Chapter 31: Ate Buba

Ate Buba

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"If you want to be original, be ready to be copied."

-Coco Chanel

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"He acted really strange. What was he talking about? I am going to be the death of him? Why? Did I choke him? Of course not." I whispered while walking down the hall and into the elevator.

Does he really hate choco floats for him to act that way? Maybe he was referring to it when he said something about his death or something or maybe he doesn't really want to share. 

Shouldn't be surprised when it's Neal.

I decided to buy water for the both of us so I exited the room. He asked me where I was going but I just told him that I'll buy something so I forgot to ask if there was a cafeteria in this place or perhaps some store. 

Well, there has to be. It isn't impossible after all if there really is. Not in this company of his.

I am now in the elevator and I don't know which button to press. I only know about the sixth floor, the floor where I think the professional models are staying like Ate July.

"I'll just find Ate July and ask her," I mumbled as I pressed the sixth button.

As soon as the doors opened, I stepped out and searched for Ate July but she was nowhere to be found. 

Where could she be?

I could ask other people but I honestly do not have the guts to do it. They will just probably scowl at me or worse, ignore and walk past me like I'm just a lost child in a room full of gigantic people.

"Uhm, excuse me, are you looking for someone, Sir Neal's partner?" 

I turned around and saw a chubby woman shorter than me. She was wearing big, purple eyeglasses, making her face a bit smaller and cuter. 

"Hello Ate, have you seen Ate July?"

"Ahh! Are you talking about Mrs. July Lovino?" 

"Yes!" I clapped my hands together and grinned at her.

"I'm really sorry but no, I didn't see her." 

I slouched at her answer. False hope. She looked apologetically at me and bowed a lot of times. I gave her a warm smile and told her that it's okay.

I took a glance at her I.D and saw that she is an assistant HR Manager? I have also read her name that was on it. 

"Buba? Ate Buba?" At the mention of her name, she looked up at me curiously while fixing her glasses. 

"Ahh! Yes! What is it? How did you know my name? Omg, do you have secret powers?" I laughed at her ridiculous questions.

"It's written on your I.D, silly." She looked down on her I.D and did a facepalm. 

"I apologize, Sir. Neal's partner, I forgot hehe." Wow, I could totally relate to her in some ways.

"It's fine. And since, you look really nice and approachable Ate Buba, can I ask you if there's a cafeteria? Or stores where I could buy bottled waters? 

"Sure, sir Neal's partner! I'll take you there." 

"Thank you! Oh and also, please don't call me that. It really sounds weird haha. You can call me Kira." I told her as I followed her towards the elevator again.

"Okay, Kira!" She said cheerfully. She pressed the button on the third floor while whistling. Something shiny caught my eye so I looked to where it was coming from and saw the ring on her hand.

"Not to be rude, Ate, but how old are you? And, when have you received your government notice?" Without looking at me, she placed a finger on her jaw and tilted her head.

"I'm 28 years old. I received it when I was already 20 and got married two years after. I also have two kids." Ohh. So, just like Ate July, she didn't receive hers at exactly 18.

The doors had opened so we went outside. 

Another wow. I should start practicing not to get so amazed when it comes to Neal and his belongings. 

There were wide halls and signs placed on the corners. There was a sign saying, 'this way to beauty salon', bla bla, and other things. Straight ahead was the cafeteria. 

This floor is for their leisure time, I suppose.

We walked straight ahead and suddenly remembered something so I asked ate Buba who was still talking beside me.

"Excuse me, Ate, but, can you please tell me what's the function of the different floors? Except for the first, sixth, seventh, and this floor." I curiously asked her as I raise one of my brows.

"If I remember it right, the second floor is the stock room, fourth is the offices of the staff and the like, fifth is the training ground for new models and kids who wants to join workshops. The last floor is where the meeting room is located."

"Oh wow, it's organized, even in this company." I really can't stop getting amazed, can I?

"That's sir Neal for you." 

We went to the cafeteria and saw a lot of people sitting on the tables or falling in line and buying something. 

The place is very big.

A lot of cafeteria workers were selling amazing foods and drinks that were out of this world. All of them look good and look...expensive too.

"Ate...don't they have free stuff? Even just water? It's all expensive." 

"Nope. They do have a water vending machine and it's just 10 pesos. I can let you borrow some money. And don't worry because it's really fine. You don't have to pay me back because you are sir Neal's partner! You are also really kind, not like the other people in here hehe." 

But I need two bottles of water. Should I tell Ate? Or Neal and I should just share, again? Uh, I should definitely pick the former. I know too well that he would get grossed of it again if I'd go with the latter.

I'll just repay Ate Buba later when we will go home. Hope I don't forget.