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Chapter 1
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56#CollisionKab1
It's been a week since I started law school and I have to say, I'm starting to smell coffee everywhere! Puro na lang kape ang naaamoy ko kahit wala namang kape sa paligid! Maybe it's because of my frequent study sessions, which won't be possible without coffee. Akala ko nung college 'yung pinakamarami kong in-take ng kape. But I was wrong.
Law school is really changing my life.
I haven't seen any of my brothers in two weeks. Hindi ko sila natye-tyempohan kapag bumibisita ako sa bahay. Tapos once a week ko lang nakikita ang magulang ko. But I'm grateful for that already. I'm lucky enough to visit my family every week. Not everyone has that opportunity. And I salute those people who stay abroad just to provide for their family. Not everyone has the courage to do that.
Speaking about that, I applied for a job. Multiple jobs. People say that I don't need one, pero gusto kong kumita ng pera galing sa sarili kong paghihirap. I need to learn how to be independent without my parent's money or share from the company. Oo, pinapahirapan ko lang sarili ko, pero doon kasi ako natututo.
I learn through experiencing, not suffering. I think I can do it.
From what I've heard, hindi biro ang nagtatrabaho habang nag-aaral. But this is just one step from living the life I've always wanted. Ayaw kong magaya sa mga rich spoiled kids na walang alam sa sariling effort o hardwork. I was digesting a case when an e-mail notification showed up on my laptop screen...
From: markandrada@gmail.com
To: auroramercado@gmail.comDecision_Job Application
Dear Ms. Mercado:
Greetings! You have been accepted at Galaxy Records as a Junior Marketing Personnel. If you wish to continue in our company, we would like you to go to our headquarters any time this week. We are located at #28 Street, Roosevelt Avenue, Rockwell Center, Makati City, Philippines. Please bring a valid ID with you.Sincerely,
Mark Erikson AndradaHead ManagerGalaxy RecordsGreat! I have a job now and its near my law school. Sana lang flexible ang schedule ko. I don't mind working in a music company. I think this is a fresh start, I hope.
***
It's a Sunday the next day. Napagdesisyonan kong pumunta sa Galaxy Records para pirmahan ang kontrata ko. It's only a 1-year contract, but I can extend if I like it there. 'Yun naman ang sabi ni Mr. Andrada sa unang e-mail niya sa akin.
I wore a black fitted top and a white pantsuit. Nag-sandals din ako at nagdala ng purse. Hindi naman ako siguro magtatagal doon since kailangan ko pang magreview. I drove my car to the company's headquarters. And infairness, ang ganda ng building! May convenience store sa baba at malapit lang din siya sa Powerplant Mall. So far, convenient ang workplace ko, since dito naman ako sa main headquarters magtatrabaho. Pumasok ako sa lobby at pinuntahan ang receptionist.
"Hello po, good morning! What can I help you with, Ma'am?" bati ng babae sa kabila ng desk. She looked young, baka ka-edad ko siya.
"I have an appointment with Mr. Mark Andrada," I politely said.
"May I see an ID, Ma'am?"
Inilabas ko ang Law School ID ko at ibinigay sa kanya.
"Okay Ma'am. Fifth floor po, Main Convention Room." sabi ng babae, ngunit hindi parin binabalik ang ID ko.
"Miss...my ID," sabi ko.
"Ma'am, you can only get it before exiting the building."
Ay ganon ba? Tumango na lang ako at pumunta sa elevator. I pressed 5th floor and waited while some jazz music was playing. Reaching the 5th floor, hinanap ko ang Main Convention Room. Madali kong nahanap since iyon pala ang unang room na malapit sa elevator. Made of glass ang wall ng room at kita ko na medyo maraming tao sa loob, may ino-organize or something. Medyo nahiya ako dahil mukhang busy sila. After some minutes, may lumabas sa room na lalaki.
He's around 29 to 33, or maybe he's in his mid-thirties. Naka-eye glass siya and his appearance reminds me of an actor who starred in Ghostbusters, but he looked really professional.
