When Love Isn't Enough

Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Preparation

Dumaan ang weekend na parang hindi ko naman talaga na-enjoy. Hindi ako nakapagpahinga, hindi rin ako nakatulog nang maayos. I spent most of the time staring blankly at the ceiling of my condo, replaying thoughts that never seemed to quiet down.

I was contemplating everything—

The project.

The wedding.

Yes, THE WEDDING!

Napabuntong-hininga ako at hinilot ang sintido ko habang nakaupo sa harap ng laptop. May bukas na dokumento, pero halos kalahating oras na akong walang nai-type. Hindi ko maipaliwanag pero parang hindi ako makapag-focus sa trabaho. Lahat ng bagay, sabay-sabay na nagpapabigat sa dibdib ko.

Kasabay ng katahimikan ng opisina ay ang biglang pagkatok sa pinto.

"Miss Zionne?"

Mula sa pintuan ng glass wall ng opisina ko ay sumilip si Carla, assistant ko. Hawak niya ang kanyang iPad habang may mahinhing ngiti sa labi.

"Come in," sambit ko habang inayos ang upo ko't pilit na binuhay ang professional side ko.

Lumapit siya sa desk at marahang iniabot ang iPad. "Miss, ito na po 'yung final presentation na ginawa po namin para mamayang meeting. Pa-check na lang po."

Tiningnan ko ang slides isa-isa. Maayos ang lahat. Malinis ang visuals, klaro ang message flow, at professionally presented. Hindi ako nagulat—alam kong may kahusayan ang team ko.

"Very good, Carla," sabi ko habang muling isinara ang iPad. "Now, we're ready to face the client. Pero by the way, kumusta naman ang conference room at 'yung ibang preparations? Okay na din ba lahat?"

"Yes, Miss," mabilis na tugon niya. "We already coordinated with the finance department regarding the budget. Si Miss Jessica po ay sasama din mamaya para i-discuss ang accounting side. And also, na-set na din po ang food for the meeting. Everything is ready po. Kayo na lang po talaga ang hinihintay... at siyempre, si client."

Napangiti ako. Nakakagaan sa pakiramdam kapag alam mong may maaasahan kang mga tao sa paligid mo.

"Thanks, Carla. You did well."

"No worries po, Miss. It's our job to help you," sagot niya na may kumpiyansang ngiti. "And by the way, I bought coffee earlier. Baka gusto niyo po uminom muna bago magsimula ang meeting. Nasa ref po. I made sure it's your favorite—salted caramel macchiato."

Nagulat ako nang kaunti. Napaka-thoughtful naman niya. Hindi ko man nababanggit lately, pero somehow, she remembered.

"Thank you, Carla. That's really thoughtful of you."

She gave me a thumbs up before turning to leave. Pagkakaraos ng meeting na ito, isang malaking check na naman sa listahan ng responsibilities ko. Pero kahit gaano pa kaayos ang trabaho, hindi pa rin nawawala sa isip ko ang isang bagay—

Ang kasal.

Ang kasal na hindi ko alam kung sa puso ko ba talaga nagmumula, o isa lamang itong bahagi ng plano na hindi ko na kayang umatrasan.

Matapos kong sipatin ang presentation sa iPad at makainom ng kaunting kape mula kay Carla, tumayo ako para pumunta sa conference room. Suot ko ang light beige na suit na paborito ko—hindi lang dahil flattering ito sa katawan ko kundi dahil nagbibigay ito ng impression na composed ako, kahit pa ang totoo ay ang gulo ng utak ko.

Pagpasok ko sa conference room, naroon na ang buong core team—Carla, Jessica mula sa finance, at ang creative head na si Anton. Maaga pa pero mas maigi na ang handa.

Pagkaraan ng ilang minuto, bumukas ang glass door. Pumasok ang isang babaeng may presensyang hindi pwedeng balewalain—matangkad, naka-black power dress, sleek ang buhok na nakatirintas pababa, at may mga matang matalim tumingin ngunit may ngiting propesyonal. She exuded the confidence of someone who built her empire with her own hands.

"Miss Zionne Cruz?" aniya habang iniabot ang kanyang kamay.

I stood up and returned the handshake with a smile. "Yes, you must be Miss Karolina Gomez. It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person. Welcome to Saffira Studios."

