He Was My Cousin

Chapter 24

Chapter 24
Graduation

I was staring blankly at Paolo's empty desk. It's been over a week but he still hasn't come back. I shut my eyes in frustration. What should I do?

And before I could even stop myself, I immediately left my office. Paglabas ko ay namataan kong palapit si Lance sa direksyon ko kaya naman lalo kong binilasan ang lakad upang hindi niya ako maabutan. I then found myself inside the accounting department.

"Ma'am?" nakakunot ang noo ni Frina nang tumingala siya sa akin.

I swallowed the invisible lump in my throat. You're crazy, Aya! You've really gone crazy!

"Wala bang naiwang trabaho si Paolo? Something urgent? 'Yung kailangan niyang tapusin agad?"

I tried my best to hide the desperation in my voice. I need a reason to make him come back!

Kumunot ang noo ni Frina. "Wala po, e. So far po, once every two weeks lang humingi ng records si Sir Paolo sa akin. Kadalasan Friday niya kinukuha sa akin, then tapos niya na agad pagdating ng Lunes..." sabi niya. "Bilib nga po ako ro'n. Ang bilis trumabaho... samantalang si Miss Rochelle..."

Then if that was the case, ano ang pinagkakaabalahan niya sa opisina ko? He's always there before that incident with Lance happened! Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays!

I don't care about anything anymore! Kung ano man ang gawin niya sa opisina ko, I'll be okay with it!

Can't you just come back? Can't you just bother me again when I'm working? Hindi pwedeng sumabat-sabat ka na lang ulit 'pag nag-uusap kami ni Lance? Can't you just come back and I promise I won't intrude on whatever crackers you wanna eat inside my office?

I felt my knees getting weak.

"Thank you, Frina..." I said. I was about to leave the Accounting Department when something clicked inside my head. Paolo has only given me weekly reports.

Nilingon ko si Frina. "Pakisabi kay Paolo na hindi pa niya naipapasa sa akin 'yung complete financial report for August. I need that before this week ends."

Paglabas ko ng accounting department ay nandoon si Lance sa labas. He was intently looking at me. Na para bang sinusuri ang bawat galaw ko.

Nilagpasan ko lang siya, "Stop looking at me as if you've heard me plot a murder, Lance. I just don't want my employees inefficient."

"Is that so?" he asked, challenging me. "Then fire him, Aya." Napahinto ako. Nilingon ko siya. He raised his eyebrow, "Isn't that what you're supposed to do? You should fire people when they become inefficient, especially when they don't show up at all."

Nanginig ang titig ko sa kanya. He has always been like that. Si Lance. He likes challenging me to do things when he knows I can't. Because he wants me to admit it to myself... the reason why I am becoming like this.

But no, he won't get that from me.

I stood firmly. "You know the trouble we have gone through to find a new chief accountant, Lance. Isa pa, Paolo doesn't really have a minimum working hours," I defended.

Nakita kong aapila siya. So I crossed my arms and said, "I feel like I need a cup of espresso. Should I get one from ABF Cafe? Gusto mo rin ba?"

I watched as he looked at me incredulously.

Bigla namang lumabas si Frina. Nakita ko ang pagkagulat niya nang maabutan niyang nandoon pa ako. "Oh, Miss Ayanna! Papunta po ako sa office niyo dapat! Nag-email na po ako kay Sir Paolo. Kase-send lang din po niya no'ng file."