Falling Deeply

FALLING 10: STANDFORD FESTIVAL (DAY 1)

JULES’S POV

We are busy preparing for the cooking contest, it’s one of the program of the standford festival. The most awaited event of all time. The busiest week for all of the employees. It’s just not for us but for the retail people, mall goers too.

“oh my god girl! We forgot the ribbon cutting!” gale said. I gasped. “oh damn right! How can we forget that?”

“wait wait chill girls, I didn’t forget it. I have here the list for our day 1. Of course the ribbon cutting, then we proceed with the speech of the boss then so on.” He gave us a copy of the program.

“is this scented?” gale asked. we smell the paper. “yes! To make it more approachable. You know, its not gonna be a decoration later all of the guess will hold those.” France said.

“thank you france, good thing you didn’t forget.” I said.

“wait, you remember that mr. standford is gonnaa be here for the ribbon cutting?” he said. “yes, sir romeo will be here of course.”

He chuckled, “no not him, like the mr standford.” I looked at him. “you mean his dad?” I asked.

“yes, did you already talk to him about it? It’s a tradition right? That his Dad should cut the ribbon with him.”

“yeah I know.”

“ms jules we’ve been doing this every year, please contact him and remind sir romeo about it.” He said. I nodded, “yeah, sure.”

Oh yeah, now that I remember it mr. Standford is always the one that cuts the ribbon for the festival and sir romeo stands by his side. Mrs. Standford is there too. But everything changes.

“sir?” I said.

“come on, ms jules.” He said while looking at his laptop. Yup, he is busy with this kind of event. “I just want to remind you about the ribbon cutting?” I said. He looked at me, “are you reminding me that my dad will be there to cut the ribbon?” he asked.

I smiled, “yes. I’ll make sure your mrs. Standford will be there too.” I said. “I will not stand beside him, my mom will do it. I’ll just blend behind.” He said.

“but it’s a tradition, all of the pictures for that you always stand by him. Are sure you want to change that sir?”

“yes ms. Jules. Call my mom about it.”

“okay sir.” He seems really serious and busy. I just left him there without him noticing it. He really hate his dad, does he know that they’re divorcing?

I called mrs. Standford about it and she is excited but at the same time nervous because as what she told me, she and mr. standford already divorced weeks ago. But sir romeo doesn’t still know about it.

“jules, let’s have lunch. We still have later to do all of this.” Gale said. “the festival start tomorrow, we will be very busy. There’s gonna be a tons of people starting tomorrow. We’re not gonna be here also starting tomorrow.” I said.

“ugh! But I can’t work if im hungry. Let’s just take out and eat here.”

“no gale Im good. You eat first. I’ll finish this. I sad. “are you sure? Can I buy you anything?” she asked. “coffee will be great.” I said. Then she left with jasmine.

The festival is not just one day but one week and I have to make sure that everything will be under our control from the start to finish. We have medias starting tomorrow that will cover everything.

“hey cookies!” sir pao. “hello sir!’ I smiled. “where is my babe?” he whispered. “she went out to get some lunch and get me some coffee. She didn’t tell you?”

“no I think she’s mad at me.”

“why did you think so?” I asked.

“well I find out about the alcohol problem of her dad then she got mad because I just wanted to help her about it.” I looked at him. “don’t sir. I’ve known gale for how many years now, I know too about her Dad’s issue but she never wanted me to help her. She is very independent women. Helping her will just bring her in so much sadness and regrets.” I said while typing.

“really?”

“yes sir so just be there for her. That’s all she need.”

“wow you’re giving advice while doing that, you’re very busy?” he asked. “yup, its for the festival. I have to make sure we didn’t miss anything.”

“okay I’ll leave you now and go to my babe. Bye cookies!” I just wave at him while he is leaving.

“okay so we’re good with the documents, I’ll just need to go to the mall to check the designs, stalls. Then the performers will be there I think for the final rehearse.” I said to myself.

“aren’t you hungry?” I immediately look at him. Its sir romeo standing by the door. Im not on my desk actually, I am here at the conference room.

“no sir im good. Should I book you for your lunch?” I asked. then I grab my ipad. “no, I’ll eat here” then he show a paper bag. Sat down beside me.

“you will eat too.”

“no sir im—“ he glared at me so I just shut up and stop typing at my laptop. “I know we are busy today, but don’t forget to eat too jules. You need strength to do all of that. Here” Did he just bought me a lunch? 

