Cliche (Candy Stories #5)

Chapter 8: Easier together

***

"I'm glad you're here today. Are you good to work? May mga resto kang pupuntahan ngayon," sabi ni Miss Kylie sa 'kin. Her glary eyes felt more intimidating than usual. O baka guilty lang ako for skipping Monday's work. Although I know it might be futile, I took an extra full day to mentally prepare for Maxwell.

"I'm good to work, Miss K. Uhm... I'm just thinking about..." Maxwell and our set-up. "Wala pa po bang makukuhang kapalit ni Pau? I looked into the list of restos asking for our reviews and recommendations and most of them offer full dining experience. It's difficult to review with only two people."

Totoo naman ang sinasabi ko. Sa Le Bon Apetit lang, kahit na maliit naman ang servings ng dishes for us to sample, nahirapan akong kumain. Thankfully, mas malaki kaysa kay Maxwell ang regular appetite niya. Pero mas totoo na gusto ko lang iwasang makasama nang madalas si Maxwell. Mahina ang puso ko sa kanya.

Miss Kylie pressed her lips together before speaking. "If that's the only problem, Maxwell already recommended someone who'd be a good replacement for Pau. I said okay."

"Uhm... Sino raw po?"

"Why don't you ask him? He's here and he's already looking this way."

Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko. Kaya pala nakaramdam ako ng kilabot sa batok at nanghina ang mga tuhod ko. Inaatake na naman pala 'ko ng presensiya niya.

"Uh..."

"Good morning, Aurora. Are you ready for today?"

Hindi ko magawang lumingon sa ngiti ni Maxwell at sa siguradong pagkakatuon ng mga mata niya sa 'kin. Pa'no ako maggo-good morning? Puwede ba 'kong mag-good morning? Marunong ba 'kong mag-good morning? Hu-hu.

"Good morning, Miss K," bati niya kay Miss Kylie.

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag. At the same time... do I need to greet him pa rin? Ng good morning?

"Aurora has some concerns with your task together. I already told her about the girl you recommended," sabi ni Miss Kylie.

Girl? He recommended a girl?

"She knows her, too, Miss K. From school," sagot niya.

From school? Whose girl from school?

"Oh. That's good, then. I guess it won't be hard for your group to work together. I like that." Matipid ang ngiti ni Miss K bago mapasulyap sa mamahaling relo sa pupulsuhan niya. "Off to your task today. Good luck."

Napatingin ako kay Maxwell na nakay Miss K pa rin ang atensyon. Naghihintay na lingunin niya para makasingit ng greeting. He was wearing a black watch today. Black din ang shirt niya na may handpainted artwork. Maong ang pants. He's just there, standing, being himself, pero ang heartbeat ko, nagpa-fangirl.

Sumulyap siya sa 'kin para magaang ngumiti. Napalunok ako. Na-traffic pa rin ang good morning sa lalamunan ko. Hu-hu.

"By the way, Miss K, Reeve was asking if you're okay with Le Bon Apetit sponsoring a company lunch today."

Nakuyom ko ang kamao ko. I should listen carefully para makasingit nang maayos.

Tumalas ang mata ni Miss K. "Why?"

"It's the resto's anniversary."

Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Miss K bago mag-smirk. She looked like a cunning villain. "Was he aware that I have 25 people working for Bon Apetit! app and 47 for Savory magazine?"

"Yes."

"Oh. Very well. I'll make Lynne do an announcement," tukoy ni Miss K sa secretary niya.

"I'll tell Reeve to call you."