The Runaway Hearts

Chapter 14: Cup Ramen for Another Life

Red's P.O.V

I LEFT the office earlier than usual when Marie called me to join a dinner with a potential client from Japan. This won't be our first client overseas if luck permits us to win this but it would be a great portfolio for Cisco to win this client.

Hijikata Toshiro is from Japan and he is the owner of a famous brand of cars. I am also a fan of their cars at brand nga nila ang kotse at motor na binili ko.

Hijikata seemed to be fond of Marie because he was his former client even before Marie joined Cisco.

"Red speaks japanese..." Marie looked at me and mentioned something that's unnecesaary but I couldn't do anything when she gave me that look that screams of 'Sumakay ka na lang kung ayaw mo malagot'

Pinatulan ni Hijikata ang sinabi ni Marie at nakipagusap ako sa kanya sa lengwahe niya.

My late mom was a japanese, but lived here in the philippines during her teenage days so she is fluent with filipino. She taught me how to speak japanese because we frequently visit our home in Osaka.

Habang nag-uusap naman si Marie at Hijikata ay tinignan ko kaagad ang cellphone ko na kanina pa nagba-vibrate. Before I entered the restaurant, I received a text message from Kenji saying he's going to Mr. Drew's nearby building to check CCTVs and see if we could identify the car that Fatima always rides. May taong pinapunta si Kenji kaninang umaga roon at marahil may nahanap sila.

I have three messages from Kenji, but he only wanted to say that the nearby convenience store has a CCTV so he asked for a copy. They were able to see the plate number and is now coordinating with the District Office to find out the owner of the car.

Pagkatapos kong mabasa ang text ni Kenji ay nahirapan na akong mag-focus sa usapan namin dito.

But Marie is duscussing that I will lead the project they are talking about once he's settled about outsourcing Cisco's services.

After a few more discussions, Hijikata finally decides to call it a night. I gave him my business card in case he wants a separate discussion apart from what we had today.

"Uuwi ka na 'di ba?" Hinawakan naman ako nang mahigpit ni Marie sa balikat nang makaalis na ang sasakyan ni Hijikata.

"As if..." napairap lang naman ako sa kanya.

"About the other project you have that is also handled by Chairman, next na iyong site inspection mo. Have you identified any staff that can go with you?" Bigla namang tanong nito kaya mariin akong napapkit dahil nawala ito sa isipan ko nitong nakaraang araw.

"Since the project is highly confidential, gusto ni Chairman na isa lang ang isama mo." Dagdag pa nito.

"Not yet. But I will have to go alone if I don't get staff to come with me..." I said as an asurance to her.

"Alright, pwede ka namang humugot sa mga trainees. Inaawitan ako ni Kenji kanina kung pwede niyang kunin 'yung isang staff mo, sabi ko oo na lang..."

Padabog akong tumingin sa kanya kaya naman nagulat agad ito. "Is that why he's persistent about taking Faith?"

"Oo. Eh pinapagalitan mo lang naman siya."

"Hindi na ako natutulog, babawasan mo pa tao ko..." hindi ko mapigilang mainis kaya naman napaawang-bibig lang ito nang tinalikuran ko siya at dumiretso sa kotse ko.

"Akala ko ba ayaw mo sa kanya!? Napakamatampohin mong manager ka!" sigaw pa nito sa akon nang makapasok ako sa sasakyan ko.

I decided to go back to the office because I think I will have to rush some documents tonight so I can focus with Kenji's investigation tomorrow. Pakiramdam ko mas dadami na ang pagkakaabalahan namin doon simula bukas.