AUGUST 15TH. Anim na linggo mula nang umalis si Allyson sa San Vicente.
Naupo siya sa kaniyang corner office sa 28th floor ng Morgan Hotels headquarters, pinapanood ang guhit ng ulan sa floor-to-ceiling windows. Manila during monsoon season—gray, wet, heavy.
Perfect match para sa kaniyang mood.
"Ma'am, the Palawan team is ready for the video call," anunsyo ni Ara, na lumitaw sa kaniyang pinto dala ang isang tablet at kape. "Also, Mr. Von called. Third time today. He's very insistent."
"Tell him I'm in meetings."
"I've been telling him that for three days. He's threatening to show up."
"Let him. Maybe he'll bring interesting gossip."
Pinag-aralan siya ni Ara nang sandali. "Ma'am, if I may—you look tired."
"Diplomatic phrasing for 'you look like hell'?"
"I would never say t
