When You Were Mine

Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Unlucky

Getting a ticket to Paris is no joke. Tingin ba nung mga tao sa charity event ay porket mayaman ay madali na lang magwaldas ng pera? Getting a ticket to Paris for one week cost me thousands of pesos lalo na yung booking ay mabilisan. Isa yan sa mga rason kung bakit hindi ako nakikipag socialize sa mga mayayaman na tao. They are all arrogant and think highly of themselves. My mama taught me well; to keep my feet on the ground. 

I was about to go to work when papa stopped me.

"Ruby, why won't you just take my jet to Paris? It's safer rather than riding a plane with other people." See what I mean? Rich people problems. Don't get me wrong, I love my papa pero minsan lang when it comes to my safety medyo nagiging oa siya. 

"Papa, fuelling a jet costs millions. Mas mahal pa yun sa plane ticket ko tapos babayaran pa natin yung pilot and attendant. Besides, I got a ticket in business class so don't worry." I gently touched his forehead kasi nakakunot ito. 

"I've already lost 18 years not being with you, anak. Sorry if I'm overreacting." I smiled at him. Minsan talaga si Papa weird yung way niya ng pagpapakita ng concern niya. 

"I have to go. Tell mama 'I left early'. " Papa nodded and I bid him goodbye. 

On the way to work, I forgot I haven't eaten yet. I parked my car to a local cafe near the office. When I got in, nakita ko yung haba ng pila. Kadalasan kasi dito nagpupunta yung mga ibang employees to get their coffee on the go. I decided to look for a place to sit while waiting for the line to subside. Some of my employees who saw me greeted me. 

When I was about to sit down, a guy bumped into me that caused me to slightly lose my balance. That guy took my table. How dare him?  When I decided to look at him, I was shocked to say the least. Sa sobrang laki ng Pilipinas, dito pa talaga kami magkikita ng lalaking ito. He was wearing a suit and sunglasses. My mind is battling if I should confront him or scream at him for taking my seat pero madami akong employees dito sa cafe. Ayokong ma-issue. 

"You know miss, you staring at me and looking like an idiot standing there makes me uncomfortable. So do you mind?" The nerve of him. Hindi niya pa nakikita yung mukha ko fully dahil nagbabasa siya ng newspaper. 

"You haven't changed a bit, Ethan." shocks bat ko sinabi yun? Bago pa niya ako makita, nagmadali akong lumabas ng cafe at pumasok sa kotse ko. I saw through the glass of the cafe, he was looking for me. Nakatanggal na ang sunglasses nito at tila nagtataka kung sino ba ako. Bago pa ito lumabas sa cafe, pinaharurot ko na yung kotse ko. That was close. 

Pagkarating ko sa office, medyo mainit na ulo ko. Una, hindi pa ako kumakain ng breakfast. Pangalawa, nakita ko yung pagmumukha ni Ethan after 6 years. 

"Carla, please get me breakfast dun sa may cafe na malapit sa atin bumili ka na rin ng sa'yo if you're hungry. Thank you." I said through intercom. 

Hindi maalis sa isip ko yung mukha ni Ethan. Mas lalo itong naging gwapo at lumakas ang appeal. Yuck, Ruby umayos ka.  After 10 minutes, dumating si Carla na may dalang pagkain ko. I told her to stay para may kasama ako kumain. 

"Ma'am alam mo ba may nakasabay akong lalake paakyat dito. Sobrang gwapo niya ma'am." Hindi maiwasan na pumasok sa isip ko si Ethan. Pero impossible naman yun, madaming gwapo sa mundo.

"Ano itsura niya?" Sabi ko habang kinakain yung salad ko.

"Naka suit po siya tapos naka sunglasses. Matangkad din po tapos medyo maputi na medyo may pagka-tan." Muntik na ako ma-choke sa sinabi niya. I mean, marami naman naka-suit at sunglasses sa Pilipinas diba? Nakaka-impress din to si Carla eh. Ang tagal niya siguro tinitigan yung lalaki.