Crashing The Waves (Working Girls Series #2)

Kabanata 32

Pancakes

"Putangina, magbakasyon ka naman! Birthday naman ni Ianna, sumama ka na please." Nelle's here in my office, barging in. She keeps on buging me to go with them to Amanpulo for Ianna's 4th birthday.

"Im busy. Just look for John or Robert. Buy Ianna some BMW or something. Kahit yate, ikaw na pumili." Agad niya akong inirapan. She's inside my office right now. Nasaan ba kasi ang asawa nito?

"Gago. Apat na taon pa lang ang anak ko tapos yate o luxury car ireregalo mo? Kakaiba. Ninong kailangan ng anak ko, Joaquin. Hindi sugar daddy." This girl and her antics. Matigas talaga ang ulo niya.

Two years and I still can't find her. Two long years and I still have no plans of giving up. I just focused on work. Sobrang workaholic ko na sabi ni Mama and Nelle but I have no other means of surving. Trabaho at paghahanap lang sa kanya ang ginagawa ko.

"Nelly, ayos lang ako. As much as I want to spend some time with you, Im very busy. So go and enjoy your trip." Padarag niyang ibinaba ang dalawa niyang kamay sa lamesa ko. Kulang na lang ay magdikit ang dalawa niyang kilay.

"You are coming with us Joaquin Andres. My decision is final. Sa ayaw at sa gusto mo, sasama ka sa Amanpulo. This is non-negotiable. In fact, I already told Robert that you'll be gone for a week." Wala naman na pala akong choice.

Simula nang may nangyari kay Lia, naging ganito na si Nelle. She's not usually nosy, but now she is. At the maximum level. She always call my secretaries to ask them if I ate on time, what time I arrive to work, what time I left. Lahat dumaraan kay Nelle. Daig niya pa si mama.

"You should really stop controlling my schedule. It's bad for my reputation you know. I can't just casually cancel meetings whenever you want me to." Umirap na naman siya at tila inis na inis sa akin.

"Tangina naman kasi Joaquin. Kung makapag-overtime ka naman kasi sa trabaho akala mo malapit ka nang malugi. You arrive at work early, you leave work late. May steel industries ka, logistics, sardines company, construction, may investment ka pa sa airline at shipping lines. Bakit hindi ka na lang tumakbong presidente sa eleksyon ha? Nakakapikon ka na. Lahat nasayo na." Lahat nasa akin na, pero siya wala pa rin.

"Stop prohibiting yourself from being happy will you? Lia will not like how you continue to punish yourself for something you didn't do." Lumapit siya sa akin at agad akong niyakap. I am fortunate to have my best friend.

Nelle is kind, but when she wants something, she'll do everything in her capacity to make it happen. That's the reason why Im in her jet and we are all off to Amanpulo.

It's the usual set of people I am with. Nelle, Anton, Victor, Lidia, Nathan and Nicole. She's here but Im not that sure who invited her. Maybe it was Nelle or Lidia? Maybe Victor? I don't know.

Wala si Cali dahil may business trip sa France. Nakabusangot lang si Lidia. I don't know why she's pissed but she's here anyway that's what matters.

"Papa! Carry!" I automatically had a smile on my face as I saw her. Kinarga ko siya at kinalong.

"What gift do you want?" Hinawakan niya naman ang baba niya at tumingin sa taas na para bang nag-iisip. This girl is just like her mom.

"I want a baby brother, papa." Nasamid naman sa iniinom na champagne si Anton.

"You should be asking your mommy and daddy for that, love." Nilagay ko ang mga takas na buhok niya sa likod ng tenga niya.