Dress Me Up Or Dress Me Down

XI

“Yeah, I’m inside the building na. Okay.” Tugon ko kay Sam bago ibaba ang tawag.

Sumakay na ako sa loob ng elevator at pinindot ang fifth floor button. Magsasara na sana ang mga pinto nito nang may humabol na sasakay.

It was Axel.

He went inside like it was not a big deal. Na para bang wala ako sa loob kasama siya. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako ang mas apektado sa aming dalawa when I was the one who pushed him away.

The entire elevator ride was tremendously slow and agonizing. Finally, the elevator doors opened as Axel immediately stepped off, giving his back to me. I was about five steps away from him.

Seeing his back made my heart hurt. Pakiramdam ko kasi ay naglalakad na siya papalayo sa akin ng tuluyan. Ako ang nagtulak papalayo sa kaniya pero bakit parang ako ang hindi makaalis sa aming dalawa?

Nang makapasok na ako sa loob ng office ay agad akong binati ni Kazi at Caleb na nakaupo sa crème leather couch. May mga hawak silang music sheets. Naupo si Axel sa tabi nila at kinuha ang mga natitirang music sheets sa mesa.

“What are you doing here, Tori?” tanong sa akin ni Kazi.

“Sam and I will be talking about the requirements for my internship,” sagot ko sa kaniya. “I’ll go inside na.” pagpapaalam ko sa kaniya at kay Caleb.

Pumasok na ako sa loob ng opisina ni Samuel. He was typing something on his Macbook Pro, he looked so preoccupied with what he’s doing that he didn’t notice that I’ve already seated on the chair in front him.

I cleared out my throat in an attempt to catch his attention. It worked as he lifted his eyes away from his laptop.

“Tori, you’re here. Sorry, I didn’t notice you.”

I smiled at him. “It’s fine, sir Sam. You look really busy,”

“I’m organizing the stuff the boys need for their upcoming concert this year.” Sagot niya. Sam looked tired but there’s a glint of happiness in his eyes.

“Wow. They’re really making it big.”

“The boys really worked hard for the past two years to make this happen.”

I am genuinely happy for the guys because I know how dedicated they are to their work.

Matapos pirmahan ni Sam ang mga requirements para sa internship at next week na ako officially magsisimula as their junior stylist. Nabanggit niya rin sa akin na next week ko na rin makikilala si Frances, ang bagong head stylist ng MX.

Magkakaroon din ng outdoor shoot ang MX para sa isang sportswear na sila ang mga modelo. Sa isang beach daw magaganap ang shoot bago matapos ang buwan, which is two weeks from now.

Nakuha ko na rin ang bayad sa akin ni Sam in cash. Kaya naman ay pupunta ako sa school para i-settle na ang balance ko. Mabuti na lang at may naiipon ako kahit papaano.

Nakarating na ako sa school at nagpunta sa administration building at nagbayad na.

“You’re almost past the due date, Miss Del Valle.” Ms. Santiago, a financial staff, said.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Santiago. I’ll do better next semester.” Tugon ko sa kaniya. She just gave me a curt nod and handed me my receipt. I said thanks and went out the building.

My cellphone rang and I saw Cris’ caller ID. “Yes mamsh?”

“Nasa school ka bakla? I’m at the coffee shop.”