Behind All These (JB Fan Fic)

IV

"You have a meeting with Architect Reyes at 9:45 a.m in the conference room. 2 p.m in the conference room again with the stockholders. That's all, Ms. Bea", I tapped my pen on the desk as I looked up to my secretary, Martha.

"Uhm, Martha? Can you cancel my meeting with the stockholders?"

"Pardon, Miss?"

"I won't attend the meeting in the afternoon. Mr. de Leon and Mr. Maraguinot will be there anyways", I smiled. I saw her jittering, her hands shook as she noted my schedule.

"Hindi po ba magagalit si Mr. de Leon", I just shook my head.

"I'll be off from work after my meeting with Architect Reyes. By the time you're done doing your tasks, you may take the rest of the day to spend time with your family. It's a Friday naman."

I stood up from my chair and went out of my office, leaving Martha there while writing the changes in my schedule.

"Ito na po yung coffee na pinasabay niyo, Ms. Bea", abot ni Gina nung Starbucks sakin. Sakto namang papunta siya sa office ko at nakasalubong ko siya. After saying my thanks, nagdiretso na ko ng lakad pero mukhang nagtataka yung iilan sa direction na tinatahak ko. "Get back to work, everyone. Lunch break punta nalang kayo lahat sa pantry. Magpapa deliver tayo to celebrate for the successful launching of the new seasonal products", I stopped walking for a while to announce.

They clapped their hands as part of the celebration and smiled at me. I just nodded my head and was about to enter Jho's office nang bigla akong pigilan ni Gina. "May importanteng kausap ba", I asked.

She shrugged, "Si Marci lang po, Miss. Baka gusto ng privacy, manliligaw."

"Di tinotolerate sa office natin yan.", medyo inis na sabi ko. Binaling ko ang atensyon ko sa mga workers na nasa may kanya kanyang cubicle lang. "We're not stopping you from your love agendas and such but let this be a reason para gumanda ang performance niyo sa work. Wala rin namang office policy na bawal magdate ang officemates pero I hope as much as possible, 'wag naman kayo lantaran na nagbibigayan ng kung ano ano. Is that clear?"

They answered yes in unison. "And Ms. umagang umaga may pa-sunflower bouquet na po agad kay Ms. Jhoana. Very good na ata morning ng boss ko. Buti naman at di siya magsusungit", natatawang pahayag ni Gina.

Si Gina, close ko talaga 'to. Naging secretary din kasi ito ni Daddy John at noon pa man madalas ko na siyang nakakausap. Tumawa nalang ako sa sinabi niya at tinapik siya. "Papasok na ko ah?"

"Ms. Bea, baka nga gusto po ng privacy."

At sakto naman, bumukas ang pinto ng office ni Jhoana at lumabas si Marci kasama si Jho na dala ang bag. Napakunot ang noo ko sa pagtataka. Lalabas sila?

"Hi, Bea", bati ni Marci.

"Hey", ngiti kong tipid sa kanya. Aba naman, Jhoana may hawak pang bouquet ng white rose. Could this day get any worse? "Babalik na ko sa office ko", sabi ko kay Gina na nagtataka ata. Kanina papasok dapat ako sa office ni Jho pero ngayong nasa labas naman ito di ko kinausap.

"Ay Ms. may sasabihin pa nga po pala ako sa'yo. Nakasalubong ko po kasi si Mr. Maraguinot kanina kaya ako na nautusan niya", she was scratching her nape na parang nagaalangan sa sasabihin. Bakas din sa mukha ni Jhoana ang pagtataka. Hindi pa sila umaalis.