Chances (The Girl Ghost Writer 2)

Chapter 14

*PHONE RINGING*

Now, who's this nanaman? It's so early pa. Gosh! It's...

"SEVEN-THIRTY NA?!"

Dali-dali akong nag shower at hindi ko pinansin ang phone ko na nag riring. I need to drive pa. Sana maunahan ko si Tom sa car today. I badly need that. Today is the 1st day of work ko as director editor sa magazine na gagawin ng Sparks of course in partnership with K and D Company.

"I need to dress up. What to wear? What to wear?" hinalukay ko ang mga naka hang na damit. Tapos isa-isa kong tinignan sa salamin kung bagay ba sa akin. If not, thrown sa bed.

Biglang pumasok si Kaye na as usual, hindi kumakatok.

"Why so busy dressing up? Uh-oh. Nagpapaganda ka ba for Zed? Uh-oh."

"KAYEEEEENAAAAAAAAAH! ANO BA? I'M WEARING ONLY MY UNDIES TAPOS PUMASOK KA NA AGAD NG ROOM KO WITHOUT EVEN KNOCKING?!" Sa irita ko, nasigawan ko si Kaye.

"Chill. As if naman I haven't seen you wearing nothing. HAHAHAHAHA!"

"What to wear? Is this okay? Paired with this? Gosh, I'm in a rush!"

"Let me help you with that."

Kaye is searching for some clothes din na comfy with style. I'm not going to the office wearing formal clothes today. I'm planning to have the photoshoot taken by myself, of course.

Since, "Touching Lives" ang theme ng magazine which features the how K and D touch the lives of their employees and others through CSR, might as well capture the random faces of the people. Good thing was, I had Tom's permission to borrow his camera.

How I got my photography skills? I learned and ask a little help from Tom way back in New York.

"Kaye? Ano na?"

"I'm searching here."

Patuloy pa rin kami sa paghahanap ng damit. It's 7:45 now.

*PHONE KEEPS RINGING*

BOTH GIRLS: "SHUT UP!"

"Ah! Here. Try this."

It's a loose plain white long sleeved polo paired up with a dark blue jeans. Not bad.

"Here. To complete the style. Wear this belt and some accessories."

Then, I braided my hair and I'm ready to go.

"Is Tom using the car?"

"Naku! Mas maaga syang umalis. Hindi mo sinabi kasi. Why not wearing heels?".

"I'll be wandering around the city. Kaya comfy clothes sinuot ko. Though this is a bit formal but it's fine. Like it. I got to go."

"Aren't you gonna eat breakfast?"

"I'll eat somewhere. Oh! The camera."

"The camera is downstairs."

"Thanks, Kaye."  I kissed her on the cheeks. "Ciao!"

While riding a taxi...

"Gosh! I forgot my phone."

"Babalikan nyo ho ba, ma'am?"

"Hindi na, manong."

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Binati ako agad ng secretary ni Zed pagdating ko sa office. Sinabi rin nya na medyo mainit ang ulo nito.

"Angry monster." I whispered.

Pagpasok ko pa lanh, halata na ang aura nito. NEGATIVE. Phew! I just doubt why mas maraming empleyadong nananatili dito.

"Good morning!" I greeted him, cheerfully.

"Tell me. What's good with the morning? You're late," sarcastically, he told me that with a monstrous grin on his face.

Baka kainin ako ng buhay dito.

"Since you're here now, let's start." Tumayo sya sa kinauupuan at hinatid ako sa isang room na puno ng mga tao.

"This is the studio. This is Dick, the heas of the editing department. This are the models we've picked up for your ideas. Talk to Hilary for the photoshoot and Tim for the set-up. I'll be here the whole day to watch the progress."

"Wu-wait. I think you misunderstood the idea of the whole scenery. Am I right?"

"What do you mean?"

"Now you don't get the point. See this?" Lifting my camera. "...I'm going to shoot random people."

"WHAT?!" Napasigaw sya sa pagkabigla.

"Haven't you listening to the entire presentation, Mr. Seigfried?"

"Wait. Wala kang sinabi sa presentation mo na you'll do all the effort."

"Ah. I mentioned that. Slide 16. Remember? Of course. I'm compensated twice as my salary in Sparks. And the board agreed. Right?"

"WHAT?! WHA...AH...EH..."

"Oh my gosh. You're not listening. Next time, Mr. Seigfried, try asking me what to do. Alright? But I do need some assistance. Thanks for the staffs." I sarcastically do that to irritate him. Even his staffs ay halos mapatawa na dahil namumula sa galit at kahihiyan si Zed.

Umalis na ako. Baka ako pa ang mabugahan ng apoy sa ilong ni Monster Zed.

Nasa elevator na ako when hinarang ni Zed ang door nito.

"I'll go with you."

"You don't have to be there, Mr. Seigfried. I can manage."

I keep pushing the closed buttons para makababa na ako ng elevator when he hopped in.

"What were doing?"

"And I told you, no need. So you can relax now sa office mo and I do all the works."

"No. Sasama ako."

"Sabi ko, hindi! Hindi kita kailangan dun!"

"Boss mo ko! I pay for you!"

Aba! Ang tigas din ng mukha! Ha! Sige! Patigasan kami ng mukha!

"Yes, boss kita. Is this how you treat your substituents? Gawd! You're impossible!"

"Sasama ako. I want to be there!"

"Okay then! Fine! Sumama ka! Wag na wag kang manggugulo! Stay a feet out of my sight! At pwede ba, take another elevator!"

"This is my elevator, damn it!"

"Okay. I'll take the stairs then!"

Pipindutin ko na sana ang open button ng elevator nang pigilan nya ako.

"No! Look, I'm sorry alright?"

I froze. Did I hear it right? Is he saying sorry?

"What the fvck! Damn it! Ba't ba ako ang nag sosorry sa'yo? Eh ako na nga yung napahiya kanina sa studio!"

"Pinahiya? Wait a minute. Ba't ka ba naninigaw? At hindi kita pinahiya. You're negligent enough not to listen. Kasalanan mo yun!"

"At least try to say it with respect! Hindi yung ganun ganun mo na lang akong pagsalitaan doon!"

Bumukas ang elevator at maraming mga empleyado ang binati si Zed na naghihintay sa labas ng elevator.

Dali-dali akong naglakad papunta ng exit to call a cab.

Nang biglang hinila ako ni Zed sa braso papunta sa sasakyan nya.

"Bitiwan mo nga ako!"

Binuksan nya ang frontseat ng Montero nya.

"Get in."

"No. I'm riding a cab. I told you, I can do this alone."

"GET IN!"

Ang singhag ng monster dragon. Nakakatakot si Zed. Halos lumuwa na ng apoy ang mga mata nya. Pumasok na ako ng sasakyan.