"You're really not coming?" umiling ako kay Violett.
"Congratulate them for me." sabi ko rito at iniabot ang isang envelope na naglalaman ng tickets and pass for a cruise para kay Lady Rhianne at Yenna.
"Fine. I heard narito raw ang parents ni Lady." napataas ang kilay ko.
"Okay na pala talaga sila? Akala ko niloloko lang ako ni Lady Rhianne." I said.
Lady Rhianne's parents may be kind but she's always complained about how they're always leaving her behind, flying over the world for business trips. Nahirapan noon si Lady Rhianne na lumaki kasama ang mga maids niya but she managed anyway.
"I guess bumabawi na sila." tumango naman ako sa sinabi ni Vy.
"Si Magenta?"
"What? You're still not over my sister?"
"Excuse me?" tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.
"Joke lang, ito naman." I gestured for her to get out of my office before at tinawanan ako nito bago siya tuluyang lumabas.
Ilang minuto lamang din ay lumabas na ako ng office so I can arrive on time for my flight this evening.
"Miss JZ!" napapikit ako nang marinig iyon.
"What now, Kelon?" I asked and turned around to look at him.
"T-tumawag si Sir Uriel." hinihingal pa ito.
"And?"
"Susunduin ka raw niya." napataas ang kilay ko.
"Bakit?"
"'Yon lang ang sinabi niya. Nasa parking na raw siya." Sabi lamang niya.
Dumiretso ako sa parking ng kumpanya at totoong naroon nga si Uriel.
"You're not attending the Lady's party?" I was confused as I saw Uriel from the open window of his car, sitting in the backseat and looking straight in front.
"I have a cruise to attend to." he said as he turned to look at me.
"You're kidding me." Hindi makapaniwalang sabi ko.
Instead of answering me, he smirked as he lifted his tickets.
I opened the car door and sat with him. We'll fly to New York as the cruise for this long weekend is about to set sail there and a new potential investor will be on board. I cannot lose the opportunity.
After a year of working for Lady Rhianne's company, I risked all the money I earned from work, and from my scholarships to start a cruise lines company. It wasn't enough of course. I still had the lady invested quite a few bucks for it to be possible. One cruise ship costs almost half of my life but in less than 2 years, I was able to get a hold of the management of cruise ships, partnerships, and investments. Thanks to my friends in different industries. Now, I have exactly 8 cruise ships sailing across the world, and I'm planning to make it 10.
"I heard you have a potential investor on board. Who is it?" Uriel asked.
"I'm not yet sure. They said the investor doesn't want to reveal its identity yet." sabi ko rito na ikinakunot ng noo niya.
"That's weird of you."
"What?"
"Without clear information, you're willing to meet that so-called investor? Really, Jhiezzel? That's so not you. What if that's a scam?" sabi nito.
"I don't know. I just have a good feeling about this one. Ikaw? Bakit bigla kang sumama?" I asked.
"I heard from your friend nga na potential investor pero wala ka raw information. I'm here to help." sabi nito.
Nagkibit ako ng balikat.
We arrived at the airport and I'm patiently waiting for our boarding. I was chewing my bubble gum while my eyes were closed. I can hear people talking to me, asking for directions but I don't care. Hindi naman kasi nila kitang nakapikit ako dahil sa shades na suot ko.
Hinayaan ko na lamang ang mga nakikipag-usap sa akin dahil naalis din naman sila. Not until I felt a presence in front of me again na tumagal nang ilang minuto pero hindi naman siya nagsasalita so I opened my eyes.
I saw a kid wearing a pink-blinding dress, paired with pink clips on her hair. She's looking at me with her mouth slightly open.
Itinaas ko ang sunglasses na suot ko sa ibabaw ng buhok ko. Tinaasan ko ng kilay ang bata.
"Why are you staring at me?" I asked.
"Yahr sow pwitty." bulol pa nga. Maganda rin sana siya kaso'y baluktot pa ang dila. Siguro'y dalawa o magtatatlong taon pa lamang ang batang ito.
I looked at her from head to toe. Her outfit reminds me of someone, damn it.
"Would you like some?" Oh, I see. Sa 'r' lamang siya bulol.
I looked at what she was eating. Sweets.
"Thanks but I don't like sweets." sabi ko rito.
"It's yummy, pwamis!" I rolled my eyes before getting one of her—I don't know, soft cookies? It's chewy and yeah, quite good.
"Yeah, it's good." sabi ko rito.
"Hey, that's our flight. Hindi mo naririnig?" I looked at Uriel when I heard him. Galing itong rest room.
Right, our boarding is being announced. I stood up and started walking when I decided to look back at the kid but she's not there anymore. I just realized she's a freaking 2 or 3 year-old kid, she might be lost.
"Uriel, have you seen the kid I was talking to?" I asked.
"Ha? Wala ka namang kausap nang makita kita." Okay, that was weird.
When we landed in New York, I told Uriel I'd sleep for a few hours first. Even if how many times I got into plane travelling, I still won't be used to it.
Nang magising ako'y gabi na muli. The cruise ship will start boarding tomorrow at 11 am for a sailing at 3pm. Good thing I really got here a few hours before that. I don't want to endure another sickness.
"You're really brave to enter travels and tours business for someone who tends to get motion sickness." Uriel laughs.
"Oh please, don't start... and it's cruise." sabi ko rito at umupo sa harap niya for dinner.
After that dinner meal, hindi na kami kumain ng breakfast kinabukasan and planned to eat brunch on the cruise na.
"A potential investor will be on board today so please I don't want any mistakes." I said as soon as I got my heels knocking on the cruise ship's floor.
Panay ang bati nila ng good morning habang patungo kami sa early buffet. We chose to eat at the table on the deck tho. It's still 10 in the morning kaya naman hindi pa rin nagpapaboard.
"Damn, you really got yourself a BUSINESS." Uriel said as we looked at cars starting to park in front for its passengers to board for the cruise.
I can't help but feel overwhelmed. I am fvcking managing a cruise line. Aside from satisfaction, a bunch of lives are in my hands.
My lips are starting to form a smile but it eventually faded when I saw a familiar woman going down a car, ready to board the ship.
She's... holding that kid's hand.
...
AN:
Hi darlings! How are you?
Lemme know your thoughts or let's take some time to talk over random things?
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BINABASA MO ANG
Her Steps (GS #1)
RomanceGRANDÉTON SERIES #1: Her Steps Jhiezzel Kane Portuez transferred from Del Rio University to Grandéton University to move on from her sister's death. This is where she met Krytienn Jaile Muardez, a woman who bugs her to have her friend, Ray.
