Let's Talk About Us [Completed]

52. Pun Intended

I sank into stormy contemplation, clueless how to handle his newest challenge for me. Pinapahirapan talaga ng kuya ni Arthur. Ugh.

"This is the latest project for the 3rd quarter of the year. Dapat si Arthur ang mag aasikaso n'yan but since he's in the States now, I'm trusting you into this matter, Alison."

Oh, sh1t. Masyado naman yata siyang nagtitiwala sa akin. Nakaka stress tuloy.

"We just got the approval of the municipal of Astrid for the new branch last Monday..."

Nanliit ang mga mata ko sa narinig. Nagkatinginan din kami ni Garrett na para bang nagtatanong sa isa't isa kung tama ba ang narinig namin. Damn it. Don't tell me...

"Astrid, Sir?" nagtatakang tanong ni Garrett. "Did I hear it right?"

Ngumiti naman bago tumango na animo'y nagmamalaki si Kuya Ezekiel. Is it just me or is he doing it all these sh1ts on purpose?

"Yes, we're gonna establish a new branch in Astrid in partnership with M Mall. Gusto kong kayo ni Alison ang mag asikaso nito habang wala pa si Arthur." Nilingon ako ni Kuya Ezekiel nang may mapaghamong tingin. "Is that okay with you, Alison?"

Gusto kong mag walk out. Gusto kong tutulan ang panibagong trabahong binigay niya sa amin pero sino ba naman ako para tanggihan iyon? Is it about time to resturn to my hometown?

I took out a deep breath and slowly let it out. "No, i-it's fine..." Wala naman akong magagawa.

Nakita kong umawang ang bibig ni Garrett marahil bakas sa akin ang pagkabahala ngunit mas pinili niyang ibagsak nalang ang tingin sa sahig.

"It's settled then. Bukas na bukas din ay kailangan niyo nang pumunta sa site. I guess you have no problems on where to stay 'cause you're basically from there, aren't you?"

Tumango lang ako at ganun din si Garrett.

"Good. Kailangan niyong i meet ang engineer at architect ng site, Alison. You have also an appointment with the city mayor on Monday. Call me if you need something. That's all."

Tumikhim si Garrett kaya tinignan ko siya. Sinesenyasan niya akong lumabas na. Tatayo na sana ako nang magsalita muli si Kuya Ezekiel.

"Stay for a while, Alison. May pag uusapan pa tayo," he said with a smile that sent shiver down my spine.

Tumango lang si Garrett bago lumabas ng office. Inangat ko ang tingin sa nakakatandang kapatid ni Arthur na ngayon ay nakaupo na sa kanyang upuan.

"Kamusta ang trabaho, Alison?"

Lumunok ako para maalis kahit papa'no ang panlulumo ko sa aking narinig kanina. "Ayos lang naman. Mahirap at nakakapressure pero nakakaya ko naman," sagot ko.

Tumango siya at bahagyang ngumiti. Hindi ko alam pero sa tuwing ngingiti siya ay kinakabahan ako.

"Ayaw kitang pahirapan pero gusto kitang subukan," seryoso pero malumanay niyang sabi. "I know you're smart, Alison. I trust you but I need to test you more to verify if you're really qualified. I'm sure you're still not satisfied as a pretend mom of my niece, right?"

Sinalubong ko lang ang kanyang mapanghamong tingin. Now, I get it. He wants me in his company.

"Right, Alison?" tanong niya muli.

"Yes..."

He beamed gratefully before extended his hand out to me. "Great. We don't want to waste someone like you, Alison." He said while I shook his hand. "So, let's end this discussion here. You will probably stay in Astrid for a week or so, kaya magpaalam ka ng maayos kay Venice."