This is a work of FICTION. All characters are used in FICTITIOUS manner.
---
Lunch time na pero meron na naman mga paperworks. Nawala lang ako saglit, napakarami na agad. Gusto kong i-text si Irene but I can't just stop these because once I get off from these and talk to her, it will be hard for me to get back to work.
Weekend bukas so I need to finish all of them. Irene will surely understand since I told her last night that I will be very busy.
I heard the door opened. "Sir, your lunch is here."
"Just leave it there. Thank you"
I stood up and went inside my room. Yes, I have a room inside my office. Since I occupied the whole floor, pinalagyan ko ng room just incase I need to stay up late here. My secretary is the only person who knew about this aside from me.
Humiga ako sa kama. More than two hours pa lang ako dito pero parang pagod na pagod agad ako. Then I heard my stomach growling.
I stood up and pulled the cart where my food was. I ate in my room. I want to sleep after this. I don't know why I feel so restless even if I had enough sleep last night.
---
I had a good sleep. I feel so charged up when I woke up. Lumabas agad ako at pinuntahan ang secretary ko.
"I didn't miss anything right?"
"Actually Sir, the boutique called earlier to ask regarding the gown you are inquiring. Do you want me to call them now?"
"Yes please."
"On it Sir." he said and placed the phone on his ear.
When it's okay he gave it to me. Tinanguan ko siya at pumasok sa loob.
"Stella? This is Greggy"
"Hello, Araneta? My assistant told me you want to purchase a gown. That's new ha. You got yourself a girl na? May nauto ka na ba? For who?"
"For Irene" I simply said.
"Excuse me what? 'The' Irene Marcos?"
I chuckled. "Why?"
"What's going on? Am I missing something?"
"Well, I'm courting her. Spread the news" I am still laughing.
"Oh my God bakit ngayon ko lang to nalaman. Hey! She's a very good friend of mine, bakit huli na ata ako sa balita?" she chuckled. "Anyways, regarding sa gown, do you have a specific design in mind?"
"You know I don't have knowledge about things like this. Ikaw na ang bahala, just make it long sleeve and close-neck"
"Ay bakit naman ganyan. For Irene you say? You know that's not her tipo no"
"Basta ganon, ikaw na ang pumili, the color will be gold. Yung maganda ha. I need to hung up now. Bye" I said and ended it.
Just gatekeeping what's mine.
There is a high possibility that Irene will not like it. But I hope she will. Later on I called the party organizer and caterers.
I also told Josh to tell the graphic art team of the company to make a design of the invitation. We became busy the whole afternoon planning for the party. It will be held at the 15th floor, in the banquet hall, where our parties are usually held.
Today and the following days will be tiring and stressful that's why I am planning to sleep here. So is the other employees. May ward na tutulogan para sa mga may gustong mag-overtime.
When the morning came, we became more busy. Dumating na yung mga magde-design para sa event. We have five more days to prepare for the party. Five more busy days.
---
Irene's POV
Weekend came and Bongbong and Liza did too. Nandito na naman kaming lahat sa bahay.
Kausap ko si Greggy kanina and he told me they are getting ready for the party. He is very hands-on, hindi talaga siya umuuwi.
While lying down on bed, it makes me think. What if I will throw him a surprise visit tomorrow. Then I will make snacks for them.
Nagising ako kinabukasan dahil sa sinet kong alarm. Bumaba ako but everyone is still asleep. I prepared all the things I will need. I decided to make brownies. A lot of brownies.
Later on, "Good morning Maam Irene, ang aga niyo pong nagising. Tulungan ka na po namin" bati sakin ng mga cook namin.
"Good morning. Patapos na po ako dito 'ya don't worry. Paki-lagay na lang po ang mga yan sa sink. Thank you" turo ko sa mga ginamit ko.
I'm waiting for the last batch of brownies in the oven. Iniaayos ko na sa box ang mga luto na.
"Naimbag a bigat lubong. Ay ana deta, naka-adadu metten, adda planom aglako?" (Good morning world. Ay ano yan, ang dami naman, may plano ka bang magtinda?) bungad ni Manang Imee nang makapasok sa kusina.
Hindi na ako nagtaka sa reaksiyon nila dahil may apat na boxes nito sa lamesa, the last batch will be ours, madami-dami din iyon. Baka nga sumobra pa kahit mayroong para sa mga maids and guards.
"Brownies. Para kada Greggy ken dagijay kakadwa na. Innak ipan damdama." (Para kila Greggy at mga kasama niya. Ibibigay ko mamaya.)
"Ket dakami garuden?" (Eh paano kami?)
Itinuro ko ang oven. "Niluluto pa lang, sakto mamaya pagkatapos kumain"
Bigla na lang siyang bumalik sa taas. Pagbalik niya ay hila-hila na niya si Manong. "Umay ka ditoy ah. Nagluto ni Irene" (Halika dito. Nagluto si Irene)
By hearing the last phrase, bigla siyang tumigil sa pagpapahila at dumiretso ng lakad sa akin. "Ket nu inbagam sigud ket di han nak ginuy-guyoden" (Kung sinabi mo agad edi hindi mo na ako kailangang hilahin)
Akmang kukuha sila sa isang box pero tinapik ko ang mga kamay nila. "I said later" I glared at them both.
