Lethal Attachment

Chapter 1

Job

Ever since I found the urge in me to major in business and discovered the most influential company in the country, Sarto Corporations, I already promised myself that I would do anything just to graduate in college and work there. But now that I'm about to start my first day in their main office, I just want to back out and let my career end just when it's about to start.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano na ako katagal na nakatayo sa lobby ng building. Iilang minuto na lang ang natitirang pagitan upang hindi ako malate sa unang araw ko sa trabaho pero hindi ko man lang magawang humakbang ulit.

I stayed in my first job for a year, but my contract suddenly got terminated due to a fact that they needed to reduce the number of their employees for downsizing the business. I'm one the unlucky employees who got fired because they prioritized the tenured employees. At ngayon, kung mayroon lang talagang iba na tumanggap sa akin sa trabaho ay hinding-hindi ako aapak sa kompanyang ito pero tatlong buwan na akong naghahanap ng trabaho ay hindi pa rin ako natatanggap. I came to a point that I already questioned my own credentials and skills. I graduated with grades that could pass for a c*m Laude. Sadyang kinapos lang talaga ako ng iilang puntos. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi nila ako tinanggap lalo na ngayon na mayroon na akong experience.

When I finally lost hope, I tried applying here in Sarto Corporations. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba rito ako nag-OJT kaya natanggap ako agad. Limang minuto lamang pagkatapos ng aking final interview ay agad na akong nakakuha ng trabaho. The salary's way above the minimum wage and there are overflowing benefits from the company, such as having my own car and a condo unit near the company, and more benefits that you could ever imagine. For sure, anyone who'd have the job offer that I got will rejoice, but not me. Halos tanggihan ko na ito kung hindi lang talaga nangangailangan ng pera ang aking pamilya.

My family just have enough to live. Halos maubos na ang ipon ng aking mga magulang upang mapag-aral ako sa Maynila. Gusto kong maibalik sa kanila ang lahat ng kanilang nagastos sa akin. By taking this job, I could easily pay them back. Baka maipagawa ko pa ng bagong bahay sina Mama.

Kung ito ay simpleng gawaing opisina lamang ay talagang walang pag-aalinlangan at maligaya ko itong tatanggapin. But to be the secretary of the President of the company, who is my ex-boyfriend, you will surely think twice or even thrice!

Habang pumipirma ako ng kontrata last week ay paulit-ulit kong iniisip ang aking pamilya. Kaya ngayon, ang nagbigay ng lakas sa akin upang magpatuloy sa paglalakad patungo sa elevator ay sila rin.

"Be professional, Kriesha..." I whispered to myself as the elevator went up from the ground floor.

I shouldn't let my personal life interfere with my career. For sure, Rojan would also be professional when it comes to work. He's a prodigy when it comes to business that's why his family entrusted him to continue their legacy without any doubts. And besides, it has been almost two years since we broke up and went our separate ways. I'm sure he has already moved on.

A man with a calibre like him wouldn't hang up on someone like me.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit napatigil ako sa pag-iisip at mas natakot sa iniisip na naka-move on na siya. If that's the case, he might take his revenge on me. Siguro'y papahirapan niya ako sa trabaho para makaganti sa akin.

However, I know Rojan isn't like that... He may be ruthless when it comes to handling their business, but he has a kind heart. Iyan nga ang dahilan kung bakit ako tuluyang nahulog sa kanya noon. Talagang biyaya na lang din ang kanyang hitsura na talaga bang parang pinagpala.

"Yes, Ma'am, how may I help you?"

Bago pa ako makadiretso sa opisina ng presidente ng kompanya ay tinawag na agad ng babae sa reception ng palapag na ito ang aking atensyon. She must not have seen the company I.D. that I was wearing.

With enough confidence and grace to showcase, I turned to her with a smile on my face and raised my I.D. for her to see.

"I'm Krieshana Flamiano," I introduced myself to her. "I'm the newly hired secretary of Mr. Rojan Sarmiento."

She immediately fixed her upward position and looked more polite than she was earlier. She even placed both of her hands on the top of her stomach like how I usually see members of a chorale do when they're singing.

"Mr. Sarmiento is already inside his office, Miss Flamiano," she informed me. "He's already waiting for your arrival."

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako ngayon ang nawalan ng composure nang sinabi niyang hinihintay na ako ni Rojan sa loob ng kanyang opisina. Pero teka nga lang... alam ba niya na ako ang bagong sekretarya niya? Did he already check the files of his new secretary?

