"Architect, I will just remind you of your remaining scheduled meetings for today," my long-time secretary started.
I massage the bridge of my nose, already feeling tired of my work for today. Pakiramdam ko'y kahit pa araw- araw akong may natatapos na mga trabaho, hindi pa rin sila maubos- ubos. Parang mas nadagdagan pa nga ata. Well, that's actually a good thing. I can't just seem to stay focused, my mind's always somewhere else.
"Jerome," I called him, signaling him to stop talking. Nararamdaman na ang pamimintig ng sentido ko.
"Yes, architect?" Napakurap- kurap pa nitong tanong.
"Any update about the Grande's?"
I've been dying to start a project with the Grande Corporation. I'm certain that they will accept the project. Kahit pa kababangon lamang ng Buena Architectural Firm sa muntikan ng pagbagsak, it had already long established a name in the field. Lalo pa't internal ang naging problema ng kompanya kaya halos magsara. Walang naging problema sa mga proyektong natapos nito kaya hindi naman nawala ang tiwala rito.
"Ah, yes, architect. Hinahanapan na lamang po ng schedule. They are expecting a meeting soon."
"Prioritize them. If you have to move prior- scheduled meetings just so they can fit, do so. We need to close that deal as soon as possible."
And I need to talk to her soon. Baka tuluyan na nga akong mahuli kung hindi ko pa sisimulan ngayon. Fuck, Hale and his rules. I will just deal with him after Bella. She's the priority, anyways.
I rest my back in the swivel chair and close my eyes. Inalis ko na rin ang cufflinks ng suot na longsleeves.
"You can go now. Thanks, Jerome."
Tumango- tango lamang ito bago tuluyang umalis ng aking opisina. Saglit akong sumilip sa tanawin sa labas ng aking opisina. It's almost sunset. Nagsisimula na ring magdilim ang paligid. Muli kong ipinikit ang mga mata nang muling maramdaman ang pagpitik sa aking sentido. Damn. I still have a lot of things to do.
Inabala ng isang malakas na pagtunog ng aking telepono ang katahimikan ng buong opisina.
With furrowed eyebrows, I picked up the phone. It was an unregistered number.
"Hello?" I answered formally.
"Magandang hapon po, ser!"
"Sino 'to?" I asked, not able to recognize the voice from the other line.
"Ah, si Dex po ito, ser! Iyong nagdedeliver ng bulaklak sa girlfriend nyo po," he answered with an accent I couldn't fathom.
"Oh, from Sweet&Spice, I remember. Bakit, may problema ba?"
"Ay, nako, ser. Ayaw pong tanggapin. Girlfriend nyo po ba talaga iyon?"
I cleared my throat. Well, she's not my girlfriend. Atleast, not anymore but she will be, soon. Hopefully.
"Itinangi pa nga kayo, ser, eh. Wala raw pong s'yang boyfriend. Nako! Tsaka pala akin na lang daw po iyong mga pinapadala nyo. Ayaw na po talagang tanggapin, ser."
I sighed.
"Ano po bang pangalan nyo, ser? Magpakilala na po kaya kayo?" Patuloy pa nito sa pagdaldal.
"Fine. Stop sending her flowers on my behalf, Dex. I'll just sent my payment to you. Thanks," mabilis kong sagot bago tuluyang ibinaba ang tawag.
Mas pinapasakit nya pa ang ulo ko. Now, I really regret giving that boy my number. My personal number in that case, when I just want to have some updates with Bella!
Minasahe kong muli ang sentido. I guess, she had changed.
Feeling frustrated with all the stunts I've been doing recently, I picked up my phone again and searched for her contact name. I'm done with all this anonymous shits.
Ako:
The followers are for you.
I sent it, without thinking twice. Bahala na. She finds me really creepy now. Sasagarin ko na.
I almost jumped on my seat like a teenage boy when I immediately received a reply from her.
Isabella:
Do I know you?
I can't imagine her saying that personally. She doesn't sound like the Bella from before. I miss all of her awkward emojis.
Ako:
Yeah
Isabella:
Who are you?
I smirked. Really, babe?
Ako:
Your governor.
I replied quickly, using the term that she fondly called me before.
Isabella:
Malayo pa yung eleksyon, sir.
I scoffed. I was supposed to reply when I received another one.
Isabella:
And my vote is not for sale.
Right after I read that, she blocked me.
I can't help but smile with that, that was so like her. Still blocking people when she's pissed.
Don't worry, babe. You'll know who am I soon.
