"Huan ying, huan ying, Quinn xiao jie, Quinn Taitai, Young Master Quinn. I am Mr. Wang. I am pleased to know that you arrived safely."
I only smiled and Mom took over the conversation being that mas kilala niya si Mr. Wang kesa sa'kin. I felt Zane nudged me. "Ano raw 'yun, Ate?"
"Wine-welcome niya tayo."
"Sikat ka rin dito, Te?"
"Hindi, baliw. May negosyo dito ang Daddy dati na pinapatakbo pa rin ng mga tao namin. Ewan, I'm not much into the family's business. Kumontak lang ako dito so I can fix things that is need fixing. So I'm here."
Tumango lang si Zane. Then Mr. Wang lead the way papasok ng hotel.
"Forgive me, xiao jie. May I know the name of the Young Master?"
"Zane. His name is Zane."
Nabaling ang atensyon ni Zane sa'kin mula sa pagtingin-tingin sa paligid. "Ha? Ano 'yon? Bakit? Anong meron?"
Muntanga.
"Young Master Zane." Then Mr. Wang nodded at him. Sa sobrang gulat ni Zane muntik siyang magtago sa likuran ko kung hindi lang nakuha ni Mommy ang kamay niya at ngumiti sa kanya. "Your wardrobe will be sent to your room later. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. My men is caught in traffic."
Tumingin sa akin si Zane na parang walang kaalam-alam sa nangyayari sa mundo niya. Aw, he looks like a lost puppy. I smiled at ginulo ang buhok niya bago bumaling kay Mr. Wang. "It's alright, we understand."
"I'll take you to your rooms."
Magkakatabi lang ang mga kwartong kinuha niya. Gusto ni Zane na mag-share kami pero sayang naman yung isa kaya hindi ako pumayag. Agad-agad nag-plano sila ni Mommy na maglibot habang nandito kami.
H'wag lang sanang maligaw 'yang dalawang yan.
"Take me to her, Mr. Wang."
"Of course, of course, xiao jie. I'll lead the way."
Kasama si April, sinundan namin si Mr. Wang hanggang sa fourth floor ng Hotel. He knocked on the door and it opened. Pumasok siya and opened the door for me. A lady, she had Kent's eyes and nose, her hair is black, skin fair, Ralph's lips and high cheekbones, she's standing there anticipating for something, probably me.
"Miss Elsa, this is Quinn xiao jie. Xiao jie, this is Miss Elsa Castañeda."
She looks like she's about to tear up. I offered a smile and a hand. "Lhia po. Lhia Quinn. Kamusta ho kayo?"
"Diyos ko." bulong niya, a single tear dropped from her eyes as she moved and hugged me. I tensed a little but the softness of the embrace reminded me that it's no harm so I relaxed. "Maraming maraming salamat. Malaking bagay ang ginawa mo."
"Wala hong problema. Maupo po kayo."
Iginiya ko siya sa may sofa. Agad na kumilos si April na maghanap ng maiinom when I glanced at her. Mr. Wang stood there, just simply overlooking.
Kumuha ako ng tissue sa box na nasa coffee table at iniabot sa kanya. Tahimik niyang pinunasan ang luha niya. Mga ilang sandali pa bago siya kumalma ng tuluyan at ngumiti sa akin. "Salamat, Lhia."
"Wala ho 'yon. Kung hindi n'yo ho mamasamain... gaano na kayo katagal sa Singapore?"
"Magwa-walang taon na rin. Nag-apply akong domestic helper."
Ninety Three - Singapore Negotiations
Start from the beginning
