Ineffable Euphoria

Kabanata 31

Kabanata 31...
Eat

It didn't faze me.

Another post emerged from the same account, aiming to damage my reputation once more. It got deleted before it even reached an hour, pero katulad ng dati, marami pa ring nakakuha ng screenshots. I may not check it, but I know people are already tweeting about it.

Liza and Eyan called to check on me as well, but I am fine.

I don't even want to hear about it for even a second.

The next day, I proceed to introduce myself to the employees, despite the fact that they had definitely seen that absurd post.

Maski si Bless ay nakita 'yon at nai-suggest sa'king dipensahan ang sarili kahit sa kanila lang, but I refused.

The whole week, as well as the following week, I drown myself with work. The controversy had died down by that time as I expected. The only thing I'm thankful for is that it didn't reach Tito's ears.

Knocks came on my office door before Bless revealed herself.

"Lunch, ma'am. Magpapadala na lang po ba ulit sa cafeteria?"

Ibinaba ko muna ang ballpen na hawak at tumango sa kan'ya.

"I'll eat salad this time. Tell them to send it na lang after an hour. Thanks," I gave her a subtle smile and she simply nodded before gently closing the door.

There is more paperwork that needs to be done than I anticipated. Hindi naman ako nagrereklamo. Actually, it's better this way. Hindi ko kailangang umuwi nang maaga.

Lumipat na sina Jyair at Zyair sa sarili nilang condo noong isang araw lang. They're quite skeptical about it, but I encourage them to go with it anyhow. I even helped them move in, buy new furnitures and stuff.

Nalulungkot man akong mag-isa, they're too old to stick by my side. Mag-anak na sila dapat at baka doon ko pa sila payagang sumama sa'kin sa bahay.

Nagtaka pa 'ko nang bumukas muli ang pintuan, dahil ang bilin ko'y sa isang oras pa, pero ganoon na lamang ang pag-ayos ko ng pagkakaupo nang makita si Tito.

"You've been working, that's good." He makes himself comfortable on the couch.

Tumayo naman ako't bahagyang inayos ang sarili bago naupo sa katapat n'yang upuan.

"What brought you here, Tito? Do you want anything? Tea, maybe?"

"No. I'm just here to remind you about Enrico's share with my business, as well as Mr. Romualdo's. You know him," he even gestures.

Hindi ko maalala kung sino iyon, pero tumango na lamang ako.

"Kuya Jyair's the one taking care of Dad's shares currently, Tito."

"Well, they heard about this little turn over and they want you to sit in the meetings. You're the known daughter of the late Mayor after all,"

All I could do was nod. I'll still discuss it with Jyair.

"I've already emailed the meeting schedules to you. Arrange your schedules around it," he says decisively.

He's my family, but I'm not going to live by his dictates. Yes, I owe them a lot. But I'm already making amends. Besides, it's not like they were not offered compensation.

Hindi ako sumagot.

"Also, your cousin is about to start her OJT, and she's considering this company even though I suggested she work on mine instead." He said it as if it were a negative thing. "There is vacant position for interns here, right?"