Between Hate and Love

Chapter 2

Hindi ko mabilang kung ilang beses ako bumalik sa cr para titigan ang sarili ko. Parang kahit ano'ng gawin at kahit ano'ng ayos ko, parang hindi ako nakukuntento. Kinakabahan ako.

Just a week after Hendrix told me that he submitted my resume to their company, they contacted me for an interview already.

The interview would happen at three in the afternoon. Of course, I had to be there earlier. Kailangan maaga ako or at least on time. But the earlier the better. He likes people who respect people’s time by being on time.

Dahil medyo mabagal ako sa pagkilos lalo na kung kinakabahan ako at hindi ko alam ang susuotin ko, I always prepare two hours before leaving. I would take my leave by two in the afternoon since thirty minutes away lang naman ako from his company. So, I woke up around 10 in the morning to have breakfast, choose what I would wear, and take a shower. I finished my make-up just around 1 and I had to go in and out of the bathroom because I was never contented with the dress that I was wearing!

In the end, I chose a tailored long-sleeved blouse in a solid soft pink for my top and a knee-length pencil skirt in black. For my shoes, I chose black closed-toe pumps with a 3-inch heel. Then, I wore a simple pendant necklace, stud earrings, and my old golden-plated watch.

I wore nude eyeshadow, mascara, a subtle blush, and a nude lipstick to keep myself simple since it was an interview. I tied my hair and did a neat low bun.

At a quarter to two, I went outside to meet with Venera. She volunteered to bring me to the company herself. She even told me she would want to watch the interview because Khal himself would do it. After all, he was the one looking for a personal assistant.

“That’s gonna be epic,” Venera remarked.

I raised my eyebrows at her. “Ano’ng epic do’n?”

“Wala lang. Ready ka na ba talagang makita siya ulit? Aba hindi ka pa rin nagpapakita sa pamilya mo, pero pangalawang beses na ‘to na pagpunta mo sa kanya,” Venera scolded me.

I pressed my lips and did not reply to her.

It was a week now since I came home, and she was right. I still didn’t have the energy to visit my family. I couldn’t focus on anything but him. It was driving me crazy already, but I knew what I wanted to do, and this was it.

“Should I back out now?” I asked Venera, seeing that we were almost at the company. I couldn’t help thinking how stupid I was. But I guess, this is what you really do when you are in love – you become dumb. Like you are aware how dumb it was, but you’ll do it anyway.

Venera shook her head at my question. She glanced at me with pity then sighed deeply. “Hay naku! Ewan ko sa’yo. Nandito na tayo,” sabi niya sabay turo sa mataas na gusali sa harap namin. “Ano, u-turn na ako?” she asked.

I shook my head immediately. “Venera…”

Just by my tone, she understood it immediately.

She dropped me off at the front of the building.

So, it came true. He made his own business.

The building was simple, its sleek façade adorned with shimmering glass panels reflected the sunlight in a dazzling display of modern architectural beauty.

I stepped inside and found the interior simple yet alluring. Khal had been wanting a company of his own, but he wasn’t sure yet what he wanted specifically. Now, I didn’t even imagine that he would be leading a company that deals with oil. They basically supply oil in the country and communicate with Saudi Arabia for it.

I entered the building and was immediately asked by the guard about my purpose inside. “I’m here for the interview.” After telling him that, he called someone – a woman who probably works inside and was tasked to guide the applicants to where the interview would happen.

And I was right. The woman, named Rebecca according to her ID badge, walked me to the elevator and pressed the 30th floor.

I remained quiet behind her, feeling a bit tense.

Pinanood ko ang pag-ilaw ng mga numero sa elevator hanggang umabot ito sa floor kung saan kami bababa. Sinisiksik ko ang sarili ko sa likod tuwing may sasakay sa elevator. Pakiramdam ko ang tagal na ang bilis ng oras. Ewan. Basta, nakakabaliw.

Nang makababa kami, Rebecca walked in front of me. She led me to the last room of the floor.

“Sit, I’ll inform Mr. Ejercito.”

I nodded.

Rebecca walked to the door, knocked three times before entering, and then allowed herself inside the room. I remained seated at the waiting chairs, looking around.

Parang sobrang lamig bigla.

Nang hindi ako mapakali, tumayo ako para pagmasdan ang tanawin sa baba. The walls were floor-to-ceiling windows that were one-way. The people below were busy – crossing the road, driving, going to work, jogging. All seemed busy, all of them seemed to know what they were doing and where they wanted to go.

I sighed deeply.

Rebecca called me, and I noticed a sudden shift in her mood. She looked like she wanted to kill me already a while ago, but now, she looked like she wanted to bury me half-alive. It made me wonder why.

“Go inside.”

I did what Rebecca told me. I went inside, even though I was a hundred and one percent sure that it would be Khal who would greet me and interview me there. I was even surprised he allowed me to be interviewed; I thought he would reject me at once. May puso pa rin pala siya.

Mas malamig ang hangin na dumampi sa mga balat ko nang makapasok ako.

There he was, sitting on the swivel chair like a king. He had this authoritative aura, and I swear… parang hindi talaga siya ‘yung Khal na kilala ko noon.

“Ms. Reyes,” he acknowledged my presence. He gestured his hands, telling me to sit down. And I did.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Ejercito,” I greeted, almost in a whisper. Para ako’ng naubusan ng laway sa kaba.

He opened my resume and then looked at me.

“Five years in U.S as a college professor. You have your master’s degree in teaching, and now you’re applying as a mere personal assistant? Why?”