Too Complex for Simple Love

Leo can't make everyone happy

Minsan I have this dream. Sa panaginip na ito I am at the top of the Midas Corp, I can see everyone below me and they are smiling. They're happy to see me, nakikita ko si mama at si papa mangiyak-ngiyak habang sinasabi ang pangalan ko, at sa likod ko ay si Lolo, Lolo is a proud man but this time around he bows to me habang sinasabi "I'm proud of you, apo."

In this dream, I run towards Lolo to hug him, ecstatic to hear those words from him. But from the skyscraper, I fall below. Just before I hit the ground, I wake up, sweaty and yung puso ko parang sound system sa discohan. Minsan sa panaginip I trip because of my own carelessness, other times I get pulled down. This dream will always be a painful reminder to me of the weight that only I can carry, of the one path that will bring happiness.

It was from one of these dreams na nagising ako, I checked my alarm clock and 4:30 palang sa umaga but I get up anyway reminding myself that there's still a lot of work to do.

I usually begin my day with an Americano, while I browse through business magazines, mostly from Asiamoney o di kaya MoneySense. As the Chief Financial Officer of Midas Co., I always need to keep my eyes peeled sa mga competitors namin.

After that I go to the gym and the salon. I do it for the people, I mean appearances are just as important as the other parts of my job and honestly, this is the only leisure time I can allow myself, I don't have time to slack around and mess around with hobbies.

After that work...after that, more work... It never ends.

As ininom ko yung kape ko I am reminded of the pile of paperwork that I have yet to touch, all for the upcoming event. The opening of the sister company. As I look over the paperwork hindi ko napigilan kundi ngumiti. Ophie.

POV ni Ophie

Di ko mapigilang manalamin ulit habang nakasakay sa taxi. Wearing my elegant off shoulder white slit dress and cardigan with pearl earrings I look stunning pero hindi parin ako mapakali. After two weeks ako i-ghost bigla akong ininvite ng lokong matanda sa grand opening ng sister company nila, yes ako na magiging joint leader ay invited sa sarili kong opening.

But still, Midas to beh! I decided to go with a more natural look as to seem effortlessly gorgeous kahit anong oras palang gising na ko para ikulot ang buhok ko at siguradohing my make-up is just right and satisfied with the result sinarado ko ulit yung salamin. Humingang malalim nang ilang beses at nairita kasi hindi parin natulungan yung kaba ko. Habang si manong driver sa unahan kagina pa numanakaw ng tingin sakin, Kuya hindi ka nakakatulong!

After a painstakingly long time dumating ako at pagpasok ko ng building ay ngumiti kong sinabi sa elevator girl.

"Top floor please."

Tinignan ako ulo hangang paa ng attendant tapos tinanong ako.

"Do you have an invitation Ma'am?"

Ginantihan ko naman ng taray yung Supladita at tinaasan ng kilay habang pinakita ko sa kanya yung gold envelope na pinadala sakin.

Tahimik lang na pinindot ng babae yung button sa elevator pero naramdaman ko yung takot niya nung nakita niya yung golden envelope ko. O, diba nagsisi ka. Wag ka kasing masyadong judger girl! Vip yata tong kaharap mo.

Pero hindi parin nawala yung takot ko. Am I under dressed? What if tulad nung elevator girl mahalata din ng mga guest na out of place ako?!

Pagkalabas ko ng elevator agad ako nabungad sa pinaka eleganteng arrangement ng rooftop na nakita ko. The tuscan sun tiles matched perfectly with the canary yellow drapes. Tapos yung mga flowers sa palibot na merong Daffodils, Orchids, pati Juliet Rose. Match that with the golden platters and utensils and I felt like I was literally on a golden palace, where everything I could see was made from gold.