"Meeting adjourned." Isa-isang nagsilabasan ang mga tao sa loob ng kanyang office. The meeting had lasted for nearly an hour, and Isabella was feeling overwhelmed by the time it was finally over. She proceeded to her office desk, where she planned to continue working on a project she had been assigned to. Magsisimula na sana ito sa gagawin ngunit biglaan itong nakaramdam ng gutom. Hinawakan niya ang kumakalam nyang tiyan at napanguso. Hindi pala ito nakapag umagahan kanina dahil tanghali na ito nagising, wala na itong oras kumain dahil sa pag aakalang mahuhuli ito sa kanilang magaganap na business meeting.Kailangan niyang kumain para may lakas siyang makapagtrabaho. Kinuha niya ang laptop at susi ng kanyang kotse bago lumabas at nagtungo sa paborito niyang cafe. She can just ask her secretary to get her some food but she decided not to. She chose to eat outside, hoping that a different atmosphere and a change of scenery would help her improve her mood and concentration while she wo
Kausap ni Davis ang kaibigan sa telepono. Pinipilit siya nitong umuwi na sa Pilipinas dahil kailangan daw siya roon. "Kailan ka ba babalik? Kailangan ka na ng kumpanya mo rito. Dude, dalawang taon lang ang usapan natin bilang pamamahala ko sa sarili mong kumpanya, tapos na ako sa parte ko." Hindi matigil ang pamimilit ni Carlo sa kanya na umuwi na. Wala na rin naman siyang balak na manatili sa Canada nang mas matagal na panahon dahil sa Pilipinas ang totoong niyang tahanan. Narito lamang siya para bisitahin ang kanyang mga magulang dahil dito sila naninirahan. May sariling kumpanya si Davis sa Pilipinas na iniwanan muna kay Carl pansamantala habang nasa bakasyon siya."Just give me some more time, sa susunod na linggo nalang ako uuwi." Carlo sighed in relief."That's my man! Ako na ang susundo sa 'yo sa airport para sigurado." Hinayaan nalang niya ang kaibigan sa kung anong gusto nitong gawin. Mas mabuti na rin 'yon para hindi hassle ang pag uwi niya.Hinanap ni Davis ang kanyang ina
Isabella was busy signing some papers when her phone rang. When she saw her father's name on the caller ID, she immediately answered the call."Hey Daddy, why did you call?" Itinigil muna ng dalaga ang ginagawa para bigyang pansin ang kanyang ama sa kabilang linya."Tomorrow will be Darryl's Birthday." His father was referring to his friend. "I want you to be there. It will be your opportunity to meet some businesspeople and professionals." He said sternly into the phone.Isabella cringed as she heard her father's words. Pagkatapos niyang sabihin ang mga 'yon ay agad na nitong pinatay ang tawag, hindi man lang nito hinayaang makapagsalita ang dalaga. Isabella heaved a sigh. Hindi sana niya gustong pumunta dahil marami pa itong aasikasuhin ngunit hindi siya makatanggi sa ama. Her father was known to be strict and demanding, she's being controlled by him all the time.Maya-maya ay nakatanggap siya ng mensahe galing sa ama kung saan at anong oras magaganap ang event para bukas. Napabunt
"You look great," Ryan said while looking at her sister with a warm smile. "I'm proud of you."Gumuhit naman ang isang ngiti sa labi ni Isabella dahil sa sinabi ng kaniyang kapatid. "Thank you."Her brother was always there for her, and his encouragement meant the world to her. She knew that she had a lot riding on tonight's event, but with Ryan by her side, she felt like she could take on anything.Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas bago niya natanaw ang mataas na building kung saan magaganap ang okasyon. Ilang beses itong napabuntong hininga para ihanda ang sarili. Kinakabahan si Isabella, hindi dahil sa magaganap na event kung hindi ang isipin na naroon ang kanyang ama. She couldn't help but feel a sense of pressure.Isabella took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves. She knew that she had to stay focused and not let her father's presence affect her. She had been to many events before, but this one was different because of her father's presence. She didn't want to disappoint him, b
