From Ash to Flame

15

Steel Valencia, a 25-year old bachelor and the CEO of Valencia Fragrances, called me early in the morning. He was a bit mad, or OA na naman ako, but his voice sounded serious.

He wanted me to go to his office which is thirty minutes away from Manila. When I entered his office, nadatnan ko rin do'n si Carl so I sat beside him and whispered, "Anong meron?"

"Sa'n ka ba kasi nag-tour girl? 'Di ka rin macontact. Ang init tuloy ng ulo ni Sir Steel," bulong ni Carl.

"What time will you finish your chitchat so we know if we should move this meeting or not?" Steel–or Mr. Valencia for formality–scolded us.

"Proceed," taas-noong sagot ko. Duh, I'm not his employee. Ba't siya galit?

"We've been contacting you since Thursday. You were out of reach. Tuesday's the anniversary of our company and dad wants to meet everyone who's been a part of this year's success. And to inform you, Ms. Salazar, the posters were loved by our investors and it made them trust us more," tuloy-tuloy niyang sabi.

"It's not shocking at all, Mr. Valencia. Not just because I'm your model but also your photography team's really good. So bakit ka galit?" Humalukipkip ako at sumandal sa upuan. Tama naman 'di ba? Success tapos papalitan ng galit instead of thank you?

"It's a tradition of Valencia Group of Companies to have an out-of-country tour. We always, take note, always do it three days before our anniversary but because someone's out of reach, we weren't able to leave yesterday."

Ay, so kasalanan ko pa? Wow naman girl. "You could've left without me. That's better than pointing all the blame," I spoke in a serious but hurt tone.

"We don't do that here, Ms. Salazar. We don't leave incomplete. When we go abroad, we go as one."

"E 'di you go as one. Why are you dragging me here anyway? I'm sorry kung 'yan ang gusto mong marinig. But as far as I remember, we all have our own lives here. I'm sorry for all the employees na nainis kasi naudlot ang trip niyo. I'm sorry kung nasira ko ang tradition niyo, and I'm sorry if I failed you at some point. But like what I've said, may kanya-kanya tayong ganap sa buhay and I hope, with all the respect that remains in me, you understand that, Mr. Valencia."

Pagkasabi ko no'n ay nag-excuse na ako. Good thing, lilima lang kaming naroon – me, Carl, him, and the two other photographers.

I don't know what made me act like that. Nainis lang ako. If they want the trip that bad, e 'di sana umalis sila nang wala ako. I'm not even a part of their company to begin with.

Nakayuko lang ako sa manibela ng kotse ko when I heard a knock on the window. I thought it's him but thank goodness, it's Carl. Pinapasok ko siya sa passenger seat para makausap.

"I'm sorry Carly. I know I went overboard," sabi ko nang nakayuko pa rin.

"I understand you, Flamey girl. You've been doing things perfectly kaya I know na ayaw mong nasisisi but I also understand Steel. Alam mo bang kulang na lang e maghire 'yon ng private investigator just to find you? But since you told me na safe ka naman, hindi na niya ginawa."

I glanced at him. I didn't know. I didn't imagine that Steel would do that for someone na hindi niya empleyado.

"Gulat ka? Dapat lang girl. You know, if may choice lang si Steel, pauunahin na niya ang lahat para maiwan siyang naghihintay sa'yo but his Dad doesn't want that. He may be a strict boss but he also feels sad for his employees. Like you, Flamey, he also doesn't want to disappoint someone lalo na ang Dad niya."

"I didn't know Carly. Nadala lang ako and if I knew this earlier e 'di sana naintindihan ko," I said while trying to stop my tears. What have you done, Flame?