Mistaken Pleasure SPG (COMPLETED)

Perfect Pleasure-5

Warning: Mature Content. Not suitable for young readers.

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"Your job descriptions might change a bit," he continued, "but Mr.Whitfeld has assured me that you are each valuable employees who will be willing to meet me halfway. Unless you prove otherwise, you can expect to remain on the payroll indefinitely."

Alex was in Tagaytagay. Here. The world launched back into its dizzy, perilous spin, sending rivulets of shock through my veins.

"In return for this job security, however, I will expect flexibility and loyalty from each of you." He said in a demanding and fierce tone na para bang tumagos ito sa puso ko. "You best know that I will not tolerate dissention within ranks."

Dissention within ranks? Ako bang pinaparinggan niya?

"I am willing to listen to your concerns and consider your input, but I advise you to prepare yourselves for a big change. The Global Publishing must be brought back into profitability if it'll survive the next decade. We will have to work together to make updates in a timely fashion. If we do not, Whitfeld's legacy will fail."

Naramdaman kong hinawakan ni Claue ang braso ko pero hindi ko siya pinansin. Nanatili lamang akong nakatitig sa mga mata ni Alex na nakatitig din sa akin ngayon. Unable to move while he continued.

"Toward that end, I will maintain an open door policy so that we can build a working relationship as we move forward together."

I need to escape. Now.

Kailangan kong lumayo sa lugar na ito. Hindi ko pa kayang harapin ang nakaraan ko. Hindi ko pa kayang masaktan uli.

Alex' eyes narrowed habang nakatitig parin sakin. "Do you have a question?" Tanong niya sakin.

At bigla kong napagtanto na nakatayo na pala ako. Nagbulungan ang ibang impleyado at mabilis pa sa alas kwatro akong nakabalik sa pag-upo.

"Amanda?" Bulong ni Claue at hinawakan niya ako sa braso. "What is it? You are pale as dead."

"I'm fine," I managed to say. My pulse careened as my thougts raced frantically. God, kailan pa niya nalaman na nandito kami?

Hindi ko siya kayang harapin. Matapos kong mabasa ang sulat na ibinilin ni Myrtle ay feeling ko wala na akong karapatan para ibigin siya.

Isa lamang akong simpleng babae sa nakaraan niya. Dalawang taon na ang nakalipas simula nong huli kaming magkita. Kailangan ko ng gawin ang tama ngayon. Kung noon ay nagpadala ako sa bugso ng damdamin ko. Pwes ngayon ay utak ko na ang susundin ko.

The rest of the meeting passed in a blur. Alex' speech, outlining the schedule of pending books and his vision for the future of the Global Publishing, barely penetrated the turmoil of my thoughts. Pero nung inanunsyo niyang tapos na ang meeting ay bigla akong nakaramdam ng kaunting pag-asa. Pag-asa na makaalis at makauwi sa bahay ng hindi siya nakakausap.

Everyone stood to leave, their low murmurs rising like the hum of bees moving to a new hive. And I joined them.  Pero mas binilisan ko ang paglalakad ko kesa sa kanila. Palabas na sana ako ng convention office ng biglang may tumawag sakin.

"Ms.Marquez."

Napalingon ako at nakita ko na si Ms.Fernandez ang tumawag sakin. One of the supervisors in Global Publishing.

"Y-yes?" Nauutal kong sagot sa kanya.

"Mr.Del Castillo wants to talk to you since ikaw ang dating secretary ni Mr.Whitfeld." Sabi niya at nginitian niya ako.

Tumango ako at dahan-dahan kong ipinikit ang mga mata ko.

Breath in. Breath out. I can do this.