"This is Chef Fernando and Chef Vito," pormal na pakilala ni Donny sa mga chef kay Vans Estrabo.
Ngayon ang unang araw na si Vans ang magpapatakbo ng restaurant. Lahat sila ay nagulat nang malamang hindi na si Sir Hans ang kanilang boss. Ni hindi man lang nagpaalam sa kanila.
The chefs bowed at Vans as a sign of respect and greeting. Nag-bow din si Vans sa kanila.
"I know this is sudden but starting today, I will manage this restaurant and my big brother Hans Estrabo will take over our real estate. My apologies that he did not have a formal farewell to all of you but I assure you that our restaurant will keep going," mahabang speech ni Vans sa kanila.
Sheika studied Vans' physical feature. He looked like korean too. Magkahawig sila ng mata ni Hans. Ang pinagkaiba lang nila ay si Hans seryoso. Si Vans medyo playboy. Alam mong go-with-the-flow lang. And Hans was still taller than Vans. Mas maputi nga lang si
"What?! Seryoso ka ba?!" bulalas ni Sheika nang malamang kasal na si Genesis at nagbunga na ang pagmamahalan nila ng kanyang asawa."Yeah," Genesis chuckled. He was so proud he got Zette Vega as his beloved wife.Sheika's breath suspended in the air. "Bakit hindi ko alam? Saka why too soon?""Am I not supposed to marry yet?""Hindi naman sa gano'n. Of course ang bilis naman. You just met her, right? Ni hindi ko pa nga siya nakilala personally. Alam na ba ni Mama Henann 'yan?""Yes, Sheika. She was the first one to know I was getting married.""But how? Kailan? Bakit 'di ko alam?"Gusto niyang magtampo kasi 'di na niya alam anong kaganapan sa buhay ni Genesis. Si Genesis 'yong taong masikreto sa plano. Magugulat ka nalang na may ginawa na pala siya. And this marriage? He kept it from everyone?"Last week of O
January 4, 2016 when Hans flew back to Manila alone. He spent his Christmas and New Year in South Korea. But even if he was with his family, he still felt incomplete. Parang hindi siya masaya."How's the restaurant going?" Hans asked his youngest brother Vans.Nasa loob sila ngayon sa silid ni Vans. Malawak ito at parang opisina na rin. This was where Vans liked to stay whenever he wasn't busy with his work."It's good. For the past two months, its performance improved. Thanks to Chef Fernando." He winked at him.Somehow Hans was satisfied kahit na sa ganitong paraan niya lang malaman ang kaganapan sa buhay ni Sheika. Ayaw na niyang mangialam pa. Halos dalawang buwan na rin silang 'di nagkikita ng dalaga lalo na at hindi pa siya nakababalik muli sa bahay-ampunan."How's St. Claire?" Vans asked back. "By any chance... you meet Chef Fernando there?"Nagkasalubong ang kilay n
"What really happened, Sir Vans? Did you get into a fight?" Sheika asked. 'Di maitago ang inis sa kanyang boses habang nililinis niya ang sugat sa labi ni Vans.This was her first time seeing Sir Vans having a bruise on his face. Hindi niya inakalang nakikipagbugbugan 'to gayong hindi halata sa mukha niya. Oo, mukhang pilyo pero hindi siya 'yong tipo ng taong mag-aaksaya ng panahaon sa walang kwentang bagay."Baka babae na naman 'to," she thought."You finance St. Claire, don't you?" Vans asked instead, looking deep into Sheika's eyes.Natigil sa paglilinis ng sugat si Sheika. She held her breath abruptly. Parang namental block siya sa tanong ng boss niya."H-How did you know, Sir Vans?" Sheika asked, stuttering. Kinakabahan siya na baka marami ng nakakaalam na sinusuportahan niya ang bahay-ampunan."I just know. You went to the same orphanage with my big brother,
