Restraint Heart (Eligible Heiress #1)

Chapter 4

I look at myself in the full-length mirror in my walk-in closet one last time before heading out. It is my first day and I want to make an impression.

I am wearing a blue and white horizontal stripes button down shirt tucked in a high waist fitted black trousers matching it with a laced pumps. I wore my hair down and put a minimal natural look make-up with pink lipstick to complete my look.

Satisfied with my appearance, I gathered my black bag and my car key on the table beside my bed and drove my Audi to De Veyra Industries.

There was a little traffic on the way, which I already expected. I timed my travel to De Veyra Industries from my condo yesterday para malaman ko kung anong oras ako dapat umalis sa condo. I don't want to be late on my first day.

I arrived at the building 38 minutes after. Nagmadali akong nagpunta sa HR para mag-report ng first day.

The HR Manager welcomed me with a wide smile when I arrived at her office at exactly 8:45am. "Good morning, Ms. Lopèz."

"Hi. Good morning, Ms. Reyes. Am I late?" I smiled at her with the same enthusiasm she showed me.

"Oh no. Work starts at 9. Maaga lang talaga ako. And please, just call me Emily." Tumayo siya kanyang upuan at naglahad ng kamay.

She is probably in her early thirties. She is wearing a usual business attire, black knee-length skirt and a maroon long sleeves polo.

"I am waiting for you so I can show you to your office and introduce you to the people in your department. Let's go?"

Iginaya ako ni Ms. Reyes pasakay ng elevator papunta sa 8th floor kung nasaan ang advertising department.

"Kinakabahan ka ba sa unang araw mo, Ms. Lopèz?

"Kaunti lang po, pero mas excited po ako mag-umpisa." I smiled at her. "Bakit nga po pala nag-resign ang dating head?" hindi ko maiwasan ang magtanong.

Maganda ang posisyon at malaki ang pasahod ng kompanya sa mga employees kaya bakit siya nag-resign?

"Ahh... Nag-file kasi ng petition ang mga employees sa department niya, hindi na nila makasundo si Mr. Martin. Medyo matanda na rin kasi siya at hindi na makasabay sa mga mas batang empleyado. Narinig ko rin na may iilang trabaho daw siyang pumalpak. Marami ding kliyente ang nagrereklamo kaya minabuti na tanggalin nalang siya at maghanap ng mas batang kapalit na may magandang experience."

Pinaalis siya ng mga employees niya? Sana naman ay maksundo ko ang mga tao rito dahil ayaw kong umuwing luhaan pabalik ng mansion. Sigurado ako na hindi matutuwa si Lolo pag nagkataon. Baka maging anti-social na rin ako kung sakali. Pero wag naman sana.

Napalingon ako sa bahagyang pag-tawa ni Ms. Reyes. "Don't worry. Sigurado ako na magugustuhan ka at makakasundo mo ang mga empleyado roon, bukod sa nakakabighani mong ganda, e maganda ang working experience mo at isa pa, bata ka pa kaya makaka-ride ka sa mga pakulo ng mga batang empleyado hindi tulad ni Mr. Martin, masyadong seryoso."

Natawa ako sa sinabi ni Ms. Reyes at kahit papaano ay gumaan naman ang aking pakiramdan. Marunong naman ako makisama at sabi nga niya maganda ako. That is a plus right?

A woman with a tight bun greeted us at the entrance of the department. I can see a lot of cubicles occupying the left side of the area, maayos at organize ang pagkaka-ayos ng mga iyon. There is also a long hallway to right and a room at the back.

Ms. Reyes is quick to gather the employees at the entrance of the floor and started to introduce me.

"Good morning, everyone." She starts. "I am glad to introduce to you all, Ms. Lopèz, your new Head of Advertising."

They all looked at me, smiled and greeted me good morning. Natutuwa naman ako at mukhang makakasundo ko ang mga empleyado ko.

"Good morning, everyone. Thank you for your warm welcome. I'm looking forward to working with you all." I said smiling while looking at their eyes one by one.

Sinamahan ako ni Ms. Reyes sa aking personal na opisina. We walked to the right side of the area and saw that there are small rooms with clear glass walls along the hallway. At the end of it is a room where my said office is. Ipinakilala niya rin ako sa magiging sekretarya ko.

