Strings in the Beginning (Abrupt Series #2)

EPISODE 05

Legit ba!? We were all squealing with excitement because it's a one-of-a-kind event happening right here in the Philippines! At kasali ang restaurant namin!

Nasa bandang likuran ako nina Riley at Eileen kaya hindi ko agad nayakap si Tita-Nang but my body wants to go in her direction para bigyan siya ng congratulatory hug. My body felt weightless, carried by the sheer joy filling me. I hugged both of my girls while laughing with them.

Malaking pangarap ng pamilya niya ang masali sa isang malaking event lalo na't 'yon ay food expose. It is another milestone again after the one michelin star na natanggap namin nung nakaraang taon. Our michelin star help us to gain more customers lalo na't sobrang kilala na kami sa buong rehiyon.

This is a celebration for me after on what I had heard a while ago. Sobrang bilis napawi ng pagod ko mag-isip dahil sa balitang natanggap ko ngayon hapon.

"Why are you hiding, Nathaniel?" pasigaw na tanong ni Tita na gumising sa diwa ko.

I smiled at her, feeling a bit self-conscious as I noticed everyone's eyes slowly drifting in my direction. Napalunok ako bigla nang maisip kung ano ang susunod kong hakbang but before I could overthink, Chef Oli let out this hearty laugh.

"Hindi na po ako nakasuot ng chef jacket. Bakit po?"

Her eyes went smaller at itinaas ang kaliwang braso upang ikaway pababa ang palad. Senyales na lumapit ako sa kanya at tumabi.

"Halika ka nga rito, para kang baguhan diyan? Come here, I need to tell you something."

I chuckled nervously, the sound catching in my throat like a confession I wasn't ready to make. My steps felt heavy as I moved closer to her dahil kilala ko ang lalaking nakatayo sa kanan niya. His presence was impossible to ignore. I could feel his gaze burning into me, na hindi ko kailan man pinansin hanggang sa makalapit na ako sa babae.

I pushed forward, pretending I didn't notice, kahit na parang gusto kong maglaho sa sahig na tinatapakan ko.

"You both need to go there." Bumaling siya sa anak niyang hindi ko sinulyapan, kahit pa ramdam ko ang bigat ng presensya nito sa gilid ko. Then, her gaze landed on me, steady and purposeful.

"As our new sous chef," she began, her tone shifting, now more measured but firm, "I've decided you'll be leading the team for this. Kailangan mong pumili ng mga tao mo para sa expos. You're free to choose anyone from the kitchen staff. It's your call, Nate. How does that sound?"

I nodded, but the truth was, her words were ringing in my ears louder than they should have.

I can't!

"Hindi po kasama si Chef Oli?" I looked at him and his smile drew on his lips.

"No, siya ang maiiwan dito. We want you to take over his steps and that's a big event for you. I hope you will not get overwhelmed, anak ko."

Whenever she calls me "anak," her voice softens, a quiet attempt to steady myself as my nerves spiral in Chef Oli's absence.

She doesn't want me to panic pero nagsisimula na akong balutin ng kaba sa mga iniisip ko. Hindi ko kaya. Chef Oli is my warrior kapag may mga event at kapag kasama ako.

Katulad na lang nung kasalan ni Ate Charm. We both took care of that event at itong paparating na event sa amin ay kakaiba. And she was taking me an order to lead it? With his son?!

Oh, God!

"Tita-Nang!" tawag ko sa kanya nang tuluyan na siyang lumagpas sa glass door namin.

Ni hindi ko na pinansin ang mga customers na pumapasok habang binabati siya. Bihira lang siya maabutan ng customer dahil bihira lang naman siyang dumaan.Tita-Nang is known as one of the most successful businesswomen in our city. Their family is. Kaya labis na lang ang tingala ng ibang mga business companies and owners sa kanya.