"Good evening Tito Adrian and...Aaron." I greeted when I saw who they were, Tito Adrian stood up to greet me and Aaron pulled the chair for me, I just whispered thanks before sitting down next to my father.
Kaharap namin silang mag-ama, si Tito Adrian na kaharap si Papa at ako na kaharap si Aaron. Some of the people eating in the restaurant are busy on their own but I can say that I am already indeed in my own world. There are businessmen and women wearing corporate suits and some are wearing fancy clothes as they eat, just minding their own business.
"I haven't seen you in a while Aurora! You look beautiful as always inaanak!" biro nito sa akin na ikinatawa ko ng mahina.
"I've been traveling from one place to another for the past months, 'nong." I said, smiling.
"Tinakasan ako ng batang 'to." sabi ni Papa na ikinatawa ni Tito, I call him Tito most of the times even if he's my godfather.
"She's just like you, be glad na naghati kayo ni Stephanie sa features nya and good thing Aurora didn't got your snobbish attitude." natatawang sabi ni Tito na ikinailing na lang ni Papa habang nakangiti.
"Uhm, can I know what's tonight agenda for this meeting?" I asked them and Aaron chuckled at what I said.
"You're too serious Sammy, always straight to the point." naiiling habang natatawang sagot ni Aaron. There it is again, his own nickname for me.
"Let's order first, then we'll talk about it." sabi ni Papa kaya tumango ako.
When we ordered our food, si Tito Adrian at Papa lang ang magkausap, while I was secretly looking at my phone to check if I have a message from Em-em or George dahil ganitong oras kasi ay magkasama na sila sa bahay for sure, pero wala. Maya-maya dumating na din ang pagkain at nagsimula na kaming kumain pero yung isip ko nasa ibang lugar.
"Tine-train ko na itong si Aaron dahil sya ang papalit sa akin, although his passion is somewhere else, hinahayaan ko na lang sa gusto nyang gawin as long as hindi nya napapabayaan ang negosyo." Tito Adrian said as he proudly tap Aaron's shoulder that made me look at them.
So that explains it, nasa art at film making ang passion ni Aaron and he did took a related course for it, it's just that, being the eldest, he has to manage their shares in our company too and work for their own business.
Dahil magbestfriend si grandma at ang grandfather ni Aaron, that totally explains why Tito Adrian and my father are best of friends too. Although I can't say the same to Aaron and I, we didn't really grew up together since I'm older than him and he grew up in the States. We only met when we were already in high school since bumalik na sila sa Pilipinas to live permanently.
Kahit pa sinabi ko sa kanya noon na tawagin nya akong ate dahil matanda ako sa kanya ng isang taon, he doesn't want to, sometimes he acts as if he knows everything about me when the truth is he don't. I can say that he's a nice guy in general, friendly and he always smiles a lot, but there are some aspects of him that I do not like.
But who knows? Maybe he can still change, or I really don't know him that well too for me to have a say on it.
"Well your son is more responsible than you, maybe because he got it from Gin." kibit-balikat na sabi ni Papa na halatang binibiro nya si Tito Adrian na tumawa naman.
"No doubt. How about you Aurora? Balita ko nagtatrabaho ka na sa kompanya?" tanong ni Tito sa akin kaya tumango ako at ngumiti.
"Yes, tito. I just started today." I said as I slice the meat on my plate.
"Your father and I are planning on a new project. Gusto sana namin eh kayo ni Aaron ang mamahala doon." sabi nya na ikinatigil ko sa paghiwa ng nasa pinggan ko.
I look at my father and asked him using my eyes and he nodded his head as he sip his wine.
"Well, Aurora is working in the company, discreetly. No one knows she's my daughter to prevent the employees from treating her differently, Adrian." sabi ni Papa, but I am hearing a 'but' so I waited.
"Is that so? I didn't knew that." komento ni Tito Adrian at tumango si Papa.
"Yes, but I see nothing wrong for both of them to work together on this project we're planning. Let the young minds do it." sabi ni Papa sabay kibit-balikat.
I don't know if I am overthinking or what, pero kasama ba kaya sa parusa ng tatay ko ang pagudin ako dahil tumakas ako?
"What kind of project is it po ba Tito? Pa?" I asked both of them.
"I've read the initial plan but I am still not sure about the details so I'm as clueless as you Sammy." komento din ni Aaron.
"We're trying to launch an app for our products, you both do it. It's just a plan but we'll assign it to the both of you to make it happen." sabi ni Tito Adrian as he gave Aaron and I separate folders.
"The board will have a meeting about it and I'll give you both a month to prepare for your first presentation. If the board approves, then we'll start to work on it, and it will also be lead and monitored by you two." dagdag ni Papa na ikinakagat ko sa ibabang labi ko habang binabasa ang laman ng folder.
