They Don't Know About Us

Part 13: COO

"I still have a lot to learn but I'm now getting the hang of it. Your wife's family business is surprisingly a gem addition to the empire, RJ. No wonder, Uncle Ric was eager about the merge."

"How about the debt?"

"Phew! All gone. You know what? I'm sorry but I misjudged you, cousin. You left a big shoe to fill. Sobrang outstanding ng performance mo as COO here."

"Sus, mas magaling ka. I'm sure hihigitan mo ko, Oli."

"Well, sana. By the way, sasabihin ko na yung mahalaga kong pakay sayo." Oli fished his cellphone from the inside pocket of his coat and showed something to his cousin. "What happened here?"

RJ squinted and closed his eyes after seeing the photo Oli showed him.

"Fianceé sya ng pinsan ni Kathryn."

"Alam ba ni Kathryn?"

"I don't think she needs to know."

"Bro, Lia was not just some fling."

"Matagal na kaming wala."

"Oo, kasi you ghosted her."

"You know why."

"Hindi ka naniniwala sa kasal. You left her when she proposed to you."

"We were young back then. Marami akong plano sa buhay. Marrying someone wasn't part of it. Besides, I asked for more time."

"Oo nga pero binalikan mo ba?"

"Paano ko naman babalikan kung may iba na?"

"Hindi mo man lang pinag explain yung tao. Malay mo nga kamag-anak lang yung kasama nya sa apartment."

"May relatives bang nagmi-make out?"

"What?! You never told me that."

"Hindi naman na kasi mahalaga yun. Tsaka, goods narin yung nakita ko. Mas naging madali sa akin na sundin sila Dad na bumalik dito sa Pilipinas."

Oli sighed. "Sabagay."

"Change topic, pwede?"

"Okay."

"Single ka naman diba?"

"Oo."

"Good. Sa bahay ka na magdinner."

"Ano naman konek sa dinner at sa status ko?"

"Si Ashley kasi... yung bestfriend ni Kathryn, naghahanap ng date na isasama sa reunion ng batch nila."

"Bakit ako?!"

"Hindi ka naman mabilis ma-fall kaya goods ka. One day date lang naman. After nun, magkalimutan na kayo."

"Wala bang boyfriend yan?"

"Meron."

"Oh. Tangina. Baka mabugbog pa ako."

"Sige wag na nga lang. Pero punta ka parin sa dinner. My wife wants to see you there."

"Maka-my wife ka naman eh di naman kayo."

"Panira ka talaga ng mood. Basta pumunta ka. Don't worry hindi kita paglulutuin."

"Count me in then."

"Sige alis nako. Tulungan ko pa si Kathryn na magluto." Akmang lalabas na si Alden nang pigilan sya ni Oli.

"Maganda ba yung Ashley?"

"Ba't ko naman sasabihin?"

"Ang labo talaga nito."

Alden laughed out loud. Kinuha nito ang cellphone at ipinakita kay Oliver ang picture ni Ash.

Napahawak sa dibdib nya si Oli.

"Anong drama naman yan?" Alden frowned.

"She looks familiar."

"Huh?"

"She looks like my future girlfriend."

"Tangina mo. Dyan ka na nga!"

After Alden left, Oliver googled Ashley. He smiled. "I'm really gonna love it here."