Chapter Eight
For three weeks, I worked in our company but not in Dad's company. Sa ibang branch niya ako pinasok, which is a good thing dahil mas madali iyon at hindi mai-intriga masyado. And I am the secretary of the CEO which is my cousin, Jared. Buti na lang at malapit kami, hindi niya ako pinapahirapan masyado.
Binati ako ng guard pagpasok ko. Alam kong alam niya na anak ako ng may ari ng kompanya dahil isang araw ay si Dad ang naghatid saakin dito. I just said to keep quiet and he obliged.
"Good morning Amanda." Bati ko sa isang empleyado.
"Good morning din Jane!" She enthusiastically greeted back.
"Woke up on the right side of the bed?" Tanong ko dahil masyado siyang hyper ngayon.
"May bisita daw tayo ngayon! I heard his handsome and great at his job!" Sagot niya.
"Sino?" Interesado kong tanong.
"Hindi ko pa alam pero yun narinig ko sa taas." Nakangisi niyang saad at umalis na.
Nagkibit balikat ako at pumunta na sa aking mesa. Jared is still not here kaya minabuti kong simulan na ang mga naiwan kong documents kahapon.
I was almost done with the 15th slide when I heard the elevator opened. Jared was walking with his usual cold and firm face. When he saw me, he loosened up and smiled.
"Good morning!" Bati ko. "Dalhan kita ng coffee?"
Tumango siya. "Good morning cous."
That's why I find this work easy. He's sweet and soft to me at takot na mapagod ako kaya kokonti lang ang binibigay na trabaho. I tried talking to him and told him I was okay if he would treat me the same way he treats his employees pero ayaw niya. Aniya'y blood is thicker than water raw.
I went it and put his coffee on his table.
"May iuutos ka? Did you have your breakfast?" Tanong ko.
"Nah I already ate. Just prepare for a board meeting later." Sagot niya. Tumango ako at lumabas na.
My co-employee, Heather, eyed me suspiciously when she saw me. Hindi pala nila alam na magpinsan din kami ni Jared. And I know they're talking behind my back and saying things like nilalandi ko raw si Jared we're having an affair which is disgusting.
"Ang aga-aga naglalandi ka na agad?" Sumbat niya. I sighed and went back to my table. Nonsense fights.
Pag upo ko ay tumunog kaagad ang cellphone ko.
Toff:
Good morning! At work already?
I typed in.
Ako:
Yes, good morning din!
Hindi na kami masyadong nagkikita ni Toff since malayo ang pinagtatrabahuan niya sa akin. Minsanan na lang siyang nakakapunta sa condo ko dahil madalas akong wala dahil sa trabaho. As a secretary, I should always be beside Jared. Maraming meetings ngayong buwan ang nakascheduled at ang iba ay lunch meetings o out-of-town.
By ten ay lumabas ng opisina si Jared. Napatingin ako sa kanya at tumayo.
"Bring a pen and a notebook." He informed me.
Kinuha ko kaagad ang notebook sa ibabaw ng mesa ko at sumunod sa kanya.
Pumasok kami sa conference room at nadatnan naming naghihintay ang tantya ko ay pitong tao. I sat beside Jared and just wait for his instructions. I was just quite while they started to talk since the meeting is not yet starting.
Napatingin ako kay Jared na busy sa pagkalikot ng kanyang cellphone. I nudge at him kaya tinignan niya kaagad ako. Lumapit siya saakin.
"What?" He whispered.
"Bakit wala to sa schedule mo?" Tanong ko.
"Emergency meeting. May dumagdag na board member and he has the largest shares." Sabi niya.
"Huh? Akala ko ikaw?"
"Apparently he is now." Tinatamad na sagot niya. "Don't worry, ako pa rin ang CEO. I think he's not that interested in this type of company."
"Oh eh bakit nag invest?" I asked.
Matalim niya akong tinignan dahil sa mga tanong ko.
"Who wouldn't? Our company is successful." Sagot niya pa rin.
"Pero–"
"Let's get this started."
I was frozen in my seat when I heard his baritone voice echoed the room. Natahimik ang ilang board members, ang iba ay nag ayos ng upo. Tumikhim si Jared at ngumisi. Nag angat ako ng tingin at nakita ang madilim niyang mukha at matalim na titig kay Jared.
"Shit." I whispered lowly.
Inayos ko ang aking sarili at hinanda ang aking notebook at ballpen.
"Well, well..." Jared drawls quietly. Napatingin ako sa kanya. He looked at me then smirked.
I got confused with it. Nilapit niya ang mukha niya sa bandang tenga ko and whispered that made me blush profusely.
"If looks could kill, you'd be crying over my dead body cous."
"The hell?!" Nasabi ko. Nilayo ko ang mukha ko sa kanya. He just chuckled at me.
"Okay, let's start this meeting." Jared formally announced. "Welcome to the board, Mr. Sanchez."
They all clapped when Typhoon stood up. He got bulkier and taller, he's shouting ruthlessness and dominace like he will not care destroying lives. The way he talks sends you shivers, the way he looks will freeze you to death.
"Meeting adjourned!"
I snapped back to reality when Jared touched my face and looked at me with worry in his eyes. Tapos na pala ang meeting, wala man lang akong na jut down.
"Huh? Y-yeah! Sorry!" Paumanhin ko. He nodded. Hinawakan niya ang siko ko at inalalayang tumayo. He then touched the small of my back and led the way out.
"Mr. Lamasan."
We stopped when Typhoon called Jared.
Jared turned to Typhoon who's just a meter away from us.
"Mr. Sanchez, what can I do for you?" Jared politely asked. He glanced at Jared's arm at my back then back to Jared.
"Can I have a second with your secretary?"
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