Heavens Glam

Kabanata 3

"'Wag kang ngumiti, Luxuria."

Pigil ni Luxuria ang ngiting namumutawi sa labi niya. She can't help it! Sa wakas, may spicy flavor na ang buhay ni Heaven. Hindi kasi pinapansin nito ang mga lalaking nagpapakita ng motibo o nagko-confess ng love nito sa kanya pero iba ngayon, namumula ito sa inis.

"How dare that jerk say those... those words!"

"Tsk."

"What!" Heaven snap but eventually said a 'Sorry'. Nagda-drive ito ngayon at mabilis ang pagpapatakbo.

"Kalma, Langit. The best revenge is to ignore that hot man." Heaven knows that she will certainly do it pero mukhang hindi mangyayari 'yun dahil same condominium ang tinitirhan nilang dalawa.

She sigh, saka pinahina ang takbo ng sasakyan niya, sayang Roll Royce pa naman ang gamit nila.

"So, pagkatapos ba ma-aprobran ang deal ng business proposal mo ay babalik ka na ng New York?" tanong ni Luxuria ng mahimasmasan ang best friend niya.

"Yes," she answered softly. Ngumuso naman ang best friend niyang si Luxuria dahil sa sinagot niya. She looks at her saka nagsalita ulit, "Eh ikaw, anong ginagawa mo dito sa Pinas? I thought you has a runaway to do?"

"Well yes, but they change the schedule."

"Why?"

"Dahil magbabakasyon ako," sabay flip ng hair nito.

Heaven gaped at her. Luxuria raises her brow nang makita ang itsura ng best friend niya.

"Langit, It's my show. I'm the most desirable model in the runaway. Besides, their sales boost because they have me." umiling lang si Heaven. Alam niyang mayabang ang best friend niya at totoo ang sinasabi nito, pero may mga chances pa din na mapalitan ito.

"You need to stop being like that Luxy. Don't be too full of yourself. Natatakot ako na baka pagdating ng panahon 'yan mismo ang sisira sayo," she can't stop her from being a b***h but she can always remind her of this.

"Ahw, I'm so touched, Langit. Don't worry hindi ko inaabuso ang power ko, okay? 'Tsaka babalik din ako after four days at tuloy na ang runaway," Luxuria said. Saka inilihis ang atensyon sa labas. Heaven did not see her best friend's expression.

-----

"Hello, I'm Heaven Wilson from Henry Wilson Jewelry. I have an appointment to President Wang."

Heaven is wearing a Bianca gold and cream tweed jacket by CHANEL brand and a PRADA Saffiano Handbag. The receptionist looks at her from head to toe. 'Rich,' ani nito sa sarili. She called the secretary of the President para i-inform nito na may appointment ang babaeng nasa harapan niya.

"Ms. Wilson dumiretso na po kayo sa elevator at fortieth floor the secretary will guide you to the President's office," Nakangiting turan nito kay Heaven.

"Thank you."

"President Wang, nandito na po si Miss Wilson," imporma ng lalaking secretary.

"Papasukin mo," ani ng lalaki sa malalim na boses. The secretary usher Heaven to get inside the office.

The man was busy reviewing the documents in a stack of papers on his desk. Nag-angat ito ng mukha. Heaven's eyes slightly glint in shock. It was the same man who embarrassed her on the club! Naalala na naman niya 'yon at naiinis na naman siya.

'Calm down, Heaven' paalala nito sa sarili.

Gone was the mischievous face of the man. Ang nakikita niya nalang dito ay ang walang emosyon na mukha nito na nakatingin sa kanya.

'It seems it's his lucky day.' Alfonso said to himself ng makita niya kung sino ang taong may appointment sa kanya.

"Please take a sit, Miss Heaven," sambit niya ng mahinahon. Pangalan palang, masarap na ang datingan. The woman in front of him seemed not affected by his presence. 'Sige lang babagsak ka din sakin.'

"I'm Heaven Wilson. I'm here for the Henry Wilson Jewelry na iba-branch dito sa Pinas," pakilala nito. 'A wealthy woman owning lots of expensive jewelry,' ani ni Alfonso sa sarili.

"So?"

"I'm here for a proposal. Being an investor sa pagpapatupad ng branch na ito, we can benefit each other. It's a win - win situation, with your investment madagdagan pa ito in a matter of time and boost your reputation same as mine," she said directly to the point.

"Miss Heaven, didn't you know that sixty percent of Filipino people cannot afford to buy your jewelry? How can I guarantee your success?" He tested her kahit na sagot ng utak niya ay 'approve it' pero kailangan niya ng rason at gusto niya itong matingnan ng matagal.

Heaven stares at the man and smirks to herself saka sumagot.

"Well, with our marketing we will put our business to a place where people meet their demand. Our target market is the middle class and higher class. Henry Wilson Jewelry is a strong brand producing quantity over quality. We can lower our price based on the product cost. Kaya pinili namin ang Manila dahil lahat ng concerts ng ibang artista dito nagaganap at marami rin ang turistang pumapasyal dito."

Alfonso smiles nung natapos na siyang mag explain.

"I can say that I'm impressed with your business proposal. I will approve it, but in one condition." Alfonso smiled evilly because of his plan.

"What? What condition? Is my proposal not enough?"

"I need to see your capabilities Ms. Heaven. I will evaluate your performance."

"Anong kondisyon?"

"Be my assistant."

"Ano?" malamig na tanong ni Heaven. Kumunot ang noo niya. Siya magiging assistant? The COO of HWJ and the granddaughter of the King of Jewelry, gusto ng lalaking 'to na maging assistant niya? The nerves!

"Excuse me Mr.—" his hand gesture a stop sign kaya hindi niya naituloy ang sasabihin.

"You need my approval, right?" Nakangiting tanong ni Alfonso sa kanya. She curses inside her head.

"Yes," malamig niyang sambit saka binigyan ng matalim na tingin ang Presidente'ng 'to. Hindi naman ito pinansin ng lalaki at nakangiti pa din sa kanya.

"Then, be my assisstant. You need my approval, you need my investment." 'And you need me,' dagdag ni Alfonso sa isip niya. His plan has just begun.

Kinalma ni Heaven ang sarili. Hoo! Kailangan niya ang deal na ito kung gusto niyang makapasok sa Philippine market.

"Fine." Saka ito tumayo at naglakad palabas sa opisina ng nakakainis na Presidente. Gigil siyang sakalin ang gagong lalaki. Lintek! Magdusa siya kung inaakala nitong masusunod siya sa lahat, no way! Nagkakamali siya.

Samantala, hindi parin maalis ang ngiti ni Alfonso kahit na nakaalis na si Heaven. It is time to cage the dove. He ordered his secretary na tawagan si Heaven na magsisimula na ito sa Lunes.

'Be prepare my Heaven.'