Reckless Abandon

Chapter Twenty Five

Enrico's POV

Today almost feels like an ordinary morning, but not really. Today, I woke up and I am a year older.

Resting an arm over my head, I tried to convince my brain to get some more sleep before my six o'clock alarm goes off.  But just as my eyes start feeling heavy again, my phone rang loudly. Not with my alarm, but of someone calling.

Pinilit ko ang sarili kong huwag pansinin ang nakakarinding tunog ng cellphone ko. It rang a few more times before it finally stopped. Thank goodness.

Ngunit akala ko lang pala iyon dahil kung sino man ang tumatawag ay talagang desidido na gisingin ako para sagutin ang telepono.

Cursing profanities on my mind, I grab a pillow and covered my head with it. Goddamn it, who calls at five in the freaking morning anyway?!

Kinapa ko ang aking bedside table para kunin ang aking cellphone at sinagot ang tawag. "Hello?!"

"Sweetie! Happy birthday!"

"Mom?" I ask stupidly.

"Yes, grumpy man! None other! Hi."

"Mom..." I sigh, my annoyance slowly dissipating into thin air. "Thanks. But what time is it? Ang aga mong napatawag."

"It's five minutes before six. Tanghali na. Why do you sound so sleepy? A good businessman is awake even before the sun rises!"

I groaned again, careful not to cuss while speaking to her. "Not today, Mom. It is practically midnight!"

"Oh, please. Don't exaggerate. So, it's your birthday."

"I noticed."

"You need to come home later. Please. Dinner. I wanna cook for you. Just us."

Napagdesisyunan ko na lang na tumayo galing sa kama at kinusot-kusot ang aking mata para tuluyan nang mawala ang antok ko. "Yes, Mom. Alright. I'll be there."

"My good boy. Happy birthday, Enrico. I am so blessed to ever call you my son. Come home and be early, okay? I want to see you. Comprendé?"

-

Eureka's POV

"Maam, is there anything else that you need?" tanong ng assistant kong si Abby.

"Not at the moment, Abby. I just need the reports done by Friday please." I said.

"That's noted, Miss Eureka."

"Siya nga pala Abby, I already found a new replacement for our flower supplier. Please check the email I just sent you and give them a call so we can send them the contract right away. Nakausap ko na ang may-ari nun and they already agreed in doing business with us. Kailangan na lang nilang pumirma nung documents natin for them to be our official partners; to which I need you to have it done as soon as possible. I need the flowers I ordered from them for the hotel right off the bat come Monday morning."

"Yes, Miss. Eureka. I got it."

"Thanks." I gave her a polite smile. I noticed my phone buzzing. It was from an unknown number. "You may now go, Abby. Thank you."

Frowning while looking at my phone screen, I decided to answer the call. "Eureka Magsaysay speaking. Who is this please?"

"Eureka!"

"A-alice?"

"Yes!!! Hello! It's me. Kamusta ka na?"

I smiled through the phone. "I am doing great, Alice. Thank you for asking. Just been really busy. Ikaw? Um, how are you?"