The Love Affair

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"Got it!" He shouted when he finally stole the letter away from me, then he stepped back and immediately turn around to sit back on his seat. Agad nitong itinago ang letter sa loob ng table drawer nito, habang ako naman ay nananatiling nakatayo pa rin habang nakasandal sa pader ng opisina nya.

Shock is written all over my face.

After hiding the letter, the man went back on checking the documents and different files scattered all over his table. Parang wala man lang nangyari kanina sa asta at kilos nito.

"H—hey..." I called to catch his attention. At first try, I actually did achieve my goal. Mr. Fin—no, Rencis looked at me with an emotionless face.

"What is it?" Even his tone is plain. No feelings at all.

Napalunok ako kasabay ng paghugot ng malalim na buntong-hininga. Gusto 'kong magsalita patungkol sa nangyari ngunit biglang umaatras ang tapang ko. Para akong biglang nababahagan ng buntot.

"W—wala naman. Lalabas na ako," wika ko at nagsimula nang humakbang paalis kahit na hindi pa ito sumasagot. Ginawa ko ang lahat para hindi gumawa ng kahit anong ingay, at nang tuluyang makalabas ay sunud-sunod na hingang-malalim ang pinakawalan ko.

Wala sa sarili akong napahawak sa aking labi. To be kissed by our boss is actually a dream I never expected that I'll achieve today. Matagal ko na siyang crush, at 'yung lakas ng loob ko kanina nang banggitin ko ang tungkol sa 'halik' ay hindi ko alam kung saan nanggaling.

"Avery? What are you doing in there? May problema ba?" Miss Salvador, who works as Mr. Finneld's Secretary noticed me standing behind the door while holding my lip, and based on the expression she has on her face, halatang nagtataka at nag-aalala.

"Ayos lang po ako, Miss Salvador," I answered before taking a deep breath and walked away from Mr. Finneld's office.

Hanggang sa tuluyang matapos ang araw na iyon ay tanging ang halik pa rin ang nasa isipan ko. Hindi iyon maalis na tila ba habang-buhay na iyong tatatak sa isipan ko. Sabagay, iyon ang unang halik na naranasan ko kaya't natural lamang na mananatili iyon sa aking isip.

Ferdz is holding his phone while we're both travelling back to my condo unit's building. Ihahatid lang ako nito at ang mga gamit ko sa condo, at aalis na rin para umuwi sa kanila. That's what he does everyday. Magkaiba kami ng inuuwian kaya lagi nya akong sinusundo at hinahatid pauwi.

Well, I have my own car—definitely a lot, but due to our company rules, bawal kaming magmaneho ng sarili naming sasakyan. Hindi ko alam kung paano nabuo ang gano'ng rules sa kompanya, ngunit wala naman kaming magawa kung hindi sundin iyon. And its actually beneficial for me because I somewhat got traumatized because of what happened to me way back 3 years ago.

It was a Saturday evening, mag-isa akong nagmamaneho galing sa isang event kung saan invited ako nang mapansin 'kong may sumusunod na itim na kotse sa akin. I tried driving faster since I actually know how to drive and earned a license for it, but then the black car kept on chasing me. Tila nakikipag-karera sa akin sa gitna ng highway. When I decided to change route, just to avoid whoever that was, the driver eventually followed me and that creep me out.

I dialled Ferdz number but he didn't pick up so I ended up calling the first number on my contact, and that was our boss—Mr. Finneld's number.

He answered my call and immediately helped. He sent five security that time to follow me and to catch that driver who turned out to be a fan of mine. Mr. Finneld—I mean, Rencis even came just to check what happened and to ask if I was okay.

And that night was the first night I developed a crush towards him. Because he helped me. And he even came to check me up.

"Avery? Ano na? Tulala ka na naman dyan. Andito na tayo sa building ng condo unit mo, may iba ka 'bang gustong puntahan at ayaw mo nang bumaba?" I heard Ferdz irritated yet worried voice. Nagising ako dahil duon at napansin ko nga'ng nakahinto na ang kotse sa parking ng Building.

