I've been with so many guys before. Or even after maging kami ni Tyrone. But men for me are just temporary. Ang bilis ko kasing maka-move on sa intimate relationship and all I wanted is to have someone during my extra time. And most of my extra time was what? Three, five hours? I couldn't afford to spend my whole day with someone unless that was for work.

I know I was being unfair here, pero 'yon lang ang kaya kong maibigay. I was a busy and working woman. I don't adjust with men's schedule, they should adjust with mine. And if they couldn't agree with that, then they are free to leave—no hard feelings.

Unfortunately, the only man I could spend my whole day with—even if I don't want to—would always be Tyrone Chen along with my need to rush designs and reports na ipe-present sa creative directors as soon as possible. Most of my hectic schedules, he was always there. He would monitor my whole daytime transitions, my needs, my resources, and my supposed-to-be must-have assistance with the whole company's presence.

Kapag ako ang naghahabol ng deadlines, he was announcing everyone a code red. Alam na 'yon ng buong branch ng Lion kasi madalas, sa 'kin nakasasalay ang approval ng branch namin na siya ang maglalakad sa main branch. From the research team, production, marketing, accounting, design, and all the managerial position, naka-standby for my assistance.

If I need an information like ilang percent ang buyers ng ganitong dress sa nationwide stores, or may ganitong design na ba na na-release before this project na prone sa design plagiarism, or gaano kalaki ang expenses sa pagbili ng swarovski na mas malaki ang usual stone size kaysa sa palagi naming ginagamit sa design area, tatawag ako sa office kung saan designated na sasagot sa inquiry ko at makukuha ko na ang sagot ko within a few minutes.

As much as possible, ayaw ni Ty na akyat-panaog ako sa building kasi magkakalayo ang floors ng bawat department para sa tanong ko na kaya namang sagutin sa call within few seconds or minutes lang. At kapag nangyayari ang mga ganitong pagkakataon na nagra-rush kami; ang pagod ko, pagod niya. Ang puyat ko, puyat niya. Ang stress ko, stress din niya. Hindi siya makakakilos hangga't hindi ako natatapos. And para kaming nasa relay na hindi niya makukuha ang flag na itinatakbo ko hangga't hindi ako nakakarating sa puwesto niya. So all he could do is to give me what I need and after that, siya na ang tatakbo for me.

That was how our partnerships work when it comes to business. And I would never set that aside kasi nandito ako sa position ko ngayon because of his support since my trainee days.

Iyon din naman ang rason kaya siya napili ng pamilya ko para pakasalan ko. They saw the potential in us pagdating sa business. We worked best together, and we maintained Lion's grand name in spotlight because of my efforts as a fashion designer local and abroad.

Kaya sobrang sama ng loob ko sa kanya nang piliin niyang suspendihin ako kaysa ipagtanggol ang brand namin three months ago.

Gumawa ako ng eskandalo and that I understood, pero hindi ko talaga matatanggap na pumanig siya sa Aliza Verano na 'yon na may pangit na damit ni Petunia Adarna sa sarili kong fashion line.

Alam ni Tyrone na kung damit 'yon ng Lion, kahit pa design 'yon ng kahit sinong senior designer, tatanggapin kong ilakad sa backdrop—but no! That was from our competitor's couture and he had the nerve to apologize for my behalf, for what? Bakit siya ang magso-sorry for me e samantalang hindi nga nirepesto ng Aliza na 'yon ang kontrata niya sa Lion? Wala akong pakialam kung magkaibigan man sila ni Petunia, pero ang exclusive sa event ng Lion, igalang niya ang para sa Lion! I never did that to La Mari's event dahil nirerepesto ko ang lahat ng competitors namin.

Pero ginusto nila 'to. Pasensiyahan kami.

The elevator was enough to cater twenty person and there were three of us standing in the middle. My eyes couldn't stay in one place. I would check my watch for the time, then to my iPhone for emails.

Ngayon ko lang kayang i-differentiate ang amoy ni Tyrone kay Jericho.

Ty smelled like he unlocked the ultimate code of seduction. Jericho, on the other hand, smelled like luxury and devastatingly masculine. They both had the aroma of guys who would fuck every lady in town. And it annoyed me big time.

Hindi ko sila tiningnang dalawa sa elevator kasi nabubuwisit ako sa mga amoy nila. Para silang si Scar at si Mufasa. That was a weird metaphor, pero pareho kasi silang may vibes na manlalapa ng kung sinong mapili nilang biktima.

Nakababa na kami sa fifth floor at habang tumatagal na kasama ko sina Ty at Echo, para akong binubuntutan ng dalawang boss, hindi nakakatuwa.

"Good morning, Miss Cinn. Good morning, Boss Ty."

"Miss Cinn, Boss Tyrone, good morning."

"Hey, Cinn! Hi, Boss!"

