Timid Heart (Eligible Heiress #3)

Chapter 2

Everyday before parking my car at the parking lot in my building ay tinitignan ko muna ang mga nakaparadang mga sasakyan bago ko iparada ang aking Audi. Pero nakalipas ang ilang buwan ay hindi ko na nakita pa ang silver Audi na napagkamalan kong akin.

I pressed the button on the elevator going to the top most floor where my office is. I walked and smiled to my employees who I pass by through at the agile and open space floor.

"Good morning, Ma'am." Bati sa akin ni Christine. "The Editorial meeting will start in a few minutes po." Dagdag niya pagbukas ko ng glass sliding door papasok sa aking opisina.

I smiled as I entered my crazy, cute office space. Alam na alam na babae ang boss dahil sa pink na accent everywhere. I'm so in love with pink, it's my favorite color but not because I'm too girly or I love Barbie, it's just that it gives me a happiness and there is softness and warmth in it.

"I'll be there in a few, thanks Christine." I answered as I pass by the long white table with pink chairs that I use when I gather a team for a meeting.

Inilagay ko sa ibabaw ng aking lamesa ang aking bag and opened my laptop to check on my to-do list, as well as the topic for the meeting.

Editorial team has a meeting once or twice a week to talk about our monthly publications. And for this meeting, they focused on our hospitality magazine. We will feature a hotel as we agreed on it kapalit noong photoshoot two months ago. Hinintay lang na matapos ang ilang facilities nito at ngayong buo na ay kailangan na namin i-feature for our next issue.

"The problem is, hanggang ngayon ay wala pang binibigay na go signal ang management ng hotel para makapunta tayo roon to take pictures, they are not also sending pictures of their hotel."

We had an agreement na ngayong buwan iyon mangyayari. At kung hindi pa sila handa ay magkakaroon nga kami ng problema. We can't be late for our deadline, at kawawa naman ang mga editors ko kung magkakaroon kami ng last minute changes.

"I'll go talk to the management myself." I said.

As a boss, hindi naman siguro ako ide-deadma ng management ng hotel na iyon. Isa pa, a deal is a deal. Hindi naman kami ang may kailangan. They need us to feature their hotel, isang malaking advertisement ito para sa kanila.

Our high-end magazines are still holding on their own and still growing as luxury markets knows the value of having physical prints. For many luxury advertising clients, it is first and foremost the prime medium, more so than TV, because they know competitors will all be in there. High-end magazines are still number one for those advertisers.

Due to our problem, I am forced to cancel all my schedule for the rest of the afternoon so I can go to Aston Hotel and talk to the management.

I parked my car near the entrance of the hotel. Sa labas pa lang ay elegante na itong tignan. I walked on the granite floor at the lobby in between the two gigantic gold marble posts that gives elegant appearance.

The space is large enough to simply lounge around while waiting for your car or someone, or just to read magazines that are readily available on the side and relax.

"Excuse me." Kinuha ko ang atensiyon ng isang magandang babae sa front desk.

She smiled. "Yes, Ma'am. What can I help you with?"

"Can I talk to your manager?" I asked politely.

Nakita ko ang pagkagulat niya at napakurap pa siya ng ilang beses bago ako sinagot.

"I can certainly help if you have any problems in our hotel, Ma'am. We assure you that we can resolve whatever issues you have with our hotel."

"Oh, no. It's not something like that." Agad kong sabi pagkatapos niyang magsalita. "I have an important issue to tell your manager. I am..." Kinuha ko ang aking ID sa Simplicité and showed it to her.

"A Lopéz."

Banggit niya ang aking apelyido na parang hindi makapaniwala habang nakatitig sa aking ID. It's my ID at Simplicitè, wala ng posisyon na nakalagay doon. I just want to have an ID in my own company.

I'm about to tell her sana na galing ako sa publishing pero iba ang pumukaw ng kanyang atensiyon.

"Sabi ko na nga ba kayo iyon. Ang ganda niyo po sa personal." She thrilled.

"Ah, thank you." Medyo hiya kong sabi.

