Distant Stars

Prologue

"Bakit ka ba kasi kinakabahan? 'Di ba sabi mo 'di mo naman sinira ulit yung copy machine?" Tanong sa 'kin ni Xavier, habang naglalakad na kami papuntang office ni Miss Ivy.

I can feel it. May kutob akong bad news ang bubungad sa 'kin ngayon sa Editor in Chief namin. 

"Malilintikan ka sa 'kin kapag nasira mo ulit! Ako kaya nagbuhat na 'yon papuntang first floor!" Dagdag pa niya at natawa naman ako. Medyo nawala yung kaba ko, buti nalang pala nagpahatid ako sakaniya papunta sa 5th floor.

"O, ano naman? may elevator kaya? duh." Sabat ko naman sakaniya.

"Sa tingin mo ba kakasya yung copy machine sa pinto ng elevator? Paano gagawin ko? Babaklasin ko muna lahat? duh!" He said then mocked my voice at the end making me slap him in the arm.

"This is it." Sabi ko kay Xavier nung nasa harap na kami ng pinto nung office ni Miss Ivy. 

Knowing na minsan lang ako ipatawag ni Miss Ivy, behind the door would probably be very good news or very bad news. 

"Sinasabi ko talaga sa 'yo, Camille Eloise Alonzo. Pag 'yan tungkol sa copy machine-"

"Hindi nga! Ang kulit?" Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin, "Now shoo, I don't need you anymore."

He faked a dramatic look and clenched his chest. I laughed and waved goodbye then I knocked the door, waiting for Miss Ivy's voice.

"This is Camille po," I said through the door when I didn't hear her answer.

"Miss Alonzo, come in." Rinig kong sabi niya sa kabila. Nagpunas muna ako ng kamay sa slacks ko then I went inside.

Bungad sa 'kin ay ang nakasimangot na mukha ni Miss Ivy. I'm not surprised though, lagi naman siyang nakasimangot. Menopause na siguro. Charot.

She gestured me to sit in the chair in front of the her desk, so I did. She made a few clicks on her mouse before looking at me. 'Di ko pa rin mabasa sa mukha niya kung good news or bad news ang sasabihin niya sa 'kin, so I just awkwardly smiled at her while I wait.

This better be good. Di ako naglunch break dahil dito.

"Sorry to call you at lunch break. It's very urgent. And it's a Monday, so I'm very busy..." She rambled making me mentally yawn.

Daming chikka, ayaw pang sabihin. Baka nakain na ni Xavier yung tinabi kong salad sa fridge ng break room.

Tumango lang ako, signaling her to go on. She got the note na gusto ko na sabihin na niya yung sasabihin niya kaya pinutol niya yung pagsasalita niya.

"You're the pending new Editor in Chief of Lighthouse, Miss Alonzo." She gave me a small smile, pero halatang pilit lang.

I got promoted? Oh my gosh. Pero what did she meant about pending? Ano 'to? Facebook friend request?

"Pending po?" I repeated what she said.

"Yes. The former EIC will migrate to the States. So rushed decision ang pagnonominate sa 'yo na maging possible na EIC. Pero before we appoint you, we made a task if you're really ready for being an EIC considering that ang laki ng agwat ng EIC sa managing editor." She explained to me.

Task? Nominate? PBB ka, ghourl?

"Ano po yung task?" I nervously asked her.

Why do I feel like tama pa rin yung kutob ko kanina na may bad news pa rin na dadating sa 'kin?

"Your task is to make a whole article of Lighthouse about one of the most popular business men in the Philippines right now..." She trailed of as she started to turn the monitor of her computer to me.

Oh no, I think I know where this is going...

"The CEO of Valerio Group of Companies, Alexander Joaquin Valerio."

Tangina.