“Congratulations on your wedding pare!” Masiglang bati ni Ran at tinapik ang balikat ni Landon.
“We should be thankful na may pumatol kay Landon. Dahil diyan, cheers!” Pangaalaska ni Stark at itinaas ang baso'ng mayroong alak.
“Cheers!” Pagsegunda ni Kai at Max ng natatawa. While Landon flipped them off, mukhang iniinis ngunit nagagalak na makasama ang mga dating kaibigan.
They were all Harvard law graduates. Dahil busy sa mga sari-sariling trabaho ay hindi sila nakakapagkitakita ng madalas. Thus, their friend gathering together was a happy occasion for all of them. Pati ang parang yelo na si Cloud ay pinaunlakan ang imbitasyon niya.
“Oo nga pala, Cloud padalas ng padalas ang appearance mo sa news ah. You make all of us look bad, bro.” Paghihimutok ni Kai.
Ang tinutukoy nito ay ang paglabas ni Cloud sa balita. Since he took over Riego Group of Companies, their revenue skyrocketed. Naging tenfold at tila ba hinihipan sa mga nakaraang taon. Their growth was so sensational, Cloud was the first Asian Billionaire, that was just under thirty featured in TIME's 'Most influential men of the Decade'.
“Right. I feel like i'm back to being a teenager, my father keeps nagging at me. Kinukumpara ako sa iyo, Like i'd ever achieve your level. Fuck.” Ani ni Ran.
“Hey! I think we're all in the same boat. Malas natin, kasabay natin si Cloud gumraduate.” natatawang saad ni Stark.
“You're like the Midas of our time pare.” Saad ni Max. “Hey, can you teach us your techniques?”
“Bat ganyan vocabulary mo? Ano ka, elementary?” Pangaalaska naman ni Landon. “Pero back to the topic, baka naman Cloud. Kahit scriptures pa yan, babasahin namin.”
Uminom si Cloud ng alak. “I'm a businessman, not a miracle worker.”
“Pffftt—” All of them laughed.
___________
“Boss, should we drive straight to the Hotel?” Nilingon ni Ravi ang boss mula sa rear view mirror. Nakaupo ito sa likod ng sasakyan, may hawak hawak na sigarilyo sa kamay.
Hindi sumagot si Cloud, but the car moved en route to the Five star hotel he was currently staying at.
Alas dos na ng umaga ng matapos ang kanilang kamustahan. Almost all of them were shit faced, Pati ang groom-to-be na si Landon ay hindi na halos makalakad.
Marami ring nainom si Cloud, ngunit hindi pa siya lasing. Atleast, what he drank tonight wasn't enough to knock him out cold. He blew out a puff of smoke, sighing heavily. He closed his eyes and leaned back on the seats.
Kung sino mang makakita sakaniya ngayon ay mapapansin ang makapal niyang eyebags. He also lost a few pounds and he noticeably looked tired. Cloud feels so fucking exhausted.
Everything went downhill for him when she left him. Hindi niya alam kung saan ito nagpunta. Hindi niya alam kung saang lupalop ito nagtago at bakit siya iniwan ng walang dahilan.
He spent tireless nights burying himself with work. Halos 24/7 siyang nasa opisina, thus, the Company's progress. Cloud lived and breathed work like it was his oxygen. Ayaw niyang bigyan ang sarili ng oras upang mag-isip. Dahil sa mga oras na naiiwan siya magiisa..
Naiisip niya si Venus.
Cloud craved her warmth. He craves to stare at her beautiful face every night, as she lays in his arms. Gusto niya muling matikman ang pagaalaga nito. Hindi niya narealize noong una..
He thought he just cared for her— but it was love. Like a thief in the night, unknowingly. She took his heart and made it her own.
At nagsisisi siyang pinakawalan niya ito. Nagsisisi siya dahil hindi niya sinabi rito ang nararamdaman niya.
