Princess Lorainne's Book 3: Third Player Husband (TAGALOG)

9- The interview

"AA's Coffee Shop. This would be my last shop for today at uuwi na ako. 6 na pala ng gabi," sabi ni Princess na binasa ang name ng shop at pumasok na siya sa loob.

Naupo siya sa vacant table at isang babaeng crew ang lumapit sa kaniya para ibigay ang menu. Samantala pumasok si Axel sa same coffee shop na nakasuot ng shade kahit madilim na sa labas pero kahit ganu'n ay malakas pa rin ang dating niya sa view ng ibang tao. Mukha siya actually artista ayon sa pananamit niya.

"Good morning, Sir," magandang bati ng lahat ng crew sa boss nila.

At dahil doon ay napatigil ang babae na nag-a-assist kay Princess para lang bumati sa boss nila habang si Princess ay natigilan din at napatingin sa lalaki na parang pamilyar sa kaniya kaya nagkasalubong ang dalawa niyang kilay. Matapos ang batian ay pumasok na si Axel at naglakad patungo sa counter without looking on Princess’s direction.

"Sir, code red upstairs. She's been waiting for you since morning. She also keeps on demanding the crew. Anyway, I thought, Sir, we are going to take a look of the inventories today, but why are you just now? If I may just ask, Sir," magalang na paalala ng isang lalaking crew.

"I—uh—something came up that's why I got here late. Anyways, I'll go upstairs," tugon ni Axel na hindi halatang naghanap ng excuse dahil sa suot niyang shade para lang hindi malaman ng iba na may sinundan siyang babae kaya ngayon lang siya nakarating sa shop niya mismo.

"Okay, Sir," nagdududa na sagot ng lalaki at sinundan ng tingin ang boss niya. "What an odd thing to say," bulong niya.

Pagkarating naman ni Axel sa opisina niya ay isang babae na nakasuot ng black dress ang bumati sa kaniya.

"Hi, baby Axel!" matinis na bati ng babae at kaagad na lumingkis kay Axel like she is his property.

Samantala nasakal si Axel sa ginagawa ng babae kaya naman kaagad niya ipinalayo ito sa kaniya then tumingin siya sa buong opisina niya na puno ng kalat dahil sa kagagawan ng babae. Mabilis na nawala ang emosyon sa mga mata ni Axel dahil sa nakita niya at naglakad siya papunta sa upuan niya. Pero hindi doon natinag ang babae at naupo with crossing her legs sa desk, sa tabi ni Axel na sinadya niya ipakita ang mga ito na mapuputi at mahahaba na kahit na sinong lalaki ay maaakit. Habang si Axel ay kaagad na lumingon at tumingin sa flawless thighs and legs ng babae na nasa tabi niya and then, tumingala siya para tignan ang pagmumukha nito na nakangiti sa kaniya ng maganda. But not for him dahil he found her disgusting after littering and making his office a trash.

On the other hand, inilapag ng babaeng crew ang isang tasang baso sa lamesa ni Princess.

"Thank you," mabait at magalang na wika ni Princess sa crew with her genuine smile.

Yumuko naman ang crew kay Princess at umalis na. Pagkaalis ay kinuha ni Princess ang tasa at ininom nang bigla siyang napatigil at nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata dahil sa sobrang tuwa na hindi niya inaasahan.

"Hmm...this coffee is so good. This is their best-seller coffee? Ay, mas masarap ito kapag may katernong tinapay or something to eat," sambit ni Princess na kinakausap na niya ang sarili dahil sa sobrang saya niya.

At dahil nasarapan talaga si Princess ay she keeps on sipping on her cup of coffee, meanwhile, sa opisina ni Axel ay umiiyak ang babae habang nililigpit ang sarili nitong kalat.

"Don't cry there! You clean my office since you trashed it! I don't tolerate a messy place!" galit na parang sigaw ni Axel dahil sa laki at lakas ng boses niya pero hindi naman. It's his normal voice.

Hindi naman na sumagot ang babae at patuloy lang na naglinis habang sumisingot-singot nang tumunog ang phone ni Axel.

"Quiet," he told shushing the girl at kinuha niya ang phone niya sa dibdib niya, sa loob ng coat niya. Nang makita niya ang caller ID ng Reyna ay kaagad niya ito sinagot. "Yes, hello, your Majesty?" bati niya na biglang bumait since he is talking to a Queen of their country.

"Hi, Mr. Ayad," nakangiting bati ni Kristine sa kabilang linya at naupo siya sa upuan niya inside of her spacious office. "I'm sorry for calling you but I just want to clear things out about my daughter and our deal," panimula niya.