"Maysa lang, ramanak lang ket." (Isa lang, patikim lang eh) Bongbong pouted.
"What's going on here?" pumasok si mommy, inaalalayan siya ni Liza.
"Hingi sana kami mommy" pagsumbong nila.
"Mommy these are not for us. Nasa oven palang ang para sa atin. Plus hindi pa tayo naga-agahan"
"Para saan ba iyan? Are you going to sell it?" she asked making everyone laugh.
"She will give it to lover boy daw Mommy" ani Manang.
"I see. Kayong dalawa, wait for your brownies. Let us have our breakfast first. Tigilan niyo yang kapatid niyo." Mommy
I stuck out my tongue to the both of them. Nilabas ko na ang mga boxes doon dahil baka palihim silang kukuha. I took it to my room for a while.
Naligo muna ako since nagluluto pa sila. I am wearing a turtleneck longsleeve and on top of it, I wore a plaid cami dress. I then put on my shoe. After that, they told me that the food is ready.
As I sat down beside Manang, "Taray ang fresh. Nakakahiya namang tumabi sayo, wala pa kaming ligo"
"Pwede ko bang hiramin ang anak mo?"
"Ay ano ka. Magbo-bonding kami ng anak ko. Gumawa ka na lang ng iyo." she uttered.
I scoffed and just eat. Pagkatapos ay umakyat ulit ako para mag-apply ng light make up. Then I grab the boxes, my keys and my bag.
Nang pababa ako, I heard them in the garden. Nilagay ko muna sa sasakyan ko ang mga box, then head back to the garden.
"Mommy alis na ako." They are now eating my brownies.
"This is so good Irene ha." Liza praised the food.
"Really?"
"I swear. Kahit makalbo pa ang kuya mo" she chuckled.
I saw him glaring at us as he overheard what we are talking about. "Ikaw nga hindi marunong magluto"
"As if marunong ka" sagot uli ni Liza
I just laughed at them, "Sige una na ako"
"Will you drive anak?"
"Yes Mommy"
"Mag-iingat ha. Eyes on the road. Wag magpapatakbo ng mabilis."
"I will mommy. See you later" I said and kissed her on the cheek. I also did the same to Bongbong, Liza, Manang Imee and Borgy. Then I waved my hand goodbye.
I drove to the company. Marami pa ding tao kahit na Linggo. Binati ako ng guard bago ako dumiretso sa loob. Pinindot ko ang 17, which is his floor. When I reached there, naabutan ko ang secretary niya, looking for something.
"Stapler. Papers. Paperclips. More papers. There it is! Thumbtacks!" he said.
"Excuse me, Josh. Good morning. Is Greggy inside?"
"Ay hala. Good morning Ms. Irene. Nasa 15th floor po si Sir. Tara po. Tulungan ko na po kayo diyan"
Ibinigay ko sa kanya ang dalawang box at bumaba ulit kami. I saw him helping them decorate the stage.
"It's better to move it to the right. Tabingi kasi." Tiningnan ko ang tinutukoy niya at mga printed letters iyon, tarpapel ata ang tawag. "Move it here. A little bit more to the right. And there. Okay na"
I walked towards him and tapped his shoulders. "Oh my god. What are you doing here? Bakit hindi ka nagsasabi?" gulat niyang sabi.
I showed him the boxes. "I brought meryenda. Surprise! I made these"
"All of them? You didn't have to, but thanks. I appreciate it." Bumaling siya sa mga kasama niya. "You guys can take a break. Try the brownies Irene made."
Kita ko ang saya sa mukha nila, napapalakpak pa ang iba. They look so happy with the food, yung totoo, pinapakain ba ni Greggy ang mga ito?
"Are you not giving them food?" I asked him.
"Of course I do. Baka sawa na sila sa puro food ng canteen" he chuckled. "Sa office muna tayo."
I frowned. "Aakyat na naman?"
"Dali na. Magulo dito." hinila niya ako. "I will take this" sabi niya sa mga nandoon at kinuha ang isang box. "We'll be back" sabi pa niya dahilan para makatanggap kami ng panunukso.
Nasa elavator pa lang ay sinimulan na niyang kumain. "Ang sarap nito. You sure you made these?"
"Are you doubting me?" I raised my eyebrow.
"Just making sure. Mas masarap pa to kesa sa nabibili sa mga mamahaling shop" he chuckled.
"Kakasya ba yong tatlong box sa kanila? Napakatakaw mo kase, inangkin mo ang buong box"
"Kasiya yon wag kang mag-alala, nagpaorder din ako kay Josh ng additional snacks."
I sat on the chair, in front of him and also took a bite from the brownies. This tastes really good huh, natsambahan ko. After eating, we went back to the hall. I helped them to make things easier. Ayaw pa sana nila but I insisted.