Sunod-sunod sila sa greetings paglakad namin sa aisle. Nagsisimula nang maging active ang mga employee since past eight na ng umaga. But what differs from their usual greetings? Kapag babae ang bumabati—which most of our employees were—bigla silang mapapangiti pagkatapos samantalang wala naman sa 'min ni Tyrone ang sumasagot sa kanila.

Kaya after a lady in her blue blouse greeted us at bigla na namang napangiti, sinakto ko talaga ang paglingon kay Jericho and I found him winking at the lady who greeted us.

And that moment, yung cringe level ko, biglang tumaas at gusto na naman siyang hatakin para tanungin kung bakit siya kindat nang kindat sa mga nakakasalubong namin? Ano ba? May problema ba siya sa mata at kung makakindat siya, parang lahat ng babae rito sa floor, obligado siyang tingnan at ngitian.

Huminto na si Tyrone sa harapan ng opisina ko at siya na ang nagbukas ng pinto roon.

As usual, the lights were off, but the morning sun peeked at the blinders for glints of light, enough to gave the whole room a good glow for an unlit place.

A moment after, binuksan na ni Tyrone ang switch ng ilaw ng opisina ko katabi ng pinto habang si Jericho naman, itinaas ang blinders. Napuno ng liwanag ang buong opisina ko at masasabi kong ang ganda ng city view mula sa office ko na kitang-kita ang matataas na building around the area. Kahit ang nearest pond sa kabilang mini nature park, nakikita rin kaya hindi puro building lang. There was something green and nature view.

Saglit akong tumabi kay Tyrone habang sabay naming inoobserbahan si Jericho. As for me, waiting ako ng observation niya kasi ilang taon na ring ganito ang itsura ng office ko. Six years na rin mula nang ma-promote ako as senior fashion designer ng Lion.

Palakad-lakad siya sa paligid, titingin sa ibaba, titingala sa kisame. Pumunta siya sa office table ko at pinasada ang daliri roon. It was a black oak modern executive desk na L-shaped para nakakakilos ako nang malawak. He checked the drawers beneath the table top. There was a maroon-colored ergonomic chair na tinapik-tapik lang niya ang sandalan bago inilipat ang tingin sa book shelf na nasa likuran nito. I have a lot of books and magazines related to fashion so palaging nagbabago ang laman ng shelf ko kada taon.

Pagkatapos niyang sumilip sa bintana, pumunta siya sa sofa na nakadikit sa pader. It was a cowhide leather and space-saving sofa kaya hindi ganoon kalaki ang occupied space sa opisina ko. Above that was a cubism painting and beside was the black oak round end table na may succulent above the knitted tablecloth.

Ilang minuto rin namin siyang pinanood kung may masasabi ba siya or what. Nakailang beses ding pagsilip si Tyrone sa Nomos watch niya.

"This office looks fine for me, pero nag-insist si Cinnamon na magpabago ng interior," pagbasag ni Tyrone sa boring na paghihintay naming matapos si Jericho sa pagtitingin-tingin niya sa office ko. "Can you suggest us a theme for this project, Mr. Iglesias?"

Saglit akong sumulyap kay Tyrone kasi ito na siya sa conference tone niya—which I would hear again later after lunch since may meeting nga kami with the creative directors.

Paglipat ko ng tingin kay Jericho, mukhang hindi pa rin siya tapos sa pag-o-observe. "Approximately 15 square meters ang sukat nitong area. Since high-end naman ang company n'yo, hindi ako puwedeng bumili ng premade furniture. I will call a friend for an OEM na dito ia-assemble sa opisina. Gagawa ako ng CAD for this one para mai-forward sa kanila."

Itong mga salita ni Jericho na ganito, parang malakas na hangin na biglang tumatama sa 'kin mula sa malayo, and I never expected the strong force of it because first of all, I knew him as a bartender who flips bottle of alcohols and blend liquors every night. And today, aside from this, crew siya sa café na kung minsan, nagma-mop o kaya kumukuha ng orders ng mga customer.

He knew what an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) was. Sa Lion, we cater OEM and ODM. We were using ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) sa mga catalog. Last day, I made an ODM for Aurora na pagmi-meeting-an mamaya kasi nga for nationwide distribution na. Kung titingnan, hindi ko masabing hobbyist lang si Jericho. He knew the technicalities of the field.

Sinabi naman na niya na nag-take siya ng interior designing pero hindi niya natapos. Saka siya nag-shift sa hospitality management and services kaya siya napunta sa customer services na nagke-cater ng foods and drinks.

Pero kung dito siya magpo-focus sa interior designing, di-hamak na mas magiging successful siya rito when it comes to salary rather than the low income bars and cafés offer to him. Hindi ko naga-grasp ang logic niya regarding this one. Ayaw ba niyang magkapera?

"Yung arrangement nitong office, ang hindi yata part ng original floor plan ay 'yon . . ." Itinuro niya ang dalawang hilera ng green file cabinets sa dulo malapit sa restroom. ". . . at itong another wooden table na puro stack ng organizers." Sinunod niya ang nasa kabilang side na katabi namin ni Tyrone. "If I were the original interior designer of this room, those two would be an eye sore for me."

