Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Tahimik sa buong byahe si Monica at sa bintana lang ng sasakyan ang tingin kipkip sa dibdib nito ang black folder. Samantala sa Driver’s seat si Sir Jack na wala ring imik.

“Did Denis tell you all the things you need to do later?” Napalingon dito si Monica nang tumikhim ito at marinig ang malalim na boses ng boss niya.

“Yes, sir, He told me all the things I needed to do about the meeting.” Sagot ni Monica kay sir Jack at nginitian niya pa ito. She unconsciously bit her lower lip when she saw he blinked at her. Then he looked away after and focus again on the road.

It took them thirty minutes before they arrived at the Restaurant where the meeting would be held. They arrived at the restaurant just before the meeting started.

May lumapit sa kanila isang waitress at itinanong kung may reservation sila. “We have a reservation here with the Rosales Furniture Corporation.” Salita ni Monica sa lumapit. Iginiya sila nito patungo sa isa sa mga private room ng Restaurant. An Italian restaurant.

Sir Jack walked first and Monica has been just behind him. She couldn’t help but to stare the man from behind. He was really incredibly tall. She only reached up to his shoulder. From behind Monica could smell her boss’s fragrant perfume. She also simply sniffed him. She mentally grinned.

Monica! Pull yourself together! She scolded herself.

Hindi nagtagal ay nakarating na rin sila sa private room. Binuksan ng waitress ang double door. Tumambad sa paningin ni Monica ang napakagarang kuwarto. Halatang mamahalin lahat ng mga gamit na naroon. Magmula sa color gray carpeted na tinatapakan nila hanggang sa mga kagamitan. Lamesa, mga upuan. Mayroon doon isang magarang sala set sa isang panig.

At the Dining table there were two people sitting comfortably. An aged man and a woman. They are probably a couple. The old man stood up and met her boss. The two shook hands and greeted each other. The old woman did the same.

She was on Sir Jack’s side while smiling and staring at the two couples in front of them. The woman was the first one to notice her.

“Oh! Is this your wife Iho? Such a beautiful young lady, By the way I am Linda Rosales.” The old woman greeted her warmly.

Ang magandang ngiti ni Monica ay nauwi sa pag-ngiwi. Napakamot tuloy siya sa leeg.

“Good evening, Ma’am. I am Monica Azucena, I am Sir Jack’s Assistant secretary, nice to meet you Mrs. Rosales.” Sabay lahad niya ng kamay sa ginang at matamis na ngumiti. Tinanggap naman ito nang huli.

“Oh. I’m so sorry. I thought at first she was your wife, Jack. I didn’t think she was your employee. She's a very beautiful lady”. Hinging paumanhin ng ginang kay Sir Jack. Wala naman imik ang huli.

Ano kaya iniisip ng boss niya? Napagkamalan silang mag-asawa. Ugh! Nakakahiya. Baka isipin ni Sir Jack na natutuwa siya. Hindi napigilan ni Monica na itanong sa sarili. Wala kasi imik ang boss niya at nanatiling tahimik lang.

Tumawa ang matandang lalake. Ito pala mismo ang may-ari ng Rosales Furniture. Si Danilo Rosales. “Oh Monica, Iho Jack. so sorry about it. Just ignore what my wife said. Well, that’s what I thought also. You two look like a couple. Let’s all eat dinner first. Come.” Ngiti nito sa kanila at iminuwestra ang lamesa.

Monica felt as if she was going to faint from what the two adults were saying. She was unable to turn her gaze in the direction of her boss because she feels the discomfort. She also knows that her cheek was already red.

Nakaupo na sila sa lamesa at nag-umpisa na kumain. Katabi ni Monica si Sir Jack at nasa harapan nila ang mag-asawang Rosales. Nag-uusap ang dalawang lalake tungkol sa mga negosyo. Nalaman niya rin na regular clients ng Rosales furniture ang Ricafort Hotel mula pa noong ama pa lang nito ang Presidente ng hotel.

Marami pinag-usapan ang mga ito habang kumakain sila. Kadalasan ay puro negosyo lamang. Si Mrs. Linda Rosales naman ay panaka-naka din siyang kinakausap.

“How old are you Monica? You look still young.” Tanong sa kaniya ng Ginang.

“I am 25 years old Ma’am.” Nakangiti niyang sagot dito.

“Oh, such a young Lady. Do you have a boyfriend? Or are you already married?” Tanong ulit nito sa kaniya.

Napansin niya na tumahimik ang dalawang lalakeng nag-uusap. Mukhang nakikinig din sa usapan nilang dalawa ng Ginang. “No, ma’am. I have no commitment to anyone”. Magalang na sagot niya sa ginang at ngumiti dito.

“That’s good darling. You know In today’s generation it is better to focus first on yourself and work. Well, The man will also come for you at the right time just wait for it.” Ganting ngiti nito kay Monica.

Nakikita niya na mabubuting tao ang mga kaharap. At madali niya mapalagayan ng loob. Naisip ni Monica na hindi lahat ng mayayaman ay mga matapobre at mapagmata. Mayroon rin na mangilan-ngilan na mabuti ang kalooban.

In a little while they were finished with their dinner. The two men decided to start the meeting.

Matiim na nakinig si Monica sa usapan ng dalawang lalake. Pasimple niya rin nilabas ang phone at nagrecord ng usapan sa meeting. Hindi niya rin nakakalimutan mag-take down notes.

Mayroon din siyang hawak na kopya ng offers ng Furniture nasa loob ng folder. Panaka-naka rin siyang hinihingian ng ideas ni Mr. Danilo Rosales at natutuwa sila sa mga ideas na binibigay ni Monica. The meeting proceeded peacefully and orderly.

The meeting took more than two hours. The meeting ended and the outcome was great. Lumalalim na ang gabi at nagpasya na sila na umuwi.

“I hope we have another chance to be together iha. I’m happy to meet you.” Hinalikan siya ng Ginang sa pisngi at hinawakan ang kaniyang mga kamay. Lumapit ito kay Sir Jack at hinalikan rin ito sa pisngi. “Be careful when going home and driving Iho.” Tipid na ngiti ang iginawad ng boss niya sa Ginang.

"Thank you so much for the dinner. I’m glad to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Rosales.” Matamis na ngumiti si Monica sa dalawang mag-asawa.

They left the Restaurant and got into sir Jack’s car. Monica looked at the wristwatch she was wearing. It was already nine forty-seven in the evening. She barely felt tired. Her work was finally over tonight and she can go home as well.