Tinanaw ni isabella ang hotel kung saan siya nanggaling, rinig na rinig niya ang malakas na tugtog mula sa kanyang pwesto. Pinunasan niya ang kanyang mga mata gamit ang sariling kamay, ngunit patuloy parin ang pag agos ng kanyang mga luha sa kanyang pisngi.She knew she couldn't go back in because her makeup was now ruined. Her mascara was smudged all over her face, making her look like a complete mess.Nagpatuloy siya sa paglalakad at huminto nang makakita ng bench sa hindi kalayuan. Isabella felt a surge of frustration building up inside her, and she wanted to let it out with a loud scream. But, as she opened her mouth to let out the scream, she found herself crying even harder. The tears streamed down her face, making her mascara run even more.As she cried, she thought about all the things that had led her to this point. She thought about her family, and how they had always supported her, no matter what. "Mommy..." she smiled bitterly. "Why did we end up like this?" Nanghihina n
Hindi pinaandar ni Davis ang sasakyan. Nakaupo si Isabella sa front seat katabi ng binata. Unang binasag ni Isabella ang katahimikan. She told Davis about the criticisms, the expectations, and the pressure she felt from her father. She told him about how she felt like she could never live up to his standards, and how it had been affecting her mental health. Davis listened intently, and asked her to tell him more about how she was feeling."It sounds like your father is having a hard time seeing things from your perspective," Davis said sympathetically. "But that doesn't give him the right to treat you that way. You deserve better than that."Isabella nodded, feeling a small sense of relief. It was good to have someone on her side, someone who understood how hard things had been for her."What do you think I should do?" tanong ni Isabella sa mababang tono."You don't have to put up with that kind of treatment," Davis said firmly. "You deserve to be treated with respect and kindness, n
A few days had passed since Isabella met Davis. He was the only person who had been able to reach her in her darkest moment including her brother.As she sat down at her swivel chair, lost in thought, she heard a knock on the door."Come in." Pinagsiklop ni Isabella ang dalawang kamay at agad na inihanda ang matamis na ngiti. Pumasok sa loob ang kanyang sekretarya."Good morning ma'am. I have some important news to share." Pinakatitigan lamang ito ni Isabella, hinihintay ang kanyang susunod na sasabihin."I'm afraid that Mr. Hernandez, the buyer for our product, has decided to back out of the deal we had agreed upon. This is unfortunate news, to say the least, and it could have a significant impact on our company's bottom line." Napakunot ang noo ni Isabella. "Let's just move forward with other options. Please arrange a meeting with our other buyers." Her secretary nodded and eventually left her office. Isabella took a deep breath and continued to work.Isabella was feeling a little
Pagod na pagod si Isabella nang makarating siya sa kanyang Condo. Tamad siyang pumasok sa loob at ibinaba ang kanyang nga gamit. Dumiretso siya sa bathroom at minadali niyang nilinis ang kanyang katawan upang sa ganoon ay maaga siyang makakapagpahinga. Pagkatapos niyang maligo ay pinatuyo niya ang kanyang buhok at diretsong humiga sa kama.Nakatingin lang siya sa kisame, malalim ang iniisip. Inalala niya ang sinabi ni Manang Nora. Ano ang ibig sabihin nitong espesyal siya kay Davis? Ilang beses pa lang sila nagkikita ng binata at madalang din silang mag usap. Napabangon muli ang dalaga, ang daming bumabagabag sa isip niya. Isa na rin ang nakita niya kanina sa restaurant. Kitang kita ng dalawa niyang mata ang likod na bulto ng kanyang ama, pero parang napaka imposible naman niyon kung iisipin. Ang alam niya ay nasa ibang bansa ito ngayon at may inaasikaso. Inabot niya ang kanyang telepono sa bedside table ang idinial niya ang numero ng kapatid. Kailangan niyang kumpirmahin ang kanyan