Adelaide

Chapter 18

GINGER

"Ija, are you really sure you want to see James?" Dad asked. We're eating our dinner now.

It's just me and him for a while because my brothers are in the UK, doon sila nag-aaral.

While I choose to be here.

"Yes, dad. It's the only way we'll be able to know more about their agenda regarding our business' expansion." I answered him.

May balak kasi siyang bumili ng ilang elephant and tiger from Africa pero doon bubuhayin.

"They are great investors, dapat galingan mo. Kailangan mo silang mapaamo and make sure that every move they make, will not be another cause of our Company's downfall." He advised.

I'll be seeing James Sarido, the son of Pete Sarido, for a business date. I'll give him a proposal to withdraw their plan on buying wild animals only to isolate it here in the Philippines.

It would cause a great decrease in a certain population. The animal could be endangered.

Hindi lang naman kasi kami ang bumibili, mas maraming buyer doon sa UAE at kung saan-saan pa. Instead, we'll have an agreement to just keep those poor babies in the safari. We'll have someone watch over them either a group from Africa or we'll send a team abroad.

My dad already trained me a lot of things since I was 5 but I loved taking care of animals the most.

It is given that he trusts me with whatever I am planning for our company at this very young age.

I took Zoology to be more capable of doing my responsibility sooner. Our family partially owned Park of the Crocodiles and we plan to build our Zoo here in Cagayan for the next 3 years or more.

This Zoo will rescue and save helpless animals until they will regain strength and will be able to live in the wild again.

This is a temporary shelter for them and would also serve as a tourist spot and educational field trip destinations. That's how we'll gain investors, they will have the impression of donating for a greater cause.

"Darling, your brothers will be home next year... kasama ang mommy mo." Pagpapa-alam niya sa akin.

I am not really in good terms with my mom because I stayed here. She wanted to take all of us in London. Sino naman ang matitira kay dad?

"I'll handle it daddy. Huwag na po kayo mag-alala sa akin." I assured him.

He and mom had a fight because of me. My dad wants me to have the freedom of choosing what I want while my mom wants to control my future. Mabuti nga at hindi pa sila naghihiwalay eh.

"That's good. Kamusta naman ang pag-aaral mo?" He asked again. He's cutting his medium rare rib-eye steak and munched it with a fork.

"I'm okay daddy, and yes po okay din naman sina Patty and Zee. I also gained new friends, sina Addie and Aze." I drank my water.

I might be known in the university but I also keep my circle small. Ayaw ko ng maraming drama. Tama na yung pinsan ko na si Chloe.

I bet she does not really like Addie. She just know that I like Addie so she just want to create a story or some sort of a competition, a terrible one. I know her that much.

"Addie and Aze? Whose child are they?" Is he interrogating me? Gosh, ang daming questions.

"They are a child of great people. Addie's not from here, she's from Marawi, while Aze is already an orphan." I honestly told him.

"I see. That's why nakakapunta ka na ng Marawi with Zendaya, right?" He looked at me seriously.

"Opo. But it was safe and fine." Totoo naman talaga.

Addie's family are good people. The place itself is peaceful, there were kind muslims showing us around when we went to the destination.

"Zendaya can fight for the both of you, just in case. I have no worries." He wiped his mouth gently with the napkin. "I just want to know how you are doing cause I've been busy, anak." He chuckled and sipped his red wine as he reached my hand and gently squeezing it.

I knew it. Dad is not a strict one unless he knows that I will be in danger. That's why I've been honest all my life. He raised me that way.

I like honest people, I value honesty.

When we were done eating I checked my phone and did some calls. I decided to text Zee. I'm sure she's going tomorrow sa birthday ni tito Diego.

A: Zee

Z: Wait lang babe natatae pa ako.

A: Idiot! This is Ginger.

Z: Fuck! Wrong send.

Z: Ano na naman ba Heidridge?

A: Tae ka muna.

Tangina nitong si Zee mabuti nalang at tapos na akong kumain.

Z: Okay lang. Ano yun?

A: Sasabay ako bukas sa birthday ni tito. Sunduin mo ako.

Z: Sige. Maaga bukas ha? Baka hapon ka na naman gigising.

A: Duh. Bye na. Malas ng jowa mo sayo.

Z: Ang malas mo kay Addie, hindi ka gusto!

A ./.

Aray naman. Bakit ganoon? Nagbibiro lang naman ako ah? Ba't nananampal? Ugh!

Addie I hate you. I hate you kasi gusto mo naman ako, hindi mo lang kayang panindigan. Marami pang iba, hindi ka kawalan. Itaga mo yan sa bato Addie! Hindi ka kawalan!

I went to my room. I can't sleep as always.

I just stalked Addie's facebook account. I played tetris and 8 ball pool. Mas malaki pa rin ang rank ni Addie sa akin, even in Dragon City. Marami na siyang legendary dragons.

Paano ba siya naglalaro? Diba busy siya?

WTF? Pati ba naman sa Criminal Case mas malaki pa ang score niya kumpara kay Zee? Si Zee yung pinakamagaling dati ah? Pati sa baseball heroes si Addie pa rin?

Wow kaka-accept niya lang pala talaga kay Chloe. Great. What a way to ruin my night!

"GEE! Bumangon ka!" I heard someone yelling at me. My other leg is being tossed out the bed.

I opened my eyes and saw Zendaya all dressed up. I immediately checked the time and hurried myself to the bathroom.

Nakatulog pala ako kagabi? I guess.

"Bilisan mo GINGER! SINASABI KO KASI SA'YO!" Sigaw ni Zee sa labas.

Gosh this impatient bastard ehh 6:30 pa lang ng umaga.

Nang matapos ako ay dumiretcho naman ako sa connecting walk-in closet ko. I just decided to wear a red velvet fitted dress and some 4-inch sandals before I applied my everyday make-up.

"Tayo lang ni Aze dahil si Patty pumuntang Singapore kasama si Patrick kahapon lang. Aze is already in the car." Zendaya said.

Nakalabas na kami sa kwarto. Bakit hindi niya pinapasok si Aze sa bahay?

"Bakit hindi mo siya pinapasok?" Nagtatakang tanong ko sa kanya.

"Takot siya sa aso niyo. Siya ang ayaw pumasok." Sagot niya.

Lol. Aze is such a big guy pero takot siya kay cheeny, our chihuahua. She's such a cutie kaya.

"May pupuntahan muna tayo. Bibili lang ako ng cake para kay tito." Sabi ko kay Zee.

She just smirked and threw me the key. I guess I'm victimized by her tricks. Ako na yata ang magd-drive papuntang Marawi.

I looked through the rear mirror and saw Aze acting as if he is a boss and I'm a mere servant. Napa-roll eyes nalang ako and maneuvered the car out of our front yard.