"Malapit na ako, promise!"

"Belle, don't rush. Baka mapano ka pa. Wala pa naman si Jas, e," sabi ni Ari sa kabilang linya.

I chewed on my lower lip. "I know. It's just—Ugh. This is the first time na na-late ako sa usapan."

Natawa si Ari. "It's fine, we understand. Just make sure na dadating ka ditong safe."

"I promise," ani ko at nagpaalam na muna para makapag-drive ako ng maayos. May meeting kasi kami ngayon with Lance, the architect for Clishique's building. Pero hindi ako agad naka-alis kasi may pinagawa pa si sir Prince, so I'm super late and I only have an hour—maybe less—kasi one p.m. ang end ng lunch break ko.

When I finally reached T-Zone, Erella's company, agad kong binigay sa bellboy 'yung keys ko at tumakbo ako papunta sa elevator. Sa third floor daw ang meeting kaya mabilis akong nakadating. I immediately saw Diana, Jasmine's secretary, and she motioned the left door. "Thank you," sabi ko at hinihingal na pumasok ako. They were all there when I sat down. "I'm sorry for being late. So sorry!"

"Calm down," sabi ni Jasmine. "Kadadating ko lang, actually."

Tumango ako. "So, let's get started?"

Tumayo si Lance at pumunta sa may projector. He pressed the on button and an image of what the building would look like appeared on screen. The meeting went on for only thirty minutes dahil nag-agree kaming lahat na si Lance at Jasmine na ang bahala sa designs ng building. We gave them free reign.

I checked my watch. I have twenty minutes to get back, and rush hour pa. "I am so late," mahinang sabi ko sa sarili ko.

"Belle," tawag sa'kin ni Erella. "May sasabihin ka sa'kin, diba?"

"Oh gosh. Oo nga pala. Sorry, bi. I'm running late, e," sabi ko at inayos ang bag ko. "P'wede next time?"

"Sus. I'm not busy today. Sama nalang ako sa'yo tapos magta-taxi nalang ako from Royal," aniya at kinuha nadin ang bag niya. Nagpaalam kami kina Jasmine, Ari, at Lance tapos nagmamadaling bumaba na kami. "So what were you gonna tell me?"

"Favor naman sana," sabi ko habang nasa elevator kami. "Magpapagawa sana ako ng dress sa'yo. Para sa Business Ball."

Tinignan niya ako. "Pupunta ka?"

Tumango ako at agad lumabas nang bumukas ang pinto. The bellboy was already waiting outside with my car. I tipped him and Erella and I got inside. "Pupunta kasi si Prince, e. Kaya required akong pumunta din kas secretary niya ako," paliwanag ko habang nagmamaneho.

"Ah. Kaya naman pala," she said tapos ay nilabas ang notebook niya. "Okay, then. Talk and drive tayo, Belle. You're not giving me enough time to make you a dress so wala nang fitting. Alam ko naman ang measurements mo."

I smiled gratefully at her. "Thanks so much, bi. Bibilhan talaga kita ng bag mo doon sa Toronto."

She giggled. "Hanapan mo nalang ako ng boyfriend, Belle. 'Yung foreigner!"

"Baliw," komento ko nalang.

Tumikhim siya. "Okay. Long or short?"

"Long," mabilis na sagot ko. Ayoko namang maka-agaw ng atensyon doon kapag nag-iksi ako. Baka mahalata agad ako at may makakilala sa'kin.

"Color?"

Napalabi ako. "I don't know if I want red or black, bi. Tingin mo?"

"I'll find a way," sabi niya sa'kin at tumango nalang ako. "Virgin or wanton?"

"Virgin," sagot ko. "As much as possible, hindi masyadong agaw-pansin. Ayokong may makakilala sa'kin. Wala agad 'yung cover ko."

"Bakit kasi 'di mo nalang sabihin kay Prince na mayaman ka? Na anak ka ng owner ng ELITES?"

Napangiwi ako. "Ayoko nga. Baka may masabi siya against kay Papa. At ayoko din naman na malaman niyang anak ako ni Papa, kasi baka isipin niyang espiya ako or something. You know how business minds work."

