Race Against Love (on-going)

Chapter 32

3 YEARS AFTER

REESE

"Let's cancel muna ang meeting ko sa board ng hapon. Let's move it tomorrow morning? What do you think?" Tanong ko sa aking executive assistant na si Wen.

Ayoko ng mag-isip. Siya ang mas nakakaalam ng schedule ko.

Nag-isip ito. "Ano'ng oras po sa morning? May ribbon cutting po tayo ng 9am sa Plaza," paalala nito.

Oo nga pala. Opening ng Fitness Haven's 8th branch. Muntik ko nang makalimutan.

" Alin po ang i-aadjust natin? 'Yung breakfast niyo po sa hotel is 7am."

Gosh. That's my breakfast meeting with the Angeles Transport Group. I can't move that one.

Ngayon lang ako nagipit sa oras. The gym, Fitness Haven is branching out all over the metro. I can't believe it. I am now partly managing it because I've been busy with the hotels and new line of businesses. Hindi pa ako full time ng lagay na yan.

Pinasa ko muna kay Railey ang pagmamanage ng gym. He graduating this year, so this is some sort of like a training for him. After ng graduation, do'n pa lang siya bibigyan ng full-time task ni Daddy sa company.

Sandoval Crimsons has expanded from hotel chains to lodging houses. It's a partnership with one of Dad's associates which started last year. La Casa Grande was founded right after I graduated. These are cost effective and low-rise units to cater students, employees, at 'yong mga galing provinces na naghahanap ng short term and long term na matitirahan.

At dito ako gustong mag-focus ni Daddy ngayon. Actually, lahat ng new line of business na itatayo ng company, Dad wants me to be part of it. Siguro bilang panganay, it's part of my responsibility.

Merong 18 branches ang La Casa Grande nationwide, including provincial branches. Ang pinaka-latest ng nag-open ay ang nasa CDO. Currently, I am the Manager for Operations. Sa La Casa Grande pa lang ito. Wala pa ang role ko sa hotel at sa gym. Minsan, hindi ko na namamalayan ang oras. Kung pwede ko lang hatiin ang katawan ko sa tatlo, ginawa ko na.

Gusto ko naman ang ginagawa ko. I just wanted to have more time with the business and for myself.

Ngayon, naiintindihan ko na kung nagkulang man ng oras sa amin si Daddy noon. Sa dami ng responsibilidad niya, he had no choice kundi unahin ang business. Gusto ko tuloy ma-guilty sa trato ko sa kanya noon kapag nakaka-miss siya ng special occasion.

That's why I'm doing my best para hindi siya ma-disappoint. I will work hard like him. Aside from this is our family's legacy, maraming empleyado ang hotel. Ibig sabihin, maraming pamilya ang nakadepende rito.

Minsan, parang gusto kong magsisi na nagtayo ako ng gym. Sana pala hindi muna, kasi sa hotel pa lang, kulang na ang oras ko.

But the gym, Fitness Haven is something that I can call my own. I thought it just started as a hobby, but look at it now. Naging successful ito based sa annual revenue reports. 

Hindi ko pa fully paid ang loan na kinuha ko sa company para maipatayo ito, still, I can say that I started my own business at a very young age. And it makes me so proud of myself.

Though, hindi na ako nag-expand ng dojo. Isa lang ang branch nito at gusto kong personal itong na-mamanage.

"May meeting po pala kayo sa Ops ng 11am ngayon. Gusto niyo po bang i-adjust ko ang lunch niyo with attorney ng 12:30?"

"Pakicheck nga kung available si Jhon ng 10am?

Baka pwedeng i-move ang schedule ko with him.

"Sige po."

Bago pa makaalis si Wen, bumukas ang pinto.

Napatingin sa akin si Wen at ngumiti. Parang sinasabi nitong "speaking of the devil".

Tumango ito kay Jhon bago tuluyang lumabas.

"What brings you here, Atty. Severo?" Biro ko sa kanya.

Alam kong naiinis siya tuwing tinatawag ko siya nito. Kaya natawa na lang ako nang sumama ang mukha nito.

" Wag ka nang magalit." I pulled him and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

"Galit pa ako," sabi nito at naka-pout.

So I kiss him quick on the lips. And he took advantage if it and pulled me to deepen the kiss.

Yes. Jhon and I are together now for over a year. I decided to give him a chance. Sa tingin ko, it's the wisest decision I made since, I don't even want to think about it.

Napapikit ako. Ayokong mag-isip ng ibang bagay, o ng ibang tao. The kiss lasted for few minutes when I pulled away.

" In broad daylight, in my office?" Natatawa kong sabi.

Natawa rin siya. " I came to pick you up, if you're not busy."

Well, just in time.

"Nope. So, let's go?" And I offered my hand to him.

At napatingin siya sa kamay ko, partikular sa daliri ko.

He's looking at the ring he gave me on my birthday. At natigilan siya.

"Does this  mean..."

He proposed a week ago and this is my answer, wearing the ring he gave me on my 18th birthday.

I smiled. "Yes "

***

Thank you for reading! ^_^