Did he just . . . insult my decision over my office? Kailangan ko ng file cabinets! Kailangan ko ng organizers for my folders and drafts! Hindi naman puwedeng itambak ko lang 'yan sa sahig? Come on!

"Familiar din ang arrangements ng furniture. Sa ganito kalaking building, kailangan ng bidding para sa contractor," sabi niya habang naghahanap naman sa ibaba ng kung ano. Napansin ko lang kung ano 'yon nang bilangin na niya ang mga electrical socket na meron sa opisina ko.

"We have a contractor," sagot agad ni Tyrone. "Quarterly silang nag-a-arrange ng interior ng buong building, pero annually ang sa bawat floor. Depende sa owner ng office kung made-demote o mapo-promote. Right now, si Cinn pa lang ang nagpapa-arrange ng office niya for redecoration."

"I see." Tumango-tango lang si Jericho.

Sobrang detalyado ng usapan nila. Mabuti na lang, nakakasabay ako sa mga detalye kundi kanina pa 'ko nakanganga rito kasi hindi ako maka-relate.

"Itong painting . . ." Jericho pointed that cubism painting above the sofa.

"That was a gift from this office's original interior designer," Ty said highlighting the original word to emphasize Marigold Tan's right to fix my place.

Gusto ko rin naman si Gold kaso nga lang, gusto ko ring bigyan ng trabaho 'to si Jericho—kasi akala ko, wala siyang enough money to supply for himself. And here we are, him talking like an expert in this field like a fucking boss! How dare he not to tell me that he knew what he was doing after all?

"Oh. Original designer, I see." Jericho faced us, hands on his hips while nodding. "The arrangement looks familiar. The furniture and the painting speaks for Marigold Tan."

Sa isang iglap, napaatras ang mukha ko na parang may malakas na hanging dumating mula sa direksyon niya. And if my eyes could jump out of my eye socket, I would probably see it rolling on the floor.

"You knew Marigold Tan?" Tyrone asked as if he heard something unbelievable—which I happened to experience right now!

"May reference naman ako sa résumé ko. But if you want to verify my name, you can call her today. Kilala naman niya 'ko."

Napatingin agad ako kay Tyrone, na napatingin din sa 'kin eksaktong paglingon ko sa kanya. Our eyes spoke the same thought. And in a split of seconds, we both grabbed our phone to call Gold for verification.

Marigold Tan didn't like to befriend someone from the low class level of society. I mean, hindi naman sa mahadera siya or something, but she was traumatized after a hold-up incident in Taft Avenue. She hated poor people because she was victimized by a poor one. Ayokong i-blame siya because of that kasi tinutukan siya ng sharp object. But this wasn't about her trauma—it was the status of Jericho na alam ko. And Echo was that guy na hindi naman mukhang holdaper pero . . . nakita ko kasi yung apartment niyang mukhang bahay ng daga! Hindi ko ma-imagine na may friend si Marigold Tan na nakatira sa ganoong bahay!

"I'll make a call," Ty said and holding my phone down para awatin ako.

I faced him to wait for an answer. After a few seconds, he clicked his phone for a loudspeaker para marinig naming tatlo.

"Good morning, Mari. This is Tyrone Chen."

"Oh! Hello, Ty! How are you?"

"I'm good. The weather is fine today, are you busy with your work?"

"Tell me about it. Anyway, what's with the call?"

"Sorry to disturb you, Mari, but do you know someone named Jericho Iglesias?"

I stole a glance in Jericho—who was still checking for an electrical outlet behind my office table. I went back to Tyrone who held his phone between us while looking at Jericho.

"Jericho Iglesias ba? Why did you ask pala?"

"So you knew him."

"I knew someone named Jericho Iglesias, why?"

"Sorry, Mari, I know you handle Lion's interior with Mark, but I have here Jericho Iglesias as an interior design—"

"What do you mean by here?" Marigold cut Ty's word.

We looked at each other with a shock on our faces.

Ty answered, "He's here inside the Lion's building and—"

"AAAAHHHH!"

Napalayo agad kami sa phone nang biglang may sumigaw nang malakas doon at biglang may bumagsak na tunog pagkatapos. Sabay pang nanlaki ang mga mata namin ni Tyrone dahil sa gulat.

"Ano 'yon? Bakit may sumigaw?" tanong pa ni Jericho sa may direksyon ng bintana.

"Mari . . .?" Ty carefully asked. "Are you okay?"

"I'm gonna change my clothes! One moment, Ty, can I have a favor naman? Pasabi kay Echo, wait niya 'ko sa lobby, ha? Tell him, 'wag aalis agad. I'll be there in an hour. Bye!"

The call ended.

We were left astounded.

And at that very moment, the only thing that ran inside my fully-occupied mind was . . .

Who is this man I was with today?

♥♥♥