Be Mine

18

It is already Friday and Gary is busy packing a few essential items in a bag. He handed the bag to the helper to put it inside the car before heading to the dining area for breakfast. He saw Clara putting down plates of food on the table and noticed him.

"Good morning, Baby!", she approached him for a kiss. She took out her apron and put it aside. "Let's eat!", she tells him. Gary sat down looking at the amount of food set before him.

"Ang dami mo namang niluto.", he said as he took a sip of coffee.

"I don't know what you want kasi..", she says and puts bacon and eggs on his plate.

"Si Dad?", he asks since he haven't seen his Father since last night.

"Hindi ba nagsabi sayo?", Clara looks at him in confusion. "He left for Hong Kong. Nagpahatid kaninang madaling araw sa driver.", she continues. They started eating while Clara is reminding him about the measurements and fittings for Anton's wedding. He just nodded in agreement. He was almost done when Clara asked him, "Baby, are you free tonight?"

"Tonight? Why?", thinking if they have an appointment that he forgot.

"Do you want to have dinner with me? Let's go on a date or watch a movie?"

Gary tried not to sigh, but just smiled at her, "Clara, I'm sorry. Ang dami ko kasing hinahabol sa opisina ngayon. Maybe some other time?"

Clara nodded, "I understand. Dito ka ba kakain ng dinner? I can wait for you."

"Baka hindi na. May dinner meeting din kasi ako. I don't know what time matatapos.", telling her an excuse, as he will meet up with Lianna that evening. He saw how Clara's face turned sad. He doesn't understand why he felt hurt looking at her like that, but he feels like she should know how he felt when she didn't have time for him as well. Gary sighed and stood up. Clara walked him to where the car is. He looked at her, "How about you go out with your friends tonight? Kesa nandito ka sa bahay. Wala kang kasama."

"Ayaw mo ba na hintayin kita?", she tells him.

"Baka kasi sa condo na lang ako matulog. Depends on the outcome sa mga meetings ko today."

Clara sighed, but nodded, "Sige, maybe I will finish some things for Anton's wedding then I'll meet up with sila Trixie.."

"Yeah. Have fun, okay? Mag-iingat kayo.", he tells her and rode the car. He started the engine when Clara knocked on his window. He opened it and felt Clara kiss him, "I love you, Gary. Mag-iingat ka." He just nodded and drove away.

Carlos just wrapped up the meeting with his staff when his secretary told him that someone is waiting for him in the office. He checked the time and saw it's already lunch time. He went inside his office and saw Anton waiting there.

"Uy! Pare, anong ginagawa mo dito?", he met him for their brotherly hug.

"Galing akong meeting for Ella's next tour kasi eh. I was in the area so yayain sana kita mag-lunch. Libre ka ba?", he explains.

"Yes. Sure. Mamayang hapon pa naman next meeting ko. Sasama ba si Gary?", he asks Anton.

"Dumaan na ako sa office niya. May lunch meeting daw siya. Next time na lang daw."

"Wow, ang sipag ng mokong.", Carlos chuckles.

"Oo nga eh. Hindi ako sanay. Napakatamad niyan nung college.", they both laugh.

"Nandito kasi yung tatay kaya ganyan yan.", he got his phone and car keys. "Anyway, tara na? Kotse ko na lang gamitin natin."

They were on the road and decided to find a Chinese restaurant since Carlos has been wanting sweet and sour fish recently. They were talking about Carlos' new client when Anton's phone started ringing. He answered it and when he hung up, Carlos couldn't help but ask, "Si Ella ba yun? Namimiss ka na?"