Return Of The Wife

Chapter 1

[1] Mrs. Tejares No More

"Yara sigurado ka na ba na gusto mo 'tong gawin? I mean, baka mamaya pagsisihan mo ang mga desisyon mo."

"What's going on Aby? 'Di ba ikaw ang mapilit noon na hiwalayan ko si Damien. And now that I'm filing for an annulment ay parang natataranta ka."

I sighed as I looked straight into her eyes that was full of doubt and worry.

"I know what I am doing, trust me." I whispered.

"Just don't do anything stupid that you'll regret, okay?"

She puts down the suitcase at niyakap ako sa gitna ng airport. Ginantihan ko rin siya ng yakap at saka humiwalay sa kaniya patungo sa ibang lugar. Kung saan magbabagong buhay ako.

~*~

"Ma'am are you listening?" I snapped out at naabutan na nakatingin sa 'kin si Aine na hawak ang kaniyang maliit na notebook kung saan nakasulat ang lahat ng kailangan niyang gawin. All my appointments ay naroroon nakasulat.

I gave her a tablet where she can easily type and input all the important details as well as to keep track of my ever changing schedules but she refused. She likes it old fashioned way. And I cannot help but to notice that everything about my assistant is old fashioned. From the way she dresses to the way she carries herself.

She's wearing a long black skirt which reaches the floor and a loose color brown blouse that does not really complements her nice figure. On top of that, she tied her hair in a tight ponytail. 

Her assistant is a total plain Jane. But that doesn't hide the fact that Aine was still pretty, with or without fashionable clothes.

"I'm sorry Aine, I was spacing out again."

She sighed, "I said that you have an appointment later at six in the evening with the board members." she stated. I just nodded at sinenyasan na siya na lumabas ng opisina ko.

She is Aine Delfin, she's been working for me for almost four years as a secretary. Sa loob ng ilang taon niyang pagtatrabaho sa 'kin ay wala na akong maiipipintas pa sa kaniya. She's very efficient when it comes to her work, kaya as much as possible ay hindi ko siya pinagde-day off.

Maingat kong inayos ang mga dokumento na nasa ibabaw ng table ko na kailangan kong i-review bago pirmahan. I stood up.

I scanned the whole room. Nagdadagdag ng liwanag sa buong kuwarto ang sinag mula sa papalubog na araw. And it calms my empty soul.

I looked outside my glass window, I can see these people crossing the busy street of New York. They were in hazed for they're eager to go somewhere that pays money. Ang iba ay papasok pa lamang sa trabaho. May mga turista din sa bawat parte ng daan. New York, a City that never sleeps. And frankly, I doubt that I am getting any sleep tonight with all those papers that I needs to review for my meeting tomorrow with the Marketing team.

I shouldn't really be joining the meeting but I can't help micromanaging my business. This is my lifetime of work. The fruit of my labor and tears. 

I sighed as I continue to look outside. Those tall buildings and skyscrapers that are always blocking the beautiful scenery outside my office.

It's dusk already, a time of the day where the sun sets and everyone spend their time together with their family. But for me, it's time to start my work.

Sumalampak ako sa aking swivel chair at inihilig ang ulo. My head's aching like crazy dahil sa sobrang daming iniisip.

Six years had passed yet it still pains me. Lahat-lahat ng mga panloloko niya. Ang mga kasinungalingan niya, idadamay niya pa ang walang muwang na sanggol. He's a monster, a beast. And I was his servant. I was foolish for believing that he loves me.

That was stupid. For love doesn't exist, at least in his vocabulary. He only loves his money, and her.

I pushed the red button attached to my telephone, "Aine call for a meeting. Now." That's all at tumayo na ako para lumabas ng opisina ko. Katabi lang niyon ang penthouse kung saan madalas akong mag-stay. Nasa ibabang palapag naman naroroon si Aine, kasama ng ibang staff ng hotel.

Bumaba na ako ng elevator at pagkabukas pa lamang niyon sa ground floor ay sumalubong na sa 'kin ang mga tao na nagchecheck in sa hotel ko. I sighed, ganito parati ang itsura ng hotel kapag peak season na. Not that I'm complaining or something, actually natutuwa lang ako na umabot sa ganito ang pagsisikap ko.

