Kabanata 4
1175 Words
Their reaction makes Maeve silently laugh. Hindi ito makapagsalita at nakatingin lang sa kanya. What now?
“Next!”
Naalis lang mata niya nang tumawag ng bagong interviewee ang HR. Lumabas ang unang apliante na nakayuko. She guess hindi ito nakapasa. Sa panahon ngayon ang hirap talaga makakuha ng trabaho lalo na dito sa MMC (Mondragon Media Corporation) kung saan siya mag-a-apply. Hirap kasi dahil sa standards ng iba dito kaya ang ilan ay pinipiling sa ibang bansa na lang magtrabaho.
Ilang oras pa ang nagdaan at susunod na si Maeve sa aplikanteng ini-interview ngayon. Inayos niya ang damit at ngumiti.
“Next!”
Tumayo si Maeve at pumasok sa loob.
“Good morning.”
Hindi na nagpaligoy-ligoy pa ang interviewer at tinanong na siya. She honestly and confidently answered her questions hanggang sa hinihintay n’yang tanong.
“So, why should we hire you?”
“As a fresher, I’m interested in learning new things, I have no work experience but I believe that I can do the work and deliver exceptional results for this organization and business. It’s a great opportunity for me to work with professionals to improve my abilities and showcase my skills and put all theoretical knowledge into practice.”
Seems unfazed, the interviewer nodded her head then later gave a small smile.
“Thank you, Miss Santos. I read all your credentials and resume and you seem to be suited for the job. I will see you soon. You are hired.”
Medyo shock siya nang marinig iyon. Really? She was hired?! Oh my god! This is unexpected knowing MMC mataas ang standards nila sa kanilang mga empleyado. She’s lucky! Iba talaga ‘pag may tiwala ka sa sarili at confident ka. It will sometimes help you land in your job.
“Thank you so much, ma’am.”
She exited the office with a smile that could turn up the day. Should she treat her friends later for a little celebration? Iyong dalawa lang kasi ang itinuturing n’yang pamilya dito. Her parents were in Canada at siya lang ang nandito. Although, umuuwi siya mas gusto niya pa din ang Pinas. Her mom wanted her to work there, pero ayaw niya.
She fetches her phone and texted her two best friends. Ibababa na sana niya ito nang biglang may bumunggo sa kanya.
"Sorry, miss, nagmamadali lang," ani ng lalaki na may earpiece sa tenga. Animo isa itong private guard dahil sa suot nitong itim na suit.
"Yes, yes. Papunta na ako d'yan. Nariyan na ba ang bagong Vice Executive?" tanong nito habang papalakad sa kanya palayo. Daig pa ang presidente ng bagong Vice Executive na tinutukoy 'non, ah? Napailing na lang siya at lumabas na ng building. She will start her life in a corporate work soon!
-----
With sunglasses on, Levine step inside the MMC. May mga nakaabang na security guards sa labas kulang na lang ay palibutaj siya, dinaig niya pa ang isang artista.
“Welcome, Vice Executive Mr. Levine,” bati sa kanya ng assistant ng kuya niya. Tumango lang siya dito bilang tugon.
“The Chairman is waiting for you at the top floor.”
Pumasok sila ng elevator at hinintay itong makapunta sa top floor. It was occupied only by the office of the chairman. Just like the personality of his elder brother, ang distant nito at seryoso.
The elevator dings and they step out.
“Sir, Mr. Levine is here.”
“Papasukin mo,” the voices sounded behind the glass door.
Bumungad sa kanya ang kuyang busy sa document na hawak nito. Suot ang glasses, hindi iyon nakabawas sa kagwapuhan nito mas lalo lang nakaka-attract ito. What can he say? Nasa genes nila ‘yan. Lorenzo Mondragon, the eldest son of Mondragon’s family.
He smirks. “Hi, elder brother.” Lumakad siya dito at swabeng umupo.
Lorenzo looked at him seriously. “Dad, already inform you of what you have to do. I guess it was clear. Kung may problema you can just talk to my assistant,” diretsahang sambit nito at ibinalik ang mata sa papel na hawak nito kanina.
“Pinapaalis mo na agad ako?”
Lorenzo just replied shortly, “Hmm.”
“Tsk! You have to loosen sometimes, brother. Gusto mo ba ng babae?”
Sinamaan siya ng tingin nito kaya natatawang itinaas niya ang kamay atsaka nagsimulang lumakad palabas.
“Fine. But if you change your mind I’m just one call away.”
“Levine.”
Levine stops as he hears his brother call him. Umikot siya pra harapin ito, Lorenzo have a stern look expression.
“No flirting inside the building,” malamig na tugon nito. Levine’s mouth form an ‘O’ ang strict ng kapatid niya kaya walang lovelife.
“Well…”
-----
“Congratulations!”
Maeve was greeted by her friends with a beaming smile. Hinintay niya ito sa Starbucks. Pare-pareho silang may interview ngayon, Diego for fashion designing and Lilac for journalism.
“Sana ma-hire din ako. Tatawagan na lang daw nila ang mobile number namin,” Lilac pouted.
“Marami pang opportunities Lilac, kung hindi ka man ma-hire sa kompanyang ‘yon edi mag-apply ka sa iba,” pagtataray ni Diego na sinimangutan lang ng kaibigan.
“Right. Anyway, ano ba ang gusto n’yo it’s my treat,” nakangiting ani ni Maeve sa dalawa.
Nag-apir-an sina Diego at Lilac sabay tumingin sa kanya. “The same before!”
“Tss.” Maeve playfully rolled her eyes at tumayo. “Okay.”
-----
“Look who’s here?”
Napatingin ang tatlong magkaka-ibigan sa babaeng nasa harapan nila ngayon. It was Mildred, Maeve’s enemy from college. Ewan niya ba dito, Mildred see her a s a competition eh talagang biniyayaan siya. Isa pa sa mga dahilan ay dahil inagaw niya raw ang boyfriend nito. Like what? May taste siya, okay?
“Hindi ka pa din ba naka-move on, Mildred? It’s been so long at dala-dala mo pa din yang hatred mo,” turan niya. Mildred eyes narrowed simula noong dumating si Maeve, palagi itong bukang bibig sa school nila. Nakakarindi na.
“You know, it’s not my fault kung nag-break kayo ng gangster mong boyfriend. Sadyang maharot lang talaga siya at hindi makuntento sa isa at pwede ba hindi porket ako ang kilala nila ako na agad ang sinisisi niyo. Hindi ako pumapatol sa aso at mas lalong hindi ako pumupulot ng mga ginamit na,” Maeve said, sarcastically. Gustong-gusto niya ang mukha nito ‘pag naiinis. Mukha kasing langaw.
“How dare you?!”
Lumamig ang mukha ni Maeve.
“Sige mag-iskandalo ka, ikaw naman ang mapapahiya sa’ting dalawa. Insecurities have no cure. And, there is no competition from the very start, Mildred, because no one is worthy becoming my opponent,” pagkatapos n’yang sabihin ‘yon ay ibinuhos niya ang lamang ng natitirang starbucks niya sa paanan nito. Mildred gasps and stepped back.
Mapang-insultong tumingin si Maeve dito.
“Adios, bitchachos.” Nagtawanan silang tatlo sabay umalis na sa shop na ‘yon. Well, she’s not just a b***h, she's a b***h with a good ass!
Sa isang dulo naman ng shop ay hindi mapaknit ang pares ng mata ng isang lalaki habang pinapanood ang nangyayari. That was so hot! The girl was on fire!
He quickly put his phone on call.
“Levine, you won’t believe what I saw right now!”
- Writer
