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[gi-anne]

CHAPTER ONE

The BONVIENNE de MEJARES REALTY

Wow, this must be what heaven looks like!, bulong ng dalaga sa sarili habang nakatanaw sa kabuuan ng building.

There are happy days, sad days, boring days, hilarious days and awe-inspiring days pero ito ang araw na masasabi ni Sandy na nagtulung-tulong ang buong kalangitan para matupad ang matagal na niyang pangarap, ang makapagtrabaho sa isang prestihiyosong kumpanya na tulad na lamang ng Bonvienne. After graduating from her college degree three years ago, ito ang pinakaunang opening na dumating sa kanya na lumampas siya sa 'dont-call-us-we'll-call-you' stage. Ngunit hindi naman niya sinayang ang tatlong taon na iyon ng nakaupo, she helped her parents with their family business at sa katunayan nga ay ilang beses na siyang kinukumbinsi ng kanyang Papa na siya na lang ang mag-take over ng negosyo kapag nag-retire na ito kaysa sa Kuya Adrian niyang bagamat mas matalino at maabilidad sa kanya ay abala naman sa pagpa-practice nito ng abugasya. Kung tutuusin hindi naman talaga kailangan ni Sandy na magtrabaho pa sa ibang kumpanya dahil maayos naman at profitable ang security agency ng pamilya niya pero wala lang talaga siguro sa interest niya ang mag-supervise ng circulation, payrolls, schedules, contracts, performance at feed backs ng mga security guards.

So there she was, standing at the front door of the company who might be her 'big break'. Hindi naman siya tumayo roon ng matagal but Sandy did take some moment to marvel at the picturesque vision in front of her na hindi niya pa rin mapaniwalaang magiging bagong work habitat niya. But then of course she went to the reception desk and after some inquiries, she made her way towards the HRM office at kailangan niyang hanapin roon si Mrs. Elizalde na magbibigay sa kanya ng briefing and it may sound awkward, dito pa lamang niya malalaman kung sino ang magiging boss niya although it was made clear earlier na ang posisyon na binigay sa kanya ay executive assistance. Ngunit sa laki ba naman ng Bonvienne, at sa dalawampung executives nito ay wala pa ring binibigay na pangalan ang ginang sa kanya even during her previous interviews on the phone, yes, lahat ng iyon ay through phone but the suspense ends today. It's her first day at work and of course she'll know whoever he or she is.

Iginiya siya ng secretary ng head ng hiring department sa opisina ni Mrs. Elizalde at iniwan siya sa may pintuan nito pagkatapos nitong kumatok, pagpasok na pagpasok pa lamang niya ay inabutan siya agad ng matandang babae ng isang katerbang folders at pinaupo siya.

'Ms. Cojuanco, I presume?', ani nito habang nakatayo sa harapan niya.
'Yes, Ma'am.'
'I have studied your resume closely and I believe that you are good in keeping records, schedules of appointments, answering calls and et cetera. Am I right?'
'Yes, Ma'am. I had a very good amount of experience.'
'But this is your first paying and official job, not so?'
'Yes, Ma'am.'
'Good. All those folders will give you every information you'll need, so far nasa tamang huwisyo pa ang pinalitan mo bago siya sinesante ni Mr. Zobel-Roxas.', wala sa loob na ani nito.

What? Tamang huwisyo?! Wait.. wait.. a Mr. Zobel-Roxas pala ang magiging boss ko? A guy? Well, there goes my one thousand, tumama rin ang vibes ni Manang Edith.

Hindi na kailangang magtanong ng dalaga dahil wari bang nabasa ng Mrs. Elizalde na iyon ang confusion sa mukha niya.

'Yes, Ms. Cojuanco. You heard me right, just to let you know ikaw ang ika-sampung E.A na hi-nire ng HRM department para kay Mr. Zobel-Roxas which is our Executive Vice-President in Marketing. You might say it's normal but as a warning, he has just worked here for a year and three months so connect the dots.'

Sampu? Pang-sampu ako?

