Who rule the world?
Agad na pumunta sa kanya-kanyang posisyon ang security group ni Kris bago dumating sa entrada ng MUNDO ang may-ari.
Nang huminto na sa harap ng gusali ang itim na Range Rover, lumapit agad sina Kris at Leo dito. They watched Mr. A quickly went out from the driver seat, and ran around to open the passenger's door.
"Good Morning Mrs. Dei," bati agad ng dalawang empleyado. "Good morning, too, Mr. A."
As usual, Alden did not spare them a glance as response from their greetings. Buti na lang andyan si Dei, ngingiti ito agad sa dalawa kaya mapapatingin din sa gawi nila ang asawa.
"Good morning din!" Dei would cheerfully greet them back while her husband was busy assisting her out of the car. Aakalain mong buntis na naman si Misis kung akayin sa bewang ni Mister papuntang entrada ng MUNDO.
"What are my scheds, Leo?"
The entire walk towards the VIP Elevator was spent with Leo filling Alden with his appointments and sudden duties, while the later was holding his wife with his palm resting at that slight curve on the lower part of his wife's back.
Bago pa man nila marating ang harap ng elevator, tapos na si Leo sa gawain, at sasamahan na lang ang amo na maghintay sa pagbukas ng elevator. Kris and a small group of his men would just tail them quietly.
"Mr. A..." Alden slightly tilted his head from facing his wife to glance at Leo. "Range Rover...?"
"I have kids now," simpleng sagot lang nito at iginiya ang asawa sa kakabukas na elevator.
Once the doors closed, Leo looked at Kris and smiled.
"I know. He also told me SUVs are meant for convoys and yet he bought one," Kris said after seeing that look on Leo's face.
"Iga-garahe ko na lang din ba ang sports car niya katabi ng mga motor?"
Kris did not reply. The answer was an obvious 'yes'.
*****
"Allan, may tissue ka ba diyan?!" pawisan na tanong ni Val sa kaibigan na nasa likod lang ng cubicle nito.
"Wala-"
"Pambihira, naje-jebs nako. Teka, Pat, may tissue ka?!"
"Marami nang tissue sa CR natin. Kakagaling ko lang dun." Valerie immediately ran her butt off towards the toilet room.
"Himala, ang sipag na nilang magsupply nang tissue."
"Na-trap po kasi ng halos kalahating oras si Madame Dei sa banyo kahapon dahil kinulang ang tissue. Kaya naman ang taga-Maintenance, nagpa-hire ng taong tagalagay ng toilet paper sa mga banyo natin."
Allan slowly clapped his hands. "Wow."
*****
Nasa gitna ng BOD meeting si Alden nang maramdaman ang pagvibrate ng phone niya. He quietly read the message and immediately typed a response.
Daddy, my friends want to stay over at our house?
Sweetheart, ask your mom's permission. Not me.
She told me NO. That we're still too young for that. We're a bunch of 10 years old already! TEENS!
I will try to talk to her but I can't promise she'll say yes.
"Mr. A..." Leo silently cleared his throat to get Alden's attention.
Napatingin naman agad sa harapan si Alden. "Kids these days. Continue with the slides, Erick. I'm listening."
Hey Hon, Lamba wants to invite her friends over at the house...
Tipa niya agad sa cellphone. It didn't few minutes for Dei to reply.
Okay lang naman bumisita. Pero ayoko pa muna ng sleepover na iyan ngayon.
You're not going to change your mind?
No. Sabihin mo magpapa-Pajama's party tayo sa 12th birthday niya. Pero wala munang sleepover2 na iyan ngayon. Masyado pa rin silang mga bata.
Okay.
Sweetheart, your mom says no. BUT she promise to give you a great Pajama Party on your 12th birthday.
Tempting. But I want NOW, daddy.
Alden took a deep sigh.
Choose: Sleepover now or a shopping spree tom?
Shopping spree, of course! Alright! I love you!
Alden, huwag kang bibigay sa mga anak mo ha. Na-i-ispoil na ang mga iyon.
I didn't...................................I did. Just now.
Forgive me
*****
Napalingon agad sa pinto si Dei ng may kumatok. She smiled when it opened to reveal her husband.
"3:30 pa lang ha.. " sabi niya kay Alden.
"Maaga natapos ang meeting. Should we go on a date before going home?"
Agad na tumayo si Dei at inayos ang shoulder bag. "Saan?"
"Pastry shop?" He lifted his arm and Dei quickly hold on to it as they walked out of her office.
"You don't like sweets."
"You do so I'm taking you there."
"Sus. Pati ako ini-ispoil mo."
He smiled.
"Mauna na ko ha? Sinundo na eh," paalam niya sa mga empleyado sa labas at napangiti naman agad ang mga ito.
When she looked back to Alden, he was staring intently at the aircon.
"Tumutulo 'yong aircon," anito.
"Okay lang 'yan. Nagagamit din naman namin pandilig sa halaman ang tubig diyan sa balde." She pulled him towards the door. "Halika na."
Leo and Kris waited for them at the lobby. Papalabas na sana sila sa pinto nang kinawayan ni Alden si Leo na lumapit.
"Pa-check mo ang aircon sa opisina ni Dei, Leo. Repaint that wall too. At tumawag ka ng electrician kasi hindi gaanong kaaliwalas ang mga ilaw nila." Leo immediately took it to mind. "Also, their plants are not well-groom-"
Natigil sa sinasabi si Alden ng muntik nang matapilok sa sirang tiles sa labas si Dei.
"Call the Maintenance!" Alden barked.
*****
"Wait. You're a Faulkerson?!" Manghang-mangha na napatingin ang babaeng classmate kay T.
"Oohhhh... your dad must be really rich!" Sabi din ng ka-seatmate nito.
"Yes, Yes! They own that tall building in the city~~"
"And... and... his dad is on that list of rich men, I think..."
"Your dad is amazing!"
"Nah, my mom is more amazing. He follows her all the time." T admitted licking the vanilla ice cream at hand.
*****
