Master of my Inferno

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER THREE

ENTERING my Boss' office always makes my heart beats so fast. No, not because I am afraid of him, but because I am too afraid of myself--things I might do or say and regret later.

"Miss de Rosas!" Bago pa lang ako makapasok sa office ng boss ko ay narinig ko na ang malakas na sigaw na iyon. I mean, hindi talaga sigaw, masyado lang matinis ang boses ng tumawag sa 'kin.

"Yes, Miss Francisco?" It's Mindy, yung unang taong nakilala ko sa Mancini. Siya rin 'yung naging guide ko para maging familiar ako sa buong kompanya.

"Remember Mr. Stellvester, one of our clients and friend of Mr. Mancini?"

Nakangiti akong tumango, kahit medyo nag-isip pa ako ng ilang segundo dahil nakalimutan ko na kung sino si Mr. Stellvester, mabuti na lang at bigla kong naalala. "What about him?"

"Uhm. Actually, it has nothing to do with you." Bakas ang hiya sa boses niya pero sinuklian ko yon ng matamis na ngiti, "I need to check some manuscripts and Mr. Stellvester asked me to look over his daughter, and since I have some errands, I can't accompany Jamie--his daughter. And I have this little problem, I already said yes to him and I saw you, please help me."

"Wait," Natatawang anas ko, sobrang bilis magsalita ni Mindy, halatang nahihiya. Halata rin iyon dahil namumula ang mukha niya. "You want me to be with Mr. Stellvester's daughter, right?" Tumango siya, "And why is Mr. Stellvester here?"

"There's an emergency meeting with Mr. Mancini. Kaya kasaman ni Mr. Stellvester iyong anak niya ay dahil hindi naman niya alam na magkakameeting ngayon."

Tumango ako, "And where is his little girl?" Mukhang wala naman akong magagawa. Hindi ko naman pwedeng pabayaan ang batang anak ng kliyente namin. Sana lang at mabait ang batang 'yon.

Mahinang tumawa si Mindy at hindi ko naman nagets iyon, "She's in Mr. Mancini's office." Aniya, itinuro pa ang pintong salamin na nasa harapan ko. "She's kind, don't worry. Mahigit isang oras lang naman iyong meeting kaya makakabalik din agad si Mr. Stellvester. Sorry talaga, Veronica."

"It's okay." I smiled. Actually, I am kinda excited with the thought I would be with a little girl.

"Thank you. I'll tell Steph about this thing. Baka hanapin ka niya, eh."

"Hmm," tumango ako. Muli pang ngumiti at nag-thank you si Miss Francisco at saka lang siya tuluyang bumalik sa area niya. Samantalang excited naman akong pumasok sa opisina ng boss ko, iniimagine kung gaano ka-cute ang anak ni Mr. Stellvester.

Iginala ko ang paningin ko nang makapasok sa opisina. Saglit nangunot ang noo ko nang hindi ko makita ang inaasahan kong batang babae, bagkus, isang magandang dalaga ang natagpuan kong nakahiga sa mahabang sofa, katabi ng floor-to-ceiling window.

Saglit akong tumikhim para makuha ang atensyon niya. "Hello, have you seen Mr. Stellvester's daughter? She's just a little girl.. I think." Matamis akong ngumiti nang bumangon ang babaeng kanina lang ay prenteng nakahiga sa sofa.

She is beautiful! And who is she? Mr. Mancini's girlfriend? But she looks young like a teenager.

Mahinhin siyang tumawa, inayos pa ang puting dress, "I'm his daughter." Aniya, lumapit sa 'kin at saka nakipag-kamay, "I am Jamie."

"Ohh," I smiled. "I thought Mr. Stellvester's daughter is just a little girl--well, hello. Nice to meet you. I'm Veronica, Mr. Mancini's--"

"Girlfriend?" Putol niya sa sasabihin ko, agad akong umiling. Halos tumili rin siya kaya natawa ako.

"I am his executive assistant."

"Ahh," muli siyang ngumiti. "Well, I guess, you are wondering why my father wants someone to look after me even though I am already seventeen years old." Tumango ako, "He thinks I am a naïve girl, an innocent seventeen-year-old who doesn't know anything but to play barbie dolls. He's too strict, but I understand him. He just wanted me safe, and I appreciate it."