Turning Tables

Homecoming

My events management business has grown.

Thanks to a wise investment tip from one of my business partners, The Guevarra Events Company is now considered as one of Fortune 500's top companies.

The rags-to-riches story of how my company rose to the top was widely known in the business community and I was proud of my accomplishments.

I was sitting in my office, with my back behind the door, admiring the Makati skyline.

The pink sky softened the bright glow of the setting sun and it was a beautiful sight to see.

I absentmindedly played with the charm bracelet Jade gave me years ago.

The memory of her always brought a dull ache in my heart.

I pushed the thought from my mind and focused on the here and now.

My company almost collapsed with the weight of the love we fought so hard for.

Years ago, Oscar Tanchingco almost sabotaged my business.

It was because he wanted me to leave his daughter alone.

He even bribed me 50 million pesos just to disappear.

Of course I refused it.

I have too much pride in me.

Not only that.

My father, blessed his soul, raised me to value my integrity.

It was something non-existent in Oscar's vocabulary.

Also, I loved Jade with all my heart.

To me, she was priceless, the love of my life.

I would sacrifice everything for her and I did.

In the end, it was all for nothing.

Oscar succeeded in taking her away from me.

I was never the same since.

A soft knock on the glass door caught my attention.

Batchi, my longtime friend and now COO, came in looking dapper in a gray-tailored suit.

She grinned widely and her eyes shone with excitement.

In her hands were two folders, white and green.

She placed the white folder on the glass-topped table and sat comfortably on the leather chair, across from where I was standing.

She held on to the green folder.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" she said to me, looking at the sky overhead.

I didn't answer.

She kept talking, ignoring my coldness.

"Althea, I'm sure you're happy to know that our financial reports showed a 45 % increased in profits,"

I sat down, still unresponsive.

"But you know that already," she adjusted the silver Skagen watch she wore.

I reached for the folder and studied the figures.

I'm aware of all this information.

After the unexpected disappearance of Jade, I buried myself with work.

Like a well-oiled machinery, I was on top of the game not because I was that crazy about my career.

It was because work was my refuge from my pain.

Unlike love, if I take care of my company, it reciprocates.

Love is trickier.

Sometimes you give it all but you still end up with nothing.