Wasted (A BCWMH Fanfic)

Wasted - Part 10

Only the sound of the keyboard clacking can be heard in the office.

Liza was meticulously updating the master calendar in Lim Aviation Services. She targeted to finish updating it before her boss arrives in the afternoon. Liza smiled to herself as she noticed how the entry of one Maya dela Rosa wreaked havoc into her boss’ precisely measured routines. This morning, he took a leave in order to spend time with his newly-found son. And Maya, Liza thought to herself, believing that her stoic boss still harbors the same romantic feelings he had for his former employee.

Therefore, it was with surprise that she greeted Richard Lim as he arrived that morning.

“Good morning sir!” Liza checked the clock; it was barely midday. “I thought you were arriving this afternoon.”

“Change of plans.” Was Richard’s succinct answer, one hand on his laptop bag and another with Anton in tow.

Ah, this must be the reason for the change of plans, Liza concluded. “Oh hey Anton!” She greeted the child. Her conclusion was further confirmed when Maya did not seem to be with them.

“Hi Tita Liza!” Anton waved enthusiastically. “Office ito ni Daddy?”

“Ayun o, dun pa office ni Daddy.” Liza pointed to the room where Richard had disappeared into, likely setting up his laptop. “Pero dito sa lugar na ito nag-wowork si Daddy mo.” She indicated the whole of Lim Aviation Services.

“Liza, I’ll be doing rounds this morning,” Richard had left his laptop bag in his office. “But I’ll reserve the restricted areas for this afternoon; I’ll bring Anton with me this morning.” He took Anton’s hand and then addressed his son. “Anton, do you want to see where I work?”

Anton’s face brightened up. “Opo, Daddy!”

Liza found herself smiling as she saw the pleased and proud expression on her stern boss’ face. “Ok sir, I’ll just contact you on your phone should anything important come up.”

~*~

Richard found that doing rounds with his young son was a unique experience.

He never got to bring Luke and Nikki back when they were young as Alex forbad him from bringing their young children to the site. She claimed that it was dangerous. Abby, on the other hand, was quite a handful, which was probably aggravated by her mutism. He then was careful not to bring her during his rounds for fear that she will memorize the layout and eventually venture out on her own.

Given this, he was not quite prepared for Anton.

Anton, as most children are, is naturally inquisitive. Nonetheless, most likely owing to his disposition (inherited from his father), he took things in contemplation before raising questions. Richard was patient to answer his queries, in the hopes that this will cause his son to be more at ease with him. After all, this was the first time that they spent their day together without Maya around.

He was worried whether he could take care of Anton sans Maya, worried that Anton might suddenly search for Maya’s familiar face. Father and son barely knew each other.. By the end of their rounds, this fear proved to be unfounded. Anton would politely greet Richard’s employees who they encountered on their rounds. His bright smile and innocuous expression won many macho-looking men that day.

Employees saw the softening of their boss towards his son, which in turn gave them a light-hearted feeling, boosting their morale for the rest of the day. Nonetheless, they respected their boss too much to engage in gossip regarding the sudden appearance of his three-year-old son.

~*~

Just as father and son were concluding their lunch in Richard’s office, Liza informed her boss that an unexpected visitor has arrived. It was one of his father’s business partners.