Player 1 | MIKHAIAH AU

Part 44

Mackie settled into her chair, the sunlight streaming through the glass windows of the sleek conference room. She adjusted her blazer, exhaling softly as she glanced at the pile of folders before her.

"Ate Mandy, na-send mo na ba yung invites sa lahat?" she asked, flipping open one of the folders.

"Yes, Ms. Lim, all set," Mandy replied with a bright smile, holding her tablet tightly.

Mackie chuckled, shaking her head. "Ate Mandy, wag na Ms. Lim. Mackie pa rin ako, kahit nagtatrabaho ka na for me."

Mandy's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you talaga, Mackie, for this opportunity. Sobrang blessed kami sa team mo."

"Dapat nga ako magpasalamat. You guys are the reason this transition isn't so stressful," Mackie replied, her tone warm. "Anyway, what time is the meeting again?"

"They're already on their way," Mandy said, scrolling through her screen. "Pero... your Dad's secretary called earlier."

Mackie's brow furrowed. "Bakit daw? He never misses meetings."

"May ibang meeting daw po siya today," Mandy explained, glancing nervously at Mackie. "After that, he's flying back to the U.S. for a few days."

Mackie leaned back, tapping her pen against the folder. "Hays... ang aga naman niya magpakasaya, kala mo full retirement na talaga," she muttered, masking the twinge of disappointment in her voice with a wry smile.

Mandy hesitated before speaking. "Gusto mo po ba siyang tawagan?"

Mackie shook her head, forcing a small laugh. "No need. Baka busy na rin siya. Let's just focus on this meeting for now."

As the first few attendees arrived, Mackie sat up straighter, slipping seamlessly into her role as the leader everyone relied on.

"Ate Ads, bakit ba bigla mo ulit naisipang mag-aral?" Shan asked, keeping pace with Addison as they walked toward the enrollment area.

Addison adjusted her bag on her shoulder. "Hindi ko naman magamit yung tourism degree ko. Better learn business na lang. At least, makakatulong pa ako kay Mackie balang araw."

As they moved through the busy campus, a student rushing past accidentally bumped into Addison.

"Uy! Dahan-dahan naman!" Addison exclaimed, glaring at the culprit.

The guy didn't even pause, looking back just long enough to quip, "Try walking faster." Then, he disappeared into the crowd.

Addison rolled her eyes, her frustration evident. "Grabe. Parang ang panget pala ng mga tao dito."

Shan stifled a laugh, watching the guy walk away. "Ate Ads, mag-e-enroll na din ako."

"Huh? Bakit naman?" Addison asked, her brows furrowing in confusion.

"Ang gwapo ng mga bastos dito," Shan said, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Addison gasped, swatting Shan's arm. "Gaga ka! Sumbong kita kay Gab!"

Shan laughed, shrugging nonchalantly. "Mas gwapo naman si Gab. Maginoo pa."

As they continued toward the enrollment area, Addison shook her head, muttering under her breath, "Nasa mood ka talaga mang-trip, ano?"

Shan just grinned. "Eh Ate, buhay estudyante na ulit kayo, dapat enjoyin mo na!"

"Twinyyyyy, how's your first day as Ms. Boss?" Sab chimed, her voice light as she walked into Mackie's office.

Mackie barely glanced up from the mountain of papers on her desk. "Sab, shouldn't you be in your office by now?" she replied, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.