"I don't know, big brother! Why does the blame always have to be in me?" reklamo ni Vans nang kinompronta siya ni Hans sa loob ng private room ng restaurant."You did have a research about her. To whom should I point the blame?"Vans closed his eyes, keeping himself together. Kinuyom niya ang kanyang kamao para mapigilan ang sariling sumabog. Nang nagmulat siya, tinignan niya nang diretso ang kaniyang kapatid."You're also curious of her, big brother. Don't tell me you're not guilty of invading her privacy?"'Di nakaimik si Hans. Yes, he was guilty. But the fact that he had no files yet was enough to comfort that guilt.Hans' lips coiled in a slightest bit. He was impressed with what was going on."Back off, Vans. You don't know who you are messing with. You're gonna deal with me," Hans stated.Pero imbes na matakot ay umismid lang si Van
Dumating si Ej sa tapat ng condominium ng kanyang nakatatandang kapatid. Tinawagan niya ang numero ni Sheika na agad ding sinagot ng dalaga."I'm outside the building. Saan na kayo?" Jeremiah asked over the line."Pababa na, Ej. Wait lang," Sheika replied."Alright."Sinabihan ni Sheika si Isaiah na nasa labas na ng condo si Jeremiah. Kinuha agad ni Isaiah ang susi sa kanyang sasakyan at sabay na silang bumaba gamit ang elevator."Guess what Ej will tell you later," Isaiah smirked."Ano?""You guess," then Isaiah chortled.Pagkalabas nila ng building ay sinalubong agad ni Jeremiah ang dalawa. Nagfistbump ang dalawang lalaki."You never asked me out," Jeremiah complained at Sheika. "Sabi ni kuya kayo lang daw ang lalabas ngayon."Nagkatinginan sila Sheika at Isaiah. Isaiah almost laughed at Ej's statement.
Hindi nakatulog si Hans kagabi kaiisip kung nasaan na si Sheika. She warned him to resign. Paano kung totohanin niya? Would she just disappear out of his life without a final goodbye? Paano kung hindi na rin niya makikita pa ang dalaga sa bahay-ampunan?Nakailang buntong hininga na ang binata pero wala pa ring matinong bagay na tumatakbo sa isip niya. He could not force himself to call her. Naduduwag siya. Natatakot na baka mas lalo lang siyang ipagtabuyan ng dalaga.Ano nalang ang gagawin niya? Mababaliw ata siya kaiisip. Malinaw na malinaw sa isip niya kung paano siya tignan ng dalaga na para bang he was just a stranger.His phone beeped. Tinignan niya kung anong mensahe ang dumating. Sa kasamaang palad, he received the background information of Sheika.Personal InformationFull Name: Sheika Rose Delos Santos Fernando
Hans told Hera to go home. Bagaman ang sabi ng sekretarya ay uuwi siya, ginawa niya ang pinapagawa sa kanya ng Big Boss.—ang susihin kung ano ang totoong nangyari kay Vans. Hera entered the restaurant proudly. Para bang siya ang may-ari nito. Sino ba ang makakapagsabi na magiging parte talaga siya ng restaurant? She could marry Hans Estrabo. "Miss Hera," bati ni Alas sa kanya nang makita siya nito. Hera chinned up, expressing how high she thought of herself. Ngumiti naman si Alas kahit na gusto nalang niyang tawanan si Hera. Feeling boss. "Is Sir Vans here?" maarte nitong tanong. Hinawi niya ang kaniyang buhok na sumaway agad sa hangin. "Mamayang hating gabi pa 'yon dito, Miss Hera. 'Di niyo ba kasama si Sir Hans?" "May dinner date siya with Ms. Ryu." "Ah, gano'n ba? Eh dapat umuwi ka na, Miss Hera." "Why do you care?" She
Silence occupied the space between them. Nasa labas pa naman sila ng restaurant. Maraming taong dumadaan sa kanila, at ang ilaw galing sa mga poste ay para bang nanonood sa kaganapan ngayon.Gumilid ang sulok ng labi ni Hera at humalukipkip siya. "Nandito ka pa pala. I wonder how you survive working here," Hera uttered as she looked down on Sheika."I simply love what I am doing without dragging people down," Sheika taunted back. "How about you? Are you happy staining someone's name just to get what you want?""Honestly? Yes, and I won't give up until you beg me to spare your life."Napangiti si Sheika, goading her. Ngayon ay alam na niya kung ano ang problema ni Hera. She was self-entitled."Talaga ba? I won't wonder why the Big Boss dislikes me. Ikaw ang pasimuno ng lahat.""Kung sana hindi mo na tinanggap ang alok ni Sir Hans, baka payapa pa ang buhay mo ngayon. Why don