The office has white tiled floor and ceiling with huge glass windows. There is a long rectangular black desk on the right with black leather swivel chair facing two black chairs in front of the desk. A few drawers is also place at the far end adjacent to the desk. In addition, on the left side is a small couch with a small coffee table.

There was no feminine touch pero kaya ko naman gawan ng paraan. Isa pa, maganda naman ang kabuuan ng office.

"I arranged the papers of the pending projects na naiwan po ni Mr. Martin at inilagay ko po 'yun sa top right drawer." My secretary informed me. "If you need anything else Ms. Lopèz, I'm just outside your door." She smiled and went out.

I started to read some papers as soon she got out of my office. Napansin ko na on going ang isang project doon.

It is a campaign for the soon to open bar lounge located at the rooftop of a newly opened five star hotel.

"The bar will open in three months from now." Paul, one of the marketing team said.

"Everything is working smoothly the last time I check. From advertisements to promotions." The team leader, George added.

Siya ang humahawak pansamantala ng project habang wala pang kapalit si Mr. Martin.

This is big campaign project and I intend to make it a success. Hindi ko man nasimulan pero sisiguraduhin ko na maganda ang kalalabasan.

"I believe this is a big project. I want to make sure that everyone is doing his or her job. Kindly send me a copy of all the promotional materials and the data informing the campaigns." I said softly but with authority.

Nakikipagbiruan man ako paminsa pero I want my employees to respect me especially when we are at work. We can all be friends pero dapat nasa lugar. Hindi ako mahigpit at ayaw ko na takot ang mga empleyado ko sa akin na para akong terror prof.

Weeks pass by at unti-unti ko ng natutunan ang pasikot-sikot dito sa building.

Nagmamadali akong sumakay ng elevator at pinindot ang close button ngunit may humarang na kamay sa elevator doors.

"James." Gulat kong sambit ng makita siyang pumasok sa loob ng elevator.

Napatingin siya sa akin at kita rin ang pagkakagulat sa kanyang mata.

"I... uh.... Wow." Hindi makapaniwalang titig niya sa akin.

"Good morning, Mr. De Veyra. Top floor?" bati ko sa kanya ng naka-ngiti.

Nagulat ako na makasabay siya sa elevator. Two weeks na ako dito pero ngayon lang kami nagkita. Alam kong magkakasalubong din kami dahil iisang gusali lang pinagtatrabahuan namin pero hindi ko inaasahan na ngayon ang araw na iyon.

"Uh, yes. Thank you." He said at pinindot ko ang 11th floor.

Hindi naalis ang titig niya sa akin ng napabaling ako sa gawi niya.

"You're working here?" Napapaos niyang tanong.

"Why, yes boss." I smiled at him.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I told you we'll see each other again, didn't I?" Still smiling.

He sighed. "All this time you're just here in my building." Bulong niya but I still heard him.

The elevator pinged at the 8th floor.

"Nice seeing you again Mr. De Veyra." I said walking out. Hindi ko na narinig kung may sinabi pa siya. I just went straight to my office greeting Stephanie on the way.

I reviewed a lot of projects and even joined small meetings with my employees. I want to know each and everyone's progress sa maliit man o malaking campaign.

It's a very productive day and a perfect way to end the week.

As I make my way to my car, malayo palang kita ko na ang makisig na tayo ni James na nasa gilid ng aking kotse at nakayuko.

"Are you waiting for me?" I asked him pagka-lapit ko sa kanya.

He tilted his head. "I can't believe you're here." He said in disbelief.

"You're weird you know that?" Natatawa kong sabi sa itsura niyang parang naka-witness ng magic.

He lift his arms and checked his watch. "Are you free tonight?"

"Uh... I think so. Why?"

"I just have to go to this dinner meeting and... uh..." He is finding is words at hindi man lang niya ako matignan.

I am looking at him with a blank face while waiting kung ano ang susunod niyang sasabihin.

"...can I meet you after and have some coffee?" He asked me finally looking into my eyes.

Is he asking me out like a date? Friendly date? Acquaintance date? Uh... Business meeting? Or baka naman kasi gusto lang niya makipagkaibigan. Yes, definitely that. Hindi ko dapat bigyan ng malisya ang mga simpleng bagay.

Sabi ko nga I went here in Manila thinking of three things: First is to widen my horizons. Second, is to gain more friends and start building connections. Lastly, Find love.

I stared at James at naisip na pwede ko naman siyang maging kaibigan or maybe more.