Chapter Text
Paulo
Takte.
Alas otso na? Anong nangyari?
Paulo immediately stood up from his bed as he stared wide eyed at his alarm clock.
Alam naman kasing may interview ngayong umaga pupuyat-puyat pa? Ano ba, Paulo. Maging responsable ka naman.
Running to the bathroom, he grabbed a towel and began to shower, already knowing how late he is on his final interview. In less than five minutes, he is already out of the bathroom and donning his pressed clothes stacked outside his cabinet.
He could already hear his stomach grumble. And yet, with the little time he has, he could no longer afford to grab something to eat. Remembering when his last meal was, he almost wanted to curse himself.
Grabbing the file he has submitted prior, he ran out of his unit only to be greeted by Justin waiting for him outside on his car.
"Susugurin na sana kita sa loob. Kakagising mo lang ba?"
Paulo immediately opened the door and sat on the passenger seat without responding to the man's question. The guy only smiled as he pulled out a paper bag and a warm cup from his side and handed it to Paulo which smelt of freshly brewed coffee.
This somehow made Paulo smile. Earning a side glance from the other who is focusing on the road, he muttered.
"Ano ba ang nangyari sa'yo? Parang di ka ready ha?"
Paulo didn't want to deny. He honestly wanted to hit himself for even waking up late. Setting aside the food that Justin gave him, he tried to dry his hair for a bit before tying it in a neat ponytail. Looking sideways as he took a sip on his cup, he could not help but be thankful of Justin for always being there for him. Without the man, he honestly thought that he could no longer make it in time for the interview. He needs to learn something though from this incident.
"Oh, nakakunot na naman yang noo mo." He heard the man say.
Finally responding to Justin's remarks, he muttered. "Sorry. Sorry. Hindi kasi ako makatulog kagabi."
"Ha? Oh bat di mo na sinagot ang tawag ko kagabi?"
That made Paulo turn. Yes, he really did not answer any of Justin's calls last night. It may have been the jitters for today's interview. He could barely calm himself last night, a reason too why he lacked sleep and woke up late.
As of reading his mind, Justin pulled back and laughed.
"Oh, kalma ka lang. Hindi mo naman kailangan sagutin. Nag-alala lang ako sa'yo kagabi." Stopping the car just in time and in front of a colossal building, he tapped Paulo on his shoulder and muttered. "Kumain ka ha. Mukhang di ka pa nag-aalmusal."
Paulo smiled. Justin is caring most of the time. And he was glad too that the man is helping him out. Grabbing his things and the food that Justin gave him, he was about to exit the car when he did not expect a quick peck on his cheek. It did make him stop.
Lintik. Kinakabahan yata ako.
"Good luck."
Paulo could feel the burning feeling on his cheeks. Hesitantly, he climbed out the car and bid Justin goodbye.
"Call me once you're done. I''ll pick you up."
Nodding shyly, he responded. "Thank you, Jah."
Paulo could still feel his heart beating fast. The quick peck of Jah's lips on his cheek was not something he did expect. Right now though, he has something else to think of.
Putik na yan. Saan ba ako kinakabahan? Sa job interview na 'to o sa kanya?
Walking to the glass doors and to the grand main corridor, he stared at the blaring red lights of the building reception's digital clock.
09:38 AM
Shit! Late na ako!
*****
Paulo sat on the soft mattress of the waiting area, eyes darting back and forth from the glass windows of the 37th floor of the high rise edifice to the table a few meters away where the CEO's secretary is situated.
He could feel his heart thumping. He is late, there is no denying that. And he is already expecting the worst, considering that he is yet to be hired, if he will be ever hired at all.
Shuta, Paulo. Tinamaan ka na naman ng magaling.
Paulo did not want to think about it yet but the owner of the publishing company might even blacklist him for even coming this late. Considering that old guys do have the littlest patience when it comes to younger folks, he would pretty much understand why. It would ruin the rest of his career though.
He already talked to the secretary. And she did say that the man has waited for him for almost an hour. With the stringent screening process he has gone through, he could not help but curse himself for even choosing today of all days to be late.
