Aphrodite (Complete)

Chapter Twenty Five

Chapter Twenty Five

I can't

--

"How can I even do this?" I asked, almost hopeless. "Lace design is so hard to do."

Kumunot ang noo ni Elizabeth. "Nakaya mo naman 'yong wedding cake na tayo lang lima ang gumawa." She said pertaining to the other patissiers in the kitchen. Hindi naman ako close sa tatlo dahil maski sila takot sa'kin just because I hold the name Yevtushenko. Wala na rin akong balak kilalanin sila. Kinuha niya ang papel kung nasaan ang design ng cake, my sketch. "Medyo mahirap-hirap ito. Five-tier cake, lace, flowers, other elements versus tayong lima. Kailan pala ang anniversary?" She asked.

"Just a week from now." I answered. Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. "I know. It's very big cake for the five of us. How do I even do this? Martin is cruel."

Mas nanlaki ang mata niya. "Papa ni sir Lucian?" She asked, flabbergasted. "Maraming nag-resign at na-fire dahil sakaniya. Kaya nga kami nalang apat ang naka-survive."

"I regretted passing the design to him. He said it's perfect and wishes that it will be the exact same replica of what I have shown him. All 100% cake, fondant, and icing." Hinimas ko ang sentido ko.

Tumango-tango si Elizabeth. "Last year, sculpture cake ang pinagawa niya. Si Sir Martin, Ma'am Luisita, Sir Lucian, at si Ingrid 'yon na cakes. Isang linggo ang binigay niya sa'min tapos kailangan perfect daw 'yon. Siyempre mahirap din 'yong sculpture cake tapos iilan lang kami noon." She sighed. "Tapos nasisante halos lahat sa'min dahil lang hindi masyadong magkamukha si Ingrid tapos 'yong sculpture cake niya."

Ngumiwi ako. "But he really wasn't that bad when I met him yesterday. He was kind of laid back and I didn't have any problems with that. Until he started describing what his cake should exactly look like."

"Siguro wala na talaga tayong choice diyan. Napasa mo na, in-approve na niya. 'Di na bale sa'kin ang magpuyat diyan, sanay naman ako. Ewan ko lang sa ibang kasamahan natin."

"I'll be in-charge of them, don't worry. Even though they won't lend a hand, I'm sure they will." I winked. "I have my ways."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Anong gagawin mo?"

"It's best if you don't know." I answered, playing safe. Hindi ko naman gagamitin ang pagkabrutal ko. My name is an advantage. Alam nila kung saan ako galing at kung ano ang magagawa ko laban sakanila. It's harmless. I'm just going to boast a little, that's all.

Then the day started, the usual. Hindi pa masyadong hectic kaya maluwag ang oras namin para gumawa ng anniversary cake ni Martin. Our part of the kitchen was so busy. Surprisingly, the other three actually agreed on helping me with this cake. Hindi pa ako nagaksaya ng panahon para sabihin ang gusto ko ng paulit-ulit. I guess they have sensed I'm dead serious.

The last thing I don't want is disturbing me. I'm currrently shaping the flowers and there were hundreds I'm about to make. But another waitress went to me, disturbed me, and said that Lucian wanted to meet me, again. Wala talaga siyang patawad. He knew his father's making me work on his cake, dinidistorbo pa ako sa trabaho ko. But still, pumunta ako sa office niya, assuming may ipapagawa na naman ang papa niya. Something outrageous that would make me beg to unemploy me.

This should be important.

Nang makarating na ako sa harapan ng office niya, hindi na ako kumatok. Basta-basta nalang akong pumasok. Nakaupo lang siya sa swivel chair niya, nakaupo at nakatingin sa pintuan probably expecting me to come out from it. "Haven't you learned how to knock?" He asked obviously oozing with sarcasm.

"I have no time knocking on your super expensive oak door when a cake is waiting for me," I answered, tone laced with sarcasm. "You're disturbing me, Casamayor. What is it this time?"

He chuckled. "Why am I still not used to you?" He hoarsely said shaking his head like he doesn't approve. Hindi ko iyon pinansin at umupo na lamang ako, hinihintay ang kung ano ang sunod niyang gagawin. He sighed. He opened one of his desk's drawers and took out a stained white envelope. He slid it towards me. Kinuha ko iyon at tiningnan ng maigi. It looked elegant and regal; so royal like. May stamp pa 'tong may kakaibang disenyo na siguro nagsisilbing seal ng envelope. "Open it." Lucian ordered.

Tiningnan ko muna siya saglit bago ko sinundan ang utos niya. I carefully opened the envelope and delicately took out what's inside.

A good day to you madame!

You are cordially invited at Mr. and Mrs. Ignatius Casamayor 23rd Anniversary.

Napataas ang kilay ko sa nakita. I looked at Lucian who was, the usual, staring at me. Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa letter at binasa pa ang ibang details.

Milan, Italy.

Ngumiwi ako. "So you're saying, your father's anniversary will be held at Venice?" I said. "Is there any problem with that? Transporting--"

"That's where the problem comes in, Venus." Lucian cut me off. "I told you, my Dad makes impromptu requests. A lot actually hated this."

"I see that."

"Kada may anniversary sila Mom, they celebrate it around the world. As you can see, they wanted to celebrate it in Italy," he explained. "I guess it will be comfortable to you. May kakabukas lang na franchise ng Ignatius doon. There should be enough staff to help you there."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What are you trying to mean?"

Lucian sighed. "You'll be making the cake in Italy."

"Pero sabi mong may--"

"Sinabi ko rin 'yan kay Dad. Pero sabi niya gusto niyang ikaw mismo ang gagawa. He trusted you," he looked at me with intensity.

"Lucian, nagsimula na kami. The gang probably is finishing the fist and the second layer by now." I reasoned out.

Hindi siya sumagot. Instead, he looked at me with worry. He again opened the same drawer from where he got the invitation. He grabbed something and slid it through the table like before. Kinuha ko iyon at tiningnan. Laking gulat kong makita na ticket pala iyon. A ticket to Italy. I looked at him with mouth gaped open. Hindi ko na kailangang sabihin ang tanong ko dahil mukhang naiintindihan naman niya.

"Dad arranged everything before I could even protest. He already rented a flat for you already. You won't have any expenses to pay." He explained. "Kaya ayaw ko talaga siyang. . . you get what I mean."

I still can't have a proper reaction. "You know well enough Lucian, I have a daughter. Walang kahit sinong mag-aalaga sakaniya kung hindi ako lang. And you want me to go Milan for a cake? I'd rather lose my job, Casamayor." I gritted my teeth.

"What? No! I told you, I didn't plan all these! Si Dad lahat!" Lucian rebutted the sighed for the nth time. He looked at me with much more calmer eyes but still, you can still hint something. Fear. I know that look well enough but I can't understand why he's having that look."I can give you my ticket so you could bring Celeste with you. I'll delay myself, Dad doesn't mind anyway. Just please. . . don't leave."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. Hindi ko nalang pinansin 'yon. "I have to think about this."

"You have no time to think about this,Venus. You should be able to make a decision right now."

Umiling ako. "I'd think about it, Lucian." Pagmamatigas ko.

"Venus, if you keep doing this, your cake will take twice your time than it should have. You have to think about it--"

"Then I can't." I said finally.

I wouldn't risk it.

Who knows? Maybe I should say good bye to Ignatius in advance if instances occur.