Strings in the Beginning (Abrupt Series #2)

EPISODE 09

EPISODE 09

Halos hindi ako kumibo sa pwesto ko nang tuluyang dumating na ang lalaki dala ang isang plato. The left hand was holding the high ball glass of milk. May ngiti itong umupo sa dulong upuang katabi ni Aiden.

"Sa kanya pala galing, Chef," ani Chef Iris na gumising ng diwa ko.

I let out a small laugh while thinking a not suspicious reason kung magtatanong ba sila. They can ask him or me! Parang gusto ko mag-panic bigla ngunit ng balingan ko ang lalaki ay nakangiti ito na tila wala lang siyang ginawa.

"Ah, oo... sayang naman nito. Kainin ko na lang," mahinang sabi ko.

Wala namang tinugon ang babae sa tabi ko dahil tahimik na itong sinimulang kainin ang almusal niya. Conrad was laughing wih Aiden and Easton. And now, it is bothering me because we haven't spoke since yesterday, at ngayong umaga ay meron siyang eksena.

I wouldn't even touch it kung kami lang na dalawa ang nasa table but because most of us are here. Hindi ko siya pwedeng balewalain at alam nilang galing ito sa lalaki. Kailangan ko kumalma.

Nakabalik kami sa sarili naming hotel room na walang kibuan ang nanyari sa aming dalawa. I filled with a lot of thoughts na dahilan ng pagiging tahimik ko hanggang sa makarating kami ng World Center. They are asking me some related questions about the event when we are on our way at laking pasalamat ko na nasasagot ko naman ito.

"Ang daming tao," gulat na usal ni Chef Iris.

"Kaunti pa 'to kung tutuusin. It's not even starting yet," Skye added to the conversation.

Mag-isa kong inilibot ang mata ko habang naglalakad papalapit sa booth namin. We arrive exactly the time what we planned at makapanindig balahibo nga ang dami ng tao sa loob. Skyewas right, hindi pa nagsisimula at sobrang dami na agad ang bisitang dumating.

My chefs are wearing our chef jackets same with me and with our restaurant logo in the right chest part, matched with our usual black slack pants. Ang mga waitstaff naman namin ay puting long sleeve and we made sure they would look presentable para mamaya.

But the one who held my attention, even back in the van, was Conrad.

He wore a sleek black tuxedo that seemed to have been tailored by the gods. It was the kind of suit that didn't just fit; it commanded attention. Conrad had this maddening ability to look devastatingly handsome.

Para siyang Italian model na tumakas mula sa pahina ng isang luxury magazine. His perfectly styled dark hair, probably fixed by an expensive wax, seemed effortless yet precise like every strand knew its role in the masterpiece.

Umiling ako sa pagkakataong mahuli niya akong nakatitig sa kanya. Don't compliment him too much, you still hate him.

"Media are everywhere. Kapag merong tinanong, just answer as naturally as possible. No pressure," I began, forcing a steady voice despite the growing lump in my throat. "Isipin niyo na lang, nasa Cucina pa rin tayo but loaded of people."

I saw their gazes fixed on me like I was some kind of professor giving a lecture. But they weren't just employees today; we are a team, a family who carried the soul of this place. And we only had an hour to prepare.

Conrad stood behind me, a silent presence I couldn't quite ignore. I suddenly felt his eyes on me, steady and deliberate, but my pride kept me from looking back. Ngayon lang. Just this once, I begged myself. Do it for Cucina Eterna.

Swallowing my nerves, I glanced at him and my hands were slightly trembling. 

"Do you have anything to add?"