The Last Trade

TRADE 1

ALVEAR

THE next day came fast. I started my day with eating the foods that mom cooked and after that, I went to my own wash room and took my bath.

Wearing a white shirt that I paired with black jacket and a ripped jeans plus my white rubber shoes, I got out of my room.

I was about to leave when I heard Mama calling me. "Allyson, nak." I heard her say.

I stopped and looked at her, "yes, Ma?" I asked in a soft tone.

"Aren't you forgetting some stuff?" She asked and that's when I checked my pockets.

Damn. I almost forgot my car keys, phone and wallet.

I sighed and smiled at her, "I was about to and thank you for reminding me, Ma." I said and walked towards her to hug and kiss her both cheeks.

"At least I had my kiss from my only son." She said while sweetly smiling at me.

"Thanks, Ma. I'll be leaving, Lily must be angry right now because I'm kind a late." I sheepishly said.

"But you don't have a shooting today, right?" Mama asked.

Oh, right.

"Is it Thursday today?" I asked.

Lily and I decided that my Thursday along with my weekend would be our rest days which clearly, I have forgotten.

Mama shook her head, "you're always like that, even before." Mama said which caught me off guarded again. "Anyway, you should take your leave." She added.

"Mama, you don't have to walk me outside, I can do it on my own?" I said.

Yet again, she shook her head, "I'll walk you up until the gate, Allyson." She said, acting childish again.

I sighed and shook my head in defeat. "You won, Ma." I said.

"I know, right!" She exclaimed.

True enough, Mama walked with me up until we reached the gate of the house. She waited until my service arrived and waved me goodbye when I hopped inside the car.

But I saw something.

She couldn't possibly hide it, maybe? I saw sadness in her eyes.

And that pains me.

She must badly wants to go home, to the Philippines.

And yet, I couldn't give that to her.

"Sorry, Ma." I said after sighing.

"Are you alright, Sir?" My driver asked me.

I looked at him at the mirror and smiled a bit, "yup, I'm good." I answered, "I want to go somewhere, can we take a detour?" I asked him.

He smiled, "of course, Sir." He answered and took another route.

...

After an hour of traveling, we finally arrived at my favorite café.

Lily's

As you may already know and if not, this café is owned by my personal assistant slash manager, Lily Smith.

She's very successful and yet she still wants to work.

I don't really understand this woman. If anything, she's the workaholic woman I've ever known.

"Sir, I'll just wait here." My driver said.

"No, you may go back. I'll just have someone from my condo drive my car here and that's what I'm gonna use for today." I said to my driver.