Skipped Heartbeats (Amorous Revival Series #5)

Chapter 3

"Doc, the brand ambassador has arrived. She's at the conference room now. Also, I've prepared the documents needed for the contract signing," Callum, my secretary, informed me.

Sa sobrang daming papeles na binabasa ko, hindi na ako nag-abala pang tapunan siya ng tingin.

"Ako nalang ba ang hinihintay?" tanong ko.

"Yes, Doc."

Nang hindi ko na kinaya ang nadaramang sakit ng ulo, tinanggal ko ang suot kong salamin at mariing ipinikit ang mga mata. I leaned on the backrest of my swivel chair and started to massage my temples.

"Ayos lang po ba kayo?" Callum asked when he noticed my discomfort. "Do you want me to cancel the meeting? It's totally okay if I ask to reschedule another rendezvous with Ms. Sandoval. She already finished the taping of her latest soap opera. Her manager told me na maluwag ang timetable niya this week."

"No need," I replied. "You know I prefer accomplishing my appointments on a daily basis."

Hindi ko na namalayan ang oras when I finished reading a dissertation about psoriasis cases. Alas-dos na ako dinalaw ng antok at wala akong choice kundi gumising ng 5 am. I think that's one of the reasons why I have this terrible headache. Kinulang ako ng tulog.

(Psoriasis is a chronic disease in which the immune system becomes overactive, causing skin cells to multiply too quickly. Patches of skin become scaly and inflamed, most often on the scalp, elbows, or knees, but other parts of the body can be affected as well.)

At dahil Lunes ngayon, binaha ang clinic ng mga pasyente. Linggo-lingo kaming fully booked dito at natataon lagi na tuwing Monday ang pinaka-nakakapagod. I performed rhinosplasty and blepharoplasty this morning kaya 'di na kataka-taka kung bakit sumasakit ang ulo ko.

(Rhinoplasty is a type of plastic surgery that changes your nose's shape and size. Whereas, a blepharoplasty is a surgical rejuvenating procedure that may be performed on the upper and/or lower eyelids.)

"Callum, puntahan mo na sila doon. Give me three minutes. Susunod na ako."

He nodded and left my office in an instant.

I stood up and took a painkiller. Ibinalik ko na ang salamin ko at nag-suklay muna. Then, I fixed my neck tie and took a final glance on the full length mirror bago lumabas.

It's been years and I didn't expect that I'll be successful like my older siblings. No'ng una ay wala sa hinagap ko na magdo-doktor din ako gaya nila. Patapon ang buhay ko noon pero hindi hinayaan ng tadhana na masira ang kinabukasan ko. To cut the long story short, I decided to be a cosmetic surgeon. At the age of 26, my Dad had designated me as the chief operating officer of our family's aesthetic and derma clinic.

"Good afternoon," mainit kong pagbati no'ng tuluyan na akong makapasok sa loob ng conference room.

They acknowledged my presence and greeted me back.

"It's a great pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Catherine Sandoval," I said and shook her hand.

Hindi nakatakas sa mga mata ko ang pagpansin sa panandaliang pagpula ng pisngi niya nang dumapo ang kamay ko sa palad niya. I know the effects of my effortless charm to all the girls I meet. I can flirt anytime I want but imagining Amara looking daggers at me immediately scares the shit out of me.

I don't have any idea kung naintindihan ba ng aktres na ito ang mga terms and conditions na nakasaad sa kontrata nang pumirma siya doon sa dokumento.

No'ng abala kasi sa pagpapaliwanag 'yong abogado ko ay abala rin siya sa pagpapantasya sa akin. She would always smile coquettishly whenever our eyes meet and I'd just grin back.