"Oh my God! Siswang, nakakakilig kayo! Ano sabi mo kay Fafa RJ?" Sinon excitedly asked.
"Grabe ka! Wag kang masyadong atat. Wala lang naman yun. Hindi naman sinadya yun." I said and took a sip from my coffee.
"Ano?! Balewala lang yun sayo?! I cannot! Alam mo, bihira makakita ng lalaking tulad ni Fafa RJ, kaya sulutin mo na habang wala pa silang anak ng malandi mong best friend!" He said.
"Huy, Grabe ka kay Thea. Kahit Landi-landiin ko pa yang RJ na yan, wala mangyayare dahil mahal nya si Thea. At tsaka magagalit si Thea sakin, ayaw ko naman yun." I said.
"Jusko. Bahala ka nga dyan, tara na!" He said as we both stood up and left then coffee shop.
"Siswang, Kelan mo balak kausapin si Marco? Alam mong hindi ka tatantanan nun hangga't di nya nakukuha yung Gusto nya." Sinon worriedly asked.
"Beshy, magmo-move on din yun. Bigyan lang natin ng space at katahimikan." I said.
"Sige ah! Sabi mo yan. Pero Paano pag bumalik sya ulit?" He asked.
"Bahala sya sa buhay nya. By the way, mawawala ako ng one week." I announced.
"What? At saan ka naman pupunta, aber?" He asked.
"Team building. Sa Palawan kami." I said.
"Jusko! Iiwan nanaman ako ng siswang ko! Di bale, andyan naman si Paolo. Isang lingo? Eh, siswang, Miss universe na sa Wednesday! Dapat andun ka!" He said.
"Eh bessy, Wala na akong magagawa..." I said.
We entered my car then drove to his condo.
"Basta. Pag-isipan mo nang Mabuti yung isasagot mo sa question and answer, yun yung magpa-panalo sayo, for sure!" I reminded him.
"Jusko. Oo na, Ipapa-video ko na lang kay Paolo para makita mo!" He said.
"O, sige na. Ingat ka, bessy ah! Goodluck sa contest!" I said as he get down.
"Salamat, siswang! See you next week!" He said. I smiled then went to the office.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Mendoza!" The guard greeted.
"Ay, good afternoon din, kuya Guard! Pasok na ko ah." I went inside the office, then I was greeted by my assistant.
"Good afternoon, ma'am." She greeted.
"Magandang hapon din sayo. Andyan ba ang Daddy?" I asked as I turn on my computer.
"Hindi pa po nakakarating Eh. Pero I'll inform you po if he arrives. May iche-check lang po ako sa labas, ma'am. Excuse me po." She said then got out of my office. I began my work, and got busy.
After a couple of minutes...
My door opened, and it revealed RJ.
"Hey, Maine." He greeted.
"Hey. What can I do for you?" I asked.
"Tina had an emergency at home, and we need someone to replace her. We have a meeting with the clients later, and we need to impress them." He said. I looked at him, then realized that he was already sitting in front of me. I returned my gaze back at my computer then continued typing.
"Can't somebody else do it?" I asked.
"Umm... No. Actually, Mr. Mendoza wanted you to talk to them." He said.
"He did?" I asked. I started thinking about it. I really want to impress my father, so... I had no choice. There's always a first time for everything, right?
"Fine. Let me finish this. Give me five minutes." I said. It became awkward, and silent all of a sudden, and he wouldn't stop looking at me. Creepy.
"By the way, Thea wanted to know how are you." He said.
"Oh. Tell her I'm okay, and still alive. How's it going between you and my best friend?" I asked.
"Well... We're still trying for a baby. Hopefully, before the year ends, she gets pregnant." He said.
"Hopefully. I wish the best for the both of you." I said. I powered off my computer then stood up.
"Let's go?" He nodded then we left the office. As we walk towards the meeting room, we passed by his station.
"Yieee! Si sir o!" His teammates teased.
"Hoy, Napoles, mag-trabaho ka nga! Manga-Ano ka Eh." He said, then we continue to walk.
*******
We entered the meeting room, and was greeted by our clients. We started the meeting, and I judged Maine's work and performance.
An hour later... By the end of the meeting, everyone clapped for her and did a handshake with her. One of the clients walked towards me then we did a handshake.
"I'm impressed by your girlfriend's performance, Mr. Faulkerson. You're one lucky guy to have a successful and talented girlfriend like her." He said.
"Sir, you must be mistaken. I'm already married to a different woman." I said.
"Oh... I'm sorry. It's just that you both look good together. Anyways, I'm really impressed by her work. What's her name again?" He asked.
"Maine Mendoza, sir. She is the daughter of Mr. Mendoza." I said.
"Oh... That's why she looks like Teodoro. Thank you, Mr. Faulkerson. I'll expect to see you in the next meeting." He said then left me.
"Hey." Maine went beside me then greeted me.
"Was I Good back there?" She asked.
"Of course you are. Actually, the clients are impressed by your work. Congrats, Maine." I said.
"Thanks. RJ, about dun sa team building, sa Palawan yung destination. You can bring Thea if you want." She said.
"Yeah. I'll ask her. Thanks, Maine. I'll be going now." I said then left her.
*******
"You sure you won't come?" I asked.
"Babe... I have work. Besides, you can enjoy Palawan without me naman diba? And we can call each other naman. Just behave, okay?" She said.
"But Babe..." I said.
"Sige na. Wag ka nang makulit. I can't join nga. Besides, it's your team building. I can't ruin it for you." She said.
"Fine. But please call everyday. I'll be gone for a week, and I want to make sure you are safe without me." I assured.
"Oo na po. Jusko. Ano bang nangyare dito sa asawa ko? Overprotective, Babe, Don't worry, I'll be okay." She said.
"I love you." I said.
"I love you too." Then we kissed.
