ALASTAIR ARMENDAREZ

CHAPTER 18

"I'm not expecting this but you're finally here, Ara. It's been a long years." He said casually.

We were in the middle of the sea of people as Hugo suddenly came towards me. Hawak nito ang wine glass, nakapamulsa.

"Me either, Mr. Armendarez." I just let myself calm and smiled at him.

"How are you? How's life? I'm literally stunned to met and saw you here." aniya tsaka sumimsim ng dala nitong alak.

"Well, I'm good! Everything is fine." sagot ko.

I just can say that he's totally different right now. Malayong malayo sa Hugo na nakilala ko dati. The playboy and jerk, Hugo Armendarez!

"You know, I really can't believe everything, Ara." panimula nito habang natatawa.

Lihim akong napangiti at ininom ang baso na nasa harapan ko na may lamang alak.

"About what?" nagpapaligoy ligoy pa ako sa kanya.

"About you! I just can't believe that you became our maid before but look–look at you right now. You just look amazing.." then he laugh. Kaya natawa rin ako. "I was really dumb back then for offering you a nonsense thing." He added.

"Haha that was long time ago and I just thankful that I'm really achieving my dreams." I told him.

"I am so happy for you then." he added.

"I'm thankful to your father as well for helping me. Anyway, how is he?" I ask him out of the blue.

"Dad? He's ill." he answered plainly.

"Oh so the article I read was true?"

"Yeah it is. His body is definitely giving up and I think one of these days, he'll going to leave us." May kung anong kumurot sa aking puso sa sinabi niya.

"I'm thinking if I am going visit your father, but you know my schedule and commitments."

"Honestly speaking, he wanted to see you and he's looking for you, Ara! Everyday!" aniya kaya napatingin ako sa kanya ng deretso. He's looking at me as well.

"Rea–lly?"

"Yes!" Uminom muli ito ng alak. "Weird but I think, he's just waiting for you to say goodbye." napaiwas ito ng tingin. "..he's dying day but day." he added.

Gosh! Nagsimulang mag init ang gilid ng mga mata ko at napalunok nalang ako ng laway.

"I'll have 5days to stay here in the country, Hugo and we're heading back to Bangkok after. I'll talk to my head first."

"Understand! I know you are busy and I'm not going to pressure you, Ara. I would be glad if you do that for my father but it's okay if you can't do it ."

Parang nakakakonsensya naman sa akin 'yon.

"I'll try–uh let me see but I'm hoping I can visit your father soon."

"Thanks, Ara." He just smiled at me.

"Anyway, you have a pretty wife huh." Nakita ko kasi ang asawa nito na abala sa pakikipag usap din lalo na sa mga business partners nila.

"You mean, Georgina?"

"Yes, she's kind too." napatingin kami sa gawi ng asawa niya.