Journey With You (Completed)

Chapter 11: Take the Fall

Journey With You
Chapter 11: Take the Fall

"Good morning, Hani." Bati rin ni Noreen sa akin pagdating ko sa 16th floor kinabukasan.

"Good morning din, Miss Noreen." Sagot ko, another fake smile plastered across my face.

"Noreen nalang." Aniya. "Kanina ka pa hinihintay ni Sir. Maaga siya ngayon kasi na-reschedule yung photoshoot niya."

Napakagat ako sa labi. Hindi naging maganda ang pagtatapos ng quick escape to the beach namin kagabi. It ended in an argument and an icy cold silence throughout the drive back home.

Naisip kong mag-absent nalang sana ngayon, pero ayaw kong maging duwag. Ako naman yung malakas ang paninindigan kahapon, kaya wala akong karapatang mag-inarte ngayon.

"Sige, thank you." Saad ko kay Noreen at pumunta na sa opisina ni Sven.

"Na-reschedule daw ang photoshoot mo, sabi ni Noreen?" Tanong ko kay Sven pagpasok, na siya namang inangat ang tingin mula sa laptop papunta sa akin.

"Yeah," aniya. "We're leaving in thirty minutes."

He's acting normal, and it is suspicious. When I saw his eyes, that's when I noticed that they look different. Like they lack warmth.

8:30 am kaming umalis, at nakarating kami agad sa paroroonan ng 9:00 am. Sa loob lang din kasi iyon ng Clark.

The place is called Club Hotelier. I like names that glide smoothly in my mouth. Hindi kagaya ng resort ni Sven na mahirap bigkasin.

And while Pyxis Marinus' charm lies in its perfect balance between traditional Filipino and modern concept, Club Hotelier sports a rather luxurious feel to it. An overly luxurious feel in fact.

"Breathtaking, isn't it?" Sven smirked, but even that smirk was ice cold, almost evil. "This is an exlusive VIP club for owners, shareholders and chief executives of hotel chains in the country."

"Ang ganda," tipid kong sagot sa sobrang mangha kahit na medyo naiilang na ako sa inaasta ni Sven.

But the club is truly beautiful. Quite lavish, I must say, with the dim lighting, leather furniture and grand fireplace. Not to mention that seven-foot piano.

Truly a magical place fitting for owners and chief executives of hotels in the Philippines. A place I would never have been able to step foot in had I not been Sven's personal assistant.

Sa sobrang rangya ng lugar na ito, parang nakakatakot kumilos. Sana wala akong mabasag o masira. Sana hindi ako masyadong mapansin. Hindi naman ako stunning pero ayun na nga. In such a stunning place, someone plain and awkward like me would surely stand out.

"Mr. Acosta!" A slender male clad in designer tux happily approached us. My feet stepped back without me realizing it.

"Sir Tyron," Sven greeted the man back. Nagkamay sila, tapos nag-usap ng konti tungkol sa isang painting na gusto daw ni Sir Tyron na iregalo sana sa Atlas pero hindi niya nabili.

Soon enough, the other members arrived with their personal stylists, and the atrium was filled with people.

Sa lahat, si Sir Tyron lamang ang kinakausap ni Sven. The others had their own mini group, which was broken off when five of them were asked to flock near the grand piano and the other five, near the grand fireplace.

It felt more like Asia's Next Top Model than just a photoshoot for a business magazine. The clothes were provided by the owner of the club.

Lumipat sila sa Game Room pagkatapos makakuha ng magagandang shots sa may grand piano at fireplace. Napanganga ako sa Game Room kung saan may billiard tables, bowling arcade, and slot machines. Narinig ko na may isang room din na parang mini-cinema. Wow. I can't believe this place. But then again, this is plain normal for the rich.