He Was My Cousin

Chapter 43

Ch44 soon. HWMC will be ~50 chapters.

Chapter 43
A Reminder

I looked at Paolo who was sitting on the couch of his condo unit. Naka-kunot ang noo niya at mukhang malalim ang iniisip. "Why?" I asked. "Who called? Sino 'yung kausap mo kanina? Is there a problem?" sunod-sunod ko pang tanong.

He looked back at me and frowned. Tinapik-tapik niya ang bakanteng espasyo sa tabi niya. I gladly obliged and sat beside him.

Ibinagsak ni Paolo ang kanyang ulo sa aking balikat. "It's Yul," kwento niya. "He's proposing that we open up - or at least consider opening up - a restaurant. Marami na rin kasing meals offering ang ABF Cafe. He said maybe it's time to venture in food service..."

"It doesn't sound like a bad idea," kumento ko. I peeked to see his face. "Why do you look so worried? Don't you think it's worth a try, Paolo? Look at Riyuji's family! Sobrang successful ng GFC."

Paolo raised his head to meet my eye, "Exactly." Dumiretso muli siya ng upo at sinandal ang likod sa sofa. "Entering the food service industry means competing with the Garcia Food Corporation at one point or another. They're the food service giant, Princess..."

"And Riyuji is your friend," I continued, knowing well what he wanted to add.

He nodded. "That, too."

Sumandal din ako sa sofa at inakbayan siya upang paglaruan ang kanyang buhok gamit ang aking mga daliri. "It couldn't be that bad. Kung iba naman ang target niyo, there wouldn't be much conflict right?"

"You know I managed Riyu's restos when Sky was pregnant, don't you?" Tumango ako. "I know all their business processes. I know their future plans, their direction... Opening up a resto of my own feels like treachery."

I sighed. He has a point. Kung ako man ang GFC or si Riyuji, I'd be treathened. They might be a food service giant, but someone who knows their secrets wouldn't be an easy competitor.

"Maybe that's life saying you should just focus on ABF," sagot ko. "Maybe you'd get more lucky because the beautiful flower is now back with you."

"What?" He immediately gaped at me upon realizing what I have said, surprised. "Y-You knew?"

I simpered, "Amharic, right?"

I never planned on telling or hinting him that I knew about it, but now that we're all okay, I couldn't help but tease him about it! He's so timid about his sentimental side.

"How did you know? Did Riyu tell you? No way. Ako lang ang may alam no'n bukod sa Mama mo! Did your mom tell you - no, I'm sure she won't. So how did you know?"

I snorted, holding back my laughters. He sounded so betrayed.

"No one told me, Paolo," I said, now a little calmer. "It's my name. It's not surprising if one day I got curious and hit the web to know what my name meant. Sobrang obvious mo kaya."

He flushed. Cute.

"Patay na patay ka talaga sa'kin, no," gatong ko pa.

Ha. His ears were burning!

After a short moment, he looked back at me when he recovered. "Tapos 'pag ako naman ang bumanat nang gan'yan, you'd shut me out and won't talk to me."

"Ang corny mo kasi, e."

Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin, "Tss."

"Woah. Galit ka na niyan?"

"Hindi naman kung iki-kiss mo 'ko rito," sabi niya sabay turo sa kaliwang pisngi.