BREAKEVEN

Chapter 2

Topher POV

"Dad? May nangyari po ba? Ba't po kayo nagpatawag ng meeting?"

I asked dad out of curiosity. Nagpatawag sya ulit ng meeting at napaka importante daw kaya agad akong pumunta sa conference room.

"We already talked about the new ads but this time, I have a big news for you!"

Sabi ni Dad habang masayang nakatingin samin. SAKIN.

"There will be new project being proposed and we are lucky enough that Ms. Taoche, the top model from Paris and San Francisco will be working with us. This will be a big opportunity for us to work with international and famous model. So, I am expecting nothing but success. Is that clear?"

My dad said with full authority. I was named as CEO but he was still the owner so I have nothing to do but to obey him. He's the big boss.

"Yes sir!"

Sabi ng lahat ng staff na nandito.

"Ahh. Christopher. You will stay here after this meeting. Ms. Taouche will be here and she wants an immediate presentation as soon as she arrives"

Sabi niya sakin at napatango nalang ako. Bakit para atang nagmamadali yung model na yun? Is she that famous to demand my father this much?

I can believe this. I haven't heard that name before at di rin naman  ako ganun ka interesado sa mga foreign news and stuffs.

"She will be here in few minutes."

Wait naalala ko. Ngayon lang niya iaanounce pero bakit kelangan na ng presentation. It takes time to make one.

"Dad. We don't have any presentation. Kanina mo lang sinabi. We need time to prepare."

Alangan na sabi ko pero parang wala lang rin naman sa kanya.

"It's okey. I just dropped by to sign up a contract. I was just with that presentation thingy."

Natigilan ako ng biglang may nagsalita sa may likuran ko.

And the moment I heard that voice, I feel like I'm numb. I can't move.

"Hi Sir."

I can feel her close to me when she kisses my father's cheek.

"And ohh.. Hi, Christopher. Glad to see you again!"

Bigla ko naman syang nilingon and there I saw her smiling.
Natulala ako. It's been years since the last time I saw that face. Face that I'm longing to see for years.

"Ahh Hi. Glad to see you again!"

Yun lang ang nasabi ko pero mukha di parin ako makagalaw ng maayos.

Ngumiti lang sya ulit saka umupo sa bakanteng upuan beside my seat.

Naupo na kaming lahat at kahit na malamig sa loob. Pinagpapawisan ako.

I feel that the space in this room is not enough for two of us. Ang sikip at hindi ako makagalaw ng maayos.

Fuck.

Please, get yourself back Topher. I murmured to myself.

****

Sharlene POV

Rinig na rinig ko ang malakas na buntomg hininga niya.
I was busy signing the contract but I can't help but to sense his presence.

"You've changed a lot hija. How's Paris?"

Tito said so I stopped signing and looked at him.

"Not much Tito. And yes, it's good. I've been there for 3 years but I decided to move to San Francisco."

I smiled then got myself back again to finish signing.

"I see. I'm not expecting you to be  in modeling industry hija. You look too simple and fragile way back before."

His voice was full of amazement.

"People change Tito. And yes, since I'm a designer. I also decided to model up my own designed dresses."

I keep my voice normal, tho it's hard since I have heard him saying.

'Fuck up!'

"I know you're doing great hija."

Tito smiled at me and so I did.

"Thanks Tito. I'm really glad to work with you here."

Natapos na ako sa pagbasa at pag sign ng contract.

I looked at Tito then smiled. Tinignan ko naman ang katabi ko na natamimi ata hindi kumukibo.

"Hey. Christopher, you're so quite. Nakakapanibago!"

I said cheerfully ad if nothing happens 3 years ago. As if.

"I'm not in mood."

Ayy wow naman. Well, it ain't my fault.

"Dad. I still have important things to do. Well, Ms. Taoche. Glad to see you again!"

Tumayo na sya at inabot ang kamay. I smiled at him.

"Ang pormal naman ata nun. Anyways, it's nice to see here!"

Tumayo narin ako at hindi ko inabot ang kamay niya what I did is.

I step close to him.
I lean my face closer.
I can see the tense in his face and I saw how he moved his lips as if I will kiss him there. *smirk*
I smiled at him and wink.
Then planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Don't be too excited Christopher."

Tinignan ko siya ng nakakaluko and there I found him na nang gagalaiti sa galit. Tahimik akong natawa sa isip ko.

"Aalis kana diba? Go ahead. I'll talk to your dad instead. Have a good day Christopher!"

I waved my hand in his face kaya daing bumalik ang ulirat niya.

"Tsk."

That's the only thing be said and left the room.

"Ms. Taoche. I'm wondering why did you legally change your name!"

Basak ni Tito sa sandaling katahimikan.

"Nope Tito. Actually, I'm still Landero. I just use that name in modeing and in my career."

Napatango naman siya kaya ngumiti narin ako.

"I really thought that you and my son will end up together!"

Halata sa boses nito ang lungkot. I and Tito were very close before. Sa tuwing dumadalaw ako sa bahay nila ay parati kaming kumakain ng Mangosteen. Yun kasi paborito naming dalawa.

"I also thought the same Tito but well, it's all in the past now. It's been 3 years and we've already moved on."

Sabi ko nalang sa kanya kahit na medyo naiilang na ako dahil Tatay lang naman ng Ex ko ang kausap ko tungkol sa nakaraan namin ng anak niya.

"Maybe hija. Pero pasalamat narin ako at nandito. Sana naman ay okey kayo ng anak ko!"

I smiled at him.

"Opo naman Tito.. MAAYOS NA MAAYOS!"

masigla kong sabi pero mabagal ang pag sabi ko sa mga huling salita na binitawan ko.

I really hope he can't sense the real thing behind it.

Napag usapan rin naman ang iba pang bagay including the pre planning for the project.

At dahil hapon na ay napag pasyahan kong umalis na at bumalik sa bahay.

Napa ngiti ako sa nangyari ngayong araw.

'I'm really glad to see you again. And just to see how I still affect you makes me eager to put up my plan as soon as possible'

I said while smiling like an idiot.

After this, I will settle myself back to California. Konting panahon lang at matatapos rin to. To make things fair and break it even.