Miggy's POV
"Sir, sir, Rick called me because you didn't answer his call."
"Why?"
"Willie called him, he said he had news. He said he called you but you didn't answer his call."
"I left my phone here on the table when I went upstairs earlier because the President talked to me."
"I already told you, because I peeked at you here before but you didn't end up with the phone on the table. Shall I set an appointment for that?"
"Check our schedule first if you can afford it later but it's not open after office hours. Then it's up to you to inform them."
"Okie dokie!" He greeted me and left my office.
"I get nervous every time the private investigator calls to find the mother and daughter. To this day, I still don't know why I feel this way. I was still scared and worried about my mom. Even though I know it is possible to see them at any time, I will admit to myself that I am still not ready to see them. That's why I'm so scared of how I can tell them, especially daddy's son, why he died?"
It's the weekend, so I went to uncle Manuel and aunt Beth's place with my mom. We had breakfast together, chatting while we ate, and even planned a trip after my hectic schedule. Just in time after forty days of my father's death, I returned.
"It's good there because we can relax and then we can enjoy the breath-taking view while it's at its best," said aunt Beth as she talked about how beautiful Batanes is.
"So, just now prepare for that day and make sure you can have your leave," said mommy.
"Yes of course! No problem. I am really looking forward to it so we can have a quality time together after everything."
"Yes, that's what we wanted to happen," said Uncle Manuel.
"Besides, it has been years since we had a family bonding because we have all been busy with our own worries. Unlike before, when mama and papa were still alive, we were obliged to go on family trips for vacations," he added.
"Yes, I remember just before we got married and instead of having our own plan to go on vacation to Paris, Mama insisted we go with the whole family on an Asian cruise. We did nothing. We postponed the trip because Aunt Beth's mom would be upset if we went without her," we laughed at her too.
"It was our second honeymoon, but it didn't go on because it's hard when mom is upset, the time is up," we all laughed.
We sat and talked for a while before we realized how long we had been sitting. It felt good because somehow, we were now together and laughing. I temporarily forget the problems it brings, and most of all, I'm happy to see my mother happy.
"A great and terrible darkness! Before I forget, I would like to be with Carla and Meynard. They are no different from us; they also deserve to be able to take time off with the amount of work they do," said mommy.
"Of course, why not. Those two are amazing because no matter how much they do, you don't hear any complaints. Then you can really trust and be lucky with those two," said Uncle Manuel with a big smile.
"That's why we want to be with them on vacation. They also seem to be able to relax somehow. I never thought Carla would stay with me after I gave up my last directorial job. And then I will not accept another project. I had been planning this for a long time, which is why it took me a while to do it. But when I asked him why she was staying, she replied, 'Ma'am, I can't leave you. I am glad that you are my boss, so I know that you need me, especially now that you are sad.' It's touching to think about her because I don't see her as simply an employee because she's like my daughter. The diligence, even if I don't tell her, he knows what to do. It's amazing that she remembered almost everything about me," mom reminisced.
"I agree with you mom. Meynard is as close as a brother to me. So, it was a nice surprise that you thought we should take them with us," I smiled at mom.
"So, everything is set!" uncle exclaimed happily.
"No, you are obviously not excited. We will have to wait until Miggy is able to leave her work so they can join us," aunt scolded uncle. Then we laughed at them. Then I noticed Mommy that she was laughing, but you could see the sadness in her eyes. I know she misses daddy and she's jealous of seeing my aunt and uncle.
"I'm sorry Mom, I admit it's my fault, but I can't admit it to you because I'm afraid how you will react. I was afraid for Mom to be angry at me or to hate me because of what happened to Dad. I hope one day I will have the courage to admit what I am feeling to you because I know I can't hide it for the rest of my life," I was going to say, but because I'm a coward, I think about it first.
We ended our whole day full of stories and fun. My aunt and mommy also baked while my uncle and I waited and watched them, continuing the story.
"I hope it's always fun like this, but I know what I'm thinking is impossible because I still have a lot to face and finish, especially about the mother and daughter."
How many times have I tried to tell my uncle about that? But I cannot keep up because I cannot pull him aside, I cannot show an action that will give them a reason to doubt me. Then again, it's also unfortunate that I might ruin our happy togetherness today when I tell her. So, I had to find the right time and opportunity to tell her.
At night, I lay down on the bed in the room I was occupying in my aunt and uncle's house, and I quickly fell asleep.
"Thank you for this gift. At long last, I can finally have this time to myself."
Because the truth is that it was sleeping that I used to want to go to bed for, so I made the most of it. I lie almost all day because that's the only day I can soak lying in my bed. Although they used to send me home because we would eat lunch or dinner together, so I was forced to leave my condo.
The new week is here. I think it's a new day, and a new day brings new hope. That's what I believe. It's Monday morning, so it's time to work. I usually leave for work so early, I avoid traffic. The house of uncle Manuel and aunt Beth is a bit far from the office compared to my apartment. I did tell Meynard not to come. I would rather meet him at the office later.
"Good morning sir," greeted me by those who met me and accompanied me to the elevator after I entered from the parking lot of the building.
