Chasing an Angel

CHAPTER 5 - SEALING: C5-1

Opening her social media account, that evening Meng saw their pictures already posted and tagged to her by Alden. It was flooded with likes and comments, some from her friends and from unfamiliar people who she assumed are Alden's friends. There was also a private message from Alden.

"Done as I had promised Ate."

"What Ate?" She messaged back in private. Minutes later, her cellphone rang showing an unregistered number.

"Hello! Who's this please?"

"Hi! Ate, seen the pictures already? You're a stunner in those shots. I should not have posted it, takaw pansin ka kasi."

"Where did you get my number?"

"From Leo Where else? Silly kid," kidded Alden.

"Why are you calling me Ate? Hoy kuya RJ mas matanda ka sa akin."

"Don't you know that's how one usually address someone you do not particularly know."

"Eh you know me, why this Ate?"

"You want to call me Kuya despite my objections, so be it. Now I also want to call you Ate so let it be too. I have the right to call people the way I like as long as it is not offensive, so I want to apply it to you now" said Alden laughing heartily.

"Abnormal ka talaga," Meng answered laughing too.

"Whatever, just don't forget that if you need help, your Kuya RJ is just a phone call away."

"As you said, just be sure you will stand by your word or else.."

"Or else ...what?"

"I won't talk to you, ah! not only that, I won't see you anymore."

"No worry, I'll see to it that it won't happen. And don't ever resort into hiding, I will have ways to find you wherever you may go."

"Ang yabang mo."

"Don't you dare try me."

"Bahala ka na nga. Sige kuya antok na ako me interview pa ako bukas. Wish me luck."

"I know you'll surely impress them. Good luck anyway. Take care and see you soon my dearest Ate," Alden said and the line went off.

It's been a week since Alden's back at work. Everything returned to normal on his office routines. But unlike before where 'after office hours' is hanging with associates, now he finds haven in his room where he could freely look at the photos and videos of his last day in the province over and over again. He had been able to maintain daily communication with Meng through phone or video calls and text messages in a friendly level, and it is also in his room that he is completely at ease and love doing these. His friends are now getting curious why he is always in a hurry to go home after work every day refusing their invitations to hangout somewhere. Talking with Meng at the end of each day is his stamina boaster and therapy for his longing to be with her physically. There are times that they argue over petty issues but these are only repartees that made them more at ease and closer to each other.

"Chief can I have a serious talk with you anytime this week," Alden said to Mr. Santos, his boss after their daily early morning meeting with other co employees.

"Regarding what?"

"Something personal that needs my attention but I assure you that this won't affect my performance at work"

"When do you want to discuss this with me"

"Soonest sir but at a time convenient to you"

"Come to my office on Wednesday after lunch then. I'll clear my schedule for the whole afternoon for us to talk things over thoroughly."

"Thank you Chief," replied Alden and left.

Wednesday after lunch, Alden promptly reported to Mr. Santos' office for the scheduled discussion he had requested.

"Now what it is," asked Mr. Santos.

"Sir, I am an only child and my parents are not getting any younger. Ever since I finished my studies, my father had been bugging me to help him run our family business which I had successfully dodged for more than three years. Lately however, I am beginning to realize that for all their sacrifices and supports which made me who I am now, I need to give back something not as payment but an expression of my love for them. Hence, I have decided to take part in fortifying what my parents had worked hard to establish. I will not be doing it full time for now yet, but will only be helping my father ensure its smooth operation and continued success and progress."

"You told me it won't affect your performance at work, how could that be possible when your father's business is miles away, you could not be possibly at both places to take charge at the same time."

"My father will still be taking charge and I'll be acting only as his deputy who is still in the process of familiarizing on the overall flow of the business' operation. And this, I have to do in absentia with the help of technology. My father will be sending me reports of our business operation on a weekly basis for my information and assessment. I assure you sir that this will not come into conflict with my daily duties for I will be doing this after my office schedules and on my day offs. The main reason however why I have to discuss this with you is that I have committed to my father to be physically available once a month even for at least a couple of days. And, this is where I need to seek your approval for the possible adjustment in my schedules that will allow me to squeeze in two or three working days each month to be able to comply with my commitment to my father. I am most willing to extend my duty hours in whatever schedule that would be beneficial to the company to compensate for the days I am requesting."

Mr. Santos looked at Alden intently, then said, "Tell me frankly, do you have plans of leaving us in the near future?"

"Sir you know that I love and enjoy my work here, however, I also want to please my parents and as of now I have no plans of quitting my job. I assure you that I will be doing my best while I am still with the company."

"Alden, it is no secret that you're one of our most trusted employee and I see in you the qualities of a strong and pioneering leader, an asset to any company you will be associated with. We are lucky enough to have you in our employ. As your boss, I will not be a hindrance to your plans of building a brighter future. I just want you to come clean with me in matters that may affect your performance. Now for your suggestion, please prepare a work schedule showing how you would compensate the extra offs you need and, be sure to present it in a perspective that you think would merit my approval."

"Thank you so much sir and actually I have already prepared a work schedule subject to your review and approval." And Alden presented to his boss a copy of it. Mr. Samson just shook his head smiling while accepting the piece of paper handed by Alden.

"You always think ahead and acts swiftly whenever an idea comes to your mind and that is one of your attitude that impresses me most of the time."