'Don't worry Ma'am, I'll be more reliable, hardworking and honest than the others.',sagot naman niya.
'Don't get me wrong Ms. Cojuanco, but all of them have those qualities and more.'
'Ma'am?'
'You see, all those former E.A's are women. Hindi ko nga maintindihan kung bakit wala kaming mahanap na pwedeng mag-qualify na lalaki and of course the position must not be vacant for more than a day because of Mr. Zobel-Roxas' hectic schedule so here we are, hiring another lady in replacement.'
'Excuse me Ma'am, but I can't really understand why this is relevant to my job.'
'I'll be frank with you, Ms. Cojuanco. The ladies before you never did a single mistake in their duty as an executive assistant but they did a great mistake by assuming that Mr. Zobel-Roxas will reciprocate with their feelings, in short they all fell for him.'

Ano daw?

'The last one almost killed herself, true story. Now, I want you to do your work and never let your feelings nor your emotions interfere with that. Do you understand?', ma-awtoridad na ani nito.
'Of course, Ma'am.'
'Let me see you prove it. Get up, I'll bring you to your desk now.'

Napatayo naman siya bigla at dali-daling sumunod sa babaeng nagpatiuna na sa paglalakad. Hindi lubos maisip ni Sandy kung sa papaanong paraan ba nangyari ang lahat ng mga pinagsasabi sa kanya ni Mrs. Elizalde kanina, she knows that love can make people go crazy but nine in a row? Wow. Her boss must be a god in human form to have the same kind of effect to nine women one after another, ngunit ipinangako niya naman sa sarili na kahit anong mangyari ay hindi siya mapapabilang sa mga iyon. Hindi siya naging isang Cojuanco para mapasuko ng ganun-ganon na lang, aba as far as her records says, Ms. Cassandra Dione Cojuanco was never been involved with anyone let alone to have experienced being in love. For twenty-three years of singlehood bagamat may umaaligid at nagpaparamdam na mga kalalakihan, Sandy remained as happy as she can be without any need of a man to prove that to her. Gaya nga ng laging sinasabi ng kanyang Tita Joanne, 'loving oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance' though that was meant to be sarcastically-spoken, iba ang naging epekto noon sa dalaga because since then she never really paid any attention into such things they call romance nor love relationships.

Narating na nga nila ang desk niya, napatulala na lang siya sa mala-suite na arrangement and interior design ng opisina ng kanyang boss na by that time ay parating pa lamang. Mr. Zobel-Roxas comes at exactly nine o'clock in the morning and she need to be there by seven-thirty sharp, unfair? No, sa dami ng trabaho na nakapatong sa mga balikat niya bilang E.A nito ay baka dumating ang araw na mag-set up na siya ng camping site sa Bonvienne. Hindi naman nagtagal roon si Mrs. Elizalde at iniwan na rin siya, hindi naman daw kasi nito kailangang ipakilala pa siya sa kanyang boss dahil alam na raw nito ang pangalan niya at iyon lang daw ang mahalaga.

If he needs me, he'll call me through the intercom. Yes, that's what she said. Okay, okay... Sandy kaya mo 'to.

Pakaupo niya'y agad niyang binuklat ang mga folders na binigay sa kanya kanina at isa-isang binasa ang mga instructions doon at naka-arrange naman according dito ang mga corresponding files na nakalagay sa computer niya at maging sa file holder na nasa lamesa niya. She then started working, an hour passed and Sandy was in the middle of fixing her boss' schedule when she heard men approaching the office.

Well, he must be one of them.

Nang tuluyan na makapasok ang mga ito ay biglang natigilan si Sandy sa kanyang ginagawa at naagaw agad ang kanyang pansin ng lalaking pinapagitnaan ng dalawang kasama nito. Sa isip niya, malamang iyon na nga si Mr. Zobel-Roxas, because that one really had the definition of a god in human form dahil sobrang gwapo nito and he carried with him an elegant and smart air that made him stand out in the presence of the other two handsome-looking men with him. But it took her just a second to snap herself back to reality, she stood and calmly waited for them to pass by her desk which they did. Ibinilin sa kanya ni Mrs. Elizalde na hindi na raw kailangan ang formal greetings, basta raw ay tumayo lang siya roon kapag dumating ito and if Mr. Zobel-Roxas needs her then he will call her at huwag na raw siyang magugulat kung hindi rin siya lingunin or pansinin nito whenever he doesn't need anything from her and she understood it perfectly well that's why when they did just pass her without a word, she sat herself back to her chair and continued with her work.

Some time later...