It's just like a title for a research, but no anymore further instructions. I'm sure finding the right programmers and app builders for this as well as the organization of the products to be included in this app, the inventory and a separate group of workers for such orders to be delivered if ever it will be approved is already giving me a headache just by the mere thought of it.
Gusto yata talaga akong mahasa ng tatay ko sa negosyo namin, kakasimula ko pa lang pero ang dami na agad trabaho. I am kind of pressured right now even if I am trying to be positive about everything.
"But how can I get the information I need if I don't have access to it?" I asked my father who just gave me a small smile.
"You work for it, you're in the production department right now Aurora, you'll know what to do." sabi nya sa akin without directly answering my question.
For some, they might be confuse, but as his daughter, I know my father's giving me a challenge. Like he's using my words against me, I already said it before, that I am like my father. If I want something, I will surely get it no matter what, and he's using that to me now in this project.
But I'm no genius like him, I'm sure he's 5 steps ahead of me in this. I wanted to throw a tantrum but I also know that I can do this. My father is already giving me a chance to prove myself, I don't want to waste it.
Natapos ang meeting slash catching up na iyon around eight in the evening, we all went home after that and I was just looking at my phone while we're on the backseat of the car.
"You're waiting for someone?" my father asked that made me look at him, pansin kong tinignan nya saglit ang cellphone ko bago nagbalik ng tingin sa sarili nyang cellphone.
"Huh? Uhm..yeah." I said and he nodded without saying anything. Tumingin na lang din ako sa labas ng bintana at tahimik lang kami the whole ride going home.
Hindi naman sa hindi kami close ni Papa, sanay na lang ako sa pagiging tahimik nya, he's probably busy with texting my mother and besides, ako ang wala sa mood makipagkwentuhan. My mind is so full right now and I'm thinking about a lot of things, I'm starting to overthink but I guess I wouldn't be sure about it not unless it will happen again.
~~~~~~
I need shopping, just once after a long time kasi naii-stress na talaga ako. I am already planning the things I'll buy later in my head when Michelle called my name kaya napaangat ako ng tingin sa kanya mula sa ginagawa ko.
"We need to go to the plant, ngayon yung inspection natin sa isa sa mga planta kaso wala tayong driver, you know how to drive right?" tanong nya sa akin and I nodded.
Iniwan ko na lang yung bag ko sa loob ng steel cabinet at ni-lock iyon, dala ko lang ang cellphone at wallet ko na nilagay ko sa bulsa ng blazer ko.
"Apparently, hindi pwede si Lianne ngayon so we have to suck it up for the mean time while we're working with Charice." bulong sa akin ni Michelle na ikinatango ko lang.
"Puro ba tayo babae?" tanong ko at umiling si Michelle sa akin habang naglalakad kami papunta sa desk ni Charice.
"Hindi, may isang guy tayong kasama, si Carlo pero hindi maalam magdrive." bulong sa akin pabalik ni Michelle dahil malapit na kami sa desk ni Charice kung saan nandoon na yung tinutukoy na Carlo na makakasama namin.
"Tara na, napakabagal." Charice said as she rolled her eyes but I saw the look she gave me before walking away. Na parang ako ang pinatutungkulan nya doon eh kasabay ko lang naman maglakad si Michelle.
While we were in the car, sinabi lang nila sa akin yung location, I know how to drive around the city because it's my favorite past time before just to destress, kaya din matapang ako noon when I am still learning how to drive was because Zeke is with me. Hindi ko din naman kailangang kabahan ngayon, from the rear view mirror I can see the familiar car tailing us behind, it's probably my bodyguard.
Unfortunately, si Charice ang nasa passenger seat while Michelle and Carlo are the ones at the back seat. Nang makarating kami sa planta at maipark ko ang sasakyan, doon ko lang mas nakita ng maayos ang kabuuan ng planta.
This is the production plant designated for our hotels and resorts basic necessities. Dito ginagawa yung mga unan, punda, bedsheet, comforters, curtains and so much more na bukod sa pinangsu-supply sa mga hotels and resorts ay inilalabas din namin sa market at dinidistribute sa mga department stores ng mga mall na pagmamay-ari namin. It is our home brand at eto sa pagkakaalam ko ang pinakamalaki naming production site.
But I've never seen it in actual at sa picture ko lang nakikita to, in fact when I last saw a picture of this plant, hindi pa ito ganito kalaki noong panahon na grandparents ko ang namumuno. It was bigger than before so I assume they did some extensions.
"Good morning po ma'am! Hindi po namin inaasahan ang pagdating nyo." sabi ng tingin ko ay production manager sa planta.
He was smiling at Charice while Michelle and I are just behind them, katabi naman ni Charice si Carlo.
