Who do you Love (A Rastro fanfic)

Stack the Odds

The rays of the sun woke me up as it lights my room. I rubbed and blinked my eyes and reached out on my empty bed.

I was alone.

I wanted to say that I had the sweetest dream last night. But it seems that I am totally naked, it was real. I smiled and walked towards the bathroom. A sticknote was placed on my bathroom mirror that made me smile again

See you later
❤️ Jade

I took a shower and realized that my towel was damp. Jade must have used it earlier. But still, I wrapped the towel around my body. Jade's scent still lingers on it and I am intoxicated.

I went down to get some coffee

"Althea, umupo kana at mag almusal"

I was like a kid ordered by an elder as I sat down on the kitchen counter while Manang Cion prepares for my breakfast

"Hinatid nga pala ni Jade si Miggy sa school. On the way naman daw kaya isinabay na nya. Sana sinabi mo sakin na dito pala natulog si Jade para naayos ko yung guest room"

I almost choke while sipping my coffee

"Okay naman po. Sa kwarto ko na sya pinatulog. Parang di na kayo nasanay samin ni Jade. Madalas naman mag sleepover yun sa bahay nung mga bata pa kami"

"Oo, at alam kong may pagtingin kapa rin sa kanya"

"Si manang talaga o, nang iinttriga pa"

"Bilin nya, kumain ka raw ng almusal, wag matigas ang ulo"

Natawa ako kay Manang Cion. She knows that I skip breakfast and that Jade's words will make me follow her.

I haven't seen Jade. Marami raw investors at client meeting today sabi ni Pia. I was thinking of her the whole day--kumain naba sya? Okay lang ba sya last night? Aish! Gotta keep myself busy na nga lang.

xxx

Matagal na rin akong di nakakapagstay ng matagal dito sa bar. I missed serving drinks and keeping up with our regulars. Akala nila nag out of the country ako. I was in the middle of my service ng biglang sumulpot si Bianca sa harap ko na syang ikinagulat ko

"Hey, wasup?"

bati ko. Napansin ko na kasama rin si Paul at ngumiti lang.

"Althea, in the office, now!"

Bianca commanded. Sumunod lang si Paul sa kanya. Iniabot ko ang tray sa crew ko at dumiretso sa office.

Nakaupo si Bianca sa desk, samantala si Paul ay nasa harap na chair. Sabay silang tumingin sakin pagpasok ko. Naabutan ko si Batchi na nakaupo sa armrest ng couch. I think I know what it is. Naupo ako sa couch para magkakaharap kami.

"Althea, what is this? Kung hindi pa kami makakatanggap ng memo, di namin malalaman na mawawala na ang bar sa atin. Kung hindi pa nag squeal 'tong si Batchi, di namin malalaman ang problema"

sermon ni Bianca sabay turo kay Batchi.

"Ayokong madamay kayo sa problema ko"

"Ayaw mo kaming madamay pero di ka naman makagawa ng paraan"

dagdag ni Bianca.

"Bianca, humahanap lang ng paraan si Althea"

pagdepensa ni Batchi sakin.

"Isa kapa Batchi. Kinukunsinte mo talaga 'tong bestfriend mo"

sagot ni Bianca

"Hey, hey! Ako ang may kasalanan dito, ako harapin mo"

"Tumigil nga kayo! Walang pupuntahan 'tong usapan na 'to pag pinagpatuloy nyo yan"

awat ni Paul.
Nagsitigil kami na parang mga batang inaawat sa rambulan.

"We're all in this together guys. Usapan natin, kahit ano mangyari, lalo na involved ang business natin, pag uusapan natin, hindi ganito"

sermon ni Paul

"I'm sorry Althea, nabigla lang ako sa balita"

wika ni Bianca

"Ayoko kasing mamroblema kayo sakin. Ako ang may kasalananan, sosolusyonan ko"

sagot ko

"Tsong, 1week nalang ang palugid ni Mr. Javier. I don't think you still have that much time"

wika ni Batchi

"Kung kelangan tayong magraise up ng 20million, let's do that"

wika ni Paul

"No guys, walang maglalabas ng pera. Gagawan ko ng paraan"

"Look Althea, we're talking about a week. A week and this bar will shut down. Eto na kami, magtutulong tulong sa 20million. Not unless wala kang pakialam sa bar at sa anak mo"

wika ni Bianca.
Napabuntong hininga ako. Where in the world ako kukuha nun? I will not ask Papá for the money definitely. I looked at my business partners. Nakatingin sila sakin at naghihintay ng desisyon ko

"Guys, give me 2days. Kung wala talaga, I'll take your offer"

Tumayo si Bianca at niyakap ako

"Althea we're a team. Di rin namin gustong manghimasok si Tommy sa buhay ni Miggy. Baby kaya namin yun"

At nakisama na sa group hug si Paul at si Batchi.

xxx

"Ma'am Althea, pinapatawag po kayo sa conference room right now. Urgent meeting daw po"

wika ni Leo

"Anong appointments ko for today?"

"May 3pm po kayo with Travel and Tours pero sa labas po ang appointment nyo"

"Okay, thanks"

Urgent meeting? I can't remember kung may pending approvals or investors or any problems within the week. Umakyat nalang ako sa conference room kahit wala akong idea ng agenda. Pagpasok ko, laking gulat ko andun ang Papá, si Ninong Oscar, si Ahya Gab, Jade at Batchi. Ako nalang ang hinihintay nila. May iniabot na folder si Batchi sakin. Mas lalo akong kinabahan ng tumayo si Jade at nagpresent ng slides nya--it's about the Sta. Barbara project.

I don't get it.
It's been approved long time. Bakit kelangan iclose door meeting within the family lang.

Have I done something wrong?
I was too focused on Jade's presentation and the fact that maybe, there's a problem involved then suddenly, I was surprised when Batchi opened the door and came in Tommy and Mr. Javier

"What the hell are they doing here?"

I whispered