A Setback Beauty

Kabanata 25: MESSAGE

Message.
- - -

“COME IN,” wika ko na hindi nag-aangat ng tingin nang makarinig ako ng katok mula sa labas.

"So, it's true that you just came back from your long vacation, Ms. General Manager."

Inalis ko ang tingin ko sa reports na hawak ko para tingnan si Star. Nakatayo siya sa bukana ng pintuan.

"Do you need something or did you just come here to say that?" I eyed her with a blank expression.

Star didn't answer me. Ipinagkrus niya ang mga braso niya at naglakad palapit sa'kin. She stopped in front of my table and pulled out a small envelope from her corporate blazer pocket.

“An invitation for you to attend a social event.” Inilahad niya sa'kin iyon na agad ko namang inabot.

"By the way, I'm here to inform you I'll also be having my vacation next week."

Saglit ko siyang tinitigan bago ako nagsalita. "Your VL was scheduled for the first week of next month. Why are you changing it so abruptly?"

“I realized I plotted it too late.”

I stared at her coldly. “No, you can't. Stick to the schedule,” I said with finality.

“What?! No!" Star shrieked. "If you can get a vacation leave outside of your planned schedule, why can't I?"

“That was unexpected. Someone just messed up my schedule—”

"I don't give a damn!" She abruptly interrupted, narrowing her eyes at me. "Like it or not, I'm taking it next week, period!"

Napahilot na lang ako ng sentido ko. “Alright! Just do what you want. You shouldn't have told me if you weren't going to follow my instructions in the first place," saad kong iritado na.

Star is more stubborn than Raki. I know we'll argue all day if I don't agree with what she wants. Not because I'm letting her rule me, but because this is my first day back at work. I just want to be at peace. I won't let this kind of conversation ruin my mood for the whole day.

“See you next next week, Ms. General Manager.” Isang ngisi ang iniwan sa'kin ni Star bago siya lumabas ng opisina ko.

I shrugged it off. That was a childish attitude at ayokong patulan 'yon.

After reviewing reports and emails,  bumaba na ako sa lobby. I took my brunch first before calling Silas and the other staff  to come with me. 

*  *  *

    PILIT NA NGITI ang ipinakita ko kay Mr. Kitaro nang makalapit na ito sa'kin.

We’re here in an agricultural store para bumili ng fertilizers at iilang materyales na kakailanganin namin sa pag-eexpand ng Mango Farm at Gallego Garden. I’m with Silas and the others na abala sa pagkarga ng mga pinamili namin.

“Good thing you're here, Ms. Gallego. Did you check my message?” Mr. Kitaro asked.

I nodded and smiled at him thriftily.“I'm sorry, Mr. Kitaro, but I can't accept your invitation for tonight.”

He frowned. “Why not?”

“I have a lot of office work to finish today,” I replied.

“Come on, Ms. Gallego, I'm just asking for an hour of your time for a dinner date. I'll pick you up at your office at 7:00 pm sharp, and I'm sure you've finished your work by then."