She's So Extra (Kiligserye Book1) | ✅

Chapter 44

We had a good talk about everything that happened. Ms. Claire was very kind and understanding about my situation.

I knew things would not magically change so every day the rest of that week I kept my head down and suffered through judgemental stares, name calling at murmurs sa office na I knew was about me. There was also a group in Facebook dedicated to making memes about the picture and may mga nabuo pang kwento about it. I don't check my Facebook anymore since asar lang ang nakukuha ko dun – puro parinig sa mga taong walang lakas ng loob to tell what they think about me straight to my face.

Talk about double standards, ang mga babae sa akin lang nagalit, pero ang guys they look at Chuck as the ladies man kasi mag-amo yung 'natuhog' nya. Idiots.

Chuck and I haven't talked again, hindi ko na rin sya ulit nakita sa office. It's better na rin this way, since Ms. Claire and I are just starting to become friends – for real this time and I kind of want to steer clear of any issues.

The following Monday I was going to the pantry to get some coffee para kay Ms. Claire, when I hear some girls talking inside. I stopped by the door.

"...She must be crazy..." Some girl says.

"She's an idiot. I mean, sino ba namang nasa tamang pag-iisip na makikipag-kaibigan sa umagaw sa boyfriend mo diba?" Another girl responds.

"I heard they broke up ni Sir because she got pregnant and the family didn't approve of Sir kasi nga rank and file lang sya, so she had an abortion..." Another one says.

My mouth was hanging open as I was listening to the dumb things they were saying. I shake my head in disgust.

Some girl inside says, "OMG, how can we follow someone like that diba? How can you expect her to run the Company if yung sarili nyang buhay hindi nya nga kayang patakbuhin ng maayos? She should fire that girl to teach people na hindi sya dapat niloloko."

They all whisper their agreements, one of them says, "Tsk. She's going to let people walk all over her and her family's name if she doesn't do anything about this."

I walk back to my work station and mull over their conversation. Although sobrang labo ng mga chismis na pinag-usapan nila at walang bahid katotohanan, there's one thing that struck true – I did sort of ruin Ms. Claire's reputation. She looks weak now and it looks as if she's not doing anything to remedy the situation.

I bite my lip and think of the best way to stop this. But that's the thing, for as long as people see us, they will never let it go. Paano na ang mga Company functions? How will Ms. Claire be seen as? Anong kailangan nyang gawin to gain back the respect of her employees?

At the start of all of this, she has always been seen as just the daughter of the owner – lucky girl since kahit hindi sya magaling she'll still inherit the company. I know she wants to change that perception of her and I'm here ruining all of her hard work because I hooked up with her ex boyfriend. Shit.

As her friend, I knew what to do so I get to work.

***

"What's the meaning of this?" Ms. Claire storms out of her office and hands me the envelope I left at her table at the end of the work day.

I sigh and look at her, "Pwede po sa office nyo tayo mag-usap ma'am?"

She huffs then goes back to her office, I close the door behind me and take a seat on her visitor's chair, "I've decided to explore other job opportunities, ma'am."

She leans back on her chair, "Is this payback for me not telling you I knew about you and Chuck? Coz let me tell you, tit and tat is not a game I want to play."

I grin at her, "No ma'am. Hindi po yun. This is me trying to do the most unselfish thing I can do in this situation."

She shakes her head, "You don't need to do this."

I nod, "Yes I do. It's the best thing I can think of para matapos na ang lahat ng ito, I don't think they will stop at just this. Tsaka ma'am, I've done so much mistakes in the past couple of weeks. Let me make amends."

She shakes her head, "This is not the answer, Andi."

She stands up, "I'm have this thing next week diba? I'm leaving for Australia, so just take the week off na rin. Think about it and we'll talk when I get back okay?"

I stand up rin and she pushes me out the door, "Just don't make rash decisions." She shuts the door.

I'm dismissed.

***

"Resign talaga? Kailangan ba yan bes? They'll get over it soon, don't worry." Sabi ni Jem habang umiinom ng malamig na malamig nyang beer.

I nod at him, "Oo nga lilipas yan, pero yung impression that they've made kay Ms. Claire forever na yun. And as long as I am there hindi makakabawi si Ms. Claire at hindi na rin malilinis yung pangalan nya – she'll forever linked with the issues about me and Chuck. Hindi naman tama yun."

Umorder pa ng isang bucket si Cherrie, then she looks back at me, "Girl, magbakasyon ka na nga lang muna to clear your head. Hindi maganda yan, kung anu anong naiisip mo eh."

I bite my lip. I've done a lot of thinking and I think this is the best option for me. Bukod sa hindi ko ata kayang maging ganito ka-close kay Chuck without sobbing, it's the least I can do for Ms. Claire. She's a really good person and she doesn't deserve the shit those people are giving her.

I hold the hands of my closest friends, "You say tama na ang pagddrama ko diba? So I'm taking action. I'm deciding what's best for the people I care about."

Niyapos ako ni Jem, "How about what's best for me? Pano naman ako bes?"

I smile and hug him back, "I'll just be a phone call away, and we'll make this a regular Friday bonding."

Cherrie joins the group hug and says, "Sali ako guys."

I laugh and I realize I haven't laughed in days.

I feel something in the back of my neck and I moved a little to look at the door at nakita kong nandun si Chuck with his team mates, he's got his hands inside his pants pockets and he's staring at us.

I didn't know if I should smile or nod pero there's a lump na naman in my throat and I can't breathe.

He doesn't even smile or nod, he just walks over to the far side of the bar with his friends and my heart beats a bit slower.

I can't keep doing this to myself.

I bring my attention back to my friends, "I think I'll take that vacation nga. I need fresh air."