We Broke Up

9 - Angel In A Yellow Dress

After over almost an hour's drive, I finally reached my destination and upon crossing the historical welcome arc of the city, I was already captivated. I wanted to stop and take more photos of the welcome structure that sort of reminded me of the Arc de Triomphe of Paris, but I had to meet the local team that will help me around the city in thirty minutes and I didn't want to seem unprofessional by being late. I was sure the arc would be one of the highlights of the tour they would take me in anyway.

It was another twenty minute drive to Seda Nuvali, where I was to meet the local marketing team and where I will be staying for the next two days. Basically, the setup was, I would be the head of this new corporate division where only three people including myself were based in the head office in Ortigas. The other members of this new marketing arm of the company will be recruited locally from each location to get more domestic input on the promotion of each city or town.

Leslie, who is in her early 40's was part of the company's main marketing department for 15 years. She was part of the group who suggested the creation of my division and volunteered to be transferred to it. With her experience and her loyalty to the family, she "mothered" me since we began working together.

Sam, on the other hand, was around 30-ish. He's handsome, dynamic and very animated, also very smart. There was never a dull moment with him. He was the life of our little corner on the 8th floor. We immediately hit it off especially after he helped me pick out the best shade of lipstick to go with my green dress on my first ever meeting with the Board. He was also the one who insisted that I wear this casual floral yellow summer dress and white sneakers to my first out-of-town assignment instead of my chosen shirt and jeans, saying that working on the field was not an excuse to not look fabulous. I agreed only if I could put my hair up in a high bun and not anything fancy which I was sure he had in mind. I have yet to introduce him to the girls but I am sure they will love him.

I had the option to take either or both, Leslie and Sam, to my trips but I decided to be adventurous on this first assignment and go on my own.

Upon reaching the hotel, I gave my keys to the valet and got my room key from the reception. I only had 5 more minutes before the meeting so I just went to the restroom near the restaurant where I was to meet my local team to freshen up instead of going up to my room. I set my overnight bag on the counter as I washed my face then applied a thin layer of oil free liquid foundation and lip tint. Satisfied with the fresh look that I wanted to achieve, I picked up my bag and got ready to go out when I heard some retching sounds from the first cubicle.

I walked to it and knocked softly. "Are you alright in there? Do you need anything?" I asked.

The heaving stopped then I heard the toilet flush. "I-I'm okay. Thank you." A woman, young from the sound of her voice, answered gently and sniffled. She sounded hesitant so I prodded.

"Are you sure? I have tissues and some nausea medicine. Or I could call someone for you." I said.

There was silence for a few seconds before I heard the lock click and saw the door slowly open to reveal the woman, or should I say girl inside. I stepped back to give her some space to walk to the sink. She looked younger than me, maybe a couple of years, pretty too. She had long straight hair, fair skin, beautiful eyes, a high-bridged nose, high cheekbones, pink lips and a narrow chin. Somehow, she looked a little familiar although I was sure I had never met her before. After wiping her face with a paper towel, she turned to me with a shy smile.

"Okay ka na?" I smiled.

She nodded. "Yes. Thank you." She answered.

"Not quite." I told her gently and she looked at me confusedly. I smiled wider and held a tissue to the side of her eyes. "Your mascara got smudged. Do you need help with that?"

Her eyes widened and she immediately faced the mirror to check. She didn't seem to have a purse or anything with her so I took out my makeup pouch and offered it to her.

"Here. I have a meeting that I have to be in. Hiramin mo muna. You can leave it at the reception desk after or come find me in the restaurant." I said. "Okay ka na ba talaga? Do you need medicine or a doctor?" I asked.

"O-okay lang po ako talaga. Wag na po ito. Sobrang bait niyo po." She said as she gave my pouch back. "Kinabahan lang po ako sobra sa meeting namin sa bagong boss namin galing sa Maynila. First job ko po kasi actually part-time lang. Nag-aaral pa po kasi ako t-tapos..." She hesitated.

"Tapos?" I smiled to encourage her.

"Hindi po kasi alam ng kuya ko to. Magagalit po yun pag nalaman na kumuha ako ng trabaho. Ayaw po kasi niyang nahahati ang oras namin sa pag-aaral." She continued.

Her story touched my heart and before I knew it I was already holding her hand comfortingly. "Wag kang masyadong kabahan. You're beautiful and you seem smart and mukhang mabait kang bata. I'm sure your new boss will like you. Also, about your kuya, I'm sure if you can prove to him that you can still do a great job in school while working, ma-aappreciate niya ang ginagawa mo." I told her and for the first time, I saw her smile genuinely.

"Thank you po. Hindi lang po pala nakaputi ang mga anghel. Meron din po palang naka-yellow." She said and I giggled.

"Ang sweet mo pero medyo cheesy din." I chuckled. "Parang may kilala akong ganyan din ka-cheesy." I said. "Anyway, hiramin mo muna to. Really. It's okay. I just really need to go now. I'll just be at the restaurant okay?"

"Sige po. Dun din po ang punta ko. Mabilis lang po ito." She said. "Thank you po ulit, Miss..."

"Naeve. Naveah Montefrio." I smiled and reached out my right hand for her to shaked. I saw the shocked expression on her face but before I could ask why, my phone started ringing. It was Leslie, probably to remind me that I was late. "Oh! Darn! Late na ako." I rushed to the door but turned to her and said. "You can tell me your name later ha? See you." I told her and walked straight to the restaurant.

When I got there, I was shown to the table by the waiter where a woman who appeared to be in her late 20's with a pleasant demeanor, stood up and smiled at me. She extended her right hand as I approached. "Hi, Miss Naveah. I'm Tessa Reyes. I'll be your marketing assistant here."

"Hi, Tessa. Nice to meet you." I smiled back as I shook her hand. "Ikaw lang? I was told dalawa kayo dito. You're supposed to have a trainee with you?" I asked as we sat down.

"Yes, Ma'am. She was here earlier kaya lang, she didn't look so well parang may sakit. I'll call her now." She said, already swiping on her phone. "Oh! Ayan na pala siya!" She beamed to someone behind me.

"I'm really sorry po, Ma'am Tessa, Ma'am Naveah. Sorry po talaga." I heard a familiar voice say.

I turned to find the girl from the rest room with her head bowed down as she apologized over and over.

"I understand." I smiled. "I'm just glad you're feeling better."

"Thank you, Miss Naveah." She smiled back shyly. "E-eto po pala. Thank you po ulit." She said as she handed me my makeup pouch.

"You're very much welcome." I answered.

"Uhm... You can sit here para makapag-start na tayo." Tessa who watched us in confusion told the girl as she gestured to the chair beside her. "Mukhang okay na, Riza."

"Riza?" It asked, a hint of familiarity and inexplicable anticipation suddenly struck me.

"Opo, Miss Naveah." Riza said. "Riza Ferguson po." She smiled and it was my turn to be surprised.

Ferguson... Could it be? Can she be? Oh, Universe! What do you have in mind this time?