"Oh. About that, your Majesty. I was going to call you and tell you but your daughter rejected my offer to help," pagtatapat ni Axel na hindi man lang nagdalawang-isip.

"As I expected. Anyhow, my daughter informed me as well and I apologize for her behavior. She is really not thinking so please, don't mind her attitude towards you. It's nothing personal. She just hates guys, you know because of her experiences," paliwanag ni Kristine na siya na mismo ang humingi ng tawad dahil sa ginawa ng anak niya.

"I don't mind, your Majesty," nakangiti at formally na sagot ni Axel.

“Really? Then, you’re going to give her another chance?” hopefully na tugon ni Kristine.

“Well, as you can see, your Majesty, what your daughter need is a teacher for her behavior. No offense,” prangkang sambit ni Axel without sugarcoating his words.

“None taken. Go ahead,” saad ni Kristine as she knew that her daughter really have an attitude problem.

“That’s good to know. However, your Majesty, she needs to watch her attitude if she will be on my shop because I don’t tolerate that kind of behavior,” seryosong tinuran ni Axel na hindi na natakot sa Reyna since he is going to take her daughter on his shop wherein all his employees has good values.

“That’s very nice. Don’t worry I will tell her that. Thank you so much, Mr. Ayad, for your courtesy. Please, I apologize for my daughter’s behavior once again. But, if I may just ask, will you accept her once again if she’s going to apply for the job?” mabait na paumanhin ni Kristine.

“Sure, your Majesty. I just hope that her attitude will lessen once she got in,” nakangiting sagot ni Axel, setting aside his personal issue with the Queen’s daughter and just be professional.

“That’s great! Thank you so much, Mr. Ayad,” masayang replied ni Kristine.

“You’re welcome, your Majesty,” he said at ibinaba na niya ang tawag.

In the meantime...

"Waiter!" tawag niya na nakangiti.

Isang lalaking crew ang kaagad na lumapit kay Princess at tinanong, "Yes, Ma'am? What can I do for you?"

"I just want to say that you have a very tasty coffee and I love it. Anyway, I apologize if I'm going to ask this but just for a survey. Do you have a pastry Chef here already?" tanong ni Princess na halata sa kaniyang mga mata ang desperation and motivation after tasting the very suitable coffee for her.

"To be honest, Ma'am, our pastry Chef quit six months ago," nahihiyang sagot ng lalaki na hindi marunong maglihim sa ibang tao lalo na at kapag tinatanong siya.

"Really?" natuwang tanong ni Princess. "OMG, is this it? Is this the moment I've been waiting for?" bulong niya sa loob ng isipan niya habang siya ay tumatalon sa sobrang galak.

"Yes, Ma'am. And that's the reason why we are lack in pastries here. Anyway, if you don't mind me asking but, who are you? And why are you asking such questions?" maayos na tanong ng lalaki na nginitian ang kausap niya.

"Well, I'm actually here because I'm doing a survey. By the way, my name is Lorainne Gale, a pastry Chef. It's so nice to meet you,—" tugon ni Princess na sinabi ang totoo niyang ginagawa but not her real identity as the Princess of the country and she extended her right hand for a handshake.

"Oh! It's nice to meet you too, Ms. Lorainne," mabait na sagot ng lalaki at tinanggap ang kamay ng customer.

"So, is your Manager there? Can I talk to her?" tanong ni Princess at binitawan ang kamay ng lalaki.

Sasagot na sana ang lalaki nang biglang bumukas ang pinto sa counter at lumabas ang babae na naka-dress ng itim na galing sa opisina ni Axel at umiiyak palabas ng shop. Ang lahat ay natahimik dahil sa babae na sinundan nila ng tingin but after a minute ay nagsibalikan na ang mga tao sa mga ginagawa nila. Pati ang lalaki na kausap ni Princess na tumingin dito.

"You want to meet our Manager? Come with me and I'll introduce you. He will surely be happy to know that you came here personally. Please, follow me," tuloy-tuloy na sabi ng lalaki at tumalikod na para maglakad papunta sa counter na hindi na hinyaan pa magsalita ang customer since they are really lack of personnel inside the kitchen.

Habang si Princess ay biglang nanigas sa pwesto niya. "H-he?" bulong niya na kita sa kaniyang mukha na hindi niya inaasahan ang sinabi ng crew sa kaniya. Ngayon, she feels doubtful kung tutuloy pa ba siya o aalis na lang dahil ayaw niya ng male partner.

"Ma'am? Ma'am? Please, follow me. This way," nakangiting tawag ng lalaki and he gestured her to come with him.

