Hiding My Ex- Boyfriend's Son

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER TWO. New Life in Manila
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"This way to HR office, ma'am."

Tumango ako at sumunod sa receptionist. Ginala ko ang mata sa kabuuan ng lobby at hindi maipagkaila ang kagandahan nito. It has a black and white minimalist theme with a modern and clean-lined style.

The couches are all black while the walls are painted in dirty white. The paintings on the wall have black frames as well as the frames of the glass wall. The lobby was lighted by natural lights, shimmering floor and congenial staffs. The overall of it speaks luxury and volume.

Maaga akong sumugod sa Montreal Corporation upang magpasa ng curriculum vitae. It has been a week since we arrived here in Manila and since the day I resigned from my previous work. It took a lot of courage dahil sa tagal at improvement ko sa kompanyang iyon.

"Here's the office, ma'am. Good luck!"

I mouthed the word thank you and proceeded in front of the HR manager.

"Good morning, ma'am. Aragen Evangelista."

Wala sa akin ang paningin niya 'pagkat tutok iyon sa hawak na folder. Sampok ang kilay niya at bakas ang stress sa mukha. Nakasandal ang kanyang likod sa sandalan ng upuan at nakapatong sa armrest ang kanyang kanang siko. Minamasahe naman ng kamay na iyon ang sentido niya.

"You must be the accountant from Boracay?"

"Yes, ma'am," nakangiti kong sagot.

"What's your connection with the CEO?"

Sa wakas ay tumunghay siya at sinalubong ang mata ko. She looked strained and her undereye says it all. Her wrinkled forehead and grievous face reigned the atmosphere inside the office. She speaks authority.

Sinundan ko ang paglapag niya ng folder sa lamesang pumagitna sa amin. Huli na rin nang maproseso ng utak ko ang tanong nito kaya no'ng maintindihan ay agad kong binalik ang tanong.

"Pardon?"

Napakagat ako sa labi. Mali yata ako ng naitanong. Tumaas ang isang kilay niya. She warned me through her eyes for about a second before she stood up and lead the way towards the door.

Hindi ko alam ang gagawin at unti-unting namuhay ang kaba sa dibdib ko. Dapat ba akong tumayo at sundan siya o manatili sa kinauupuan ko. I was clueless that I chose to do the latter.

"Our company badly needs an accountant that is honest and with integrity. An accountant that loves her work and is passionate for her title."

Napalunok ako nang humarap siya sa'kin habang nanatiling nakatayo sa harap ng pinto.

"We just had the worst nightmare, Miss Evangelista. Our former CFO ran away with hundreds of millions from the corporation funds. But the CEO seemed not bothered kahit nakasalalay ang kompanya. I'm really puzzled where did he took the confidence to put you in that position."

Nanatiling tikom ang bibig ko. Hindi ko alam ang sinasabi niya at hindi ko kilala ang tinutukoy niya. Tila napapraning na naman ako gaya ng sinabi ni Momo sa akin nitong nakaraang araw.

Malakas ang kutob ko na iisang tao lang ang nasa isip namin ng HR manager. Yet my mind ignored all the aligned dots and chose to deal with the uncertainty.

"I guess there's no need for me to check your curriculum vitae." Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa CV nang ilipat ng manager ang tingin niya roon. "Let's go, Miss Evangelista. I'll show you the accounting department."

Bumukas ang pinto at walang pasabi nang lumabas siya. Aligaga ako sa pagtayo at pagsunod sa HR manager. I'm still puzzled by those words from her mouth and my body still did not know what to do.