The car arrived outside St. Claire's big gate. Pinagbuksan si Hans ni Tacio ng pinto at lumabas kaagad ang binata. He tugged his tux down and preened his hair."Good morning, Sir Hans!" bati ng guwardiya sa kaniya nang nakangiti."Good morning," he replied, emotionless.Pumasok na siya sa loob ng St. Claire. Sinalubong siya ng tanawing ang mga bata ay abala sa pagtatanim at paglilinis ng bakuran. He roamed his eyes around, wondering if he could see a familiar face of a woman.Lumabas ang mga madre mula sa kusina. Kaagad nilang nakita si Hans na nakatayo 'di kalayuan mula sa kanila."Sir Hans!" nagagalak nilang tawag.Hans looked at them. Tipid siyang ngumiti saka tinaas lang ang kamay."Good morning, Sir Hans," bati ng mga madre sabay yuko sa koreano. Ganoon din ang ginawa ng binata."Good morning. I just made a sudden visit," Hans stated,
Sheika went home straight and checked her bank account. Lagpas limampung libo na rin ang naipon niyang pera. Maybe that was enough to buy a lot or kahit downpayment lang muna. Naghanap siya online ng binibentang lupain. Puwede na siguro ang malapit sa dagat. Puwedeng maglaro doon si Israel. She found one pero sold na pala. Sayang naunahan na siya. It was even perfect for sunset viewing. Sa baybayin kung saan doon lulubog ang araw. May kumatok sa pinto niya. She closed her laptop and stood up. Pinagbuksan niya kung sino man iyon. Bumungad ang pagmumukha ni Immanuel. He was sad, or more like felt sorry for Sheika. "I'm all ears, Sheika," ani Immanuel. Tipid na ngumiti ang dalaga at bumalik sa kaniyang higaan. She sat on the edge of her bed, Immanuel followed. "Isaiah can't tell me what happened to you. It would be better if I'll ask you directly."
Vans, who was sitting comfortably on his chair, slid the paper against the table, reaching it towards Sheika who was standing across from him."I have signed your resignation letter, Chef Fernando. I hope it will give you peace," Vans stated and brought his legs down. Tumayo siya at inayos ang kaniyang necktie. "It's an honor to work with you. For the short span of time I have witnessed how incredible you are as an employee. I am saddened for your sudden resignation but I can't hold you if you really want to go. I respect your personal issues."Yumuko si Sheika sa harap ni Vans."Thank you, Sir Vans. I know things aren't good between us but I still respect you as a person.""May I know what is your next plan? Are you planning to look for another job?""I don't have any plans yet, Sir Vans, but this is for the better.""Won't you regret resigning?"Sheika s
Pumasok na si Sheika at dala na niya ang resignation letter. Alam naman niyang wala si Sir Vans ngayon pero nagbabasakali pa rin siya. Wala kasing sekretarya ang koreanong 'yon unlike kay Hans. Iaabot nalang sana niya sa sekretarya."Magreresign ka na pala, chef? Bakit naman?" tanong ni Donny na nalungkot nang mabalitaan ang pag-resign ng chef."May kailangan lang akong asikasuhin. Ayoko namang madamay ang restaurant dahil doon.""Eh kailan ka babalik, chef? Mamimiss ka namin dito."Malulungkot din naman si Sheika sa pag-alis niya. Napamahal na siya sa restaurant. But some things were needed to end before they break and hurt her.Sheika smiled weakly. "I'm not sure, Donny. But, I'm really honored to work with you all. I can say I grow as a person and also as a chef. Marami akong natutunan mula sa inyo."May namuong luha sa mata ni Donny. Pinalis niya kaagad iyon at ngumiti
