Masked Pleasure (MM) ✔

Chapter 34 [Recognized]

I've been ditching Jake De Puato everytime he's asking me for a coffee date, I mean just coffee. How did I end up into a conclusion that it will be a date? Maybe, it's only a friendly gesture since magkababayan kami? Or maybe, he knows something about me or about my past and he wants to intrude? As far as I can remember, I don't have any business with him aside from him being my boss, there is nothing more to it. And I want it to stay that way.

"So, can you tell us about your unheard story?" Nawala ako sa sariling pagmumuni nang kalabitin ako ni Ysmael.

I almost forgot that we are in the company's cafeteria, or a restaurant-like cafeteria because it doesn't look like one. There are smorgasbords on every corner, I can say like supper buffet, and the accomodations are free to all employees. What kind of benevolence, right?

"Just a simple guy, I don't have much stories to tell." Hinalo ko ang pagkain na nasa aking plato na hindi ko halos nagagalaw mula pa kanina.

"What are your former job titles? And why did you decide to work here abroad?" Siya lang ang kumakausap sa akin dahil ang ibang kasamahan namin sa table ay may kanya-kanyang mundo.

"I was a photographer."

I'm not really good at sharing things about me. Pakiramdam ko kasi, the more na nagkukwento ako tungkol sa sarili ko ay mas nauungkat lang ang nakaraan.

"You're a what? Photographer? I thought you're just a passionated writer. So what kind of photos you were into?" He asked curiously.

Gaya ng sinabi ko, ayan na nga at hindi na mapipigilan pang maungkat ang mga nakaraan. It all comes down to my field of expertise, and then the photos, and then the models, and finally Troy.

"For a magazine, and random purposes. Uhm, I think I need to go to the comfort room." Mabuti at hindi na siya nagtanong pa dahil na rin sa pagtayo ko. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag.

Just to inform everyone, I'm not affected okay? Ayoko lang pag-usapan pa ang tapos na. Not that I am bitter because of the results, I am just trying to move forward. There is no sense in dwelling in the past. It just reminds us of how foolish and stupid we were back then, of how worthless the decisions we took, of how we let ourselves fell in love with the wrong people, of how shallow our love were, and of so many fucked up reasons.

"Symon! There you are finally. The director is looking for you.." Natampal ko ang noo nang makasalubong si Alice sa daan ko pabalik ng aking opisina.

"Tell him I'm real busy today. I got a load of work that I still have to finish, you know this month's issue and everything.. Tell him I'll come by next time.." I patted her shoulders and turned her body towards the exit.

I told you, I don't have time for reunions with another Torralba dumplings. What I mean, the people like us that were dumped by the Torralba brothers. I've realized it was such a mawkish terminology but hey it sounds cool.

As the days went by, mas sinubsob ko ang sarili sa trabaho dahil kinakailangan na din naman ito ng kasipagan. Lalo na ngayong buwan na puspusan na ang trabaho at oras ng pasahan ng mga articles para sa iba't ibang sections ng magazine.

"Hi? Como esta?" Nakarinig ako ng mahinang katok sa nakabukas na pintuan. Iniluwa nito si Sancho na naka-white polo na tinernuhan ng itim na coat.

"Sancho! Come in, I am kind of busy with the mag. What brings you here?" Nahanap niya ang sofa sa isang gilid at inokupa ang espasyo doon.

"I'll fetch Jake, since it's too early and it wouldn't hurt to pay you a visit. How's life?" Napansin niya ang patong ng mga papel at folders sa ibabaw ng desk ko.

"Do I need to tell? I'm loaded.." He convincingly nods at my sarcastic expression.

Pinagsalikop niya ang dalawang kamay at bumuka ang bibig ngunit hindi tinuloy ang sasabihin.