CHAPTER ONE: SHE’S BACK

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have been cleared to land at Xander International Airport. Please make sure, for one last time, that your seat belt is securely fastened. The flight attendants are currently passing around the cabin to make a final compliance check and pick up any remaining cups and glasses. Thank you.”

I quickly wore my sunglasses upon hearing the announcement. I looked at the window beside me and inhaled deeply as I began to tremble while examining the view of Pampanga. After five years, it is still the same.

 “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Xander International Airport!”

Finally, the almost seven-hour flight from Australia to the Philippines is over. I sighed to myself and grabbed my purse. When I was all set, I got off the plane with the other passengers.

I was welcomed by the gloomy sky and the cold breeze of the night. Good thing I wore my coat. 

It’s the month of October and I’m planning to spend the holidays here. 

Roaming my eyes around, flashbacks of yesterday popped into my mind. The anxiety I got from the incident still haunts me but running away won’t make me feel better. I need to face my fears.

I took a shower and as I was about to sleep, my phone rang. It’s Molly.

“Hello?” I answered as the other line was filled with screams as if a wild party was being held.

“Oh my gosh, Tatiana! Good thing you answered my call! Did we disturb you?” she asked, sounding so happy.

“Um… No, it’s fine. Sorry, I didn’t answer any of your calls last time. I’ve been very busy.”

“Oh, it's okay, I understand. Anyway, I just wanted to know if you're going back to the Philippines? I'm planning to have a simple celebration for Christmas and the New Year… I hope you can come.”

“Hmm… Just send me the details. I'll try if I have some time,” I replied.

“Please, even for an hour?” she pleaded.

I heaved a sigh and closed my eyes. “Yeah, yeah.”

“Yey! Thanks, Tatiana!” She cheered as the call ended. Not so long after, I received an email regarding the party she’s talking about.

She really made sure that I was coming, huh?

...

From: Molly

To: Tatiana

Venue: Louis’ Resort

Date: 23rd December to the 2nd of January

Time: at 12 AM

...

From Molly

To: Tatiana

That’s the details, girl! Please, make sure that you're going, hmm? I’m looking forward to meeting you. Love you and miss you, Tatiana! <3

...

I sighed and lied on my bed. Moli is kinda rich so she can get everything she wants and throw parties whenever she pleases. I am kinda… jealous of her—sometimes, well, I wish I had the same freedom as she does.

It’s the next morning and the thought of the Casa flashed in my mind as I did my daily routine. Should I visit or not?

“Miss A! Oh, my gosh, is that you?” I heard my secretary scream in shock as I entered the office. I am a CEO and a model who went abroad due to what happened years ago. Hopefully, I can now do my things. Goodness!

I smiled at her and nodded briefly. I saw the shock on the faces of my workers upon seeing me walk in. Well, I can't blame them. I told them that I'll never be back but here I am, alive and kicking.

I called my secretary through the intercom and asked her to get me some coffee and she was already in front of me in an instant, placing a cup of coffee on my desk. She's fast. Should I increase her salary? I mentally smirked at the thought.

“Tell them we'll be having an urgent meeting in a minute,” I paused. “And, don't mention that I’m back.” A smirk formed on my lips. Let’s see if y’all are doing good in my company.

I returned to scanning the papers on top of my desk when my phone beeped and Molly’s message popped up.

…

From: Molly

To Tatiana:

Hi, girl! Are you busy? Can we talk? I'm going to call on Skype *sad emoticon*

... 

Sighing, I replied.

... 

Tatiana to Molly:

Sorry, I can't. I'm at work right now.

...

Molly’s one of my sister's old friends. I don't know why she kept on bothering me when in fact I had already told her that I didn't like her nor wanted to be friends with her but she was consistent… and I let her in.

“Madame! I already informed them," she chuckled over the intercom. “They were nervous as some had seen you walk around.”

“Why so? It’s only a meeting… I don't bite,” I ridiculed.

“I don't know, ma'am. Perhaps because of your intimidating aura.” I can hear her giggles on the other line as I shook my head, smirking as I stood up. Let the game begin.

The meeting didn't take long. I asked them to present the status of the company for the past five years and I was shocked to hear that my company’s been on the cliff for two years and was saved by an anonymous investor. I kept my head low, crossing my hands below my chest as I walked towards my office. Hmm… Who could it be?

I was drowning deep in my thoughts when I saw a pair of shoes stopping my way. I looked up to see who it belonged to and was stopped to see who it was.

Jackson… What an actual fuck? Why the hell is he here?

He doesn't look shocked at all. Well, I guess he is expecting me. And, wow, he changed—a lot. The brown hair he used to have was dyed blonde. His jaw was sharper, especially when he was clenching it. His lips… damn! His lips were like Persuasion, calling me to kiss them.

“Are you done checking me out?” he asked as I unconsciously nodded. He burst out laughing and it was then I realized what I had done.

“Excuse me. If you don't mind, you're blocking my way.” I kept my face cold and spoke sternly, trying to hide the embarrassment I had just put myself into. Despite my reddened face, I was able to get out of there as I continued to hear his laughter. Dear God, please keep our paths apart… 

——

“Tatiana! Why didn’t you inform your sister that you’re now back there in Pampanga?” Auntie Aurelia asked, I can hear the uneasiness in her voice because her voice is shaking. We accidentally bumped into each other. I don’t want to be rude so I asked her for tea, and she agreed. 

I tried my best not to roll my eyes. I don't want to be rude, she's still Dad's sister after all.

I sip on my tea before answering her question. “I’m not informed that I have to report to Almira when I’ll be back,” I answered, but obviously, sarcasm is visible in my voice.

“Not like that, Tatiana. But your sister have a rights to know that her sister who’s gone for almost six years—”

“Five years, Auntie. Five years only.”

“—fi--five years then, is now back,” she continued.

“Auntie, she knows that I’m now here, she’s the one who pleased me to go back here, anyway,” I said. I saw her eyes widened in shock and her face paled. “Anyway, I have to go now, Auntie. I have a meeting in five minutes. It’s nice meeting you, Aunt Aurelia.” I said and left her. Why can I sense that she doesn’t want me to go back? Uh, whatever! I’m back now, and I guess I’ll be staying here for good.

After my little talk with Aunt Aurelia, I drove back to my condo unit. I just took a bath and then decided to do some research for my business. Why are the board of my company is shocked and nervous when they found out that I'm back? Did something bad happened on the company while I was gone?

I just sighed and stopped researching when my head suddenly hurt. I shut my eyes closed and lay on my bed when my phone rang. I blew a loud breath and picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hi!" Molly's high pitched voice greeted me. Damn! Why does she have to have a high pitched voice?

"Hey..." I greeted back. "You seem to have a lot of time, Miss Nevis?"

She chuckled. "Yep---" she was cut off by her manager's angry voice. I can't help but to smile. She didn't changed. She's still the jolly Moliana.

"Hey, I have to go now. My manager here is transforming into a beast!" She joked and then laughed.

"It's fine. Don't give your manager too much head ache. I've had enough," I joked and I can imagine her pouting.

"Hmp! Whatever! Bye!"