Princess Series Two: The Bitter Bitch

10: The Suitor

JASMINE

"You seem happier," komento ni Erella sa'kin at tinaasan ako ng kilay.

I smiled and sat beside her. "Wala, e. Masaya lang. Parang nawala 'yung mabigat na binubuhat ko."

"The heck?" aniya na nakakunot-noo. "Ano'ng drama mo ngayon, Jas?"

I chuckled. "Nothing, bi. Calm down, okay? I just feel... lighter."

Napailing siya. "Ewan ko sa'yo. Hindi ako maka-react. You're not even cussing, for goodness' sake!"

I laughed and kissed her cheek. "Oh, I love you! Alam mo 'yun?"

"Ang creepy mo," sabi niya at ngumiwi.

The door opened and Ari entered. Kasunod niya si Belle na may ka-text. They both sat in their respective seats and we all opened the laptops connected to the table in front of us. The conference room was a medium-sized room. Sapat lang para sa'min dahil pinagawa namin 'to para sa amin lang. There's a huge projector on one wall, and another is the file cabinets. Sa gitna ng room ay isang circular desk ba may limang upuan, where we are. Typical design, but professional and classy both at the same time.

"Hello, Ari dearest," bati ko.

Ngumiti siya. "How are you, Jas?"

"Fabulous," sagot ko at kumindat. Erella rolled her eyes beside me.

"Ready na kayo?" tanong ni Belle na nagt-text parin. Pusta ko'y si Prince ang ka-text niya.

"Mukhang ikaw ang 'di pa ready," saad ko kaya naman namumulang nag-angat siya ng tingin. Ni-lock niya ang phone niya at tumikhim kaya naman natawa ako, maski si Erella.

"Sorry, ladies. Man problems," sambit ni Belle. I snorted. "Anyway, the Reyes-Andres wedding is coming up. So far, maganda na ang progress natin. We still need to finalize some things, though. This is a big event."

We all nodded. So far, ito ang pinaka-prestigious offer namin. It's a full wedding--and not an ordinary one. It's the Andres clan. They're a big deal in the business world, lalo na dahil sakanila ang isa sa pinaka-malaking hacienda sa Southeast Asia. And that place is magnificent, kahit konti palang ang nakakakita. They're very secretive, which makes them even more on-demand.

"The layouts for the reception are good. Galing mo talaga, Jasmine."

Napangisi ako. "Ako pa?" ani ko.

"Wait. E, paano 'yung sa mismong church? Hindi ko pa nakita," singit ni Erella at nanlaki agad ang mata ko.

"Holy hell." Tinignan ko si Ari at Belle. "Puta, 'di ko nagawa 'yun!"

Bumuntong-hininga si Belle. "Kaya mo bang gawin? Sa Sabado ang deadline."

Napamura ulit ako. "Uh, yeah. Ibibigay ko 'yung draft by Friday and--"

"Huwag na 'yung draft," putol sa'kin ni Ari. "I-finalize mo nalang. Huwag mo nang ipa-check kasi baka matagalan pa lalo. Kaya mo 'yan."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Ayaw niyo bang makita? Change what you don't like?"

"We never do, anyway," sabi ni Belle. Ngumiti siya sa'kin. "We trust you and your talent, Jas. Alam kong 'di mo kami bibiguin. You got this."

I sighed. "Tangina talaga," mura ko pa minsan at nagpatuloy-tuloy na ang meeting namin. Paano ko naman nakalimutan ang church design? That's even more important than the reception! Boba ka, Jasmine!

=•=

Napairap ako nang makita ang isang pamilyar na lalaki'ng prenteng naka-upo sa guest lounge ng floor namin. Magsasalita na sana ako ng sikuin ako ni Erella at naalala kong kasama ko pala siya. Napatingin ako sakanya. "Oh, ano na naman?"