Chapter 4

“Bea, kapag hindi ako natanggap, magtatayo na lang ako ng sarili kong kumpanya.”

Napatingin si Bea sa kaibigan niyang kasalukuyang nakikipaglaban sa plantsa.

“Anong kumpanya?”

“Barrameda International Holdings.”

“Anong ihahawak mong puhunan?”

“Pangarap.”

“Capital?”

“Confidence.”

“Employees?”

“Wala pa.”

“Office?”

“Sa isip ko.”

Napahawak si Bea sa noo. “Lord, bigyan Mo ako ng pasensya. Hindi ko kayang maging best friend ng future unemployed billionaire.”

Tinapunan siya ni Lily ng unan.

“Excuse me! Future CEO ako. Show some respect.”

“Mag-practice ka na nga lang ng interview mo bago ka pa maging CEO ng kahirapan.”

Napatingin si Lily sa blazer na hiniram niya kay Bea. Medyo maluwag iyon sa balikat, pero puwede na. Ipinares niya sa simpleng blouse, itim na slacks, at sapatos na ilang beses nang nilinis para magmukhang bago.

Hindi man siya mukhang anak ng mayamang pamilya, hindi niya kailangang magpanggap na ganoon.

She was there to prove her skills, not her bank account.

“Okay,” sabi ni Bea. “Tell me about yourself.”

Tumuwid si Lily at ngumiti nang professional.

“Good morning. My name is Lilian Barrameda. I am hardworking, ambitious, adaptable, and financially unstable.”

Napahagulgol sa tawa si Bea.

“GAGA! Hindi mo puwedeng sabihin 'yan!”

“Bakit? Honest answer naman.”

“Sabihin mo na lang na you're motivated to learn.”

“Eh motivated naman talaga akong yumaman.”

“LILY!”

“Fine! Fine! Professional na.”

Huminga siya nang malalim at inayos ang blazer.

Today, she wasn't just applying for an internship.

She was fighting for her future.

---

Pagdating ni Lily sa Almeda Corporation, halos mapanganga siya sa laki ng building.

Glass walls, shiny floors, elegant furniture, at mga empleyadong mukhang may sariling financial adviser.

Napatingin siya sa reception area.

Lord, sana walang bayad ang paghinga rito.

Lumapit siya sa receptionist.

“Good morning. I'm Lilian Barrameda. I have an appointment for the final interview.”

The receptionist checked her computer.

“Please proceed to the executive conference room on the thirty-fifth floor.”

Napakurap si Lily.

“Thirty-fifth?”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“May elevator naman po, 'di ba? Hindi po ako prepared sa mountain climbing.”

Saglit na natigilan ang receptionist bago ngumiti nang bahagya.

“Yes, ma'am. There's an elevator to your right.”

“Thank you! God bless your patience.”

Pagpasok niya sa elevator, napatingin siya sa mga pindutan.

Thirty-five floors.

Sa dati niyang buhay, ang pinakamataas na narating niya ay fourth floor ng school building nila.

“Okay, Lily,” bulong niya sa sarili. “Act rich. Walk rich. Breathe rich.”

Pagbukas ng elevator, sinalubong siya ng isang malawak na hallway.

At sa dulo nito ay ang conference room kung saan naghihintay ang lalaking malapit nang sumira sa kanyang katahimikan.

---

“Ms. Barrameda?”

Tumayo si Lily nang tawagin siya ng HR representative.

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Please come in. Mr. Almeda is ready for your interview.”

Pagpasok niya sa silid, agad niyang napansin ang lalaking nakaupo sa kabilang panig ng mesa.

Black suit. Expensive watch. Matigas na panga. Malamig na mga mata.

And annoyingly handsome.

Napahinto siya nang isang segundo.

Ay, Diyos ko. Ang guwapo.

Then the man looked up.

Ay, Diyos ko. Mukhang salbahe.

“Good morning, sir,” bati niya.

“Sit down, Ms. Barrameda.”

Umupo siya nang tuwid, hawak ang résumé na ilang beses niyang binasa kagabi.

“I've reviewed your application,” sabi ni Henry. “Your academic record is good. You've also held several part-time jobs while studying.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Why?”

Napakunot ang noo ni Lily.

“Why what, sir?”

“Why work while studying?”

Saglit siyang natahimik bago sumagot.

“Because I need to support myself, sir. I don't have parents to rely on, so I learned to manage my expenses and find ways to earn money.”

Walang bakas ng awa sa mukha ni Henry. Hindi rin siya nagpakita ng discomfort.

He simply nodded.

“And you believe you can handle the demands of this internship?”

“Yes, sir. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I'm willing to work hard.”

“Everyone says that.”

Napakurap si Lily.

Wow. Good morning din, sir.

