Three more days and I am headed home. Finally, I get to see my boys after three long weeks here in London. I thought this place was my refuge but it all changed now.
Last minute instructions for my protégé is what is scheduled for me today. Tomorrow, Elisa, the new manager, will officially start her reign but I will still be there tomorrow to observe. If she has questions, she could easily reach me. I kind of see myself in her, though she’s full English. I think she will be great in her job.
I did the final touches for my office make-up, straightened my suit and finally took off for work.
William was here in the office when I arrived. He’s not usually here, by the way. He’s an executive and his work is in the main office. On the contrary to what Thomas is thinking, I don’t spend all of my time here with Will.
“Good morning, Tara. Someone woke up on the right side of the bed,” William greeted when he saw me. He walked me through the Spa to my designated, temporary office.
I smiled at my friend, “A little excited to go home.”
“You miss the little man a lot?” he asked.
“A lot,” I repeated and laid my things on my table. “By the way, why are you here? Is it time for your random visits?”
William does that. He goes to branches for a surprise visit to check if everything is running properly.
“No,” he shyly declared. “Well, you have few more days left in London. I kind of want to spend it with you. The inspection is a bonus, I have to check what’s happening here anyways, like hitting two birds with one stone.”
I smiled at his antics, “Don’t worry, Tyrone and I will try to visit here as much as we can. And you can go back to the Philippines too, if you want. I presume you like my country.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” he said. “But before I forget, dinner’s on me later.”
“Alright,” I said and took out my folder. “Now, Mr. Executive, why don’t you walk me for my daily check up.”
William and I ran through the things that need to be done. Elisa also joined us.
There is something with William today, I have to say. He’s usually calm and composed at all cost when he’s in the office. But today, he’s a little on the edge. He tends to talk faster and a little louder. He easily flustered, I don’t know.
Alam niyo yun? Yung parang naje-jebs?
“Hey, you alright?” I nudged him as we watch the front desk receptionist while doing her job.”
“Yes,” he nodded.
“You sure?” I checked. He nodded.
During lunch break, William and I were joined by Elisa and the assistant manager, Bryan. The other two were a bit tense since we are joined by a high ranking official.
“You guys look tensed,” I said to break the ice. These two are usually loud and happy. Now they look like grade schoolers in front of a terror Math teacher.
“You two relax. We are on a break. I’m not the boss as of now,” William said when he noticed them.
“William doesn’t eat people, move guys,” I said and nudged Bryan who is seated beside me.
The two still didn’t budge. I just shook my head and let them be. I looked at William, he can come across strict and no non-sense guy but he doesn’t scare even a bit.
After lunch, we continued the afternoon operation. It was surprisingly busy, though. It’s London Fashion Week so we have our hands full.
When we were overflowing people, we decided to temporarily close the Spa to give the quality treatment to those who are already here. And when I was finally able to breathe, Elisa stood beside me. She checked left and right before saying anything.
“What?” I asked. “What are you doing?”
“I’m just trying to make sure that the boss isn’t with you,” she said. Elisa can talk freely to me.
“Why?” I asked.
“Are you and Sir William a thing?” she whispered.
“What?!” I asked, wide eye. I grasp my mouth to keep getting more attention. I lowered my voice but the forcefulness and emphasis is still there. “Are you nuts? No. We’re not… a thing… or whatever.”
“But why does he looks at you like that?” she intrigued.
“What? How does he look at me?”
“Like you have a thing,” she said but paused for a moment. “Well, more of like he has a thing for you.”
I shot her a weird look, “Stop talking nonsense, Lis. William and I are friends outside the confines of this Spa. Maybe he’s just a bit comfortable with me.”
“I don’t think so. My boyfriend looks at me like that. If a guy that hot and successful looks at me like that, I will fall to his feet,” she said as a matter of fact.
I rolled my eyes at her. “Shush! Go back to work,” I playfully pinched her arm. Tong babaeng to, kerengkeng, kurutin ko sa singit to eh.
“I bet he’ll be asking you to dinner later, then he’ll propose. He’ll ask you to just stay here and never go back to the Philippines,” my ever talkative protégé said.
“Can you stop? He might hear you. And I can’t not go back home. My son is waiting for me there,” I said.
