Four

"Oh dear. I have to decide until this afternoon," she hid myself under the covers."Ano ba yung naaamoy ko? Ang bango."

--

"Good morning, baby girl," Dianne said happily. "Maaga akong nagising, wala akong magawa. Nagluto na ako para sa umagahan natin."

"Good morning," she smiled back, realizing her best friend is really with her. "Okay lang. Amoy masarap naman ang niluluto mo. Ano ba 'yan?"

"Yung paborito mo," sagot niya, tinagilid pa niya ang cooking pan para makita ni Anna.

"You're the best, Di," she clapped in excitement. "Crab omelette. Is it ready yet?" Inihanda na ni Anna ang mga plato, kutsara at tinidor, pati mga baso. "Orange juice, milk or coffee?" tanong niya nang nakasilip na sa ref.

"Orange juice na lang. Thank you."

"Here. Galing mo na magluto, a. Sa Spain ka natuto?"

"Oo, tinuruan ako ng boyfriend ko," she said proudly.

Tatlo lang ang niluto niya. One for herself, and two for Anna, which she placed directly to their plates.

"Uy! Hati na lang tayo dito sa isa," Anna said thoughtfully.

"No, no, sadyang dalawa ang sa `yo. Ganyan kita kamahal, Anna."

"Thanks," she blushed. "Boyfriend? Sana isinama mo siya, para naman makilatis ko," she took a sip of orange juice.

"He's busy," she said sourly.

"Anong pangalan niya? Saan kayo nagmeet? Gwapo?"

"Anna..." may sasabihin sana si Dianne pero hindi na niya naituloy. Anna's mobile phone vibrated on the table.

"Excuse me. I have to take this," she stepped out of the room.

"Hello?"

"Hi. Good morning," Gabriel Anderson said on the other line. "Napag-isipan mo na?"

"Mr. Gabriel Anderson. Why am I not surprised to hear your voice early this morning," she smiled like he would see her. "I'm still thinking about it. I'm still eating breakfast, so, if you don't mind, I have to go. I'll be there by four in the afternoon. Bye," pinutol niya ang tawag.

Bumalik siya sa dining room. She saw Dianne finishing her last few bites of omelette. "Sino `yun? Ang aga naman niyang tumawag."

"Gabriel Anderson."

"Wow," Dianne exclaimed sarcastically.  "I think he really wants you in his office," she concluded.

"Paano mo naman nasabi?"

"Well, I hear he never pushes people to do something for him. If someone doesn't want to do something for him, he finds someone else to do it for him. But to me, it looks like he is very persuasive of you. He wants you Anna banana," Dianne explained.

Anna could not belive what she's hearing from Dianne. "Really? Do you really think that I need to accept it?"

--

It was two in the afternoon, pero nag-iisip pa rin si Anna kung tatanggapin niya ang trabaho.

"Okay!" sigaw niya.

"Ay, palaka!" sigaw din ni Dianne. "Ano ba `yun? Bakit sumisigaw ka diyan? Nababaliw ka na? Sabihin mo naman para matawagan ko agad si tita."

"Baliw mo your face!" sagot ni Anna. "Tatanggapin ko na `yung offer. I don't want to waste the prankster's effort."

Umakyat siya sa kwarto para magbihis. Nagsukat  ng mga dress na pwede niyang isuot para sa pagpunta sa Anderson Company. Sa huli, isang little black dress at silver stilettos ang suot niya.

"You look ravishing, Anna," bulong niya sa sarili.

--

"Whoah! I think I know why Mr. Gabriel Anderson is very persuasive," bati ni Dianne. "He wants your little display," she motioned Anna's sexy curves.

"You really think so?" Anna doubted herself. "I'm going to change." She's about to go back to her room, pero pinigilan siya ni Dianne.

"Don't change. Make him beg for you," pilyang ngumiti si Dianne. "Make him want more."

"You sound so lewd, Dianne," she pushed her playfully. "You know I don't do things like that."

"I'm just joking. Go get that job, sis," Dianne kissed her on the cheek and pushed her out the door.

It took Anna one hour to get there because of heavy traffic. She has mixed feelings about her decision, but she’s halfway there and she’s not backing out.

"Welcome, Ms. Anna Miller," bati sa kanya ng babae na kausap niya kahapon. She was now wearing a mocha colored dress and she looks stunning.

"Mr. Anderson is waiting for you in his office."

Katulad kahapon, she escorted Anna to the eleventh floor. In reality and in Anna’s mind, hindi na niya `yun kailangan gawin. She knows where it is, pero hinayaan na niya. Walang nagbago sa paligid, the lights are still dim and shiny automatic glass door.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Miller. It’s nice seeing you again," he smiled. "Have a seat," he motioned the chair in front of her. "Have you decided yet?"

"Well, uhm, yes," she answered and smiled. "I'm accepting the offer."

"Good,” he smiled back. “Did you bring your contract?" 

"I'm sorry. I was so excited to say yes, but I left the contract," she laughed.

"I don't see how it's funny, but I'm happy to see this amuses you," Gabriel looked dead serious.

"I'm really sorry, Mr. Anderson. I'll go home and get it, if you need it badly.” Just when she’s about to leave, he stopped her.

"No, Ms. Miller, that's not necessary. I always keep a second copy just in case this kind of situation happens."

Gabriel walked to his line-up of filing cabinets and pulled out an envelope identical to the one he gave her.

"No need to read it again, Miss Miller. I know what you're thinking," he smiled sarcastically. "Don't worry, I didn’t change anything. It’s very unprofessional."

"Okay. So when will I start?" she asked while signing the contract.

"Bukas," he said firmly.

Binalik na ulit ni Anna ang kontrata at inilagay naman niya 'yon sa drawer niya. Kapalit ng kontrata ay isang panibagong envelope.

“Nasa loob niyan ang duties and responsibilities mo. Study them. There's no room for errors. Sa `yo nakasalalay ang lahat." He looked a lot like a hishschool principal giving a sermon.

"Here is your company phone and your keys,” he slid them across the table. “Do you want a driver?"

"No, I can manage," she smiled. “Thank you.”

"Everything you need will be arranged on your table. I expect you to be here at exactly eight in the morning. I want you here before I arrive. I want hot coffee every morning. So, I expect you to prepare it for me," he ordered.

"Yes, Sir," sabi ni Anna na parang ginagaya ang isang sundalo na sumasagot sa mas mataas ang rank.

"Gosh! What are you thinking, Anna? You're here to work, hindi makipaglandian," she thought to herself.

"I forgot. Do you want the new house?" he asked.

"No. I drive fast," she gave him a wink. "I don't want to leave my old house. Thank you for the offer." she stood up and offered her hand to a handshake. "Thank you, Mr. Anderson."

He took her hand and shook it. "You're welcome Ms. Miller."

She smiled. "By the way, you can call me Anna. I don't like to be called Miss all the time,” she said as she made her way out of his office. "Bye.”