"Sabagay," sabi niya tapos hinarap niya ako. "But, Belle, you know your limit, right? You know when enough is enough?"

I smiled. "Yes, bi. Alam ko."

"Good," she sighed in relief. "Always keep in mind that too much effort is not always good."

I nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

=•=

"Belle!"

I turned. "Oh, Mina, bakit?"

Nanlaki ang mata niya. "Hinahanap ka na ni sir Prince! Dalian mo kasi naiinis na siya."

"Oh gosh, I'm sorry!" Hindi na ako nagpaalam kay Mina at kay Erella dahil nagmamadaling tumungo na ako sa elevator. How many more elevators do I have to run to today? Ang sakit na ng paa ko, at hindi ko na alam kung kaya ko pang maglakad. But then I chose this, so I have to do it.

"Miss Roxas, you are late," salubong niya sa'kin pagkabukas ko ng pinto sa office niya.

Hinihingal padin ako at ramdam ko ang pawis sa noo ko. "I-I'm sorry, sir. Hindi na p-po mauulit."

"It better not happen again," nagbabanta niyang sabi tapos tumayo. He looked at me then frowned. "Go fix yourself. We have a meeting with the CEO of ELITES."

Medyo nanlaki ang mata ko tapos napangiwi ako. Bakit naman hindi ko na-check 'yung schedule niya? Ngayon hindi ako prepared na harapin si Papa as a business partner, not my father. "Yes, sir," sabi ko nalang at lumabas na ng office niya. I went to my table at nagpunas muna ng pawis bago naglagay ng foundation at ni-retouch ang lipstick ko. I checked my phone and saw a message from Erella.

From: Erella Tuazon

Took your car. Will pick you up at 6.

"Miss Roxas, let's get a move on," sambit ni sir Prince habang naglakad siya sa harap ng table ko at papunta sa elevator. Tumayo na ako at kinuha 'yung clipboard ko tapos sumunod na sakanya. "I expect you to know everything there is to know about the company we are meeting with, Miss Roxas."

This time, I smiled. "Yes, sir. I did my research." Of course, I didn't have to. Hindi ko na kailangan mag-research dahil I grew up with the company.

"Good," blanko niyang sabi at nagging busy na naman sa cellphone niya.

Tahimik na kami hanggang sa magbukas ang pinto at sabay kaming lumabas ng building. Naghihimtay na agad si kuya Eric, 'yung driver niya na pinakilala sa'kin kanina ni Mina, at pagka-upo namin ay nagmaneho na agad si kuya. Again, tahimik lang kami at medyo kinakabahan ako. Alam kong kasama ni Papa si Jake, 'yung COO at representative ng ELITES at hindi din niya alam ang ginagawa kong pagpapanggap. I just have to talk to him before the meeting starts, pero paano? I don't have his number dahil alam kong nag-change siya ng number last week dahil may crazy ex-girlfriend siyang stalker. I never found time to ask for his number and now I'm gonna suffer because of it.

"Send back an RSVP to Madame Heigns, Miss Roxas. Right now," utos niya at agad kong binuksan ang tablet na binigay ng kumpanya sa'kin. I went on his email and looked for Madame Heigns.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Bakit hindi ko agad na-realize? Si Madame Heigns pala ang founder ng Business Ball. "I've sent an RSVP, sir."

Hindi siya sumagot at tumango lang. Gusto ko na talagang kunin ang phone niya at tignan kung ano ba ang binabasa niya. Maybe emails, pero grabe naman siya. I guess totoo ang sinasabi ng magazines na napaka-workaholic niya.

"Andito na po tayo," sabi ni kuya Eric at agad akong lumabas.

I looked up and smiled as I saw the familiar ELITES building. Medyo matagal na akong 'di nakakapunta dito kasi hindi naman ako kailangan, e. I just usually visit my dad kapag naisipan niyang pumunta. But he usually stays at home at si Jake ang talagang namamahala sa kumpanya.

"Miss Roxas, hold the elevator," utos na naman ni sir Prince at tumango nalang ako at pumasok sa building.

