First I put Sir Ethan's things inside. Then I thanked my brother again.
"Sir-" I couldn't finish what I was going to say because of what I saw.
Ethan unbuttons his polo shirt.
I turned away from him and closed my eyes. Shame!
"Here are the g-used ones," I stammered! Obviously affected by what was seen.
"Already used?"
"Use what my brother took. It's your stuff," I said and then slightly pushed the suitcase forward while still turning my back to him.
I felt him step closer to me. I stuck my body to the door.
"Ah, thank you," he said behind me.
I held my breath because I felt that he was very close to me. Even though I pushed the suitcase away from me. So that he won't get too close to me.
But it sucks.
Why do I feel like there are only 5 baby steps between us?!
"S-alright, get ready. So we can leave for HBLE. You only have seven minutes to get ready."
"I've been with you for a while but I don't know why I'm with you," he said behind me.
"Ah," I still laugh to reduce the nervousness I feel. "I'm a staff member at HBLE. I'm the one who's supposed to assist you to HBLE."
"What?"
tears? Do I look like I don't work at HBLE?
I took my ID off my neck and handed it to him. I still don't look at him.
Maybe I'll see something and I'll go to church three times a day.
He took my ID from my hand.
Then I forced myself to squeeze in front of the door.
I felt that he was no longer behind me so I was relieved.
I heard his soft laugh.
Maybe he was laughing at my face on the ID! Everyone looks ugly on the ID right? No matter how beautiful you are in person. That's nothing when you see what you look like on the ID.
"Why are you there? Later someone opened the door, and you got hit."
I can't face you! Maybe later I will be reduced to heaven!
"No! I'm fine here. Get dressed and get settled there," I answered.
"I'm done fixing myself."
"Let's go?"
"But I haven't fixed my things yet. Can you help me?"
'You can face Lily. He said he's done fixing it. It's okay now. You will never be diminished,' I said to myself and then turned to face him.
He was wearing a pink hoodie and black pants. Then he put on socks and slides. He was sitting on the sofa holding my ID.
I came to help him.
"Where will it be put here?" I will ask.
In my peripheral vision, I saw how his gaze shifted from me back to my ID. Then his eyebrows met.
"I think," he said, so I faced him.
"Yes?"
"I think I know you," my eyebrows rose at what he said. Besides, it is impossible that he is working at HBLE. But you look like her even though you have different names."
"Who is it?"
"Wait...do you have a twin, miss?"
"No," then I took my ID from her. "Let's go. There doesn't seem to be anything that needs fixing with your stuff."
I left him there and went to the door. When I opened it, I saw brother guard standing on the side. When he saw me, he came to me.
"It's okay?"
"Yes brother. Please get the car ready," I answered.
"Go ahead. Just wait for me here again."
I nodded to my brother and then closed the door.
I gasped because he was in front of me again. His chest met mine because of his height.
I am also tall but I only reached the surface of his chest. He
very big Cheriffer when he was young.
I looked up at him and our eyes immediately met. I immediately dodged.
* * *
Sir Ethan was next to me in the Van. Then behind us were two other bodyguards. Then the driver in front and another guard, the one who was with us earlier.
While exiting Starland, there were a lot of people. There were also reporters. Maybe even the audience outside was already here and waiting for the new artist to come out.
Waving- the women in the car waved. While holding their banners and cellphones.
I could see the joy on their faces.
I glanced at Sir Ethan from the side and saw that he was also looking at the people. Then he raised his left hand to also wave at mg a person outside. Even if it can't be seen.
When he got away from the crowd, he lowered his hand. And glanced at me.
I diverted my eyes and focused on the front.
I heard him sigh so I couldn't help glancing at him again.
His head was leaning against the window with his eyes closed. I just returned my eyes to the front.
And in just a few moments we were at HBLE. Even here in front of the company is a lot of people. It's a mixed bag, there are reporters and supporters.
When we were in the parking lot, the two guards in the back got off first. He observed before opening the door of the van.
"It's all clear Ma'am, you can go down," said one of them.
"Alright," then I faced Sir Ethan. He still closed his eyes, maybe he fell asleep. "Sir...wake up."
I patted his shoulder to wake him up.
He rubbed his eyes so I stopped tapping. Then I went a little further.
"We're here."
He looked outside and looked back at me. He nodded so I got out of the van first.
