Filed Up Feelings (Charity Series #2)

• Four •

Catalina Konan

°°°

Napatingala ako sa taas ng gusali ng Protegé Incorporation. Heto na naman at papasok ako rito ngayong araw. Matagal-tagal din noong huli kong punta rito bilang producer, pero ngayon, papasok na 'ko rito bilang event coordinator.

Sabi sa 'kin ni Tiara, ngayon na raw ang umpisa ng trabaho ko. Like the usual scenario, I will be having a briefing this morning before I proceed to my actual work.

Geez, kinakabahan ako. I will finally meet the CVA members!

Nasa 11th floor na 'ko at nakita ko agad si Tiara at Zen sa isang gilid. Muntik na naman sana akong ma-starstruck pero mabuti na lang, lumingon si Tiara sa pwesto ko at nginitian ako.

"Ipapakilala na kita sa iba pang members, nando’n din naman si Hailey. ‘Di ba nagkakilala na kayo noon?" litanya ni Tiara pagkalapit ko sa kanila.

"Oh, her former boss was the trust fund kid Claudius?" nakataas ang dalawang kilay ni Zen at natawa, "Well, how unlucky you are to be his co-member and boss again. But I’m telling you, be careful with him. Sometimes--- or most of the times, he’s acting like a robot," anito sa 'kin.

Tinignan siya ng seryoso ni Tiara, "Zen, don’t scare her, you’re telling that again."

Mahinhin akong natawa sa kanila at maliit na kinaway ang dalawang palad ko, "It’s okay, I’ve known him for so long."

Dahil sa Dwellsmith ako nagta-trabaho dati, syempre kilala ko na si Sir Claudius. He's a business minded person, he's always serious and all-- pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasang magtaka sa 'robot' thingy na sinasabi ni Zen.

What? Is he really like that? I mean, robots are lifeless and emotionless.

Saka, nakita ko na kayang ngumiti si Sir Claudius noong meeting-- sobrang minsan nga lang.

Tumuloy na kami sa isang silid, pagpasok ay bumungad agad sa mata ko ang apat na katao. Tatlo ro'n ay pamilyar na sa 'kin-- si Sir Claudius, Seven at Hailey.

Nakaramdam ako ng matinding hiya nang mapunta sa 'kin lahat ang atensyon nila. Inalalayan naman akong maupo ni Tiara sa single sofa kung saan ay nasa gitna.

"H-Hi, I’m Catalina Konan Nievez. Nice meeting you all," mahinang sambit ko sa kanila.

"I can’t believe that you’re going to be our event coordinator. I heard you were offered by Betina, is it really fine to you? How about your other job?" litanya sa akin ni Hailey.

"Actually, it’s fine by me."

"You accepted so easily unlike Betina. She went berserk back in the days," humalakhak si Seven na paikot-ikot sa swivel chair.

Kaagad siyang kinontra ni Zen, "That’s because you were harsh at first! You were forcing her too much!"

"We forced her because she entered without anyone’s knowledge so of course that’ll automatically happen. She’s a stranger back then," nakahalukipkip na usal naman ni Sir Claudius.

"Seriously guys, that was in the past. We’re not here to talk about me," napailing si Tiara sa kanila saka ako hinarap, "Sorry about that. Anyway, first, tell me if you feel uncomfortable, okay? Ngayon na rin ang araw mo sa trabaho pagkatapos nito."

Tumango-tango ako sa kan'ya kahit na alam ko sa loob ko na kinakabahan ako. The first day of work will always make you feel nervous. Tsk!

"Then, I will explain about this organization to you, Konan." inayos ni Hailey ang salamin niya at tumingin sa 'kin ng pormal, "So this room will be your office starting today. This organization was created by Silvanna, four years ago. The meaning of CVA is ‘Charity Vision Association’. The information of companies or person you will successfully invite to the party will be input in that computer," turo niya sa table kung saan nakaharap si Seven, "Once you completed the guests list, you will get their classified informations alphabetically and will be kept in your laptop in your apartment that was connected on Seven’s computer--- that is to secure their information."