Chapter 2:Secretary

"Bestie,nasaan ka na ba? Get your lazy ass from the bed.

     "Don't yell. I'm already awake an hour from now. It's just that I don't have a class at seven. It's tiring spending time there. At ikaw, ba't ka napaaga, aber? " She doesn't usually go early. What made her change mind?

     "Kasi naman po, the guy I was talking about, that Andrius guy who happened to be with his boss, as what I've heard, are on their way to the university. You see, this boss of him graduated here so it's like he wanted to somewhat help Lacrosta University. Malay mo, you would eventually be hired as secretary once I introduce you to Mr. Lacrosta who would do the talking to his boss." She giggled na animo'y kinikilig sa boss 'kuno'.

     "Stop with what you are thinking, Amanda. From what YOU implied, he is selfish and psycho. Who knows he's into men?" Natatawang ibinaba ni Amanda ang tawag. Said, she'll wait for me.

     The sky outside was bright yet I decided to put on hoodie and pull up my tattered jeans which my beloved brother Calix gave me last year. The money he spent was from his share of winning last year's play. I don't know that much in sports 'cause I'm not that sporty type. Hindi na ako nag-abalang mag-almusal and just stuffed bread to my mouth. After checking if all appliances are turned off, I made my way outside the apartment and walk to reach the university.

      Hindi pa ako nakakarating sa unibersidad ay nakita ko na na may nagkukupumpulan sa may gate. Fronting the gate is an office where most high-ranking guests usually stay. I took my ID which is place inside my bag and was about to show it to the security nang paglingon ko sa lugar nito ay walang tao. Nasaan na si Kuya? I scanned the place and notice that the security guard is trying to stop students, or rather people who do not attend classes here. The attempt was no use. What's with this bevy anyway?

     I was still finding solutions to pass the crowd when a hand suddenly grabbed me. Paglingon ko ay nakita ko si Amanda na pilit ako hinahatak  papasok... sa office? What? No. I pulled my hand and stood. Lumingon si Amanda na naguguluhan.

"Halika na. Ayaw mong pumasok? Come on, you said you needed job." She said while putting her hands on her w*ist. "Mr. Andrius with his boss are both in the office. Don't worry sila lang dal'w* nadoon." She added while trying to drag me again. This woman has a lot of strength a guy have.

     "Hindi mo naman ako kailangang hatakin papunta dyan sa office. I can walk, remember?" Paalala ko sa kaniya habang hinihila ang kamay ko. Mabuti naman at hindi na niya ako hinatak ulit.

     The office for guests is a huge room with almost all the things a house has; from kitchen wares to, as what I conclude from the room at the left, bed. The glass windows are  designed with gray curtains. The view of other buildings and grass can be seen from here. Napakaswerte naman.

I found myself sitting in the sofa near the window with Amanda abreast. When we reached the room, Andrius was the only guy present in the like-living room. I must say, he has that look every woman would die for. Exaggerated. Well, except me.  He has a well-toned body, his hair was swiped to the right but it did nothing to hide his beauty from others.

     "You said someone wants to apply as secretary for my boss?" He asked Amanda while fidgeting his fingers. He seemed unaware of my existence.

     "Yes, the reason we purposely barged in the room was that. Let me introduce my good friend Lorraine Reyes." She said, motioning me to shake hands with this Andrius guy. He scanned me from head to toe, brows arching.

    "You sure are pertaining to this woman? Hindi ka nagbibiro?" He tried to stiffle his laughter. I pretended to be happy while pinching Amanda. "Ang sarap niyang patayin." I whispered while still giving Andrius a fake smile.

     "Relax, bes. If you want to, show him you can do the job and wear something better." She whispered back. Andrius told us to wait for a moment because his boss was still resting. Pasalamat talaga itong taeng ito at kailangan ko ng trabaho and he acted as a bridge with my getting a job.

     After a while of waiting, a figure emerges outside the bedroom. Unexpectedly, he came from a show. The water are still dripping from his hair to his face. Good thing he's on his cloths already. Wait, I think I know him. I've encountered him somewhere yesterday, I think. Oh, right. He was the guy in the bus. For real? The guy who was riding the bus is a highly respected business man. Fate's got to be playing at me.

     "Herrick, got to introduce your new applicant. Meet Lorraine Reyes." Pagpapakilala ni Andrius. He calls him by first name. Could be that they are close friends. The man eyed me. For Pete's sake, makiayon ka sa 'kin tadhana. You have to make this man not be reminded of what happened yesterday. I prayed silently in my mind.

