If This Lasts (If This #2) Published Under Bliss Books)

Chapter Eight

"Copy that, ma'am." my assistant quipped before heading out of my office.

Kinuha ko ang kit mula sa aking bago pumunta sa private restroom sa loob ng office. The restroom was small. It's for emergencies and personal use only.

I quickly brushed my teeth and fixed my make-up, applying a fresh coat of my dark brown matte lipstick. I scanned my outfit. A plain cream sleeveless cropped top, exposing an inch of my midriff. I partnered it with a decent length of black fitted high waist skirt. I completed the office look with a white blazer and nude suede heels.

Inayos ko ang malalaking kulot ng buhok sa aking magkabilang balikat. Nagkaroon ng magandang volume ang buhok ko dahil doon. Matapos kong mag-ayos ay lumabas na ako ng office at dumiretso sa office ni Henry.

His assistant stood up and greeted me when I approached. Nakangiting binati ko rin siya. She doesn't need to inform Henry that I'm here. I always let myself in. It's a perk of owning the agency.

Hindi ko namana kay Daddy ang pagiging intruder kaya kumatok muna ako ng ilang beses sa pinto bago iyon binuksan.

Nang pumasok ako ay naabutan ko si Henry na nakaupo si Henry sa kanyang swivel chair. May kausap siya sa phone habang nakatingin sa akin.

I playfully smiled at him before giving him a tiny wave. Nag-angat siya ng kilay sa akin ngunit walang sinabi. Nag salita lang siya para sumagot sa kausap sa phone.

I didn't wait for an invitation. I walked towards his desk and sat at the black leatherette foam chair. The chrome base made it look really sleek.

"Yes, Maman. I'll be there, but I have to go now. My boss is here." he said and paused, listening to the other line. A few seconds later, he chuckled.

"I'm not lying. My boss is really here." inalis ni Henry ang phone mula sa gilid ng tenga niya at inilapit sa akin. "Talk."

"Hello?" iyon ang unang salitang pumasok sa isip ko. Inalis agad ni Henry ang phone mula sa akin at muling idinikit sa gilid ng tenga niya.

"Yes." he grinned, shaking his head. "I really have to go."

He paused again and hummed.

"I love you, too. Bye."

Mabilis niyang ibinaba ang tawag. Umangat ang isang kilay ko sa huling sinabi niya.

"Who's that? Love life mo, Henrietta?" ngumiti ako nang malaki sa kanya. I've never heard him talk to someone named Maman before. I'm not even aware na may love life siya!

I just realized how little I know about Henry's private life. Well, he's not really the most transparent person out there. Hindi ko naman masusumbat iyon sa kanya dahil ganoon rin ako.

He shook his head, rolling his eyes. "Don't be nosy, Fajardo. Bakit ka nandito?"

Inalis ko ang ngiti sa mga labi ko. Bahagyang ngumuso ako at praktisadong ipinikit-pikit ang mga mata habang nakatingin sa kanya. "Pupunta kasi ako sa Serrano Hotel para i-check yung shoot ngayon... Magpapasama sana ako sa'yo. Samahan mo ako, please?"

Ibinuka ni Henry ang bibig niya na parang may sasabihin ngunit isinara niya rin iyon. Unti-unting kumunot ang kanyang noo habang nakatingin sa akin. Ngumuso ako para mas lalo akong magmukhang cute at ma-convince siya.

"Please?" I batted my eyelashes, flashing him the same charming look that I've learned from my mother.

Henry scowled at me. Instead of being enthralled, he's probably disgusted. Nakanguso pa rin ako nang iniling ko ang ulo sa aking balikat habang nakatingin pa rin sa kanya.