"CHEERS to your success!" I proudly said then raised my glass to toast with Fabio. "Cheers for OUR success," he corrected me and raised his glass as well. Our... He really recognized me, and it felt so good. We drank and had fun until silence reigned but after a while, he opened a topic to talk about. "It's still fresh in my mind the first time we've been together in a bar..." he uttered while gazing at the scenery in front of us. I looked at him. How could I ever forget our first not-so-good encounter! And it was me who started it. I didn't treat him right that night and even insulted and belittled him in front of my friends, things I shouldn't have done in the first place. "This is the second time I came to a bar with you after that first incident..." I bit my lip. Guilt started to bother me. "General Manager, about what happened in my friend's bridal shower, I want to apologize for throwing insults at you. I'm really sorry. I was so drunk that night I couldn't watch out for
Closing my eyes softly, I rested my head on his chest and it seriously felt so good to be on it. I even buried my face here, and I was starting to get addicted to his manly fragrance…"Come on. I'll take you back to your room in the hotel now."He carried me like a bride and I snaked my arms around his nape for support. Indeed, I was feeling thankful that he had always been there whenever I got so drunk and he would take care of me.The valet dropped us in front of the hotel where Fabio and I stay. My boss continued to carry me until we were finally inside my room and he gently put me on the bed."I'll get you warm water so you will feel better, Tamara," he said and went to the kitchenette to get a glass of water I needed.He gently guided me to sit on the bed and rest my back on the headboard.He guided the glass of water for me to drink and it indeed helped warm my throat and it felt better, though I was still feeling so dizzy because of drunkenness. I had consumed a big amount of a
The time had come, and we needed to go back to the Philippines. We couldn’t stay in Hong Kong forever, could we?But before we got back, we made sure we explored the rest of the exciting tourist spots to enjoy. “Tamara, we’re here,” he said gently as he caressed my arm.Oh, yeah, I hadn’t realized I actually slept on his shoulders for the whole duration of our flight and even when we were already inside the car that fetched us from the airline.I gazed out of the window and saw that we stopped in front of my apartment. I gasped, I couldn’t believe we were really back… It was only earlier, we were still in Hong Kong, and then in a blink of an eye, we were already in our country again.My eyes landed down on our hands that had been intertwined this whole time we were together. He squeezed it gently, and I smiled looking at his soft, expressive face.“Thank you, General Manager.”The valet opened the door for me, and I knew it was time to get out.Freeing from his hold suddenly feels em
Fabio was still wearing his great morning smile as he proceeded inside his office.It felt like his good mood was radiating, making me feel good, as well!I admit I had been used to seeing him in his usual serious and terror-type mode when we were in this building, and even his smile seemed to be so expensive before that he couldn’t easily give it to anyone. But now? After our Hong Kong trip, I could say that he had changed, and I’m hoping it’ll continue for the better.Anyway, after all, I found out that smile, even more a chuckle really suited him. How I wish he could always wear that accessory to make every day a brighter day. The effect of a smile could always lighten up every atmosphere and could make the workers and people around him feel energetic and more productive at work.I was about to resume with my work proper but I suddenly remembered the paper bag at the side of my table that I really intended to bring to hand him personally. This was the male cloth I sewed especially
When we reached our hometown, we headed to the hospital where dad was confined."Mom!""Tamara, my dear!"We were emotional as we granted each other a tight hug."How are you, dear? It's good that your brother located you immediately," she said as we separated from the hug.I nodded.I glanced behind her where dad was lying and sleeping on his bed. And she's the one looking after him all through the time of his confinement.My heart felt heavier seeing my father this vulnerable. I wasn't and, I guessed, would never be used to seeing him in a condition like this."How's him, mom?""Still not okay, Tami. He's in a coma," she answered sadly and with all honesty."What happened, mom? What did the doctor say?"She nodded faintly. "Heart attack. Your dad was so silent all this time about what his body was feeling. According to the doctor that checked him, it was even possible that these days he was really already feeling something off and unusual but still he kept silent about it and ignore
"What?! No?!" They exclaimed in unison."Tamara dear, you don't have to do this," mom said as she was holding my hand and gently shaking her head.I wiped my tears away and remained firm to what I already uttered."I have made up my mind, mom. If this is the only thing that can save us all then I'm willing to take the risk now."I couldn't simply watch losing everything we have while not doing anything when I know that there's something I can do to lessen the problem, right? Even if it means giving up my own happiness…"But, Tamara—""It's alright, mom." I forced a smile, just so I could cheer her up. "It's alright. I'm doing this with my own will. I want to do this. You don't have to worry about me."She cried and I hugged her. I tried my best not to cry anymore though deep inside, I wanted to break down, too. But I knew I couldn't let them see my weakness and I couldn't let them feel that I was very sad upon coming up to this huge decision because if I do, they would only worry abou
MR. WYNNFOR, who was still handsome in his early fifties, smiled and extended a hand on me. "Nice meeting you, hija."He also took the liberty to shake hands with my brother. And Fabio did the same gesture.After the latter shook hands with Shaun, he turned to me and asked my hand. Still shocked, it took me a bit long before I accepted it. Soon as I did, electricity gushed through my veins when our skins touched. D*mn it.“Seems like you two already knew each other?” Mrs. Wynnfor asked us in her usual gentle and comforting motherly tone.I glanced at Fabio who was never leaving eyes on me. “That’s right, because he was actually my boss and I worked for him in Wynnfor Apparel last month.”“Oh, really? That’s nice to know! Anyway, you worked there as?”“His secretary,” I answered in an aloof and a bit awkward voice.From my peripheral vision, I saw how my mother subtly reacted to that. Of course she didn’t expect how fate played on me. I worked as a secretary for a boss I never saw that
"Besides, don't you want that? The sooner the marriage, the sooner your business will be saved. Another thing, this will surely make your dad happy, Tamara, when he wakes up and finds out that you and Fabio are married. You know he's also so eager for this to occur the soonest possible," the lady continued to persuade us.The gentleman next to her finally spoke, but like everyone else, he didn't seem to be convinced by his wife's wish that Fabio and I should rush the marriage."They're right. It might put pressure on both Tamara and our son—Fabio.""Believe me, I'll take care of it!" Mrs. Wynnfor chuckled, taking things just too lightly. And then she turned to mommy again. "Trust me, my friend. You would love seeing your beautiful daughter walking down the aisle, marrying my son."Mom wanted to be emotional but she was holding it. She even laughed to hide what she was truly feeling and put on a show as if she could also be just as chill. "Can't you just help without asking for anythin