Sandy got the routine well, however it's been a week and the only communication she gets from her boss was through the intercom. Lahat ng instructions sa kanya were all given to her through that little machine at regarding naman sa mga paperworks na kailangan ng pirma ay pinapaiwan lang ni Mr. Zobel-Roxas ang mga iyon sa lamesa niya every afternoon and usually ay wala na ito sa loob ng opisina nito dahil mas maaga ang labas ng binata compared sa kanya and she'll find those signed documents at her desk after coming back from her lunch break the very next day. Through intercom niya rin pala sinasabi dito ang schedule nito for the day and sa mga upcoming events na kailangan na daluhan ng kanyang boss, but Sandy was cool about it lalo na after learning the suicide attempt ng former E.A nito, he must be in shock or trauma and probably the reason why he is avoiding much contact with her is maybe because he thinks that she is as gullible as the first nine.

But that morning, he finally called her into his office. She entered, stood quietly and when asked to sit down, she did and again quietly.

'Ms. Cojuanco, what is my schedule for today?', ani ng binata habang nakatuon sa folder na hawak-hawak nito.
'You have eleven o'clock brunch with Mr. Ponti, two o'clock meeting with the VP's, five o'clock appointment with Mr. de Mejares and six o'clock early dinner with your mother, Sir.'

Iba yata ang ihip ng hangin ngayon?

'Papers that need to be signed?'
'I'll bring it here this afternoon Sir, as per instructed.'
'You can bring it beforehand from now on, especially the important documents.'

Anong nakain nito?

'Okay, Sir.'
'Good, you may leave now.'

Tumayo naman siya at lumabas, she entered confused but she was more confused when she came out. Ano kaya ang nangyari sa boss niya at bigla na lang na nagdesisyon itong i-reverse ang 'routine' nila? Anyway, she better get used of his angelic face and his very dashing countenance soon dahil talagang nakaka-distract ito for any normal female human being, laking pasalamat na lang niya kanina na hindi siya nautal sa pina-recite sa kanya ni Mr. Zobel-Roxas and she believed na maayos naman ang naging responses niya dito.

On the other hand, Nathan was just his usual self, not minding and not caring much about people. What he did with Sandy was the same with the others, a week of treading through the water and when he finds that she's unaffected and normal, he of course takes the normal style of dealing with assistants. Pero it was just the beginning, Nathan was always on guard dahil ayon na rin sa karanasan niya, women do surprise and shock him in mind-boggling ways kaya na lamang after his five-year relationship with Justine, the only woman whom he genuinely loved up to date, ay hindi na muling sumubok ang binata. Justine left him to marry another man, masyado na daw kasi siyang engrossed sa pagpapalago ng career niya kaya sa huling dalawang taon ng relasyon nila ay na-in love ito sa iba at ng maghiwalay sila ay ilang buwan lang ang nagdaan at nabalitaan niya na lang na ikinasal na ito. But since he's handsome and all that, maraming kababaihan ang nagpupumilit na maging bahagi ng buhay niya and in most cases they really throw themselves to him tulad na lamang ng mga former E.A's niya and the list goes on.

Ngunit ayon na rin sa obserbasyon niya ay tila naiiba ang bagong executive assistant niya, she appears to have a stronger personality compared to the ones who went before her. She didn't try to flirt like what the first ones did and kept her distance as instructed, so Nathan thought that maybe Ms. Cojuanco had a boyfriend kung kaya ganoon ito. But all in all, nagustuhan ni Nathan ang total indifference ng dalaga sa kanya, it was something new but very promising dahil pagod na rin naman siyang mang-sesante at sa mga panibagong mukha na nakikita niya almost every two months or so.

Edited by gi-anne, 13 Jun 2011 - 03:56 AM.

[gi-anne]

CHAPTER TWO

Sandy, ever since she was a child had always hated Monday mornings because it is the first day that breaks her weekend vacation ngunit hindi niya inaasahang mas kakamuhian niya ang araw na iyon magmula ng bigla na lamang na sumulpot ang isang Ms. Viola Almonte out of nowhere ng umagang iyon at dire-diretsong naglakad patungo sa pintuan ng office ni Mr. Zobel-Roxas. And because she’s his executive assistant slash secretary eh part ng duty niyang ‘wag magpapasok ng kung sinu-sino sa opisina ng kanyang boss without an appointment.

