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"Ate!" Kael called. He's almost 7 years old now! Time passed by so quickly, maybe because I was doing a lot of things.
I focused myself on managing our business, it was hard at first especially when dad went out of the country. No one's guiding me anymore. I was even so nervous but I did not let people see it, I was just giving them an intimidating aura lagi.
In those 7 years, a lot changed. Archer is becoming more busy now, I think he has a girlfriend!
Kael is getting naughty each day! Pero hindi siya pwedeng maglikot ng maglikot because his lungs are weak. He always ends up getting confined in a hospital everytime he tire himself too much. That's why I just have him home schooled. And I also gave him books and games so he won't have to play that much using his body.
I felt his arms on my legs that's why I carried him. He's so sweet lagi. Kakauwi ko lang galing work, he went near me agad when I entered the door.
"I got a perfect score on my quiz earlier. Do you want to see?" He excitedly asked me after kissing my cheeks.
"I'll look at it later, Kael. Let's eat first, okay?" He pouted with what I said at tumango lang rin naman.
We have private nurses here to cater to all his needs. One helped him with his food while I got mine. Ni di na nga ako nakapag palit muna ng damit eh.
Sometimes I feel sorry towards Kael, maybe he feels lonely kasi lagi akong wala. He always looks so excited everytime he sees me as if he missed me so much.
I'm trying my best not to let him feel what I felt before, that's why I'm trying to give him a lot of attention as much as I can. It's just that, I'm not the one holding my time, it's the company.
"Dahan dahan," I told him because he's eating so fast.
Kael is what we call him. Ambrose sounds so formal daw sabi ni Arch. Ang arte!
Nang matapos kumain ay nagpa alam muna ako kay Kael na maliligo lang. He's not yet done eating pa naman eh.
Nang matapos ay bumaba na ulit ako. I'm wearing my white silk nightgown.
"Where's your quiz?" I asked him when I saw him sitting on the sofa. Watching tv now.
Lumiwanag ang mata niya dahil sa tanong ko at agad bumaba sa sofa. He started running that's why I got worried.
"Kael, don't run!" I told him kaya tumigil naman siya sa pagtakbo palapit sakin. Sinalubong ko naman siya and carried him.
"Don't run, Kael. You'll tire yourself. Do you want to stay in the hospital again?" I scared him. He doesn't like the hospital either. He feels lonely daw kasi doon and he can't do anything much.
"I don't want," he pouted. I just kissed his cheeks because of his cuteness.
He's so cute. He's not thin but not chubby too. His height is shorter than the normal height for his age, maybe because he's a premature baby. His eyes are always curious, he has a tall nose and thin lips. His eye brows are thick and it's always furrowed everytime he's curious about something.
"Is your quiz in you room?" I carried him upstairs.
"Yes." He answered cutely.
I walked towards his room to put him down. He's heavy, and my arms get tired fast.
He walked towards his desk and may kinuhang papel. Inabot niya naman ito sakin nang makalapit ako sakanya.
I looked at it and smiled when he really did receive a perfect score.
"Good job, baby." I kissed his cheeks that made him smile wide. "It's already late, you should sleep now."
I guided him to his bed and helped him lay there. I put his blanket on him.
"Goodnight," I kissed his forehead. He closed his eyes already so I turned the lights off and left the lamp open.
I left his room and went to mine now. I sat on my bed and opened my laptop. I have something to do pa.
My phone rang, dad's calling me.
"Hey, Dad." Bati ko.
"Am I disturbing you?" He asked in a worried tone.
For the past years, a lot has changed with him. He became more sweet towards me, especially to Kael. Though he's always not here and barely goes home, he doesn't forget to call us everytime he's not busy.
"No, Dad. I'm not doing anything." I told him.
"Oh, I just want to talk to you about something." He started. His voice started being serious now so I guess it's business related.
"What is it Dad?" I asked.
"You went to Iceland before, right?"
My heart stopped after hearing his question. It's been so long since I last heard the name of that country. I never engage myself with anything related to that country because it will only remind me of him.
It's been years, ni di ko na siya naiisip. Ngayon nalang ulit. But everytime I think of him, all I can feel is disgust and anger. I can still remember clearly how he made me feel so shitty about myself.
"Audrey?" My father called me again.
"Oh, I'm sorry Dad, I was thinking of something else. Yes, I went there. Why?" I acted as if there's nothing hateful that happened to me in that place.
"How are the hotels there? Is it good?" He asked.
