Together but Separate

Chapter 39: Their Spotlight

Kate R. Ferragni

Napatingin ako kay Nicko habang sinusuot ko ang heels ko. Palabas na siya ng kwarto. He didn't even say goodbye. He hadn't been talking to me since yesterday. We slept in the same bed last night without talking.

I called his name once last night, but he did not answer, so I did not bother trying to talk to him again because I thought I should give him space. If he didn't want to talk to me, fine. I would have to wait until his anger subsided.

Mabilis kong sinuot ang sapatos ko saka dinampot ang bag ko sa kama at lumabas agad ng kwarto. Naabutan ko pang pababa ng hagdan si Nicko dahil sa bilis ng lakad ko. I wasn't trying to catch him. I was walking in a hurry dahil nagmamadali ako. I had to drop by in the office to finish a paperwork really quick before I would go to the gathering.

"Good morning, Sir Nicko. Breakfast is ready na po," salubong ng kasambahay sa kanya nung nasa baba na siya. Napatingin sa akin ang kasambahay nung nakita niya ako at sinabing, "Good morning, Ma'am Kate. Kumain na rin po kayo. Handa na ang pagkain."

I saw Nicko's head turned to the side but it was not enough to see me or make an eye contact with me. He was probably feeling out if nasa likod nga niya ako. He then faced our helper and said, "Thank you, but I won't eat here for breakfast."

"Ganun po ba," sabi niya saka bumaling sa akin. "Kayo po, ma'am?"

"I am in a hurry. I have to leave now. Sorry. Please feel free to eat the food you prepared para hindi masayang," sabi ko.

This time, I saw Nicko glanced at me. His brows were furrowed like he didn't like something I said.

"Bye. I'll see you tonight," sabi ko saka nauna ng naglakad. Nilagpasan ko si Nicko at lumabas na ako ng bahay.

Kuya Cris was waiting for me outside. I jumped into the car and closed the door before Kuya Cris started the engine. I told him to go to the office first, so he drove off.

Nang dumating ako sa office, I did my work right away. I had to work quicker than I would normally do because I had a deadline to follow saka siningit ko kasi ang gathering na pupuntahan namin ni Ma'am Nadia mamaya. That's why I had to work faster, so I could attend the gathering without leaving my scheduled work behind.

It was eleven in the morning when Linda reminded me to leave, so I wouldn't be late for the gathering.

Nasa isang malaking clubhouse ginanap ang business gathering. I entered the place and saw a lot of people. They were wearing suites and women were in their business clothes too. Thank God I didn't look underdressed or overdressed for this event.

"Kate."

Napalingon ako sa tumawag sa akin. Ma'am Nadia was walking towards me. She's in her 50s, but she still looked young and elegant.

"You came in the right time. Come, let me introduce you to my colleagues."

Ngumiti ako sa kanya saka sumunod. While we were walking next to each other, she was giving me some advices and pointers about the people who were here and how I should conduct myself.

"We have this event twice a year because this is where businessmen come to meet their fellow businessmen and talk about their same interests. Some partnerships begin here. They talk, exchange contacts then later on, they become friends. And when they already trust each other, they start their business deals."

She pointed a group of people talking. It looked like we were heading to their direction. "See those people over there? They are my business partners. I will introduce you to them, so they won't be shocked when we announce our upcoming project. It is also a good time to build your reputation in front of them."