Scandalous Affair: Oliver Valez

01

L I B E R T Y K I N G S

The view up here was very fascinating. The buildings, cars, and people looked so tiny up here. The sun rays are so sultry. It's like giving me a warm greeting, like a warm welcome back hug rather. The hot temperature of the Philippines was indeed the warmest hospitality I have ever received from coming back here.

I am back! I have this very big smile while going out of the plane. I can smell the hot humidity from the temperature of the Philippines. I miss this so much! I put my Chanel sunglasses as I walked, agad na hinanap ng aking paningin ang best friend kong si Olivia Valez. Sabi niya kasi ay susunduin daw niya ako sa aking pagbalik, mas excited pa nga yata siya sa'kin, akala mo naman, siya 'yong uuwi ng Pinas.

Mas lalong lumawak ang aking ngiti nang makita ko ang malaking banner na may nakalagay na WELCOME BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES, LIBS! The white tarpaulin with big, pink letters was very eye-catching. Hindi na ako magtatakha kung halos lahat ng madadaan ay mapapatingin dito. May mga hugis pusong balloon pa ito na nakasabit sa gilid ng banner, parang Valentine's day lang, ah?

Napailing na lamang ako sa aking naisip at dali-daling lumapit kay Olivia. Pagkarating ko sa kaniyang harapan ay agad niya akong niyakap nang mahigpit at nagtititili. I'm taking back what I just said a while ago, this is the warmest welcome back hug that I received, and it's from my loving best friend.

"Oh my god! I'm so happy that you are back," abot tenga ang ngiti ni Olivia habang sinasabi ang mga katagang iyon.

"I'm also happy that I'm back! And I miss you so much, Oly," nakangiti ko ring sabi sa kaniya. Halos maiyak-iyak pa si Oly habang nakatingin sa akin. Natawa naman ako sa kaniyang reaction, akala mo naman, hindi kami nag-uusap sa social media kung maluha-luha pa siya. "Jeez, Oly, don't cry, we have plenty of time para mag-bonding now that I'm back."

"By the way, naayos ko na ang kwartong gagamitin mo sa bahay." I'm going to stay at Olivia's house for the mean time, since wala naman kaming bahay dito sa Pinas, and the condo that I bought is still on process. Don't get me wrong, we used to have a mansion way back then, but my mom decided to sell it noong umalis kami ng Philippines. Ayos naman na rin 'yong condo ko, but it doesn't have any furnitures yet, and I made some changes sa mismong structure, so medyo made-delay ang paglipat ko roon nang ilang months. I'm thankful that my best friend is so hospitable to accommodate me to their home.

"Are you staying for good here in the Philippines?"

"Nope, but maybe I will stay for a year," sagot ko sa tanong ni Oly. Kinuha sa akin ng kanilang driver ang aking bagahe, hindi naman ganoon kabigat 'yon since hindi naman gano'n kadami ang dinala kong damit. I can buy clothes here naman at also some necessities.

"What? Bakit only a year lang?" nakasimangot na sagot sa akin ni Oly. Kumapit ito sa aking braso at nagpa-cute pa.

"I didn't come here to just have a vacation, Oly, I also came here to do some research and work." I own a Filipino restaurant in New York, it wasn't that big, but marami akong regular customer doon. Some New Yorkers liked my Filipino food kaya hindi rin ako lugi. I was planning on building a branch here, but the Filipino dish that I want to serve here will have a twist. Kaya I'm going to have some research na rin kung anong twist ba ang p'wede kong gawin sa aking mga dish.

"God! You are kinda workaholic, 'no?" nakaismid na sabi ni Oly sa akin. Sumakay kami sa luxury van nila. I was speechless for a minute, grabe, napakaganda ng loob nito. Damn, girl! Napakayaman talaga nina Oly.

When I settled on my seat, saka ko lamang sinagot ang sinabi ni Oly. "Well, I'm not as rich as you are, kaya I need na kumayod."

"Hindi ba nagwo-work si Tita?" takhang tanong nito. I almost rolled my eyes dahil sa tanong niya.