06

Monday nanaman at andito na ako sa atelier. Today's a busy day because House of Suarez opened its doors for new designer interns. The dean from Benilde contacted me the other day and asked if I could accommodate some of their 4th year BA Fashion Design and Merchandising students for an internship in my atelier. I immediately approved because  of course, it was my alma mater and this will be another milestone for our brand. And who knows? Baka gusto rin magtrabaho ng mga interns dito after they graduate. Since House of Suarez's reach has been expanding, I decided I will create my own design team to lessen my workload and to help me curate new eye-catching pieces. 

"Ma'am, andito na po yung mga interns."

"Ok, Faye. I'll be out in a minute."

I looked at myself in the mirror. My outfit today is a white long sleeve polo. I pulled both sides of the collar down to show my shoulders. I tucked the front part of the polo underneath my denim jeans and fixed my Gucci belt. I also got my nude Valentino heels under the table and wore them. Usually, pag nasa office lang ako ay tinatanggal ko ang aking sapatos para hindi naman ma torture paa ko. I quickly fixed my hair and went out. 

Pagkarating ko sa lobby, there were five familiar faces in front of me. These were my juniors back when I was still in Benilde. 

"Good morning and welcome guys,” I greeted them with a warm smile. 

Faye handed me a folder containing the interns' individual profile. I quickly browsed the papers and checked their attendance. 

"Ok so I know you are all aware why you are here today. House of Suarez will be your home for the next two weeks and we will help you become a better designer so that, when you work in the future, you can apply the skills that will lead you to success. With that, I will be assessing you individually since I was told so by the school but there's no need to be nervous,” I said warmly. 

I toured them around the atelier and showed them to their desks. I also oriented them about the rules here. For the whole two weeks, they will be assisting in making some of our clients' made to order gowns. 

I went back to my office to answer client inquiries on my email when my phone suddenly kept on buzzing. Baka ginugulo lang ako ni Anais. I didn't mind checking my phone until it was time for lunch. Pagkatingin ko sa phone ko, nagulat ako nang sobrang daming notifications ang tumambad sa akin. 

@diorlouis sent you a photo.

@diorlouis sent you a photo.

@diorlouis sent you a photo.

@diorlouis sent you a photo.

@diorlouis sent you a photo.

@diorlouis sent you a photo.

@diorlouis: hii :)) I hope you have a great day 

Agad-agad kong binuksan ang message niya sa IG. He sent photos of us last night in Solaire. Naalala ko phone pala niya ang ginamit namin pang picture. The first two photos were solo photos of mine and the rest are photos of us. Napangiti ako sa isang picture. It was a candid shot of us. We were looking at each other. I think this was when he asked me if he could put his hand on my waist. Isa isa kong sinave ang mga pictures na andun. 

@chaneldanica: hello dee :) thank you for these

Hindi ko na hinintay ang reply niya at itinago ko na ang phone ko pagkatapos. I went to the workstations and checked on the gowns that are being made. Sobrang dami kong projects so I had to hire more workers.

The next few days have been quite normal to me except that late na ako natutulog kasi palagi kaming nag-uusap ni Dee sa gabi. It's because we're both busy in the morning kaya tuwing gabi nalang kami nakakapag-usap. It feels so good because as the days pass, we get to know more about each other. 

"Faye, alis lang ako saglit ah." Anais kept on messaging me dahil ilang araw na akong hindi nagpapakita sa kanila. Pumayag lang ako ngayon because I needed a break from work. Masyado na akong stressed sa atelier lately kaya inaya ako nila Anais mag shopping. 

I went to the restroom first here in the lobby after checking in on Faye. I was about to come out from the cubicle when I heard two voices talking outside. I slightly opened the door and saw two of the interns in the mirror's view. They were talking about me. 

"You know kung hindi lang sana si Carol Suarez ang mom ni Chanel, wala sana siya ngayon sa fashion industry."

"Right? She's a big no no. I don't even like her designs. Yung mga batchmates niya nagtatrabaho ngayon as employees sa mga retail companies. Tapos siya boss agad." I heard her scoff. 

"Lol, why did Benilde even make us have our internship here? She doesn't even have that much of an experience yet. Kung hindi lang talaga siya isang Suarez eh."

"Diba? I know some people who deserve better than her. So fucking unfair."

