Chapter 27 Eating Vinegar
"Coaxing the person who is jealous is hard but then, try harder."
-UnleashingDesire
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Walang magawa si Sam kung hindi titigan na nagmamakawa si Celindra. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin siya pinapansin nito. The secretary already left, fired. They already eat. But not once, Celindra spoke. This is the first time Sam encountered this situation. Whenever there is some small argument or misunderstanding, Celindra will glare at him, sometimes she will shout her frustration and throw small things or soft one. This time she isn't glaring, shouting or throwing anything at him.
She does look at him but never gave a reply. It made him nervous and afraid at the same time. But he couldn't go home with her now. Meron pa siyang meeting about sa mga bagong designs ng book cover. As a Chief Editor kailangan niyang umattend sa meeting.
"Celindra... Talk to me... Please.." Celindra only looks at him blankly.
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to let her be.. I am already looking for replacement a week ago, but there is no qualified at all." Celindra was about to speak when someone knocked. Sam glared at the door. Celindra look at Sam blankly again. Dahil napigilan ang pagsasalita ni Celindra at back to square one si Sam ay mas lalong nainis ito sa kumatok.
"Come in." his voice lace with anger as he glared at the door. Bumakas ang pinto at tumambad ang half Pinoy and half African na babaeng si Keith. Siya ay ang model na ginamit para sa bagong book cover na pagmemeetingan ngayon.
"Let's go, babe. The meeting is starting in 15 minutes." Hearing her call him like that, Sam felt something will happen. Tinignan niya si Celindra but her face have no emotion as she look at Keith.
"You--.."
"Oh! You must be his new secretary? Ah, I wish to be his secretary but because of my tight schedule, I couldn't." Keith smile at Celindra. Tinaasan lang ni Celindra ng kilay si Keith. Keith is indirectly telling Celindra that if Keith's schedule is free she will be his secretary and Celindra won't have that position. But the thing is... Celindra isn't a secretary. She stood up and walk out. Seeing Celindra going out without asking permission Keith was dissatisfied.
"Rude!" she said.
Sam already stood up and run to reach Celindra.
"Sam!" Keith shouted and glared.
"That woman! It's because of her!" She stomp her feet and went out to catch with Sam.
Sam pulled Celindra to his body when she is already near the elevator. He hugged her. Celindra buried her head on his chest.
"I'm sorry." Sam muttered. Umilling naman si Celindra at tumingin kay Sam. They both look at each other as if there are no people watching them.
"We will talk later." Celindra finally spoke. Sam smiled and she smile at him too.
Yun ang tumambad kay Keith. Keith was shocked at what she is seeing. Sam is looking at the woman lovingly. She never knew Sam have someone already. She thought.... Umalis na lang si Keith bago pa siya makita nila Sam. Para na rin hindi siya mapahiya. She wouldn't and will never apologize, her pride couldn't take it.
Katulad nga ng nagpadesyonan ni Celindra ay ng umalis na Sam papuntang meeting nila ay umakyat naman siya sa to floor kung na saan ang office ni Maya. Nang magbukas ang elevator ay nakita agad niya ang dalawang secretary ni Maya. Maya have two head secretary. The other one deals with about the writers, contacts and models for cover. While the other one dealed with taking care of every schedule, meetings, taking care of the CEO and such. They have five secretaries under them. Those ten secretary are in the secretarys' office. While, the two head secretary have their own cabin. But they are always at the side of the door to guard the CEO's office.
Nakita naman agad siya ng dalawang head secretaries. Pagkalabas na pagkalabas ni Celindra sa elevator. Napatayo at ngumiti ang dalawa. Narinig na nila ang nangyari sa baba. As the future madam Francisco, she have rights to fire the unethical secretary. Of course, not only she is a future madam but also she was and still is an asset of the company. They also heard about the model, they are already thinking if Keith will be thrown away.
"Good afternoon mam Celindra." sabay na bati ng dalawang sekretarya. Tinanguan naman ito ni Celindra.
"Is sis Maymay busy? Can I come in?" Celindra smilingly said.
"No mam, CEO Maya is free. You can come in."
