Tears of the Paradise (Isla Filipinas Series #2)

Chapter 27

"I'll send the designs on your email,"

Nginitian ko ang client ko bago tumayo at nakipag kamay dito. Nauna itong umalis restaurant habang ako ay sinimulan pa lang ligpitin ang mga gamit ko sa lamesa.

As I was fixing my things ay nakatanggap ako ng text mula sa isang pamilyar na number. I deleted it before pero mukhang naka save pa rin ang number ko sa phone ni Vince.

From: Engineer Marquez

Wala na bang itatagal 'yan??

I rolled my eyes when I read his text. When we were on the way to the headquarters ay mayroong biglang tumawag na client at sinabi na ngayon lang daw ang free time nito. Me being a good person ay nakipagkita ako.

At dahil nakikisabay lang ako kay Vince ay hinatid niya ako sa restaurant. Before I got out ay nag take out ako ng kaunting pagkain para naman hindi magalit ang driver ko.

"I thought you already left??" I asked when I got inside his car.

"Pasalamat ka na lang binalikan ka pa," He scoffed and started to turn the wheel. "Ano 'yan?? Ayuda??" Sarkastikong aniya nang iabot ko ang tinake out kong pagkain.

"Oo. Para sa matinding pagka abala ko sayo," I rolled my eyes at him before placing the paper bag between us. I crossed my arms on my chest and just stared at the window.

I told Mika na mag ha-half day lang ako ngayon dahil kung hindi ay late na ako sa trabaho. Besides, trabaho rin naman ang inasikaso ko dito.

After a few minutes ay nakarating na kami sa headquarters. I didn't say anything at nauna na akong pumasok. I didn't even wait for him and I straight up closed the elevator before he even got near.

It was not my fault that Ish was busy. He didn't tell me. It was not my fault why he suddenly picked me up and why he waited for my meeting to finish. Why was he acting so rude. I even bought him food.

I got annoyed at the thought, too. Why do I care.

Nang makarating ako sa floor namin ay napasapo na lang ako sa noo ko nang makita kung gaano kaabala ang lahat. Hindi maingay ngunit napakaraming nakatayo at ikot ng ikot. Nakakahilong tignan.

"May rounds daw ang President!" Natatarantang anang isa.

"Ayusin niyo yung arts studio," Utos ng kabila.

"Fix and clean your areas!" Anunsyo ng iba.

When I glanced at Mika's office it was open a little and after I dropped my things on my table ay pumasok ako sa opisina niya. Only to find her watching tv while sketching on a sketchpad.

"Wow. Parang walang rounds, ah." I teased her. I know she wouldn't mind because it was her mother after all.

"Ha?! Anong rounds?!" Bigla siyang napatayo. Oops. I guess I was wrong. I chuckled when she suddenly turned the tv off and started to clean her desk. "Bakit hindi mo ako sinabihan!" She was panicking and all.

"Maybe because I just arrived??" I raised my shoulders. "And maybe because I also didn't know?? Narinig ko lang 'yon sa mga tao sa labas." Tumawa ako nang matapunan ng kape yung sketch niya.

She didn't look that frustrated when she saw the sketch. I went near it as she started cleaning her office. It looks like a modern mansion. I noticed a note at the bottom left corner of the sketchpad and it was a date 10 years ago??