Chapter 1: Black Room

“Miss Del Fuentes, you will be the first one to go to the black room with me.”

“A-ako po?” Nauutal kong tanong habang nakaturo ang daliri ko sa sarili ko. Just making sure I didn't mishear it. Hoping it is not me and I was only daydreaming.

“You're the only Miss Del Fuentes here. Yes, you're the first one who will be going to the dark room.” She paused and looked at me. I am secretly shaking. I cannot understand my feelings! “Ready or not, you have no choice but to go for it or just give up the chance to get the position and your efforts will be in vain?” She asked and a playful smirk formed her lips. That hits me. She is absolutely right!

“My apology, Miss. I am ready now!” Lakas loob kong sagot. There, a cutest smile formed in her lips.

May pagpipilian ba ako kung sakali? ‘Di ba wala?

“Good!”

Pabigat ng pabigat at hakbang ko habang papalapit na kami sa dark room na sinasabi ni Miss K.

“Be ready. Good luck again!” She said before opening the door. I only respond with a smile.

I was expecting that the room would be gloomy since they called it a dark room. But instead, I was shocked to witness these two people in front of us laughing so hard. What on earth! Kung hindi pa nagsalita si Miss ay hindi nila kami mappansin.

“Boss,”

Then they stopped what they were doing and sat properly. Pakiramdam ko ay ano mang segundo ay malulunod ako sa mga tingin nila. Their facial expressions suddenly turned serious.

“Are you sure Miss K that this applicant is applying for the right position?” Naguguluhan tanong ng lalaking naka dark blue suit. His look is more formal than the guy beside him. Nagugulohan din ako sa tanong niya. Anong ibig niyang sabihin doon? I am offended. May sukatan ba ang pag-a-apply bilang sekretarya? Is he the boss?

“Yes.” walang alinlangan na sagot ni Miss Krystal.

He looked at me again, from head to foot.

“Well, if she changes her mind right now or if she cannot pass this interview, I could hire her to my company.” Sabi niya habang malokong nakatingin sa katabi niya na walang kibo. He's teasing him, obviously. “Bagay sa kanya maging model.” Aniya pa.

Kung hindi siya, ang CEO ng kompanyang ito ay ang lalaking katabi niya? Pero mas mukha pa siyang CEO.

“Baka nakakalimutan mong narito ka para tulungan ako sa paghahanap ng bagong secretary at hindi ang mang recruit sa kompanya mo.” Finally, the serious guy spoke. I mean, the CEO spoke. He looks so tired. Kitang-kita pa ang dark circles sa ilalim ng kanyang mga mata.

“That's the same, bud.”

“Whatever!” the boss hissed.

Am I here for an interview or to watch a live drama? The men in front of us are all handsome! Bagay na bagay maging artista! Gosh! Interview po muna maawa naman kayo.

“Don't waste her time. Go ahead and interview her!” Utos ng mukhang mabait na lalaki. Nakinig na naman ang CEO.

“Kindly introduce your name, Miss.” Napaayos ako ng tindig ng magsalita siya.

“Ano ‘yan? Introduce yourself as an elementary student?” he commented and burst into laughter.

“Shut up!”

“Don't mind this dumbass, Miss. Just do what I say and answer my questions.”

Yes, they're handsome but I should set my attention to my purpose for why I am here in the first place. Trabaho muna bago landi. Wait…did I just say landi? No!

“Good morning! I am Elena Cecilia Del Fuentes!” I said clearly.

“Okay. Let us go down to business. Why do you think you deserve to be my secretary?” he asked seriously.

“I do deserve and believe to get this position because I know to myself that I am capable of handling this position along with its works. I am willing to learn and train. I can be flexible in work and rest assured that I will be dedicated to this job if you will give me a chance to do so, Sir.”

Nakahinga ako ng malalim ng sabihin ko iyon. I am just being myself. Wala na akong maisasagot pa sa tanong niya and I hope my answers touches the veins in his heart.

Pagkatapos kong tanungin ng ilan pang katanungan ay pinalabas na ako at pinabalik sa waiting room. Some of them were asking about the questions that were being asked to me but the boss and his friend told me not to spread it to be unfair with me. Sabi ko na lang sa kanila na hindi pwede. Unfair din naman sa part ko kung sasabihin ko tapos paghahandaan nila at ako kanina hotseat.

Dahil bored na bored ako kakahintay kung kailan pa matatapos ‘yung iba, kinuha ko ang phone ko sa bitbit kong sling bag at inopen ang messenger ko. I composed a message to my friend. Hindi naman nagtagal ay nakapag reply na agad siya hanggang sa nawili na ako kaka-chat at muntik ko ng makalimutan na nandito pa pala ako sa waiting room. Panghuli yung isang babaeng kasing taas ko lang pero petite siya. Kapag dumating na siya ngayon, ilang sandali na lamang ay malalaman na namin kung sino ang tanggap. Imagine, sampu kami rito and only one could have it—to be the secretary of the sleepy boss.

Hindi ko na na replyan ang kaibigan ko ng pumasok na siya at si Miss Krystal dito sa loob ng waiting room.

“Wait a moment, Ladies. Boss will be there in bit to announce who will be his chosen secretary.” Sabi niya sa amin.

