My Boss is a Freak (Published under Pop Fiction)

23: Mira

So I put my hands up
They're playing my song
The butterflies fly away
Nodding my head like yeah
Moving my hips like yeah

I put my hands up, they're playing my song
You know I'm gonna be okay
Yeah, yeah, yeah
It's a party in the USA

I decided to take a quick break from working on a report — and by "quick break", I meant a couple of minutes spent just staring blankly ahead, earphones in. Kapag stressed ako ay talagang musika ang binabalingan ko.

The DJ plays my song and I feel alright...

Feel na feel ko ang pakikinig sa "Party in the USA" ni Miley Cyrus, so much that I actually closed my eyes for a few beats, humming to the music. Ngunit sa gulat ko ay biglang may humugot ng earphones ko. Naturalmente ay napamulat ako, at nakita kong nasa harap ko na ang pinakasupladong nilalang na nakilala ko.

Patay!

"Well?" Sir Vren frowned down at me. "I suppose Miley Cyrus isn't concerned about the financial state of Medialink, Ms. Custodio."

Naku po. Ifa-fire na ba ako nito? Parang nagsa-sound trip lang, eh!

Realizing I had no other way out of the situation, I just flashed him my most beautiful smile — 'yong tipong pa-cute na nakakaloko.

"Hi, Sir Vren," sabi ko habang sige pa rin sa pagngiti na akala mo ay nagpapakuha ng graduation picture. "Kilala mo pala si Miley Cyrus?"

His jaw tightened. "You're impossible," he said after a while, his tone dangerous.

Hala siya. Asar-talo!

Bumuntonghininga ako. Makapagseryoso na nga at baka tuluyan na akong mawalan ng trabaho. "I'm sorry, sir. Is there anything I can do to help you?"

Nagtaka naman ako nang nag-iwas siya ng tingin sa akin. Para bang tinitimbang niya kung itutuloy niya ba ang balak niya sanang sabihin.

"Sir?" I prompted.

He finally took a deep breath, as if steeling himself. "We are going to AMMC."

"AMMC?" I echoed, confused. "Saan po 'yon?"

"Right where Vince is," he answered with an unreadable expression.

Vince? As in si Papa Vince?

Tara, Sir! Hindi mo naman agad sinabi, eh!