In Screaming Color

Chapter 7

Bea's POV

It has been two weeks since Jho and I started to become co-workers in this company. Two weeks of overtime because of waiting for her to go home, two weeks of no party and no drinks, two weeks of ignoring text messages from friends who are dying to see me. Yes! It has been two weeks and now people are  exaggerating.

"You have a meeting with the stockholders later at 10 am. You're mother will be there. I will notify you minutes before we should leave. And then uh, you'll have lunch with Ms. Maraguinot at a Korean restaurant, would you like me to notify a driver or do you prefer driving?"

Ria asking with a straight face yet I know deep down her throat that she is bursting in laughter. I raised an eyebrow at her and she nodded as if she got the answer to her question.

"Alone time, you'll drive. Got it." she scribbled as if taking a note and scanned further to her planner to continue. "Also, you have documents that needs your signature, I will give it later to you-oh wait. I'm sorry, there must be a mistake. Oh yeah. Mali nga. I will have Ms. Maraguinot give it to you. I'm sorry for that one." She chuckled apologetically but tease eyeing me. If that's even a term.

I shook my head for I can't even think of a way to react to her childish actions. She can't even comfortably call me in my name outside work and yet she's playing an inside joke inside my very own office. An inside joke I fully understand!

"May I continue po?"

"Whatever your heart desire!"

I waved my hand in a way Queen Elizabeth would do to tell her people to go on. Queen Elizabeth? Or was it something I saw on Princess diaries? Whatever.

"And later po, I know it sounds bizarre but do you want anything served as your snack? Coffee? Tea? French macaroons? Or something like the usual, what's that called again? Oh right. A Jhoana Maraguinot?"

"Laugh now before I fire you."

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" I rolled my eyes, gosh! She really did laugh. Perhaps I should fire her. "Wait wait! I'm sorry. I'm sorry Miss Bea." She pleaded between laughs.

Watching her struggle from stopping her laugh and breathing makes me worry she would die but then When I remember what she's been doing in the past 10 minutes makes me believe she deserves it. I went to the mini-fridge in my office and poured water in a glass before giving it to her.

"Thanks." She took a few gulps while holding my shoulder. "Wew."

"Are you done now?"

"Jeez Bei, I was just kidding. Pero pwede naman totohanin kung gusto mo."

"Kidding huh? Mukha ngang you're having the time of your life."

"C'mon. It has been a long time I had someone to tease on you. And in case you didn't notice, it brings the two of closer." She nudged me at the shoulders.

"It only makes you comfortable but you're on the verge of losing your job, Ri."

"I doubt. Hindi naman pikon 'tong boss ko eh. Diba? And it's nice to have a little fun, a few jokes in this room." I went back to my table and leaned to my seat.

"Not fun if the jokes on me. What is it ba with Jho and I?"

"Ay bakit 'te? Huli sa balita?" I gave her a warning look and she was quick on lifting her hands up. "Sorry, I mean Ms. Bea. Psh, wag kang ngang ganyan. Can I just be your friend and not your secretary for a couple of minutes?"

"Oo na."

"Well, what do you expect? Palagi kayong magkasama ni Jhoana, napapansin na yun ng lahat."