I get it now. I think he's planning to expand our business there. We own hotels, I'm only managing some of our hotels in different countries. Dad is still always the one who decides where to build another branch of our hotel. And I think now, he decided on Iceland.
"It's been 7 years, Dad. I think a lot has changed already in that country but yeah, their hotels are good, the food and the service. They also have spas." I told him. I suddenly remembered our first destination.
I bit my lips to awaken myself and to stop thinking about it. It'll just lead me into thinking of him.
"Okay. I'll send someone to do some research. Thank you, Aud. Bye!" He ended the call now.
Napabuntong hininga nalang ako. It's been so long since the last time I talked about it. I think I never even talked about that place ever since I went home.
I don't want to hate that place because it's too beautiful just to get involved with my hatred towards this one person. But what can I do? He was with me while I discovered that country's beauty. Every memory of mine in that place involves him. And I don't want to keep on remembering him!
It's just making me feel so disgusted with myself. I trusted a stranger to come into my life just for him to break me into pieces. I'm the most at fault, I trusted him agad. I'm such an easy target.
Until now, I haven't moved on from the pain he caused me. It still hurts. Everything he said is still clear in my mind. Every word.
He treated me as if I was nothing to him. C'mon, we spent 3 months together. Was he really just forcing himself so he can use my body?
I bit my lips, stopping myself from crying.
Stop it Audrey, forget him. Forget everything. It's been so long.
I woke up with my alarm clock. Naligo na ako at nagbihis na for work.
I'm wearing a beige trouser and a white chiffon top. I tucked it inside my pants then paired it with white heels.
I went out and drove my car. It's still early so I passed by starbucks to buy coffee. Nang makuha ang order ay umalis na rin agad ako.
I'm walking inside our company, holding my coffee with my right hand. Our employees greeted me but I didn't greet them back. I never did and never will.
Nang makarating sa office ay tinawag ko ang secretary ko. I asked for my schedule. Napamasahe nalang ako sa ulo ko ng marinig na puro meetings ito. It's until 10 pm! Ugh. For sure di ko na naman maaabutang gising si Kael.
It's already afternoon when I was able to take a break. The next meeting is in an hour.
"Sab, can I have my lunch please?" I asked my secretary.
Agad naman siyang pumasok sa office ko at nilapag ang lunch ko. Finally, I can eat. I'm hungry.
Nang matapos kumain ay nag retouch nalang ulit ako at pumunta nang meeting room ulit.
This meeting is the longest kasi ito ang until 8pm. It's just 5pm ngayon.
When I went inside, nobody talked. I looked around and raised a brow when I saw a familiar face. He's a blockmate before. Chan?
The presenters started now. I was just looking at their report intently. The presenter is so nervous it's so obvious with her voice. I did not mind, as long as she's spilling facts about the project.
But nung nagkamali siya, agad akong napatingin sakanya ng masama. Napaigtad pa siya ng masalubong ang tingin ko.
"Tell me, Miss. Do you know what you're talking about?" I asked her coldly. Napayuko naman siya dahil napatingin sakanya lahat ng tao dito.
"Ah, y-yes. I'm sorry, Ma'am." Nag kakanda utal utal pa siya.
"Continue. One wrong word, we'll end this meeting." I told her.
Good thing naging maayos na ang pag present niya. Her voice is calmer now and she became more focused. Kailangan lang palang pagalitan!
Nang matapos ang meeting ay nagsilabasan na sila.
I waited for everyone to go out except for my secretary. The presenter was still fixing her things. I made a noise on the table using my fingers.
Napalingon naman siya dito at saka tumingin sa mukha ko. And when she did, I gave her a small smile. Mukhang nabigla naman ito at napatulala pa. Napakunot tuloy ang noo ko, ba't ganyan siya makatingin?
I smiled at her because I don't want her to remember what happened kanina. She should forget about it and force herself to do better.
"Ma'am," Sab called kaya napalingon naman ako dito. "You have a meeting over dinner in 30 minutes."
Tumango naman ako at tumayo na, leaving the girl inside. Bahala nga siya.
I went to the parking lot and drove to the restaurant. My secretary has her own car kaya makakasunod agad yun.
Because of traffic, I arrived at the place after 20 minutes. Ugh, damn traffic!
Pumasok na akong restaurant and asked if where's my reservation. Tinuro naman sakin ng isang waiter.
I went inside a private room. There were already two businessmen here. One is Mr. Oliver and the other one is Chan, my blockmate.