Hindi rin nagtagal ay pinauwi ako ni Greggy. Ewan ko ba sa lalaking yon. Nag-ooffer na nga lang ako ng tulong, papauwiin ba naman ako.
---
Days passed and he's right, they became so busy. He only got a chance to text me when he wake up and in the evening, before he sleeps. Despite that, he always tell me how his day went.
Nandito ako ngayon sa condo ko dahil iniwan na naman nila ako sa mansion. Suddenly I received a text from him.
Greggy:
Where are you?
2:03 pm
Irene:
In my condo. Why?
2:04 pm
Yun lang at hindi na ako nakakuha ng reply. I am busy cleaning my room when I heard a knock. When I opened it, I saw two people. The one looked gay to me and the other one is a girl, holding a piece of clothing.
"Good afternoon Ms. Irene. Mr. Araneta sent us here to give you your gown." he smiled.
"Come in. Can I see it?"
Inilapag nila ito sa sofa at binuksan. I was amazed by how it shines. It's a gold gown. But my smile faded when I saw the entire look. Pag sinuot ko to magiging balot na balot ako nito, mukha at kamay lang ang makikita.
I excused my self. Dali-dali kong inilabas ang cellphone ko at idinial ang number niya. After five rings he picked up. Naglakad ako papuntang kusina. "What's with your gown?"
"Oh. Nandiyan na?"
"Ito yung pinagmamalaki mong pili mo?"
"Oo. Maganda naman--"
Hindi ko na siya pinatapos at binabaan na. I went back to the sala. "Sorry about that. Can I talk to your boss?"
"Wait lang po" he said as he place his phone on his ears. "Maam Stell, Ms. Irene wants to talk to you po. Ito po" he handed me the phone.
I thanked him. "Hello, Irene. This is Stella. Stella Ruiz"
"Stell? Oh my god. It's been a long time since I saw you. You made the gown?"
"Yes. Let me guess. You didn't liked it, am I right?"
"You knew me too well." I chuckled.
"Of course. Ako ang gumagawa ng mga iba niyong gowns. I alredy told Greggy about his pick, he's too conservative." he chuckled.
"This gown is beautiful Stell, but it's not my type"
"Kaya nga I prepared two more gowns, mga style na magugustuhan mo for sure, same color. Just incase. Dadalhin ko diyan. Wait for me."
"Thank you Stell. See you" I said and handed the phone back to him.
Hindi nagtagal ay dumating na siya. She showed me the two gowns. The other one is too revealing, it has a deep neckline and has a long slit. I think it will not fit for the event. It is too much for a christmas party.
The next one is a trumpet gown, it's like a mermaid style but she told me it is considered as trumpet. The top has two design. The other side is tube while the left side is sleeveless with a thick strap. This is so divine.
"I like this one Stell" I told her.
"Then that gown it is. How will I tell this to your suitor then?" turo niya sa unang gown.
"Ako na ang bahala sa kaniya. Just tell him I have the gown with me already."
"Alright then it's settled. We'll get going na Irene. Nice seeing you again"
"Bye. Thankyou for the gown" I waved at them.
Tinapos ko ang pag-lilinis at umuwi na sa bahay. It's already past five when I get there. Naka-uwi na din sila.
"Kaka-alis lang ni Greggy. He just dropped by to give the invitations for tomorrow. Nagmamadali dahil mag-bibigay pa raw siya sa iba" Manang said.
"What's that?" Bongbong asked.
"Gown. Sa kwarto muna ako"
---
The next day, Greggy texted me that he will pick us up at three. The party will start at four.
Two thirty na at kakaligo ko palang. Dali-dali akong nagbihis. I was busy fixing my hair when Manang came in. "Hihiram ako ng stilettos" she said casually and went directly to my closet.
Hindi pa nga ako umu-oo kumuha na. Talaga 'to. Lumabas siya nang walang paalam.
Nang matapos na ay bumaba na ako. Nasa sala na sila. They are wearing red and green, it's a christmas party after all. Nagtataka lang ako bakit gold ang binigay sa akin.
Saktong pagbaba ko ay ang pagpasok ni Greggy. He's wearing a gold tuxedo. Nagmukha tuloy kaming mga regalo.
"Matchy-matchy pala sila, Manang" I heard Bongbong whispered to Manang.
"Para kayong mga champagne" Manang uttered and we laughed. "Let's go."
Nauna na silang lumabas pero nakatingin parin siya sa akin.
"You didn't like my dress." It's not a question, it's a statement. I looked at him and eye-ing me from head to foot.
"Nakaka-lola yung pili mo."
"But I don't want you showing your skin too much. Investors and other personnels will be there. Madaming lalaki doon." kumunot ang noo niya. "I don't want them to look on what is mine"
"Excuse me Mr. Araneta, tayo na ba para gumanyan-ganyan ka?"
"Hindi pa. Sasagutin mo din naman ako, ina-advance ko na." he smirked.
This man is so confident, huh?