Endless Pen [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

ATHANASIA'S POV

Once we have reached the building, the door of the passenger seat suddenly opened. Agad kong nilingon si Bangun saka sinamaan ng tingin. "What?" nakapangisi niyang tanong. Inirapan ko na lang siya saka bumaba ng kotse.

I looked at the company building from its entrance to the top before letting out a deep breath. I'm feeling nervous like what the heck? Napailing na lang ako saka naramdamang may katabi na ako.

"Basta 'wag mong kalilimutan, ha?" I raised one of my eyebrows. "'Yung shoutout mo. 'Wag mong kalilimutang batiin ako sa TV. Gusto ko namang maranasan 'yun," nakangiting wika niya habang nakatingin sa akin.

I flatly looked at him. "Are you seriously asking me to do that?" He quickly nodded. Napailing na lang ako saka muling tumingin sa building. Muli akong bumuga ng hangin bago tuluyang pumasok sa loob.

Nakasunod naman sa akin si Bangun saka sumabay ng lakad. Ang mga taong nakakasalubong namin ay talagang nakatitig sa amin o kaya naman ay muling mapapalingon.

Paano ba namang hindi, eh itong may saltik kong kasama ay pinagt-tripan ang kulay ng mga mata niya. Kulay golden yellow tapos kapag muling mapapatingin ang tao ay gagawin niyang brown.

Halata namang nage-enjoy siya kaya napailing na lamang ako. Naturingang diyos tapos parang baliw kung umasta. I let myself focus on the way that we were going and that's to the lady in the reception area.

"Hi. I'm here to meet Mr. Salgado," I politely informed her.

She smiled at me. "Just a minute, Ma'am. I shall confirm your meeting with the CEO." Tinanguan ko lang siya saka hinayaan siyang may kausapin sa telepono. Ilang saglit lang ay parang natutulala niyang ibinaba ang tawag saka ilang beses na kumurap habang nakatitig sa akin. "M-Miss Infinite Ink?"

I nodded at her. "Yes, I am her. Is the CEO available now?" I honestly want to be done with this as soon as possible.

Dahan-dahan namang tumango ang babae saka nakatitig pa rin sa akin at bahagyang nakabukas ang bibig. Malapit na sana akong mainis dahil gusto ko lang namang malaman kung saan ako pupunta para matapos na ito pero mukhang busy pa si Miss na mag-daydream, nang umimik si Bangun. "Ahm, Miss? Baka may pumasok na langaw sa bibig mo," pabirong sabi ni Bangun saka mahinang natawa. "Anyways, if you don't mind me asking, where should Miss Infinite Ink head to? She has a pretty tight schedule."

Para namang nahimasmasan na ang babae saka humingi ng tawad at itinuro sa amin kung saan dapat kami papunta. But then, after she asked for an autograph from me, in which I had a hard time saying yes if it wasn't for Bangun.

"Teka nga. Edi siya ang kauna-unahang fan mong humingi sayo ng autograph," namomroblemang wika ni Bangun nang makapasok na kami sa elevator.

I raised an eyebrow after tilting my head a little to the side. "And?"

He suddenly pouted. "Hindi pa ako nakakahingi ng autograph mo. Dapat ako ang una ah." He was about to click the previous floor that we were from when I stopped him.

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked him, confused about his actions.

"Babalikan ko 'yung receptionist. Kukuhanin ko muna yung papel na may autograph mo tapos magpa-pirma na lang ulit siya." He sounded like a kid doing his tantrums.

I pushed his hand away from the elevator buttons and shook my head. "You're definitely not right in the head."

"Or I think I should burn the paper instead," nakangiti siyang tumingin sa akin na para bang napakagandang ideya ang naisip niya. "What do you think?"

I flatly looked at him. "Stop it. Let it go." I then focused my attention on the elevator door.

He continued pouting until we reached the desired floor. Hindi naman na siya umimik pa pero kada titingin ako sa kanya ay iirapan niya ako kaya napapailing na lamang ako.

"I'm here to meet Mr. Salgado," I informed the secretary.

Tumayo naman ito saka naglakad papunta sa pinto ng opisina ng CEO. "Mr. Salgado is expecting your presence, Ms. Infinite Ink." The man bowed a little before knocking and opening the door.

Tumango na rin ako saka tuluyan nang pumasok. Nagpaiwan naman si Bangun sa labas kaya nakahinga ako ng maluwag kahit papaano.

The well-suited man, who was sitting on his swivel chair, stood up and greeted me with a smile and an offer of a handshake. "Ms. Infinite Ink, it is a pleasure to finally meet you in person," nakangiting wika nito. I accepted his hand and shook it before quickly pulling my hand away. He motioned at the sofa. "Please, do take a seat. My people are making sure that the room where you'll be holding your contract signing is perfect for you."

Napatango na lang ako saka pareho kaming nanahimik. I let my eyes roam around the room. Bagay sa CEO ang disenyo ng kwarto nito. He seems like he's in his twenties or thirties, and he looks very manly. And just like SPO3 Caylo, he has blue eyes. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang mapatigil ang tingin sa mga mata ng CEO. This is just weird.

The CEO cleared his throat before giving me a small smile. "Is there anything else you need, Miss Infinite Ink? Is there something on my face?" Umiling naman ako na nagpatango sa kanya. "Well... Is there a problem then?" Muli akong umiling.

Nahalata ko namang medyo nailang siya sa ugali ko. Eh ano naman? Wala naman talaga dapat akong pakealam sa ibang tao ah. Napabuga na lamang ako ng hangin. "I'll only need to publish one book, right?"

Halata namang hindi sang-ayon ang lalake sa sinabi ko pero pilit pa rin itong ngumiti. "If that's what you want, Miss Infinite Ink. But we would be grateful if you choose to publish all of your stories in our company."

Napatango na lamang ako. All I need is one book signing event and for sure, we would be able to catch the suspect. But... "Let's see in the future. If I liked the audience's response." If I still wanna live.

"I'm utterly sure that your readers and other audiences would want to see more of your books." He smiled charmingly, showing his dimples and white teeth. "If you're not aware of your current status in the literary department, Miss, then I shall inform you. You are one of the most sought thriller writers in the country. There are also many willing translators that would want your stories translated into English for a wider scope of audience." I thought he would stop there but I was wrong. "And please, don't deny the fact that one of the movie producers contacted you to ask you to turn your second novel into a movie."

Napangiwi naman ako nang matapos siya. Even that news spread like wildfire? "How did you know about that?"

His smile never left his lips. "One of my colleagues told me. Like I've said, Miss Infinite Ink, you are the center of attention of the literary department for quite some time now."

I let out a heavy sigh and slightly shook my head. Great. Not wanting too much attention, but here I am. Being the center of attraction. I was about to ask him if there'll be legit strict security for the actual book signing when his secretary entered his office.

"Mr. Salgado, the room and the press are ready," anunsyo nito.

Napangiti naman ang kaharap ko saka ako tiningnan. "That's great. Shall we, Miss Infinite Ink? The world will finally see the beautiful face behind the best Filipino thriller stories."

Kung pwede lang umikot ang mga mata ko ay nagawa ko na, pero pinigilan ko muna ang sarili ko at kailangan kong maging mabait. Besides, I'm the one who's using them for my own benefit.

I took a deep breath and readied myself for this is the moment that will surely change my quiet and peaceful life. I hope I'll do this right.