Golden Days of Fall

Simula

Autumn

Kanina ko pa pinaglalaruan ang tasa ng kape sa harap. I am so bored already pero hindi naman ako pwedeng lumabas kasi may nagsasalita pa sa harap. I just want to go home and give myself a rest. I have been so knackered the whole week dahil nagkaroon nga ng problema ang kompanya.

I eyed my father who is now speaking in front. Hindi ko mapigilang humanga sa taglay nitong kabaitan at angking talino. Maybe physical features lang talaga ang nakuha ko sa kanya. I mean, mukhang kay mommy talaga ako nagmana sa attitude. I smiled. Speaking of mommy, she pushed me to become the director of this company but I declined.

Tiningnan ko isa-isa ang mga narito at nahinto lamang noong nakita ko na naman ang babaeng ito. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung sinong mas matanda sa amin. For months, I noticed na mukhang may pagtingin ito sa ama ko. I raised my brows when her eyes landed on me. Don't you dare make a wrong move, I have eyes.

"Shall we call this a day?" I eyed my father na ngayon ay tinatapos na ang meeting.

The members of the company stood up para makipag kamayan sa ama ko. Daddy has been respected so well because him, being so humble though raised in a well-heeled family, born with a silver spoon, he's still keeping his feet on the ground. Napakaswerte ng mga nagtratrabaho rito.

I stood up immediately when few of the businessmen offered their hands to me. I smiled at them in return. I am not sure but what if isa sa kanila ang nagnakaw ng malaking pera? I am not judging them but who knows? People nowadays, parang hindi mabubuhay kung walang pera. And instead of stealing money, why not work your ass off para mabuhay? That would be better.

"Mr. Archambeau, akin na po ang mga dala ninyo." I eyed that woman again.

Tinagilid ko ang aking ulo at tinitigan muli ito. Napansin ko kasi ang paghaplos niya sa braso ng ama ko. The fuck, hindi ba siya nahihiya sa anak ng boss niya? Her little gestures are sickening. I rolled my eyes when she eyed me again. I said, kapag nalaman kong sine-seduce niya ang ama ko, she'll pay for the reward she deserves.

"Thanks, Amanda." daddy smiled at her kaya natanaw ko ang nang-aakit nitong ngiti pabalik.

Nilagpasan siya ni daddy at dumiretso ito sa pwesto ko. I smiled at him, ignoring his secretary.

"Do you need something? Are you hungry?" he asked but I immediately shook my head.

"Dad, I need rest."

He smiled at me. "Sure, darling." at sabay na kaming lumabas galing sa conference room.

May meeting pa siya kaya nauna na akong umalis. Hindi na rin naman kasi ako sa bahay namin nakatira. I am living in a great condo with a really great view of whole Zurich. I have my office here in 21st Century Gems pero hindi na ako pumasok. Diretso na ang lakad ko palabas when my phone vibrated. I took it from my purse and saw that it was my friend.

"You called for?" salubong ko rito. I am not in the mood for anything at the moment.

I heard her laughter from the other line. "You're not coming here?"

"For?" I asked her again. Pwede namang sabihin nalang kaagad, this is a waste of time.

I saw my father's employees bowing at me. I gave them a small smile bago sila lagpasan.

"Ngayong Sunday ang binyag ng anak nina Koa at Sol." I could feel her excitement.

And then? Am I invited? Though uuwi naman talaga ako because of Comfort and Care, hindi naman ako pwedeng pumunta kung hindi ako invited. And besides, Koa and I had no communication for a year now. I can't afford to put myself in shame.

"You can come, just don't stain my shirt." I am driving now papunta sa condo.

She chuckled. "Sorrell, for Pete's sake you're invited."

"And then?" I haven't received an invitation card.

"Come here. Comfort and Care needs its elegant owner. So yeah, you can't ignore this."

Bumuntonghininga ako dahil sa kaunting traffic. Pagod kong itinukod ang aking siko sa bintana habang ang mga mata ay nasa kalsada. I am tired but not sleepy. I have to do something about this. To at least, feel you know, my body needs a hard ... uh drink. I think?

"Didn't Koa message you about this? I am holding now the invitation card, mine and yours." sabi nito.

I rolled my eyes. God, Koa and I aren't that close so how could he possibly do that?

"Babalik ako ng Pilipinas but I am not sure if I can attend. Monica, I am a busy person, you know that." pagod kong sabi habang nagmamaneho.

I've changed my mind. Instead of going home this early, I've decided to visit Jules Verne Panoramabar. I want to savor my time here before going back to Philippines for Comfort and Care. I am craving for cocktail and oysters on the half shell. Damn it.

Bumuntonghininga ito. "Fine, Sorrell. Mag-usap na nga lang tayo kapag narito ka na. We're making this talk complicated." maarteng sabi nito.

I smiled. "Yeah, sure." I said in a low voice.

"I know you're driving. Where are you going, Sorrell?" she asked like an old woman.

"I am tired and hungry so I am looking for something to fill my cravings, hmm." I combed my hair using my fingers.

"Sa bar na naman ba? Maghahanap ka na naman ng mga lalaki roon?" nahimigan ko ang iritasyon sa boses niya.

I chuckled sexily. Kinagat ko ang aking pang ibabang at pinatay ang makina noong nasa bar na ako. Napatingin ako sa mga sasakyan na nakaparada. I never thought na maraming pupunta rito kasi hindi pa naman gabi. Sumandal ako at hinagod ang leeg, kakain lang ako.

"Hmm, it could be." I chuckled.

She cursed after I said that. Mas lalo tuloy akong natawa.

"Sorrell, mag-enjoy ka riyan kasi sa pagbalik mo, humanda ka sa akin." siguro kung kasama ko lang ito ngayon ay baka napuno na ako ng irap.

"What are you gonna do?" I couldn't stop tittering.

"Come back here girl, for sure may comeback din na mangyayari." ngayon siya naman ang tumatawa.

I rolled my eyes. I heartily forgot him and here's a friend of mine, reminding it again.

I remained silent for a minute. Hindi pa rin ito tumitigil sa pagtawa.

"Someone's silent, mukhang may pangalan na naalala." she teased.

"I remember nothing though." I rolled my eyes more than five times already today.

"The Carson el Perfume Co." sabi nito.

I closed my eyes for a moment, mas lalo yata akong napagod noong kinausap ko ito.

"Sorrell," she called pero naroon pa rin ang tuwa sa boses niya. "Hindi mo kilala si Davi Carson?"

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa at mabilis na ibinaba ang tawag. Damn that woman.