I'm such in a good mood because finally, we've closed the Arcodas deal — that meant a good profit for Medialink and, more importantly, a favorable association with one of the world's leading ad companies.

But of course, something had to happen, effectively ruining my jubilation. My phone beeped, signaling a message, and I found myself staring at Vince's message.

Hello, Mira! Are you free tonight? I just want to spend some time with you so... Just text back if you're okay with a dinner at say, 7 pm? Take care!

I cursed at his stupidity. Mukha bang Mira ang pangalan ko?

Moreover, what did I just read?

Vince is taking Mira on a dinner date later.

Well, too bad for him and his poor texting skills. I think it's time for another one of my brilliant antagonistic plans.

****

Lunchtime was almost over, but when I checked if Mira was in her office, she was nowhere to be found. I asked one of our accounting staff, and I was told that she was with her friends, spending time at the cafe just right across Medialink.

With a sigh, I exited the company premises, my destination of course being Ms. Custodio's supposed whereabouts. And sure enough, I found her with her friends, chatting away the break time.

I approached their table, glancing at my watch as I did so. At this point, they should've been making their way back to the office, yet here they are, too intent on talking that they didn't even notice my presence.

Mukhang may masesermonan ako mamaya.

I was already close enough to hear their conversation. And when I learned what they were talking about, I had to bite my tongue to keep myself from laughing.

Apparently, they were interrogating Mira — specifically, about her dating life.

I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but Christ Almighty... Ni hindi pa pala nagkaroon ng boyfriend si Ms. Custodio sa tanang buhay niya. She's never even been kissed, either! No wonder the sight of my underwear was scandalous enough to warrant a bout of hyperventilation from her.

Then again, why was I even surprised? There's something different about this woman, alright.

I could've easily listened to every other embarrassing detail of her life, but I still have a mission to carry out.

"So, you've never had a boyfriend, and you've never been kissed. What else do we need to know about you, Ms. Custodio?"

As expected, she and her friends looked like they saw a ghost after I unexpectedly butted in their conversation.

"Sir Vren! Kanina ka pa po nandiyan?" Mira asked, eyes round with surprise.

"Just long enough for me to hear how unfortunate your dating life is," I answered, and her face turned a deeper shade of pink. "May I know why the four of you are still out? Lunchtime is over by twenty minutes."

Mira and her friends shared nervous looks.

"This is so irresponsible of you — two department heads gossiping with co-employees during office hours."

"Sorry, Sir Vren." It was Mira's old-fashioned friend — I overheard from their conversation earlier that her name is actually Mavi — who apologized. Among the four, Mavi seemed to be the most sensible. I happened to know that Alessandro Pinpin and Hannah Marvilla are both crazyheads. And of course, the leader of the gang, Mirathea Custodio herself, is a total wacko.

"You better be," I answered Mavi. "Now go back to the office."

Kaagad na tumayo ang apat at nagmamadaling naglakad palabas ng cafe. But of course, I wasn't letting Mirathea Custodio get away.

"Mira, I think you should stay here."

Namumutla siyang lumapit sa akin matapos kong sabihin sa kanya na kailangan niyang magpaiwan dito sa café. Remembering her tendency to easily get nervous over simple things, I decided to no longer prolong her agony.

"Don't look at me as if I gave you a death sentence," I smirked. "I just asked you to stay because we are going somewhere."

The color returned to her face in an instance, her relief very obvious from the way she exhaled. "Diyos ko naman, Sir Vren. Akala ko, kung ano na naman ang nagawa ko. We are going somewhere, you said?"

"Yup. Somewhere... At some place. You've got to see something."

As Mira suppressed a smile, I inwardly cursed myself. Nahalata ko rin naman na umuulan ng some ang sentence ko, but goddamn it. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero bigla akong nakaramdam ng nerbiyos dahil sa gagawin ko.

Without giving her a chance to ask me another question, I grabbed her arm and lead the way to Medialink's parking lot.

A few minutes later, here I am with her in my car, driving but heading to nowhere.

As if on cue, Mira cleared her throat. "Sir, mawalang-galang na po ha, pero saan po ba talaga tayo pupunta?"

I frowned, irritated for having been asked a question I couldn't answer. "Will you just shut up and be quiet? I'm still deciding as to where I will bring you!"

Me and my stupid mouth. Did I just tell her I don't even fucking know where we are going to?

Agad namang nanlaki ang mga mata ni Mira dahil sa sinabi ko. "Hala ka... Ibig sabihin, wala naman pala talaga tayong destinasyon, Sir Vren?"

"What did you just hear?" I shot back at her.

"Eh ano naman ba ang pumasok sa utak mo, sir, at bigla mo na lang akong hinila para samahan ka, ha? Santambak pa ang gagawin ko sa office, mind you, and need I remind you more, na isa ka mismo sa mga nag-aapura sa akin na tapusin ang mga tinatrabaho ko?"

