Maybe

Chapter 30: The Meeting

     Today is a busy day. Richard and Rachel left early. He dropped her off to get some files at their company before heading to Richard's company, eventually. All this time, Richard thought that he'll come back and pick Rachel up so they can head to his company for the meeting. But, Rachel went ahead to his company without telling him.

He was on his way to Rachel when his phone rang, "Hello, Jane?"

"Sir! Jusko Sir, kakatext lang po saakin ng assistant ng nanay ni Ma'am Rachel. Papunta na daw po siya dito. Sir, Ms. Gretchen is here already."

"Ha?! Sige, sige. Tatawagan ko si Rachel. If ever she arrives just tell her na binilinan kita na sa office ko lang siya. Thanks, Jane," Richard said.

"Sige, Sir. Ingat ho." Jane dropped the call.

Richard cussed under his breath. If he doesn't get a hold of Rachel, he's doomed. Luckily, he's barely halfway through his route. He makes a U-turn and drives back to his company as quickly as possible.

     On the other hand, Rachel is just a street away from the Richard's company building. She remembers she did not tell him that she was going to go ahead and not wait for him anymore. She hurriedly fished for her phone in her purse to text him as she was making her way through the steps of the entrance door. Sent.

     As Richard pulls up on the parking lot ten minutes after, he checks his phone and finds a message received seven minutes ago: so sorry 'di kita nasabihan na I went ahead na. see you there. hope I didn't cause any troubles

     Out of his whole lifetime, this is one of the finger-countable instances where he becomes willing to 'ruin' his well-put-together-gentleman look. In his suit and tie, black dress shoes, and slacks, he literally ran into the building and headed the nearest elevator.

     Rachel is already talking to Jane, "Bakit ba hindi ako pwede pumasok na sa conference room? I need to organize my folder pa kasi, e."

     "Kasi, Ma'am, wala po si Sir, "

     Rachel slightly chuckled, "Jane, ano naman kung wala pa ang Sir mo? Hindi pa talaga ako pwedeng papasukin ng wala siya?" She chuckled again, thinking it was some kind of joke, "Sige na nga, iintayin ko na lang si Richard."

     Jane sighed in relief, "Ay.. thank you, Ma'am."

     Rachel and Jane were about to take a seat when they saw a lady heading their way. Rachel could not believe who she was seeing.
----------------------------------------------------
     Richard was panting when he reached the elevator. Some of the employees in his company were looking at him but he didn't care. All he wants is to prevent his wife from seeing that woman again. For all he knows, based on what happened five years ago, Rachel would think of it differently.

     Ting! The elevator door opened and he has never been this terrified in a long time. He saw Gretchen and Rachel exchanging gazes with each other at the end of the hallway, by the conference room. Shit.

     He ran as quickly as he can, "Rache-"

     Rachel turned around and headed inside the confession room instead.

     Richard turned to Jane, "Ako nang bahala, Jane." He turned to Gretchen, "Ano nanaman bang kasinungalingan ang sinabi mo sa asawa ko, ha?"

     "What? I didn't know na hindi niya alam na stock holder ako sa company mo."

     "Gretchen, please, can't you just stop this? You've ruined us once. You have no idea how hard those five years were. Tigilan mo na 'to, " Richard said before going into the conference room.

     Fifteen minutes into the meeting, Richard tried to reach for Rachel's hand. She simply moved it away from him and crossed her arms instead.

     The meeting ended. Richard figured that this would be a shaky chance to try and pry her but he still tried. "Rachel, tara, sabay na kita pauwi?"

     "'Wag na. May kotse si Jane. Makikisabay na lang ako sa kanya. Maguusap 'din kasi kami nu'n e. Ang dami ko pang itatanong. Sige na, mauna ka na. 'Wag mo na 'rin akong antayin." Rachel turned around. She tightly shut her eyes and sighed before walking away from him.

+++

A/N: What will happen now? Will everything just go to waste?

        Sorry for the short ud. I'm just really busy w/ school bc I have it until May. But still, thanks for reading and understanding.

        Can I make a request? Comments pleasee. I want to know how d o you think I'm doing so far. So, please, commentt 😅. Thanks a lot!

- E