Henry leaned back in his chair.

“What makes you different from the other applicants?”

“I'm persistent, sir. Kapag may gusto akong makamit, gumagawa ako ng paraan. I don't expect opportunities to fall into my lap.”

“And what if you fail?”

“I learn from it and try again.”

“What if your supervisor is difficult to work with?”

Napangiti si Lily.

“Then I'll learn how to work with difficult people, sir.”

“Even if the supervisor is unreasonable?”

“Professionalism is important, sir. But I also believe that being an intern doesn't mean you have to accept disrespect.”

Saglit na katahimikan.

Nakatitig lang si Henry sa kanya.

Hindi siya sanay na may aplikanteng ganito sumagot sa interview niya.

Most candidates tried to impress him. Lily seemed determined to answer honestly, even if her answers challenged his expectations.

“Have you researched our company?” tanong niya.

“Yes, sir. Almeda Corporation has several business divisions, and I believe working here would give me valuable experience in a professional environment.”

“What do you know about the CEO?”

Naramdaman ni Lily na parang may bitag ang tanong.

“Mr. Henry Almeda, sir?”

“Yes.”

Nag-isip siya nang ilang segundo.

Careful, Lily. This man might be the CEO's personal bodyguard.

“I understand that he's known for having high standards, sir.”

“Anything else?”

“Some people say he's intimidating.”

The HR representative shifted in her seat.

Henry raised an eyebrow.

“Do you agree?”

Napangiti si Lily nang pilit.

“Honestly, sir? Medyo.”

“Why?”

Dahil mukha kang nagpapaiyak ng mga empleyado bago mag-almusal.

Pero siyempre, hindi niya iyon sasabihin.

“Because you look like you fire people for breathing too loudly, sir.”

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Gusto nang lamunin ni Lily ng sahig ang sarili niya.

Congratulations, Lilian. Hindi ka pa hired, pero may achievement ka nang insultuhin ang CEO.

Henry stared at her.

“Is that your professional assessment?”

“No, sir. That's my personal observation.”

The HR representative coughed into her hand.

Henry slowly leaned forward.

“Ms. Barrameda, do you always speak your mind?”

“Only when asked, sir.”

“And if I hadn't asked?”

“I would have kept it to myself.”

“Interesting.”

Hindi malaman ni Lily kung papuri ba iyon o banta.

Henry glanced at her résumé again.

“Thank you for your time. We'll contact you regarding the results.”

Tumayo agad si Lily.

“Thank you for the opportunity, sir. Have a wonderful day.”

Pagkalabas niya ng silid, saka lamang siya nakahinga nang maluwag.

“Wonderful day raw,” bulong niya habang naglalakad papunta sa elevator. “Sana mauntog ka sa p***o, Satanas.”

Hindi niya alam na bahagyang nakabukas pa ang p***o ng conference room.

Narinig ni Henry ang lahat.

At sa halip na magalit, napangiti siya.

---

Pagdating sa bahay, agad na binuksan ni Lily ang messaging app niya.

LILY: H! I survived!

H: Your interview?

LILY: YES! I met the most terrifying man alive.

H: That bad?

LILY: He's handsome, unfortunately. Pero mukha siyang walang kaluluwa.

Napatingin si Henry sa screen ng cellphone niya.

H: Handsome?

LILY: DON'T FOCUS ON THE WRONG DETAILS!

Napatawa siya nang mahina.

LILY: The man is a walking red flag in an expensive suit.

H: Would you still work for him if you got the job?

LILY: Of course! I need the experience. I can tolerate a handsome devil if my résumé looks good afterward.

Henry shook his head, smiling.

H: That's a practical decision.

LILY: Thank you. I'm a practical woman.

H: And a talkative one.

LILY: Excuse me. You're paying for my time, not my silence.

Napahinto si Henry.

Then he laughed.

He had just interviewed the same woman who had spent the previous night asking whether he looked like Voldemort.

And she had insulted him to his face without knowing who he really was.

Henry glanced at the résumé on his desk.

Lilian Barrameda.

He would make sure she received a fair evaluation. No special treatment, no shortcuts.

If she earned the internship, she would have to prove herself.

And if she didn't?

He would respect the decision of the recruitment team.

Meanwhile, Lily tossed her phone onto the bed and flopped onto her pillow.

“Lord, kung matatanggap ako, promise, hindi na ako magmumura for one whole day.”

Her phone buzzed.

H: Good luck, Lily. I hope you get the job.

Napangiti siya.

“Thank you, Mr. No-Face.”

She had no idea that her mysterious online sugar daddy was the same man she had just called Satanas.

And Henry?

He was already looking forward to their next conversation.

Because for the first time in years, someone had managed to make his day interesting.