Second Chance

THEODORE 9

I was summoned by my mom the day after siguro nalaman niya yung nangyari sakin. Ugh, seriously, I should have known na kukulitin ako nito about what happened. At sigurado, sesermonan na naman niya ako about Athena and all. Lalo ng nagkita na ulit kami.

When I got to her office, nakita kong may binabasa siya from the screen of her computer. Whew, good thing she's not yet in her monster mode.

I just kissed her first on the cheek at umupo na nga ako doon sa sofa.

"Oh, Theo...have you seen the latest news???", pagsisimula niya.

Nagulat naman ako. Hmm...if this is about Athena's comeback...hindi lang siya ganyan magtatanong. Bobombahin pa niya ko ng madaming tanong ano.

"What...news?", tanong ko na lang.

"That friend of yours...Clyde Willford? Looks like their company has been raising the stocks. Biglang nagboom ang negosyo nila ah?"

"Ahh...yeah. I've heard they'll be partnering with us."

Tumayo naman si mama at nag-abot sakin ng kape.

"Yes, yes. Sa katunayan, I will be having a meeting with Mr. Stan Willford. I think they'll be needing us for further promotions and funding. Not bad, right?"

"Yeah...I guess so. Since Clyde is working in their company, baka wala naman tayo magiging problema sa kanila."

Doon na naman tumabi sakin si mama. Oh no, mukang eto na talaga yun.

Binaba ko muna yung kape, ready to explain whatever she'll accuse me of.

"Siya nga pala, nalaman ko sa sekretarya mo na you took a leave? Why? Are you sick??"

"Uhh...you mean...you don't know what happened?"

Naguluhan naman si mama.

"What? What happened? Is there something you should be telling me???"

"Uhm...kasi...mama, A-------"

My phone just rang all of a sudden. Nung nakita ko, it was Paul calling.

I had to answer it for a while.

"Paul?"

"Pare, asan ka na? We'll start the shoot anytime now."

"Shoot! I almost forgot. Sige, sige I'm on my way!"

Tatayo n asana ako para umalis kaya lang pinigilan ako ni mama.

"Theodore! Hindi pa tayo tapos mag-usap!"

"Uhh, later ma. I have work to do, okay? Bye!"

Dali-dali na nga ako umalis sa office. The venue I think is somewhat near the area kaya siguro I'll be there anytime. Since I already have my mindset that everything we'll be doing is PURE BUSINESS, papanindigan ko na yun.

If Athena came back because of WORK, dapat hindi ako magpatalo. I should accept the challenge as well and just WORK with her....setting my personal issues aside. Kung papaapekto ako, baka sabihin nila hindi pa ko nakakamove-on. Sus.

When I got to the venue of the shoot, nakita kong nakaayos na ang lahat. But I don't see Athena...uhm, I mean Kim Soyi just yet.

"Wag ka pahalatang hinahanap mo siya pre. Ikaw din."

I saw Paul smirking behind me at siniko ko nga siya. Kita mo to, siya pa ang may ganang mang-asar ngayon siya na nga ang pinagbigyan.

"Aray! Joke lang eh!"

"Akala ko ba ako ang late, eh bakit paimportante ata ang modelo mo?", sabi ko dito.

"Chill, pre. I talked to her earlier, kaya medyo nadelay yung pagaayos sa kanya."