Behind the Facade

VII. Recollection

I don't want to sound complacent, but I can finally safely say that today is the beginning of my new life. Hindi ko inaaasahan ang daloy ng pag-uusap namin ni Reinleigh kahapon, but... to my relief, the luck was on my side! Reinleigh decided to give me a chance. He decided to become the light of the glimmering hope I found in him.

Magaan ang pakiramdam ko nang magising sa mansion. That was the first time ever since, and I could thank Reinleigh for showing me hope.

"I'm off, Auntie Lynn." Nakangiting paalam ko sa katiwala namin. Napansin ko pa ang kaniyang bahagyang pagtigil nang makita ang ngiti sa'king labi. Kalaunan nama'y tinanggap niya ito ng isang malawak na ngiti rin.

As I got my way out of the gate, I stepped on the brake for a moment and observed the entirety of the lonely mansion. It's like an empty house, the paint on its surface is fading. It's more like the mansion is losing its colors, unlike before when... when everything was still in place.

"Might as well going to let go of this house..." I murmured under my teeth with my eyes scanning the lonesome structure. Matagal ko nang napagdesisyunan ang kumawala rito at lumipat ng tirahan for the thought that it might help me feel better. Ngunit hindi ko 'yon natupad noon, because of how tight the grip of the memories this mansion on me.

Pero ngayon, buo na ang loob ko.

Tuluyan ko nang nilisan ang lugar at nagtungo sa kompanya. I was instantly greeted by the smile of my secretary who's carrying a document on her arms.

"Good morning, Madame! Do you remember the appointment you signed the other day? Ngayon ito naka-schedule, at nasa loob na rin ang kliyente, naghihintay po sa inyo." My head bobbed as a response along with a small smile.

I pulled the door forth, clashing the air conditioner from inside through my skin. Bumungad sa'kin ang lalaking naka-upo nang nakadekwatro. The gray strand on his hair suggest that he must be on his forties. Maayos ang pagka-upo nito habang taimtim na naghihintay sa'kin.

"Good morning, Mr. Lim." I greeted. Mabuti na lang ay naalala ko pa ang pangalan niya sa document na pinirmahan ko. He returned the greetings with a smile on his face.

But his eyes slowly expanded in recognition as soon as we met gazes. "Ms. Williard!" he stood on his feet and extended his one arm for a handshake.

"I finally met the icon." Wika nito matapos bumitaw. I stopped for a moment with bewildered face as I looked at him. Puno ng pagtataka, dahan-dahan akong umupo sa upuan ko. Ano ang ibig niyang sabihin?

As if he noticed the confusion in me, nagpaliwanag din ito. "Didn't you know you're popular? As a renowned young entrepreneur, you are also popular for being the sole survivor of the known cold case, The Dinner Death Case." Wika nito na may kasamang ngiti. I was caught off-guard. I was glued on my seat as the words uttered by this man gradually sank in my mind. Tila para akong pinagbuhusan ng malamig ng tubig habang nakatingin sa'kin ang mga mata niyang hindi ko alam kung ano ang ipinapahiwatig.

Napalunok ako ng laway. I gripped on my fist and tried to return to my composure. I shouldn't budge to anything like this, especially, in front of people that I barely know.

"An icon, I see..." my lips stretched into a smile. "My pleasure, then." I gave him a last smiling glance before grabbing the copy of the document I signed the other day. Narito ang mga sadya niya kung bakit siya nagpapa-appoint sa'kin.

I rummaged my eyes in the paper and smiled when I read the keyword. It turns out he's interested in investing my company, too. Ipinaliwanag ko sa kaniya ang dapat niyang malaman tungkol sa ginagawa namin, kahit na pakiramdam ko ay walang saysay ang mga sinasabi ko dahil sa sinabi niya kanina. Still, I also persuade him with the good deeds of our company.