"Am I late?" I asked in a cold tone.
"Not really. Should we start now?" Sabi ni Mr. Oliver.
"Let's order first." Singit naman ni Chan.
My secretary went inside just in time before the waiter went to us. We just told him our order.
I ordered steak and salad for dessert.
Nang makaalis sila ay nagsimula na kami sa meeting.
"The hotel in Laguna is kind of not doing well." Sabi ni Mr. Oliver. Oh, I remembered now. He's our manager in one of our hotels in Laguna.
"Why? What's the problem?" Our talk isn't that formal right now because it's just over dinner.
"We're losing things. At first we thought it was normal but as time passes by, it started getting suspicious. The number of missing items are starting to increase." Napakunot naman ang noo ko sakanya.
"Yes, I visited the hotel recently and that's what I noticed. That's why I told him to schedule a meeting with you." Singit ni Chan.
"What are the things that gets missing?" I asked. My secretary is just listing down the information.
We stopped talking when our food was served. We started eating, then we continued talking.
"Pillows, paintings, even lamps, towels and some blankets, too." Sabi ni Mr. Oliver. Mas napakunot ang noo ko.
We just continued talking about it and I told them I'll visit the hotel tomorrow.
After our dinner, I told Sab, short for Sabrina, to clear my schedule tomorrow. I'm going to Laguna.
I went home, the house was already silent. Maybe everyone's asleep. I went to my room to clean myself. Nagsuot lang ako ng red silk dress and a robe over it. I went to my mini fridge and got a beer.
Yeah, I drink now. The first time was crazy, I was so stressed that time and Arch asked me to drink with him so I did. The bar is so wild too. I ended up fainting because I was so drunk. Lagi nga akong inaasar ni Arch dahil doon eh.
I went to my veranda and stared at the sky. I can't stop thinking of my Mom, if you were here Mom, would things have changed? Maybe you would have helped me with our business or with Kael.
I sighed. I got used to our business na. A lot of problems suddenly arise. It's so hard to maintain peace, ugh.
I already finished two cans of beer when I felt sleepy so I went to bed.
The next morning, I'm wearing a black turtleneck long sleeve and mom jeans. I partnered it with a pair of black heels. I used my small black bag and put my cards and phone there. My hair is in a messy bun. My hair is long now. It's almost near my belly button, I colored it ash brown last week.
I went out and drove my BMW. I have a lot of cars but this is my favorite. Unless, someone gave me the same car as Arch. It looks so cool kasi.
I used my GPS to Laguna. Good thing there's an expressway, it's not that traffic. I reached the place after 2 hours.
When I entered the hotel, I saw Mr. Oliver and Chan in the lobby. Chan just got promoted pala in our company that's why ngayon ko lang siya nakita but he's working na at our company after graduation.
Lumapit ako sakanila. Napatayo naman ang mga ito ng matanaw ako.
I talked to Mr. Oliver about it and asked him if I could see the cctv's.
I sighed when I saw the same people coming in and out. They're booking a room every other day. They have small bags when they enter but then will go out with a lot of things.
I told them to secure a copy of the faces of those people.
My phone rang so I answered it.
"Hey, gonna borrow Kael today. Bye." Sabi ni Arch. Napakunot naman ang noo ko. Ni di pa nga ako nakakapag salita ay binaba niya na agad! Alam niya kasing di ako papayag. Ugh, Archer umayos ka!
"Print their faces and put it in front. Put a banned word too. Also show their faces to the guards so they will know who they shouldn't let in." I told the lady in the receiving area. Mr. Oliver is just nodding at me because he's the manager here.
"I'll call for a meeting later for that matter. Just go back to the company." I told them and bid my farewell. Tumango lang rin naman sila.
When I reached the parking area, I opened my phone to call Sab.
"Sab, schedule an emergency meeting later, after lunch." I told her then hung up.
"Audrey," I looked at the person who called me. It's Chan.
"Hey, long time no see." I gave him a small smile and leaned on my car.
"Yeah, Did you eat lunch already? Let's eat?" He bit his lips after saying that. He looks embarrassed. Napakunot tuloy ang noo ko sakanya.
"Okay. You lead the way, I'll follow you." I told him and went inside my car.
Pumasok na rin siya sa sasakyan niya. I waited for his car to be infront of me before starting my car and following him.
He stopped at a nearby restaurant.
Nakaupo na kami ngayon sa loob, the restaurant is fancy huh.
"How are you?" He asked kaya napatingin naman ako sakanya.
