Red Strings of Fate (Haunted Series 2)

Strings 18: Precious

Ang nag register sa utak ko?—Rich people gathering and Jamie wants my design to be her battle armor for it.

The room spins around me, and I place my hand against his nightstand for stability. I'll be creating again. "Ako? Ako ang mag d-design?" I asked myself, can I do it?

He blinks. "This annoying habit of repeating everything back to me is a waste of time and oxygen." 

Kakabalik lang niya pero gusto ko na uli siyang umalis. James can be a man of few words, but they serve their purpose of making me feel like an idiot without actually calling me an idiot. It must be his superpower.

"Hello?" I made a face, "First off, May karapatan naman akong malito! Nasisante na ako!"

This time, his face shifts from a neutral stare to something that translates to: I'm the dumbest person he'd encountered. "Did you lose your skills when you got fired?"

Now it was my turn to blink stupidly while he went inside his walk-in closet to change, "Pero... bakit ako?"

How did I go from a fired assistant designer slash LOA student to a maid, then a designer for Jamie Faith Del Valle? Something bad would happen next, I'm just sure of it. Hindi tuloy tuloy ang biyaya ko sa buhay eh. 

"I'm guessing she liked your design or else you wouldn't be offered the job."

"H-how did she see my designs?" I hate that he's seeing my vulnerable side, but I would like to think that my sweet childhood friend is still inside the present James' insensitive personality.

"She saw the portfolio you gave your boss." The air escapes my lungs like a deflating balloon.

My portfolio.

Madame Kristine saw my portfolio and used it for her clients! Siya ba ang guest sa baba?

James' comes back with a fresh shirt and raised his eyebrow, "Are you going to stand still and fucking cry or will you go downstairs and do what you've been wanting to do?"

I choked on the weird feeling erupting in my throat and stared at him unbelievably, trying to hold back my smile, "I'm going to be Jamie's designer?"

"Not her designer. Nothing here is permanent. Your job is contingent on your performance, so as long as it meets her standards, then you can consider yourself employed."

Oh my God. I wanted to cry out of sheer happiness but before I could celebrate, self-doubt trickled in, erasing my joy, "What if I mess it up? W-wala akong materials, the—"

"We'd provide you for whatever you need. For now, go downstairs and do your magic." Binuksan niya ang pintuan at tinaasan ako ng kilay nang makitang hindi parin ako lumalabas ng kwarto.

My magic

I couldn't help it.

I walked towards him and hugged him tight. Naramdaman ko ang paninigas niya but before I could further embarrass myself, lumayo na ako, "Welcome back Sir."

Ngumiti ako at nauna na sa elevator.

Sinundan ko ang ingay papunta sa gilid ng mansyon, they were at the the receiving area, at naabutan kong nakaupo sa loveseat chair si Jamie at sa L shaped couch ang one and only Madame Kristine. 

My heart clenched seeing her after all that happened, kamusta na kaya ang summer collection niya?

"Oh, you're here!" Jamie enthusiastically greeted me at hinila niya ako paupo, while Madame gave me a smile that melted my anxiety.

"How are you, Scarlet?"

Huminga ako ng malalim at binalik ang ngiti niya, adjusting my clothes to at least look proper. "Okay lang po Madame. Kayo po?"