The Perfect Tandem

Kabanata 2

"Ms. Natividad."

"Aleera!"

Napalundag ako sa lakas ng intercom. Gigil much?

"Yes, boss?" sagot ko sa intercom.

"Get ready. We'll have lunch outside."

"Bakit po?"

Silence. Ganda talaga kausap.

I saw him wearing a coat, pagkatapos ay lumabas na siya ng opisina.

I got up with a bag on my hand. I started walking beside him. Hirap talaga habulin nito, palibhasa ang laki ng biyas kaya ang haba ng hakbang.

"You could've ask me nicely if you want a date," I teased him.

"Shut up." suplado niyang sagot.

We went to a restaurant of his cousin, Zandro Velardo. Mostly VIPs ang customer nila, hindi rin nababakante dahil nasa BGC ito nakatayo. Kahit malaki sinusweldo ko, I won't burn my cash to spend money here in an instant. Although, di maikakaila na masarap ang mga pagkain dito.

"How was your brother's graduation?" he asked me while we started eating.

"T'was fantastic. After the graduation, we ate at the mall."

"Did he like my gift?"

"Yes. He wouldn't tell me what it is though. What is it?" I inquired. 

"You don't have to know everything, Aleera."

"I'm Aleera Natividad. I know everything. It's my job as your secretary." Tumaas kilay ko sa kanya.

"Well maybe, this is the one thing you shouldn't know." Umirap ako sa naging sagot niya.

"What about your dad?"

"Hmm. Hinanap ka niya, bakit di ka daw pumunta. I told him you're busy. Also, feeling ko nga maiiyak siya nung nasa stage kami. Yung gago niyang anak, naging summa cum laude?" natawa ako. Nung high school si Evan, puro sakit ng ulo dala niya. Ngayon mas matalino pa pala sa'kin! Overachiever!

"Tell him I'm sorry. I'll visit some other time."

"Nah, it's okay."

"No, I'll visit." he insisted. "Also, when is he taking a licensure exam?" Tamo 'to, ang daldal pag kami lang. Sa ibang tao, kala mo ginto yung salita niya.

"Soon, magrereview daw siya. Sa next next exam pa ata. He wants to take his time lalo na't self review siya. He doesn't want to shoot his shot that fast."

Thanatos nodded. "That's right. Once he passed, he is open to apply here."

"NO." mabilis kong sagot.

"Why?" parang nagpantig ang tenga nya.

"Eh.. he has a choice to pick where he wants. Saka baka sabihin dahil ate niya ako kaya siya natanggap."

Thanatos shook his head. "He's from UP, he's very smart. If he's accepted, that's because he's good. Not because of you."

I slipped at my cucumber smoothie. "Okay. Pero no pa rin." Nagkikita na nga kami sa bahay tas magkikita pa din kami sa work?

"I don't take no as answer." Matalim ang tingin niya. Luh, wag niya kong pinapaandaran ng client talks niya!

"Except me." I winked.

Good thing sanay na siya sa'kin. I'm not flirting with him, it's just how I interact with him. I like teasing him.

"Good day, lovers! Having fun?" biglang sulpot ni Zandro. Napamura naman si Thanatos.

"Hello, Zandro. Musta?"

Zandro doesn't look like a chef. He looks like a fuckboy. Which he kinda is? But he's nice.

"Eto, gwapo pa din. Bakit mo kinikindatan ang pinsan kong virgin?"
Napahalakhak ako ng malakas. Thanatos glared at me.

They always tease him to be a virgin. Prude daw kasi siya. Always formal and righteous. Hindi rin nakikita na may babaeng ka-date. Wala siyang ipinapakilalang girlfriend.

But I know better... it's my job to know what he does all the time and he has flings for... you know.

Sasagot na sana ako nang nagsalita si Thanatos. "We're not lovers and it's none of your business. Now get out of our sight."

"Sungit talaga! Buti di ka pa nagsasawa dyan, Aleera?"

"I love my job, Zandro. The way you love yours."

"At least I know how to take a day off, unlike the both of you." Umiling siya. "Anyway, just want to make sure. Kelan ang kasal?"

We both stared at him.

"I mean, yung kasal ni Hermes." Si Hermes Ambrosia ay pinsan ni Thanatos.

I smiled, pakaba 'to pucha. "Next week, Saturday, Zandro."

"Will you attend?"

"Yes." / "No."

I pouted and nodded to Zandro. "We definitely will attend."

"No. We have work. And it's a fixed marriage." Thanatos sarcastically answered, not having it with this conversation anymore.

"With his best friend. Eventually, they will fall in love." Zandro said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Umiiling pa rin si Thanatos.

"He'll go. We'll both go. Besides, he won't hear the end of it if the Chairman or Helen will discover he won't attend." I said with finality. The Chairman is his dad.

"Are you blackmailing me, Aleera?" he said with a stern voice.

"I don't need to tell it to them. They know you as well, Sir. You don't have that much of a warm character." I smiled inside. Feeling ko gusto akong batukan nito kung wala lang si Zandro. Not that he would do it, but his eyes give off the same intensity.

Kung hindi niya ako secretary, baka nanginginig na yung tyan ko sa kaba.

Zandro whistled. "You guys fight like an old couple."

We both looked at him blankly.

He smiled sheepishly, like he always do. Mukha siyang batang laging may masamang ginawa. "Anyway, kung ayaw talaga ni Thanatos, I'm free to be your date, Aleera."

"Really? That's—

"No. She's right. Well go." Thanatos wiped his mouth in a manly way.

"Are you done eating? Let's go." he asked, which is useless because he's dragging me already. I wiped my mouth fast. Hinigit ko na ang bag ko at kinaladkad na nya 'ko palabas.

"See you, Zandro!" I waved him goodbye.

Zandro only waved and he chuckled.

I guess lunch is over.