The Aftermath of Pleasure (SPG)

Chapter Sixteen

I would do everything in my power to keep Lascaux away from that man. Everything.

Sa dami ng iniisip ko, hindi ko namalayang nakaidlip na pala ako.

I woke up peacefully the next day. The rays of the sun were peeking through the curtains. Kinusot ko ang aking mga mata at agad na chineck ang cellphone.

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon nang makita ang isang text doon.

Unknown number:

Good morning, Miss Thalia Cecilia Zamualda! This is Cherry Ann from CFCV Philippines. We've reviewed your resumé and you are qualified for the Accountant position! Please visit our company today at 9:00 AM. Wear smart casual attire. Look for Cherry Ann Laurel. Good day!

Napatingin ako sa wrist watch ko. It's 8:30 AM?!

Napabalikwas ako ulit at dumiretso na sa CR. I showered as fast as I can. The messy baggage did not help much. Mas lalo pa akong male late neto!

I directly hailed a cab. The only thing that's good about this is that their company building is only fifteen minutes away! Nagmamadali kong inayos ang aking sarili sa loob ng taxi.

Wala na akong ibang maisip. I just wanted to get there in time!

I was half walking, half running nang nakababa ako. Muntik pa akong hindi nakapagbayad. While I was hastily walking, I couldn't help but admire the beautiful design of the building.

This seems like a big company. How did Lara find this?

It was around thirty floors or more. Maganda ang glass walls nito, overlooking the city building. Siguro ay mas maganda kapag gumabi.

There were so many corporate workers na kailangan ko pang sumiksik sa elevator. Desperate times call for desperate measures, I guess?

Bakit ba kasi nasa pinakataas na floor pa 'to? Mas lalo akong male late!

Once the elevator dinged and opened on the right floor, everyone hastily got out.

I just got pushed! Napalinga-linga ako at nakitang halos abala ang lahat sa kani-kanilang cubicle. I somehow missed my accounting days. Sa LA kasi ay sales analyst ang naging trabaho ko doon sa kompanya ng step dad.

"M-Miss Zamualda?" Tawag ng isang maliit na tinig. Napatingin ako doon at nakita ang maliit din na babae na maiksi ang buhok.

Napa kurap-kurap ako.

"That's me," I answered.

Napatingin ako sa kanyang name tag. Cherry Ann, sabi nito.

"Follow me po," she anxiously said. She seems really shy for an HR.

"Miss, Cherry Ann?" I called for her as we continued walking.

The building was large!

"Yes po?" Natigilan siya sa paglalakad.

"Ikaw ba ang mag i interview sa akin?" I asked, very confused of the inferior attitude she's showing.

She cleared her throat.

"No po. You will be interviewed shortly," aniya at nagpatuloy sa paglakad.

We passed a few hallways bago ko natanaw ang isang malaking pintuan. I think this is the last door in this floor? Kung meron pang ibang room ay magtataka na talaga ako kung gaano kalapad ang building na ito!

Tumigil ulit sa paglalakad si Cherry Ann at hinarap ako. She looked pretty anxious. Dapat din ba akong kabahan? Is the HR going to be super scary?

"Nandito na po tayo, Miss Zamualda." She shyly said.

Tumango ako at lumunok ng maigi. I really have to make sure I'll ace this interview. If I'm going to stay for a few more months, I need to have a job. Para makapagpadala din ako kay Lascaux sa LA.

I breathed our before I slowly opened the gigantic double doors.

Ang una kong napansin ay ang glass windows ng opisina. What did I expect? Ganoon naman ang exterior design nito. Then I noticed how large it was.

Ang ganda naman ata ng office na ito para lang sa HR?

The aura seemed like a bachelor's pad. The room's theme was mostly gray, white and black.

The next thing I noticed was the swivel chair. Nakatalikod iyon sa akin.

I cleared my throat and the chair swung. Unti-unti iyong humarap sa akin.

The last thing I noticed was Zachary Hercule Corpuz sitting on the damned chair.

Destiny really is playing with me, huh?