"Are you Ms. Mercado?" tanong ng lalaki. Nagulat ako ng kaunti pero napagtanto ko na baka siya si Mr. Andrada.
"Yes, sir," sagot ko.
"Okay, come with me."
Sinundan ko naman siya. We walked along the hallway into some kind of office. Baka office niya. I stared at the interiors of his office at madaming awards at plaques. Sa kanya ba ito? Or sa mga artist na minamanage niya?
"Sorry to keep you waiting, we were busy organizing an event for this artist we are managing, biglaang desisyon kasi. So Ms. Mercado, you are to join our team?"
"Yes, sir. I am delighted to work in your company,"
"No need for the formalities, just call me Macky, and please read this contract although na-send ko na sayo through e-mail. Then, put your signature above your name."
I did what he said. So far, I think the aura of this company is very chill. Hindi gaanong formal ang pag-hire ng employees. For sure, hindi ito professional sa mata nila daddy. Considering that this company is kind of big. Marami silang na-produce na famous singers and bands. But who am I to judge their way of operating?
Employee lang naman ako.
Pinirmahan ko na, e.
"Okay, you can either start this-" Naputol ang sasabihin ni Mr. Andrada, I mean...Macky, nang may kumatok at nagbukas ng pinto.
"Austin, later. I'm with a new employee," sabi ni Macky na parang alam na kung sino ang nagbukas ng pinto.
Napatingin ako kay "Austin" at...holy shit! Siya 'yung guy na kumakanta sa taas ng balcony ko! Hindi ako tanga...so famous singer siya? Or baka starting lang? Maybe employee din dito? What the hell! Will I be working with him? Oh, god...
"Ms. Mercado, meet Austin. The Golden Boy of Galaxy Records. Surely you have heard of him? He's one of our top leading artists in the market," sabi ni Macky. Parang nanlamig ang mukha ko sa sinabi niya.
"Nice to meet you...again, 'Just Rosie'. I mean, Ms. Mercado." Austin smirked. Iyan na naman ang nakakalokong ngisi niya! The audacity of this man! Nilahad pa niya ang kamay niya. Ayan tuloy, nag-shake hands kami!
Parang tanga. He's making things awkward!
Tiningnan na lang kami ni Macky with questioning eyes. I hope he doesn't jump into conclusions.
"So you've met? Glad to know since you'll be part of Austin's team, and ako ang manager niya...just so you know." Macky said while examining the contract again. Tiningnan lang ako ni Austin at mukhang na-aamuse siya. On the other hand, hindi ako masyadong natutuwa sa nangyayari. Buti naman at may suot siyang shirt at pants ngayon. I can't seem to remove his picture out of my mind ever since that night.
Kainis!
"As I was saying, you can either start this month or next month. Whatever you like. I'll just send you a sample schedule. And that's all for now. Austin, you can escort her to the lobby." Macky said with a dismissive tone.
Maybe I should start looking up on google "How to make things less awkward with a man you have seen in his boxers". God, at least may trabaho na ako. But I'm not sure if it will be okay with this Austin guy around. Feel ko aasarin niya ako mamaya...bahala na!
"So, Ms. Mercado..." Austin started.
Ayan na.
Nasa elevator kami ngayon at wala kaming ibang kasama. Great! Sana tumahimik na lang siya.
"You'll be working with me now, huh? Fate is really something..." he continued while smirking again.
"What are you trying to say?" sagot ko. Grabe talaga, ang kapal nito...
"Wala." he just looked ahead and smiled to himself. Bahala siya diyan. Parang tanga!
Good thing he didn't mention anything about that night. Nakakahiya na talaga. Gusto ko na lang lamunin ng lupa at hindi na bumalik sa mundo. Nakalabas na kami sa elevator at dumiretso ako sa parking lot dahil ayaw ko nang maalala ang pagmumukha niya. I heard him calling my name but I proceeded to go inside my car. Ano na namang gusto niya? Baka asarin lang ako. Makaalis na nga! Or maybe it's all in my head. Kailangan kong masanay sa presensya niya, pero nahihiya parin ako sa nangyari noong gabing iyon.
