The Virgin Mother ✔

Someone's eyes

Paglabas ko ng elevator, sumalubong sa akin si Jeena para sabihing may bisita ako. "Good morning, Miss Romero! You have a visitor nga po pala."

Kumunot ang noo ko. Ng ganito kaaga? Magkakaroon ako ng bisita? "Who?"

"He said he is Mon Alejandro, ma'am. Raymond Ephraim G. Alejandro?"

I rolled my eyes upwards. "Really? Why, is he here?"

"Ang sabi niya po ma'am, basta hihintayin ka na lang po niya. Fifteen minutes ago na po siyang narito." I sighed.

Pagpasok ko, nakaupo sa upuan ko si Raymond at nakangiti. He smiled like he was in a toothpaste commercial. Inirapan ko siya. "And why are you here this early?"

"Good morning rin, Marie." Sagot niya at tumayo na papunta sa couch at doon naupo. Did I greet him?

"I have many things to do, you know. I'm a busy woman. Hindi dahil kaibigan kita, kahit anong oras ay pupunta ka rito without a notice." I sarcastically said.

"Hahaha! Sorry ma'am, but would you mind if we talk about business? I have an offer. Pero kung ayaw mo, I can leave n--"

"No, dyan ka lang. Jeena, you may leave. But please buy a latte for this boy here, then buy me a ham and egg sandwich." Sabi ko sa secretary ko at nag-abot ng pera sabay nagpaalam na rin siyang umalis.

"Thank you, Marie. Kala ko kinalimutan mo na ako eh. And I'm not a boy, I can even have as many babies using my--" He proudly said.

"You don't say that in my office! You're a jerk!" Sabi ko at akmang ihahagis na sa kanya ang napulot kong stapler na nasa desk ko. He is a good man, pero ewan ko ba rito at lumalabas ang kademonyohan minsan. May bumubulong yata sa kanya.

"Kidding aside, I have an offer.."

I eagerly listened to him. It was like he is presenting his project to another investors already! Magaling talaga mag-present si Raymond. That's why.. Wala pa yata siyang presentation na narereject ng kahit sino.

"Oh my god, that's good, Mon!" I was enticed by his offer. Gusto niya raw ipropose ang idea niya sa lolo niya na gusto niya ng isang resort hotel and casino near Manila Bay. However, maraming competitions dahil maraming ganun rin doon.

"Do you think I can.. do it? Lalo na kung si lolo ang kaharap ko?" Nagaalangan niyang tanong.

"Mon, ngayon ka pa ba nag-alala? From the foundation, materials to be used, up unto the amenities and staff, you won't be rejected. Besides, nareject ka na ba?" I said this to heighten his confidence. "Sampalin kaya kita para magising ka?"

He softly chuckled. "Thank you, Marie. If you're not there, I won't be able to do this."

"No, because you really can. Dad will be coming to that meeting, for sure." Nagtawanan kami.

Kumatok si Jeena. "Ma'am, ito na po." Nilapag nya sa harap namin ang pinabili ko.

"Thank you, Jeena." Then she answered with a slight nod and smile.

"Oh ayan pa-kape ko sayo. Umalis ka na!"

"Can't I stay longer? Wala kasi akong gagawin sa office ngayong araw eh." He said then he sipped his coffee then I took a bite of the sandwich.

"Bahala ka. Umalis ka na lang pag bored ka na. Ako, maraming gagawin."

"Pinapaalis mo na talaga ako? Come on, you've been so lonely without a man as your partner, let me be just for a day." Narinig ko ang mahinang pagtawa niya.

Binato ko na talaga yung isang softbound book na medyo malapad at sinangga niya gamit ang braso. "Sobra ka na, Raymond Ephraim! Get out!"

"Kaya walang nanliligaw sayo eh, you're too scary."

"Isa!"

"Fine, fine.. I'll behave. Just let me stay here." He said while suppressing his laugh. I looked sharply at him. "I'll behave, I promise!"

As I was busy doing something on my laptop, Mon is so gabby. He randomly asks work unrelated questions.

"Marie, how many kids do you want to have if you're already married?"

Hindi agad ako nakasagot. I already have a kid, by chance.. or not.
Naisip ko si Angelo. Hindi ko rin naman masabi kay Raymond na may batang nakatira sa condo unit ko. Hindi ko rin naman pwedeng sabihin kahit kanino, na may anak akong nanggaling sa kwintas na suot ko.

Napatingin ako sa kaibigan ko. "I.. don't know." I softly answered.

I bit my lower lip. Okay, I'll be brave. "Mon, what do you think of someone who has a child, but the child claims that he was from a necklace but the child is saying that he's a hundred percent sure they're related? He already has a name, and he's around four to six years old."

He frowned and his mouth is slightly opened. "That is so ridiculous. Baka akyat-bahay yung bata? How did he get there?"

"I know, right? But the kid look so angelic, and very polite. It's as if he's schooled and taught of GMRC."

"I'm a fan of some sort of fantasy stories, Marie. But that, I don't know.. Saan mo nabasa yan? Let me read it too."

"Ha? Ah, no.. no. Just.. someone told me that story."

"Ah.. if that's a story, that's pretty interesting, huh?"

"I think so.."

I was lost in my own thoughts when I heard his phone rang. "Hello?.. Ah, yes?.. Really?.. But that wasn't in my schedule today... Fine, I'll go back..."

"Marie. Had to go! My schedule for today is clear but my secretary called and said that we'll be having a meeting with the board members." Paalam niya.

"Oh, okay. Take care." We smiled at each other.

Natigilan ng kaunti si Raymond nang may kumatok sa pinto. Bumukas iyon at si Enzo ang nakita ko. Malapit na rin sa pinto si Raymond at nakita siya n Enzo. "S-sorry, Ms.Romero and sir. I just have to give this."

"Bakit hindi mo na lang ipinabigay kay Jeena? Hindi mo na rin naman kailangan pumunta pa rito unless you have to say anything?"

Mon waved goodbye and I nodded at him.

"Sorry, ma'am. I just believe.. It's more formal if I'll be the one to send this to you." He handed me a clear book and I opened. Puro mga reports at may proposal rin ng marketing department para sa marketing strategies at iba pa. I scanned them and I can tell they're really good.

"It's you who did this, right?" Tumingin ako sa kanya pero nakayuko naman siya. Why is he avoiding my gaze?

Bahagyang tumayo ako para makita kung ano ang tinitingnan niya. Sapatos niya.

"Yes, ma'am. But if you'll reject, I'll make--"

"No, no. It's actually one of the best I have seen. The reports are more detailed, and the proposals were more elaborated. I hope I'll be seeing more of your reports this way." I am so satisfied as I read more.

"Will you look at me? To know I'm positively appraising your performance." I am smiling and he slowly lifted his gaze to me.

"Talaga po?" He took off his glasses and he look straight into my eyes. He has a nice pair of honey-colored eyes.

"Y-yes.. and.." Why did I stutter?
"And.. I think, you haven't changed your style yet. Hindi ba sinabi ko sayo noon? Have you forgotten?" Umiwas siya ng tingin at tumingin ulit sa sapatos niya.

"Sorry, ma'am. Tomorrow, I will," He looked at me again. "It's an order from you." Why did his voice sent chills down to my spine? Ngayon lang 'to ah!