My Beautiful

Chapter 2

“So how’s it going working at your family company again?” Carlo crossed his arms and leaned them on the bar. He then turned to stare at me.

“Okay lang.”

“Talaga?” he asked before he sipped his bottle of beer.

“At least sa LUC hindi ako under kay Dad. Si Mr. Dy naman is a little more understanding than he is.”

“Si Christian Dy? That man is a tyrant, pare. How can you say na mas okay sya?”

Christian Dy was the president of Lim-Uy Corporation, one of the many subsidiaries of the Lim-Uy Group of Companies, and he was tough. Although I had worked in New York as a marketing specialist in one of the known companies there, I had yet to master my craft … and Cristian Dy was the guy that could help me do that.

“Better him than my dad. I can handle anyone except … alam mo na.”

“Dy is good, but Anton Lim-Uy is the god of all businessmen. Alam nating lahat yan,” Carlo insisted.  “Your dad is a genius.”

“You know how it was when he was training me for his position before. Hindi ko alam kung kaya kong gawin ulit yun.”

“And so who’s gonna take his place?”

“Nandyan naman si Brian, eh. Kaya na nya yun.” I took another chug of my beer.

Carlo had a frown on his face, clearly not liking what I just said, but not going into an argument with me about it. I knew he didn’t agree with my giving up on the one thing I had wanted all my life – to follow in my dad’s footsteps, but he being my best buddy knew when to let the subject drop.

“So does that mean na dito ka na? Na hindi ka na aalis?”

I shrugged, not really sure what my future plans were. “Ewan. Baka.”

“Dalawang buwan ka na dito at hindi ko pa naririnig na gusto mo ng lumayas ng Pinas. That’s a good sign.”

“Siguro.” I looked at him, shrugging as I did. “Malay mo, bukas … biglang magbago ang mood ko.”

“May utang ka pa sa aking isang buong overhaul ng kotse. Sinira mo yung last na ginamit mo na pang karera-“

“I didn’t wreck your car.”

“Hindi na nga maregcognize ang kotseng yun … hindi pa na wreck sa lagay na yun. Basta, pare … hindi ka pwedeng umalis ng basta basta.”

“Ang lagay na yan, I can leave as long as I pay for the repair of your racing car?”

He nodded, and I smacked him.

“Ulol! Mas importante pa pala ang kotse kaysa sa akin.”

“Masakit yun ha!” He didn’t look angry, just a little shocked that I had hit him.

“So ang only solution nyan is for me to stay here. Solve na ang problema mo.”

His eyes widened in surprise, and I only nodded, confirming my sudden resolve to live here for a year or so. It might even do me good.

He grinned, holding up his beer for a toast.  I reached for mine and clinked it with his.

“So do you think you’re up for some dates?”

“Carlo-“ I started to protest, but he cut me off.

“No, makinig ka muna. Si Nadine kse … ang kulit! May friend daw sya na gustong makilala ang infamous Alexander Xian Lim.”

“Nope.” I took another sip of my beer, and ignored him. I wasn’t ready to get back to the dating scene, especially not here.

“Xian, naman! Pare, alam mo namang Nadine’s biting my head off … pagbigyan mo na. Para sa akin.”