Vexed 05: The Lady Architect

David’s P.O.V.

“Wait, what? You’ve hired your ex-girlfriend as your secretary? Okay ka lang, brad?” Chad asked as soon as I told him about Vanessa. It had been a week since she started working for me, and it looked like my mischievous best friend here would deliberately turn me into a laughing stock.

Nandito kami ngayon sa loob ng office ko. Chad just dropped by para lang maki-usyoso! Well, I was only kidding. Malapit lang naman kasi ‘yong office niya rito, so he dropped by for us to talk in person—not just over the phone.

Like me, Chad also graduated with Latin Honors. Magna Cum Laude to be exact and aside from that, he copped the seventh place in the board exam. The two of us were both true to that so-called best friend goals. Now, he was also the Section Head of Surveying Process Department at Delacerna Group of Companies or DGC—their very own company.

Chad didn’t want to be the CEO, although he was already the next in line. He couldn’t do anything about it because he was an only child. He just had to stop his happy-go-lucky ways and accept his fate.

Actually, EGC and DGC had a venture project regarding an all-new five-star hotel that we were planning to start soon near the *QDMC Avenue Mall before January ends. That was the real reason why he was here.

The goal for this hotel was also to have a spectacular rooftop restaurant that would soon earn us, hopefully, three *Michelin stars. If that would happen, no one could be prouder than Kuya Liam.

“So, what’s wrong with that? I already forgot about what happened to us in the past, bro! At saka, mga bata pa naman kami noon. Matagal na akong naka-move on!” I said before taking a sip of my coffee. I had a coffeemaker here, so I didn’t have to ask Vanessa in making me a coffee.

“Sabagay,” Chad rubbed his chin, “sa isang tao ka lang naman hindi nakakapag-move on eh!” Then, he richly laughed again. “Oops, sorry—me and my big mouth!” nang-aasar pa niyang sabi sa akin.

“Gusto mong masipa palabas ng opisina ko?” Naniningkit ang mga matang buwelta ko.

“Hey, man! I was only kidding. Ito naman, hindi mabiro. But seriously, Dave. I had always been curious about what really happened between you and Athena? Nagkabalikan na nga kayong dalawa, ‘di ba? Bakit pinakawalan mo pa?” tanong niya. Hanggang ngayon kasi ay hindi pa rin ako nagkukuwento sa kanya. I guessed I would just bury everything in the past.

“It wasn’t easy and I’m not yet ready to talk about it.” I pretended to be busy in front of the laptop.

“Weh? Hanggang ngayon, hindi ka pa rin ready magkuwento sa kung ano talaga ang nangyari sa inyo noon? Muntik na nga tayong maiwan ng eroplano pauwi rito dahil hinihintay mo lang naman si Athena sa Munich International Airport! Huwag nga ako, bro! Alam kong umasa ka pa rin up to the last nanosecond…”

“It was all in the past now.” I became serious, pero mamayamaya rin ay nginitian ko siya nang nakakaloko. “Bakit ikaw? Ano bang totoong nangyari sa inyo ni Katrina? Nakapag-move on ka na ba?”

Nanahimik siya bigla. Chad was clearly caught off-guard.

One year after we came back from Germany, Chad and Kate broke up. It was January 2014 to be exact. The main reason was that—they didn’t survive the long distance! But I guessed na third party talaga ang pinag-ugatan. Siyempre, sa side ni Chad!

He gave me a bitter laugh afterwards. “Siyempre naman! Ako nga ‘yong nagloko, ‘di ba? Ako pa ba ‘yong hindi makakapag-move on? It was only a piece of cake for me, bro! Didn’t I tell you that LDRs just don’t work for me. Well, you’re getting senile.”

Then, a feeling of sadness was evident on his voice as he diverted the topic. “But enough with these past relationships, let’s talk about business here. May nakuha na ba kayong architect?” Chad asked as he took a sip of his coffee.

“As far as I know, yes. She just graduated from *Harston University last year. You know what, despite the fact that she only has a six-month experience in the industry, she already acquired two architectural licenses and one patented study. Amazing!”

Checking some papers on my in-tray, I continued. “I heard, she’s really adept in her field! Well, even though I haven’t yet had the chance to meet her personally, I was already and totally impressed by her achievements,” I elucidated. Curiosity was killing me to finally meet that architect.

She might just be like me—already successful at a very young age. She definitely had brains, because EGC fought for her and gave her an immense compensation—for her not to choose the other companies’ offers. I could say that I already liked her even though I hadn’t yet seen her.

“She? So, you mean—a lady architect? Whoa! I guessed I’m already excited to meet her, bro! Actually, I can’t wait to finally meet her!” Chad smirked as he pointed out, eagerly rubbing his palms against each other. Nakangising-aso na naman ang loko-loko.