"I'm good. Not getting any younger." I shrugged. He laughed at my statement kaya napakunot ako ng noo and then rolled my eyes at him.
"Everyone's not getting any younger, Audrey." He's still laughing.
"Saya mo naman," I looked at him sharply.
"Pikon mo naman." Ginaya niya pa ang tono ng pagka talk ko! Nag roll eyes nalang ako sakanya na tinawanan niya lang rin.
"Anyways, I didn't know you're working at our company. You should've told me, I could help pull some strings." I gave him a smile. Well I'm serious though. He's one of the students who treated me well before so I want to get back at him.
"I wouldn't want that, Audrey. It feels great being promoted because of your hard work you know." He wiggled his brows at me, that's why I rolled my eyes at him.
"K, fine. It's your loss, not mine." I told him that just made him laugh.
We talked casually now. He even reminisced about some memories in college, which I barely remember! I don't even know if it's all true or maybe he's just making stories.
I laughed when he told me that I looked at him sharply the first time we met. Natakot nga daw siyang iapproach ako eh.
"It's all in the past now, c'mon, stop teasing me Audrey." Sabi niya. I was teasing him kasi na he's scared of me in college.
"You're crazy for getting scared of me," iling ko sakanya habang natatawa pa rin.
"Your aura is so scary! And recently too, in the meeting, you scared the hell out of the girl presenting." He started laughing now too.
"It ain't my fault if they make mistakes because they're scared of me." I shrugged.
"Good thing she didn't get it wrong anymore huh, or else, the meeting's gonna end and will be rescheduled. That's a hassle dude,"
"I wasn't planning to end it talaga! That's gonna waste not only her time but mine too. And btw, speaking of meetings, we have a meeting at 1pm. Let's go now." I told him at tumayo na ko.
Tumayo na rin siya and we paid for the bill. He was planning to treat me nga eh but I told him to just split it. Di naman na siya nagreklamo. Ang bilis kausap ah
"Bye, see you sa meeting." Sabi niya before entering his car.
I pressed my car's horn one time before leaving him there.
One meeting and I can go home early!
Nang makarating sa company ay dumeretso na agad ako sa board meeting room. Everyone's there already. I was even surprised when I saw Chan. Ang bilis niya naman mag drive.
I started the meeting now. I explained the situation in Laguna.
"I'm planning to put tags on all our things in the hotel. I know it's gonna take a lot of time and money that's why I need your full cooperation. Make sure the tags are properly put on the things in the hotel assigned to you. We'll also build a scanning area on the entrance where they'll put their bags there. It can also scan the tags so we'll easily know if they're planning to bring home one of the things from the hotel." I explained.
I asked our secretary to call for some employees who can design the tags. I explained to them my expectations about the tags.
"I want it to be invisible inked so they won't know about it. Anyone caught will automatically get banned in all our branches." I continued.
I explained more things before ending the meeting.
Nang matapos ay pumunta na akong office. I put my expectations with the tags there and how I'd want it to look like. I'm almost finished when my phone rang so I answered it without looking at the screen.
"Audrey!" I heard panic in Archer's voice kaya napakunot ang noo ko at napatigil sa ginagawa. "I'm sorry. Kael... Kael is in the hospital."
Napatayo naman ako dahil sa sinabi niya.
"What?! What happened?!" I asked while getting my things.
"He fainted. I think he got tired." He's still panicking.
"Where are you?" I asked. He told me about the hospital so I drove there.
"I'm sorry Aud, I didn't mean to tire him. I just..." He stopped talking. I did not talk and just looked at the road. "I was just teasing him, he's trying to reach the balloon I'm holding so he jumped. I didn't know he's gonna faint agad after jumping two times." He continued.
"Just wait for me there." I ended the call.
I'm so worried about my brother. His situation should be treated as an illness. How can he tire him? He knows how dangerous his condition is.
Tears started building up in my eyes while I'm getting near the hospital. I'm so worried. I hope he gets better.
This is the first time he fainted because of tiredness. Before, he's only lacking his breath pero ngayon ay nahimatay na siya. What if his condition is getting worse?
I walked fast to reach the elevator then clicked the floor. I keep on moving my feet while it's getting up. I can't stop it, I'm so nervous.
Nang bumukas na sa tamang floor ay lakad takbo akong naglakad papunta sa room na sinabi ni Archer.
"Kael!" I called my brother when I opened the door. But instead of meeting Kael's eyes, I met Agezho's.