light a Flame
Romancean epistolary [semi-colon series II] completed Losing "her" was blue, like I'd never known Missing "her" was dark gray, all alone Forgetting "her" was like trying to know Somebody I never met But loving "her" was red Loving "her" was red Touching "h...