I could tell that Mira was trying hard not to lose her cool. Actually, 'yan din mismo ang ginagawa ko ngayon. But I couldn't blame Mira for almost yelling at me. Ikaw ba naman ang hilain ng boss mo tungo sa kawalan.

I took a deep breath to calm myself. "Nothing. I just want to... You know, get away."

Ugh, Vren. That's an overkill.

I thought she's going to laugh at my drama but to my relief — and surprise — bigla ring huminahon si Mira. In a rather sympathetic tone, she said, "Bakit sir, may pinapagdaanan ka ba? Kailangan mong lumayo, at kailangan mo ng kasama?"

Tutal, effective pala ang pagdadrama para pakalmahin ang babaeng 'to, itinuloy ko na ang nasimulan ko, kahit sa totoo lang, gusto ko nang tumawa. This conversation is getting absurder each passing second.

I looked at Mira with what I hope was a sad expression. I didn't say anything, for added effect.

"Aha! Meron nga!" She grinned triumphantly, as if she just won a bet. "Brokenhearted ka siguro, 'no sir?"

This time, I retaliated. "Dummy. Of course not."

"Sus, deny pa..." Mira's tone was teasing. "Pero sige na nga, sir, hindi na kita pipiliting umamin. But it's your lucky day today, dahil may alam akong lugar na pwedeng makapagpawala ng problema mo." She smiled mischievously.

"Where on earth is that, then?" I inquired. "Siguraduhin mo lang, Ms. Custodio, na matino 'yang lugar na naiisip mo. Honestly, I found myself suddenly suffocated by Medialink's ambiance."

I surprised myself by saying the last part, which without me realizing it until now, was true. Kanina kasi, ang alam ko lang ay gusto kong mailayo sa Medialink si Mira para mamaya, kapag sinundo siya ng kapatid ko for their oh-so-romantic-dinner-date, voila! Wala siyang madadatnan. Call me evil, but that's what Vince gets for sending messages to the wrong person.

Mira pullled a sympathetic face again. "Ayan kasi, napaka-workaholic mo." She shook her head. "If it's okay with you, sir, you drive according to my directions. And I'll tell you when we arrive sa sinasabi kong lugar."

With her crazy grin, I could tell that she's up to no good, pero no choice ako dahil wala naman talaga akong ideya kung saan kami pwedeng pumunta.

"Alright. Where's your place?"

****

"Nandito na tayo!" Mira yelled, making me curse. Was it necessary to surprise the shit out of me?

"We are? Where?" I demanded, sounding like an idiot even to myself. Call me a freak but I didn't even bother checking out where we are heading to. I'm just looking ahead, the unfamiliar ways not even registering on me, focusing only on following Mira's directions.

But now, with the surroundings hitting me for the first time, I can't help but widen my eyes in surprise.

So, this is the place Mira referred to as, "nakakawala ng problema"?

A castle-like façade, a wizard-looking mascot surrounded by a circle of giddy children, and the color violet splashed everywhere...

My first impulse was to look back at Mira, who's now smiling widely one might think she's a kid who just received an early Christmas present. Then, seeing that she has my full attention, she suddenly exclaimed, "Welcome to Enchanted Kingdom!"

****

"Okay, enough of your craziness." Three deep breaths, Vren. Calm down. "I'm not going inside that place, Mira."

I thought I succeeded in bursting her hope bubble but to my surprise, bigla niyang hinablot ang susi ng kotse ko, sabay labas at takbo palayo.

"Sige, sir, bahala ka!" she yelled at me. "Hintayin mo na lang kung kailan ako makakalabas ng park, ha?"

What the — naisahan ako do'n, ah!

"Hey, Ms. Custodio! I demand you wait for me!"

Nilingon niya lang ako, and being the childish person that she is, she stuck her tongue out before running away again.

I shook my head and ran after her.

Nang mahabol ko na siya ay doon niya lang ako muling tiningnan. "Sir Vren, ikaw pala! What brings you here?" she asked, feigning surprise.

Still panting, I said, "I'm going in with you, dummy! Just give me back my car keys."

"Not so fast, Mr. CEO!" She chuckled, twirling the key ring round her index finger, as if teasing me. "You're having your keys back after paying for our ride-all-you-can tickets, snacks, and a souvenir item of my choice."

"You wish!" Sinubukan kong agawin sa kanya ang susi, pero mabilis niya naman itong nailayo. "Spend your own money, 'cause in the first place, you were the only one who wanted to go to this stupid amusement park!"

"Ay, stupid daw, o! Patay ka kay Eldar!" Mira laughed. "Sir Vren, gusto mo bang ipaalala ko sa'yo kung sino ba itong magaling na bigla na lang humila sa akin papunta sa kawalan, ha?"

I sighed, accepting my inevitable defeat. "Fine. I'm paying for the rides, food, and your fucking souvenir. Happy now?"

Mira nodded slowly, smiling widely. "Madali ka naman palang kausap eh. Tara na!"