"Good morning, Miss Belle," bati ni kuya Arnold, 'yung security guard namin.

Ngumiti ako. "Kuya, Miss Roxas muna ako ngayon. Shh tayo ha?"

Tumango siya at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. "Sige po, Miss Roxas," aniya.

Nagpasalamat ako at pumasok na. Thankfully, wala masyadong nakakakilala sa'kin kasi hindi naman ako laging bumibisita. So that's relieving. Dumiretso ako sa elevator at hinold na muna ito, saying sorry to those who wanted to take it. Baka mapagalitan pa ako ni sir Prince.

"Belle, that's not very nice."

I smiled. "Shh, Jake."

Tumawa siya. "Your dad told me about you being the secretary of Mr. Prince Kingsley." Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. "It was quite... surprising."

Nagkibit-balikat ako at tumingin sa likuran niya. I stood up straighter. "Jake, huwag mong sirain," bulong ko sakanya tapos ngumiti ng malawak nang nakalapit na si sir Prince.

"Mr. Jake Andrews," blankong saad ni sir Prince tapos tumingin sa'kin. "The elevator, Miss Roxas?"

"It's ready, sir," sabi ko at palihim na pinanlakihan ng mata si Jake bago umikot para harapin 'yung elevator. Pumasok kaming lahat at napangiwi ako nang magsalita si Jake.

"Your secretary is really pretty, Mr. Kingsley," saad niya at alam kong inaasar niya lang ako. Napapikit ako ng mariin.

"Let's keep it professional, Mr. Andrews," sabi ni sir Prince at napadilat ako. He really does have a monotone voice.

Natawa si Jake. "I was only complimenting her, Mr. Kingsley. After all, a princess deserves it."

Papatayin talaga kita, Jake!

=•=

"Mr. Farrajo, a pleasure seeing you again," walang emosyong bati ni sir Prince kay Papa na palihim na tumingin sa'kin.

Papa smiled. "Of course, Mr. Kingsley. I see you've met Jake, the CEO."

Nakita kong napatiim-labi si sir Prince at tipid siyang tumango. "Yes. Shall we proceed with the meeting?"

"Of course," sagot ni Papa tapos naunang pumasok sa conference room.

Nagulat ako nang harapin ako ni sir Prince. "Miss Roxas, I need people to concentrate on this meeting. Including you. No talking to Mr. Andrew, clear?"

Napakurap ako. "Ha? Um, opo. Yes, sir."

He nodded and said nothing else pero nang pumasok kami sa loob ng conference room ay sa tabi niya ako pinaupo. "Take notes," utos niya at tumingin sa'kin. "I want good ones."

"Yes, sir," nakangiting saad ko at narinig kong napaubo si Papa. Bumaling ako sakanya at nakita kong nagpipigil siya ng tawa. Napalabi nalang ako dahil alam kong pinagtatawanan na naman niya ako. Ano pa nga ba ang bago?

"I didn't know you had a new secretary," sabi ni Papa. "Ano'ng nangyari sa dati? Mina, I think."

Stoic padin ang mukha ni Prince. "She was my dad's secretary and my temporary one. Miss Roxas here is my permanent secretary."

Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko sa sinabi niya. Permanent... The idea of me being a permanent part of his life makes me smile. Pero sisiguraduhin ko din namang hindi lang ako magiging secretary niya habang buhay. I will mean more to him. Someday.

"—she's not available to date," rinig kong sabi ni Prince kaya napatingin ako sakanya. "If you must know, my last secretary was fired because she got distracted—she got a boyfriend."

"So you're not allowing Miss Roxas here to date?" taas-kilay na tanong ni Jake.

"No," sabi ni Prince. He glanced at me. "Unless she wants to quit now and date."

Nanlaki ang mata ko at agad akong umiling. Wala naman akong gustong i-date kundi siya, e. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pakay ni Jake, o kung bakit niya inaasar si Prince. Halata siya masyado, nakakainis.

"Good," sabi ni Prince at nakita kong gumalaw ng konti ang gilid ng labi niya. "She won't date anyone else."

Anyone else but you, beast.