Seducing Kitagawa

Kabanata 8

KABANATA 8

Nasa loob kami ngayon ng opisina ni Daniel. Nasabi ko na sa kanya ang ipinunta ko rito. He's leaning on his chair as I wait for his verdict. Pinaglalaruan ng kanyang daliri ang kanyang chin habang pinagmamasdan ako. Para bang may mga katanungan siya at mahahanap niya lang ang mga kasagutan sa aking mukha.

After a while, he leaned on his table, kung saan nakalatag ang resume ko na hindi niya naman sinilip man lang, at ipinagsaklop ang mga daliri sa harap niya. Umayos din ako ng upo nang makita ang ginawa niya.

"Let me get this straight." Pagsisimula nito. His brown eyes boring into my dark orbs. "You came here late, you're telling me that you won't do the job I offered you and you're asking me to hire you for something else?" Napalunok ako ng sarili kong laway as I took in his disappointment.

"Nagbibiro ka ba?" There's a hint of dry humor in his tone. Napalunok muli ako.

"Kahit ano na lang ang ipagawa mo sa akin. Kahit janitress o katulong mo. Kahit na ano basta marangal at hindi ko ikakahiya. Hindi ko maatim na tanggapin ang perang makukuha ko mula sa pangloloko ng tao." Pansin ko agad ang pag-igting ng kanyang panga sa aking sinabi.

"Can't you think this through? I really need you to do this job. You're the only one I knew who could pull this through." Sabi nito kahit nagtatagis na ang kanyang mga ngipin sa inis. His eyes were still intensely looking at mine, seeking for an agreement.

Napayuko ako at napatingin sa mga nanginginig kong mga kamay. Hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan ko matatagalan na tanggihan siya sa kanyang kagustuhan. He has that effect on me. At naiinis din ako dahil dito. I don't want to be weak again. I don't want my decisions to be manipulated by his charms.

Pero kahit ganoon, kailangan ko pa rin ng trabaho. I need to find a way for him to understand na hindi ako ganoong uring babae na hindi nakokompormiso ang tsansa kong makapasok sa kompanya niya. Nagtaas ako ng tingin at mataman siyang tinitigan sa mata. Marahan niyang ipinilig ang kanyang ulo at nagtaas ng isang kilay sa aking ginawa.

"I don't know what you saw in me that made you believe that I have what it takes to seduce your brother. But it is true that I need a job right now. I'm desperate to have one." Sabi ko without breaking my eye contact.

"Pero hindi ganoon ka-desperado para gumanap ng isang katauhang magpapaibig at manloloko ng isang tao. Hindi ako ganoon, Mr. Kitagawa. Hindi ko babaliin ang prinsipyo ko para lang sa pera."  Sabi ko pa habang nakikipagsukatan ng tingin.

"I can assure you that I can do any job you assign to me that are within my capabilities and give you satisfying results after. But seducing someone isn't one of them, Mr. Kitagawa. I'm sorry."

Nakita kong tumuwid siya ng upo. Matapos ay napahalukipkip. His eyes were not leaving mine.

"I think you need time to think this through, Bendebel." Matigas nitong sabi. His eyes were devious and calculating. He doesn't take no for an answer, obviously.

"Pero—" Aangal pa sana ako nang magsalita siyang muli.

"As I have promised, I will give you a job here at Rave Games, that is, as what you've said, within your capabilities." Napaamang ako sa kanyang sinabi.

Talaga? As in? Bibigyan niya pa rin ako ng matinong trabaho?

I cleared my throat when I realized that I was gawking at him. Kailangan pa niya akong taasan ng kilay para maibalik ang sarili ko sa katinuan.

"Hindi ko akalaing pagbibigyan mo a—" He once again cut me off.

"But," he said and I stared at him, confused. "Only if you promise me that you'll think about the other job I'm offering you. If you say yes to it, you may continue working here. But if you say no..." He eyed me.