Hindi ako masyadong social sa mga hindi ko kakilala at ayoko na pinagtitinginan ako ng mga tao. Feeling ko ay may dumi sa aking mukha o may mali sa akin. I don't like the attention, pero dahil kilala kaming Lopéz ay hindi iyon maiiwasan though hindi pa rin ako sanay hanggang ngayon.

Kinuha ko sa kanya ang aking ID nang iabot niya ito pabalik sa akin. "The manager? Can I talk to him or her now?"

"Ay, opo. Wait lang, Ms. Lopéz. Upo muna po kayo, tatawagan ko lang po." Ngiti niyang sabi.

Umupo ako sa sofa sa lobby where a contemporary cloud chandelier hangs above that gives a very relaxing ambiance because of the lighting.

I grabbed a magazine on top of the nearby table and saw that it's one of mine. Ito ang magazine kung saan namin inilabas ang listahan ng mga eligible bachelors. Kalahati sa list na iyon ang hindi ko pa nakikita at nababasa.

"Ms. Lopéz?"

A man's voice asked before I turn the page to look at the next bachelor which we interviewed before at Simplicitè.

Ngumiti ako sa lalaki pag-angat ko ng aking ulo sa kanya and stood up gracefully to greet him.

"Hi, I'm Ace from Simplicité Publishing." Pakilala ko sabay abot ng aking kamay sa kanya.

He shook my hand and gave me charming smile. "Good afternoon, Ms. Lopéz. What can I do for you?"

Tinignan ko ang aming paligid. Wala namang ibang tao pero I prefer to talk in private. Isa pa, it's about business pero mukhang hindi siya na-informed dahil hindi naman niya ako niyaya sa kanyang opisina at wala siyang nabanggit na kahit ano tungkol doon.

"I want to talk about the ad that you want us to feature in our magazine. Can... we talk somewhere private?" Medyo ilang kong tanong dahil mukha talaga siyang walang alam sa sinasabi ko.

"Ah, yeah. Sure, Ma'am." Taranta niyang sabi sabay lahad ng kanyang kamay papunta sa kung saan na sinundan ko nalang.

He led me to his office and made me sit at one of the chairs in front of his table. Binigyan niya pa ako ng tubig at nginitian ko na lamang siya saka nagpasalamat.

"As I was saying..." I continued right to the point. "Your boss and I had a deal. Pumayag siya sa photoshoot namin and in exchange, we will have to feature this newly opened hotel of his pero wala pa kaming instructions or go signal na narereceive galing sa inyo para makuhanan naming ng litrato ang buong lugar." I explained.

He nodded. "Wala po kasing nabanggit sa akin na ganyan kaya hindi ko rin po kayo masagot. But, I can make some calls regarding that po sa itaas and then I can give you an update."

"Can you make that call now?" I asked.

I don't want to appear like I'm being bossy or demanding, but we really need to do this faster. Gahol na kami sa oras and I need a definite answer so we'll know what to do.

Nag-alangan pa siya at hindi kaagad nakasagot dahil parang hindi niya alam ang kanyang gagawin at sasabihin sa akin. Pero in the end ay tumawag rin siya sa kanyang boss.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. My ongoing meeting daw si boss. I'll call him back tomorrow morning, and then I'll update you. Okay lang po ba?"

Mukhang wala naman akong choice kaya iniwan ko nalang ang contact number ng aking sekretarya sa kanya at bumalik na bigo sa aking kumpanya.

If I will not hear from him tomorrow, then I will be forced to remove his spread from my magazine for our next issue. It's not my fault that he did not give importance to this one. Hindi ko naman kawalan and he is giving me and my employees so much stress. And I hate it, parang hindi siya organized.

I waited the whole afternoon the next day for the manager to call me pero walang dumating. Namuti na ng tuluyan ang aking buhok sa kahihintay kaya wala na akong nagawa kung hindi ang magpatawag ng emergency meeting at the end of our working hour.

"Christine?" Tawag ko sabay silip niya sa may pintuan. "Please tell our editors in hospitality that we will have an emergency meeting in 5 minutes. Make sure the meeting room is available for us." I said while typing something on my laptop.

