You Belong With Me

Two.

I had no choice but to inform Mrs. Villar about the dresses. She was disappointed but I was glad she didn't blame me. Para makabawi, I recommended her to a friend's store with a discount. Mabuti nalang at tinanggap niya.

Now, I am sulking in Lala's big office. I transferred here yesterday at naninibago pa rin ako. The office is spacious! I could even put a treadmill here but that would be inappropriate. I surveyed my eyes on the whole space. Everything screams Lala. The glass floor-to-ceiling windows, the large Bamboo table for her meetings, the abstract paintings and the family pictures placed behind me. I decided not to change the design since its already nice and it reminds me of Lala.

The intercom beeped and I heard Michelle.

"Miss Portia, Mr. Montano is here already for your meeting. Papapasukin ko na ba?"

Muntik ko nang makalimutan 'yan ah.

"Oh. Yes, please. Thanks, Michelle."

Bumukas agad ang pinto at bumungad sa akin si Seth, Montano Group's VP for Marketing. I stood up and extended my hand.

"Portia, skip the formality. Ako lang naman 'to," natatawa niyang sambit bago umupo sa sofa.

Tumango lang ako at ngumiti. Seth is a friend of mine since college. We went to the same school. Apo siya ng may-ari ng Montano Group at palagi kaming nagkikita sa events noon kapag sinasama ako ni Lala kaya naging kaibigan ko rin siya kahit papano.

"I'm sorry, ano nga ba ulit ang agenda natin today?", naguguluhan kong tanong.

I was really stressed about Mrs. Villar's order that's why I'm freaking sloppy today!

Seth chuckled and crossed his leg.

"The collaboration. My Lolo and your... Lala came up with this last year pero hindi natuloy dahil sa sakit ni Lolo. Now, we can and should continue it for them."

"Oh. Okay. Ano ba ang theme dapat ng TVC?"

Nagsimula na kami sa aming meeting. Kaswal lang iyon dahil magkaibigan naman kami pero ramdam ko pa rin ang pagka-seryoso ni Seth sa agenda. His ideas were very creative and fresh! Halatang pinag-isipan.

Montano Group and Divesta Corp. will launch a TV commercial as a collaboration. Since we are a beverage company and they have fast food chains, it would be easier to promote products.

"And I suggest we let the models wear Ragazza. Promotion din yun para sa store mo," tumango ako sa suggestion ni Seth. I like how he thought this through! "Ang kulang nalang sa atin ngayon ay ang kukuning models."

"Hmm, we can contact an agency, Seth," iyon lang ata ang na-contribute ko sa buong meeting na ito!

"Okay. Kayo nalang ni Chandler ang mag-usap tungkol sa budget. Iñigo is the VP for Finance but he will be out of the country for the next weeks, so..."

Chandler? Saan ko nga ba narinig ang pangalan na iyon? Seth must have read the confusion in my eyes and laughed.

"Hindi mo kilala si Chan?", Seth asked, natatawa pa.

I shook my head. "But his name's familiar..."

Lumakas ang tawa niya. O-kay?

"Okay, I'll give you a clue. Apo ni Lolo."

"May iba pang apo si Señor Juan?", nagtataka kong tanong.

"Yeah. Long story. Ano, isa pang clue?", I nodded. "Merrell."

My eyes widened at that. Gosh, I now remember! He was at the board meeting yesterday and also at the mall! That... jejemon!

"Oh my gosh, you are cousins?", hindi ako makapaniwala! Okay, they are good looking but that man was clearly out of their league!