Chapter 4

'Now, that its been cleared. Allow me to introduced my self properly. I'm Agapius Greg Galveria, the CEO of A and A Electronic Arts Incorporation. And I hope we can be a team, as you, Ms Crystallyn Jade Wetzel will be my new secretary.'

Isang linggo na ang nakalipas simula ng maging secretary si Jade ni Mr. Galveria. But until now, she still can't believe that the CEO of the company just let passed what she did to him. Maka-ilang beses na rin na nagpapa-ulit-ulit ang sinabi nito sa kaniya.

"You know what Elle, Mr. Galveria is really weird!"

"You've been telling that for how many days, Jade," walang ganang saad ni Elle dahil nasisiguro niyang uulitin na naman ng kaibigan ang kaniyang sinabi ng ilang araw.

"His really getting on my nerves! How come his so kind? And friendly to anyone?"

"He is just like that. For the past five years that I've been working in that company I never seen Mr. Galveria being sad, his always happy, energetic and kind to every employee in the company."

"And 'that' what makes him weird."

"Oh, come on! Aren't you just glad that his kind to you?"

"I don't know. It just that, after that incident you were the first person that been kind to me." Kaagad na natigil sa ginagawa si Elle at napatingin sa kaniyang kaibigan. Bakas ang lungkot sa kaniyang boses ng sabihin niya ang salitang 'yon. Nararamdaman din ni Elle na hanggang ngayon ay nasasaktan pa rin si Jade sa nangyari.

Jade was right. Because after that incident no one want to help her. Lumapit si Jade sa kaibigan ng kaniyang mga magulang upang sandaling tumuloy sa kanilang bahay but no one open their door to welcome her. Kahit nga noong binuburol ang mga magulang ni Jade. Marami sa kasamahanan dati ng mag-asawang Emily at Rodric ang nagulat ng malaman na mayroon pala silang inampon na anak. Labis ang sakit na naramdaman noon ni Jade dahil hindi man lang pala siya nake-kwento ng mag-asawa sa mga katrabaho nila.

"Ohh! I forgot that I need to do something," kaagad na saad ni Jade to change the mood. "I better finished it. I'm going to my room now. Good night, Elle."

"Good night too."

Matapos ang ilang minuto ay maingat na nagtungo si Elle sa kwarto na inilaan niya para kay Jade. Dahan-dahan niyang nilapit ang kaniyang tenga sa pintuan at pinakinggan ang tahimik na paligid at kalaunan ay nagkaroon ng munting mga hikbi. Kaagad na namuo ang mga luha sa mga mata ni Elle habang pinakikinggan ang pag-iyak ng kaibigan.

Walang gabi na hindi niya naririnig na hindi umiyak si Jade simula ng tumira ito sa kaniyang bahay. Sinubukan na rin naman na kausapin ni Elle si Jade ngunit palagi nitong iniiba ang usapan kaya wala ng nagawa si Elle upang hayaan na muna sandali si Jade. Hinihintay na lamang ni Elle na kusang magkwento si Jade sa detayladong nangyari ng gabi kung saan namaalam ang mag-asawang umampon sa kaniya.

***

"Ms. Wetzel," pagtawag ni Mr. Galveria sa kaniyang sekretarya sa pamamagitan ng teleponong nakakonektado sa kinaroroonan ni Jade at sa opisina ni Greg.

"Yes, sir?"

"Its already lunch time. Take your lunch." Kaagad na natigilan si Jade dahil sa sinabi ng kaniyang boss.

"Excuse me, sir? Can you repeat what you just said?" tanong muli ni Jade dahil sa tingin niya ay mali ang kaniyang narinig.

"Haha, you really need to eat Ms. Wetzel. I already have my lunch pack, so, you can take your lunch too. Goodbye." Sandaling napatitig si Jade sa telepono at kalaunan ay umalis na rin sa kaniyang pwesto.

Kinuha ni Jade ang kaniyang cellphone at sinagot ang tawag mula sa kaniyang kaibigan.

"Hey, Jade, did you have lunch?"

"Not yet."

"Great! Come join us!"

"Ahh... I think I can't join with you."

"Ohh, come on! You always said that."

"I'm fine Elle. Enjoy your lunch with your friend."

"No way! I'll come pick you up."

"Hey---" Balak pa sanang tumanggi si Jade ngunit pinutol na ng kaibigan ang kaniyang tawag.

Makalipas lamang ang ilang minuto ay dumating nga si Elle upang sunduin siya. Nagtungo naman sila sa kainan ng kompanya.

"Elle!" pagtawag ng isang grupo na nasa gilid habang kumakaway pa kay Elle. Lumapit naman sina Elle at Jade sa kanila.

"Wait, guys. Jade and I are just going to order."

Pagkatapos nilang mag-order ay nagtungo na muli silang dalawa sa mesa kung saan naroon ang mg kakilala ni Elle. 

"Meet my friend, Jade." Pagpapakilala ni Elle sa kaniyang mga close work colleagues.

"Ohh, hello Jade. I'm Amelia."

"I'm Cris. Nice metting you, Jade."

"Your pretty. By the way my name is Clarisse."

"And I'm Ken. The five of us are the member of management department of this company."

Bahagya naman ngumiti si Jade sa kanila. Pagkatapos ng pagpapakilala sa isat-isa ay nagsimula na silang kumain.

Nang nasa kalagitnaan sila ng pagkain ay nagsimulang magtanong ang apat na kasamahan nila.

"You still look young, Jade. Can I ask your age?" tanong ni Amelia.

"I am twenty two."

"Whoa!"

"Why?" kaagad na tanong ni Jade ng marinig ang reaksyon ng apat na kanilang kasama ni Elle.

"That's weird!"

"Yeah! I'm a bit curious too."

"How come they choose you, Jade? No offense Jade, I didn't mean that you don't deserve you job as the CEO's secretary. I'm just puzzled like everyone else."

"Now that I think about it, the three of you are right. What could be the reason?"

"Stop it, guys! Your confusing Jade," saad naman ni Elle sa kaniyang mga katrabaho.

"What are you talking about about?" 

"Well, for the past year, the secretary of Mr. Galceria was always been matured or a bit older than him. Therefore, it was a bit shocked for us that your three years younger to him."

"I told you already, right? This job application, Jade was chosen because she were the older person who apply to the position as the CEO's secretary. Besides, Jade was the one who answer right the following questions through the virtual interview. And the only one who said that she didn't apply to the position of the CEO's secretary just because she like Mr. Galveria."

"Alright, alright! You already explained that a countless time."

"But Jade, did you ever meet Mr. Galveria before?" the question of Amelia made Jade think a bit. 

"No," she answered because she was sure that she didn't meet Greg before.