"This is my version of take when I said that our families are in some sort of a give and take relationship where everyone wins."
"You are a loss in the motor company, I'm telling you."
"Nah... Oliver will make my exit unnoticeable. He's the best. Besides, this is the end of my bargain."
"I wish you the best."
"Thanks, Kath."
Alden stayed in the US for two months and kahapon lang sya nakauwi. Tapos na kasi sila mag-asikaso ng branch out ng Myriad Corp US. In the remaining months of the year, their focus is the e-sports. Early next year, may directorial projects si Alden but mostly concerts and TVCs.
"For what it's worth, I'm proud of you."
"Mas nakakaproud ka kaya. Congrats on your new movie. Don't you think this calls for a celebration?"
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"Don't you think you're jet lagged?"
Alden sighed. "Actually? I am. Parang need ko pa ng extra sleep for day 2 before my head adjusts fully."
"I bet. I'll leave you to it. Rest plenty. I'll see you tonight... or tomorrow perhaps? Baka tulog ka na when I get home. Full day today eh." Kathryn waved him good bye and left. Alden could just smile while looking at her retreating figure.
. . .
"Cole!!! Gosh, namiss kita!" Kathryn ran to her cousin who just arrived from LA. "And..." she turned to the lady beside him, "Lia? Finally! Nice meeting you!" she gushed and hugged her future cousin-in-law. Sinundo nya ang mga ito sa airport.
"Pleasure to finally meet you, too, Chandria," Lia pleasantly told her. "Cole has been telling me stories about you."
"Kinabahan yata ako ah."
"They were all good, silly!" Lia poked Kathryn's cheek.
"Oh, not the cheek poking huhu you're Cole in Lia's body."
Cole hugged his favorite women. "Enough of these cutesy cutesy, girls. Let's go home already, okay?"
Kathryn giggled. They went straight home and her parents were ecstatic to see Cole again. Ulila na si Cole and yung daddy ni Kathryn ang nag-alaga dito. He was the son he always wanted kaya ganun nalang kung mahalin nito ang pamangkin. Kathryn and Cole practically grew up together. Sabay sila sa lahat ng bagay even when Kathryn's mom died, they mourned together. When her dad decided to marry again, they rebelled together. Pero sabay din silang natuto na tanggapin ito.
"Look at you, son, almost a family man already," Mr. Bernardo gave Cole a big hug as he welcomed him. "So this is the lucky girl," he also hugged Lia.
"You two should rest first and bukas na natin pag-usapan ang engagement party na gaganapin. Kathryn here hired the team to take care of everything," Mrs. Bernardo explained.
"Always the reliable one," Cole smiled at his cousin.
"Syempre! Basta ikaw!"
"Sweetie, don't forget to bring RJ tomorrow evening," her dad told her.
Cole's expression changed. "Uncle, I believe he's quite busy nowadays."
"Ganun ba?" Tiningnan nito ang anak nito pero umiling ng bahagya si Kathryn.
"He's taking a week break na muna," she replied, "but I'll ask him po. Baka kasi may iba na syang plan for tomorrow."
After all the pleasantries, Kathryn left for work. She has a TV guesting that afternoon and a contract signing for a new cosmetic brand she's endorsing in the evening. Too bad she won't be home for dinner kasama si Cole and Lia. Duty calls. Pero she freed her schedule for tomorrow's meeting with the event organizers kasama ang mag fiancé and parents nya.