"Kelan ba kami naginspect na alam nyo Engr?" mataray na sagot ni Charice na ikinataas ng kilay ko pero naiiling na tinignan ko na lang ang paligid.
I assume that she's talking to an Industrial Engineer, at mukhang matagal na din sa trabaho yung lalaki, even though I know Charice is assigned in the main office, I think she could've answered him nicely.
Minsan kasi kailangang i-lugar ang pagtataray, obviously, mukhang nawawala si Charice.
Nakita kong napakamot na lang sa batok yung engineer na tinawag ni Charice bago sya nilagpasan na lang ni Charice at naglakad papasok sa planta.
"Pasensya na po sa inasta nya Engr..?" I said when I was already beside him.
"Engr. Ramos po ma'am. Sanay na din ako don kay ma'am kaya okay lang." awkward na sabi nya habang napapakamot ulit sa batok nya kaya binigyan ko lang sya ng ngiti at tumango.
"Madalas po ba nyang gawin iyon? Iyong pagsungitan kayo dito?" tanong ko habang naglalakad kami ng sabay.
"Hindi naman po, ayos lang." sabi nito nang nakangiti pero alam kong pilit. I didn't asked any further since nahalata kong ayaw na lang nyang pagusapan.
I gave him a small smile and nodded as we walk.
When we enter the site, there are a lot of women and men combined working, mostly the women are the ones who sew and iron the sheets, pero I think that's just for finishing and checking the final product since machine operated ang ibang steps ng production.
Nagulat pa ako ng may sumigaw, pagtingin ko isang kargador na sinisigawan ni Charice.
"Anong nangyari?" tanong ko kay Michelle na napapasapo na lang sa noo nya.
"Natamaan ng gulong ng trolley yung sapatos nya, eh mukhang hindi naman sinasadya ni kuya." naiiling na sabi ni Michelle.
Carlo was just busy on his tablet, kasi sya ang assigned sa pagkuha ng data's while Michelle and I are just observers.
"Is she always like that?" I asked Michelle and she sigh before nodding her head.
"Walang gustong kumalaban sa kanya kasi kung hindi sila takot dahil kamag-anak daw sya ng mga King, ikaw lang ang mapapagod makipagtalo sa pagiging bird brain nya." naiiling na sagot ni Michelle.
"Oh, then I think the second reason is more fascinating." I said before I went near them.
"Hindi mo ba alam kung magkano itong sapatos na ginasgasan mo??!" iritang sigaw nya sa lalaking nakabangga siguro sa kanya.
"Ma'am sorry po, hindi ko po sinasady----"
"My god! So stupid! Hindi ka nag-iingat eh napakamahal nitong---"
I cleared my throat that made her stop and looked at me, pansin ko din na yung iba ay napapatingin na din sa direksyon namin kahit pa pasimple iyon. I even checked her shoes that she's complaining about pero wala naman akong nakikitang massive damage, naalikabukan lang or maybe some small scratches na hindi visible kapag malayo, but nonetheless, her toes are still intact.
"We're here to inspect, yes? Why don't we just proceed?" sabi ko ng nakangiti pero nagpameywang pa sya sa akin at inismiran ako.
"At talagang makikielam ka pa dito Lacsamana? Bago ka pa lang, wala kang alam kaya manahimik ka na lang." she said but I am still smiling.
"I think it is more professional for you to just let go and proceed with the inspection, ma'am. Besides, nasa production site tayo, dapat nga nagsuot tayo ng mas approriate na outfit for this. Right ma'am?" I said.
"Aba't---" magsasalita pa sana sya pero nauna na ako ulit.
"Ganito po dapat, ma'am," sabi ko sa kanya bago balingan si Kuyang kargador. "Next time mag-iingat po kayo dahil baka makatama kayo ulit ng ibang tao." sabi ko kay Kuya na napakamot lang sa ulo nya.
"Pasensya na, ma'am. Magkakapatong po kasi yung mga box ng punda na dadalhin ko sa storage kaya hindi ko masyadong makita ang dinadaanan ko." sabi nya kaya tumango ako at tinignan ulit si Charice na alam kong naiinis na sa akin.
"Ayon po pala, ma'am. Sya po acceptable ang reason kasi may maraming bitbitin, eh kayo po ma'am? Nasaan po ang mata nyo para umiwas, ma'am?" iyon sana ang gusto kong sabihin, but instead I just smiled at Charice.
"You heard his reason, now why don't we just proceed with the inspection, ma'am?" I said and she looked at me with clenched teeth before turning her back on us.
"Pasensya na po talaga ma'am." sabi ni kuya kaya tumango lang ako't tinapik ng dalawang beses yung balikat nya bago kami sumunod ni Michelle sa kanila.