Hindi ako overreacting, may delikadesa pa rin naman kasi ako. Hays, makauwi na nga!
***
Buong gabi, nag-aral na lang ako dahil may class kami the next day. I emailed Macky, saying that I'll start next week. Sana ma-balance ko ng mabuti ang school and work. If not...'di ko lang alam kung anong mangyayari sa akin.
I was drinking an Americano nang bigla akong inantok. Wala na yatang epekto ang kape sa akin. Parang naging juice lang siya. Weird. Matutulog na nga ako. I already studied the required readings, and sana hindi itanong sa akin ang tungkol sa previous readings. Minsan kasi, nagtatanong pa sila tungkol sa previous readings kahit tapos na. May mga classmate akong hindi nakasagot dahil doon.
Ayun, singko.
I almost drifted to sleep when I heard a loud knocking. Sa unit ko ba 'yun? Wala na akong pake. Antok na antok na ako.
I heard a faint sound of a door bell, but sleep has already invaded my senses.
Pagkagising ko, nagready ako para bumili ng groceries dahil malapit nang maubos ang stock ko dito sa condo. Naglinis ako ng unit para malakas ang "strong independent woman" gaming ko at nagreview hanggang oras na para pumunta sa school. I always try to get there early dahil sa traffic at ayaw kong ma-late. Minsan 'pag late, hindi na nagpapapasok ang prof sa classroom. Nakakatakot.
Naligo ako at nagbihis ng white blouse and black pencil skirt. Hindi naman ganong kataas ang heels ko kaya komportable naman ako sa paglalakad. I packed everything and made sure that nothing was forgotten. Tiningnan ko ang sarili ko sa salamin at naramdaman ko na parang may mali. Something is not so right. Chineck ko ang buong sarili ko sa mirror.
Oh my god...'yung ID ko! Shit!
Hinalungkat ko ang buong bag ko para mahanap ang aking ID, ngunit wala.
Chineck ko ang kwarto ko. Wala.
Kusina. Wala.
Banyo. Wala.
Holy...
Nasa Galaxy Records pala!
Inayos ko ulit ang bag ko at tumakbo sa parking lot. I rushed through the boulevard at nakarating ako sa headquarters. I speed-walked to the building at pinuntahan ang babaeng receptionist na nag-assist sa akin kahapon.
"Miss, I forgot to get my ID yesterday..." panimula ko. Inalis ng babae ang kanyang mata sa computer screen ng desk at binaling ang pansin sa akin.
"Ma'am...I rushed it to Sir Austin when you exited because I saw that he was escorting you out." kabadong sinabi sa akin ng babae.
Shit! Nakay Austin pala! Kaya niya ba ako tinatawag bago ako pumasok sa sasakyan? Ang tanga ko naman. Bakit ko nakalimutan kasi?
Deciding fast, bumalik ako sa condominium. Medyo maaga pa naman, around an hour before classes start. Actually, hindi 'yun maaga. I need to go to school now dahil baka ma-traffic ako. Pagkalabas sa elevator, dumiretso ako sa pintuan ni Austin at nagdoor bell. Walang sumasagot. Kinatok ko ng malakas at ng paulit-ulit. Wala parin. Wala atang tao sa loob. I don't want to wait for him, malalate ako 'pag ganon!
I guess I have to go to school na walang ID?
God, 'pag hindi ako pinapasok ng guard, babatukan ko 'yang Austin na 'yan!
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#CollisionKab12Warning: R-18 - Mature Content"Did you know, love..." Austin lazily trailed off while analyzing the chess board.We were playing chess in a couch near a pool. The beach is just right in front us, waves slowly retreating from the sand. So far, maganda naman ang laro namin. I always play chess with Anthony when we were younger. Sobra niyang galing dito eh, lagi akong talo. Pero nahawa naman siguro ako sa kagalingan niya. King at bishop na lang ang natira kay Austin, habang queen, king, isang rook at pawn ang sa akin."...A queen is much stronger than his king." pagpapatuloy niya. He licked his lips and looked at me. I smirked. Na-trap ang bishop niya sa rook at pawn ko. I moved
