He Suddenly Came Back

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1: New Job

(Zoe's POV)

'Doux Arôme d'Ellen'

I read the name of the shop before taking a deep breath as I entered. They all greeted me with sweet smiles plastered on their faces. "What can you say?" Mom asked me. "This is great. They're all very welcoming," I answered, slightly smiling.

"Thank you so much, honey. I know you would take good care of this shop." She said, encouraging me. She gently brushed her hands on my shoulders. My mom really know me, she could sense that I still have doubts about accepting her offer. "I will Mom." I smiled, she kissed me on my temple. "You'll be alright Zoe." This would be a good idea I guess, this would help me to forget. Siguro pag may mapagkakaabalahan ako, I could lessen the time thinking about him.

I saw Cindy walking towards our direction. "Hi tita Ellen, Zoe!" she chirped. I must say that she is really happy. It's quite obvious in her aura. Naalala ko na naman yung sermon niya, yung dahilan kung bakit ginagawa ko to ngayon.

"Zoe, hanggang kalian mo yan gagawin? Hanggang kailan mo sisirain yang sarili mo? Hanggang sa sobrang wasak ka na? Ha, ganun ba?" Tanong niya. Nakatayo siya sa paanan ng kama. Kakahatid niya lamang sa akin mula sa bar. She's mad, really mad. I know she's about to give up on me, everybody does, even Mom. "Hanggang di siya bumabalik," I answered. I was self destructing, I know. Araw-araw akong nagmumukmok. Madalas din ako sa mga bars para uminom. Gusto ko lang naman kasing kalimutan yung sakit pero hindi nila iyon maiintindihan kase wala naman sila sa posisyon ko.

"Pwede ba Zoe, tama na! Wake up, move on! Matagal na siyang wala. It's almost a year. Mahabang panahon na ang nasayang mo!" she shouted, but her voice seems to beg.

"Hindi mo kasi naiintindihan eh. Hindi kami naghiwalay Cindy, hindi!" Nagawa ko pang sumagot kahit umiikot na ang paningin ko dahil sa alak. A tear fell from my eyes, and another one followed.

"Oh c'mon! Naghiwalay man kayo o hindi, wala na siya, iniwan ka na niya. Now, can you stop this stupidity? Yes he left you, but don't make this an end of your life. Don't make his absence ruin every good thing about you!" She's on a verge of crying. God, pati mga taong mahahalaga sa akin nasasaktan ko na dahil sa kabaliwan ko, dahil umaasa parin ako na babalik pa siya.

"I'm already ruined Cindy, my life is already messed up." My voice finally broke. Patuloy na tumulo ang mga luha ko at marahas ko silang pinunasan.

"Ewan ko sayo, suko na ako. You were too stubborn to the point that I can't stand it anymore. Buhay mo yan, bahala ka na." then she started walking towards the door but she immediately stopped halfway. "Huwag mong hayaang sumuko ang lahat ng taong nasa paligid mo Zoe. Nawala na siya sayo, hindi mo naman siguro gugustuhing mawala pati ang mga taong nandito lagi sa tabi mo." And then she left, leaving me scared with all those words she threw on my face.

"Maiwan ko muna kayo ha?" Mom said before going to her office. Alam kong susulitin niya na ang last day niya dito sa sa shop niya. I'm sure as hell she'll miss working here. She devoted half of her life here.

"Buti naman nagising ka na sa katangahan mo." Cindy said, half teasing me. "Yeah, thanks to you." I said with a hint of sarcasm. "Aw, welcome bestfriend."

"Psh. I am bursting your pride again." I told her and she chuckled. Kung hindi lang magkakaroon ng expansion ang business namin ay hindi na kakailanganin ni Mommy na pumunta sa London. Doon kase talaga nakabase ang business namin at pinamanahalaan iyon nina Daddy at Kuya. At ngayon kailangan narin si Mommy na tumulong doon kaya ibinigay na niya sa akin ang shop niya. Kahit ayaw ko itong tanggapin, at some point, ay wala na akong magagawa dahil hindi naman ito pwedeng pabayaan na lang at ayaw din ni Mommy na ibenta. But maybe I really need this, for something new.

"Bring back my bestfriend Zoe." She said and then hugged me. I am really lucky to have such best friend like her. We're in the middle of chitchatting when Daddy arrived.

"Hello darling." Dad greeted me.

"Hi dad, I'm glad you made it!" I blurted and then hugged him so tight. I missed my dad. Minsan na lang kami magkita eh. He's usually outside the country for our business. But he still tries to make it up to us, he spends his free time with us, his family. "Of course, I couldn't miss the welcome party of my unica hija on her new job." He said hugging me back.

"I'll give you father-daughter time, I'll call tita Ellen nalang din." Cindy said and then left.

After awhile, lumapit si Mommy sa amin. Naupo muna kami sa bakanteng mesa. They told me they have something to tell me. Daddy handed me a folder.

"What is this?" I asked them, a little bit confused.

"Open it."

I opened the folder and I was shocked upon reading the paper inside it.

"Oh gosh, Mom Dad, this is... gosh, thanks!" I blurted and I immediately gave them a hug.

"Consider that as a thank you for accepting my offer, anak." Mom said. "Mas malapit iyan sa shop compared to our house. Just a 20 minute drive. And we know as well that you'll just feel lonely kung mananatili ka sa bahay."

"We hope you like it." Dad continued.

"No, I don't like it." I said, causing their smile to slowly fade.  "I love it!" I squealed. "But I'd still be lonely tho. I'll be living alone. But thanks, anyway, Mom and Dad!"

They smiled at each other after I say those words. This is a good start, new work, new house, new life.