Justice Served

Chapter 8 - That Girl

Isinuot ko ang aking suit. It's actually comfortable to wear. I think I bought the right suit for me.

Inayos ko ang aking sarili. My look should make the people respect me lalo't hindi pa nila ako masyadong kilala sa kompanya.

When I thought I'm ready, lumabas ako ng kwarto bitbit ang aking laptop na nasa bag.

Wait!

Bumalik ako ng kwarto at humarap sa salamin. I need to see kung bagay ba sa 'kin ang naka-suit na may dalang laptop case.

I'm actually the kind of person who is so conscious about my looks and posture.

Back in America, si Rob ang taga-dala ng mga gamit ko so I never experienced carrying laptop in a suit.

Nang makita kong okay naman, lumabas ako ng room.

"Good luck," salubong ni Matt sabay tap ng aking balikat.

"Aren't you coming?"

"What for? Wala naman akong gagawin do'n."

"Moral support?" I suggested.

Natawa siya sa sinabi ko. He took it as a joke!

"Kaya mo na 'yan!"

Effective talaga sa kaniya ang pagmumukmok. At least kahit pa-pa'no, nakaka-ngiti na siya.

"Siya nga pala, from now on, hindi na kami pwedeng mag-usap ni Rob."

"LQ?" pang-aasar niya.

Napakunot-noo ako.

"The whole time pala nilalagyan mo ng malisya ang pagka-kaibigan namin," I realised.

"I was just joking! Pero okay sige seryoso na!" turan niya and he cleared his throat.

Dahil nag-seryoso na siya, sinabi ko na ang dapat kong sabihin.

"Since inilalayo natin ang atensyon ng culprit sa totoong investigator, hindi niya ako pwedeng makita na may koneksyon kay Rob. So ikaw ang mag-a-act na leader niya. And you will inform me whatever he will say."

"Sure! Piece of cake," he answered confidently.

"Great!"

Napa-tingin ako sa aking relo.

"So paano 'yan, got to go!" I said.

He wished me luck at tuluyan na akong nagtungo sa sasakyan.

Nakarating ako sa company ng 8:00 am! I'm 30 minutes earlier than the time set for meeting.

I parked it on a vacant area but I was instructed by the guards to park it on a designated parking area for personnel with high position in the company.

Mabuti naman at kahit pa-paano, na-inform na rin sila kung sino ako though it's not yet officially announced in the whole company. Siguro sinabi sa kanila para sa tamang ayos ng parking lot.

I was directed to park at the right side of the company. Medyo maluwang din at may mga nakalagay na reserved.

Nag-park ako sa pinaka-gilid ng parking area as instructed by the guard.

I think I'm the third of the earliest from those with high positions in this company. Tatlo pa lang ang sasakyan na naka-park dito including mine. The second, third, fourth, wala pa!

By the way I got my new chevrolet car. It's shiny black.

Biglang nag-ring ang aking phone.

Rob's calling!

"Any update?" agad kong tanong habang nasa loob pa ng sasakyan.

"I'm now here at the office of the investigator."

"So any good news?"

"Kahapon, wala ang investigator-on-case kaya bumalik ako ngayon. I'm actually waiting for him. Base sa pakikitungo nila, sa tingin ko makukuha natin ang report."

And this sets my mood.

"Good!" I answered.

Nagpatuloy ako sa pagsasalita.

"Still consider a contingency plan in case they refuse to give the report. Mas mabuti nang handa," I said seriously.

"Ayoko nang mag-isip eh! Ipagdarasal ko na lang na ibigay nila."

I rolled my eyes!

"Umamin ka nga sa 'kin! Ano ba'ng balak mo?" Irita kong tanong.

"Huh?"

"Ano ba'ng balak mo sa utak mo?" paglilinaw ko.

"Mareuz, hindi ko gets!"

"Its actually me who can't get it! Ba't mo ba masyadong nire-reserve 'yang utak mo at ayaw mong paganahin?"

Yup! I'm serious even if it sounds more like a joke or sarcasm.

"Just keep me posted via call! In person, inform Matt. Got to go!" Muli kong sambit bago pa man siya maka-sagot.

Ibinaba ko na agad ang phone without waiting for his answer.

I noticed a car, nag-park sa tabi ko. It's a shiny powdered blue. Kung tama ako na ang ayos ng sasakyan dito ay base sa rank namin sa kompanya, ibig sabihin, dumating na ang chief operating officer.

Kung sino man siya, I should approach him right away and build a good relationship with him because in the world of business, mas mapapabuti ang kompanya kapag magka-sundo ang CEO at COO.

Lumabas ako ng sasakyan! Coincidentally, sabay kaming lumabas.

Nang makita ko siya, natigilan ako.

Siya!?

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So....who's that girl?