Forbidden Pleasure

Chapter 18

Moments later, the elevator opened and two females stepped out. Pumasok naman ako at isasara na sana ang pinto nang may pumasok na lalaking sa tingin ko ay isang banyaga. He entered the elevator and pressed the close button.

Bumaling ito sa 'kin at ngumiti. "Hey."

I forced a smile and greeted back, "Hey."

Lumapit ako sa mga buttons at pinindot ang lapag na hihintuan ko. Ramdam ko naman ang pagsunod ng tingin ng kasama ko. I suddenly felt awkward knowing that there were only the two of us inside these four corners of the room.

"I'm Jeiko Rancano. You are?" pormal nitong pagpapakilala. He even extended his hands for a shake.

Hilaw akong ngumiti rito bago ko tinanggap ang kanyang kamay. "I'm Sam Kainashi."

"Sam," he murmured as we shook hands. Nauna akong bumitiw at ngumiti. "Anong trabaho mo rito?"

"I'm an architect, working for this company," I replied.

Tumango ito. "I see. You are beautiful, by the way."

I chuckled. "Bolero ka pala."

Tumawa naman ito nang bahagya at umiling. "I'm stating the fact, Sam."

Umiling lamang ako rito. "Thank you if that's the case."

He answered me with a smile. Bumukas naman ang pinto kaya nagpaalam na ako sa kanya. Tinanguhan lamang ako nito, kasabay ng pagsarado ng pinto ng elevator. I just shrugged to myself and walked towards my table.

Sinalubong naman ako ni Claire ng mapanuksong tingin. "Kita ko 'yun, ah. Sino 'yun?"

"Ang gwapo!" tili ni Ren.

Napairap na lang ako. Dumapo ang paningin ko kay Hiro na naglalakad palapit sa 'kin. "Pinapatawag tayo."

"Kasama sina Claire?" I asked.

Umiling naman ito. "No. Just the heads. Ngayon daw."

Bahagya akong nabigla sa biglaang pagbigkas nito ng salitang tagalog. "What is it again?"

He rolled his eyes. "He said now."

I chuckled and shook my head. "Ayaw pang magtagalog."

Aangal pa sana si Hiro nang tumikhim si Claire, "Baka nakakalimutan niyong nandito pa kami?"

--

"It's not optional. It's mandated. Iyan ang napag-usapan namin ni Ice. We don't want our people to be stressed over their work. So even if you like it or not, you'll attend this gathering. Anyway, it's just for three days."

Tumango kami. Magkakaroon daw kami ng break for 3 days. And it would be in Boracay. Siguro ay nakikita na nilang stressed na kami kaya pinagpapahinga nila kami. But seriously, 3 days break and be with my son is enough. Full energy na agad ako after three days.

"Everything is free unless you buy something like souvenirs. That's not part of the budget. Are we clear with that?"

"Yes, Sir."

He nodded. "Good. Now, dismiss."

Tumayo naman agad ako at nag-inat ng katawan. Everyone's faces were now bright, unlike a moment ago. Maaliwalas na ang expresyon sa kanilang mga mukha matapos marinig ang magandang balita. Nilapitan naman ako ni Hiro at inakbayan. Sabay kaming naglakad palabas ng pinto.

"I'm excited!" a girl exclaimed.

"Kasama natin si Sir Ice at Kiyo. Oh my gosh! I'm excited to see them shirtless," impit na tili ng isa dahilan upang mapairap ako.