A Forbidden Night with a Stranger

Chapter 8

ALAS shook his head while heading to the conference room. He didn't think how his childhood friend really changed. He never imagined her to become such that stupid woman. Basi sa paraan ng pagsagot-sagot niya sa kaniya ay hindi siya nito naalala. Twenty years ago, halos hindi sila mapaghiwalay, pero matagal na 'yon at iba na ang mundo nilang ginagalawan.

Lydia met him in the way to the conference room. She opens the door for him. Pumasok siya at naupo diretso sa kaniyang puwesto.

"Lydia, paki-list down lahat ng mga nai-discuss."She nodded, then opened her tablet. They are using technology for better quality of taking notes and for easy transfer of files to the computer.

Ang meeting ay tungkol sa merging ng Dela Merzcid at Domingo. The two companies will collaborate to provide a good and high quality houses in a subdivision. Marami ang makabi-benefits nito, hindi lang mga turista kundi ang mga taga-village.

The Domingo family is one of the well-known families in the Metro. They own businesses like shipping lines, malls and others. They are one of the richest families in the country, katulad ng mga Dela Merzcid at Cortes. These three families are well-known and can make noise in the country.

Alas went in the center and presents his ideas. Matapos ng mahabang discussion ay sumang-ayon naman ang lahat. After an hour, the meeting was done. "Okay dismissed. Congratulations everyone. Job well done, Alas said then first to leave.

Lydia followed him. "Lydia, let's talk."

"Yes sir." She followed him. "What is it all about?" tanong niya dahil parang seryoso ang mukha ni Alas.

"Let's have a snack first. Then, we will talk about something."

They reach the company's canteen. They ordered some snacks. Habang kumakain ay hindi na mapakali si Lydia kaya nagtanong na siya ulit. "Ano ba dapat nating pag-usapan? Basi sa nakikita ko sa mukha niyo ngayon napakaseryoso ninyo? May problema ba?"

"You did a great job for our company for almost ten years. But this time I will no longer want you to be my secretary," Alas said seriously.

Lydia felt nervous and held her tears. She's not dreaming. She clearly hears what Alas had said and maybe he is firing her now.

"Hey, don't cry," napangiti si Alas. Basi kasi sa una niyang statement napakasakit pakinggan e, kaya siya napaiyak. "That's not my point. I will no longer to want you to be my secretary because I want to promote you, Lydia."

She opened her mouth for a surprise. "Really sir? I think you're gonna fire me. I really love my work. I have two children to be raised, so I am pregnant now. Thank you so much sir. It's a great privilege. I promise to work hard."

"Thank you so much too, Lydia. You have been loyal since then, so you deserve a higher position," he said, tapping Lydia's e shoulder.

"Welcome sir." She wipe her tears. She's very happy to hear this. Deserve niya talaga ang mapromote dahil isa siyang masipag at tapat na tao.

"You will be promoted because I hired my new secretary. Tomorrow you will help her with anything else. Maybe one week of training will be enough, she definitely knows what to do. I think she's a fast learner," sabi nito saka inayos ang suit. "Okay, I'll go. See you later."

Masayang-masaya so Lydia mula sa narinig niyang promoted na siya. Matagal na rin niyang hiling iyon, this is it. Bumalik na rin si Alas sa opisina niya, kailangan pa niyang tapusin ang mga gawain, also to deal with Yna.

Alas shook his head when he saw Yna sitting in her chair while playing her pen in her fingers. She's out of her mind because she didn't notice Alas on her side.

May hawak na namang booklet si Alas. He drops it on her table making her tremble in shock. "What's wrong with you?" she asks angrily.

Ngumiti si Alas at tinitigan siya ng mabuti. Lumapit ito sa kaniya at pabulong na nagsalita sa gilid ng tenga niya. "Well, that's another thing you should memorize. The content of that is the profile of all the staffs here. Memorize every employee here so that you already know them every time you meet them, okay?"

She shrugged her shoulder. "Why would I? That's not my job. I will be your secretary and not to mind others business," she hissed. Nag-ikot ng mga mata. Parang naging mannerisms niya ang pag-ikot ng mata tuwing nakikita niya si Alas.

Tumayo ng tuwid si Alas at hinarap siya. He shook his head for unbelievable reason. "Well called me boss, Yna Maria Cortes." Tumalikod sa kaniya si Yna at nagbibingi-bingihan. "Kilala mo naman ako, right? Kaya hindi na ako magpapakilala pa."

"I don't care who you are. If you have nothing to say, then please leave me alone."

He laughed at her so loud. Making her face him again. She was being insulted by his laugh.

"Why are you laughing? Are you that really happy?" tinaasan niya ng kilay si Alas. Wala talaga siyang makapa sa dibdib niya para maging seryoso sa harap ng lalaking 'to.

"Well, you still acting like a child. By the way, even you don't mind, I am Alas Gabriel Dela Merzcid, your boss. So, show some respect for me. Kung ayaw mo, huwag mo nang hintayin na may gagawin akong isang bagay para mapasunod ka. I don't want to threaten you, but I need you to become respectful."

"I don't care. If you were Janus, then maybe I would bear with you. I will respect you. Okay?"

Nagulat siya sa sinabi nito. Napabuga siya ng hangin para makontrol ang galit sa puso niya. Bakit kailangan pang hanapin ni Yna ang walang hiyang lalaking 'yon. At bakit kailangan siya nitong ikumpara sa kaninong lalaki, he is better than others. " Don't you ever mention that name again in front of me... I'm so disgusted!"

Nasagad ang pasensya niya kay Yna kaya bumalik na lang siya sa mesa niya. Umupo siya sa kaniyang swivel chair at pumikit para pakalmahin ang sarili. Talagang mapupundi rin siya kapag nagpatuloy ang ganitong ugali ng babae. No wonder, na hindi ito makontrol ng ama. Certified matigas talaga ang ulo niya.

Ayaw niyang pagalitan o saktan ang babaeng matagal niyang kinasabikan. He can't do stupid things against this stupid creature in front of him. He still value their friendship before.

Pero hindi na talaga siya nito kilala. Nawala ang saya at galak niyang makita siya, dahil sa halip na yakapin siya nito nang mahigpit dahil nagkita sila ay hindi nito nagawa. Unang pagkikita ay sumakit na ang ulo niya sa inasta nitong hindi maganda.

"Hindi ako papayag na hindi ka magbabago Yna, I will do my best," usal niya saka nagmulat. Pinasadahan ng tingin ang babaeng walang ginagawa sa mesa niya kundi ang mangalumbaba at nakatingin sa kawalan. Wala itong ganang kumilos o basahin man lang ang laman ng mga booklet na binigay niya.

"I want the old Yna I known before," usal niya saka napailing. Inabala ang sarili sa mga eti-check na mga documents na nakatambak sa mesa niya. It's better than to be upset because of Yna.