Hindi na nagsalita si Princess at nagreklamo dahil sa magalang na tawag sa kaniya ng crew kaya naman tumayo na siya at ngumiti ng pilit rito kahit na ayaw niya. Samantala si Axel sa opisina niya ay tinanggal ang coat niya at isinabit sa likod ng swivel chair niya at saka siya naupo ulit. He started reading a report nang may tatlong katok ang dumating sa pintuan niya.

"Sir, you have a visitor!" paalala ng lalaki sa labas ng pinto habang nasa tabi niya si Princess.

"Come in," mahinahon na replied ni Axel at ibinaba ang hawak niyang black folder para harapin ang bisita na darating.

Habang ang lalaki sa labas ay binuksan na ang pinto at pinapasok niya si Princess. Ngumiti naman si Princess sa lalaki at nagpasalamat for being responsive sa mga tanong niya habang ang lalaki ay nag-welcome. On the contrary, tumigil ang mundo ni Axel nang makita niya mismo sa harapan niya ang baabeng sinusundan niya kanina pa kaya siya na-late. Then, isinara na ng lalaki ang pinto at iniwan ang dalawa and that's when the time na humarap si Princess.

She flashed a beautiful smile at ibinuka ang bibig niya saying, "Good af—" Pero kaagad siya napatigil sa pagsasalita at nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang makita niya ang taong hindi niya inaasahan na makikita out of all time.

Tumigil din ang mundo ni Princess nang makita niya ang antipatikong lalaki habang si Axel ay umiwas ng tingin dahil bigla siyang nahiya. Anyways, he cleared his throat to remove the awkwardness in the air between them at tumingin siya ulit dito.

"Ms. Snob. Tell me, what are you doing here in my office?" tanong ni Axel ng seryoso as he composed himself steadily.

"I-in your office?" nagtatakang tanong ni Princess at bumaba ang tingin ng mga mata niya at nakita niya ang name tag sa ibabaw ng lamesa na may nakasulat na name, 'CEO, Axel Mohammed Ayad'.

Nanlaki lalo ang mga mata ni Princess nang makita niya ang name nito and then naalala niya ang unang pag-uusap nila over the phone kung saan she rejected him but before that ay nagpakilala ito sa kaniya as the owner of Coffee Shop and he wanted to hire her. But then, tinawagan niya ito for the second chance pero siya naman ang ni-reject nito. Naalala rin niya ang araw na pagod na pagod siya galing sa paghahanap ng partner, pumasok siya sa loob ng elevator with him and she saw his shirt with a word ‘Ayad’. Pero dahil biglang sumakit ang tiyan niya kakainom ng kape ay mabilis niya nakalimutan ang epilyido nito. And that’s when her eyes got bigger nang unti-unti niya ma-realize at mapagtagpi-tagpi ang lahat.

“You’re Mr. Ayad,” she mumbled at iniangat niya ang kaniyang tingin sa antipatikong lalaki na nasa harapan niya.

“Yes, I am. And you are?” cool na sagot ni Axel and at the same time asking her kung sino ba talaga ito dahil he is super curious of her.

“I-I am Lorainne Gale Jang Rashid-Al,” responded ni Princess, telling her true identity.

“What? Your real name is Lorainne Gale Jang Rashid-Al? You are the daughter of the King and Queen of Dubai?” nagulat na sabi ni Axel. Then naalala niya ang sinabi ng Queen of Dubai about helping her daughter out and their deal they had.

“Yes. And how did you know that? Oh, wait. Don’t answer that. Of course you know because my name always dragged out whenever the news is about my parents,” sambit ni Princess na sinagot ang sariling tanong, rolling her eyes.

Umiwas ng tingin ulit si Axel nang mapagtanto niya ang lahat. “Dang it. I should’ve known. The woman living beside my unit, my housemate is also the daughter of King and Queen of Dubai,” bulong niya sa loob ng isipan niya na parang pinagsisisihan niya ang lahat ng sinabi at ginawa niya rito.

“So, the arrogant housemate, womanizer and the football player is the owner of the AA’s Coffee Shop?” tanong ni Princess para malinawan siya ng husto sa mga nakakagulat na pangyayari.

“Yes, I am. Axel Ayad is the meaning of AA,” he answered coolly at umayos siya ng upo. “Please, have a seat so we could talk properly.” And he gestured the chair in front of his desk. He then cleared his throat again as he is trying to hide his nervousness towards her.

“Okay,” saad ni Princess at naglakad siya papalapit kay Axel and then, naupo siya sa harap nito.