"Yes, Ma'am." Sagot niya naman at mabilis na umalis.

Imbis na makakauwi na kaming lahat ng maaga ay mapapa-overtime pa. I know that they have a backup feature and I also have a plan B and C. I don't go around without a plan, I'm always ready.

Umupo ako sa kabisera sa isang mahibang conference table kung saan nakaupo na rin ang buong team and set my laptop and my phone down in front of me.

I sighed. "I'm sorry to call for this emergency meeting. Alam ko uwing-uwi na kayo kasi ako rin ready to fly na."

Natawa sila ng kaunti pero halata pa rin ang pagkadismaya nilang lahat. Minsan lang ako magpatawag ng ganitong meeting na pati ako stress, usually kahit overtime ay nakangiti pa rin ako pero naiinis ako sa kausap namin.

"The management in Aston didn't give me an update, so we have no other choice but to put them on hold and insert another feature for this coming issue. I reviewed the other feature that Ana sent me and I want that one in our magazine. Just a little revising and then I'll have a meeting with Lloyd tomorrow morning."

We had a few more discussions about the next issue and when to insert Aston Hotel until my secretary poke her head in the meeting room and gesture for a phone call to me.

"Who?" I asked.

"Mr. Sembrano from Aston Hotel, Ma'am." Mahina niyang sabi.

Napatingin ako sa aking team at lahat sila ay may mukhang umaasa. I just hope na hindi kami biguin nito.

"Don't expect." Sabi ko bago lumabas.

Mr. Sembrano, the hotel Manager, told me that they are ready for us and will expect my team tomorrow at their hotel for some photos and all other details that we still need.

Pag relay ko ng message sa aking team ay lahat sila nag-cheer. We just need to take pictures at their hotel and do some more research. I know that this will also boost are reputation and makakabawas pa ng trabaho sa mga editors since we already prepared a content for it long before this upcoming issue.

Tinawagan ko kaagad si Lloyd pagkatapos ng meeting dahil nakauwi na siya kaagad bago magstart ang aming meeting. I need to tell him about tomorrow para masabihan niya kaagad ang kanyang team at para makapaghanda sila.

As Creative Director, siya ang may hawak ng buong design team including the photographers. He gives instructions to all of them and his role in my publishing is very vital.

Si Lloyd na ang namahala sa pagpunta sa Aston while I stayed in my office to work. Nang matapos sa aking gawain ay saka ko siya tinawagan para kamustahin ang kanilang trabaho.

"Few more shots, plus we need to go back later for another shoot at the bar."

Since wala na akong ginagawa, I decided to follow them at Aston to check their work. Alam ko naman na magiging maayos iyon dahil nandoon si Lloyd, but I'll go just to be sure na hindi sila kalat-kalat at istorbo sa mga guest.

Pumasok ako sa loob and a warm, relaxing ambiance greeted me. There are flowers all over the lobby making the place more livelier than before. Mukha naman na pinaghandaan nila ang shoot ngayong araw.

I dialed my friend while standing at the middle of the grand lobby pero hindi siya sumasagot. I wonder where they are right now, baka saan pa ako mapunta kung hahanapin ko pa sila mag-isa ko.

Naglakad ako papunta sa Front desk to ask about my employees. Papalapit pa lang ako ay nakita ko na ang malapad na ngiti ng magandang babae na nakausap ko noong isang araw.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Lopéz." She greeted.

"Hi, Ms...."

"Leila. Leila nalang po, Ma'am." Ngiti niya sabay tingin sa aking likuran. "Uh, Good afternoon, Mr. Saavedra." Bati niya.

"Good afternoon."

A man's smooth voice answered behind me. Hindi pa ako nakakalingon ay nakita ko na siya kaagad sa aking tabi.

He has a pretty, clean shaven face with black, quiff haircut, and he wears a midnight blue three piece formal stripes suit.

He smiled widely at me like he already knows me, samantalang sa aking pagkakaalam ay ngayon lang kami nagkita.

I ignored him and looked back at Leila who is still smiling at the both of us.

"I am looking for my co-workers. Are-"

"Oh, Simplicité Publishing. Yeah?" Singit ng lalaki.