I just smiled at Ferdz. "Sorry. Just spacing out, Ferdz." I said before finally moving out. Pinagbuksan na pala ako nito ng pinto, habang bitbit ang pouch ko. "Thank you, Ferdz." I said.

"You're welcome. Ihahatid na kita sa mismong unit mo," wika nito na ikinangiti ko. Ferdz is my manager yet at the same time he takes care of me like a family. Minsan ipinagluluto nya ako sa condo, at sya na rin ang namimili ng groceries for me. Palagi nya rin akong hinahatid sa unit ko. Maybe because he still feels guilty na hindi nya nasagot ang tawag ko nuon.

He always makes sure now that everything around me is alright, and he always checks whether I was okay or not.

THE NEXT DAY, Ferdz asked me about my opinion on DHZ's magazine offer to me. Siguro ay kinausap na rin ito ng mga nasa itaas about nga duon.

"If I would be the one to decide, ayos lang sakin na tanggapin 'yung project. Its a women empowerment movement, so why would I decline it?" I answered while looking at my reflection on the mirror. Kasalukuyan akong inaayusan para sa next photoshoot ko.

"Kung wala naman palang problema sayo, bakit ayaw ni Mr. Finneld sa project na 'yon?" tanong ni Ferdz na naging sanhi ng paglingon ko.

"What? Ayaw nya?"

Ferdz nodded. "Oo. Tinanong ko si Sir kanina, and ang reason nya is hindi ka pa nga daw pumapayag."

I frowned. "What?"

"Bakit? Ano 'bang napag-usapan nyo kahapon?" Tanong ni Ferdz, na ngayon ay nasa akin na ang buong atensyon habang halata ang labis na curiosity sa kanyang mukha.

I inhaled. "I told Rencis—I mean, Mr. Finneld that I didn't know about the offer yet, na-mention mo lang sakin ang tungkol duon after the shoot yesterday. Pero hindi ko rin naman sinabi sa kanya na hindi ko gusto ang idea ng project." I explained with matching hand gestures.

"Oh, eh bat sinasabi nya ngayon na tumanggi ka daw?"

"I don't know." I frustratedly replied. Sakto namang tapos na akong ayusan kaya't malaya na akong nakaka-galaw. The make-up artist left leaving me and Ferdz alone.

"Naku. Mukhang pinagalit mo ang ulo ni Mr. Finneld, Avery. Sayang ang project na iyon! Bukod sa magandang kompanya ang DHZ, maganda rin ang ilo-launch nilang programa. Pag nagawa ang project na iyon, tiyak na magiging #1 highest paid model ka na ng Pilipinas, at baka makasama ka na sa Top 5 in Asia. Mas madaming opportunity ang makukuha mo. Diba iyon ang gusto mo?"

I sighed heavily. "Yeah. I want it."

"Then try talking to Mr. Finneld about it. Dadaan naman tayo sa kompanya mamaya kaya pwede 'kang makipag-usap." wika nito bago tinignan ang relos nya. "Okay. The photoshoot will start in 5 minutes, dito ka muna at magpahinga at maghanda. Iche-check ko muna sa labas," wika nito. I just nodded and let Ferdz leave me.

Nang makalabas ang manager ay agad 'kong nilabas ang phone ko at lakas-loob na hinanap sa contact ko ang pangalan ng boss namin.

Mr. Finneld

0951-***-****

I was about to click the dial button when I realized that I should change his name in my contact. Masyadong intimidating ang Mr. Finneld, and I think using his first name is more fine to use. So I changed his name into just "Rencis Finneld".

Rencis Finneld

0951-***-****

And then I click the call button. Medyo ramdam ko pa ang kaba sa dibdib ko habang hinihintay na sagutin ng nasa kabilang linya ang tawag. It has been 4 rings when suddenly the call got dropped!

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang marinig ang dropping tone na iyon. Hindi makapaniwalang hindi sinagot ng masungit naming boss ang tawag ko. What the heck!