"Thank you." One of the secretaries knocked on the door before opening it.
"CEO Maya? Mam Celindra is here."
"Little Linlin is here? Let her come in." The excited voice was heard by Celindra, making her smile. Celindra came in and the secretary closed the door. Nung nakita niya ang mukha ni Maya ay feeling niya may gagawin itong masama sa kanya.
Maya is grinning from ear to ear and her eyes looks shinning as if telling her she in trouble. Celindra smiled helplessly.
"Sis Maymay.." Narinig naman ni Celindra ang pag 'hehe' ni Maya. Mas lalo niyang nasigurado na may gagawin ngang kung ano si Maya.
"Sit down Little Linlin. Why are you here?" Umupo naman agad si Celindra.
"I'm here to warn you that I'm planning to have a vacation leave or a rest. I might delay the book for this year." Nagulat naman si Maya sa sinabi ni Celindra.
"Well... That's tough. Anyway, we can slightly pacify your readers but... To fully pacify them you must give them something in return or maybe a post every day? You never posted on your account that much. Your readers are waiting for your posts." Celindra thought that Maya's suggestion might help. Kaya naman nag-isip na siya kung anong pwedeng i-post.
"Well, I can do that."
"Then, it settled. Just tell us when to post your 'vacation leave'." Celindra gave smile and nodded at Maya. Maya suddenly snap her fingers. "I heard Keith got into your nerve to even make you walk out." Celindra look confused to what Maya is saying.
"Who is Keith?" Napanganga naman si Maya. Hindi siya makapaniwala na hindi kilala ni Celindra si Keith. Except sa famous model si Keith, siya rin ay ang first girlfriend at ang dikit ng dikit sa kaniyang kapatid na si Sam. Then, it means Sam didn't tell her about Keith.
Umuwi si Celindra ng hindi maganda ang pakiramdam. Feeling niya ay tinago ni Sam ang impormasyon na iyo sa kaniya. Ngunit hindi niya magawang tawagan o kausapin si Sam. She didn't ask about it, so it's her fault for not asking. Sa bawat pagsisi niya sa kaniyang sarili ay pabigat ng pabigat ang nararamdaman niya.
As a girlfriend, she didn't even know about it. She really didn't know... She should have asked... She should have talk to him more... Did she give him more time? Is she really not a girlfriend material.... Relationships might not for her....
Bit by bit her heart felt torn. Celindra wanted to cry but she knew nothing will happen even she can cry a river. She can only sit in the living room and wait for Sam. They need to talk....
Nakita naman ng mga kasambahay si Celindra. Dapat ay pupuntahan nila si Celindra ngunit nakita agad ni manang Dona na hindi maganda ang mood ni Celindra, kaya naman pinahinto niya ang mga ito. Umalis rin si Manang Dona para tawagan si Sam tungkol dito. Ito ang unang beses na nakita nila si Celindra namalungkot at parang iiyak na. Sumakto naman na pagka-alis ni Manang Dona ang pagtunog ng cell phone ni Celindra.
"Cel!" Ang matinis na boses agad ni Linda ang kaniyang narinig.
"Linda?"
"Cel? okay ka lang ba? Bakit ganyan ang boses mo? May sakit ka ba?" Celindra bit her lip and look up to calm herself.
"No, no. I'm fine. Bakit ka napatawag?"
"Are you sure..?" Celindra 'hmmed' and nodded.
"Okay... Right! Lets go and eat! My treat!" Celindra smiled when she heard how excited Linda is.
"Where?"
"Ikaw na ang pumili. Malapit na ko sa bahay niyo, so go and dress up."
"Okay.." Pinatay na ni Linda ang call. Tumayo naman si Celindra at lumabas para salubungin si Linda. Maya-maya lang ay nakita ni Celindra ang kotse ni Linda, kaya kumaway naman ito sa kaniya.
Huminto sa tapat ni Celindra ang kotse. Sumakay naman agad si Celindra sa passenger seat. Nang naka-ayos na siya ng upo ay nagsimula na ulit magmaneho si Linda.
"Well, the bonus came. Kaya naman napag-isipan kong ilibre kita. So, saan mo gusto kumain?"