Ilang ko siyang tinignan sabay tango. He is making me awkward with his aggressiveness.

"They are in the pool area at the back, samahan na kita." He said.

Magsasalita pa lang sana ako para tumanggi pero naunahan ako ni Leila na kumibo.

"Sir, Mr. Sembrano is waiti-"

"He can wait. Tell him I'm still busy." Tingin niya kay Leila at ngumiti nang tignan niya ako. "Come on." Sabi niya sabay lakad.

"Thank you, Leila." I smiled and turned around to follow the cocky guy.

Lahat ng makakasalubong namin na employee ay tumitigil para padaanin kami at binabati pa siya na nginingitian naman niya pabalik na may kasama pang tango.

"Wow..."

I'm amazed at how beautiful the place is. Sure, the exterior and the lobby is nice. But this area is incredible. I am at awe at the refreshing cabanas, crystal blue water, and the distant bungalows that are perched above the water. It is very well designed, para akong napunta nalang bigla sa ibang lugar.

"Did you hear the new disease called beautiful?" He asked all of a sudden that snapped me out of my reverie.

"Hmm?" Tingin ko sa kanya nang hindi ko masyadong nasundan ang kanyang tanong.

"I think you are infected."

"Sorry, what?" I asked confusedly.

Kakagaling ko lang sa sakit pero magaling na ako. Nakapag-gym na nga ako kanina at hindi na masama ang pakiramdam ko. O, sinasabi ba niyang may sakit siya at baka mahawa ako?

"Ace!"

Tumalikod ako sa lalaki nang marinig ang boses ng aking kaibigan.

"Mr. Saavedra." Bati niya sa lalaking nasa aking likuran.

Napasulyap ako sa kanya at nakitang nakatitig pa rin siya sa akin kaya humarap nalang ako ulit kay Lloyd. He is weirding me out, hindi naman siya mukhang manyak, far from it.

Saavedra? Who is he? I think I have read that name somewhere, I just can't remember where. Pero mukhang boss siya rito.

"Sir, thank you for welcoming us. Patapos na kami but who can we talk to para makapasok kami sa bar mamayang gabi to take photos?" Lloyd added.

"Ah, yes. I'll call the owner and tell him about you guys. Just tell the doorman you are from Simplicité Publishing, then you all are good to go." Sagot niya.

"Thank you, Sir. Ace?"

Humarap ako ng kaunti sa lalaki at tipid na ngumiti. "Thank you. Good bye, Mr. Saavedra." Paalam ko sabay lakad papunta sa aking employees sa dulo.

He must be....

"...the owner."

Rinig kong sabi ni Lloyd na nasa aking gilid na.

"Buti nakilala mo iyon. Siya ang may ari nito." He continued.

Saavedra Worldwide Holdings Inc., that guy is the owner of this hotel and many more around the world. Kaya naman pala mukhang mayabang, nasa teritoryo niya ako.

"Maputla ba ako?" tanong ko nang matigil kami sa paglalakad.

He looked at my face and slowly shook his head.

"Why? Are you feeling sick again?" Tanong niya sabay hawak sa aking noo.

Ako naman ang umiling sabay ayos ng aking bangs pagkatapos niyang alisin ang kanyang kamay sa aking noo. Baka akala talaga ni Mr. Saavedra ay may sakit ako, wala pa naman akong lipstick at nakalimutan ko mag lip tint kanina.

Nagtagal pa ng ilang minuto sila Lloyd sa may pool area at pagkatapos ay sabay-sabay na kaming bumalik sa loob papunta sa lobby para makapagpaalam sa manager.

We saw Mr. Sembrano talking to Mr. Saavedra near the reception area and Lloyd lightly nudged my shoulder.

"Right or left?"

"Straight ahead." I answered.

He laughed and went straight ahead to both guys and not straight to the exit. Pa-simple nalang din ako na lumapit saka pinauna ang aking mga kasama para hindi na nila ako masyadong mapansin pa sa likuran. Tutal ay nagpunta lang naman ako para silipin sila, hindi naman ako ang bida rito.

