Always You

30

“Miss Wong, nasa table na po ‘yung pinadeliver ninyo.”

Katatapos ko lang makipag-usap sa team leaders, and so far, maganda naman ang performance ng department. We planned on a partnership in one of the biggest telecom in the country, but it's still up to the board to decide on that, especially Zeke. I already gave him my report last week, pero wala pa rin update mula sa kanya.

He must have been avoiding me after I told him about boundaries. I asked for a meeting with him to discuss about the telecom deal but he cancelled it three times already.

Kung may problema siya sa akin, he should set it aside since we are talking business here. He should act professionally. It would be a great opportunity for the company, at mas lalong lalawak ang coverage ng kumpanya. Ewan ko ba’t hindi niya iyon nakikita.

Bumalik ako ng office at umupo sa couch. Nagpadeliver kasi ako ng pagkain for lunch. These past few days, pakiramdam ko ay bumabalik ‘yung hyperacidity ko. The last time I had it was when I was in college. I usually skipped meals or eat less that’s why I got sick.

Habang kumakain ako ng lunch, bigla akong tinawagan ng Amy, ‘yung secretary ko. She told me that Mr. Montenegro wanted to talk to me right now dahil ngayon lang vacant ang schedule niya. Kelangan ko daw bilisan at aalis na siya within 10 minutes.

Napaawang ang bibig ko. Chikushou! Ano bang problema niya? Hindi ba niya alam na lunch ngayon? Hindi ko na lang tinapos ang kinakain ko. Inayos ko ang sarili bago pumunta sa office niya.

I kept myself calm kahit na nanggagalaiti na ako sa galit. When I reached his office, I saw Phil, his secretary, tidying up his table. I greeted him and he immediately directed me inside the room.


I was left in awe how Zeke looked manly in his business suit. I went inside and he told me to sit down. My eyes couldn't stop staring at him. He's so sinfully tempting to touch, especially the stubble beard that  emphasized his jawline.

I swallowed hard to subdue this attraction I’m feeling right now. Kanina lang galit ako, bakit ngayon iba na?

“Good afternoon”, I said formally. Thank God I didn’t stutter!

He was sitting on his swivel chair while reading some files on his table. He didn’t even glance at me, pero mabuti na rin iyon dahil ayokong titigan na naman niya ako. He was tapping his fingers while I’m here waiting for him to say something. I cleared my throat to catch his attention, baka kasi nakalimutan niya na nasa harapan ako at naghihintay sa kanya.

“About the proposal of the telecom partnership, it’s not going to happen. You may go.”

Ha? Tama ba ang narinig ko? Just like that? I need an explanation. I mean, why?

“Can you tell me the reason why?”, sinagot ko siya.

Tama naman ‘yung business proposal namin at isa pa, pinag-isipan din ng team iyon. This time, he looked at me without any hint of emotion.

“The proposal is just a waste of time,” he answered calmly.

"Did you even read it?", I asked. "I mean it can be a great opportun---".

“You may go”, he sternly said.

Now, I’m really upset. I can accept criticisms but not like this. He didn’t even tell me the reason why.

"If I need to revise the proposal, gagawin ko--."

"Mukhang hindi mo naiintindihan ang sinabi ko Miss Wong", he cut me off. "I said, NO." He even emphasized the word.