Sunod-sunod na pag-iling ang ginawa ni Art nang ihain ni Jazmine sa kanya ang suhestyon nitong kumuha siya ng female Executive Assistant. The last time he had one was three years ago, but unfortunately, Jazmine had to fire her because she started gossiping about his personal life.
“No! I told you, I need a male assistant!” pinal niyang sambit hindi pa man nababasa ang resume ng applikanteng inire-recommend ng kapatid.
“Ilan na ang na-interview ko and they don’t fit the job. Look at me, Art. Do you really think that I could juggle my two jobs now in my situation? A month or so from now, I’ll file for maternity leave. My team could handle the HR while I’m on leave pero ikaw, paano ka? Worst case scenario, we’ll pull out a junior staff, mapababae man o lalaki, and you know I can’t trust any of those girls to come near you dahil sigurado akong wala silang ibang gagawin kundi titigan ka maghapon,” sambit ni Jazmine, it was exaggerating but partly true.
Hindi lingid sa kaalaman niya na kulang na lang ay hubaran siya ng tingin ng mga babaeng staff nila sa tuwing dadaan o kakausapin niya ang mga ito.
“And how well do you know that girl? Are you sure na hindi rin siya mafo-fall sa akin?” biro niya.
“Well, first, she’s no longer a girl but a woman. Second, she’s got good work experience and good feedback from her previous boss. I think, she’s the one you really need,” pahayag nito saka ngumiti sa kanya nang makahulugan.
“I need for work or for—”
“Don’t even go there, Art,” putol nito saka siya pinandilatan. “Anyway, she’s at my office for the interview. You may come and observe if you want,” imporma nito saka tumayo.
Hindi na siya nakatanggi pa. Knowing his older sister, she has a good eye if someone has potential and she knows what she’s doing. Napalingon siya sa resume na nasa ibabaw ng table niya, curiosity struck him and drawn him towards the paper. He read her resume and was actually impressed by her credentials.
“Elizabeth Reyes… Elizabeth Reyes…” basa niya sa pangalan ng aplikante. Her name sounds familiar. She looked at the photo then smirked. “Just what I thought. No way. Ano ba naman ang iniisip mo? That name is common!” kastigo niya sa sarili nang saglit na may maalala.
He let go a deep sigh then smiled. He’s got to see for himself what his sister saw on this girl before he agrees.
“Who’s inside?” bungad-tanong niya sa sekretarya ni Jazmine na tila ba natulala pagkakita sa kanya.
“Ahm… a-applicant, Sir Art,” sagot nito saka sumunod sa kanya.
“It’s fine. Go back to your table, I need to attend the interview anyway,” nakangiting pigil niya rito.
Tumango lang ito at tumigil sa pagsunod sa kanya. He didn’t even knock. Basta na lang niya binuksan ang pinto ng opisina at pumasok. Kaagad na lumipad ang tingin niya sa babaeng kasalukuyang nakaharap kay Jazmine at nakatalikod sa kanya. She just glanced at him then looked back at Jazmine kaya’t hindi niya masyadong nasipat ang hitsura nito. As he observed from a distance, he can’t help but get mesmerized by her aura. Hindi pa man ay malakas na ang dating nito sa kanya.
Mayamaya’y panandaliang tumayo si Jazmine saka ibinigay sa kanya ang folder containing the personal information and work experience of the applicant.
