Now That I Have You

chapter 1

Its a fine morning sa Vanguardia Corp. everyone is doing their day to day tasks and the employees are in high spirits, why? Because Atty. Regina Vanguardia is returning back from France for a long time after Rex Vanguardia announced his retirement from being the Chairman of the company and appointed his only daughter to succeed him in managing their affairs.

"It's good you're back Regina" sabi ni Rex na may malaking ngiti sa labi

"I wish I could say the same, alam mo naman that I love my life there in Marseille, dad" sabi niya in a light tone

"I know Regina, you are free to date women there unlike here where everyone is scrutinizing your every move, but you know I wouldn't care about your dating life basta nandito ka lang sa Pinas at i-manage ng tama ang corporation" sabi ni Rex habang umiinom ng coffee at nakangiti, parang walang makakapag pasama ng araw niya ngayon

"Well, I have to go dad, I need to be early so I could look at the paperwork, it's my first day after all" Regina had the last sip of her coffee and got up leaving her happy father in the garden

Regina didn't know that her father wouldn't mind her dating women, she thought it'll be a big deal since who would continue their family legacy, but Rex assured her that there isn't anything money couldn't do, whenever she was ready to have kids, he can guarantee that it will happen.

She didn't know she could have a supportive father, when she finally came out to him, she thought that he will disown her knowing how strict Rex Vanguardia is, but it turns out he would do anything for Regina as long as she's happy.

Ali opened the car door and Regina went inside, she immediately checked her schedules

"Ali, why are we conducting interviews for new secretaries?" sabi niya na may hint ng irritation

"Regina, your dad's personal secretary also retired since they are the same age, alam mo naman na napaka loyal ni Sec Roberta sa daddy mo na dun na talaga siya sa kompanya tumanda" paliwanag niya

"So I'm going to have an amateur assisting me when I'm just starting to be the Chairman?" she said trying to flare down her anger which Ali didn't miss

"Huwag kang magalala Regi na-endorse naman sakin ni Sec Roberta yung mga need mo malaman" assured Ali

He visibly saw Regina took a sigh and relaxed, buti na lang talaga at nauna siyang umuwi kay Regina kung hindi ea baka magwala ang Chairman, umagang umaga.

They arrived in front of the building of Vanguardia Corporation and Ali immediately opened the door for her, the employees in the lobby immediately greeted their new chairman, Regina returned their greetings with a bright smile. Kitang kita ni Ali yung mga babae at lalaki na halos manghina ang mga tuhod nang makita si Regina, yung iba napatulala na lang, natawa na lang siya dahil ibang iba na si Regina at sobrang laki ng pinagbago niya simula nang sa abroad siya tumira

"Why are you laughing Ali, what's so funny?" pagtataka ni Regina while they were inside the elevator

"Wala Regi, hindi importante" Ali said trying to end the conversation

"It's not nothing Ali, you wouldn't be that amused without any reason" Ali sighed

"Natutuwa lang ako sa mga employees, nakatulala na sila lahat sayo nung dumating ka" he explained

"Well, I guess, I still have my groove on" she smiled

They arrived at the top floor and Regina went straight to reviewing her work, it had been three hours and she hasn't even looked up from the paper she's reading and note taking. She didn't even notice that Ali knocked to bring her some coffee and the first interviewee. The interviewee was waiting for a long time but didn't try to bother Regina since she too have been oggling the chairman since she's too pretty.

Naalimpungatan lang ito nang marealize niya na matagal na siyang nakatitig sa chairman that's why she cleared her throat to get Regina's attention . Nang marinig ni Regina ang konting ingay sa harap niya ay bigla itong napatingin

"Narda? Narda Custodio?" laking pagtataka at pagkagulat ang nasa mukha ni Regina, Narda looks blank while looking at the chairman

"Narda, ako to, si Regina!" Narda was speechless, never in her dreams thought na makikita pa niya ang kanyang kababata na matagal nang wala sa bansa

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" laking pagtataka ni Regina

"Ah, eh, nag-aaply ako para maging secretary mo" sabay tawa nya ng mahina tila nahihiya

"Oh really! Ano to ikaw ba ang napili ni Lola Berta para maging kapalit niya?" Regina sounds excited which Narda didn't expect, at bakit parang hindi nagbago ang pakikitungo ni Regina sa kanya after all these years, parang siya pa rin ang mabait at bubbly na Regina nung mga bata pa sila

"Actually, hindi kami masyado nagkakausap ni Lola Berta kasi sobrang busy niya dito sa Vanguardia Corp. sinubukan ko lang talaga mag-apply kasi" hindi maituloy ni Narda ang sasabihin dahil nahihiya siya sa kababata dahil hindi alam ni Regina na mag-isa na lang ito sa buhay simula nang itakwil ito ni Lola Berta nang malaman na nagkagusto siya sa babae

"Kasi?" sambit ni Regina when she saw Narda seemed dazed, bumalik sa reality si Narda ng marinig ang boses ni Regina

"Ah, kasi wala akong trabaho, medyo nahihirapan din ako makahanap dahil hindi ako nakapagtapos" that made Regina confused

"Why? I think Lola Berta is earning enough here so she could support you and Ding to study since Tita Leonor died?" hindi na makapag salita si Narda, ilang taon na din nang umalis siya sa bahay nila at kung saan saan tumira at nagtrabaho para mabuhay.

Regina noticed Narda trailing off once again so she spoke in a soft voice

"Can I see your resume?" Regina asked and Narda held it in front of her

Regina reviewed her personal information and saw that she's living at a different address and not at the Custodio family house, she also realized that Narda stopped during her second year in college which means it's been years. She looked at Narda, her petite frame may seem normal but if you look closely it looks like she hasn't eaten the right food to support her, and her clothes are overworn under her sharp scrutiny

'What happened to you, Narda?' she thought.