“we’re eating lunch together?” I asked. “obviously, now eat.” He commanded. Well, im eating im hungry.

MALL

After we ate, I went to the mall to check everything there so for tomorrow everything is in order and in set. I checked the designs from the ceiling to the main stage. Then the stalls of the sellers.

“so this is the food area, the clothes area and random area. We separated them so you know people can choose.” The designer said. I nodded “good thinking. How abou the ribbon cutting?” I asked. she showed me the ribbon that they will put later at the entrance and the scissor that will use. “okay great. Performers?” I asked. “they are In backstage rehearsing all of them.”

“alright, lights?” she clapped her hands and the lights were opened. Oh wow. “nice I like it.” I smiled. “I just wanna ask because I don’t see sir romeo here? I mean no offense you’re his secretary right? Should he be here also so he can see this?” she asked. did she want to flirt with him?

“no, he is a very busy man. He want to do this for him then I’ll report everything to him including you looking for him. Okay?” I said.

“wait wait! Don’t include the last part.” She said. I smiled at her. “you wanna bang him? Its not gonna happen. So do your job here and I’ll do mine. Leave my boss alone.” I said. She nodded then I left her.

OFFICE

I forgot to do the speech for the opening remarks of sir romeo, I always do it so that he will just read it. So now, I am stuck here at my desk thinking about it. Everyone goes home and I think sir romeo did too.

His office is closed and the lights are off so yeah he went home. Well I think I will be here for a while. My phone rang while I was typing then I answer it.

“Juliet speaking.”

“ms jules! I have a problem! I think I can’t go tomorrow my knees is in pain and I can’t get up.” Its mrs. SF.

“oh no mrs SF! Your son wants me you to here tomorrow because he doesn’t want to stand beside his dad. But feel better and hope to see you soon.” I said.

“thank you ms jules, I’ll just talk to my son about this. Good night and you go home safely.” Then she hanged up. Another problem, what am I going to say to sir romeo? He is expecting his mother tomorrow.

“ms jules why are you still here?” its sir romeo. “sir? I thought go home already?” I asked. “no not yet, I just finished doing papers. How about you? Why are you still here?”

“im doing your speech for tomorrow but after this I’ll go home. You should take rest, sir.” I said.

“stop doing that I already did my speech. Don’t need to do it for me. Go home now and take rest.” He said. “really sir? Do you want me to proofread it?” I asked.

“no, I want you to go home.” He grab my bag and my hand. “okay but you should go home too sir.” I said. “of course ms jules I’ll go home im not going to sleep here.”

He walked me to my car and put my bag on the passenger seat, I see ben on the other side of the parking lot. “get some rest and we have a big day tomorrow.” He said while smiling.

“you too sir, goodnight.”

“wait, can you repeat that but no sir?” he said. I smiled. “okay umm, goodnight romeo.” I said. He smiled again and chuckled.

“that’s my girl.” He kissed my forehead.

“goodnight, Juliet.” Did that just made my heart beat too fast? I left first there. Oh no, I can’t stop smiling from ear to ear.

Will he really wait for me?

FESTIVAL DAY 1

As what I am expecting, there are so many people here and of course some television channel, there’s celebrity too. That’s how much SF STORE popular.

“this is it gonna be fun!” gale said.

“hey we’re to work.” I said. “oh come on ms jules! Live a little.” Jasmine said. “where’s our boss?” gale asked.

“I don’t know he is not answering his phone.” I said. We are just standing there waiting for the cutting ribbon. “wait is that sir romeo up there?” jasmine asked. I see sir romeo up there beside his dad! I thought he doesn’t want to stand beside him?

“wait I thought mrs SF will be here?” gale asked. “she is not feeling well she called me last night.” I said. “oh, but sir romeo is there.”

“yeah.” He looked at me and winked at me. I just smiled and shaked my head. “we’re going to start the StandFord Festival day 1!!” then mr. standford cut the ribbon and sir romeo too.

Everyone clapped and the door opened, we all went inside. The designs are so good. They called me and said they revised some designs even more better that the last time I saw this.

There’s so many people, the three of us go busy and we didn’t see each other anymore. “ms jules!” lisa calle me. She is holding a kid who is crying.

“what happened?” I asked.