"Ma'am, you will take care of sir going up," a guard told me.
"Po? Aren't we with you all the way?"
"No Ma'am. We were told that we only go to the basement," said the guard who was with us.
"Didn't you say anything, Ma'am?"
"Nope. Besides, it's not-"
"Tsk. If your prof did a surprise recitation at school, your grade would automatically be 5," Sir Ethan interrupted what I was saying.
I faced him with disgust.
"I'm sorry, huh? I'm not really here with you. So I don't know what to do, okay?"
He just smiled at her and then turned around to get his things inside the van.
I faced the bodyguards again to thank you. After leaving the van, I took Sir Ethan's suitcase.
"Come on."
Before we could walk, he took back the suitcase I was holding and started walking.
I sped up my walk because he walked so fast. Besides, maybe something will happen to him later, and I'll be upset.
When I caught up with him, we were on the opposite side of the elevator. He also pressed there. When it opened, I let him in first. But he didn't move from his place and just looked at me.
"You go first, sir," I said.
He shook his head. "No, you first."
I just came in to make it easier. Even though I didn't do much, I felt so tired.
"What floor?"
"Seventeenth."
I was quiet inside the elevator. That's why I heard him humming. I listened to it carefully because I felt like I had heard it before.
And I was right.
That's the song I heard earlier in the Starland restroom!
So you mean he's the one I'm spying on?!
Amporkchop.
I leaned my head against the wall of the elevator and bumped it slightly.
It's annoying. It's an ugly day.
"Hey, are you okay?"
I straightened up and looked at the person who spoke.
I smiled at him and nodded.
"Sure? Why are you banging your head against the wall? You almost kissed the door a while ago."
"I'm fine," then looked at the elevator door.
It's good that we don't reflect ourselves here on the walls of the elevator. If there's any reflection, I'll have a hard time avoiding the man next to me.
"Okay. But why are we the only two here? Where are the other members?"
"The company has provided ten volunteers to assist you. That's why your other friends are with other volunteers."
"Ah. I thought it was because you wanted me to be alone that's why we're the only two here," he said laughing so I faced him with one eyebrow raised. "Chariz."
Fortunately, the elevator rang so I got out first. I immediately looked for the room he was assigned to. When I saw on the door written on the paper, 'Aczeqiel Ethan D.' I opened it.
"Come in now."
He put in his stuff first.
"You first," he said childishly.
"I can't go in there anymore."
"Huh? Are you going to assist me? So come in."
"No sir. Only you can enter until I'm here."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," I answered with a matching nod.
"Gosh, earlier you didn't know about the guards. Then now you're saying I'm the only one going inside, even though it's really just the two of us. Come on, I'll think that you really want me alone."
My lips parted slightly because of what he said.
"Sir, only you can go inside. And I don't want you alone."
"Ouch," he dropped his suitcase and held his chest. "I'm happy to be with you, no. You're like-"
I was surprised because he suddenly screamed. He was still holding her mouth and one hand was pointing at him.
"Oh my god! In...where and what is that? It's just his face because I remembered it," he seemed stressed from what he was thinking earlier when he saw my ID. "Riki...order? Ah!"
I stayed away from him because of the weird things that were happening to him. Scary.
"Are you all right? Keep shouting," I said.
"Ramen house! Right, at that ramen house!"
He's like an elementary school that has been given a star. Because of his joy.
But ramen house? Why does he know that?
I was about to answer when the cellphone rang.
I see that it came from sir Ethan's pocket.
"Come in," I said.
He took the cell phone and entered without his own.
"Congratulations!" I said last.
Our eyes met for the last time before I finally closed the door
. The day passed very quickly. As before, I was helping Wella do projects and assignments.
Now, he is on stage holding the diploma he worked so hard for.
Aling Injang and his mother were with him.
At the bottom of the stage, I was with Cali taking pictures of them. The three of them were smiling so I couldn't help but smile.
When Wella got off the stage, the three of us hugged each other.
"Congrats Wella! Jowa is just missing that," said Cali.
"No! You're so mean to me because you have a happy love life!"
"Congrats Wella. That's great, maybe next year you'll be my teacher," I said laughing.
"Oh teh, when I become your teacher, you won't have any friends! If you pass late, you'll fail immediately! I'll just be your teacher in the board exam!"
The three of us laughed before taking more pictures. Then we went straight to the apartment.