"Miss Flamiano, you may proceed now to the president's office."

Muli ko namang ibinalik ang atensyon ko sa receptionist at tipid na tango lamang ang aking naisagot bago tumalikod at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

The steps I'm taking were getting heavier and heavier as I got closer to his office. Pakiramdam ko ay lumulusong ako sa dagat at palalim ito nang palalim. Pagdating naman sa harapan ng kanyang opisina ay lubog na lubog na ako't hindi na makahinga sa sobrang kaba.

Ilang beses akong nag-ensayo kagabi kung paano ko papairalin ang aking pagiging propesyonal ngayon sa trabaho pero parang bula lang ang mga ito na pumutok at naglaho pagkatapak na pagkatapak ko pa lang sa bulwagan. Now, I'm doing my best to bring back my composure and make sure to keep it with me all the time at work.

Before backing out and face a lawsuit for breaching my contract, I bravely knocked three times on the door before entering in. To my surprise, there was no one inside the huge aesthetic office. Dahan-dahan kong isinarado ang pinto at mas lalong naglakad papasok sa loob ng opisina.

The office's interior could pass for a condo unit because it also has a mini living room for guests, but instead of having a bed, there's a big table in exchange. Sa totoo nga ay mas maganda pa ang kanyang opisina kaysa sa aking apartment. I moved closer to the table and read the glass desk name plate placed on the top of the table.

Rojan Howell F. Sarmiento

President

Without thinking, I let my fingers softly caressed his name that was engraved on the nameplate. I smiled feeling proud of his achievements. Noon pa man ay isa na siyang achiever pero alam kong mas marami na siyang mga nakamit ngayon. He's doing a great job keeping his family's legacy on top of the pyramid. Madalas nga ay nababalita pa siya sa mga telebisyon dahil sa malaking pagbabago na nagawa niya sa ekonomiya ng bansa. There were so many unemployed individuals that were given a chance to have work as he kept on expanding their business and making a lot of innovations in just two years. Malaki rin ang pera na naipapasok niya sa gobyerno na nagpapalaki ng mga funds at budget para sa iba't ibang departamento ng gobyerno na para sa mamamayan ng bansa.

Even though we already broke up, I can proudly say that he became my boyfriend... or not. I should just keep that fact to myself. Yes, that's what I should do.

"Are you just going to stand there the whole shift?"

I almost jumped in surprise when I heard his baritone voice. Agad akong napalingon sa kanya na nakasandal sa likod ng pintuan at nakahalukipkip. I wasn't even aware that he already went inside his office. I was too preoccupied with my thoughts.

My lips parted when my eyes met his. Before, he would always look at me with soft and beaming eyes, but now, he was staring at me so darkly that I almost got scared with the way he stared at me. My knees wobbled that if I wasn't able to hold on to the table behind me, I would have fallen already.

Well, what do I expect? That he'll welcome me with a smile and flowers like before? That he'll hug me tight and kiss me on my forehead?

These are the consequences of your decision back then, Kriesha. Ikaw ang may kasalanan kung bakit siya naging ganito sa'yo ngayon.

He slowly loosened up his tie before he started walking to his table. Halos pigilan ko naman ang aking paghinga dahil sa kanyang paglapit. Nakatitig lamang siya sa akin kahit na ang tungo niya ay sa likuran ng lamesa. Nanatili akong parang estatwa sa aking posisyon kahit na nadinig kong nakaupo na siya ngayon sa kanyang swivel chair.

I have to admit that I wasn't prepared for the kind of aura he was showing right now. Dati ay nakikita at nararadaman ko lang ito tuwing naglalaro siya ng basketball pero ngayon ay naging iba na. The maturity of his physical visual went more mature that made him look more intense. He's clearly different from the Rojan I knew before, and I have to acknowledge the fact that it could be my fault.

"Do you know that it's not nice to face your boss using your back?"

Mariin naman akong pumikit at kinagat ang aking labi. Isang malalim na paghinga ang aking ginawa bago siya hinarap nang nakangiti.

"I'm sorry about that, Sir," I politely apologized while bowing my head a bit.

He casually leaned on the back rest of his chair and c****d his head on one side while his eyes never left mine. Pakiramdam ko'y pinaparusahan niya na ako gamit ang kanyang mga tingin.