"I like your sarcasm, Aurora. We need more of that in the team." mahinang bulong ni Michelle sa akin habang natatawa na ikinailing ko na lang.
We finished inspecting the whole area by lunch, buti na lang sanay akong magpalakad-lakad ng naka-heels kundi kanina pa siguro ako nakasalampak ng upo kahit pa sa sahig iyon dahil sa laki ng planta.
Nang makarating kami sa parking lot, I was about to get inside the car when Charice called my name, pagharap ko, kung hindi lang ako naturuan ng self-defense, nasampal na nya ako.
"Bitch!" she said, angrily, maybe it doubled when she wasn't able to hit me.
No one, no one has the right to hit me, not because I know that I am more powerful than her, but because I am a woman who was raised right by my parents. Magulang ko nga never kami pinagbuhatan ng kamay, sya pa kaya na isang bird brain at nag-uumapaw lang ang attitude?
"Charice! What the f*ck?" naiinis na sabi ni Michelle bago pumagitna sa amin, Carlo doesn't even care, like he's so used to this kind of girl fights.
"If you are offended with what I did back there, better tell it to me straight without resorting to cat fights. You're already an adult, at least act like it." I said while just looking straight in her eyes.
Ika nga, makuha ka sa tingin, but minutes passed, her eyes are just angrily looking at me without saying anything.
"No words? Then let's go. I do not plan on missing my meal for lunch." I said before entering the car.
Ganoon ulit ang pwesto namin but I can tell Michelle is very sensitive of our position in case Charice will go ballistic again. Good thing she didn't, nakabalik kami ng kompanya na inis lang nyang isinarado ng malakas ang pinto ng sasakyan at naiwan kami ni Michelle na sabay naglakad papasok sa elevator.
"I'm sure you're now on her hate list." sabi ni Michelle habang nakatingin sa mga numbers ng elevator.
"Oh she's not the first one to make a list like that." I said nonchalantly.
"Sometimes I wish I have that strength of yours, nakakainis na din kasi yong si Charice eh, feeling boss." sabi nya at hindi na ako nagkomento pa doon.
"Minsan naku-curious ako kung talagang kamag-anak sya ng mga King, kasi sa nakikita ko naman, may pagkamahigpit ang CEO pero mabait din naman." sabi pa ni Michelle and I just smiled.
"Tapos si Sir Cleven din, jusko kahit may edad na sila halata mong marami ding pinaiyak noong kabataan." sabi ni Michelle na ikinatawa ko na.
"Gwapo ba yun? Di ko pa nakikita sila eh." sabi ko na natatawa sa loob-loob ko.
"Oo girl! Mas approachable si Sir Cleven, lahat dito takot sa CEO eh pero tingin ko naman mabait din si Sir Stephen, sa benefits pa lang ng mga empleyado kahit yung mga ordinary workers natin. Kaya maraming gustong pumasok sa PKE eh." kwento pa nya na ikinatango-tango ko.
"Kaya nag-aalangan talaga ako kung kamag-anak ba talaga ni Charice ang mga boss natin, hula ko nga sinabi nya lang yon para may upperhand sya sa team." nakalagay pa ang kamay nya sa baba nya na parang napapaisip talaga sya kay Charice.
"Paano nya ba sinabi yon?" tanong ko.
"Well, noong pumasok sya dito, fashionista na talaga sya, tapos may picture pa sya with Sir Cleven na mukhang kuha sa isang private gathering. Kapag tinatanong sya kung paano nya iyon nakuha dahil alam ng mga empleyado na bihira magpakuha ng litrato ang mga boss kung hindi naman group photo sa mga empleyado, sabi nya kasi related daw sila." kibit-balikat na sabi ni Michelle.
Now I get it, I admit Charice is like an A-list celebrity to the way she dress up, people would normally believe her lalo na kung nagpakita pa sya ng ganoong picture. Which I doubt would be true since this is the first time that I saw her. Unless....
"Nakita mo ba yung picture na pinapakita nya?" tanong ko and she nodded.
"Oo, mukhang teenager pa lang sya doon, nakaakbay sa kanya si Sir Cleven na mukhang binata pa rin sa picture." sabi ni Michelle na ikinangiti ko na lang habang naiiling.
I guess not everyone knows that Uncle Cleven was a singer and model before, Charice must be a fan and used the picture for things like this since I am very sure that we don't have a relative like her.
"Ba't ka nakangiti?" takang tanong ni Michelle sa akin na ikinailing ko lang.
"Wala, may naalala lang." sabi ko bago lumabas ng elevator.
Stressing about this is not worth it, so when we reached the cafeteria, Michelle and I just ate before going back to our office.
______________________________
#unedited.