I was at the verge of tearing up pero nangingibabaw parin ang galit ko sa mga pinagsasasabi nila tungkol sa akin. They have no right to judge me like that. Lahat ng meron ako ngayon ay pinaghirapan ko itong lahat. Even before my mom died, she already entrusted this company to me. Never did I once breach the name of Suarez ever since I continued what my mother started. Hindi nila alam kung gaano kahirap ang responsibilidad na iniwan sa akin ni mommy at mas lalong wala silang alam kung gaano kahirap mawalan ng magulang. 

Pabalibag kong binuksan ang pinto ng cubicle. They were so shocked to see me. Well, masyado ata akong naging mabait sa kanila. Babawian ko nalang sa assessment and evaluation. Tignan lang natin kung makakapagsalita pa sila. 

I headed to the lobby while looking down when I suddenly bumped into someone. I looked up and was surprised to see Dee standing in front of me with a worried look on his face. He fixed the hair that covered my face and put his hands on my shoulders. 

"Hey, are you ok?" 

"W-why are y-you here?" I lost it. I broke down in front of him. He grabbed my hand and led us out. Pinasakay niya ako sa kaniyang kotse at pumasok na rin siya. We stayed silent for a minute or two. He was just hearing my sobs while the radio was playing before I talked to him. 

"I'm sorry you had to see this." 

"Okay lang. Andito na ako. You can talk to me." I wiped my tears and faced him. 

"My interns were talking to me behind my back. They were saying that I'm just mediocre and that maraming mas magaling sa akin na dapat nasa posisyon ko ngayon." 

"Shh shh. Don't mind them. They're just jealous of you. Ang ganda kaya ng mga designs mo. I even sent them to my mom. Sabi pa nga niya sa akin, "You know Chanel Suarez and you did not tell me?" 

"Oh my gosh. Your mom knows me?"

"Yeah, she even booked an appointment. Didn't you see?"

"Oh, uh, my secretary handles my appointments." 

"Your atelier looks so pretty by the way." Oh right, it's his first time going here. He told me before that he wanted to pass by pero busy siya. Ngayon lang niya siguro naisingit sa schedule niya.

"Let's go na," he said habang pinapaandar ang kotse niya.

"Teka, teka. I'm supposed to be meeting my friends. Wait, I'll text Anais"

"She invited me." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya. 

"What? She didn't tell me that,” I said while putting on my seat belt. 

He just laughed at me and sped off to Greenbelt. Pagkarating namin ay andun na sila Anais at Kai. They were waiting in Starbucks. Lili said she won't be here kasi mag-aaral siya.....kasama si Blaze.

"Dee! What a surprise,” pagbati ni Anais habang bineso-beso niya kaming dalawa. 

"Anong surprise surprise ka diyan. He told me you invited him,” pagbara ko sa kaniya.

"Ay, ganun ba?” sumalampak siya ng upo at tinawanan siya ni Kai.

"Oh by the way, Dee, this is Kai, one of my friends." I introduced them to each other. 

"Hey, bro. Nice to meet you,” bati ni Kai kay Dee while extending his hand. 

"Nice to meet you Kai."

Kumain muna kami sa Starbucks. I even told them about the situation earlier with the interns. 

"Tell me the names. Ipapareport ko sa dean yan,” Anais said. 

"Duwag pala mga yun eh. They can't tell that in front of your face so they backstab you instead? Pathetic,” sabi namin ni Kai. Medyo gumaan naman ang pakiramdam ko knowing I have friends who are always ready to back me up and comfort me in times like these. 

After eating, we went shopping. I just bought active wear at H & M and Adidas. Medyo matagal na rin since I last went to the gym because of work and tumataba na rin ako kaya I'll try to go back to daily exercises. Anais, on the other hand, bought a lot of stuff as usual. Sobrang spoiled talaga nito sa parents niya. Although, the amount she spends on personal things is the same amount she's been giving to a charity supporting women who have cancer. At least she doesn't forget to share her blessings and that's what matters. 

"Gusto mo tulungan kita?" tanong ni Dee kay Kai na halos hindi na mahawakan ang mga shopping bags ni Anais sa dami nito. Sinama talaga niya si Kai dito para gawing tagabit-bit ng mga pinamili niya. 

"Sige, bro." He handed some of the bags to Dee.