"Good morning," I greeted back at them.
My ride in the elevator with the others was quiet until I reached the floor of my office.
"Good morning, sir," Meynard greeted me when he saw me after I got out of the elevator.
"Good morning. Have you been there before?" I asked him.
"It's just recently. I thought you came to me earlier, because you left earlier when you called me to leave when I had just finished getting dressed because I was just eating then but you are already leaving, "he said.
"Uh, you know it's a bit far compared to the condo. Then you're the only one close, so it's no wonder you'll be ahead of me."
"Of course," he replied, and then followed me into my office with folders on his hand.
"Coffee?" he suddenly asked me.
"No thanks. I've had coffee before I left the house. What's up today?"
"Later, you will have a meeting with another group and team to finally consider the selected brand ambassador. Then there will be dinner with Willie at seven o'clock. It's finally fixed this time. Then you will need to check the approval and make a presentation that starts in thirty minutes for a new client," he said. It was explained to me in my schedule for today.
"Copy that. Thank you."
Gabie's POV
"Hurry up, besh!" Jhay's roaring shout from the door of the bath room. As usual, he is here again now to make noise here at home.
"What? Wait! What a noisy! I'm also going out; I'm already done anyway!" I complained at him. Then I heard him just laugh at me.
It"s good that mama and I have talked about mama's new stocks that are being prepared for her to ship to her online buyers who have already paid.
"What is it?" I asked.
"I have good news to say but you're being grumpy again so I'm sorry I won't say, isn't it Aunt Beauty?" then she asked mom just to prove to me that mom will take his side.
"Fine. Whatever!" I grumbled as I entered the room to get dressed. I'm busy today, but because it's early, it's okay that I won't be in a hurry.
"Look at your daughter, aunt beauty, I know she's beautiful, it's just that she's very grumpy and rude, the reason why she doesn't have a boyfriend!" I heard him telling that to my mom when I am inside in my room.
"Am I right, aunt?" he continued.
"Ma! Think carefully about who your child is!" I was joking with them. I know that Jhay just wants to annoy me. I don't know why; he seems very happy when he sees me disgusted. Then I heard them laughing at the culprit while I am still busy preparing.
There isn't a day that we don't annoy or bickering each other, but at the same time we can't stand not seeing or talking to each other. Maybe that's the way we show our love for each other.
"Oh, what's up?" I asked as soon as I left the room ready to go to school.
"Wow! You are really beautiful!" I know that he was fooling me.
"Don't mention it, I've already known it for a long time," I joked.
"Yes! You are the blessed one!" then the three of us laughed. We are always like that. Tell me when we are shallow, but what can I do with it? We are happy, even in small things.
"That's it, we're going somewhere in case you're not busy, so your look won't be wasted," he said sadly, but I knew very well that that look was just one of his dramatic scenes.
"Where? What time?" I ignored his dramatization.
"You have an appointment, haven't you? If you don't know that is all about, then I'm sorry I won't tell you."
"What!" I getting pissed at him now.
"I said I won't tell you; I want it to be surprise," he lamented.
"So, what is it?" I'm trying to ask him again.
"Oh, my aunt it's not obvious that she's excited right?" he complained to mama with a big smile who obviously knew but chose not to speak.
"You're so annoying!" I whined.
"It's just because besh…" Then I saw he was in tears.
"What's going on? I'm confused."
But I didn't say that because I didn't expect to see my best friend in tears right now in front of me.
"What's going on, did your mood change immediately? You were having fun a while ago and then suddenly you are like that now," I wondered.
"I'm not sad besh because it's true…" he hung up on what he was going to say once he looked at mama. Then when I followed him with my gaze, I saw mama nod at his signal to tell me whatever it was.
"Because… you were chosen in the audition, you will be the endorser of that facial wash! Congratulations to you my Beshie! I'm so proud of you! So, we have to go to the agency for contract signing, " he said directly while jumping while I was just looking at what he was doing, stunned, unable to believe what I heard.
"Is what I heard right or am I just delusional?"
"Beshie what? Aren't you happy?"
"Congratulations!" Mama greeted me and hugged me while I was still an idiot.
"Hey! What? You didn't even react to that?" but instead of answering him, I stayed put.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh… !!! Mom!" to my great delight, I have nothing else to say. I really can't believe it. Jhay and I are jumping at the same time now while holding hands and screaming with great joy.
"Thank you, lord!" said mama, who happily watching us like children jumping.
Because of the excitement, I chose not to attend my minor subjects in my class today. I'll just make up with those subjects because we have to go to the agency for contract signing. Meanwhile, my mother accompanied us to leave for the ship with her goods, and then she said she would go to the market because she said she would prepare a little something so that we could celebrate the new milestone in my life.
"Mama really knows a lot."
Even though my jaw was a bit clenched with a smile, that didn't stop me because I can't control how I feel now right now. There' no denying the joy because I really don't think I'll be the one to get the amount of beautiful and deserving people. Even though we are already look like idiots who both smile at even strangers, we don't care what they think of us as long as we have a happy period.
