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
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
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
"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
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
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
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."
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,