Fidelity

48th

Glitch

After Cal and Raya's engagement party, I've been pretty much swamped with work. Nakaplano na ang expansion ng negosyo ko outside Luzon kaya't naging abala ang mga sumunod na linggo.

No matter how good the business is doing for what it is right now, my goal has always been to go global so there's no stopping for me until then.

It's already past office hours but my butt is still glued on my swivel chair with tons of paper works on my desk. Kami na lang ng sekretarya kong si Monica ang tanging tao rito sa building.

I heard a couple of knocks on my door which has already been open since ealier.

"I'm almost done, Mon.." I said without looking up. "I told you, pwede ka nang mauna."

Nang wala akong marinig na sagot ay umangat ang tingin ko. My heart did a tiny cartwheel when I saw Austin. Nakahukipkip siya habang ang likod ay nakasandal sa pinto.

"Let's go?"

I smiled and put everything aside. I placed my white Balenciaga blazer over my shoulder and took my Saint Laurent handbag before leaving. Man, I can't wait 'til my brand gets to compete with all these luxury lines.

It was all I could talk about while Austin and I are in the car.

"I mean, isn't it high time you start using more of your own products? Nagtataka nga ko eh kung bakit yan pa ring mga 'yan ang ginagamit mo.. I don't get the hype with all these other luxury brands. To me, mas magaganda yung designs mo,"

"Ew!" Nalukot ang mukha ko sa pagiging bias nya. Just because he's my boyfriend doesn't mean he can say something like that! "I don't know, nahihiya rin kasi ako, I guess? I mean, do singers even listen to their own songs in front of other people—"

"What? Syempre naman," he pinched my cheek.

"Really? I mean... of course I'm proud of our products, nasha-shy lang ako ipakita na designs na namin yung gamit ko all the time kasi baka cringe & trying hard na yung dating? Anyway, for me, mas fulfilling naman to see other people use and enjoy the products.."

He chuckled and teased me for being cute. I glared at him after another pinch on my cheek. I'm not even joking about what I said! Ayoko namang magmukang masyadong self-centered at bitawan ang mga paborito kong brands just because I already have my own. Besides, it's not helping that my own brand is named after me!

"What's wrong with Solasta?" halakhak niya tungkol doon.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. It wasn't like I came up with it alone. It's something that my team and I deliberated about. In fact, it was their idea to name the brand Solasta. I just said I want it to be personal and be something that would leave a mark just by hearing or reading it. Something that would give a glimpse of what our products has to offer.

"It means luminous! It's perfect, Ma'am." tanda kong pangungumbinsi ng consultant ko sa akin. "It's short and easy to remember. It sounds sophisticated and its meaning reflects the theme of your designs. Besides, it's the owner's name after all. You're giving birth to this brand,"

Napangiwi ako habang inaalala ang mga panahon na nagsisimula pa lang kami. Now Austin won't stop teasing me! Even now that we're strolling through the mall, figuring out where to have dinner!

"How about here?" aniya nang may madaanan kaming Japanese restaurant.

I scrunched my nose. "I don't think their menu is Vegan friendly.."