     "You really look familiar. Have we met before?" For a second, the words was like that of the 'national playboy's' tagline. But then this guy is known to be strict with his words. A hint of recognition hit his eyes. Oh, God. How embarrassing.

     "Right, you were the maniac who sat on my lap yesterday. Remember?" He asked after flicking his fingers in the air. Andrius, who happens to be eating peanut must have eaten a whole one because he keeps coughing which then replace by laughter that filled the room. Halos mamatay na siya sa kakatawa. Nilingon ko si Amanda. Nagpipigil ito ng tawa. I whispered to her ear, "Oh, sige. Sabayan mo na sa pagtawa ang kaibigan mo para naman happy life." I rolled my eyes.

     "Sorry bestie. I was just amused. Ba't hindi mo sinabi sa 'kin na may inupuan ka palang hottie?" She whispered back, her eyes tingling with amusement. I was about to argue that the action should be 'naupuan' and not 'inupuan but I hold my thoughts. No point in arguing with her.  Bagay sila nitong Andrius na 'to ah. Parehong mga abnoy.

     When I shifted my gaze back to this Herrick guy, he was glaring Andrius. "I don't accept maniacs, I told you that Andrius. Moreover, I don't accept 'losyang' secretary. Get her out of my office now." He demanded Andrius. Aba-aba. Ako? Losyang? What does he want? Maghubad ako sa harap niya? Bastos pala to 'eh. And maniac, excuse me. Did he not know that the bus stopped. The driver's should be at fault.

     I went closer to this CEO. "Hoy, ikaw na hunghang ka. How dare you say that I'm a maniac? Inano ba kita? Did I tried to look at you maliciously? Diba hindi. Yesterday was just an accident because the driver suddenly braked." I don't care who the hell this guy is anymore. Never have I ever, in my entire lifetime, been accused of being a maniac.

     "Given that what you said is true. Still, hindi ako tumatanggap ng losyang na sekretarya." He replied.

     "Bakit? Basehan ba ang suot sa pagiging sekretarya, ha? Ano bang gagawin? Magpapageant? Anong gusto mo? Maghubad? And then sexretary na ang tawag? Are you even serious?" I yelled at him.

     "Secretary goes with their employer during meetings. You don't expect that they can wear what you are wearing now, right? Wear something that could attract attention in a way that you would be recognized as a secretary and not a yaya." He pointed. What kind of reason is that? "Wear something nicer tomorrow on you first work." Dagdag pa nito.

     "Huh. As if... Wait, is that acceptance?" Pahabol kong tanong sa kaniya.

     "Get out if you don't want to be fired kahit na hindi ka pa nagtatrabaho." He said before slamming the door close.

     Napangiti ako but at the same time, I felt nervous. What made him change his mind? I looked at Amanda. She seemed happy with the news and congratulated me. Andrius was wearing his amused face.

     "Well, can't say anything other than good luck...to being sexretary." He said while laughing and making his way to the other room. Ngayon ko lang napansin na may isa pa palang kwarto rito. 

     "Congrats ulit bestie.  Talking to that guy was a tough move, ain't it? Nevertheless, You have work now. This should call for a celebration. What do you think?" I'm not really into that so I declined. Buti naman at naintindihan ni Amanda. The end of the day turns to be fine. As to the schedule of my classes, well, the good Andrius ask for the favor of my professors to just send me a special test and lectures so I can answer it in my free time or at night. That means, I and Amanda won't see each other often in the university. Sinabihan ko naman siya tungkol dito at ang sabi ng gaga, "Sana lahat. Mag-apply din kaya ako para nice view na, less worry pa sa college. But yeah, we won't see each other often around here. Okay sana if palagi kang nasa apartment mo so I can go there during my free time."

     The following day, hinalungkat ko ang mga damit ko sa drawer. I tried to look for clothes that would fit the taste of my employer. Mapili, kala mo naman Au. I almost gave up nang may mahagilap akong damit. Kinuha ko ito at tinignan. It was a fitted gray-dress with laces at the back of it. I can say, it's good. But I don't want my back to be exposed. Argh. Saan nga ba 'to galing? Ah, yes. It was from Amanda who gave it to me last year as a Christmas present. I tried to fit it and it turns out good. Iyon nga lang, the back is too sexy.  *Should I call Amanda?*

     After minutes of hesitating, I decided at lat to call Amanda. For sure, marami siyang mga damit na pagpipilian. I rung her up at buti naman sinagot niya ito after three rings.

     "Bestie. Napatawag ka." Bungad niya. I hear sounds of wind at the background.