Matangkad, balingkinitan at mala-supermodel ang babaeng dumating and she honestly admitted na nakaka-intimidate ang aura nito just like what other gorgeous and sophisticated women make her feel pero dahil trabaho niyang i-implement ang policy ng kumpanya ay dali-dali niyang hinangaran ito at bagamat sa taas nito'y hanggang balikat lang siya ay talagang tiningala niya ito. Napahinto ang babae sa ginawa niya at nagtaas ng kilay as if ine-expect nitong gigilid siya pero she stood firm and gently asked kung ano ang pangalan nito para mai-check niya kung may appointment ba ito o wala at saka niya ipinaliwanag ang strict policy ng kumpanya. Hindi pa rin nagsalita ang babae at sa halip ay namaywang pa, Sandy asked the lady again the same question and when she finally opened her mouth ayun halos na-drain ang pasensya niya sa bawat salita nito.

'Who am I? Who are you? Don't you know me? Aba, sa bagay you're new again. Viola Almonte, remember that okay? But I guess you wouldn't be staying much longer like the others, my goodness, all of you are a bunch of wishful thinkers! So if you don't mind, if ever you get fired make sure na i-include mo sa memo ng susunod na E.A ang pangalan ko ha? And I don't need any appointment to see Nathan, he's always expecting me so get out of my way!', sabay tabig nito sa kanya at mabilis na pumasok sa loob ng opisina ng binata.

Lord, patience... patience! Kuh, the nerve!

Namumula sa inis ang mga pisngi ni Sandy but she held her temper and sat down, itunuon niya na lang ang pansin sa files na kailangan niyang i-forward sa financing department. Hindi naman siya ipinatawag ni Mr. Zobel-Roxas para paalisin ang babaeng iyon kaya naniwala na rin siyang totoo ang mga pinagsasabi nito kanina and actually mukhang nagtatawanan pa nga ang dalawa sa loob. Maya't maya pa ay sabay na lumabas ang boss niya at si Ms. Almonte, hindi niya makuhang tumingin sa mga ito kaya kunwari ay abala siya sa pagta-type sa kanyang computer ng dumaan ang mga ito sa harapan niya. Sinabihan lang siya ng binata na babalik ito after lunch na tinanguan niya na lamang habang bahagya siyang nakatingin rito, she was not so sure but when she slightly looked also towards the lady eh as if parang ang sama-sama ng tingin sa kanya at halos irap-irapan siya ng Ms. Viola Almonte na iyon but of course she just shrugged it off.

Excuse me, I'm not like those other women! You'll see, I'll work my way through this company and the only way that I'll leave this place is if I resign! Sandy, you must do away with that simple nothings with Mr. Nathan Zobel-Roxas' angelic face!, desididong sambit ng dalaga sa sarili.

Bumalik nga ang binata matapos ang lunch break at agad-agad siyang pinatawag nito sa kanyang opisina.

'Ms. Cojuanco, what and who gave you the permission to allow people without appointment to come into my office?', galit na turan ng lalaki.
'But Sir, she said you were always expecting her.', paliwanag niya.
'Naniwala ka naman? Gasgas na ang linyang 'yan, Ms. Cojuanco.'

Nagagalit ka? Eh kanina nga nagtatawanan pa kayo and if I know nakipag-lunch date ka pa dun.

'I'm sorry, Sir.'
'This will be the first and the last. I want you to call the security department and look for Mr. Joaquin, tell him I need a security personnel here effectively tomorrow.'
'Yes, Sir.'
'That is nobody will even come near your desk without an appointment, let the guard ask you first for confirmation okay?'
'Yes, Sir.'

If Sandy did not know any better, somebody might guess that he was concerned of her pero dahil kilala niya si Mr. Zobel-Roxas, she just believed na ayaw lang talaga nitong nadidistorbo lalo na ng mga babaeng halatang patay na patay sa boss niya.

The next day, may bagong security na naka-post sa entrance door malapit sa kanyang desk. Being her friendly self ay agad niyang naging kaibigan ito, mabait naman si Kuya Lito bagamat mahigpit lang talaga ito bilang bagong security nila pagdating sa pagtupad nito sa trabaho kaya nga pati siya ay talagang inusisa nito bago siya nakapasok. She sighed na rin for relief, at least if ever bumalik ang Ms. Almonte na hanggang ngayon ay hindi niya pa rin magawang maisip ng hindi naiinis ay may katapat na ito.



CHAPTER THREE

'Congratulations!', ani ng bagong dating.