It was one of his dreams. To be part of one of the largest publishing houses in the Philippines. He has tried much to gain experience to allow better chances in joining this prestigious company, it seemed though that all his chances are close to seeping down the drain all because of this little incident. After all, first impression lasts.
"Mr. Nase…" It was the man's secretary.
Standing firm and approaching the lady, Paulo waited for the other's instruction.
"Mr. Nase, you can now enter his office."
*****
Paulo
"Mr. Nase." Paulo knew that he already looked more than confused as he stood at the long hallway just near the reception area. But who could blame him. The CEO was a big joke to begin with. What did he even call him for here?
"I don't understand. I thought we're good with the output." Paulo asked showing his frustration. The lady though only smiled.
Fuck. All the people here are nutjobs.
Smiling at him, she handed him an envelope and said. "You will understand soon enough."
Paulo willed himself to calm down but it was proving a bit difficult at the moment. He then remembered the bright appealing smiles.
Pabidang --!!! Grrrr!
*****
Paulo
Gago!
Nagsayang lang ako ng oras! Bakit niya pa ako pinapunta dun at nagsabi ng kung anu-ano kung hindi rin pala niya ako tatanggapin?
Paulo was frustrated and he did not much enough to hide it. Today and the past few weeks of completing that material was a complete waste of his time. He has dreamt of joining that publisher for so long now and it seemed that all those things he has imagined doing for that prestigious company were a complete absurd reality. If only he has known sooner that the CEO was a complete nutcase.
Walking out of the building as he tried calling Justin, he heard someone familiar call. Turning sideways, he saw Mr. Ajero's secretary running to him.
"Mr. Nase! You forgot something."
Paulo stopped. He may have been angry and frustrated but he wanted to keep his manners. The lady then handed him a paper cup and a brown bag. That's when he remembered the food that Justin handed him earlier.
He was about to walk away when the lady reached out.
"Saglit lang po, Mr. Nase."
Paulo may have glared at her unintentionally but the smile on her face remained. That's when she gave him a card. A business card.
Kung pangalan ng lintik na Ajero 'to, itatapon ko ito sa mukha niya.
Josh Cullen Santos
Larchet Publishers
32/F West Towers Bldg.
6807 St. Roces, Makati City
877-5441
Paulo stared at the business card with wide eyes. It was one of the shortlisted companies he wanted to join in, as part of his backup plan if ever he will not be considered here. And as he stared at the lady, she only nodded at him.
"You have a scheduled interview with Mr. Santos tomorrow. I'll be contacting you for the details later this afternoon. I hope you're free anytime tomorrow?"
Lintik. Gusto kong magmura.
Paulo wanted to scream his heart out. That interview will probably make things easier for him and he quickly nodded. After all, who was he to waste such opportunity?
He could feel it. His hands are already shaking and he wanted to pinch himself to prove that this may be unreal. He was a bit taken aback though when he felt a light push from behind, a few moments after Ms. Shanne walked away.
"Uy. Napano ka?" Justin greeted.
Saan siya nanggaling? Para siyang kabute na sumusulpot sa kung saan-saan.
Justin then stared at his phone and saw the missed calls from Paulo. Afterwhich, he pocketed it and smiled at Paulo. "I'm sorry. I was driving when you called. Okay na ba? Were you hired?"
He then grabbed his things and walked to his car parked meters away. Paulo hasn't yet responded to his question when he again asked.
"Oh. Bumili ka ulit ng pagkain? Asan na ang bigay ko sa'yo kanina?"
Paulo stopped not sure what the man even meant. That's when Justin turned to him as he stared at the brown bag he was holding.
"Nagutom ka ba ulit? Kulang ba yung binili ko?"
Huh? Dala ko naman ang bigay niya ah.
A bit confued, Paulo looked at the insides of the bag and found himself cursing again.
Lintik.
It was the food that was served to him earlier. Chocolate cake.
Shit. Nagkamali ba ng bigay si Ms. Shanne sa akin?
He almost wanted to return to the building when he saw a card inside. The scribble is familiar and something he has already seen before.
Mr. Nase,
Have breakfast next time before attending Santos' interview.
Good luck!
- Stell
Shit.
I am not fucking okay.