Master of my Inferno

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

I'VE BEEN READING the invitation card on my office table for three minutes. A Fundraising event. SCAFIH—the event's name, which stands for Shelters, Clothes and Food in Hand. It's a pledge drive, run by Trent Alfonso, a Philanthropist. It helps children and teenagers that are in need. Since Leandro is friends with the owner of the Drive, he volunteered as one of the sponsors of this year's Fundraising event.

I didn't even know that Leandro has a Philanthropist friend. He didn't tell me.

"I need a date." Steph said, almost shouting. "I am a strong independent woman but this time, I want a date!"

"It's fine. Hindi naman required ang may date." Binalik ko sa mini envelope ang invitation at saka iyon inilagay sa drawer.

"It's not required, I know. But I want to have a date! It's a big charity event. Lahat ng best friends ni Sir Mancini ay pupunta doon."

"Best friends?" Sa ilang buwan ko sa kompanya at sa ilang buwan ko ring kasama si Leandro ay hindi niya iyon nasabi. Iyong owner nga lang ng fundraising event ang alam kong kaybigan ni Leandro, at kanina ko lang nalaman.

"Yeah. You still don't stalk your boyfriend on the internet?" Umiling ako, sa tingin ko kasi ay okay na iyong mga sinasabi ni Monnet tungkol kay Leandro.

"Do I need to stalk him? That feels illegal." Maybe I should ask him instead.

"He has.." she started counting, "Six best friends, including Hawk, his cousin. You've met him, I bet."

"Yeah. I've met him. Pero isang beses lang. At saka hindi ko alam na bukod sa pinsan ay best friend din niya si Hawk. Mukha kaya siyang galit dun." Mahinang anas ko sa huling sinabi ko.

Six best friends? That's too much. Nakakatampo lang dahil hindi ko sila kilalang lahat. And Leandro has this pact, a mantra for me, beware of his cousins. Siguro kaya hindi ko masyadong kilala si Hawk.

"Huh? So, you do not have any idea about his friends?" Kumunot ang noo niya na parang hindi makapaniwala. Ako rin! "They are hot bachelors." Aniya, namumula pa ang mukha.

"It's not that important. Don't worry." I never imagined I would gaslight myself. Leandro knows about my best friend, but why didn't he introduce me to his friends?

"It's important to me." Natatawang anas niya, "I think they are single. Siguro ay lalandiin ko ang isa sa friends ni Sir para may date ako? Ang ganda ko kaya."

Hindi ko mapigilang tumawa, "You're crazy, Steph."

"Ah, basta." Lumapit siya sa pintuan at muling bumaling sa'kin, "Killer gown ang isusuot ko, at sisiguraduhin kong may makakapansin sa akin." Dagdag pa niya at saka tuluyang lumabas sa opisina ko.

Shit, isa pa pala iyon sa kailangan kong gawin. What should I wear? Anyway, I have at least eight days to prepare. I can search online or ask Monnet to help me.

After a full twenty minutes, someone knocked on my door.

"Good morning, Veronica." He's smiling, kinda jumpy, like a real golden retriever.

"Good morning, Hail. What can I do for you?" Ngumiti ako at saka ko inayos ang table ko, sinenyasan ko rin siya na maupo sa sofa malapit sa table.

"I just want to ask about my book? Have you read it?"

"Hindi pa. Sorry. I was busy." Good thing at nakita ko iyong libro sa ibabaw ng table ko, sinabi ni Steph na siya ang naglagay no'n.

"My bad. It has a great storyline, Veronica."