"Just call me Kali," she said with a warm tone, but I knew better—she was sharp, observant. Isang businesswoman na hindi basta-basta.

"Then call me Zionne."

Nagpalitan kami ng kaunting pleasantries bago kami naupo. Carla immediately turned on the projector and started the presentation.

While the slideshow ran, I took the lead in explaining the creative direction:

the campaign, the target market, the vision we had for Faceline's newest skincare line—"Lumière by Faceline."

"Ang konsepto po ng Lumière ay hindi lang basta glow," paliwanag ko. "It's the idea of self-radiance—how your inner confidence fuels outer beauty. We want to translate that in our visuals, packaging, and brand voice. Hindi lang siya skincare, it becomes a mindset."

Tahimik si Kali habang nag-oobserve, pero nakikita ko ang pagbibigay niya ng atensyon. She occasionally asked smart, direct questions:

"How do you plan to separate Lumière from the typical clean girl aesthetic brands?"

"What makes this campaign emotionally resonant, especially to Gen Z and Millennial consumers?"

At bawat tanong niya ay sinasagot ko ng buo, confident but respectful, while Carla and Jessica backed me with numbers and data. Anton also shared the design elements and mood board.

Pagkatapos ng presentation, tahimik lang si Kali sandali habang nakatingin sa monitor. Then she leaned back, crossed her arms, and said—

"Well done."

Napatingin ako sa kanya.

"You're the first team I've spoken to who didn't just try to sell me 'aesthetic.' You sold me a story. And that's what I want—something that lasts longer than a trend."

May pag-angat ng balikat si Carla sa excitement. Nagkatinginan kami ni Jessica.

"I'm giving you the full campaign," Kali said. "Let's finalize the budget and timeline by next week."

My breath hitched for a second, but I smiled. "Thank you for trusting us, Miss—Kali. We won't let you down."

"I don't expect perfection," she said, standing up. "I expect results."

With that, she offered her hand again. I stood and shook it, firmer this time.

Pagkaalis ni Kali sa conference room, halos sabay kaming napabuntong-hininga.

"She's intense," bulong ni Carla. "But I like her."

"Same," sagot ko habang tinitingnan ang pintuan kung saan siya lumabas. "She reminds me that you can be powerful without raising your voice."

At kahit kakarating lang niya sa buhay ko, may pakiramdam akong hindi ito ang huling beses na magtatagpo ang mga landas namin ni Kali Gomez.

Kakatapos lang ng meeting. Nakaalis na si Kali at ang ibang team ko'y nagsimula nang magligpit ng gamit. Pinili kong manatili sa conference room ng ilang minuto—saka lang ako huminga nang malalim.

We got the campaign. Another win.

Pero bakit parang wala akong ma-feel na saya?

"Miss, aalis na po kami. Naka-ayos na po lahat ng files sa shared folder," sambit ni Carla bago tuluyang lumabas.

"Thanks, Carla. Good job today," sagot ko. Pilit ang ngiti pero sapat na para hindi siya mag-alala.

Tahimik. Sa wakas.

Hinubad ko ang heels ko at saglit na inilapat ang likod sa sandalan ng upuan. Tumitig ako sa kisame. Gusto ko lang sana ng ilang minutong katahimikan.

Ring. Ring.

Napatingin ako sa cellphone ko.

Tita Lucy.

Napakagat ako sa labi. Hindi ko agad sinagot. Pero alam kong kapag hindi ko 'to sinagot ngayon, sunod-sunod na text ang aabutin ko.

Pinindot ko ang "Answer" at inilapit sa tenga.

"Tita?"

"Hi, Zionne, busy ka ba today?" malumanay niyang tanong mula sa kabilang linya. Ang boses ni Tita Lucy, gaya ng dati—kalma, maayos, pero may halong commanding presence na kahit hindi mo gustong sundin, wala kang ibang choice kundi sumunod.

Umiling ako kahit alam kong hindi naman niya ako kita. "Kakatapos lang po ng meeting namin with the client."

"Kumusta naman?"

"We closed the deal po." May ngiting sumilay sa labi ko. Kahit papaano, may na-achieve ako ngayong araw.

I heard her gasp softly. "Wow. That's great news, iha. Congratulations."

"Thanks, Tita. Medyo nalilesen na po 'yung workload ko," sagot ko. Akala ko, makakarelax ako kahit kaunti. Pero alam kong hindi 'yun totoo. Lalo na't malapit na ang kasal.

