🔞 어둠 Tales I: The Fragile Princess (7-25)

I : 새벽 / Dawn

Published on: March 7, 2021

"Woah, Pampanga's so beautiful! Why have I never been here before? That definitely is a big mistake, why didn't I consider this beauty before?"

That's what she could've said.

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"Hey! Javier, you came back! How's Hong Kong? Is it pretty there?" My childhood friend asked.

"Yes! It's pretty there, but I can't deny the fact that it's prettier here in Pampanga. Why haven't you informed me of its beauty?" I asked, still fascinated by the beauty around me.

"You still talk like that? You've been in Hong Kong for ages and you still haven't let go of your accent?" He asked back, while laughing.

"You do know that my father told me to hold on to this accent, Carl." I replied, smiling back at him.

"That's what I like about you! You know how to keep promises, not like someone." He said while looking at our friend behind me.

"Oh - hoh, says the one who promised a thousand times but kept none!" She said while rolling her eyes at Carl.

"Fine fine... but don't you like Javier, Rona?" Carl said, teasing Rona.

"Haa.. stop bickering, I still have to unpack and fix my stuffs, I'll go first, bye." I said, waving my hand to them and left.

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"Rise and shine Javier! I'll bring you to my workplace! You know... maybe my Boss could hire you, so, come on!" Carl screamed in my ear while shaking me, Haa..... it's morning and this crazy guy's screaming like he saw a ghost.

"Alright, alright. Now, let go of me and wait for me in the living room. Give me 5 minutes!" I screamed back, got ready, and got in Carl's car.

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"Don't do anything stupid there huh? I don't want to get in trouble because of you." He warned me. I just laughed and said.

"Me? You're giving a warning to someone who's already been in Hong Kong?" I bragged at him, making him roll his eyes at me, making me laugh again.

"Oh, by the way, what does the company you work in do exactly?" I asked since I don't know the exact job it might offer.

"Ahh.... they manage Art Galleries and Museums, you can say that their focus is on art and theatre, and you know many more." Carl replied, answering every question in my mind.

Hmm.... so they focus on creativity, finally a job I'd love to wake up to in everyday.

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"Javier, meet the director, He's the one who manages the whole company." Carl said, introducing the man infront of me. I held out my hand for a handshake.

"I'm Javier Tolentino, I would like to work here.... that is if you would allow me." He took my hand and shook it as he smiled.

"Hmm... the way you speak is so Filipino - like, don't you think it's getting old?" He said, laughing slightly.

"I'm Yoehan Guevarra, the Director of this company, you can start tomorrow, I'll text Carl about your duties. Is that fine?" He asked, having a smile on his face, which I returned.

"Yes it's fine, thank you very much." I thanked him, giving him a much more bigger smile.

I looked back at Carl who's smiling at me as well, while having two of his thumbs up, I returned his smile.

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"Thank you so much Carl, if you didn't help me i'd probably be jobless right now and don't forget the fact that i'll be working in a place full of my life." I told him when we came back home.

"Ahh... that's nothing, that's what friends are for, right? And why didn't you tell me that you like arts?" He asked.

"It's not a secret you know, I just didn't tell you because you might be busy with something and I don't want to bother you guys just to tell you 'hey I like arts, okay bye', you get me?" I answered, scratching my nape out of embarassment.

"You're not a bother Javier, If we were doing something we could continue it some other time, but talking to you is very rare since you were away for so long." He said, patting my shoulder.

"Hey, my hobbies aren't important okay, and it's just a hobby, you could've tell that I like it sooner or later. It's not good to bother people when thay're busy after all." I told him while smiling. You're too worried my friend, I lived alone for the whole past five years. Or should I say three..... years.

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"Javier, are you done? Let's go!" Carl screamed, I better get used to his every morning screams. I followed him to the car and got in the passenger seat.

"The Director said your work will be being a guard in the Gallery, He said you can take a look in the Gallery whenever you want, but never forget your job, got it?" Carl informed. I nodded my head and smiled.

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"Excuse me, may I ask the location of the Director's office? I'm the newly hired body guard here." I asked the first person I saw here, which I think is the 'Receptionist'? She looked at me like I have something on my face, then told me the way.

I thanked her while smiling, then followed the woman's instructions.

"Excuse me, this is Javier, sir." I spoke while knocking on the door lightly, when I heard the words "come in", I opened the door slightly, looking at the Director then coming in.

"So, your job is being a body guard right? You're not supposed to be a guard for this Gallery today though, look, my daughter's going to take a look around this Gallery." He spoke seriously, while I'm just nodding at him.

"You have to be alert at all times, my daughter is very pretty, she has lots of suitors lining up for her, you have to keep her away from those filthy animals, along with guarding the Gallery. Understood?" He asked, as he stared deeply at me, almost piercing my soul, I just nodded my head and smiled.