     "Ano kasi, magpapatulong sana ako. Wala akong maisusuot eh first day pa naman sa trabaho."

     "Sorry bestie ha. Wala kasi kami sa bahay ngayon. Papunta kami ni Papa sa 'ting probinsya. Actually, we're riding our motorbike right now." Just what I was suspecting.

     "Hayst. Ganun ba? Sige bestie. Bye." I sound disappointed.

     "I remember, 'di ba I've given you a dress last Christmas? That would do. Sabi naman ng employer mo na you have to wear nicer that what you did yesterday. That dress would do. I'm sure it will fit you."

     "Yeah, I already tried slipping it. It's just that it was too open at the back." Reklamo ko. Obviously, I wasn't used to this kind of clothing. T-shirt, jeans, hoodie ay okay na sa 'kin.

     "I think that's fine. If you want, you can just cover it with you wavy hair. That would do the work. And wear light makeup. If you want, liptint will do."

     "Okay. Salamat. Good luck on your byahe." I told her before hanging up the call.

     So, this is it. You don't have no other choice Lorraine but to wear these. I applied a liptint and as what Amanda suggested, inilugay ko ang aking buhok to cover at least some part of my back. Once contented, I wear my flats and took a one last glance of myself at the mirror. Then, I decided to head to the office. Thankfully, Andrius gave me the address  after he was done talking to whoever he has to about transferring my schedule.

     My employer's company, the infamous Garrison brand name was placed at the top of the main entrance. The security asked for my ID. I told him bago pa lang ako as secretary of Herrick Garrison. He did not let me in. Buti na lang at dumating si Andrius. "She's the new secretary of Mr. Garrison. Let her in." He commanded. After which, he eyed me.

     "I can say, you look better than yesterday. In fact, you look stunning. Follow me."

    "Thanks for the compliment." I said. He mouthed 'you're welcome' which made me surprise but just shook my head. He led me to the elevator. He said this is a private one, purposely for him. The one on the left is the CEO's. He punched number 15. Heck, why would someone want their office to be placed at the top? Wouldn't that be too risky? I mean, what if there comes an earthquake?

     Once the elevator sounds, Andrius led me to the door to the right just about five meters from the elevator. He opened the door and motioned for me to come inside. He would just be staying at his small office. I mouthed a thank you and made my way through the door. I saw Sir Herrick scanning the pages of papers, only stopping to sign it.

     Without looking, he spoke. "You are late by five minutes and 30 seconds. That's already a bad record. If you want to stay longer, better be punctual. Got that?"

     "Yes, Sir." I answered and took a seat on the sofa. Wala pa kasi siyang pinapagawa. He shifted his gaze to me, slowly eyeing me from head to toe. *Okay na siguro itong suot ko,ano? Napakademanding mo na if ayaw mo pa rin.* He made no comment anyway.

     "Now, your first task. Read this document for me. I want to make sure that the papers do not contain any misleading thoughts." He relinquished me a two-full page document. Kay bait na bata. I started reading it aloud. I looked like a grade one student asked to read aloud a story and check comprehension later. After I have done so, may pahabol pa siyang tanong. "So, what do you think? Is it worth the signature?" He asked. *Aba, tinatanong mo ako?*

     "I believe it is, Sir. There is no misleading information with it. Just pure request of your assistance in their program." I answered.

     "I know. That's why I signed it already." The heck? Why ask for my reading it when in the first place, binasa na pala niya ito. I looked at the most bottom right part and then there it is, the signature of the devil.  I turn to look, only to see him smirk at me. I gave him my sweetest smile. "Okay, Sir. What would I do next?" I asked.

     "Here's my schedule for now. You can add any additional in the future. Give me brewed coffee, make it yourself. Don't but that ready made coffee in a cup. Add half a teaspoon of sugar." Utos nito. Nabasa siguro nito na plano kong kumuha ng kape doon sa machine malapit sa elevator.

     "May thermos ho ba ba kayo, sir?"

     "I don't what that but if ever you're looking for a heater, it's in there." He pointed to the small island in his office. "One more thing, don't bother putting a drug in it if you don't want me to kill you." Banta pa nito. *As if naman mangyayari yun.*

     After making his coffee, I put it to his table. Such demanding human.

     "Watch your words, lady." Ah right, I said it aloud. Good for you. "Go to Andrius' office and ask for the papers of stakeholders and background information last two years 'til now. Carry that here and arranged it alphabetically." He ordered. This guy is really having his fun time with me. I would want to kill him if given the chance.