Made in Paris

Confusion

"O ano sinisigaw sigaw mo diyan Val ah? Busy kaya ako. Ay nako pag 'to di importante baka masasabunutan kita." Maine asks as Valeen as the latter takes a seat across her. "Spill. Ano ba yun? Bilisan mo marami pa kong gagawin."

"There would be a company event on Saturday."

"On Saturday? What for? And how come I get to know this just now, Val?"

"Well, your tito asked me to help for the planning when you and Alden were still in Paris. Sinabi din nya saken na wag na kitang abalahin tungkol dun."

"So para saan nga ang party na yon ah?"

"I think you forgot that Victoire will arrive on Saturday. I think it's a welcoming party."

"Ahh. Iba talaga pag sikat yung magiging cover nung magazine issue. May paparty pang nalalaman yung tito ko."

"So..."

"So?"

"Who's gonna be your date at the party?"

***

"Date?" Alden asks Jerald curiously. "Di ba pwedeng ako na lang mag-isa?"

"Oh come on! As if namang wala ka pang naiisip na ayain bilang date mo. Wag ako, Paps. Wag ako."

"Ano bang pinagsasasabi mo diyan ah? Ikaw pinagtritripan mo lang ata ako e."

"Wag mo nang i-deny. It's obvious you know. Lalaki din ako. Alam ko ibig sabihin nung mga titig mo kay ano..." Alden immediately covers his friend's mouth to stop him from blabbering. There are a lot of ears in there and he can't risk anyone knowing anything especially when she doesn't even know a thing yet. Ganun yon e. May pagkamanhid ata.

"Wag dito uy. Teka halata ba talaga?"

"Oo. Ewan ko sa iba ah pero ako know na know ko. Paglabas niyo palang ng elevator nung Monday ng umaga may something na talaga sa mata mo. Actually parang may something din sa mata niya e. Anyway, bakit di na lang siya ang i-date mo sa Saturday?"

***

"Can I not just go with you and Jerald like we used to?"

"Believe it or not, Je actually asked me to be his date."

"Really?" Parang bumibreezy na 'tong si Je kay Val ah. Lakas talaga ng loob hehe. "And?"

"And I said yes. We'll go as friends." Damn!

"E di sama ko. Friends naman tayong tatlo ah." Valeen rolls her eyes at Maine.

"Maine, date ko siya. Date niya ko. You'll be a third wheel. I know you hate being a third wheel. And I know for sure there will be someone who will ask you to be his date."

***

"May something din sa mata nya? May spark ba?" Alden leans closer to Jerald with a grin. "You think I have a shot with her? Ano Je? Meron ba?" He inquires enthusiastically at the smirking Jerald.

"Hindi naman halatang patay na patay ka kay...kay alam mo na." Jerald adds the last part in a whisper.

"Patay na patay agad? I just like her a lot, paps."

"Like nga lang ba talaga? E parang iba na yan ah." Alden, with brows furrowed, straightened his body before leaning back on his chair. Jerald's smirk grows bigger as he notices the confused look on Alden's face. After a few seconds of silence, Jerald stands up and rests his hands on his friend's shoulders. "Mukhang ikaw mismo naguguluhan sa feelings mo, paps. Para masigurado mo yan, ayain mo na kasi na maging date mo sa Saturday. Sige una na ko. Pag-isipan mo yan ng mabuti." He pats Alden's shoulder before walking back to his desk.