Friday

TINA

Days went by too fast when you have a lot of extra work on your plate. After that successful meeting the other day, Nora has also asked my help to print, staple, compile and stack documents on a folder. Sir Jiego was always out from the office to meet people and weirdly, he didn’t order me to come with him. When I should, I mean, I’m his secretary, am I not? The job description and the contract say so.

However, I didn’t complain. The tasks Nora has given me was taxing as the same. And it took me three days to finish it all and organize the files into legal-sized folders in the cabinet.

And now it’s Friday, the day of my reward. I couldn’t tell if I’m excited or scared exactly. What’s sure is that there’s someone who’s more excited of this than me. As soon as I swiped the video call to the right, I was welcomed with a scream. Julia, as always.

“aaaaaaaaaah! You’re really doing it! A weekend getaway with your boss huh? It sounds like a discreet date to me.”

I lowered the volume of the call. Sir Jiego’s room’s just right across mine, for crying out loud!

“sshhh… you’re getting ahead of yourself, Juls. It’s a job thing.”

“whatever. You can say anything you want but I know this is something more than that.”

I shook my head. This is the exact reason why I filter the things I share with her about my work. I don’t get transparent with the details anymore, especially the physical touches and my near-death experience because of beef pizza. It’s annoyingly embarrassing to even think about it.

“aren’t you working now?” – I asked. Her background was clearly at the salon. One of her co-workers even passed the camera and blew me a kiss. I met her once, forgotten her name.

“I am… but I have no customers yet. also, thank you for the rent. I swear I’ll pay you back.”

“no need, Juls. Friends don’t pay.”

She smiled and then a knock on the door made me stand up from my seat.

“who is it?”

No one answered. When I opened the door, I was surprised to see that it was Sir Jiego, with a blue backpack swinging on his left shoulder. The pale orange shirt and white shorts looked… odd. Square polychromic sunglasses was inserted on the curved part of his tee shirt. He looked good, but seeing him in casual clothing instead of the usual corporate look… it’s… something I don’t have a word for.

“are you ready yet?” – he asked, looking at me up and down making me conscious of my white sundress with red hibiscus designs. I also thought it was a little low on the front, showing a little too much. What was I thinking wearing this?

“no, sir. I have to change my dress.”

“what? why not wear this one? you look beautiful.”

I look beautiful, my boss said.

“err.. okay, sir.”

Talk about someone who don’t know what to do with compliments. I went inside my room and before Julia can say something, turned the video call off. I’m sure she heard the entire conversation and I’m just not in the mood to entertain her teasing. Not now, at least.

I grabbed my white tote bag with a few of my clothes and rushed to the door. I can’t let him wait too long. He gave me a nod and we walked down to the stairs. We were side by side, which makes it impossible not to graze his hand or arm. Each time we do, he’s not pulling away.

We got into his car and drove. The invitation to the small gathering came yesterday in a yellow envelope, a map of the resort and some pictures of the place. By the looks of it, there is a floating restaurant in the middle of the sea with small boats used to transport its customers. There are also some picturesque scenes and a three-stories house where I guess the rooms are.

“do you mind if I play some music?” – Sir Jiego asked and I shook my head.

He turned on the radio and country music came into play.

-

The wind may come from afar, but it smelled like the one I used to know

The people singing with the birds, the trees waving hello

With my bare hands I touched the clouds and then I was all free

In the home where all my dreams feel like reality…

-

I was trying not to smile as Sir Jiego sang with it. But he noticed.

“do you know this song? Come on, sing with me.” -he said

I turned to look at him and shook my head. I lied, I knew that song. As a matter of fact, it was one of the best country songs I know. It was one of those kinds I’d gladly sing at the top of my lungs with the right audience and at the right time.

He pursed his lips like a child but then continued singing. Something about this vibe is different. I thought it was only the clothes, but Mr. Sy was being a different person today. If it was still because of the won deal, then I’m pretty glad I stood up back there and said those words. This suits him.

-

-

-

“welcome, Mr. Sy and Ms. Fuego.”

A woman with perfect rows of white teeth and hair looking like sunset welcomed us with a fancy glass of pineapple juice. I smiled at her as she handed me the glass.

“thank you, Shireen.” – Mr. Sy said as he checked the girl’s name tag

“follow me to your room?” – the girl said

The two of us nodded, both carrying our bags. Your room, huh? I haven’t asked my boss yet on why he only got one room for the both of us. Now I lost that opportunity to ask. We’re walking towards it already.

The room where Sir Jiego and I will occupy was a beauty in itself. Thankfully, there are two separate beds inside, a television set with a couch and a circular glass table. There is also a small kitchen area with a fridge and a cabinet of utensils. A bathroom was at the right corner of the room. It’s a house in itself. The person who escorted us here left the key to Sir Jiego and wished us a great stay. I gave her a smile and got inside the room first. And then I realized I shouldn’t have done that. My boss should be the first one to enter and well… choose his bed?

“which bed would you like?” – Talking of beds, he was the one who asked

“I don’t mind which one, sir. you can choose yours.”

“okay, then. I think it’s better that mine should be the closest to the door.”

I frowned, didn’t get why. However, I nodded and placed my bags on the other bed which has a huge glass window beside it, overlooking the sea and the mountain which lines up on the horizon.

“isn’t it beautiful?”

“It is beautiful, sir.”

“I know. It’s a good thing I’m not alone to enjoy it here, huh?”

I smiled. He placed his bag on the cabinet beside the bed. After a minute I realized I was staring too much and withdrew. I did the same with my things until when I opened my bag, something dropped on the floor.

OH FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.

I looked at Sir Jiego with dilated eyes. His expression mirrored mine. He muttered an apology and turned around, quite shyly. And I would give anything for the last ten seconds to be undone. I leaned over and picked up the thin piece of clothing on the floor. What a way to start this weekend business trip with showing a little red undergarment to my own boss, huh? Julia would be dying of laughter if she’s here. I mentally noted to never share this with her.

After securing my things on the other cabinet, I excused myself to go outside the room. It wasn’t just because of the early embarrassment but the sight on the windows were hard to ignore. It’s like the beauty of it all was calling out to me. As I stepped out, the beauty of the resort slowly unraveling in front of my eyes. The sea was calm, with only small waves to wash the shore. My flat sandals got covered with sand quickly as I take every step.

One of the resort staff saw me and approached. I knew she was staff as she wore similar clothing as the rest. Her hair was pulled up on a clean bun. She had round eyes and a bright smile.

“Good day, Miss. Are you with Mr. Sy?” – she asked

“no. he’s in the room. I’m his secretary. What is it?”

She handed me a card. A sealed one.

“there has been a change of plans with tonight’s meeting.”

She looked apologetic, the crease on the side of her mouth showing.

“I’ll tell Mr. Sy. Thank you.”

Change of plans, huh? I hope it’s only trivial.