“Wanna bet? You treat me to lunch tomorrow if what I said will happen?” she said while wiggling her eyebrow at me.
I rolled my eyes at her, “Deal. If I win, you’re treating me to lunch tomorrow.”
She offered me her hand and I shook it.
Around 4PM, I gave my final instructions and the like to my people. After that, William escorted me to a fancy restaurant. Well, this is a bit over the top for a friendly dinner.
“I’ll take you coat,” William said as we set foot inside the restaurant.
I nodded then William helped me out of my coat. He handed it to the waiting butler. He also took off his coat and gave it to the waiting man. He talked to the concierge, I think about it was his reservation. A moment later, someone guided us to our table.
This place is… a fairytale. Ang sosyal po dito. There were only a few people. The restaurant is huge but the tables are limited and are spaced far from each other. It’s like intended for the high society people. The ambience is so romantic. Lights and candles are lighting up the room like starts that have fallen from the sky. The flowers are beautiful and intricately arranged. There was also a group of musicians on one side playing their own string and wind instruments.
I’ve stayed in London for years but I didn’t dare go to these places.
I was startled when William gently laid his hand on the small of my back to guide me to my chair. I looked at him and he looked weird. Nervous? Or something?
This is starting to creep me out. William is the calmest person in the world I know. He would top that category over my Mom.
“What’s up with this place?” I said when I was settled in my seat. William walked to his side of the table.
“You don’t like it?” he asked with weary face.
“No, not that. It’s the opposite actually. This place is amazing… but a little over the top, maybe?” I said tentatively. He might get offended.
“For a lady as beautiful as you? Not really,” he said as a matter of fact.
Errrr. What’s up with the complimenting?
I let out a pretend chuckle so he won’t get offended, “You should have at least warned me that we’re eating here. I could’ve worn something better.”
“You’re perfect. Don’t fuss about it,” he said.
A waiter came in to give us two glass of sparkly drink in a fancy tall Champaign glass, “Our complimentary drink for our guests.”
Ang sosyal po talaga dito.
“Thank you,” I said after the waiter laid the glass in front of me.
“Would you like to order?” William asked as I timidly nodded.
We ordered from appetizer to dessert. The waiter was very helpful and cheerful. After giving the order the cheerful waiter left us alone.
“Since you came back, we didn’t really catch up,” William said when we were alone.
“Yeah. The moment I landed, you dumped work on me,” I joked.
“I’m sorry, the big bosses are pressuring me,” he honestly said. “But you’ve done extremely well. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I don’t want to be sued or something if I don’t fulfill my contract,” I said.
Will smiled. “How are you? Is everything going right back home?”
“Everything is going to the direction of perfect,” I said. “It’s like my fairy godmother is waving her wand to put everything and everyone in their places.”
He sweetly smiled at me, “You look extremely happy.”
“That I am,” I said.
“Is the little man already well adjusted?” William asked.
“Yes, like he was part of the place all this time,” I said. “Enough about me, let’s talk about you.”
But before we got on that topic, the water came in with our appetizers. I looked at my plate and, oops, mabibitin ako nito. But I pretended that everything is perfect. The food keep on coming though in fancy small portions. Hay bitin, pero keri na lang marami namang dumadating eh.
We talked about work and a lot of things like the usual friends stuff while eating. The nervous aura of William has slowly diffused out of him.
“William, you should really start looking for a girlfriend. I am going back to Manila and no ones gonna cook for you anymore,” I told him.
He smiled hopefully, “I’m still wishing that you will just stay.” William just blurted out of nowhere.
“Will…” I called.
“I am just amazed how you were able to change your mind. Before you left for your friend’s wedding, you were certain that you are coming back,” William remembered.
That’s kind of true.
“But things turned out different,” he trailed. Then the nervous face of William came back again. Then out of nowhere he said, “I guess I made the wrong choice.”
I gave him a questioning look. “Wrong choice of what? What do you mean?”
He looked down to his food as if contemplating if he should tell me or not. But eventually…
“I should have not postponed it. I should’ve told you before you left,” he said.
“Tell me what?” I asked.
“I love you,” he said straight to the point.
Buti na lang hindi ako sumubo kundi nabugahan ko ng strawberry tong si William.
