The Girl in the End

XIX

XIX.

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Gulat na gulat si Jaimie matapos makita si Zoey na papasok sa kanilang opisina 3 days since he last saw her. Halata sa itsura ng kanyang boss na nagkasakit ito dahil sa panlalalim ng mata at humpak nitong mga pisngi.

'OMG. What happened?' He asked upon seeing her state.

'I told you, I got sick.' Sagot ni Zoey while taking a seat inside her office.

'I know, pero that kind of state after having a flu? Parang OA naman.'

'Ganito lang talaga ako pag tinatrangkaso.' Paliwanag ni Zoey. Napansin nya ang naggagandahang bulaklak na nakapalibot sa loob ng kanyang opisina.

'Nag-away ba kayo ni Sir Travis?' Agad na tanong ni Jaimie nang napansin nyang nakatingin si Zoey sa mga flower arrangements na nakapaligid sa kanila. Tumayo ito mula sa kinauupuan at inabot ang isang card mula sa isang mukhang mamahaling table top arrangement.

'Honey,

I'm so sorry. I won't do it again. I love you so much. Please forgive me. I love you.

-Travis'

Umiling si Zoey matapos ibalik ang maliit na papel sa pinagkuhanan. Pinipilit ang sarili na hindi muling bumigay. God knows how much she's been crying within the last 2 days after what Travis had done to her.

'E kasi, 2 days straight na sya pumupunta dito. Tatlong beses isang araw, parating may pa-almusal, tanghalian at dinner sa amin. Kahapon, may dala pang pizza for merienda. Parang gusto pa magpa-catering.'

'Anong schedule ko for today?'

Batid naman ni Jaimie na ayaw pag-usapan ni Zoey ang kanyang ibinibida.

'Ay ok.' He mumbles, imaginarily zipping his mouth and rolling his eyes before he took his iPad.

'Pupunta si Miss Vergara and her mom for measurements with Miss Vania.'

'What time 'yon?'

'After lunch pa.'

'Before lunch, wala akong schedule?'

Jaimie shakes his head.

'Mmkay, alis muna ako.' At dinampot muli ni Zoey ang kanyang bag mula sa ibabaw ng kanyang mesa. She tried to sound jolly as possible.

'San ka pupunta?'

'Coffee.' Zoey smiled.

'E hintayin mo na lang si Sir Travis. Baka parating na yon, may dalang breakfast.'

Zoey looked at Jaimie then shook her head. Not saying another word, she left her office to visit a place. It only took her a 20 minute walk for her to arrive.

'Good morning ma'am.' Nakangiting bati sa kanya ng security guard na pinagbuksan sya ng salaming pinto.

Ngumiti naman sya dito at dumirecho na sa counter.

'Welcome to Supremo Coffee Ma'am, what are you getting?'

'Hi, Kate.' Ngiti ni Zoey habang nakatingin sa nametag ng counter attendant. 'Tsokolateng Batangas please.'

'Is that for here or to go Ma'am?'

'For here.' She fishes for her wallet from the bottom of her bag as she answers.

'Something to eat ma'am?'

'I don't know.' She looked up and consulted the menu board on top. 'Ano yung best seller nyo?'