His Secret Child (Del Fuego Series 2)

Kabanata 3

Collaboration

Kanina pa ako tahimik at hindi alam ang gagawin. Ever since we stepped inside the office, I kept my mouth shut. I literally can't talk right now especially sa lahat ng nalaman ko!

Cade is the owner of Florence? How? Sobrang layo kasi dahil mostly sa mga nakikita kong article sa kanya ay puro tungkol sa pagiging doctor niya. So, how come he's the owner of Florence? Sobrang layo sa personality niya na magtatayo siya ng model and cosmetics company! This is really absurd!

I didn't see any article about him and Florence. Literal na wala kaya nalilito ako.

The whole contract signing I was silent. Kung kailangan ng opinion ko’y doon lang ako nagsasalita but most of the time, I was quiet.

“Before we proceed, my cousin, Cade, said something to me and this is a good chance for both Florence and Keira's Cosmetics…” Elle trailed off while in the middle of discussing my contract.

Napalingon ako sa kanya. She smiled at me sweetly. At kanina pa siya sobrang saya habang ako’y hindi alam ang gagawin o sasabihin. I was shocked and confused to all of this. Kahit si Diego ay walang alam na Del Fuego ang may-ari ng Florence kaya alam kong nagulat din siya.

"What is it that you're proposing?” Diego calmly asked Elle.

Elle shifted her weight. Pinagsiklop niya ang mga darili habang prenteng nakapatong ito sa table. We're on the other side of the table at nasa kabila naman sila kasama ng ibang board members ng kompanya.

She cleared her throat. "Keira's Cosmetics is really popular these days. Not just in the US but also in the Philippines and we heard about you launching new products this year… and on behalf of my cousin, the owner of Florence, he thinks it’ll be better for both companies if we do a collaboration since we will have you as our model now.”

Umawang labi ko. Ang dami kong hindi ini-expect na mangyayari ngayong araw. This is so overwhelming for me actually.

Hindi pa ako nakaka-recover sa malaman na si Cade ang may ari ng Florence and now he wants to collaborate with me?

I tilted my head to Diego. He smiled and raised his brows. Umayos naman ako ng upo at muling tiningnan si Elle. Her smile didn't fade.

"That is a good idea…" tugon ko sa kanya bago binasa ang labi.

She smiled brightly. “Yeah, I also thought of that when he told me about his plan. Mas magiging maganda ang kung mag-collaborate ang dalawang kompanya and I think people will going to like it especially kung si Keira ang magiging ambassador ng collaboration na 'to. Hindi rin naman nagkakalayo ang Florence sa Keira."

“Keira is one of the most promising model right now. She has a good reputation especially when she opened her own cosmetics company. That makes her a good entrepreneur. I like it we were going to collaborate with her."

Tumango ang isang board members. "That would be a good idea. It's going to be a win-win situation for both companies. I heard that Keira is very hands on to her products. Siya mismo ang gumagawa at nagmo-monitor ng mga nilalabas niyang produkto sa publiko.”

Napangiti ako sa mga sinabi nila. Somehow, I felt good. Nawala ang kaba at kung ano mang nararamdaman ko kanina. I’m really glad, they think that way about me and my products. Imbig sabihin lang no'n ay nagustuhan nila kung paano ako magpatakbo ng sarili kong kompanya kahit na busy din ako sa pagiging modelo.

Diego nodded. “This is so overwhelming for us, and of course, to Keira. We didn't expect you’ll give us a good opportunity like this."

I smiled more. “Yeah, this is so good, actually," tanging natugon ko na lang.

"So, can we discuss this further?” Elle asked softly. "I mean, I'd love to work with you. Matutuwa rin si kuya Cade kung papayag ka sa alok niya. He's been planning about this since your manager called us."

"I’m not closing my door with Florence, Mrs. Ravonte. It's a good opportunity for me to be part of this collaboration that you want, if ever… but I’m still in the process of launching my new products. We can discuss this maybe, after the launch of my products?” Paliwanag ko sa kanila.

I never thought about this. Gusto ko lang talaga na maging model nila dahil maganda rin ang status ng Florence bukod sa kalaban nila Red Cosmetics. Like what I’ve said, I always wanted to came back in the country. May tamang hanapbuhay na ako at maganda ang buhay ngayon. I wanted Izzie to grow here and settled here for good.

Kaso iniisip ko pa lang ang pagpapatayo ko ng manufacturing ng mga products ko rito sa bansa kung magse-settle na ako good dito. The Keira's Cosmetics Products is mainly made in US at doon lang ang nag-iisang laboratory ko sa mga products ko. At gusto kong magkaroon ng sariling manufacturing dito dahil hands on ako sa mga products na nilalabas ko sa publiko.

Isa sa mga gumagawa, nagpo-process ay halos sa akin lahat dumadaan ng skin care products hanggang sa makeup. That's why I picked this industry because this is what I wanted ever since. Gusto kong magamit ang galing ko lalo na ang natapos ko sa college. And I am very happy to be in this position kung saan nakakatanggap ako ng papuri sa iba.

Umiling si Elle. “Okay lang ‘yon. We will have plenty of time to discuss it someday.”

Ngumiti rin ako sa kanya. "Thank you. This is a good opportunity and I really wants this but for now, I want to keep my eyes on building my company here in the country. Siguro kung iyon muna ang mas tuunan ko ng pansin ko."

"It's okay. The door is always open for you, Keira.”

Natapos ang contract signing. I am officially their model now at mayroon agad akong shoot para sa isang magazine. Maganda pa kasi BSSM ang magazine at kilala ito sa bansa.

Nakipagkamay ako sa mga kasama sa opisina nang matapos kami. They congratulated me and I’m very happy because they welcome me. Inayos ni Steffie ang gamit ko at nakita ko naman si Elle na palapit sa akin.

