Chapter 5

Chapter 5

“Miss Sena Manalo, Please find a dress for Miss Monica Azucena. A beautiful dress yet a decent one that would suit her and even the stiletto heels to wear. Fix Monica's hair as well and put a little touch of makeup. She should be presentable later. Be ready at 7pm. Do you understand Miss Azucena, Miss Manalo?”

Utos ni sir Denis sa kaibigan niyang si Sena. At tuwang tuwa naman sinang-ayunan ng huli.

Nanlaki naman ang mata niya ng walang pasabing hilahin siya ni Sena palabas ng office ni sir Denis at nagtuloy tuloy sa paglalakad habang hila-hila parin siya.

She finds herself sitting in front of the vanity mirror and Sena fixed her hair and put a makeup on her. “Bes kailangan ba talaga na ako ang sasama kay sir Jack?” Alanganin niyang tanong dito. Hindi parin siya makapaniwala sa mga nangyayari. Hindi ba maaaring mag back-out?

“Aba bes? Kung puwede ako na lang ang pupunta at sumama kay Sir Jack eh.” Bungisngis pa nito. “Pero siyempre ikaw ang sabi ni Sir Denis kaya kailangan mo sumunod.”

Monica sighed and wrinkled her lips. “K-kasi, kinakabahan ako eh.”

“Bakit ka naman kakabahan? Kayang-kaya mo iyon bes. Ikaw pa?” Ani ng kaibigan habang naglalagay ng manipis na eye shadow sa kaniya.

“Don’t tell me you’re still thinking about what happened to you and Sir Jack this morning.” Sena mocked and playfully winks at her.

Pinaikot ni Monica ang mga mata. “Nahihiya kasi ako dahil nahuli niya ako na nakatingin sa katawan niya. Lalo na sa abs niya!” She admits to the stupidity she did this morning.

Ngali-ngali niyang kutusan ang kaibigan dahil humagalpak pa ito ng tawa. Ito lang yata ang natutuwa sa mga nangyayari pero siya ay parang sinisilihan ang puwet dahil hindi siya mapakali.

“Bes naman! Abs pa lang nakita mo pero ganiyan na reaksiyon mo. Paano na lang kaya kung buong katawan na hubad ni Sir Jack ang makita mo?!” Sena laughed. She obviously teased her. Monica rolled her eyes.

Namumula ang mukha na kinurot ni Monica ang kaibigan. “Ang bibig mo naman! hinaan mo ang boses mo baka may makarinig sa atin Sena!” naiiskandalong saway niya rito.

“Hayaan na lang natin na bagsak ang buhok mo bes kasi maganda naman ito at malambot. Lalo kang gumaganda kapag bagsak ang buhok mo. Light make-up lang din ang kailangan na ilagay sa iyo.”

Hinayaan niya na lang si Sena sa kung ano ang gusto nitong gawin dahil hanggang ngayon para siyang wala sa sarili.

There was only one thing on her mind at this time. She will accompany their boss at the dinner meeting. Her cheeks blushed because of that realization.

~~~

“OMG! You are so very beautiful Monica!” bulalas ni Sena matapos niya masuot ang dress na ibinigay nito sa kanya. Hindi niya na alam kung saan ito humugot nang mga susuotin niya ngayong gabi.

A simple slim bodycon Red formal dress knee-length. Hapit ang dress sa bandang dibdib pababa sa kaniyang baywang. Bumagay din sa kaputian ni Monica ang kulay ng dress. And a three-inches sexy style sequined Embellished Black pumps.

“Bes ang ganda mo talaga at lalo kang gumanda ngayon sa ayos mo, Ewan ko lang kung hindi matutulala si Sir Jack sa kagandahan at kaseksihan mo.” Puri ng kaibigan sa kanya nang paulit-ulit.

May inabot ito sa kanya na black folder. This was the report that, Sir Denis wants to give you. This was Rosales Furniture offers for Ricafort Hotel. Kaya mo ito bes ikaw pa! sisiw lang ito sa iyo.” She accepted the black folder and sweetly smiled at her best friend. The heartwarming words from her definitely gave her the guts to trust herself.

“Thank you so much Sena, I don't know what I'm supposed to do without you.” She sincerely said to her best friend and playfully pinched her cheeks.

“Asus! Wala ito. Basta bukas ikuwento mo sa akin kung ano ang magaganap sa inyo ni Sir Jack.” Tudyo na naman nito sa kaniya at nagtaas baba pa ang mga kilay.

Pinaikot niya ang mata dahil sa kalokohan na naiisip ng kaibigan. “Forty-five minutes before seven in the evening. I had to go downstairs to wait for Sir Jack.” She said in a meek voice. Her nervousness was still there.

Ngunit tama ang sinabi ni Sena kaya niya ito. Kakayanin niya. Basta huwag lang magpakita ng abs si Sir Jack. She mentally grinned. Kahit siya nahahawa na sa kalokohan ng kaibigan.

“Let’s go bes! I'll take you to the lobby.” Inalok nito sa kaniya ang braso at nakangiti niya naman itong tinanggap.

~~~

Monica was standing next to the entrance of the Hotel. She decided to wait there for Sir Jack. Unknowingly by her, some are looking towards her direction. They can’t help it but to stare at her because this night she’s so very beautiful.

Her presence caught the attentions of guests entering and exiting the hotel. And even her fellow hotel employees are kept staring in her direction.

“Monica? I knew it was you.” She looked behind her when someone called her name. It was Sir Michael. One of their Front office Supervisor. Well, also one of a good-looking employees here at the Hotel.

“Good evening Sir Michael.” Ganting bati niya dito at ngumiti. Napansin niya rin ang pagtitig nito sa kabuuan niya. She felt a bit conscious.

“Wow! I almost didn’t recognize you. I think you look even better tonight Monica, I thought at first you’re just one of our VIP guest.” Lalo sumingkit ang mga mata nito dahil sa pag-ngiti. Maputi at matangkad si Sir Michael at hindi rin papahuli sa kaguwapohan.

Napakamot siya sa leeg dahil sa puri nito. "I will be with Sir Jack at the dinner meeting of the Rosales furniture.” Nahihiyang ngumiti si Monica.

But before he could say anything else they were diverted when the private lift echoed and Sir Jack came out of it.

Wearing his signature color dark blue coat. As usual, his eyebrows furrowed again and his lips were firmly shut while walking straight. Kahit na ang lahat ng mga taong nakasalubong nito sa lobby ay binabati ito pero ni isa ay wala man lang tinapunan ng tingin si Sir Jack. But it did not lessen his attractiveness even if his perfect eyebrow wrinkled all the time. In fact, Sir Jack’s serious expression was even more appealing.

Monica was almost deafened by the intensity of her heartbeat when their eyes met. Sir Jack stared at her intently as if he’s scanning her. Diyos ko! Bakit parang maiihi ako sa kaba? Piping usal ni Monica.

Narinig niya rin ang simpleng paalam sa kaniya ni Sir Michael na nasa isang tabi at pumasok na ito sa loob ng hotel yumukod ito ng kaunti kay sir Jack at binati ang huli.

“Good evening Sir. I am Monica Azucena from RA department. Sir Denis Caballero has assigned me to be your assistant secretary for tonight.” Though she’s a bit nervous in speaking, She still met the serious expression of her boss and forced herself not to stutter.

“Let’s go. The meeting is about to begin any moment. Her boss answered sparingly. But his simple hovering over her entirety did not evade her glimpse. She was stunned and stood up straight.