"Good to hear. Kasi..." she paused, and I could already feel it coming. "Napatawag talaga ako to talk about the wedding preparations. We only have two weeks left, Zionne."

Two weeks. That again.

"I know it's rushed, and I'm really sorry. But you know how important this is to both families. And Ellison, of course."

Napabuntong-hininga ako. What else can I say? Wala rin naman akong nagawang desisyon dito. Lahat nakaplano na, bago pa man ako tanungin. And knowing Ellison, I know all he could do is to agree to his mother.

"I understand po."

"So, can we meet after work? I want you to meet our wedding planner. She's a family friend—very capable. Kaya niyang ayusin kahit gaano pa ka-limited ang time."

Hindi ko maiwasang muling humugot ng hininga. Bakit parang lahat ng nangyayari ay para sa kanila? Para sa pamilya nila.

Ako? Saan ako sa lahat ng 'to?

"Sige po, Tita. Saan po tayo magkikita?"

"Meet me at Casa Grande. 5:30 sharp, ha? Lorraine doesn't like waiting."

"Yes, po. See you later."

Pagkababa ng tawag, ilang sandali akong nakatitig lang sa phone. Para akong nauubusan ng sarili kong boses.

Pagkarating ko sa Casa Grande, sinalubong ako ng malamig na simoy mula sa air-conditioned lobby at amoy ng imported white lilies na parang palagi nang naroon. Every inch of this place looked like a wedding catalog. Too perfect. Too planned.

"Miss Zionne Cruz?" tanong ng receptionist.

"Yes," sagot ko.

"Right this way. They're waiting for you in the Crystal Lounge."

Pagpasok ko sa loob, nakita ko agad si Tita Lucy—eleganteng naka beige silk blouse, pearl necklace, at signature na poised posture. Katabi niya ang isang babaeng mukhang matagal nang sanay sa mga high-profile events. Shoulder-length hair, pearl blazer, at leather-bound notebook—si Lorraine, ang wedding planner.

"Zionne, hija!" Tita Lucy greeted, standing to kiss me on the cheek. "Come, I want you to meet Lorraine Ybañez. She did the weddings of the Sorianos and even the Montemayors. She's very in-demand."

"Nice to meet you po," sabay abot ko ng kamay.

Lorraine smiled politely and shook it. "I've heard so much about you, Miss Cruz. And of course, about the upcoming union of two prominent families."

Ngumiti ako kahit pilit. Union of families. Hindi man lang "love story" or "the bride and groom." Business deal ba 'to?

"We have a tight timeline," sabi ni Lorraine habang nauupo at binubuksan ang kanyang planner. "But with efficiency and cooperation, we can make this wedding nothing short of exquisite."

"She's right," dagdag ni Tita Lucy. "Kaya kailangan makapili tayo ng motif, gowns, suppliers—lahat. I already suggested to start with a romantic garden theme. Blush pink, soft ivory, muted gold."

Napatingin ako sa kanya, bahagyang nabigla. "Romantic garden theme po?"

"Yes. Very classic. Very elegant. You'll look beautiful in it, I'm sure. And Ellison already agreed, so..."

Of course he did, I thought.

Lorraine smiled while writing something down. "Let's go with that then. I've already contacted Jhackie Velasquez for the bridal gown. She cleared a slot this Saturday for the fitting. I hope you're free?"

"I... I think so po."

"Good," sabat ni Tita Lucy. "Jhakie, thinks a mermaid cut would flatter your figure. Don't worry, we'll finalize the style with her. Basta hindi na tayo kukuha pa ng ibang opinion—she's the best."

I opened my mouth, wanting to say something—maybe suggest a simpler style, or maybe just ask for my say. But nothing came out. Tila lahat ay naka-assign na, naka-approve na, wala na akong kailangang gawin kundi umayon.

"Perfect," ani Lorraine, tumingin sa akin. "You're very lucky, Miss Cruz. Not every bride gets this kind of support."

"Right," I murmured. "Lucky."

Pero sa ilalim ng table, pinisil ko ang palad ko. Hindi para pigilan ang kaba, kundi para paalalahanan ang sarili ko na totoo pa rin ako. Na kahit parang unti-unti akong nawawala sa proseso, may tinig pa rin akong dapat marinig.