Her Fearless Ways

Chapter 34

"Please welcome, the new CEO of the Schwartz company, Miss Tarhatta Schwartz!"

The announcement of my promotion felt surreal. After five years and a half of hard work and perseverance, I finally got the position I promised myself. But this isn't just another normal promotion. This also means more work and responsibilities.

"Congratulations," Sir Calvin greeted. "Mommy."

"Congrats, brief," I fired back.

He was also promoted. He is now the executive assistant. My assistant. Ang galing!

When I say more responsibilities, that includes being a mother at the same time. On the third Monday of the second month of the year, my son started questioning me about his father, again.

"We have a family day celebration at school," Roshan spoke.

"Okay, I'll be there baby," I kissed his cheek.

"Only you? How about my daddy? You said I'll meet him," he pouted.

Nagsalubong ang mga mata namin ni Tita at umiiling siyang nag-iwas ng tingin. Siguro'y siya ang kinukulit ng bata tungkol doon dahil sila ang laging magkasama.

"I have to go to work. 'Wag pasaway kay Tita Diane, ha?"

His shoulders slumped, disappointed with my answer. Alam ko naman na darating kami sa ganitong punto. Hindi ko lang alam kung paano ko iyon lulusutan without lying to him about the reason why he doesn't have to know him.

But because fate is a menace, it created an invisible string that kept on pulling me back to where I've been. To him.

"Y-you want me to go back to the Philippines?!" I exclaimed.

Both Aunt Olga and Dad was surprised by my sudden outburst. Eh, talaga namang mabibigla ako! Mag-a-anim na taon na ang nakakalipas ng lisanin ko ang bansang 'yon, and now, they want me to come back there?!

"Don't you remember that your Dad came to the Philippines for business expansion when he decided to have you?" Aunt Olga reminded. "The growing sales we have from the Philippines is a no joke, Tar. Marketing our business to a wider consumer base can generate greater profits."

"B-but... w-why me? How about my work here?"

"No one else knows what that country has to offer to us but you. You grew up there, you know the market, you know how things work. Besides, we already have a property to build our factory. You'll just have to check it and process the remaining papers."

"How about Aunt Diane? She also lived there. I can't leave my child here especially when I'm not certain when I can get back!" I fumed at her.

She hummed. "Or you're just trying to avoid meeting him again."

"H-him?"

"Your child's father, Tarhatta."

Napalunok ako. "Of course! Not!"

Who am I kidding?! Kaya nga ako nagpakalayo dahil ayaw niya na akong makita. I was just returning the favor! Tapos ngayon, babalik na naman ako roon?

"Ang Pilipinas lang ang babalikan mo, hindi siya."

Napangiwi ako sa nasabi ni Tita Diane. "As if naman babalikan ko siya."

"Kaya nga! Eh, bakit ka natatakot? Ang laki-laki ng Pilipinas, hindi mo siya kaagad makikita roon!"

She has a point. Pero kahit na! My promotion as the CEO of Schwartz Company was all over the internet! A lot of news sites featured me, pati na sa Pilipinas. Ang daming Pilipinong humanga sa kwento ko kung paano ako nakarating sa ganitong posisyon. Nasa Google na rin ang pangalan ko, pati mukha ko!