“5 children were crying inside that room. They can’t find their mom or parents what are we gonna do?” she said. I looked around me and think. I saw sir romeo giving a speech at the main stage.

“go with them ms lisa, I have an idead.” I said. She left with the kid to the room. I dialed sir romeo’s phone number. His phone rang. He was shocked and don’t know if he will answer it or not.

The crowd got silent, “wait a second it might be important excuse me.” He said and answer the call.

“why are you calling? Can’t you see I’m here at the stage giving a speech?” he said.

“yes I know I can see you but can you do me a favor?” I said. He looked around but didn’t see me.

“are you kidding me? Now? A favor?” he said.

“yes, 5 kids are in our custody. Can you ask on the mic whose parents are responsible for this?” I said. He hanged up. “I just received a phone call that 5 kids are in our custody and whoes parents are missing their kid?” he said.

Everyone is talking then some parents raise their hands, “alright good, if you could just find my secretary and ask her where’s your kid. Please go ahead.” Sir romeo said.

“I am here!” I raised my hand and shouted. he looked at me and gave me a glared look. “what?” I mouted. He chuckled and continue with his speech.

“follow me, parents.” I said. I told them about being extra careful for their kids because there are so many people here we can’t be responsible for their kids. I even suggest them about the playground for kids they can leave their kids there for couple of hours.

Sir romeo finished his speech and now its time for the cooking contest. I went to the back stage. “is everything good here?” I asked the one who handle the contest. “yes ms jules don’t worry.” She said.

Then I saw sir pao and gale wearing apron, “you guys are contestant?” I asked. “yes girl! I figured this will help me moving out in our home? You know, without my dad” she said.

There’s a price when you win, it’s a money that’s why I think gale pushes it. “and sir what are you doing here?” I asked sir pao. “cookies you know how much I am supportive right? Besides im a good chef.” He said. We laughed. “alright, goodluck with you two.” I said.

“watch us and cheer for us!” gale said. “of course I will.” Then I left them and satdown in front. I look around and find out that sir romeo is one of the judge. He look at me too and sign me to go to him. I did.

“what?” I asked.

“you know that I can cook? Like im good in kitchen.” He said. “yes sir I know because when you we’re 9 I think you won the best cooking machine contest.” I said.

“that’s right. How about I cook for you later at my house after this?” he asked. “no tipping?” I teased. He smiled. “no, I will just show off my skills to you.”

“okay. After this.”

“good.”

“but do me a favor and …” I pointed at gale and sir pao, “make them win this?” I whispered. “sure. Don’t worry.”

“okay great.” I said and return to my seat. I clapped my hands and gave two thumbs up for gale and sir pao. “go gale!!!” I shouted.

The cooking contest start and gale was so serious, I mean by the looks of her face she really need this. She really wants to move out and have her own apartment.

Good thing sir pao is really good at supporting and cooking, he and sir romeo were competitors back then. Its just sir romeo is better at it. Its been a couple of hours, they will announce the winner.

“ms. Gale and mr. pao!! Congratulations!!” I stand up and clapped my hands. “nice!!! Way to go girl!!” I shouted. she is so happy. I looked at sir romeo, he was already looking at me then he pointed his watch.

ROMEO’S HOUSE

I texted aunt and jully that I’m gonna be late and will not eat dinner there. I was just sitting here at the high chair watching sir romeo cook for me.

Look at him in grey t-shirt with pink apron, I just notice how he have a nice biceps. Does he have a time to work out? I don’t see it on his schedule.

“taste it.” He said. Handed me a spoon, “delicious.” I said.

“alright just a couple of more minutes and we will eat.” He said and satdown beside me. “im sorry I didn’t tell you about your mom not coming.” I said.

“its okay I know. She already called me before she called you.” He said. “I thought you don’t want to stand beside your dad?” I said.

“how can’t i?” then he look at me, “i can clearly see you there beside him.” I look at him, “what?”

“I just stood there because I can clearly see you there.” Then he handed me a wine. “we can’t drink we have day 2 tomorrow.” I said.

“just one glass.” He said and waiting for me to toss hm.

“okay.” I said. Then we tossed.

we ate together again and talked about stuffs about life of past. talking to him is not bad after all, i mean i think i like talking to him. he is really honest and he really change. i need to fix everything about my past then i will confess too.

I am falling too, Romeo StandFord.