Chapter 7

“Lily, may tanong ako.”

Hindi inangat ni Lilian Barrameda ang tingin mula sa computer niya. “Kung pera, wala ako. Kung pagkain, meron akong crackers. Kung chismis, available ako twenty-four seven.”

Umupo si Bea, ang kapwa intern niya, sa bakanteng upuan sa tabi niya.

“Bakit parang may personal kang galit sa mga mayayaman?”

Huminto si Lily sa pagta-type.

“Excuse me. Wala akong galit sa mayayaman. Galit ako sa mayayamang feeling superior.”

“Same thing.”

“Hindi! Ang mayayaman, puwedeng maging mabait. Ang feeling superior, puwedeng maging mahirap pero ang yabang. Look at Cassandra!”

Saktong pagbanggit niya sa pangalan ng dating kaklase ay bumukas ang elevator sa dulo ng hallway.

At parang tinawag ng universe ang demonyo, lumabas si Cassandra Villareal.

Mamahaling handbag. Designer heels. Perfectly styled hair.

At ang ngiti ng babaeng akala mo ay may-ari ng buong building.

“Oh, look. It's the intern.”

Napapikit si Lily.

Lord, bakit po may sequel ang problema ko?

“Good morning, Cassandra,” bati niya, pilit na professional.

Cassandra's eyes traveled from Lily's face down to her blazer and shoes.

“Another outfit?”

Tumingin si Lily sa sarili niyang damit.

“Hindi. Costume ito. Ginagampanan ko ang role ng empleyadong nagtatrabaho.”

Bea coughed to hide her laughter.

Cassandra ignored her.

“I have to admit, you look better than you did in college.”

“Thank you. Ikaw rin, mukha ka nang marunong magbayad ng sariling bills.”

Nawala ang ngiti ni Cassandra.

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing. Compliment 'yon. Character development.”

“Still the same rude girl, I see.”

“Still the same unsolicited fashion critic, I see.”

Cassandra crossed her arms.

“I'm just curious. Where did you get those clothes? They look expensive.”

Lily smiled sweetly.

“Sa tindahan.”

“Which one?”

“Yung may cashier.”

“Lily!”

“Cassandra!”

Napatingin ang receptionist sa kanilang dalawa.

Cassandra lowered her voice. “You know, people might get the wrong idea. Biglang gumanda ang damit mo. Baka may rich man na naman na gumagastos para sa iyo.”

Saglit na natigilan si Lily.

Pero mabilis siyang nakabawi.

“Wow. Ang dami mong time isipin ang wardrobe ko. Hindi ka ba busy? May meeting ka raw, di ba?”

“At least I don't have to rely on anyone to look presentable.”

“And yet, you rely on your father's money to look important.”

Napasinghap si Bea.

“Lily, please. May CCTV tayo!”

“I'm aware, babe. Kaya nga hindi ako nagwawalis ng ebidensiya.”

“GAGA!”

Cassandra's face reddened.

“Enjoy your little internship. Hindi porke nakapasok ka rito, may mararating ka na.”

Lily slowly stood up.

For once, wala siyang ngiti sa mukha.

“Alam mo, Cassandra, hindi ko kailangan na maniwala ka sa akin. Hindi mo ako pinapaaral, hindi mo binabayaran ang renta ko, at hindi ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit ako nandito.”

She picked up her documents.

“I earned my place. At kung gusto mong malaman kung hanggang saan ako makakarating, watch me.”

Then she walked away.

Hindi niya napansin ang lalaking palabas ng elevator na nakarinig sa huling bahagi ng kanilang usapan.

Henry Almeda.

At sa unang pagkakataon nang araw na iyon, may kakaibang paghanga sa kanyang mga mata.

---

Makalipas ang isang oras, ipinatawag si Lily sa conference room.

“Ms. Barrameda, please bring the partnership documents,” utos ni Ms. Reyes.

“Yes, ma'am.”

Pagpasok niya sa silid, naroon si Henry kasama ang ilang executives.

At siyempre, naroon din si Cassandra.

Oh, fantastic. Family reunion ng mga taong gusto akong ma-high blood.

“Please take a seat,” sabi ni Ms. Reyes.

Umupo si Lily sa gilid ng mesa at binuksan ang folder na dala niya.

Nagsimula ang discussion tungkol sa proposed partnership ng dalawang kumpanya. Habang nagsasalita ang executives, tahimik na nag-aayos si Lily ng supporting documents.

Hanggang sa may itinanong si Cassandra.

“Before we proceed, I'd like to clarify these figures.”

She pointed at one of the pages.

“Your report shows a discrepancy between the projected expenses and the supporting documents. Who prepared this?”

Nagkatinginan ang mga empleyado.

Lumingon si Ms. Reyes kay Lily.

