The runaway heiress

7. Soon

Five years later...

Have you ever wished to be something that you're not?

I was stuck in traffic that morning and I saw those words engraved on a billboard in the middle of the highway. I couldn't help but think of that. Yes, I have wished so many times to be someone that I'm not. I wanted to be ordinary – just a normal lady with a eight to five job – without a boss that has a high standard and expectation just because of my last name.

I sighed again.

I heard my phone ringing. I answered it. Hindi ko na kailangan tanungin kung sino niyon dahil boses pa lang niya alam kong si Madam Gregorio na ang tumatawag sa akin. Late na naman kasi ako. Hindi ko naman kasalanan. She's very unpredictable. Maaga sana akong makakapasok sa office kung hindi lang niya ako inutusang kunin ang mga pina-dry clean niya. Assistant niya ako pero I feel sometimes that I am her muchacha.

"Yza! Nasaan ka na naman?!" She growled at the other line. Madam Jenifer Gregorio is the Metro's number one designer. She designs clothes, bags and accessories. She's known for her passion in design and inventing new trends.

"Sorry, Madam, I'm on my way." Napangiwi ako. Fuck the traffic! Kung kailan naman ako nagmamadali saka naman ako nale-late lagi. Tinapos ni Madam Gregorio ang tawag. Kasabay naman noon ang pagsulong ng traffic. Agad kong inapakan ang gas at pinasibad ng mabilis ang kotse. Thirty minutes later – dahil pa rin sa traffic kaya inabot ako ng thirty minutes sa daan – ay nakarating na ako sa building ng office namin.

I was half running. I don't care kung pinagtitinginan na ako ng tao. I need to get to her office before she murders me. Nang makarating ako doon, kakatakbo hindi ko napansin na may kung ano sa sahig dahilan para madapa ako. I saw her feet walking right by me.

"Kahit talaga kailan, tanga ka, Yza. Consunji pa man din ang apelyido mo pero wala kang ginawang tama!" She yelled. Dahan-dahan akong tumayo. I looked at her. I bit my lower lip. Madam Gregorio was wearing her usual red dress – siya lang yata ang babaeng kilala ko na walang ibang sinuot sa buhay niya kundi red. Red dress with red stilettos, with matching red shoes and red scarf.

"You're late! Tapos na ang meeting ko, nasaan ang kape ko? Nasaan ang pina-dry clean ko? Nasaan ang mga designs na kailangan kong makita? Wala! Wala na naman kasi tatanga-tanga ka!" She yelled. Dinuduro-duro niya pa ako.

"Ano ba naman! I hired you because you're a Consunji! PI thought I was in for greatness pero anong meron? Tanga ka! No wonder your father's company didn't hire you! Boba!"

I wanted to cry. Ito na yata iyong pinakamasakit sa lahat ng salitang binitiwan niya sa akin. She always yells at me. Lagi niya akong pinupuna and it's not creative criticism. Pero ito, iba na ito.

"Get out of my office! I don't want to see you."

I looked at her. Bubulong-bulong pa rin siya. "Ang boba, walang utak."

Tahimik na tumalikod ako. Nararamdaman ko ang pag-init ng mga mata ko pero hindi ako umiyak. Kailangan ko ng tatag ng loob. Para rin naman sa akin ito. Kung kay Madame Gregorio pa lang susuko na ako, paano pa kapag lumabas na ako?

I am only here for the experience. Kapag nakuha ko na iyon, pwede na akong umalis. I've been working here for two and a half years already at kahit na matabil ang dila ng boss ko, nagtitiis ako because I needed experience from her.

"Iiyak ka? Bakit ka ba kasi nagtitiis dito? You'r family owns one of the biggest empires in the country. Why are you even here, Yza Consunji? You're destined for greatness at hindi mo dito matatagpuan iyon..."