First and Only

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

"Architect, meeting po with Sunfire Hotels. Five pm." Paalala ni Raya.

Tumango ako at nagpatuloy na sa paggawa ng design. Ngayon ko makikilala ang client na ibinigay ni Statice sa akin. It's been a week since I talked to Mister Remualdez and he kept on making an issue about it, sinisiraan kami sa ibang businessmen. I also heard his daughter, Yula tried to talk about that matter in the internet.

Nakakapikon silang mag-ama.

"I'm Architect Anemone Kassandra Hermosa." Pakilala ko sa receptionist ng makarating ako sa Sunfire Corporation. Ibinigay ko din ang ID ko sa kanya. 

"12th floor po, ma'am." Ngumiti ang babae.

Nagpasalamat ako bago tumungo sa elevator.

I waited for awhile before the elevator opened. Nang makapasok ako ay may kasabay ako papasok.

"Hi." Napalingon ako sa lalake. "Bagong empleyado ka? Ngayon lang kasi kita nakita." He smiled.

Hindi ko siya type. I think he is way older than me. Late thirties maybe? Wala pa bang asawa to?

"No, I don't work here." Malamig kong sabi at umiling.

Gwapo naman siya pero hindi ko type. Call me a judgemental but he looks harmful. Yung hindi mo pagkakatiwalaan. The only guy you can't be friends with because the way they look at you, medyo malagkit.

"So, what are you here for?" He crossed his arms and leaned on the mirror walls.

"For a meeting." Tipid kong sagot, hindi siya tinitignan.

Sixth floor... Seventh floor... Ang tagal naman. This place is suffocating.

"Oh, so you're a business woman huh? Pero hindi ka naman investor? I don't see you during meetings. Oh... anak ka ba ng isa sa mga investors namin?"

Ba't ba ang daming tanong ng lalakeng 'to? He is annoying. Hindi ko siya tinignan at nanatiling nakatingin lang sa pinto ng elevator.

"You know, I own this company. Would you want to date me? I can give you anything. Name it."

Mas lalo akong nainis pero hindi ko nalang pinahalata.

Kung totoo mang siya ang may-ari, he doesn't look like one and he doesn't act like one. Napakahangin.

"Thanks, but no. Thank you." Malamig kong sabi at panandalian siyang sinulyapan. Tumunog ang elevator kaya lumabas na ako.

"Architect Hermosa?" Tanong ng babaeng sumalubong sa akin.

"Yes. I'm here for Mister Ferdinand Chui." Pormal kong sabi.

"This way please." Nauna siyang maglakad papunta sa kung saan. "Mister Chui is on his way, architect. May inasikaso lang po sa office at bababa na din po yun."

"Okay, thank you." I smiled at her. 

Binuksan niya ang pinto at napahinto ako ng makita kung sino ang nandoon.

Tangina, seryoso ba 'to?

"Architect Hermosa." Mukhang hindi din inaasahan ni Miguel na makita ako. "I-Ikaw yung architect?"

"Engineer Dela Cuesta, good afternoon." Pormal kong sabi at inilapag ang laptop ko sa mesa.

"Do you need anything ma'am? Coffee perhaps?" Tanong ng babae.

"No, thank you." I smiled at her.

"Okay po. Maiwan ko na muna po kayo." Aniya at umalis.

"Uh... Hindi ko in-expect na ikaw ang makakasama ko sa project na ito." Ani Miguel.