Some of them were smiling widely while here I am praying and hoping. Pero kung hindi naman ako matanggap dito pwede pa naman akong mag-apply sa iba. Hindi naman siguro sukatan kung nakatapos ka sa pag-aaral o ano. Pero mahalaga din ‘yun kaya lang wala ako. Iiyak lang ako ng ilang gabi tapos mag a-apply ulit. That's life anyway.

Natigil ang bulong-bulongan at mga tili nila ng pumasok sa loob ‘yung lalaki na naka dark blue suit. ‘Yung nag joke sa akin kanina.

“Ladies, on behalf of my cousin, I will inform you all that we have chosen one only as per the need of him. Syempre, isa lang ang pwedeng secretary ng boss. At kung hindi man kayo itong pangalan na babanggitin ko na dapat magpaiwan ngayon dito, don't lose hope and keep on trying. Maybe this position is not really for you and you are for other rooms. Okay?”

No one dares to answer, not even me. Ang hirap huminga sa part na ‘to. Nanginginig na naman ako.

“Anyone can go except for…Miss Del Fuentes.” Nakangiting sabi niya at napatingin sa gawi ko.

I'm at a loss for words! Halos maluwa ang mata ko dahil sa gulat. I am pretty sure it is me. Woah! I made it! Hindi ko na kailangan umiyak at mag apply ulit sa ibang company dahil tanggap na ako. Papa will be happy to know this, lalong lalo na si mama. Hindi nga ako sure sa sagot ko, eh! Paano nga?

“Congratulations, Miss Cecilia! Ikaw ang napili ng cousin ko.” Kaming tatlo na lang ang naiwan dito sa waiting room. Standing beside him is Miss Krystal, the head of the HR.

They're cousins? I didn't expect it but I remember that I have read a line somewhere I cannot remember saying ‘Expect the unexpected’.

“Thank you, Sir!”

“Congratulations!” Miss Krystal congratulated me. Nararamdaman kong natutuwa sila at masaya na nakapasa ako, ako rin ‘no! I can now bring home some good news with me. Hindi nasayang ang paghihintay ko ng ilang linggo para lang sa position na ito.

“Thank you, Miss.” I said, smiling widely. This literally lightens up my mood.

“Pero mas bagay ka sa company ko,” sabi pa ng lalaki. Is he really for real? I thought he's just playing around? Napailing na lamang si Miss dahil sa sinabi nitong lalaki na may ibang company.

“Wag kang papauto dito sa kapatid ko, Miss Del Fuentes.” Sabi ni miss na ikinalaki ng mata ko.

Natawa sila pareho ng makita ang reaction ko. Agad ko namang binalik ang resting face ko—the cute one. “I just did not expect it po.” Sabi ko pa. “Sorry.”

Bobo ko na hindi ko napansin na magkahawig talaga sila. Well, I am here naman for an interview at hindi para usisain ang mga mukha nila.

“She's not my sister anymore, Miss Del Fuentes. Pinagpalit na niya ako sa asawa niya.” Nagtatampong sumbong ng lalaki.

“Nakakahiya ka, Khen! That's too personal! Binabawi ko na talagang kapatid kita.” She's embarrassed because of his brother.

Anyway, nakakatuwa ang pangalan ni sir—Khen, where is his barbie though? Corny! Pero for real, nakakatuwa sila and they look so kind too.

“Ihatid mo na nga siya sa office niya.” Utos ni Miss at tinalikoran na kami. Tinawanan lamang siya ni Sir Khen.

“Kita mo, dapat trabaho niya ito, eh. Marami na talaga silang utang sa akin.” Nagmamaktol siya. He's being unserious this time parang bata lang na nagtatampo. I secretly laugh at his reaction. I should not laugh! Baka sabihing feeling close ako sa kanila.

“Let's go, Miss.” aniya sakin. Tumango ako.

Sabay kaming naglalakad papunta sa office na sinasabi nila. At habang kami ay naglalakad maraming mata ang nakasunod sa amin. May bulong-bulongan na agad tapos ‘yung iba naman ay walang pakialam.

“Is she the new secretary?”

Fortunately, yes.

“She doesn't look like one.”

Ano ba dapat mukha ng secretary ng boss niyo?

“Baka model siya.”

I'm not!

“No! Baka girlfriend ni boss!”

Mas lalong hindi!

“Don't mind them.” Sabi ni Sir Khen habang patuloy kami sa paglalakad.

“Opo,”

“By the way,” tumgil siya sa paglalakad at napatigil din ako.

“Sir?”

“I will tell you a secret pero ‘wag mong sabihin kay Keanu.” Aniya pa.

“Who's Keanu, Sir?” Natawa siya sa tanong ko pero agad namang tumigil ng mapansing hindi ako kumibo.

“I apologize, Miss Del Fuentes. Hindi pala nagpakilala ang boss.”

“Yes po.”

Si boss? Keanu ang pangalan niya?

“Yes.” Nagulat ako ng sagutin niya ang tanong na nasa utak ko lang. “I can read the questions in your eyes, Miss Del Fuentes.” he said while smiling at me while staring in my eyes. Dahil sa hiya na naramdaman ko ay yumuko ako ng bahagya.

“Keanu, he's not the real boss. He's not your boss.”