“Ms. Barrameda assisted in compiling the documents.”

Cassandra raised an eyebrow.

“Oh. The intern?”

Napahigpit ang hawak ni Lily sa ballpen.

“Yes, ma'am,” sagot niya. “I compiled the documents, but the figures came from the original departmental records.”

“Are you sure you understand these figures?”

“Yes, ma'am. Would you like me to explain them?”

Cassandra smiled as though she had caught Lily making a mistake.

“I was asking because you're only an intern.”

Lily returned her smile.

“And I'm answering because I'm an intern who's doing her job.”

Biglang natahimik ang conference room.

Henry slowly lifted his gaze from the documents.

“Go ahead, Ms. Barrameda. Explain the discrepancy.”

Tumayo si Lily at itinuro ang dalawang entries sa report.

“The figures differ because the supporting document includes a revised expense estimate, while the summary uses the original projection. I flagged the difference yesterday and requested clarification from the department.”

She handed another page to Ms. Reyes.

“This is the updated record. The discrepancy isn't an arithmetic error. The two documents were prepared using different versions of the estimate.”

Tahimik na binasa ni Henry ang supporting document.

Then he looked at Cassandra.

“Ms. Villareal, the revised figures are attached to the report. Let's ensure we're reviewing the latest version before raising concerns.”

Cassandra's smile stiffened.

“Of course, Mr. Almeda. I was simply being thorough.”

“And that's appreciated,” sagot ni Henry. “Let's keep the discussion professional.”

Hindi niya tinaasan ng boses si Cassandra. Hindi rin niya kailangang gawin iyon.

His words were enough.

Lily returned to her seat, pinipigilan ang ngiting gustong kumawala sa mukha niya.

One point for the intern. Zero for the walking credit card.

Pagkatapos ng meeting, nilapitan siya ni Ms. Reyes.

“Good job explaining the figures, Lily. You handled that well.”

“Thank you, ma'am. Kinabahan po ako nang kaunti.”

“Hindi halata.”

“Thank you po. Professionalism is my superpower.”

Napailing si Ms. Reyes, natatawa.

Mula sa kabilang dulo ng hallway, pinanood sila ni Henry bago bumalik sa opisina niya.

The girl had courage.

But more importantly, she had prepared her work and knew how to defend it.

Hindi niya kailangang iligtas si Lily. Kaya nitong ipagtanggol ang sarili.

At somehow, that made him even more interested in her.

---

That night, nakahiga si Lily sa kama habang kausap si H.

LILY: H! May chismis ako!

H: I'm listening.

LILY: Nakita ko ulit si Cassandra. Sa office pa talaga! Parang hindi sapat ang suffering ko sa college, kailangan pang dalhin sa workplace!

H: What happened?

LILY: She questioned my work in a meeting. Akala niya siguro dahil intern ako, hindi ako marunong magbasa ng figures.

H: And what did you do?

LILY: I explained the report. Professionally, of course.

H: I'm proud of you.

Napahinto si Lily sa pagta-type.

She read the message twice.

LILY: Huwag mo akong i-spoil. Baka masanay ako sa compliments mo.

H: Would that be so bad?

Napangiti ang dalaga.

LILY: Depends. May hidden charges ba?

H: No hidden charges.

LILY: Good. Kasi broke pa rin ako kahit may sugar daddy.

Henry laughed softly.

H: How was your boss today?

Agad na bumalik ang inis sa mukha ni Lily.

LILY: Don't remind me. At least tahimik siya kanina. Pero feeling ko, kapag may corporate event, mas lalo akong mamamatay sa stress.

H: There's an upcoming event next week.

LILY: HOW DO YOU KNOW?!

H: I read about it.

LILY: Of course. Corporate spy ka talaga.

H: You'll probably be assigned to help.

Napaupo si Lily.

LILY: Huwag naman sana. Ayokong magdala ng documents habang naka-heels. Baka sa stage ako bumagsak at maging entertainment.

H: You'll be fine.

LILY: If I survive the event, I deserve another allowance.

H: We'll discuss it.

LILY: HA! Businesswoman moves.

Henry smiled at the screen.

Hindi niya alam kung bakit, pero ang bawat reklamo ni Lily ay nagiging highlight ng araw niya.

At sa susunod na linggo, magkakaroon sila ng mas maraming pagkakataong magkita sa iisang lugar.

Ang problema?

Si Lily, hindi pa rin alam na ang lalaking tinatawag niyang H ay ang boss na tinatawag niyang Satanas.

At si Henry?

Unti-unti na niyang napagtatanto na baka hindi na sapat ang pagiging isang mysterious man sa likod ng black screen.

Dahil balang araw, gugustuhin ni Lily na makita ang mukha niya.

At hindi niya alam kung handa na siyang ibigay iyon.