Chapter 3

"Is a welcome party really necessary?"

Kanina pa ako nakikipagtalo kay mama over the phone. She wants to throw a welcome party in our hotel here para sa akin. I kept on insisting for like hours that I'm fine without it pero ayaw niyang paawat.

"It's for you to get acquianted with everyone in the company, Ei." Her stern voice suggests that I can never win this argument.

Great! It's just 6:00 in the early freaking morning and it's freaking ruined already! Mariin kong hinilot ang aking sentido para kahit papaano ay kumalma at baka makita ko nang husto ang katuturan sa mga pinagsasabi ng nanay ko.

"Wasn't it enough that I was already introduced to the board, ma?" Ang diin sa aking boses ay naroon.

Akala ko iyon na iyon. I tried so hard to suppress my frustration towards the topic. All I want is to work in peace kaya bakit kailangang may mga ganito pa? I'm already so worn out sa mga trabahong kailangan kong habulin at transactions na kailangan ko pang aralin. I have no time for parties!

"Anak, not all of the investors and members of the board were present during the meeting. I already made sure that all of them will attend kaya naman you also have to prepare yourself. Your papa and I will be there also."

Oh! So may hindi pa pala ako name-meet? I thought that was all of them already? I sighed in defeat at alam kong naiintindihan na ni Mama iyon.

I put my phone hastily on the side table at lumabas na para makapag-jogging. Wearing my sports bra under a gray jacket, leggings na hanggang ibaba ng tuhod ang haba at sneakers shoes, I jog my way to the streets. The cold breeze of the morning kissed my skin leaving a chilly feeling. The road is already busy this early. May mangilan-ngilan din akong nakakasabay sa pagjojogging.

I looked back at everything that's happened since I got back here. Everything seems normal at naghatid iyon ng ginhawa sa akin. Kung sana ay pwedeng sa States nalang ako kahit pa nandito ang trabaho ko. My life would be a lot easier. But I know better. Tapos na ang panahong binigay nina mama sa akin. I have to face it. I have to stay here for good.

I have never been fond of parties, unlike my parents. Noon tuwing sinasama nila ako sa mga social gatherings I would always stay in the corner and gaze at the people's dresses and suits. I don't socialize. I only observe. Kung hindi lang para sa akin ang party na ito ay hindi ako sisipot. Akala ko nagbibiro lang sila nang sinabi nilang magpapa-welcome party sila. Nakikinita ko nang magiging boring ang party na iyon para sa akin lalo pa't hindi pa makakauwi si Aurora.

The biggest hall of the hotel is well decorated. Simple yet elegant. The round tables sorrounding the spacious floor are covered with white cloth at may mga bulaklak sa gitna ng bawat isa. The large chandelier above together with the smaller ones around it illuminated the whole place. Malamig sa mata ang liwanag na nanggagaling sa mga iyon.

Some people who attended ay na-meet ko na sa meeting. Matapos kong magbigay ng welcome speech ay tahimik na akong naupo sa silyang para sa akin. My parents are in the same table with me along with Santi, Mrs. Remus, and Mr. Rodriguez. Isang bakanteng upuan sa tabi ni Mr. Rodriguez bago si Mr. Tan. He's papa's business partner na may-ari ng isang architectural firm. They're based in China pero mayroon silang office sa Manila. Next to him is tito Lucio, Aurora's dad. Kataka-takang hindi niya kasama si tita ngayon. Might as well ask him later.

I noticed the vacant seat on our table kaya naman bumaling ako bahagya kay mama to ask if we're still waiting for someone o sadyang wala lang ibang gustong umupo sa silyang iyon.

"That's reserved for an investor, hijah. May inaasikaso pa kaya medyo mahuhuli."

I nodded and focused on the person talking on stage, si Papa. Muli ay pinakilala niya ako sa lahat. Everyone in the company are invited, mula sa janitorial positions hanggang sa executves kaya hindi kataka-takang halos mapuno ang buong hall sa dami ng tao. The media is covering the event too.

Nang matapos magsalita si Papa ay sinerve na ang pagkain. My eyes roamed around as the waiters deliver the food in every table. Hindi pa man natatapos sa pagseserve ay mukhang may pinagkakaguluhan ang mga taga media sa labas. I craned my neck to see who's coming pero sa dami ng mga taong nakaharang ay hindi rin ako nagtagumpay.

Hinanap ng aking mga mata si Bella at iminuwestra sa kanya ang media na may pinagkakaguluhan sa labas. Agad niyang nakuha iyon at tumawag sa security. Pinagtitinginan na ng lahat ang kumosyong nangyayari sa labas na talaga namang ikinairita ko. Mabilis namang nagtungo roon ang security team at mahinahon na binigyan ng daan ang kung sino mang papasok. Hindi ko na binigyang pansin pa ang sumunod na nangyari at nag concentrate nalang sa pagkain. That's when the commotion died down.

I was about to ask Mama about something nang mahagip ng aking mga mata ang kanina'y bakante lang na upuan sa aming table. May nakaupo na roon ngayon. Before I could even stop myself from showing any reactions ay nanlaki na ang aking mga mata. Staring at me with his cold and serious gaze is Rylle Balmaceda.

Malaki ang ipinagbago niya mula nang huli ko siyang nakita. He got massive, with those broad shoulders na kahit natatabunan ng kanyang suot na puting long sleeves at coat ay mahahalata, tumangkad din siya. He was already tall the last time I saw him but he went bulky na mas lalong nadepina sa kanyang suit. Facial features still the same except that they became more define and masculine. Mula sa makakapal na kilay na bahagyang natatabunan ng humahaba na niyang buhok, matangos na ilong, ang kanyang panga na lalong nadedepina kapang umiigting and his lips.

I snapped out my own thoughts at inayos ang ekspresyon. Hindi natanggal sa akin ang kanyang titig na tila ba isa akong eksperimentong pinag-aaralan. I shifted uncomfortably on my seat. Ang kaninang pagkamangha ay napalitan agad ng inis at galit. How dare he look at me like that? And what is he doing here by the way?

Agad ko ring naalala ang sinabi ni Mama kanina. So he's the investor she's talking about? Wait... What? Investor? Kailan pa? At bakit di ko 'to alam? 

Sa napagtanto ay mas lalong sumidhi ang galit sa aking sistema. I gritted my teeth as I equalled his intense glares. Tiim-bagang akong nagpaalam kay Mama na pupunta lang ng powder room.

Agad ko ring idinial ang number ng aking assistant nang makapasok ako sa loob. Nanggigigil ako sa sobrang inis.

"Bella, can you please check on the investors kung may Rylle Balmaceda ba? I just want to confirm something."

"Okay, Miss. Wait lang po."

Ilang sandali siyang hindi nagsalita maybe to check her files. Papindot pindot naman ako sa sink habang pinagmamasdan ang repleksyon ko sa salamin. Nang makitang nakakunot ang aking noo ay agad akong umayos ng tayo at pilit kinalma ang sarili. Come on, Eirene. Just an investor. It's not like you'll see him every waking moment of your life1

"Uhh, Miss?"

"Yes?" My voice sounded hopeful. Damn it! I just hope this is not that bad.

"Yes po. Mr. Rylle Balmaceda is an investor and he's a major shareholder din, Miss. Actually he's part of the board po."

To be continued...