Tú Eres Mi Sol

XLIV

Richard and Dei are on the bed snuggling. Dei decided to wear one of Richard's white shirts, which she loves, it's so comfy.

"Dei, I'm leaving the day after tomorrow."

"I know" he could her sadness in her reply

"I want to extend .."

"Rebook your flights! Let's do it now, where's my laptop, I'll rebook it!"

"I can't"

"Why?"

Richard sat and looked at Dei, who moved as well.

"I have to tell you something" Richard said seriously

"RJ, I do not like that look! Nakabuntis ka ba? Ano? Did you cheat on me with that Victoria person?" Dei said while she started whacking repeatedly on his chest

"WHAT? NO! WHY WOULD YOU EVEN THINK THAT?"

Dei stopped, straightened her shirt, sat straight and pretended like nothing happened.

"Okay so wala. So, go on."

"Joe and Adam offered me a permanent position at the company."

***

It was Richard's last week in the project. Joe and Adam, the founders of the company invited him for drinks after work. 

"Richard, we've been hearing only good things about you, everyone in your team is impressed with your work and attitude. We thought you were just some fellow Michel-Jan and Dei Montenegro-Mendoza knew, but when we spoke with your former professor and he sings nothing but praises about you." Adam said

"We actually looked into you, You're quite impressive, young man. And we learned that you don't actually have to be here, you can run your family's conglomerate but here you are. Senior people in your project actually came to me and Adam and asked if there was a way to keep you and those guys can pretty get territorial, they don't usually like new guys and they want you in their team. We were surprised" Joe added.

"So we don't really want to keep you here long, Joe and I would like to offer you a job. We know it's perhaps far-fetched but we like you and we see a lot of potential. We're offering you a Senior Associate position instead of the Associate, the entry level position. This has been vetted by the entire project team and they're really excited to have you full time. Here's the contact have a think about it."

"Joe, Adam this is a surprise, really. Thank you for the offer. Can I have sometime to think about it?"

"Of course" Joe replied

"I need to go back to Manila to work out my schedule, we've only made arrangements for the 3 months that I'm gone. Can I have a month to let you know?"

"Two weeks" Adam said

"How about three weeks?" Richard countered

"Done" Joe answered

"Joe and I, are really excited to have you onboard, Richard"

***

"Dei, the salary is quite generous and the project, it's a dream, now it's working on renewable energy for cars and residential houses. It's really impressive" Richard gesticulating like a child talking about balloon, cars and candies

"RJ, Love, it sounds really great. And you do sound excited. However, I hear a but coming.."

Richard sighs and exhales deeply. 

"I was talking with Sam and Jerald, they play golf with Dad every week since we were 15. Sabi nila since pumunta daw ako ng States, isang beses lang daw nila nakalaro si Dad. Tapos si Mom daw, busy parating pumupunta doon sa farm na project ko, three times a week daw pumupunta."

He pauses for a while and continues.

"Pangarap kasi namin nina Rob at Lia na pagnatapos na kami, magsemi-retire na sila. Magtravel. Growing up, we saw how hard they worked. Yung negosyo namin, pinalago talaga nila.  We thought you know, we wanted to give back. We want them to travel more, to do the things that they've always wanted to do but never had the time.

Alam ko naman na if I tell them, they would support me more than 100% pero parang ang selfish ko lang. Balita ko si Rob, hindi na nakaka-basketball regularly kasama yung mga friends niya at si Lia, nahulog sa hagdan, dapat daw 1 week na bedrest pero Tom told me that after two days she was back at work because she had a lot to do."

"RJ, Love. Talk to your family. I will support you whatever your decision is and whatever makes you happy."

Dei scoots and snuggles Richard

"So, Baby girl enough about me. What's your paperwork about?" Richard asks while he strokes her head

"I've decided to stay another year in school, I'm filling out applications for my masters!"

"That is amazing news! Have you thought of where you're going?"

"I've applied here, there's one in Switzerland and thinking INSEAD but I'll have to speak with Tuns."

"Do you have his number?"

"Yes"

"I'm so proud of you, Dei, Love. You know that right?"

"Yes. And I am very very proud of you, too. When I was researching about the internship that you wanted, I learned na very picky sila about people who they're offer jobs to and for you to be offered a Senior Associate position, that is amazing, my baby boy! Well done!" She gives him a quick kiss, tight hug and she tickles him which causes him to laugh. 

"We're going to rule the world are we?"

"Absolutely, world domination is the goal!"

They laugh hysterically and starts tickling each other.

***

It was late at night, the two were in bed watching their favourite reality cooking show when Dei's phone beeps. Dei checks her phone.

"It's Christian. It says urgent. I need to meet him tomorrow. Can you go with me?" she asks him

He nods and they continued to snuggle.