Chapter 7

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 tense from working nonstop so she decided to use her lunch time to take a break and relax.

She grabbed her phone and checked her notifications. Una niyang napansin ang mensahe galing sa unregistered number.

Isabella hesitated for a moment before opening the message from the unregistered number. She didn't know who it was from or what it could possibly say, but her curiosity got the best of her. As she read the message, she felt a rush of excitement as she recognized it was from Camille.

Agad niyang tinawagan ang numero nito para makausap ng masinsinan ang dalaga. Gusto nitong humingi ng tawad dahil hindi siya nakapagpaalam noon sa dinaluhang event.

After a few rings, Camille finally picked up the phone. "Hey Cams. It's me Bella."

Ilang segundong natahimik ang kabilang linya bago niya narinig ang boses ni Camille. "Umalis ka ba agad noong nasa party tayo? Hinanap kita noon sa bawat sulok ng Hotel na 'yon pero kahit anong gawin ko 'di kita makita. Tinanong ko pa si Ryan at ang Daddy mo pero kahit sila ay hindi alam kung nasaan ka. Nakakatampo ka alam mo ba 'yon?" Napakagat labi si Isabella dahil sa bungad ng kausap.

Isabella took a deep breath before diving into the apology. "I know this may be a bit late, but I wanted to apologize for the way I left the party last time. I know I should have at least let you know I was leaving, but I had a sudden emergency come up that required my attention." Pagsisinungaling niya.

"I know that's not an excuse, and I'm deeply sorry for just disappearing like that." Narinig niyang napabuntong hininga ang nasa kabilang linya.

"It's okay. Hindi naman siya big deal para sa akin. Nag oover react lang ako." Mahinang natawa si Isabella. Biglang may pumasok sa isip niyang ideya para makabawi sa kaibigan.

"How about let's go out together. Let's have some fun. My treat." Inilayo nito ang telepono sa kanyang taenga nang napatili nang malakas si Camille.

"I would love that! Kailan ka ba available?" Napatingin si Isabella sa orasan. May ilang oras pa siya para tapusin ang trabaho. Sa pagkakaalala niya ay may business meeting pa siyang dadaluhan mamayang hapon.

"Hindi ako available ngayon. Siguro bukas nalang. Ayos lang ba?"

"Cool. Lagi naman akong available and I can always make time for myself naman. So settled na? Bukas ng hapon.. Let's meet at my boutique." Isabella agreed.

Mahilig sa fashion si Camille kaya naisipan niyang magpatayo ng sarili niyang boutique.

Nang matapos ang oras ng hapunan ay nagpaalam na sila sa isa't isa dahil sa kanya kanya nilang trabaho.

Isabella wasted no time getting back to work after her call with Camille.

She was deep in thought as she worked on her computer, her mind consumed by the various tasks she needed to complete before the day was over. Suddenly, she heard a knock on her door, and she immediately sat up straight in her chair. Isabella checked the time and realized it was already four thirty. Hindi niya namalayan ang takbo ng oras dahil sa trabaho lang naka pokus ang kanyang atensyon.

"Come in," Her secretary entered the room, carrying a stack of papers in her hand.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Isabella. I just want to inform you that you have a meeting scheduled for 30 minutes from now," her secretary said with a hint of urgency in her voice.

Isabella nodded. She quickly scanned the papers her secretary had brought, making sure everything was in order before she stood up and headed towards the conference room.

Nang pumasok siya ay may nadatnan na siyang ilang tao sa loob. Binati niya ang mga ito at dumiretso na sa kanyang pwesto.

A few minutes passed and the meeting has begun. Isabella was sitting at the head of the long conference table, with a folder containing the meeting agenda and other materials in front of her. She will be going to be their chairwoman for this board meeting since she's the CEO.

"Good morning everyone." Isabella begins, her voice calm and firm. "Today's meeting is a routine review of company operations and financials, and to consider any upcoming changes or initiatives. Let's begin with a review of our recent sales figures..."

As Isabella speaks, the members of the Board listen attentively, taking notes on their tablets and notebooks. Some may nod in agreement with Isabella's words, while others may have points of their own to raise.

The two-hour board meeting had finally come to an end, with everyone in the room grateful for Isabella's leadership throughout the discussion. She smiled at them all and thanked them for their contributions.

Nanatili muna siya roon pansamantala. Pinanood niya lang ang kanyang mga kasamang tumayo at umalis. Napayuko si Isabella nang mag isa na lamang siya sa conference room. Sobrang nakakapagod ang araw na ito sa kanya.

Nakalipas ang ilang minuto at naisipan nang umuwi ni Isabella. Kailangan niya ang pahinga dahil ramdam na niyang humihina ang kanyang katawan. Lumabas siya sa conference room, bumalik siya sa kanyang office at inayos ang mga gamit.

Kinuha niya ang susi ng kanyang sasakyan at nagtungo sa parking lot. Habang nasa kalagitnaan ng pagmamaneho ay nakaramdam ng gutom ang dalaga. Inihinto niya muna ang kanyang sasakyan sa isang restaurant para makakain.

Pumasok siya rito at naghanap ng mauupuan. Nang makaupo ay tinignan niya ang menu nila na nakalagay sa lamesa. Maya-maya rin ay may lumapit sa kanyang waiter para kunin ang kanyang order.

Isabella ordered steak, frozen lemonade for her drink and souffles for her dessert. The waiter wrote down her order and headed immediately to the kitchen.

Ilang minuto lang ang hinintay ni Isabella bago dumating ang kanyang order. Nagsimula na itong kumain nang tahimik.

Isabella finished her meal and was pleased to have enjoyed it so much. She complemented the steak, which was prepared to her liking, and the souffles, which were delicious and light. After finishing her meal, she asked for her bill and thanked the waiter for their service

As Isabella stepped out of the restaurant, she noticed a familiar shape in the crowd: it looked like her father, but he was with another woman. She squinted to get a better look but they were already too far away. She must have been seeing things, her father had no reason to be in town when he was halfway around the world on a business meeting. Napailing si Isabella sa kaniyang sarili dahil sa kakaibang pakiramdam na lumukob sa kaniya saka ito nagtungo sa kaniyang sasakyan.