Antagonist of Men

Chapter 40 *Long Time No See*

Manila, Philippines

Alex's POV

"Mama, why is it so hot in the Philippines?" I giggled when I heard Dane's reaction. He has been sweating the moment we arrived in Manila. His cheeks are also turning like rosy pink because of his light skin.

"Hay nako, Dane. Masanay ka na, it's really hot here in the Philippines." My sister commented. Wag na kayong magtaka kung bakit kasama ko ang ate ko, ang plano ko kasi, dapat si Dane lang kasama ko pauwi, but all of a sudden sabi nila, the more the merrier daw kaya nagsi-samahan silang lahat. Kaya imbes na kami lang ni Dane, nadagdag si Ate, si Jaxon, my mom and my step dad. Ang gulo tuloy namin dito sa NAIA.

Napailing nalang ako sa kanila. We headed straight to my old condo unit and settled there for a while. OMG! Namiss ko ang condo ko, so many memories, I sighed. Grabe, I can't believe na na-surpass ko lahat ng yun at my very young age. Well, not really 'very' young age. Haha! Kaloka ka, Alex, dami mong alam!

"Alex, oh." Tinuro ng ate ko si Dane na natutulog ng mahimbing katabi ang pinsan niya na si Jaxon. I smiled at their position, they're both hugging each other like a couple. Awwwh. Cuties!

"Cute talaga nitong mag pinsan na 'to." I just said then continue to unpack my clothes.

"So? Ano na'ng balak mo?" My sister asked.

"Balak? What do you mean?" Naguguluhan kong tanong sa kanya.

"Yes." She nodded. "I mean, any destination? Boracay? Palawan?" She suggested.

"Aba, oo nga naman. After all, bakasyon naman talaga ang pinunta natin dito diba?" My mom suddenly butted in. Woah, kala mo may patago silang pera sa akin ah.

"Hold your horses! Ang gastos naman kasi ng mga sina-suggest ninyo! I have no money for all of that!" Sabi ko tsaka pinagtuunan ng pansin ang ginagawa ko. Goodness gracious! Why does my son has many clothes than I have? Hirap tuloy mag fold. Nakakaloka talaga 'tong bata to.

They both cleared their throats. Wow, does it really have to be synchronized?

"What now?" I said lazily.

"Walang work matters dito, Alex ha? We came here for a vacation, not for your work." I bit my lower lips the moment my mom said that.

"Actually about that, Ma. Last night kasi, I got a call from a client asking me if I can be their designer for their wedding.." I trailed of.

"Don't tell me, pumayag kang gaga ka?!" My sister asked in a horrified tone.

"Uh, medyo?" Kinakabahan ko silang sinagot."Oh my gosh, Alex. I thought we've talked about that before? You even promised to your son na hindi ka mag ta'trabaho dito sa Pilipinas, diba?"

"Eh kasi naman eh, naki-usap kasi siya. Tsaka, i-de-design ko lang naman yung attire nila, one week lang yun. I can do that, then afterwards. Done. Wala ng work matters." My mom just shook her head. While my sister, crossed her arms and pouted her lips.

"Hay nako, Alex. Don't tell me that. Tell that to your son.." Ate Roxanne told me. I sighed.

"Don't worry, I'll tell that to him. But for now, paki bantayan muna si Dane ko ah? I'll just visit Tristan." I told her. Wala na siyang nagawa kung hindi ang umirap. I just smiled at her and left.

Kamuntik ko pang malimutan na bisitahin ang bestfriend ko! Goodness, nakakalungkot nga kasi kanina hindi ko na nabasa yung email ni Miko sa akin dahil nawalan na ng connection. I went to a bakery shop and bought a cake for them, I'm planning on surprising them kasi hindi nila alam na ngayon ang dating ko.

I cheked my watch and oh my gosh, almost 3:30 in the afternoon na pala. Ang bilis naman talaga ng oras, I rode a taxi and hurriedly went to Tristan's hospital. Meron pa kasi akong meeting with my client by 5:30 in the afternoon to Ms. Allison McCann. Her name really sounds familiar, pero ewan ko. Whoever she is, for sure I've completely forgotten about her now.