“Welcome to Florence, Keira," she said with her sweetest tone.

Lumawak ang ngiti at nakupagkamay din sa kanya.

“Thank you for this great opportunity, Elle," tugon ko.

“I’m really looking forward to working with you soon."

“I’ll think about it. Magsasabi ako agad kung kailan. Medyo mas kailangan ko lang pagtuunan ng pansin ang ibang bagay."

We're on our way outside the office. Kasama ko pa rin si Elle at kung kanina ay balisa ako, ngayon ay hindi na. She's makes me comfortable with me kahit na walong taon kaming hindi nagkita.

I somehow felt guilt right now. Dahil kahit papaano ay kailangan kong magpaliwanag sa kanya. She's only my friend way back then, and I just left her without saying a word. Pero kahit na ganoon ay hindi niya sa akin pinaramdam ‘yon ngayong araw.

She's still the Elle that I knew eight years ago and I’m glad to see her today.

“Elle…” tawag ko sa pansin niya habang pababa kami sa lounge.

She turned her head towards me and smiled more. Kausap niya kasi ang asawa kanina.

I sighed. "I… I…" naghahanap ako ng tamang sasabihin sa kanya.

She chuckled and raised her brows in playful way. “What? Tameme ka na naman. Ano ka ba Keira?"

I bit my lips. “I was actually surprised to see you today…”

"Ako rin naman… well, I know that you're coming but I’m still shocked when I saw you earlier. Ang daming nagbago sa’yo."

“Yeah… you too…"

Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad sa lounge. Siya rin naman marami ng nagbago sa kanya.

“Lumalaki lang ang tiyan." Tumawa siya sa sinabi.

I can't help but laugh also. Kahit si Nolan na kanina pa tahimik ay natawa rin.

“Let's catch up soon," nasabi ko na ang gustong sabihin.

Lumingon siya sa akin. Bakas ang tuwa sa mukha niya.

She really changed a lot. Her hair grown longer than the last time I saw her. Mas napadepina rin ang mukha niya dahil siguro may edad na kami. Ganoon din ang katawan niya. She gained weight maybe because she's pregnant na halata na dahil pansin ko ang umbok sa tiyan niya pero maganda pa rin ang hubog ng katawan niya.

“Really?" Parang hindi niya inaasahan na sasabihin ko ‘yon.

I smiled. “Yes…” I inhaled. "I have a lot to tell you, Elle. And I owed you a big explanation…”

Nakita ko siya umiling bago lumapit sa akin. She held my hand softly and stared at me after.

“Don't say that. Wala kang dapat ipaliwanag sa akin," marahan na sinabi niya.

“Yes, I do, Elle. At gusto ko sanang bumawi…”

She smiled. "What happened years ago wasn't just your fault. At ayokong isipin mo na galit ako sa’yo because I totally I understand you so, you don't have to explanation yourself for me, Keira. Hindi ako galit sa ’yo at mas gusto ko kung pag-usapan natin ang mga pinagdaan mo kesa ang humingi ka ng tawad sa akin."

Hindi ko alam pero para akong nabunutan ng tinik sa sinabi niya. I always thought she was angry at me for leaving eight years ago but she didn't. And I’m happy to know that.

Kahit papaano ay gumaan ang nararamdaman kong bigat sa dibdib. I don't want her to be mad at me. Siya na lang kung tutuusin ang isa sa mga naging tunay kong kaibigan.

“Thank you, Elle," tanging nasabi ko lang bago siya niyakap.

“It's okay."

“I missed you," I whispered to her.

She giggled. “I missed you too," natutuwang sinabi niya bago humiwalay sa akin.

“Let’s catch up. Marami akong chika sa’yo.”

I chuckled also. We continued walking through the lounge when I saw Izzie running towards me.

"Mommy, are you done? Let's go to the mall now!” She exclaimed as she stopped in front of us.

Dumaan muli ang kaba sa dibdib ko nang makita si Elle na nakatingin kay Izzie. Even Nolan was looking at her. Napalunok ako.

Izzie noticed Elle and Nolan. She scrunch her nose bago muling tumingin sa akin.

"Who are there?” Inosenteng tanong ng anak ko.

Napalabi ako at pasimpleng tumingin sa dalawang kaibigan sa likod ko. Pinanlakihan nila ako ng mata at nagkibit lang ng balikat.

I bit my lips. "Izzie, this Elle, mommy’s friend and besides her is her husband.” Pakilala ko.

Izzie smiled and tilted her head up to Elle. "Hi! I am Isobel Madison,” she greeted them.

Tiningnan ko ang reaksyon ni Elle. She was stunned at first but later on, ngumiti siya at agad na yumukod para maging kasing height sila ni Izzie.

Elle smiled at Izzie. “Hello! I am Tita Elle, one of your mommy's best friends."

Izzie giggled. Ganoon din si Elle na nakatitig lang kay Izzie. Nakakunot ng bahagya ang noo niya pero nakangiti sa bata.

“She looks familiar," Nolan whispered pero narinig ko pa rin.

Nakagat ko ang labi sa kaba.

“She's a Del Fuego. Familiar talaga sa mukha,” nakangisi si Diego na bulong sa tabi ko.

I glared at him. Ngumisi lang siya. Muli akong tumingin kay Elle na lumingon din sa akin.

“I heard you have a daughter. Nakikita ko sa mga interview mo na binabanggit mo siya. I’m just shocked to see her na malaki na pala," aniya.

Tumango ako. “Yes. Talagang hindi ko siya pinapakita sa mga reporters."

“Maganda ‘yon. Privacy na rin."

Tumango siya.

“I’m happy to see her, Keira! Grabe ang dami mong ichichika sa akin!" Tumawa pa siya bago muling tumingin kay Izzie.