It's You, Always You

The Note

At Oscar's office...

"Good afternoon Mr. President" Secretary Olegario greeted. "Ms. Cortez" she added which Lily responded with just a nod.

"What are the updates, Secretary" Oscar asked since Diana was the one who attended his meeting in the morning.

"Well, all of the NGOs have already finished their presentations." she reported. "And as I observe the presentations one by one, nakikita ko na ang dalawang 'yan ang mas makakatulong saatin." she added and handed Oscar the folder.

"Hmmm" Oscar sounded as he goes through the documents. "You're right." he nodded. "You did your job well once again Secretary."

"Thank you, sir." Secretary Olegario answered. "Oh, and before I forget sir..." she paused.

"Ano 'yon Secretary?" Oscar asked.

"Secretary Padua informed me earlier that he wants to assist over Mrs. Salameda's blood bank project." she informed them.

"Yes, alam ko na 'yan. Nagpaalam na siya saakin kanina." Oscar replied.

"If Secretary Padua gets to work with the Salamedas, then where would that put me?" she asked nicely.

"That leaves you with Mr. Reyes' Abutin Ang Bundukin Foundation." Diana answered which made Lily feel shocked and freeze in place.

"On second thought..." Oscar replied immediately as he heard Anton's Foundation. Lily looked at him and observed his actions.

"Sir?" Diana asked, noticing Oscar's uneasiness.

"Kung ganon makakatrabaho ni Lily si Anton. Araw-araw silang magkikita." Oscar said in his mind that made him worry.

"Oscar?" Lily asked as she begins to get worried.

"Nevermind." he answered. "That's final then." he said unwillingly. He has no choice.

--------

Lily's Office...

Lily was in her office scanning through the documents when she heard a sudden knock on her door.

"Pasok." the door opened. "Oh, James. May kailangan ka?" she asked calmly.

"Wala po Ms. Cortez, hinatid ko lang dito si Mr. Reyes." he answered and Lily was struck with nervousness.

"Thank you, James." Anton stated.

"You're welcome, sir. Maiwan ko na po kayo." then James left the two in the office and closed the door.

"We meet again, cherry." Cherry, a word she hasn't heard in a long time. Lily made a gulp before finally replying. 

"Mr. Reyes. Please have a seat." Lily offered.

"So, this is your office now. Kaya pala hindi ka na mahagilap sa kompanya mo." -Anton

"I check my company from time to time. And besides, I have Meilin to help me with other matters." Lily continued scanning the documents.

"Don't you think you're working too much? Baka ma burnout ka." Anton said to her in a worried tone.

Lily made a big sigh and answered, "First of all, I don't work here full time. Pwede akong hindi pumasok whenever I have an emergency sa kompanya ko. Second, I have everything under control. With the help of time management, I can easily control both my work here and in my company. Third, you don't have to care about anything about me so stop acting as you care." Lily stated but her eyes are still glued to the papers.

"What if I really care?" he asked and went closer to Lily.

"You're in no position to care." she said still looking at the papers.

"Concern lang naman ako sayo. Parang wala naman tayong pinagsamahan." Anton said that irritated Lily which made her slam the papers on the table and looked at him intently.

"Ngayon ko lang sasabihin 'to, kaya makinig ka ng maayos. I don't like mixing personal matters with work so I expect you to act professionally throughout this project. Naiintindihan mo?" she said straight and clear.

"Oof, feisty Lily. Obviously didn't miss that." he said raising both his arms in the air.

"I said do you understand?!" she asked almost shouting.

"Loud and clear ma'am." he answered and gave her a wide smile which irritated her more.

"So, what are your plans?" she asked trying to make the conversation back on track, the professional one.

"Same as usual. Gather the goods, inform the doctors and visit the people." he stated. "Ito naman, parang 'di nakakasama sakin sa mga ganto dati." he teased.

"Malay ko ba if you changed your ways." she answered but still annoyed.

"Well, Ms. Cortez. No, we didn't change our ways. Tulad pa rin ng dati." grinning at her.

"The next few months is not going to be exciting." she said in her mind and made a deep sigh.

------

Later that day...

It was already late when Lily got home. She was curious as she became aware of the flowers on the center table in her mansion, which she never saw before. Meilin was also there, witnessing the said flowers.

"Oh, andito ka na pala. Anong nangyari sa'yo?" Meilin asked.

"Teka muna, kanino galing 'yang mga bulaklak?" Lily asked back.

"Ha? Eh kasabay mo lang 'yan na dumating. Nagtaka nga ako, akala ko kung anong meron." She approached Lily.

"Itatanong ko ba kung alam ko? Baka nagkamali lang sila ng padala." Lily started circling the table as she carefully observes the flowers.

"Baka galing kay Oscar." Meilin teased.

"Magkasama naman kami kanina, bakit pa s'ya magpapadala?" Lily asked curiously.

"Ha! Sabi ko na nga ba sa palasyo ka nagpalipas ng gabi." Meilin

"What d-do you mean?" Lily asked acting innocently.

"Narinig ko si Oscar sa kabilang linya kaninang umaga! Wag ako Lily. Haha!" Meilin laughed.

"Chismosa ka talaga." Lily rolled her eyes.

Lily then noticed a note attached to the flowers, she picked it up and opened the note.

"A token of appreciation for good luck in our upcoming project. I look forward to working with you, cherry. -Anton"

A note from Anton. Lily didn't know what to feel at this moment. Is she angry? Sad? Happy? She doesn't know.

"Kanino galing?" Meilin asked.

"Kay Anton." She responded plainly.

"Anton?!" she asked shockingly.

"Mm-hmm." Lily

"Akin na nga 'yan!" Meilin grabbed the note and read it. "...I look forward to working with you? Anong ibig sabihin nito?" Meilin asked. "Magkakatrabaho kayo? O-on what?" she added.

"Isa sa mga napiling susuportahan ng gobyerno ang foundation ni Anton. Sinabi ko kay Oscar na gusto kong tumulong sa projects ngayon and it just happens to be na kay Anton ako na assign." she explains.

"Alam ba 'to ni Oscar?" Meilin asked worriedly.

"Oo." Lily answered plainly.

"Pumayag siya?" Meilin

"Secretary Padua already volunteered on the other project. Oscar has no choice." Lily

"Lily---" Meilin got cut off.

"Alam ko na ang sasabihin mo Meilin. 'Wag kang mag-alala, magiging okay ako. At isa pa, ilang weeks lang naman 'to eh. Hindi rin magtatagal." Lily said to Meilin to assure her that everything's gonna be alright.