I winced as I remembered how Amanda first met me last week.

Yup. I have started working in the same department as she is.

The only difference is I am hired in a higher position as HR Junior Associate while she's under my supervision.

They noticed my units in Masters that I have already gained 15 units at Boulevard University last year.
I just needed to stop for a while when I had a tip from our agency about my suspected targets.

"Bakla! Tara lafang mamaya!" Leniah Salcedo distracted my thoughts and I turned to give her a smile.

Leniah, like me, is also a Junior Associate. She was hired earliest among the three of us.

What made me close to her was because she was so easy to get along with. Although, there were times when I noticed her being in trance or lost in her thoughts.

"Arat, G, mga mamsh!" I exclaimed to match her enthusiasm.

She grinned as well before returning her attention to her computer screen.

Our seating - cubicle - arrangements inside the department was me beside Leni and Amanda across mine.

We don't have separate offices for the supervisory positions unlike usual offices, instead, they had us seated beside or behind one another so we can see our subordinates and freely discuss things with them without having to walk a lot of steps just to talk to him or her.

"How about you, Amanda, arat later?" Leni asked and I held my breath hoping she'll come along with us.

Amanda looked up from her papers. From what I see, she's busy checking the pre-employment exams of the two applicants for the Finance Department.

"Yes. Sure. I would love to!" Amanda said and flashed us her dimples and my insides turned jelly as if I was being answered to.

"Great!" Leniah clapped and she returned her attention to whatever she was doing.

I could feel my face heat up and suddenly thought if the aircon was turned on today.

Para akong teenager na kinikilig sa crush!

I couldn't hide my giddy feeling and a smile escaped my lips.

A tap on my shoulder distracted my train of thoughts and I turned to look at the person.

It was Kristina Sullivan, a young woman in our department, whose presence was too strong for my taste.

"Uhm, excuse me, Ma'am Jess, I need to talk to you about something. May I borrow a couple of minutes with you?" Kristina asked, her brown eyes, boring into mine.

I don't know what has gotten into me but I nodded in agreement and I followed her as she led me outside the office.

With barely a few people passing by the corridor, she decided to tell me her predicament.

"What is it?" I asked in a firm voice and remembered my act so I immediately tried to soften my look and voice. "Ano yan, mamsh? You make kwento na!" I exclaimed and wiggled my eyebrows to match the enthusiasm.

Kristina sighed and I don't know but I have this urge to drape my arm over her and ask her about her problem.

"Alam ko wala ako sa lugar para magtanong dahil bago ka pa lang sa kompanya na to. Pero, I cannot resist not to ask, since I felt comfortable in your aura." Kristina said and it was her who broke our eye contact.

I lifted her chin and met her brown eyes before asking, "Ano na nga kasi, mamsh! Chismis ba yan or anetch!"

"Pwede ba akong makahiram ng kahit tatlong libo lang sayo? Pangako, babayaran ko din agad sa sweldo!" Kristina ranted and grabbed my hand. I was startled by the electricity I got when she held it.

"Uh- uh, of course! Kahit next time mo na ako bayaran. P-para saan ba?" I asked, almost stammering.

"Hindi kasi ako makabayad sa inuupahan kong apartment malapit dito. Nagkasakit ang papa ko noong isang buwan at nagpadala ako ng pera sa kanya sa probinsya para sa gamot nya." Kristina said, her voice cracking in desperation and worry.

"Hey, hey. Calm down. It's alright. Magwiwithdraw ako mamayang lunch, bigay ko sayo bago tayo umuwi mamaya. Oks ka na ba dun, mamsh?" I asked and helped her wipe the tears on her cheeks.

Kristina nodded and what she did next, surprised me even more.

She threw her arms around my neck and hugged me.

I was taken aback with what she did.

"Thank you, so much, Ma'am Jess! I will forever be grateful for you!" Kristina said, her breath fanning over my neck.

I had to shiver at the feeling.

Somebody whistled from behind me and I saw two guys from the other department giving us naughty smiles and teasing glances.

"Akala ko ba, pre, beki yan? Bakit may chicks agad? Sana all!" The smaller guy mocked and I pulled from Kristina's embrace.

"You, go inside. I can take care of these two morons." I said and Kristina nodded before she went to her place at the other end of the office.

"Ano problema nyo? Don't you guys have anything to do?" I asked and started to approach them.

The two guys backed out and hurried to wherever they were heading to.

Ang yayabang. Duwag naman pala!

Shaking my head, I went back to my cubicle and finished what I need to do before lunch time came.