PGS05: In Fact, You Waited

IFYW00

"You're urgently needed here, Director Hughes." I received a text from my appointed manager.

I've just arrived from my 11-hour flight at ito agad ang bumungad sa'kin pagkabukas ko pa lang ng aking phone. Hula ko ay tungkol na naman ito sa nangyayaring kung ano na related sa kompanya.

They have an event right now. They're supposed to be merging with a local brand. I don't know where it is gonna be held, not that I care much about it.

This is my last day. I'm gonna give this up. There's no use in knowing the details anymore.

But based on his frantic texts, it looks like they won't let me go peacefully.
Someone better be dying or I'll bolt out right away. Totally uncalled for response for my position, but I'm just tired right now that I couldn't care to be acceptable.

Sinubukan kong tawagan si Sebastian at sumagot naman ito sa pangatlong ring. "Who's dying now?" I rolled my eyes because there's a huge chance that it's some exclusive model complaining that her wardrobe was full of reds instead of crimson.

I definitely wouldn't miss that part of the job.

"Miss, kanina pa po kayo rito hinahanap. Emergency po," nagmamadaling sagot nito.

"Then call a goddamn ambulance. I don't pay you to call me in every minor inconvenience, Seb!" I bursted, pissed. I've said it before and I won't get tired of saying it, but I'm clearly not fit for this job.

"Kasi, Ma'am... Kayo po yung pinaparequest."Napakunot naman ang noo ko sa tinuran nito.

"Ano? Artista ba 'ko at kailangan ng sample sa concert?! Ano at sinong nag-request?"

"Si Mr. Villarama po. Yung jowa niyo nung coll-"

"Send me the venue." Di ko na siya pinatapos sa sinasabi niya. I'm already starting my car.

"Well?" I followed up with a query dahil nanatiling tahimik ang linya. After hearing a text alert ay pinatay ko na ang tawag at dali-daling pumanhik.

°°°

Pagkapark ko pa lang ng sasakyan ay kita kong busy ang event. It's still ongoing. The lights are still blaring. I could say that I miss this shit but I would be lying.

Pagkababa ay sinalubong ako ng magaling kong assistant. Pawis na pawis ito at 'di malaman kung saan ilalagay ang mouthpiece nito pero sigurado akong mali na nakikita ko 'to sa noo niya.

"Ma'am buti dumating na kayo. I'll lead you to his room." He guided the way for us.

Tumango na lang ako at sinenyasan ang kasama kong doktor na sumunod. Minadali ko pa ito at dinaanan sa opisina niya. Pagkarating namin sa helera ng rooms sa taas ay kumatok siya sa isang pinto.

As soon as he opened the door I don't know what I was expecting, but certainly not this. The one who greeted us was a half-naked Olsteen. Tanging tuwalya lang ang nakatakip sa baba nito at may tumutulo pang tubig galing sa kaniyang buhok.

I wanted to stare longer but I averted it and quickly turned my gaze to Sebastian. Hoping that I can ask him telepathically about what the hell is happening right now. I thought he was the one in crisis.

Nang matapos siyang ngumanga sa view ay mabilis naman itong tumalima at tumuloy sa silid. Not minding the searing albeit wet glare that is directed at me, I followed Seb inside the room.

There, in the bed was a dishevelled woman who's whimpering while clutching the bedsheet. Agaran namang umaksiyon ang doktor para tingnan ang kalagayan nito. She's fully covered but the blood was seeping through the blanket. I just reacted. My eye twitched and whipped my eyes to the man beside me.

"What the fuck did you do?" I asked him accusingly. There's no other logical reason why there's a woman in distress in his room while he's barely dressed.

This is a scandal waiting to happen. Talagang sumakto pa na nangyari 'to kung kailan paalis na 'ko.

"You should ask me what the FUCK I didn't do instead." After tersely saying that, he just turned around and walked away like he had no care. Of what he might have done to this woman and what he just said to me.

This is not the Olsteen I know.

The man I loved.

The man I left behind.

I wanna be proud of him because he learned how to be dismissive and rude, but I don't know how to be happy when it was used against me.

He's gone from my sight and maybe gone from the rest of the world now. I've witnessed his growth from afar and I thought he's doing great.

Happy or at least at peace after what happened. He changed, but from what I just saw, it's definitely not for the better.