I still remember when I came here at walang matuluyang hotel. This place was just an apartment, a very old apartment at pinatira muna ako ng landlord. Until they had to sell it, and I eventually bought it. Renovated it. Converted it to a small hotel with a cheap price. Hanggang sa unti-unti ko na lang namamalayan na lumalaki na ang hotel na itinayo ko.

Parating out of vacancy, out of rooms.

Dahil tinatangkilik talaga nila ito, it's not that big compared to other five star hotels. They always choose this hotel because of our accommodation and fantastic menus, courtesy of one of the finest chef in the country.

"Good evening ma'am," bati sa 'kin ng isa sa mga bellboy na may tulak-tulak na cart. Tumango lamang ako at ngumiti.

Nang makarating ako sa conference room ay nandoon na sa tabi ng pinto si Aine na mukhang hirap na hirap dahil sa pinagawa ko. It's really hard, especially when it comes to rescheduling a meeting early.

She handed me the folders.

"They're already inside, y'know it's quite hard." She said in a thick Californian accent.

"Don't whine Aine, you signed up for this job remember?"

"Yeah, whatever."

She rolled her eyes at me then she opened the door. The board members are already there. Bigla silang tumigil sa pagsasalita nang umupo na ako sa unahan.

I flipped the pages of the folder at gayun din ang kanilang ginawa. While Aine was standing beside me, taking down notes as usual.

I stood up.

"Okay, everyone's here so let's start the meeting." In-on ko ang projector at lumabas doon ang kabuuan ng Emerald Hotel. 

Karamihan ng board members na sinasabi ni Aine ay ang mga may-ari din ng iba't ibang businesses na pinipili nilang itayo sa hotel ko mismo. It's like a partnership pero between my hotel and their company, siyempre, business is business kaya may shares din ako na nakukuha mula sa kita nila at may shares din sila sa hotel ko. Hindi man ganoon kalaki ay shares pa rin iyon.

"Emerald Hotel, one of the finest hotel here in New York. According to New York Times." I stopped then smiled at them with satisfaction. "We have decided on building another branch in different countries, but as I said before, we're going to do that one step at a time." I clicked on the next page at pinakita ang model ng hotel na balak naming itayo.

Each hotel has it's own personal touch, and it should be according to the country kung saan namin ito itatayo.

"And now, we have decided yesterday that we will start the construction next week." I sighed heavily na parang may bumara sa aking esophagus. "The country that was chosen was...the Philippines."

Sila mismo ang pumili sa Pilipinas dahil alam nila na maraming Pinoy ang mahilig magbakasyon and they're confident that Emerald Hotel will give Filipino people their satisfaction.

Tumango naman silang lahat at pumalakpak. While I sat with a heavy heart. I am not scared, I shouldn't be. I did moved on, didn't I?

I relaxed my back as I think of the possibilities that will happen if ever I see him again. Wait, why would I think of him?

"Ma'am, your passport is ready. You're flight will be tomorrow." Naramdaman ko ang kamay ni Aine sa balikat ko. I sighed as I gently nods.

Matapos ang meeting ay bumalik na ako sa penthouse at inayos ang mga gamit na dadalhin ko pabalik sa Pilipinas. I also dialed Aby's number para sunduin ako sa airport. I will be staying at their house.

Naka-base na kasi ito sa Pilipinas dahil napag-usapan nilang mag-asawa na dapat ay tinututukan nila ang kanilang mga anak. Lalo pa't nagdadalaga na ang kanilang panganay na si Alexa. Kaya naman iba na ang piniling mamahala ni Aby sa branch ng business niya dito sa New York na minsan na lamang din nilang nabibisita.

I was about to sleep nang mag-ring ang cellphone ko. It was a call I am expecting, sa wakas ay tumawag na rin siya. It's been awhile since I heard his voice.

"Hello, Terrence? Hi, buti naman at tumawag ka na."

I heard his giggles on the other line. "Sorry honey, I was busy the whole day. Which reminds me, I miss you."

"Hmp! Bolero, baka magselos si Gerry niyan ha?" I laughed "Let me talk to her,"

"She's already asleep hon, she's tired."

I sighed.

"Okay. You need to rest too. Say hi to Gerry for me, bye." I ended up the call then drifted to sleep. I'll need some rest tomorrow.

It's time to come back.

*****

Vote and Comments! :D