Umuwi na kaming lahat pagkatapos. Dee sent me back to the atelier since I left my car there. Pagkauwi ko sa bahay ay nagbake muna ako ng banana cake which is my favorite. I got two slices of it and sat in front of my piano. I've been learning a new piece lately which is the piano version of "Lover" by Taylor Swift combined with Canon in D. I really love its melody and it just sounds so romantic. I hope I can play this in a wedding someday.

Maaga akong pumunta ng office ngayon. It's a Thursday and today's my appointment with Mrs. Saavedra. I'm actually a bit nervous because I don't know what to expect. He's Dee's mother at feeling ko isa siya sa mga evil mothers na bibigyan ka ng pera, layuan mo lang ang anak niya. Hindi ko pa nga nakikilala eh. Ang judger ko talaga kahit kailan. Oh well, I'll just impress her with my skills. 

I wore a white sweater with puffed sleeves and tucked it under my red tweed skirt. I matched my outfit with my nude Louboutin heels. And of course, any look of mine won't be complete without me spraying my signature Chanel No. 5 perfume. 

"Ma'am, Mrs. Saavedra is in the lobby na po. Papasukin ko po ba dito?" tanong ni Faye.

"No need, Faye. I'll go greet her in the lobby." I stood up and went to the lobby only to find out Dee is also there. Dee's mom looked so pretty at ang amo ng kaniyang mukha. She looks young for her age. Parang magkapatid lang sila ni Dee. Ok, binabawi ko na mga sinabi ko kanina. 

"Good morning Mrs. Mirasol Saavedra,” I happily greeted her. 

"Chanel Suarez." She looked at me intently as if examining me. But the weird thing is that she's smiling.

 She suddenly wrapped her arms around me. Napatingin ako kay Dee na nagulat rin sa pagyakap sakin ng mama niya. I was giving him a questioning look but he just shrugged as well. I hugged her back after. 

When she finally let go, I led them to my office where we could talk more in private. Both of them sat in front of my desk. 

"Chanel, it's so nice to see you. I've been wanting to meet you and Carol but I found out too late. Anyways, my son here said that you know each other,” sabi ni Mrs. Saavedra.

"Yes po Mrs. Saavedra. A mutual friend introduced us to each other." I smiled at both of them.

Mrs. Saavedra asked me to design a gown for her because she'll be attending a wedding of her friend's daughter. After that, nagkwentuhan nalang kaming tatlo sa office ko since mamayang hapon pa ang next meeting ko. 

"You know, Chanel, I actually have another reason why I wanted to meet you,” she said. Dee and I exchanged looks, confused of what she's about to say.

"Your mother and I were friends back then in high school. We got separated because I had to migrate to the US. We eventually lost communication so I never had the chance to talk to her again. All I know is that she's a successful fashion designer. Then I heard the news about her death. I remember, we used to tell each other we'd match the names of our future children. We wanted it to be Chanel and Dior,” Mrs. Saavedra said, dropping the bomb. 

Both Dee and I were shocked about what she just said. I was trying to take it all in so I didn't get the chance to speak.

"So when I found out that you and Dee know each other, I just suddenly wanted to see you."

"Wow, that's so amazing. I mean, what a coincidence!” I said.

"Wait, so the friend you said you learned piano from was her mother?" Dee asked her. She just nodded and smiled at us.  

"How come you never mentioned anything about this to me?" he asked.

"Well, I figured na wala ka namang paki sa mga ganito."

We talked more after that. She even talked about how she once taught Dee how to play the piano but backed out after a couple tries because he wanted to learn the violin more. She also showed an old picture of her and my mom sitting on a piano seat. When it was time for them to leave, I led them to the lobby. Mrs. Saavedra faced me before going towards the exit. 

"It was nice to get to know you, Chanel". She gave me a warm smile.

"You too, Mrs. Saavedra."

"Tita."

"Po?" I asked, confused.

"Tita. Just call me Tita Sol."

I smiled at her and looked at Dee. 

"Thank you, Tita Sol for your time."

"I'll see you soon?"

"Yes po, tita." We hugged each other.  

She went out of the atelier first. Dee stayed inside for a while to talk to me.

"I knew it,” he said to me while smiling.

"Knew what?"

"The first time we met parang ang gaan ng loob ko sayo plus the same music taste and matching names. I've never ever experienced this with another person."

"I know right? Like everything is such a coincidence."

"It's not a coincidence,” he said. I looked at him for a moment. 

"It's fate that brought us here today."