Guilty Pleasures

Three weeks quickly passed by when she took over their family business and it gives Blessy a headache. They had 3 branches and she need to handle all of them.

She graduated Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration major in Finance in University of Sto. Thomas or UST 3 years ago pero ngayon lang siya nag take over sa business nila.

Nakipag deal siya sa ama na hahawakan ang Emerald Advertising pagkatapos nya sa second course na Photography. Sa loob ng nakalipas na tatlong taon, may ilan na rin siyang nakuhang award bilang photographer. Her first and last private project was a wedding coverage of her ex boyfriend.

Hinahaplos haplos ni Blessy ang sentido nang may kumatok sa pinto, her secretary slash best friend Ladilyn 'Lady' Pascua.

"Ma'am Blessy, may lunch appointment ka kay Mr. Alvarado."

"Can you cancel it?"

"Matagal na po kasing pending ang appointment. Bago nyo pa i-take over ang company."

Nagpatigil sa pagbuklat ng proposals ang dalaga. "Bakit daw hindi naasikaso ni Papa kung ganoon?"

"Sa totoo lang, parang may dinaramdam ang Papa mo. Madalas ko siyang makitang hinahaplos ang dibdib at parang kinakapos ng hininga."

"Remind me later about bringing him for a check up."

"Yes, ma'am. Mayroon ka pa namang one and half hour to prepare for the meeting. Do you want me to get your snack?"

"Just orange juice and a medicine for headache. Ring me again thirty minutes before the time."

"Sure!"

Hindi naman masasakitin ang dalaga ngunit hindi nya alam kung bakit isang linggo na syang laging nahihilo sa umaga o kahit sa hapon. Kaunting lakad lang at hinihingal sya.

She took a nap after taking the medicine. She freshen up when she woke up. Nag-retouch ng kaunti at saka bumaba sa building. Saktong papalapit na sya sa BMW Mazda at kitang Kita nya ang pagkabanga ng isa pang kotse sa bumper ng kotse nya.

The owner of the car was about to get out of it when she passed out.

"Shit!" Ryan cursed to himself. He had a meeting for an advertisement and he bumped to another car!

Sinipat nya ang kotseng nabangga. Kailangang palitan ang buong harapan nito. Not that he cares how much money he will spend on this. Siguradong abala rin ang aabutin ng may ari.

May pumitong security guard. Humahangos itong lumapit sa isang babaeng nakahandusay, dalawang kotse ang pagitan sa kotseng tinitingnan nya.

Nagradyo ang guard sa kasama nito. Hindi napigilan ni Ryan na lapitan Ang babae. May kung anong humihila sa kanya para tingnan Ang babae.

Her brown hair was in a messy bun. May highlight na red ang dulo ng buhok ng babae at umaabot hanggang balikat ito. Beige slacks and coat with two-inch heels ang suit ng babae.

"Manong, tulungan na lang kita. Saan ba ang opisina nya?"

"Anak ng may ari ng Emerald Advertising si Ma'am Blessilda. Sa second floor lang 'iyon."

He didn't hesitate to lift the woman in bridal style. Nagpatulong na lang siyang ituro ang opisina nito.

Lumapit ang babaeng naka white dress sa kanya nang makita ang babae.

"Anong nangyari?"

"She blocked out at the parking lot."

"I'm Lady, her secretary. Please follow me. May higaan sa opisina niya. Doon mo na lang pakibaba."

Friendly ang babae. Pagkatapos ituro ang opisina ng amo, dumiretso ito sa pantry.

Ryan starred at the sleeping woman. Her face is round, eyes are big and a little bit of chinky, pointed nose and plump pink lips. Naaalala nya ang babae. Ito ang nakatalik niya sa sariling opisina!

Bumalik ang secretary na may dalang bimpo at planggana. Pinunasan nito ang muka at kamay ng babae.

"Hindi masasakitin si Ms. Blessy. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ilang araw ng masama ang pakiramdam niya. Naku! Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin sa pending na meeting niya!"

He extend his hand to the lady for a handshake. "Ryan Alvarado nga pala."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ng babae. "Ikaw 'yung ka-meeting niya!" Itinuro nito si Blessy.

Tumawa lang si Ryan. "Papupuntahin ko Yung kaibigan kong doktor, si Herbie Valdefuente. You can reschedule the meeting on the next few days." Then he left the office.

Nag iwan na lang siya ng note sa harapan ng windshield ng nabanggang kotse kasama ang number niya saka dumiretso sa sarili niyang apartment.

The Emerald Advertising is located in Mulawin Street, Baranggay Bitas, Cabanatuan City. It's just a few blocks away from his apartment which is located in Del Pilar Street. Mayroon namang ibang advertising agency na malapit sa apartment slash personal office space nila ngunit ipinilit ng tatay nya na dapat sa EA sila magpa advertise.

Alvarado Holdings Incorporated is a partner of some food chains, restaurants located in some malls and they have Alvarado Winery Plantation.

Maliit pa lang si Ryan ay pangarap na niyang hawakan ang negosyo nila. He is the second child in the family. Ang kuya Revie nya ay nagtapos ng HRM, siya ay Business Administration major in Marketing Management. Ang bunso nilang si Reizalyn ay kasalukuyang nag aaral Ng Education major in English.

His father wants his elder brother to manage their business pero ayaw ng kuya niya. His father has no choice but to train him about the company. Humiling lang siya ng sariling bar and viola! He become the CEO of their company.

He sigh. Kailangan ng mailabas ang four minute video nila sa tv in a span of three weeks! Ang pinaka ayaw pa naman ng binata ay ang pagka-cram. Kailangan perfect ang lahat in just a short period of time.

Tinawagan niya ang secretary niya sa Alvarado Holdings Incorporated or AHI pagkahiga niya sa kama.

"Adie, reschedule the meeting tomorrow with EA. May emergency kaya nag-cancel sila. And call my friend Herbie Valdefuente for the appointment I gave him." 

Sinabi na agad ni Ryan iyon sa personal assistant slash secretary niya dahil baka makalimutan niya sa dami Ng dapat niyang asikasuhin.

"Okay! You don't have any remaining schedule for today, sir. I'll just inform you."

"Tawagan mo ko sa personal number ko kapag may problema. I'll be at my bar this afternoon."

Maliit lang and apartment ni Ryan. One queen size bed, a wall to ceiling walk in closet, two bathroom--one at the first floor and the other one in the second floor, may 3 guestrooms sya sa itaas. Ang office nila ay katabi lang ng apartment nya.

He did another phone call at his bar.

"John, handa na ba ang menu of the day?"

"Yup! Naghanda na rin ako ng pagkain mo. Na sense kong pupunta ka maya-maya rito." The person in the other line chuckled.

"Thanks! Kilalang kilala mo talaga ako kahit kelan. I'll be there in a few minutes."