Leave A Little Later - Soon to be Published under PaperInk Publishing House

#LALLCHAPTER22

Reign

We only have one week to go before the photo-shoot for the famous local brand. Hindi ko maitago 'yung excitement ko. Last two weeks, we were able to wrap up the shoot for Denise.

Nakaka-miss tuloy siyang makita sa mga cute little outfits niya.

Maaga akong hinatid ni Gab dahil may art exhibit for this month, kaya dapat maaga rin ang pagpunta niya sa office at sa Museum. For the past years, mas lalo nilang napapaganda 'yung mga art exhibition.

Hindi nila 'yun tinanggal sa history ng Arte, kahit na medyo nagbago na rin ang panahon. Nakakatuwa rin na sa mga nakaraang taon ay kasama ako sa mga art exhibition na 'yun.

I just gathered all my work for today and started early.

After almost an hour ay nagsidatingan na rin sila.

"Good morning, Reign," Mr. dela Cruz greeted me upon entering our office.

"Good morning," I greeted back and I smiled at him, sa iba rin naming kasama na photographer.

They are all my seniors, isa lang ang kasama ko na new employee rito sa The Mosaic, pero naka-leave siya for some reason.

"This will be the other concept that they just sent yesterday," Mr. dela Cruz stated and handed me the clear folder.

"Okay po, ibabalik ko na lang po mamaya," I politely said as I finally open the clear folder.

I realized that I should study these concepts first before these paper works. I spent my whole morning session for this one. It's lunch time already, nagpaalam ako na hindi ako makakasabay sa kanila at babalik na lang ulit ako mamaya, dahil balak ko talaga bisitahin si Gab sa work niya. He's been really busy lately. Halos hindi na kami magsabay sa mga usual na ginagawa namin. He's a bit quiet, pag-uwi niya, nasa work space pa rin siya sa bahay. Kaya it's really a good idea to visit him today.

Dumaan ako sa isang coffee shop to get him an avocado smoothie and avocado toast-as usual.

After almost an hour, I finally arrived at Arte.

I didn't tend to enter the exhibition area kasi baka 'di na ako makaalis doon, dahil alam ko kung gaano ako ka-adik sa pagtingin sa mga painting at art works. At saka baka naman maging water na an consistency ng avocado smoothie, nakakahiya naman kay Mr. Valdez.

I didn't message him na malapit na ako. Nasanay na rin 'yung mg empleyado rito na bumibisita ako every exhibit, at minsan sa usual office hours din. Binabati na rin nila ako. Nagulat nga sila Ms. Anne at Cecille noong nalaman nila na jowa ko pala ang assistant director ng Arte, at ngayo'y Director na.

Noong nasa Media Team na ako, doon lang nila nalaman. They felt betrayed daw. Well, until now we still have connection, though Cecille is now working abroad for her son—it just happened that she got pregnant two years ago. Ms. Anne's still on her position as department head, hindi raw siya magsasawa sa department namin.

I knocked three times before entering.

"Hey!"

Gabrielle stood up upon seeing me entering his office.

Palagi ko na lang naalala 'yung nangyari sa couch, automatic na umiinit ang pisngi ko. I planted kiss on his cheek and handed him his favorite food.

"Thanks, have you eaten your lunch?" he asked at ipinatong saglit 'yung paper bag na dala ko for him.

"Not yet, order na lang ako. Work ka na muna ulit," I said at kinuha ang phone ko sa bag para magpa-deliver.

"No, it's fine. I was just really waiting for you," sagot naman niya kaya ngumiti ako at tumango.