Chapter 2.2

Chapter 2.2

"It's okay," mabait na sagot naman ng isang babae na hula ko ay ka-edaran ko lang. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang makitang wala namang masamang reaksyon ang iba pa nilang kasama.

"How rude of me, I'm Sheena Reva—" I cleared my throat. "Sheena Montez," I extend my hand to them and they introduced their selves to me one by one.

The woman who talked to me first were Raquel, the woman who's the same age as me is Leah, while the man is Rafael and the other one is Jeffrey. They didn't only looked nice, but they also are actually nice.

We ordered first before we get into the real thing, the reason why we're here. I gave them my portfolio and explained it to them. They're impressed with my designs and I'm glad that they like it. They suggests some minor details that I took note so I can change it immediately and send it to them.

"This one, for all of the rooms, I think it's a good choice that you put these kind of furnitures there. We've got some feedbacks that sometimes when they're with kids, 7 years and below, they're afraid that they might bump into the sharp edges of the furnitures so it's a good thing," Raquel explained and I nod my head in agreement.

"If I might also add, present me a Scandinavian design for the luxury rooms," she added. "The President doesn't want anything less when it comes to the suites. They want it to looked luxurious but can be afford by middle range individuals."

"Yeah, sure. I'll work on it immediately."

"Okay," she sighed and started to fixed their things. I also did the same thing.

When they all stood up, I also did. We all shook hands and they bid their goodbyes before they left.

Napahinga ako ng malalim at napaupo ulit pabalik sa upuan. Hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti at magdiwang sa isipan ko.

Paalis na ako sa restaurant nang tumunog ang cellphone ko sa loob ng dala kong bag. Inipit ko sa kili-kili ko ang dalang folder at hinanap ang cellphone ko. Tumitingin-tingin ako sa dinadaanan ko sa takot na may mabangga ulit. Ramdam kong may mga nakatingin sa akin, marahil ay dahil sa blouse kong hanggang ngayon ay may mantsa pa rin no'ng kape.

Nang mahanap ang cellphone at makita kong sino ang tumatawag, tumigil ako sa paglalakad. Sinagot ko ang tawag at naghanap ng mauupuan.

"So? How is it?" She immediately asked after I answered her call. Napabuntonghininga ako at narinig ko namang natahimik siya sa kabilang linya. "What happened?" Nag-aalala niyang tanong.

"They like it!" I screamed and almost jump on my feet if it weren't from the curious stares of the people on me. I turned my back on them and put my head at the speaker of my phone.

"Oh my God!" She screamed and I have to put my phone away from me for awhile and wait for her to stop her screams. "That calls for a celebration! Wait, I'll ask for my schedules..." I heard her talking to someone, asking for her schedules. After a few rustles, she speak again. "Okay! I'm free tomorrow! I'll fetch you in your apartment okay?"

I blinked. "But—" she ended the call.

I confusingly looked at the screen of my phone. I know what Iris meant for celebration. We have a different definition of 'celebration'. She's a party girl type, an outgoing one. She knows a lot of people while me, on the other hand, only knew her and my other co-workers. I'm uncomfortable hanging out with someone I'm not really close with, well, Iris is an exemption.

I sighed and went to the sidewalk to wait for a taxi.

Gustuhin ko mang dumeretso sa opisina ay hindi ko maggawa dahil sa mantsa na nasa damit ko. I went home, I took a half bath. I don't want to remove my makeup but I have to, I felt my face feels so sticky because of all the running that I did earlier.

After changing into a new set of clothes and putting some light make-up on my face, I went back to the office and finished the work I left yesterday. I also updated Miss Nathalie about the meeting this morning and she just told me to update her if there's some changes.

When the clock strikes five, I went home and wait for Iris. I got to sleep for an hour before I received I call from her that she's already outside the building of my apartment. I'm glad that she didn't went up here, because if she did, she'll definitely forced me to wear something I don't like.

I just wore a comfortable white fitted shirt, a black high waist pants, black boots and a gray trench coat. I put some light make-up on my face, and I just let my hair down. Not putting too much effort since we're only going to celebrate my achievement and besides, it's just the two of us.

As what Iris told me, she fetch me on my apartment. When saw my outfit, she didn't say anything which I'm thankful of.

We arrived at the club pretty quickly as it's not that far from apartment.

The loud music, the different lights, the mixed smell of alcohol and sweats, welcomed as the moment we stepped inside the club. Iris jump in a hyper mode beside me and screamed, thank God the music were much louder than her voice, that I only have to grimaced a little.

She dragged me to bar counter and ordered a drink I don't know about. I uncomfortably shift on my seat and looked around. Clubs and crowded places would never sit well with me. I just hate the loud noises that comes with it.

Nabalik ang atensyon ko kay Iris nang may ibinigay siyang isang basong may lamang, hula ko ay alak. Agad akong napangiwi habang tinatanggap ang baso mula sa kaniya. Nakangisi siya at nakakunot naman ang noo ko.

"Oh come on! It's just a mojito!" She laughed that made me trust her less even more. If that even makes sense.

Iris' looking at me expectedly, her gestures is urging me to drink it and I did. She cheered. It's just a cocktail drink yet her reaction seems like I drank a hard liquor.

Akala ko titigilan na niya ako, but I was wrong. Nag-order pa siya ng panibago matapos niyang mainom ang sa kaniya. Since it's just a light drink and won't definitely give me a hangover tomorrow, I accepted another drink from her.

I looked away from her and was about to drink another glass of mojito when I saw someone familiar walked inside the club confidently, I almost spit the drink when I confirmed my guess.

Oh God!