“Hey, mind you… she’s on my team! Find your own lady architect and don’t invade with my territory. She’s mine!” I argued with what he wanted to do. Wala pa nga ‘yong architect dito ay mukhang uunahan pa niya ako.

The way how I said the words ‘She’s mine!’ and how my jaws clenched harder—looked like the said architect was really my possession. That she already belonged to me and no one had the right to take her away from me!

“Oh, come on! We’re best of friends for almost seven years, Dave. You know this time, hmm… we can share!” Chad laughed so hard and I just couldn’t help but join him. “Do you think she would fall for my charms? Wanna bet?”

“Shut the fuck up! Don’t you ever try to mess with me in breaking our bro code, man. Anyway, she will be arriving next week, and she will occupy that office.” Turo ko sa katapat na opisina.

As previously decided and in order for me to avoid knocks, I already had my wooden door changed into a glass one, kaya gano’n din ‘yong ginawa nila sa katapat na opisina. It was too late for me to realize that it was so awkward!

At kung hindi babaguhin ng taong mag-ookupa roon ‘yong interior design ng office niya ay magiging magkatapatan ‘yong mga puwesto naming dalawa at palagi lang kaming magkakakitaan.

Well, she’s an architect and I bet that she will definitely change it! Pero kung gusto naman niya akong makita palagi, mukhang hindi na niya ‘yon gagalawin.

“Hmm, okay. By the way, how about a team building session before starting the project—wait, do we already have a name for this project? The New Hotel seemed so plain!” Chad inquisitively asked, showing some lines on his forehead.

“Yeah, the hotel’s name is Charmed! That lady architect gave the name. What do you think?” I said while busy typing on my laptop—exchanging some lustful messages with Melissa.

“In fairness, I liked that! And you know what, I’m starting to really like her, brad. I mean, who wouldn’t? She’s really brilliant, right?” he asked and that earned me a nod.

Chad even patted me on my shoulder. “Okay, so I’m thinking about organizing the team building for our teams to get to know well before starting The Charmed Hotel. Sounds great?”

“Whatever you say, dude! Go ahead, I’m into it. You know how much I trust you, right?” I smiled but my attention was only focused on my laptop—reading a slutty e-mail response.

I was about to type my reply when I got surprised after Chad grabbed my laptop, which caused me to shout on top of my lungs. “Fuck! Uy, ano ba!”

Pilit niyang inilalayo sa akin ‘yong laptop samantalang ako naman ay pilit na inaabot iyon. Para tuloy kaming mga batang nag-aagawan ng lollipop dito!

He frowned while reading what was on my screen. “Melissa? Wait, is that Melissa Venner? ‘Yong sikat na model ng XYZ sports bra? For Christ’s sake! Bagong prospect mo na naman?” Chad asked as he finally surrendered and gave me back my laptop. Grabe, muntik pang matapon ‘yong mga kape namin sa mesa sa paghihilahan namin kanina.

“Ay, hindi… pinsan ko ‘yan!” I was eyeing him sarcastically. “Hindi ka pa ba nasanay at kailangan mo pa talagang magtanong? Malamang, bagong girlfriend ko!” I said while connecting my laptop lock or security cable. I should have done this earlier. It was a good thing that Melissa didn’t send a nude picture like what she used to do.

“Fuck, I just couldn’t believe na mas naging playboy ka pa kaysa sa akin! Well, just continue what you’re doing, bro! But you can’t stop me from meeting this lady architect of yours. Since you already have your Melissa, I’m gonna flirt with your lady architect at your plain sight!” Chad kiddingly threatened me before he finished his coffee.

“Whatever, Chad! If I have to lock her here in my office for you not to even see her, I’ll do that. You haven’t seen the worst of me yet, so don’t ever try messing with me!”

So far, hindi pa naman kami nag-away nang dahil lang sa iisang babae kaya natawa na lang ako sa kanya. Parang kanina lang ay naghihilahan pa kami ng laptop, ngayon naman ay balik na ulit kami sa pagtatawanan.

“You’re such a selfish best friend! Anyway, I’ll go ahead. I will start planning our team building! Just let me know your team’s preferred schedule, so I can align with my team’s, okay?”

“Sure thing!” I nodded as we bumped our fists, before he headed towards my office door and left.

Looking at the other office, I suddenly got perplexed. I became curious as I thought about that lady architect again.

Is she still single?

_________________________

*QDMC Avenue Mall is just a fictional place counterpart for SM Mall of Asia.

*Harston University is just a fictional counterpart for Harvard University.

A *Michelin star is the ultimate hallmark of culinary excellence. Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants judged to be of a particularly high standard.

Coveted by many chefs but bestowed upon only to an excellent few. Getting a star (or three) could change the fate of a restaurant.

One star: High-quality cooking, worth a stop.

Two stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour.

Three stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.