"Your Appa told me you once handled your restaurant and now you're taking over the company," pahayag ni Ms. Ryu habang mabagal na ngumuya ng kaniyang pagkain. Ang dalawang kamay ay abala sa paghihiwa ng lutong karne."Yes, but he let Vans run the restaurant instead. He kicked me out of the restaurant."Natigil sa pagnguya si Ms. Ryu dahil sa narinig. Ang pagkakaalam niya, sabi ni Lans Estrabo sa kaniya ay si Hans ang umalis sa restaurant dahil gusto niyang patakbuhin ang real estate nilang negosyo. Sino ba talaga ang nagsasabi ng totoo?"Is that so? Maybe you did something to displease him," tantiyadong sabi ng dalaga."I never, not even once, I failed Appa. Things have changed now.""I'm sorry to hear that."Nilapag ni Ms. Ryu ang kaniyang kubyertos."Is there something I can help?" she asked him.She wanted to help beca
Nakabalik na ng restaurant si Vans at tulad ng sabi ni Hera sa kaniya ay hihintayin siya. But when he saw her, he was filled with surprise."I thought you went home already, Hera," Vans said, knitting his brows in confusion. Natagpuan niya ang dalaga na nakaupo mag-isa sa isang mesa.Hera faked a sweet smile and stood up. Yumuko ito silbi bilang galang. "I told you I will wait for you here, Sir Vans. It's okay.""God, you took all the troubles for me. Anyway, what is it that you want from me?"Gustong matawa ni Hera dahil sa choice of word ni Vans. As if she wanted something from him. Like a thing.Hera took a deep breath. "Can we talk in private?"Muli na namang nabigla si Vans. This woman was full of surprises! How far can she go for him? Hmm.Vans smirked. "Yeah, sure."Vans led the way to the private room. Su
Natagpuan ni Isaiah si Sheika na nakaupo sa gilid ng gusali at umiiyak. Agad niya itong nilapitan at pinatayo. He took her into her arms and consoled her.Umiyak lang si Sheika sa bisig ni Isaiah habang ang binata naman ay tahimik lang na pinapatahan ang pinsan. His heart was breaking into pieces. Hindi niya kayang tignan ang dalaga na nasasaktan."I'm here now," pagpapatahan niya sa umiiyak na babae.Dalawang minuto rin silang nagyakapan. Bumitaw si Sheika sa pagkakayakap at nagpunas ng luha sa pisngi. Tinulungan naman siya ng pinsan niya."Let's go home?" marahang tanong ni Isaiah. Gustuhin man niyang magtanong kung ano ang nangyari pero ayaw niyang masaktan ulit ang dalaga.Tumango lang si Sheika at 'di na nagsalita. She was led to Isaiah's car."I already cooked our dinner. Sabay na tayong kumain," wika ni Isaiah at ngumiti. Kahit 'yon lang ay maibsan man lang niya ang
Silence occupied the space between them. Nasa labas pa naman sila ng restaurant. Maraming taong dumadaan sa kanila, at ang ilaw galing sa mga poste ay para bang nanonood sa kaganapan ngayon.Gumilid ang sulok ng labi ni Hera at humalukipkip siya. "Nandito ka pa pala. I wonder how you survive working here," Hera uttered as she looked down on Sheika."I simply love what I am doing without dragging people down," Sheika taunted back. "How about you? Are you happy staining someone's name just to get what you want?""Honestly? Yes, and I won't give up until you beg me to spare your life."Napangiti si Sheika, goading her. Ngayon ay alam na niya kung ano ang problema ni Hera. She was self-entitled."Talaga ba? I won't wonder why the Big Boss dislikes me. Ikaw ang pasimuno ng lahat.""Kung sana hindi mo na tinanggap ang alok ni Sir Hans, baka payapa pa ang buhay mo ngayon. Why don
Hans told Hera to go home. Bagaman ang sabi ng sekretarya ay uuwi siya, ginawa niya ang pinapagawa sa kanya ng Big Boss.—ang susihin kung ano ang totoong nangyari kay Vans. Hera entered the restaurant proudly. Para bang siya ang may-ari nito. Sino ba ang makakapagsabi na magiging parte talaga siya ng restaurant? She could marry Hans Estrabo. "Miss Hera," bati ni Alas sa kanya nang makita siya nito. Hera chinned up, expressing how high she thought of herself. Ngumiti naman si Alas kahit na gusto nalang niyang tawanan si Hera. Feeling boss. "Is Sir Vans here?" maarte nitong tanong. Hinawi niya ang kaniyang buhok na sumaway agad sa hangin. "Mamayang hating gabi pa 'yon dito, Miss Hera. 'Di niyo ba kasama si Sir Hans?" "May dinner date siya with Ms. Ryu." "Ah, gano'n ba? Eh dapat umuwi ka na, Miss Hera." "Why do you care?" She