He Was My Cousin

Chapter 18

Pls tell me if sobrang bagal na ng takbo ng story. TGIF!

Chapter 18
My Office

I met him in the eye. Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. Bahagya ko namang tinulak ang balikat niya. I couldn't think straight because he was invading my personal space!

"Just tell me your rate and stop messing up with me," sabi ko nang kusa na siyang lumayo sa akin.

Hinawi niya ang mga nakalagay sa isang parte ng mesa at tuluyan siyang umupo roon. He's still a bit close but this proximity was better than earlier. Pero 'pag in-extend ko ang kamay ko sa mesa ay kaya ko pa ring hawakan ang tuhod niya.

"That's the payment I want to receive... your service."

"Service? What service?" I asked, horrified. Napatakip ako bigla sa dibdib ko.

He looked at me as if I did something weird. "You'll work for me... for ABF Cafe, and I'll work for your school."

Inayos ko ang aking mga kamay at ipinatong 'yon sa aking hita. I was wearing a pencil cut skirt. "Why would I do that?"

I am not up for his games! Can't he get that?

"So you'd have your accountant," sabi niya habang minumuestra na naman ang sarili.

I rolled my eyes. "Pwede ba, Paolo? Just say your rate!"

"Tss! Opportunity cost, Miss. Your money wouldn't be able compensate me for my loss. Kung hindi ko tatanggapin ang trabahong 'yan, mas kikita ako kung ilalaan ko ang oras ko sa ibang bagay. So let's just make it fair, you'll lose and I'll lose too."

Hinampas ko ang hita ko sa inis ko sa kanya. What's wrong with him and his freaking logic? He's not making sense!

"Why don't you just freaking claim the offered salary and invest it to wherever?!" Tumingala ako sa kanya at matalim siyang tinignan.

Napadapo ang titig niya panandalian sa hita kong hinampas ko. Umiling-iling siya, "I don't need that. I need someone to work for me."

Sumandal ako sa upuan at hinimas-himas ang sentido ko. "Have you forgotten I am a school directress, Paolo? Ano na lang ang mukhang ihaharap ko kung makita ako ng mga magulang ng nga estudyante namin na nagse-serve rito?"

I don't have issues with jobs like that! I've experienced working behind the cash register for a convenience store in the US while I was taking my masters. It was okay then because I didn't have students yet who'd see me! Or their parents, if ever. Ang sa akin lang, it's different now! I can't do that anymore. I want to build my school's reputation, not ruin it!

Tumawa siya nang malakas. "Grabe ka naman, Aya. Hindi naman kita pagse-serve-in dito! Baka patayin ako ng tatay mo kung nagkataon."

Kumunot ang noo ko. Then what am I supposed to do? What service am I supposed to give?

"Ganito kasi 'yon... May pastry shops event sa February the next year. It's called Bake Manila. It's organized annually by Bakers Manila, you probably have seen them in magazines... They're one of the biggest concessionaires in the country. Tapos sa darating na taon, ka-partner pa nila 'yung Crema Deli Food Corp. I decided ABF Cafe will join that event. Magandang opportunity kasi 'yon, tska marketing na rin."

Nakatingala lang ako sa kanya all the while, nakikinig. "So, you want to be business partners?" tanong ko.

Malakas ang ABF, alam ko. Pero kung business partner o investor ang hanap niya pala, parang hindi ko kaya. Puro intrega ako ng pera sa school para sa construction, wala akong maibibigay sa kanya.

Ngumisi siya, "Delusional, aren't we?"

Kulang na lang ay magbuga ng apoy 'yung ilong ko sa kayabangan ng lalaking 'to! Saksak mo sa baga mo 'yang pera mo! I don't care! Basta ba gawin mo ang financial reports sa school ko!