I'm Here Again

Chapter 19

Peter Pallermo's collar lost it's original shape after all of us got seated around the table. He did try to fix it though, but the damage is done.

"Ahem! About the explanation," he started. "It's the client's confidentiality."

I groaned inwardly. Of course. Confidential again.

Jace and Abriel huffed almost at the same time, while Mielle took a deep breath and sighed. 

"So? Hindi ikaw ang kliyente? Ikaw lang na naman ang representative, ganun ba?" Jace asked.

Peter fixed his suit. "Yes. Hindi lang naman kasi si Doc Rhyn ang kliyente ko, like what I had been telling you." He glared a bit to Jace. "Kayo lang 'tong hindi naniniwala." I could hear a bit of pouting in his voice.

Aw, this poor guy.

"Well?" Abriel asked. "Where's the client? Are they coming or what? We'll be dealing and presenting to you again like before?"

Peter sighed in resignation. "Sa ayaw niyo man o sa gusto, ako nga ang magiging representative nila."

"Nila? Group ba ang clients?" Mielle voiced out the question I had too.

"In a way. Sorry, I really can't say any details about them at all until napili nila ang SC. As you know, hindi lang kayo ang nasa listahan ng magpi-prisinta to get them on your firm, kaya they want everything on their end to be private para walang bias o suhulan na mangyari." His explanation seemed valid.

Jace exhaled. "Bali, may kompetensya muna bago makuha ang premyo, which in this case, ang matamis nilang 'oo' ganun ba?" He smirked. "Great."

"I'm with you, Chairman."

Peter looked at them, confused with their reactions. Then he met my eyes. "Please understand, Mr. Pallermo --"

"Peter."

"Peter. We had been working ourselves very diligently to meet the deadline and to present with our utmost professionalism before the mysterious clients, only to get -- no offense -- you. We got all hyped up for nothing, if that makes sense. We even lost lots of sleep and travelled all the way to here, only to get another mystery, again." I explained and his expression changed.

"I see," Peter nodded. "I think I understand what you meant. And if my words have any means, I do sincerely apologize for all the inconvenience. Masyadong high-class kasi ang kliyente kong ito, to the point that they want everything to be private, at hindi sila magpapakita o magpapakilala sa kahit na sino. Doon lang talaga sa, for the lack of better word, mananalo sa panlasa nila."

Mielle sighed heavily this time. "Okay lang, I can say this for all of us that we do understand too. It is frustrating but it's a part of the business we are in. So.." She looked at her uncle. "Are you ready to present, dear Uncle?"

"Yup. Let's do it!"

@~@

"Ate Aice ano na? Hihiga ka lang diyan? Ayaw mo bang enjoy-in ang semi-vacation natin?" I peeked through one eye and saw how Mielle is already geared up like a tourist to explore what this place has to offer.

I waved my hand. "Ikaw, kayo na lang. Tutulog muna ako. I've been up for more than 15 hours now. I can't take the sleepiness anymore."

"Aww, sige, sleep tight ateng." She patted my head. "Message or call me kung may kailangan ka para madala ko pag-uwi."