Changing Fate

Chapter 8

"Have lunch with me tomorrow."

After that, the call was disconnected. Tapos nakatanggap ako ng text message galing sa parehong number.

I was amused when I saw the message. It was the address of a very fancy restaurant in the city.

Is this the proper way to invite someone to meet? Napailing nalang ako at palihim na napatawa.

What a domineering and overbearing old man. As expected of the great Stefan Lauder.

Ano naman kaya ang dahilan at inimbita ako ni tanda na maglunch bukas kasama siya? Gusto na ba niya akong singilin sa loan?

Psh, he is one of the richest man in Asia but, he sure is stingy.

Sa totoo lang, kaya ko ng bayaran ang loan pero ayoko lang magbayad pa. After all, it was a loan with two hundred percent interest.

Kahit bayaran ko ng maaga, hindi naman magbabago ang interest na babayaran ko. So why not use the money to the fullest?

There are still two months before I need to pay the loan, I can still reinvest the money in a short-term investment.

At isa pa, alam ko naman na barya lang kay Lolo ang perang yun. I am sure he doesn't need it. So why not use it to earn more money for myself? There's no harm in having more money anyway.

Napatawa naman ako sa naisip. If the old man can hear my thoughts, he will probably curse me to death.

I looked down at my phone again and saved the number of the old man.

Actually, I'm quite surprised that he called me using his personal number. After all, not a lot of people knew his number.

Kahit saaking nakaraang buhay, kahit apo niya ako, hindi ko alam ang personal number ni Lolo.

Who would have thought that in this life, just because of a loan, I could easily get his number?

Life, sometimes, can really be ironic.

'Overbearing Stingy Old Man'. That's the name I used for his number.

Natatawang napatango nalang ako. Perfect, this name perfectly describes the great Stefan Lauder.

I reached my classroom in no time. Pagpasok ko sa classroom sakto namang pagtunog ng bell, tanda na tapos na ang lunch break.

After sitting on my chair, I removed all my distracting thoughts and fully focused on my studies.

The next day is a Saturday so I didn't have to go to school. Pagkagising ko ay dumiretso na ako sa kusina para magluto ng agahan.

I can now hire house helpers, but I opted not to. For me, this condo is my safe haven, so I don't like strangers to intrude this place.

After breakfast, I practiced and played the violin for a few hours.

Matapos tumugtog ng violin, tumingin ako sa orasan. It's currently nine in the morning, still early.

My lunch appointment with Grandpa is at twelve so I still have a few hours to spare. Kaya naman dumiretso na muna ako sa study room ko at inasikaso ang ilang work documents na kailangan ko tapusin ngayong araw.

Time is gold, sabi nga nila. I am on my own now so I cannot slack too much and be lazy. Once I screw up, I will have to say goodbye to my carefree days.

When the clock strikes to eleven, I went to my room to get ready. I changed into a simple and comfortable white dress appropriate for my age.

I want to wear a pant suit to be more formal, but since I am still young, I really look ridiculous when I wear formal attires so I just gave up the thought.

Then I chose a matching handbag and put all my essential items inside. Hindi ko din kinalimutan dalhin ang aking checkbook.

Para kung gusto nga talaga akong singilin ni Lolo sa loan, makakapagbayad ako.

After getting ready, lumabas na ako sa condo at bumaba na sa parking area. The restaurant chosen by the old man is called, Eden.

It is a very well-known restaurant in our area. Many powerful and influential people dine here. Kaya hindi na ako nagulat na ito ang piniling restaurant ni Lolo.

Nakapunta at nakakain narin ako sa Eden pero ilang beses palang. Even though I can afford to eat there, I still need to call for a reservation.

And usually, because of too many people booking a reservation, you can only book a reservation date that is months away. The food is good but I don't think the wait is worth it.

The restaurant is only fifteen minutes away from my condo, so even though it's already eleven thirty, I am not in a hurry. Alam kong makakarating ako sa restaurant bago mag alas dose.

I am a very punctual person so I don't want to be late as well. Kahit sa aking nakaraang buhay, hindi ako kailan man na-late sa kahit na anong meeting at appointment.

Pagdating ko sa restaurant, sinalubong at binati ako ng isang hostess. She asked me if I have a reservation and I said yes.

"I am Kalila Alcantara, I have a lunch appointment with Stefan Lauder." sagot ko.

I'm pretty sure that the old man's secretary already informed the restaurant of the appointment and my name. At hindi naman ako nagkamali.

Nang marinig ang pangalan ko at ni Lolo, the hostess immediately led me to the highest floor of the restaurant where the private rooms are. There, in one of the doors, I saw the old man's name was engraved.

Napabuntong hininga nalang ako sa nakita. While I was still struggling to reserve a table on the first floor, the old man already have his own private room in this restaurant.

Napangiti nalang ako ng mapait. Tama nga ang sabi nila, 'comparison is the thief of joy'.

Before coming here, I was still feeling quite proud of myself and my achievements. I thought I was already doing good as I could now afford everything I wanted.

But now, seeing the difference, compared to the old man, I realize that I am still a pauper.

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