Chapter 4: Her first day at work

When monday came I was already standing outside of Callahan Enterprises. Nakatingin ako sa malaking building sa aking harapan. Hindi ko akalaing na ang malaking building na ito ay dito ako magtatrabaho. Ang yaman pala talaga ng mga Callahan.

'No wonder madaling ibinasura ng korte ang kaso dati ng kapatid ko. Mayaman pala talaga ang mga Callahan.' Tanging naibulong ko sa aking sarili.

Ilet out a deep and heavy breath at handa na sanang papasok sa automatic door ng entrance nang biglang may humarang sa akin na tatlong security guard.

"Ma'am, you are not allowed here," one of the guards said. 

"Why? I will work here. I am Sir Alexis Von Callahan, new secretary," I said, frowning.

Nagtawanan ang tatlong security guards at nakatingin sa akin mula ulo hanggang paa na parang hindi makapaniwala. Alam kong nandidiri sila sa ayos ko ngayon but I don't care! Matagal ko nang pinaghandaan ang mga panlalait at pangungutya nila sa ayos at mukha ko.

"Kung magtatawanan lang naman kayo mas mabuti pang papasukin ninyo na ako dahil alam nating lahat na magagalit ang boss natin kapag nauna siyang pumasok sa kompanya niya."

Biglang natigil ang tawanan at kita kong nagkatinginan ang tatlong security guards. Hindi siguro nila inaasahan na alam ko ang isa sa mga rules ng kompanya. Of course! Alam ko ang lahat dahil pinag-aralan ko iyon sa tulong ni Mrs. Callahan. Sinabihan rin niya ako na hindi ako magpapaapi kahit na kanino at kahit pa sa anak niya. Dapat hindi ako matakot dito dahil wala itong karapatang sisantehin ako.

"What? Why are you refusing to let me in? We're aware that the three of you could be reprimanded and, in the worst-case scenario, fired from your jobs." I made a threat to them. Yes, a little scare will not hurt them.

I looked at the guards and waited. Pero nagpatuloy sa pagtawa ang dalawang security guards maliban sa isa ng nakamasid lang sa akin. Parang nag-iisip siya. Sana naman ay papasukin na ako dahil anytime ay darating na si boss. Malilintikan talaga ako nito.

"Maybe she's telling the truth," wika ng lalaking hindi nakisabay sa tawa ng dalawa. 

Tiningnan ko siya at binasa ko ang nakasulat na pangalan sa kanyang uniform. Estrada. Kapag naabutan kami mamaya rito ng boss namin at tinanggal niya ang tatlong ito at least hindi ang isang ito.

"Estrada, do you believe in this ugly woman?" the other security guard scolded him. Nakangisi itong inabayan si Estrada sa balikat at humarap silang dalawa sa entrance. "Look at those women." Turo niya sa mga kababaihan na nasa loob ng building. "May nakikita ka bang pangit at manang manamit sa loob? Hindi ba wala? Kaya huwag kang magpapaniwala sa babaeng iyan dahil nagsisinungaling lang siya."

Lihim kong naikuyom ang aking kamao dahil sa sinabi nito. Anong karapatan niya upang pagsabihan akong sinungaling?

"Tama si Rodrigo, estrada. Huwag kang magpapaniwala sa babaeng ito," dagdag ng isa pang security guard. "Hindi siya nababagay na magtrabaho sa kompanyang ito. Anong alam niya? At sa tingin ko ay walang alam ang isang pangit at manang na babaeng ito."

I couldn't stand it any longer and interrupted their conversation. "Please excuse me! Mrs. Helena Callahan was the one who recruited me. So, if you have a problem, give her a call. And if you don't let me in for a second, you're going to regret everything you said. And believe me when I say that I am not lying."

Anong akala nila? Hahayaan ko silang harap-harapan akong insultihin? Aunt Helena said that I should not allow anyone to insult me, na dapat ako ang mang-insulto sa kanila. Hindi dapat ako tatahimik lang at hayaan silang tapak-tapakan ang pagkatao ko kahit pa ganito ang ayos at pagmumukha ko.

"Baka nagsasabi talaga siya ng totoo," Mr. Estrada told his friends. The two security guards shook their head in disagreement. 

"Ang mga katulad niya ay walang lugar sa building na ito. Pero sige papasukin mo kung mapilit ka, Estrada. Kapag nagalit si boss ikaw ang umako ng lahat." 

Agad na napatango si Estrada sa sinabi nito.

"Ma'am, pasok na po kayo," aniya at pinasok ako.

I bowed and thanked him. "Thank you very much." 

I was ready to walk in when I heard a voice from behind me. When I turned around, I was astounded by what I saw. This creature's beauty is breathtaking. For a little minute, I forgot who he was. Of course, I'd seen him in magazines and in photos that his mother had shown me.

When my new boss spotted me, he grimaced. He averted his attention and turned to the security guards instantly."

"Who let this woman give permission to enter my company? "He enraged and inquired of the guards.

"Mr. Callahan, si Estrada po ang nagpapasok sa kanya. Ang sabi ng babae ay siya ang sek—"

You're fired!!!" the boss said loudly. 

I immediately walk towards them. Hindi niya pwedeng tanggalin si Mr. Estrada.

"Good morning, sir," I greeted him.

"What's good in the morning when the person in front of me is you?" 

Behind me, I heard laughter. The two guards had turned away, which I saw. Oh, my goodness! Before gazing at my boss, I immediately opened my eyes wide.

"Sir, I'm certain you won't be able to fire Mr. Estrada. These two must go if you wish to fire someone "I said while simultaneously pointing at the two guards.

"And why did I fire them in the first place? And who are you to give me orders?" My boss inquired impolitely.

Because of his inner ugliness, it seemed that the boss lacked love. Maybe he's looking for affection. If he vows to stay faithful to me, I am willing to give him unrivaled love.

Anastasia! You're not going to like this dashing man! I reprimanded myself once more. I groaned and shook my head. What exactly am I pondering?

I was hesitant to respond. "Mr. Callahan, my name is Anastasia Fuentes. Your mother has sent me to be your —"

"My new secretary?"

I bit my tongue and nodded. "Yes, Sir," I replied.

"And why would my mother hire someone..." He examined me from every angle, from head to toes. He was still frowning. "...nerd?"

My boss is enjoying himself by making fun of my appearance! "Sir, just ask your mother. Please excuse me while I go to work."

Because my heart was racing, I instantly looked away from him. And I don't want to waste any more time admiring his beauty. If it happened, I might pass out. There isn't a single spot where I can think about my boss. It gives me the creeps, and my knees are trembling.

I rummaged through my underwear while walking because they had probably fallen off due to my boss's beautiful appearance. If they spotted my underwear slip off, it was a disgrace. I was hurrying along and ready to board the elevator when I realized I hadn't told my boss. I went back to him right away.

"What?" When he was on the phone with someone, he raised his brows.

I studied his lips. I took a big gulp. I'm not sure what happened to me, but those lips make me want to kiss them.

"I simply forgot to inform you, boss. Those two should be fired, and Mr. Estrada should be reinstated. I'll report you to your mother if you don't comply." I exchanged a few words with him before swiftly continuing on my way. I didn't wait for his response because looking at him made my knees wobble.

I felt numerous pairs of eyes staring at me as I walked through the company's entryway. A scornful, hostile expression. But that makes no difference to me. I am not here for their judgemental. I've come to exact my vengeance, and it will be soon!