[ WANTED: BFF ]

[ 2 ] Companion?

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It's already past seven, pero wala pa rin yung applicant.

Usually, kahit papaano ay may hiya naman yung applicants kaya lagi silang nauuna sa akin sa meetings. I don't like waiting for others, so I always arrive on the exact time I called the meeting for. Meaning, exactly seven a.m ako dumating dito sa Starbucks. Pero anak ng tapa nga naman, wala pa yung dapat na mas maaga sa'kin. Nahiya naman ako sa kanya, no?!

Pero dahil kahit papaano naman ay may bahid pa din ako ng kabutihan, I'll give her a chance until 7:15. So for the meantime, I opened my e-mail to double check the applicant's biodata. To be honest, hindi ko na masyadong pinagtutuunan ng pansin ang personal info nila. Ang kailangan ko lang naman malaman ay ang name, address, at picture just in case na pagtangkaan akong lasunin o kung ano. Security measures, kumbaga. Pero imba din talaga itong bagong aplikanteng to. Walang 2x2 picture sa sinend na biodata! Sabi nya, ihahabol na lang daw nya ang picture ngayon, at tutal magkikita din naman kami. Pero syempre, hindi ako pwedeng maging kampante so I still made sure my bodyguard is on standby outside.

Nang mag time check ulit ako, 7:15 na. I felt somewhat irritated and belittled dahil naghintay pa ako sa taong mas pa-VIP pa sa akin. Kaya bago pa tuluyang tumaas ang alta-presyon ko, I started gathering my things to leave. But then, someone entered the glass doors, making me stop.

It was a guy.

He was wearing a fitted neon green shirt, and skinny jeans na sa sobrang skinny ay parang naghihingalo na yung "ano" nya. Dahil sa kakaiba nyang outfit, lahat ng tao dito sa Starbucks sa kanya nakatingin. Pero mukhang immune na sya, at dahan dahan pang tumingin sa paligid. Ako na lang ang nahiya para sa kahindik hindik nyang fashion sense.

Nagsimula na syang maglakad, at medyo ilang segundo pa ang lumipas bago ko ma-realize na papunta sya sa direksyon ko. I looked around me. Ako lang ang nakaupo sa area na to. Oh no. Please don't tell me...

"Miss Kate Villanueva?" He asked as he removed his shades. At aba!

Naka eyeliner pa ang baklita!

"Yes...," I stated carefully, dahil medyo confused pa ang pagkatao ko. Ngumiti naman ang lalaki--este bakla--at umupo sa harap ko. He held out his hand for a handshake.

"Hi, I'm Shane Hermosa!"

Napataas ang kilay ko. So you mean... ang applicant na hinihintay ko... ay sya?

Hindi ko pinansin ang kamay nya kaya binaba nya na lang. "Pasensya na girl kung na-late ako. Ngayong umaga na din kasi ako nagpa 2x2 para fresh na fresh ako sa picture. Ang hirap pa ngang pakiusapan nung staff sa photo studio, masyado pa daw maaga para mag open pero dahil maganda ako, di nya rin ako natiis! Kabog!"

Ngiti niya, at linapag sa lamesa ang dalawang 2x2 picture. Pero nakatitig pa rin ako sa kanya. I still can't believe I failed to check the applicant's gender. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko since I never had a male applicant ever before.

"Huy girl! Natulala ka na sa beauty ko!" Biro nya habang kumaway kaway para matigil ako sa pagkatulala. Pinilit kong bumalik sa ulirat, at inilabas na lang ang envelope na naglalaman ng contract. Oh whatever. I never assigned a gender specification, anyway. Besides, wala namang mawawala.

"That contract contains everything you need to know about this agreement. Be reminded that all the terms and policies are strictly implemented, and in case of disobedience, the rightful punishment depends on my judgement of the situation. That means I have the right to terminate the contract if I deem necessary. I'll forgive your tardiness for now since you're not aware of the rules yet, but next time, it will result to the immediate termination of the contract. Once I have signed the termination sheet, it cannot be undone, and you will no longer be allowed to apply again."

Tumango-tango lang sya habang binabasa ang contract. I continued.

"As for the payment period, it comes every 7 days, starting the day you sign the contract. The amount will not be revealed for now due to security issues, but I assure you won't be disappointed."

"Whoa whoa wait... ang payment period ay every week? Ganun kabilis???"

I merely nodded, all the while fighting the urge to smirk.

Oo, ganun kabilis, dahil wala pang nakakatagal ng one week.

"Once you sign, you are required to give me all your social media accounts, mobile or telephone numbers, or other means of communication. If you have further questions, feel free to ask."

"I have a question," nagtaas sya ng kamay, at may kakaibang ngiti ang naglalaro sa mga labi nya. Parang nakakaloko. Medyo napataas tuloy ang kilay ko.

"Yes, what is it?"

"What do you benefit out of this contract?"

I was caught off guard by his question. Kahit mahigit isangdaan na yata ang nag-apply sa akin, wala pang nagtanong nun. Bakit feeling ko kakaiba ang takbo ng utak ng baklang ito?

"A companion... I guess."

He just smiled, but there was something about his gaze. Na parang may alam sya sa akin na hindi niya dapat alam. And to be honest, it slightly made me uncomfortable. After a few seconds, he finally signed the contract, pero nanduon pa rin yung nakakaloko nyang ngiti. Ewan ko ba, pero parang nairita ako kaya naisipan kong ibalik sa kanya ang tanong nya.

"How about you? What will you benefit out of this contract?"

Medyo pakikay pa nyang tinapik tapik ang labi habang nag-iisip. "Hmmm... experience?"

I narrowed my eyes, pero ngumiti lang ulit siya. "So, BFF, when do I start?"

Medyo pumitik ang ugat ko dahil sa salitang yun. Ugh, kalma. Kelangan maging composed. "I suggest you refer to me as Miss Kate."

I stood up and motioned for him to follow me. "You're going to accompany me for a photoshoot. You start now."

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[A/N]: Tag nyo na tropa nyong bading! 😂