Nanlalaki ang matang tinitigan ko ang phone ko bago iyon nanggagalaiting ibaba. Badtrip, ah.

I breathe heavily. Lagot ka sakin mamaya!

I rolled my eyes—the same time the door opened showing Ferdz.

"Start na ng shoot. Andyan na ang male model na partner mo for today at in fairness, napaka-gwapo! Bet na bet ko!" Ferdz side commented which I just answered by eye rolling then stand up.

I arranged the white dress I am wearing and checked my reflection on the mirror. The photoshoot I would be doing today is for a marriage/wedding magazine kaya naman white long dress ang suot ko, at bridal inspired make-up ang aking ayos.

My hair is in a bun with a little bit of baby hair falling on the side arranged in a curl. I am wearing a bridal inspired jewelry from the Casimiro's—one of the best selling high luxury brand for jewelries.

"Maganda ka na kahit anong isuot mo kaya labas na, Avery." Wika ni Ferdz gamit ang nababagot nitong boses. I just looked at him through the mirror before sighing and turning around to leave.

"OKAY. WELL DONE, MS. FAJARDO!" The director shouted that made me step-back few inches away from my male model partner. Nginitian naman ako ng binata kaya't nginitian ko din ito pabalik.

The male model is a fresh face. Ngayon ko pa lang nakita. Although, the name is quite familiar to me. Mukha namang mabait.

"Its nice modelling with you, Ms. Fajardo." He whispered.

I smiled. "Thanks. Same to you," I replied before calling Ferdz to assist me. "Ferdz, saan na tayo after?" I asked.

"We'll go back to the company for the meeting. May pa-emergency meeting si Sir Finneld." Wika nito na pumukaw ng aking atensyon.

"Emergency meeting?"

"Yep. I think its for the DHZ's magazine offer sa kompanya. Kaya't kailangan na nanduon tayo."

"An emergency meeting just for that? Why do I feel like they are making a big deal of out it?" Di napigilang komento ko.

"I don't know. I think Mr. Finneld have an issue with DHZ."

"Anong issue naman?"

Pinanlakihan naman ako ng mata ni Ferdz. "Alam 'kong chismosa ang tingin mo sa akin, pero hindi ko alam ang sagot sa tanong mo." anito. "At pwede ba, wag tayo dito mag-usap. Mamaya may makarinig, lagot tayo."

I nodded then walked towards the dressing room, but before I can even reach the door, I found my male partner chasing after me.

"Hey?" He called to catch my attention.

Nilingon ko naman ito.

"What's wrong?" I asked plainly. Naramdaman ko rin ang pag-tigil ni Ferdz sa tabi ko.

The man smiled before offering his hand in front of me. "I think I haven't introduced myself formally. I'm Kyle Lorenzana. I am a model from the states, but decided to just stay here in the Philippines for good. I hope to work with you again, because I heard you're pretty good in this field and you are one of the highest paid models here." Wika niya.

Basing from what he said, mukhang nag-research pa ata 'to ng tungkol sa akin. Shookt.

I smiled and accepted his hand shake offer. "Nice to meet you, Kyle. I am Shantal Avery Fajardo, but you can call me Avery. Its nice working with you." I plainly answered then immediately let his hand go and signalled Ferdz to continue walking towards the dressing room so I could follow too.

Ferdz understood my signal but Kyle once again called me.

"Can we schedule a formal dinner tonight, Ms. Fajardo?" He asked out of nowhere which surprised me.

"What?"

Kyle flashed a shy smile before putting his hand behind his nape. "If you're just free. I just want to create a good professional relationship with you, if its alright and it cannot affect any of your schedules." He added.

I stared at Kyle. He looked so genuine while telling those words and explaining himself. Wala namang masama kung tatanggapin ko ang inaalok nya, but its so sudden. Tsaka...nakakabigla.

"Uhm, sure. But not today? I mean, we can schedule it after a few days. Is it alright?"

Kyle smiled. "Sure. Its not a problem. Thank you," He said which I just nodded and immediately walked inside the dressing room, while being followed by his heavy stare.