Love Business

viii

Audrey was surprised and at the same time, excited that Patrick called. She doesn't know if she must answer it or not. On the other hand, Patrick was just waiting for Audrey to answer the phone. He is patient. Audrey thought that it was an important call and with that, she took her phone and answered.

"Hello, Patrick. Napatawag ka." Patrick was relieved when she answered the call. 

"Audrey, ah..." 

He can't respond properly. It was like his tongue was shut down because of Audrey's beautiful voice. 

"Hello? Patrick, nandiyan ka pa ba?" 

When he heard her voice again, he was startled and answered, "Yes, nandito pa ako. Pasensya na." 

Audrey asked why did he call. Patrick can't think of any excuse or reason why he called. But then Audrey responded, "Patrick? Okay ka lang ba? Kanina ka pa tahimik sa kabilang line. Is this something important?" 

Patrick was embarrased. He cannot respond. But with the guts, he replied, "Ah ano kasi. I would just like to ask if natanggap mo yung pinadala ko :)"

Audrey didn't respond quickly because she remembered what her sister said about Patrick. "Ah, oo. Salamat nga pala. Hindi mo naman kailangang gawin iyon eh." 

Patrick was so happy that she appreciated the food. He made a 'yes gesture with his arms' which was heard by Audrey from the other end. 

"Patrick? Bakit ka nag-yes?" Patrick was surprised that Audrey heard what he did. 

"Sorry sorry. Hehe. Anyways, I just wanted to know if natanggap mo. That's it. See you on Friday, okay? Have a great day at work." Audrey replied back and they both hung up.

Patrick quickly went back to work when he received a text message, It read:

From: Mama
Hi anak! Sorry to interrupt you from work. Can I come over there? I just want to talk to you about something. Don't ask.

Patrick was shocked by what he saw. He's a bit nervous yet surprised. He replied to his mother that she can go here at lunchtime. After replying to his mother's message, he called up Elly on the phone, "Elly, pumasok ka sa dito. I have something to do for you."

Elly immediately came to his office. He asked to make an order from his mom's favourite restaurant and buy them lunch. Elly said, "Sige po, Sir. I will tell you na lang po if how much yung kailangang bayaran." Patrick thanked Elly and let her go back to work.

Audrey was a little confused after Patrick's call. She doesn't know if 'kikiligin siya' because he called beyond business or she will be a bit worried because her feelings are starting to show up. Setting that aside, she went back to work until a call from Rizza on the phone was heard. "Ma'am, kailangan raw po kayong makausap ng board. Nasa conference room na po sila." And with the call, she immediately went to the room for the meeting.

As she went inside the room, she greeted everyone a good morning. "So, ano po ang pag-uusapan natin today at biglaan po ito?" 

She immediately asked after everyone sat down. "Audrey, hindi naman sa ayaw namin, kaya lang, bakit raw na-move ang ating tour with Lim Aviation Services? May problema raw ba?"

As one of the board members asked the question, Audrey remembered her call with Patrick's father. "Ah, first of all, sorry po kung hindi ko sa inyo nasabi agad ang reason, bigla ko na lang siya pinasabi kay Rizza sa inyo. Yesterday kasi, tumawag si Mr. Eleazar Lim regarding this, absent raw kasi si Mr. Patrick Lim kaya pinapasabing imumove. Ngayon raw nila kasi aasikasuhin yung hangar nila. Hope you all understand. Ayaw rin daw po kasi ni Patrick Lim na wala siya when we go there."