"It's a good thing that even with traffic, we still can't be late because we're very early for the scheduled time," I whispered to Jhay with a smile.
"Of course, we shouldn't be! It's not nice to be late, especially for this very important event in your life. This is your new achievement, and we should be grateful for this! And we're beautiful, so it's not good to be late. That would make us less of our beauty," he boasted.
"Yeah, you're right beshie, that is why I got this commercial because I am beautiful," it's just a joke for me but I know I added that statement to his arrogance. I just don't know if anyone can hear our whispers because, of course, we're in the car sitting next to each other, so even if it's a whisper, it's unlikely anyone will hear us.
"I absolutely agree with you on that! That's why I love you so much," he squeezed my hand.
"You know I love you more because of you we both earn money," he added.
Our judgments about ourselves continued until we reached our destination. Since we were ahead of our scheduled time, we first went to a coffee shop, and then we ordered frappes, which allowed us to stay there.
Miggy's POV
Meynard caught me yawning as he entered my office.
"Sleepy?" Meynard.
"It's a bit, because I've been reading a lot of it before. It's not like I can just sign it that I don't know what's on it, I'll get upset if it happens," I explained.
"Do you want coffee?"
"It's okay but I don't want the hot. Just buy iced coffee for me, please buy for yourself too if you want," I ordered.
"Okay, no problem."
He immediately left with a debit card because I had it with him for anytime he needed something, he wouldn't have to wait for me to give him more money. He already knows what to do with whatever I order.I mean it so that I don't have to think about it anymore, because it's easier then. I just transfer money every month for that.
Less than thirty minutes after Meynard returned, he informed me that there was an emergency meeting with the big bosses.
"Who says?"
"Pres's secretary is now said to be right away. No one said why. "
"Okay, since we can't postpone the contract signing anymore, I can't wait. I'll just sign it with my signatory later. The important thing is that the company client is present, because if we come back, we still don't know where else it came from. It will probably come here soon, "I told her.
"Yes sir, I'll just tell Andrew."
"Okay, I'll go now."
It's really the wrong time to call a meeting. It's a pity I can't see how nice she is. It's annoying! " I whispered to myself as I walked toward the elevator.
There was a lot of talk during the meeting and since I didn't include Meynard, I decided to just record the whole duration of the meeting so that I could let him know later so that I wouldn't miss anything. He would put it all in his notes. This is normal for us because he has things to do, especially now that I can't attend the contract signing for the commercial.
The company is still going to expand because, according to the company's president, it's about to expand. We have more and more clients every year, so they thought of expanding. Then a new investor was introduced, so an emergency meeting was called because that investor is only available now because he will be returning to Europe.
It's a good thing I drank iced coffee if I hadn't fallen asleep so bored. It's tiring when a meeting like this dries up my brain. If it weren't so important, I would have been absent because I could have told them that I was going to sign a contract, but no, so I didn't do anything but suffer.
Our meeting also lasted a few hours, so when I came out I felt drowsy. I yawned again as I walked back to the office after I shook hands with all the comrades in the conference room.
"Oh? What happened?" Meynard asked me in astonishment when he saw me approaching my desk as he stood at the copying machine and segregated documents.
"It's tiring in the conference room. I fell asleep again while listening to them talk a lot. Here on my phone, everything is recorded. Please just transfer."
"All right, I'll just finish what I'm doing."
"How's the contract signing?"
"Okay, it just happened for a while after I explained to them the contents of the contract, signed and then went home. Gabie is a print ad model. That's why she's familiar to me, because her manager told me earlier about the gay man she always had with her. He just tried to audition but said he was very surprised that he was chosen for the commercial. Because his manager was talking to the team, it just so happened that I was just nearby so I could hear everything they were talking about, "he said.
"Ah, the print ad model. It's because she's really beautiful, it's no longer surprising. That's why he seems to be used to the camera. Gabbie? His name looks like a man's, but he's cute because it suits him, "in my mind, because I can't tell Meynard the truth because I wouldn't stop teasing him if he found out." It's still full of awkwardness, so it's better for me to keep it a secret than for him to know.
"Is there a shooting schedule yet?" I simply asked, because I was trying to prevent him from knowing that I was looking good with the chosen endordser of the facial wash.
"There is, because graduating is on the weekend, so it was agreed that it will be on the weekend instead of next week. It's a little earlier that the client prefers it because they want to finish right away.
After he transferred the file from the meeting to his flask drive, we didn't take long because Willie, the private investigator, would be meeting with us today. Due to the heavy traffic, it took us a while to arrive at the hotel which became our meeting point. When we got there, Uncle Rick and Willie were already there.
"Sorry, we were hit by heavy traffic so it took us a while to get here," I explained while shaking hands with Willie and hugging Uncle Rick.
"No worries, that's part of our Filipino life," said Uncle Rick, still laughing.
"Yes, that's not new here in Metro Manila. Even outside Metro Manila, there is traffic, so everything is normal," Willie agreed, still nodding.
"Let's order first, I'm a little hungry too," I said to them.
It would be better to eat first so I can prepare for what I am likely to find out tonight.