For a moment na nagkalapit sila ay para sila biglang nahiya as they are looking anywhere and just glancing at each other. Nang biglang nagtagpo ulit ang mga mata nila na mabilis din nilang iniwas away from each other. Axel then again cleared his throat to remove the awkwardness sa pagitan nila.

“So, what are you doing here?” panimulang tanong ni Axel at tinignan niya ng seryoso si Princess.

“Well, I—you know just—“ But then she sighed as she surrender and just swallow her pride para makakuha na siya ng trabaho. “I am here because I heard that your pastry Chef quit six months ago so, here I am and applying for the job. If that is still available,” walang hiya-hiya na nabanggit niya dahil she is desperate already.

“Didn’t I reject you already?” wika ni Axel as he recalled from their conversation before over the phone,.

“Yeah, you did. But aren’t you looking for a pastry Chef anymore?” direktang sambit ni Princess.

“Yeah, I am. But I—“ Natigilan sa pagsasalita si Axel nang maalala niya ang usapan nila ng Reyna about giving her daughter a second chance.

“Yes?” nagtatakang tanong ni Princess dahil biglang tumigil ang kausap niya sa pagsasalita.

“I mean, fine. I’m gonna hire you as the pastry Chef here. But under one condition, Ms Lorainne,” seryosong sabi ni Axel at binigyan ng matalim na tingin ang babaeng kaharap niya. But he is actually happy seeing her on his Coffee shop deep inside him.

“One condition?” nabiglang wika ni Princess and she forced a smile towards him. “Ano naman kaya ipapagawa nito sa akin? May pagnanasa ata itong lalaking ‘to sa akin,” she uttered.

“I heard you. At hindi ako tulad ng iniisip mo. Hindi rin kita pinagnanasahan,” sabi ni Axel na nagsalita na ng Filipino language. “Not always. But yes, I am thinking about you,” dagdag niya inside of his mind.

“Y-you can speak and understands Filipino language. Great!” nakangiting recited ni Princess at natawa siya sa sarili niya na biglang napahiya dahil narinig siya nito.

“Yes, of course. I have a Filipino friends and I’ve already been there. So—“ And he clasped his both hands above his desk and give her an earnest look— “Ms. Lorainne, before I hire you I will conduct a survey about you. Tell me about yourself,” wika ni Axel na naging interesado sa mga gusto at ayaw ng babae na kumuha ng atensyon niya since the day they met.

“About myself? Like what? What do you wanna know about me?” curious na tanong ni Princess na hindi nakapaghanda sa on the spot interview but she’s expecting it. She just couldn’t believe na ang antipatikong lalaki ang magiging boss niya if she is going to work on the shop. “Shet. I’m not ready for this. Lalo na at siya pala ang lalaking kausap ko nu’ng nakaraang araw, ang antipatikong housemate ko. Shet talaga,” naasar na sabi niya sa loob ng isipan niya.

“Like, anong gusto mo sa lalaki—I mean, where you came from, what degree did you finish, what stuffs do you like and you don’t. You know something like that,” sagot ni Axel na hindi halatang non-work related na ang mga tanong niya the way he asked her.

“Oh. Well, I have a resume. I can give it to you,” nabanggit ni Princess at binuksan niya ang bag niya at inilabas ang brown envelop.

Binigay ni Princess kay Axel ang brown envelop na tinanggap naman nito. He opened it at binasa ang nilalaman ng resume ni Princess.

“Wow. You have an impressive resume I must say,” he told loudly at pagkatapos basahin ang resume nito ay inilapag niya ito sa harap niya at saka siya lumingon ulit dito. “Okay. You’re hired. Now, I’m gonna discuss about the rules here in my shop. First, boyfriend or girlfriend is not allowed here. You are here to work and not to flirt so, I hope that’s clear to you. Tell me, do you have a boyfriend already?” paliwanag niya na hindi halatang sumesegway siya to ask about the guy na nakita niya sa football game with her.

“Boyfriend? No, I don’t have,” straightforwardly na sagot ni Princess that she also shook her head.

“Really? You don’t have? On that beautiful face? I mean—“ And he cleared his throat para magtunog business since that is what they are talking about, and no other things— “You don’t have suitors?” paglilinaw niyang tanong.

Kumunot naman ang dalawang kilay ni Princess sa mga tanong ng lalaking na nasa harapan niya na parang may gustong sabihin sa kaniya. “Seriously? Is this guy interviewing me as an employee or as a woman? He’s ridiculous,” sambit niya sa loob ng utak niya giving him a confuse look.

Itutuloy...