Loving The Famous

21

J E S S Y

Afternoon nang sumunod na araw sa office, kauupo ko pa lang uli sa swivel chair from stretching nang tumawag sa office phone ang assistant ko. I pressed the speaker and we converse.

"Yes?"

"Miss Jesiah, may bisita po kayo dito. Sir Henry po."

Napaarko ang kilay ko sa narinig. Aabutin ko pa sana ang paperworks sa desk. Natigilan ako. "Bakit daw?"

Sandaling natahimik si Jen at may kinausap sa kabila, then tumikhim siya at nagsabing, "Work matter daw po, ma'am."

Work matter? Akala ko ba bisita?

I shook my head. "Why me? Tell him, he can talk to the sales department instead, or call Sir David."

Sandaling natitigilan na naman si Jen. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I already called Sir David but he's on the lunch meeting."

At bakit hindi ko alam 'yun? Nananadya ba 'tong si Dave?

I checked the time. 11:45 a.m.

May usapan kami ngayon ni Jasmine na magla-lunch sa labas pero parang magkakaproblema pa ako kay Henry.

"Alright." I dismissed all the worries. Para matapos na. "Let him in. Thank you."

The call ended. I fold down my laptop as I leaned my back at the recliner of my swivel.

If this isn't about work, I swear to god - makakatikim talaga sa akin ang lalaking ito.

Pagpasok ni Henry ay may dala-dala siyang paperbag ng pagkain. Ngitian niya ako na agad na ikinataas ng kilay ko. Confirmed.

"Heck you want?" Masungit kong tanong.

"Wow. What a warm welcome!" He laughed and made himself welcome. "Hello to you too."

Ipinatong ni Henry ang pagkain sa harapan ko at saka siya tumayo sa tapat ng table.

"What's this? What do you need?"

"Hey, chill. Nagsusungit ka na naman al..." hindi niya naituloy nang sumingit ako.

"What do you need? If this isn't about work then you can just leave. Take that with you." Sabay refer ko sa paperbag na inilapag niya kanina.

"I bought you lunch since lunch break na rin. At alam ko kasing ayaw mo ng bulaklak and chocolates so..."

"Bullshit, Henry."

Tumayo na ako at tinitigan siyang matiim. The only reason I am talking to you is because my secretary told me that you wanted to talk about work. Stop this nonsense. I don't need your food. Please... stop this." Pakiusap ko sa kanya. Gusto kong magtaas ng boses but I remained as calm as possible.

"We'll come to that." He nodded. "But please take this food. It's your favorite."

"I'm having lunch with a friend today so, no. Thank you."

"Friend?"

"None of your business."

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I just want to make it up to you. This is my way of just saying, sorry. You know?"

"I already told you napatawad na kita. You don't need to do this. Now please. Go back to business. What do you need?"

Ayoko lang talagang magkaroon ng complications sa lahat. Masaya na ako kay Jasmine. Ayokong dumating ang araw na problemahin niya rin si Henry dahil sa mga pinapakita nito sa akin. Hangga't maaari gusto ko nang putulin ang communication namin ng lalaking 'to. Kung trabaho, trabaho lang.