"Tomorrow I want you to be an hour early for your duty since you're about ten minutes late," he suddenly said and sounded so authoritative. "I'm a very busy person, if you're not aware of it. I have important meetings most days of the week where I would need your assistance as my secretary to prepare for it. You're lucky enough today that my schedule isn't tight."

I remained looking back at him while listening to his speech. Gusto kong magreklamo at sabihin sa kanya na wala pa akong kaalam-alam sa kung paano gumagalaw ang mundo niya ngayon bilang presidente ng kanilang kompanya, pero sa tingin ko'y hindi ako dapat sumagot pabalik at hayaan lang siyang magsalita hangga't hindi niya ako binibigyan ng pagkakataong sabihin ang aking nais sabihin.

Umaayos naman siya ng upo sa kanyang upuan bago pinindot ang intercom sa gilid ng lamesa. He looked so serious in every move that he makes.

"Yes, Sir?" It was a voice from a man.

"Come inside the office, Laurel," he simply instructed and turned off the intercom afterwards.

Wala pang tatlong segundong nakakalipas ay pumasok na ang isang lalaki na siguro ay kasing-edaran lang namin. He was wearing a neat suit and eyeglasses that made him look so smart. Mukhang hindi niya pa napansin ang aking presensya sa loob ng opisina dahil diretso lang ang kanyang tingin kay Rojan.

"Laurel, this is Miss Flamiano, the new secretary that will take-over your position," Rojan formally introduced me to Laurel.

Laurel turned to look at me with an unfriendly expression. He didn't even smile nor greeted me, that's why I took the initiative to do so.

I smiled at him and offered my hand for a shake. "Nice to meet you! I'm Krieshana."

"My pleasure, Miss Flamiano," he just said before averting his gaze back to Rojan.

Slowly, I clenched my fist when he didn't shake my hand and bit my lower lip. Inilagay ko na lang ang aking kamay sa aking likuran at nakayukong lumingon sa harapan.

"Please, train and teach Miss Flamiano the things that she has to know in order to be an effective secretary," Rojan gave out his orders. "I'll give you three days to train her before you move to your new post."

"Noted, Sir,l. It was already instructed by the HR," Laurel said and nodded. "Is that all?"

"That's all. You may start now," Rojan said and averted his full attention to his computer.

Laurel nodded once before he swiftly went out of the office while I remained standing in front of Rojan waiting for his direct orders to me. Mukhang nakuha ko naman muli ang kanyang atensyon nang mapansin niyang hindi ako kumikilos. Hindi ko alam kung kailangan ko na bang sumunod kay Laurel o kung mayroon pa siyang sasabihin sa akin na dapat kong malaman.

"Are you seriously just going to stand there?" he mocked me again and raised his gaze to look at me. "Did you even read your job description that the HR gave you? You were hired to do your job and not just to stand there. You should've gone out with Laurel so you could be trained well."

"I just thought that you still have something to say, Sir..." I said in a very soft voice.

Ayoko nang lakasan pa ang boses ko dahil pakiramdam ko'y manginginig ito sa takot at kirot.

His jaw clenched twice and his eyes grew darker as he kept his stare.

"If you're thinking that I'd go easy on you just because we knew each other before then, let that thought go 'cause it's not going to happen," he nonchalantly said.

I felt a pang of pain in my heart while his words were playing on loop inside my head. Bahagya akong yumuko upang malihis ang aking tingin sa kanya habang kinokontrol ko ang aking nararamdaman.

Just because we knew each other before?

I couldn't avoid getting hurt when he just labeled our past relationship to each other as something so shallow, but I guess it's better off that way.

Nang mag-angat ako ulit ng tingin sa kanya at ngumiti ay parang namalikmata akong mayroong dumaan na kung anong emosyon sa kanyang mata na agad ding natakpan ng kadiliman.

"I understand, Sir..." I stated professionally and tightly gripped my bag. "I promise that you won't regret giving me a chance to work under your hands. If you'll excuse me, Sir... I'll go ahead and train to be an effective secretary of yours. But before that, would there be anything else that you would like me to be reminded of?"

"Just go and do your job right," sabi na lang niya at saka muling nag-iwas ng tingin sa akin.

"Makakaasa po kayo," nakangiti ko pa ring sabi bago tumalikod sa kanya at pumikit ng mariin.

Be professional, Krieshana. Don't let the past get in the way since it should be forgotten and buried along with those said good byes.