TULOY PA RIN

Chapter 3

I knocked on the door of Mr. Slough's office. "Come in." He said. "Ah! Ms. Espinosa! What is it?"

"Good morning, sir. Am I disturbing you?" I asked politely. "No, no. sit. What is it?" umupo naman ako agad sa sinabi niya.

"Sir, I can no longer serve here in your company." napalunok pa ako ng laway baka sakaling may laway pa nga akong nalulunok sa kaba. Napaayos naman din siya ng upo. "Why?" he asked.

"Sir, I decided to have more time with my son and at the same time, rest. I also found a good business to start with for me and my son." sabi ko naman at I saw him smile a bit.

"What business?" he asked. "Cakery, sir." I was shocked by his reaction.

"Really?! Where? I'd love to be your first customer on your store soon." He said. I was really surprised. Akala ko saying what I really want to do with my life will get him mad. "Near our place, sir. I will be delighted to see you once I open our store. Thank you, sir." I said.

"I'll help you invest in your store." He said at ngumiti naman siya. Nicest boss ever pagdating sa ganito pero kapag sa work na asahan mo na ang pagiging OA niya. "Thank you, sir." I said.

"Thank you also, Ms. Espinosa." He said and then umalis na ako to fix my things up. Ready to go.

-

"Saan ka pupunta, Auds?" tanong nung bakla kong co-worker. "Pinopromote ko nanaman ba sa mas mataas na position?" tanong naman ni Alliah, tropa ng bakla.

I was about to answer nang biglang dumating ang isang malaking frog. "Well, well, well, ano nanaman to? paasa effect? sipsip? Grabe naman, Ms. Espinosa! Are you really that desperate para makuha si Mr. Christian Slough?"

Natawa naman ako sa sinabi niya and saktong sakto lang din ang pagpasok ni Mr. Christian Slough a.k.a Mr. Grey sa office ko. "Exaggerated na masyado yan. Aalis na ako dito and hindi ako desperate makuha si Mr. Slough mo. He's all yours kung gusto nga lang niya.." I said at napalingon kay Mr. Grey.

"Akin talaga siya at magiging akin talaga siya!" Sigaw sigaw niya while I'm walking palabas ng office at sakto rin naman ang timing niya ng mga pinagsasasabi niya dahil nandon ang boss niya.

Napatigil naman ako sa paglalakad at humarap kay Sarah. "Huwag ka masyadong maingay, nandyan yung sinasabihan mo. Goodbye, guys." I said na may kasamang pangaasar. I can't help but to smile ng napakasama sa naging reaksyon niya when she saw Mr. Slough. So embarrassing.

Pagbaba ko sa ground floor. Humabol pala si Mr. Slough. "Ms. Espinosa!" I heard his voice so napalingon naman ako sa likod ko. "Sir? bakit po?" I asked. Well, I know why he called me pero what will I answer kase.

"Aalis ka na? why?" he asked. "More time with my family, I guess." I said and then I nodded. Pabebe.

"Bilis naman.. pero I can still visit him on Christmas diba?" he's referring to Jace. "Oo naman, Sir." sabi ko at deretso naman ako palabas ng building.

-

"I think perfect spot na to for our shop? What do you think, ma?" tanong ko kay mama while parehas kaming nakatingin sa isang for sale na space. Perfect spot na to kase it is not that dangerous lalo na kapag gabi. Malayo naman to sa mga masasamang tao at sa mga may masasamang balak.

"Nak, palinis mo na! Excited na kami ni daddy mo para dito!" sabi naman ni mama na parang seryoso pero hindi naman talaga. We went home by the time I called the cleaners para linisin nga yon.

Karga karga ko si Jace habang nagpapatulong ako kay mama para sa perfect interior ng cakery namin. I want it to be simple. I want to remember Je through this na kahit sa ganitong paraan I can still feel his presence pero secret ko lang to. Ako at si Jace lang makakaalam neto.