Napatingala si Sandy at nakita niyang papalapit si Mrs. Elizalde sa kanya, tatayo sana siya but the old lady signaled her to remain sitting down. It was lunch break.

'Good noon, Ma'am.'
'Likewise and as I've said, congratulations.'
'Para saan po?'
'You had the longest record of stay so far.'
'Po?'
'Cindy had the longest before you, she had three months but look at you! You're almost half a year.'

Napangiti na lamang siya, she would have never realized na halos magkakalahating taon na pala siya sa Bonvienne kung hindi pa siya binati ng ginang.

'You see, we had this small bet in the HRM office and because of your performance eh natalo ako ng five thousand!'
Tumawa muna siya bago sumagot, 'I then owe you, Ma'am.'
'Oh no, Hija. You just actually saved me another painstaking search for a new E.A so thank you.'
'Ma'am, I honestly don't know how being his assistant became a big deal here.'
'For a lot of reasons, if given the chance I'll give you the full account.', sabay tawa nito.
'So it was really something, ano po?'
'Sure did. Teka, have you taken your lunch na ba? If not, sabay na tayo.'
'I haven't yet Ma'am and it will be my pleasure to join you.'

Inayos lang ng dalaga ang mga gamit niya at sumabay na ito sa ginang patungo sa canteen. Pakaupo palang nila ay hiniritan siya agad ng kwento nito,

'We have thirty minutes more, isha-share ko na siguro sayo 'yung first five.'

She just nodded in response, deep inside kasi ay gusto niya ring malaman kung ano ang nangyari sa mga nauna sa kanya.

'Since his hiring, nag-hire din agad ang Bonvienne ng bagong E.A para sa kanya and it was Rhonda. She's the typical type kaya from the beginning we already halfway knew that she'll develop feelings for Mr. Zobel-Roxas, she got fired after a month and then Cindy came next, the same story but she stayed for three months gaya ng sabi ko, third was Tina who was already engaged by the time of her hiring pero ayun she fell for Sir Nathan as well and broke up with her fiancee, kawawa nga 'yung lalaki because we've heard na almost seven years din sila and nung matanggal sa trabaho si Tina, well she went into a convent. Fourth was Crissy, she was very bright sana but very flirtatious! Imagine how long she stayed? Just three weeks! We guessed na baka nag-ala Patricia siya like sa Betty la Fea series, you know what I mean right? Then fifth, Irma Loreto... yes, 'yung artista na ngayon. Her first job was his assistant but ayun despite her beauty and loving nature, wala pa rin kay Mr. Zobel-Roxas eh, so she eventually had to be let go but so far siya ang may pinaka-successful career out of the nine.'

Wow. wow. wow. wow.

Halos hindi makapaniwala si Sandy sa mga narinig niya, kung ikwe-kwento niya 'yun kay Manang Edith or sa parents niya for sure baka pagtawanan lang siya ng mga iyon because even her very own self na lang ha can't really believe na everything happened like that within the span of less than two years and take note, first five palang ang mga iyon, mayroon pang apat na natitira kahit may idea na siya sa ika-siyam which was noted for the suicide drama. They finished their meal and headed back to their respective offices, napansin niya of course ang biglang pagiging mabait ni Mrs. Elizalde sa kanya and she's thankful for it dahil at least dalawa na ang kaibigan niya sa trabaho, si Kuya Lito and si Mrs. Elizalde.


To be continued...

Edited by gi-anne, 05 May 2011 - 03:51 AM.

[nicole_labs]

hi 1st u ngpost ryt? cge ill read heheheheh.....

congrats!! n welcome to pf!!

[gi-anne]

THANKS! yep.. this is my third day d2 sa PF.. gnda nung site.. & ung love stories.. nkk-inspire! hehe.. may chapter two na pla sa taas and some part of chapter 3.. hehe.. ^^

[hidden]

Glad that you like it here. Welcome to PF!

[gi-anne]

Thanks, actually it's really an interesting site so good job Mr. Admin! It's nice to know that an administrator like you, busy as you are, can still find time to view the posts of a newbie like me!

[yobab]

Ngaun lng ulet aq nakapgbasa ng stories d2 sa pf..nacurious lng aq sa title ng story na to kya bnasa q..Ganda pala..Ü susubaybayan q to..Ü congratz!

[karla]

wOw I lIkE It

[ikawa]

asan na ung next?

[gi-anne]

thanks for the positive feedbacks! the continuation is coming soon! :PP