Mr. Saavedra's eyes roam around and stopped to stare at me. Napatingin pa ako sa aking tabi pati na rin sa aking likuran ng bahagya para makasigurado na ako nga ang kanyang tinititigan.

Hindi ko siya pinansin at tinignan na lamang si Lloyd na kausap si Mr. Sembrano. Maya-maya pa ay nakipag-kamay ito sa aming lahat at nagulat nalang ako nang biglang sumunod sa pakikipagkamay sa akin si Mr. Saavedra na magalang ko namang iniabot ang aking kamay, pero mabilis din na binawi ito sa kanya.

He smiled at me before facing Lloyd.

"I'm sorry for the delay, I totally forgot about this. But thank you for your patience. I'm looking forward to your next issue." He said and glanced at me which I ignored again.

Akala ko ay nakawala na ako sa kanya pero hanggang sa labas ng lobby ay sinundan niya kami at siya pa ang nagpatawag ng taxi para sa aking kasamahan na walang sasakyan.

Iniwan ko sila saglit at kinausap ko ang valet kasama si Lloyd para kuhanin na ang aking Audi at ang kanyang kotse habang hinihintay na makaalis ang aking mga kasama.

"Sama ka mamaya?" Tanong ni Lloyd.

"No." Sabi ko sabay iling.

Partying is not my scene. It's too noisy for my peaceful world. I'd rather work on my laptop, go to gym, or eat than party.

"Sir, kitakits mamaya. Ma'am, sama ka ah." Isa sa mga employees ko bago sumakay sa taxi.

Ngumiti nalang ako saka kumaway sa kanila. Hindi naman ako KJ sa mga lakad at madalas kapag nagyayaya sila lumabas after work para kumain ay sumasama naman ako, hindi ko lang talaga gusto ang bar. Nakapunta na ako before pero hindi ko iyon babalik-balikan, ang daming taong pa-sosyal.

"Paano? Bukas nalang?" Lloyd asked when the valet stopped his car in front of us.

"Yep. Ingat!" I smiled.

"Mr. Saavedra, una na ako." Paalam niya sa lalaking hindi pa rin umaalis hanggang ngayon saka ako tinanguan ng isang beses bago sumakay sa kanyang sasakyan.

Kung bakit nauna pang kinuha ng valet ang kotse ni Lloyd ay hindi ko alam. I should have said na unahin ang sa akin dahil nagmamadali ako. Ngayon tuloy ay mag-isa pa akong naiwan kasama si Mr. Saavedra.

I really don't feel comfortable being with this man. He is nice naman base on what I have observed kanina pero there is something in his aura that makes me feel so uncomfortable.

"So... Oh, is that..." Taka niyang sabi habang nakatitig sa paparating na sasakyan.

Napatingin din tuloy ako roon and breathe in air as a sign of relief na makita ang Audi ko na paparating na. It stopped in front of us and I smiled shyly at Mr. Saavedra.

"Thank you for accommodating my team. I-"

I stopped for a moment to think of my next sentence. I couldn't say I hope to see him next time because I am not looking forward to it.

"Nice mee-"

I stopped again because we haven't really introduced ourselves to each other.

"Thank you." Tanging sabi ko nalang and smiled genuinely at him.

Natulala lang siya sa akin kaya iniwan ko na siya bago pa siya may masabi na ikatatagal ko pa sa kanyang harapan.

"Salamat po, Kuya." Sabi ko sa valet.

"Ace!"

Napahinto ako sa may nakabukas na pintuan ng aking sasakyan sabay lingon sa kanya nang tawagin niya ang aking pangalan. Lumapit siya sa akin, giving my car a once over.

"Audi. Silver." Bulong niya na narinig ko naman at nginitian ako pagkatapos. "Warayne nga pala." Pakilala niya.

He extends his right hand to me and I shook his hand modestly.

"Ace." Pakilala ko naman. "Thank you ulit." Tipid kong ngiti sabay sakay na sa aking kotse.

I don't know why I want to escape him so bad. Parang gusto ko nalang tumakbo kapag malapit na siya sa akin, and I have a gut feeling that something is not right.