Anastasia’s Point of View
“GENERAL MANAGER ANASTASIA!”
Nagulat ako at daling lumingon sa kung saan nanggaling ‘yung sigaw na narinig ko. Nakakaistobo.
Pag-bukas ng pinto ay agad nitong niluwa ang bruha kong kaibigan—Kim Pauline Bernardo—na sobra ang hingal. Kapag ito nag-collapse at namatay rito, that’s not my responsibility anymore.
“Why the hell are you yelling? Para kang baliw, tahimik ng office ko oh.” singhal ko.
She grasped for air for a minute, breathing heavily. Lumapit ito sa desk para kumuha ng tubig at uminom. Pagkatapos nito ay umupo na siya sa couch sabay de-kwatro.
“Anastasia Louise Villanueva...” sabi nito at tinignan ako diretso sa mata.
Tinaasan ko naman siya ng kilay at nagbigay ng nagtatakang mga tingin. Ano ba kasing problema ng babaeng ‘to?
“What do you need from me, Ms. Bernardo?”
“Katakot naman ‘pag surname lang girl.”
“Whatever. Bakit ba kasi nagmamadali kang pumunta rito? Do you have something important to say?” sabi ko rito at tumayo sa swivel chair ko para lapitan siya.
“Kita mo na ba new intern natin? Pogi niya, type mo.” nakangising wika nito.
“What the hell? Hindi ko pa nga nakikita type ko agad. Igagaya mo ako sa iyo?” singhal ko.
“HEH. Type mo naman kasi talaga ‘yung mga matangkad na moreno na medyo softie ‘di ba? Tapos academic achiever pa at mabait—soft spoken din at nagsisimula sa letter R ang name.” mas lalong lumawak ang ngisi nito at tinaas baba ang mga kilay niya.
Napaisip ako bigla sa mga sinabi niyang features ng “type ko”. Suddenly, my eyes widened nang ma-realize ko kung sino ang tinutukoy niya.
But that’s impossible?
“Yes girl, tama ‘yang nasa isip mo.” dagdag nito.
“Raul ng Engineering Department??” napatayo kong tanong.
“Boba! Ranouli Hernandez bes. R-A-N-O-U-L-I, Ranouli ‘yung ex mo!” sigaw nito sa akin.
Parang gumuho ang mundo ko nang marinig ang pangalan niya. WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK? My drop-dead-gorgeous ex is here?
Nagpo-process pa lang ang lahat sa utak ko nang may sinabi si Pau sa akin na mas sumira ng utak ko.
“Pero wala pa tayo sa exciting na part. Ranouli will be your intern, that means you have to supervise and guide him for THREE MONTHS. Good luck girl, karma is waiting on you sa labas.”
Tangina. Just “tangina”. What the hell did I do wrong in my past life to be this miserable? Out of all people, si Ranouli Hernandez pa talaga?
I am still guilty for what I have did to him. Fuck, I bet he’s so mad at me for pushing and breaking him like that and left him afterwards.
“Pau, my favorite girl. Can we please exchange interns? Haha you know what I did in the past right? I can’t face him after doing that. Please Pau Pau.” I begged.
“Girl. FYI, hindi tinatakasan ang mga kasalanang ginawa mo. Akala ko ba naka-move on ka na? Then you shouldn’t be afraid facing him.” she said as she crossed her arms.
“Also, Ranouli deserves a good explanation and an apology. I know the reason kung bakit mo ‘yon ginawa but it’s all over now. Mr. Hernandez is a great man, and once a perfect boyfriend to you, we all know that. Again, it’s all over—unless mahal mo pa rin siya.” dagdag nito.
“Of course I moved on! Okay, fine. I’ll do it.” I sighed.
No, I don’t want to do it—and I’m still not over him. Well, I want to do it because I missed him so bad but I still love Ran. I freaking do love him, for real.
As what Pauline said, Ran is a great man. He’s every girl’s dream man—but I just left him like that. He never failed on making me happy, making me feel valued, and making me feel like I was a princess, like I was his world. He gives me more than bare minimum. To be his woman is like being the luckiest woman in the world. I’m not exaggerating, he is that PERFECT.
I was about to sit down to relax and process things after Pauline left the office but suddenly, someone knocked on the door.
“Fuck. Is that him?” I flinched and fixed my look in front of the mirror as fast as I can.
Agad din akong umupo sa couch na inupuan namin kanina at kumuha ng libro. Props is necessary sa mga situation like this, guys.
I released a heavy sigh and cleared my throat. “Come in.” I said.
I took a glance at the door while it is being opened by someone but to my surprise, it wasn’t him.
“Manager Tan. What’s the matter?” I asked—hiding the disappointment in my face.
“Oh, sorry to interrupt your study, General Manager. Director sent me here para ipakilala sa inyo ang isu-supervise niyo na intern.”
Oh shit. He’s really here.
“Mr. Hernandez, please come in.” he ordered.
When he came in, I stood up—not showing any emotions. Like I am not into him anymore, like he’s just a complete stranger.
Our eyes met and I can see the surprised look on his face. Nothing’s new, he’s still as fine as before.
“Lou...”
“Welcome to Villafuerte Company, Mr. Ranouli Hernandez.”
