Paint Me Red

Chapter 16: Iris

I'm finally back at work. Maraming mga papeles ang nakatambak ngayon sa desk ko lalo na't umangat ang aking posisyon dahil sa will ni lolo. Kakauwi lang ng tita ko galing sa States na siyang gagabay sa akin sa bago kong posisyon bilang bagong head ng company. I'm not fully handling it yet since my aunt will hold the position until I'm ready.

"Hija! I heard you got married na, is it with Darrell?" Tita Jane greeted me with joy. She's already in her 50's but she looks like she's in her mid-30's. 

I wince. Nakalimutan na ba niya? She may look young compared to her age but her brain is really in accordance with her age.

"Tita . . ."

"Oh my god! Sorry, I forgot!" Tinampal niya 'yong bibig niya. 

"It's fine, tita."

"Who did you marry then?" tanong niya habang sabay kaming naglalakad papuntang opisina. 

"Ivan," I said while playing the band on my finger.

"Ivan who?" she tried recalling kung may pinakilala ba akong Ivan sa kanya noon.

I'm not exactly sure if it's okay to tell her since our marriage is supposed to be kept a secret ngunit may tiwala ako sa tita ko, hindi siya 'yong tipo ng tao na nagkakalat ng sikreto. 

"Ivan Reagan po," I said slowly.

She stops, covered her mouth and looks at me with wide eyes. "Totoo?! The Ivan Reagan who garnered award-winning trophies? 'Yong laging inii-scout ng mga mamahaling brand bilang ambassador? 'Yong makalaglag panty kung tumitig?!"

I pushed her inside the office at saka tumango nang mabilis. 'Di ko ini-expect na gano'n kaingay ang reaction niya.

"Holy sh*t!"

"Tita!"

Natatawa niyang ibinagsak ang kanyang Berkin bag sa lamesa. "I'm happy for you, Scar! 'Wag na 'wag mo ng pakakawalan 'yong taong 'yon! By the way, paano nga ulit kayo nagkakilala?"

"Through a friend," I lied. Inayos ko ang aking pencil skirt saka umupo nang maayos. 

I think she sensed my short answer at 'di na ulit siya nagtanong pa. Knowing her, she doesn't want me to tell her everything unless I'm ready. More reasons to love her. "I see. Anyhow, today is your first day, right?" 

I nodded. She checked my outfit. I expected this kaya nagsuot ako ng formal. Black pumps, black pantyhose, a pencil skirt, and a white polo.

"Not bad," she evaluated. "But you could do better, Scar."

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag. Since we're in the fashion industry, maselan siya sa mga pananamit ng mga epleyado at hindi ako exception doon. She's jolly when she's not in work mode but she's like Meryl Streep from the movie The Devil wears Prada when she's in work mode.

Napatingin ako saglit sa phone ko. Kinuha ko kay Elijah kahapon 'yong contact number ni Ivan. Should I text him? Ano namang sasabihin ko? Should I ask him about that girl? 

Wait, what?

Ano namang pakealam mo, Scarlett? 

I shake the weird feeling but imagining him with his ex in one house doesn't settle right in my stomach. Para akong nakakain ng panis na kanin. And I don't know why I'm uncomfortable. 

"Focus," Tita said and eyed my phone. "Alam kong miss mo na ang asawa mo but I need you full attention here, Scarlett Amara."

I sighed and itinago ko ang phone ko. My training started at tiningnan ko ang mga bagong dokumento na inilagay ni tita sa mesa ko.