I miss it here. Especially the people here.
Two days before Wella's graduation was my 20th birthday. That's why I didn't prepare for my birthday and just combined it with Wella's graduation.
So on the rooftop, there are two tarpaulins. A 'happy 20th birthday Iris' and a 'congratulations Wella Rose Javier.'
At the company, I also celebrated with the prod team. Because it's my last day in the department.
It's like de java.
Because my last birthday was at the ramen house which was also my last day. Then this birthday is my last day in senior Ivan's prod team.
When the celebration ended, I was surprised when I arrived outside my capsule with a bouquet of flowers.
Then there was a card whose only content was, 'happiest birthday.'
No one left even a code name, so I don't even know who it was from.
But I accepted it and let it dry. Because dried design flowers are beautiful.
So tomorrow I'll be on the glam team. It's because I don't know which department I'm in. Whether hair artist, make-up, or outfit stylist.
I'm sure I won't have any problems there especially since I trained for a week for this job with the help of sister Mary.
I teased Phoebe, the daughter of boss M and Cali. While the two were eating.
That day ended full of fun. And ended in a tight hug.
I really want to sleep in my unit because I'm a little tipsy. This apartment is far from HBLE.
So the next day I was late. I still have to go to my old department to get my other stuff.
Then I have a meeting to attend.
When I arrived at the conference room, there were many people. I am very thankful because the seniors are not here yet.
I looked for Anne to be beside her.
"The prod team is about to move, it's late," he told me when I sat down.
I pulled my hair back and smiled at him teasingly.
"At least for me, I no longer have to go to OT after finishing a project. I no longer have to stress about revising schedules. I no longer stay up late, and I always have a beauty rest."
He was about to answer his rebuttal when the conference room door opened.
I first saw sir Markus, the manager of the new boy group. Then, behind him, men wearing masks entered one after the other.
"Oh! Let's welcome the new boy group of the company, Dionysus!"
Applause and shouting inside the conference room. As the seven men lined up in front.
"Good morning! Sorry, we're late. They just came from their dorm and it's ten minutes away," said Sir Markus, their manager.
Dionysus. What does Dionysus mean?
On my side, Anne continued to clap even though it was over a while ago. He was stunned at the front so I grabbed his hand to stop him from clapping.
When I looked in front, the men there did not have masks. Then I immediately saw sir Ethan's eyes.
My heart beat faster because of the way he looked at me.
You look as deep as your kidneys!
I looked away and moved it to my hand. When I felt that he was not looking at me, I looked up.
"Please introduce yourselves to the team. This prod team was under Ivan," then sir Markus pointed to senior Ivan to introduce himself and then we were seated next. "And this is his people under his team."
Anne touched me so I looked at her.
"Why?" I will ask.
"Probably introducing Dionysus to the whole company, right?"
"Maybe," I agreed.
"Hello, I'm Ivan the head of the organizer prod team. My team is divided into two. Which is the department of planner and scheduler. Each one of the team has a leader," said senior Ivan. "On the planner department, we have Ryan Abalos."
Sir Markus raised his right hand. "Do we know who is Ryan Abalos?"
Ryan stood up with his hands up. Then he sat down when everyone saw him.
"And then next, on the scheduler department we have Iris Romero," my eyes widened when I heard senior Ivan say.
I?! I'm the leader in our department. Why don't I know?
"Uh, where's Iris Romero? Kindly stand up please," said Sir Markus.
"Wow, you're a leader."
I heard Anne whisper before I stood up.
I saw how Sir Ethan's attention immediately focused on me.
He bent down and bit his bottom lip. Then put both hands behind.
"Oh! One of the volunteers last week right?"
I nodded to Sir Markus. Then I sat down because I was shy.
"Yes, my very hardworking part of the team. He really shouldn't be with me. I just asked him to check there and join his colleagues."
Sir Markus nodded.
"But one of the guards said that he was the one assisting Ace here," Sir Markus pointed to Sir Ethan.
Senior Ivan looked at me and I nodded to confirm.
"Oh really? See I told you she's very hardworking. It's a shame because she'll be gone from my team," said senior Ivan.
Sir Markus and Sir Ethan frowned.
Sir Markus's I can still understand. But sir Ethan's, I don't know.
"Why?" Sir Markus asked then met my gaze. "Are you going to resign hija?"