Stonehearts 7: Ruby

Ten

I reached the 42nd floor of the Kings Financial Holdings building at around three thirty. I wasn't a long drive but the series of texts between me and Bryce made the silent trip uncomfortable.

"Yes, Ma'am? Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist immediately stood.

I nodded my head and handed her my I.D. "Yes, at four o' clock but it's still early."

Agad siyang tumungo at mukhang chi-ne-check sa laptop na nasa harap niyo kung may appointment nga ba ako. "Oh, yes. CML Firm. Of course. I'll tell Mr. Ricafrente's secretary right away. Maupo ka muna."

I did what I asked. I looked around and saw nothing but black and white and gold. Looks like the owner isn't fond of decorating because of the minimalist design.

I am still rehearsing in my head kung ano ba ang mga tamang sasabihin. I've done more research this afternoon and I learned that this empire is built from the ground and not from family's wealth – which was the first thing I assumed. Six years pa lang ang kumpanya pero isa na ito sa pinaka-competitive sa market. I also learned that they are now pushing towards international brokerage. At ang pinaka-nakakabilib sa lahat ay nang nalaman kong twenty seven years old pa lang ang may-ari. Whoever that Kinsley Ricafrente is, mukhang hindi siya 'yong tipong nagsasayang ng oras.

"Siguro, hahayaan ko na lang siyang magsabi ng gusto niya bago ako magsasalita." I said under my breath.

"Miss Barrameda? Mr. Ricafrente would like to see you now." The secretary called, I nodded my head and followed her strides.

SAGE KINSLEY RICAFRENTE

The label on the door read. I furrowed my eyebrows. Sage Ricafrente? As in Sage the kid I used to play with when I was still in the States?

Kumatok ng tatlong beses ang sekretarya niya saka binuksan ang pinto para sa'kin.

"Sir, Miss Barrameda is here." She announced.

Saka nagtaas ang lalaking 'yon ng tinging mula sa laptop niya papunta sa akin. I saw how his eyes widened, and I'm sure I have the same expression.

"Arcie? Ikaw ang pinadala ng CML dito?" halata ang gulat sa boses niya.

Napangiti ako, amused and happy at the same time. "No freaking way!"

He stood immediately and treaded his way towards where I'm standing. He gave his secretary a look that made her scurry away but at least closing the door gently on her exit.

Nang kaming dalawa na lang, agad naman niya ako inakap. I returned the hug and gave him a pat on the back.

"I can't believe it! Kailan ka pa rito sa Pinas?" agad na tanong niya nang kumalas kaming dalawa sa pagkakaakap.

"Matagal na. Dito na ako nag-College." I left the part on which my parents' divorce forced me to go here.

"Talaga ba? Akala ko lumipat lang kayo ng state." Umiling ako. "Have a seat, please. May gusto ka bang kainin o inumin?"

I shook my head no before occupying the couch he pointed. He sat adjacent to me before crossing his legs. He looks so formal, way different from the boy I used to play with. But nevertheless, he had grown to such an exquisite man. You can't find an inkling of his boyish charm, just pure sexy, manliness.

I realized I've been studying him for a while, so I cleared my throat and broke the silence, "Alam mo bang kabang-kaba ako kanina? Ang bilin kasi sa'kin maarte ka raw."

He too chuckled, "I will lose money if I'm not careful, Arcie. Kailangan maging maingat ako. Or 'maarte' as you may term it."

"Anyway, sobrang nawirduhan ako nang nabasa ko apelyido mo. I thought it sounded familiar, hindi ko naman naisip na baka 'yong bata na kalaro ko noon ay may second name pala."

He nodded his head, leaning over his left arm. "Same thoughts. Akala ko kung sino 'yong Ruby Barrameda na biglang gustong magki-meet. I knew you as Arcie, not Ruby. Ngayon ko lang tuloy napagtanto na nickname mo pala 'yon."

I paused for a minute, taking everything in. Simula talaga nang naka-labo-labo ang projects namin, kung sinu-sinong tao sa nakaraan ko ang muli kong nakikita. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung para ba ito sa maganda o hindi.

"Nag-engineer ka pala. 'Diba may real estate business si daddy mo sa US. Wala kang planong i-take over?"

My deep thoughts were jumbled so I again focused my attention on Sage. "Hindi ko pa alam, eh. I mean it's always an option, pero nang umuwi kasi ako rito at nakilala si Aly, I saw to it that I'll try to provide for myself. Lagi niya kasi akong sinasabihan na 'wag siyang tularan." I ended my sentence with a short laugh.

"Sino si Aly?"

"'Yong best friend ko. I met her when I was in College. After that, we've been inseparable. Medyo magulo kasi ang buhay niya kaya pala-advice."

He nodded his head and said nothing more, so I moved the conversation to business. That's when he changed from an old acquaintance to a businessman realquick. He made clear of the things he wanted. Lahat naman 'yon hindi ko tinutulan, madalas ang ginagawa ko ay magdagdag ng ideya sa mga gusto niyang mangyari, to tweak it a little, which he willingly welcomed.

Natapos kaming mag-usap pasado ala-sais na. "Si bossing na bahala sa iba mong gusto, pero rest assured, next week magpapadala na kami ng tao rito."

He closed his laptop and rested his chin on his hand. "Gusto rin kitang magtao rito, pwede ba 'yon?"

What did I say about him losing his childish vibe? Forget about it. Kasi ngayon, parang nakikita ko sa kanya ang Sage na kalaro lagi sa sandbox.

"Not really sure about that, may ibang project din kasi akong minamando." I gently said.

He cocked his head sideways, "Talaga ba? What if I requested for you personally kay Ray or kay Mr. Climente mismo?"

Bigla rin akong napa-isip. Hindi naman malabo na pagbibigyan siya. Ang laki niyang account, that's why Sir Ray is tiptoeing around him. Milyon ang mawawala sa kumpanya kung mag-re-retract bigla itong si Sage.

Seeing that I'm speechless over the matter, he rested his back on his big leather chair, realizing his conclusion.

"It's settled then. I'll highly request for you to be deployed here in my company. Mas gusto kong may kakilala ako kung mag-ou-outsource lang din naman ako."

"Sige, ikaw bahala. If ever it gets approved, you'll be seeing me around very often." Panloloko ko sa kanya.

He grinned at me, "It will be approved. See you here next week, Arcie."

--

can you remember which installment Sage was first introduced? hahahahaha