CHAPTER 12
1143 Words
HARRIET'S POINT OF VIEW
I feel so relieved when I get back to office. After three weeks of paid leave, I insisted on returning to writing and working in the company. Crow insisted to pay for the one week leave I didn't used as his condition for letting me come back to the office.
I am flattered with his care. Especially when he helped me with my problems in my house. Yet I feel so guilty because I think that I am being a burden to him.
Crow is silent about this. But I know that he can feel my feelings about this.
"Where is your guards? I didn't see them these past few days."
Crow stayed silent. I know that he can hear me. I can feel that he don't want this topic to be opened. But how can I solve this restlessness of mine?
I was about to speak when my colleagues started a conversation that caught my attention.
"Have you noticed the strange behaviors of the TDI's employees?" Lily asked to the others.
"No. And believe me. Whatever that strange thing is, I don't care." Pepper replied dismissively.
"They are silent. They are well-behave. They are strange but who are we to meddle with it? We want to live, Lily." Bart said.
"Hum. Let us see. I bet that it is something related to that mad scientist." Lily insisted.
Nagkibit-balikat na lamang ang lahat at nagsimula na naman sila ng panibagong paksa ng pag-uusapan.
"Hey guys! Have you ever cjecked your books sales?" Tanong ni Kenneth na kakapasok lamang sa pantry.
"Bakit? Ano na naman ba iyang ichi-chismis mo? Walang kwenta na naman ata tulad ng chismis ni Lily." Mataray na puna ni Pepper.
"Ang kapal naman ng mukha nito. Kung walang kwenta ang balita ko, bakit ka pa nakinig?" Mataray na sikmat ni Lily kay Pepper.
"Hayst! Mga wala talaga kayong kwenta kausap." Walang lakas na komento ni Kenneth bago siya humarap sa akin.
"Nakita mo na ang sales ng libro mo?" Tanong niya sa akin.
Umiling ako bilang kasagutan. Ipinakita niya sa akin ang sales report mula sa mga bookstore na kapartner ng kompanya at halos malaglag ang panga ko ng makita ang mataas na sale ng mga libro ko.
Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa tablet ni Kenneth sat sa mukha niya. Hindi ako makapaniwalang binilang ko pa ang numero na nakatala.
I tried to refresh the report but in vain. Is it really real?
"Binabati kita Harriet. Ikaw ang may pinakamataas na sales ngayong buwan na ito." Pagbati sa akin ni Kenneth.
Ang atensyon ng lahat ay napunta sa akin. Pero hindi tulad ng iba naming kasamahan mula sa ibang palapag, hindi nila ako tinitingnan ng masama. Datapwat, abot langit ang ngiti nila.
Naiiyak akong nilingon si Crow na nakatingin rin sa akin na may matamis na ngiti sa labi. Nilapitan ako ng mga kasamahan ko at niyakap ng mahigpit. Sumama rin si Crow na lalong ikinalakas ng aking paghikbi.
Hindi ko akalain na darating ang panahong ito. Hindi ko akalaing...
"Let us go to a pub! I will treat you with drinks! We will celebrate this moment!" Crow proposed that made the crowd grow wilder.
"We finally have made a record to our team!" Lily screamed.
"Congratulations! Harriet!" Pepper cheered.
"We knew it! You can make it!" Kenneth added.
My eyes is still teary when I unconsciously hugged Crow. They know that Crow is my friend, that's why no one opposed.
"Wait! How can we go to a pub? Editor! It's dangerous especially we have beauties with us." Denise complained.
"Beauties? How come you are not calling yourself a beauty?" Bart asked her.
"Are you tired of living?" Denise, who is known to be a sexy lesbian asked Bart with her fist in the air.
"Okay! Okay! Let us celebrate here. It's my treat! Call and order for our foods." As Crow's voice fell, everyone suddenly disappeared and started to call for restaurants nearby.
I faced palm and take a glance toward Crow who are smiling at me.
"You know how big their apetites are. You will be broke." I said worriedly.
"Come on! Money isn't a problem to me. And also, you are my friend. I won't let this event pass without a celebration." Crow coaxed.
"You are the best!" I said with a smile.
I saw how Crow stunned. I can't help but to laugh at his rare yet cute expression. I reached for his cheek and pinched it. When I saw him blush, I immediately let go but he hold my hand.
"Crow."
"Hush. Just please let me do this for a moment."
I somehow can feel that he is lonely. Why do he feel so sad if he can achieve everything he wants?
He said that money is not a problem. And money can solve things. But why do this man jn front of me is somewhat lonely?
"Okay." I replied and let him hold my hand.
Everyone is busy that's why no one noticed this scene between me and Crow. I can't imagine myself to be their next topic.
After a couple of hours, the food deliveries started to come. We saw the other employees from different floors took a peek, gulping their salivas while watching the foods to come in our office. My colleagues are so happy that they finally have the chance to indulge a feast. Well, thanks to Crow's abyss-like pocket.
"I'm so disappointed with you Crow." I whispered in his ears.
He faced me with a deep frown that made me giggle for a moment.
"Why? What did I do to make you feel that way to me?" He asked.
"I know that you have lots of cards, bank accounts, treasures and money that can be called an abyss-like pocket. But if you want to give your future family a stable and comfortable life. You must lessen your expenses. Manage your money spending and save income for your future." I scolded him.
"Marriage? Family? Future? You've got to be kidding me, Harriet." He said while shaking his head.
"Why? Do you want to be a monk or a priest?" I asked curiously.
"No. I want to marry the girl I love." He said.
"You have a girlfriend?"
"No. But I want to marry a certain girl I know." I don't know why do I feel like my heart is jumping out of happiness when I heard this.
Why is it like this? Why do I feel so excited?
"Who? Do I know her? Where is she working? Is she a human?"
He shakes his head and said, "I will introduce her to you when the time comes." Then he left.
I unconsciously clenched my fist and feel my heart. Why do I feel that my chest is tight? Why do I feel pain all of a sudden?
- Writer
