We Broke Up

12 - The Condition

"Hello, Kuya." I greeted my brother who was on the other line with a wide grin, all too excited to report our accomplishments on the first day of my first assignment.

"Naveah Monterfrio, what the hell were you thinking?!" Kuya Nico snapped. "How can you be so reckless?"

I was surprised at his angry tone. What could he be upset about? Did Jay actually call the head office to complain about the contract with Riza?

"Kuya... Let me explain."

"There is nothing to explain, Naveah." Kuya said. "It's obvious that you're acting out."

"Acting out? Kuya, how old do you think I am? 12?" I chuckled.

"This is not funny. What you did was completely irresponsible! I thought you were ready for this but it seems you're not taking this seriously. Para ka pa ring bata who does what she wants without regard sa kung anong tama. Alam mo ba kung gaano ka-delikado ang ginawa mo?" Okay. He may have lost me there somewhere. I mean, does anyone else think he's a little overacting? What does he mean "delikado"? Did Jay file a case? Are big brothers meant to always overreact?

"Kuya, wait. Calm down please. I know I rushed into it a little but my gut feel says Riza will be a great addition to the team and she has the potential to be a really valuable asset to the company. I know her big brother can be a little intimidating when he wants to be but he's also really sweet and genuinely caring and I'm sure he's looking out for his younger sister like you would for me. He just wants what's best for her." I explained. "That's why I know he'll come around. His pride is just in the way right now but soon he'll see that this is really what's best for everyone, especially Riza."

"That's a really touching and sweet story, baby sister, but who's Riza and what did her brother do to intimidate you?" He didn't sound angry anymore but there was still a cold warning in his voice that made me fear for Jay. Then as an afterthought he asked in a suspecting tone. "At paano mong nasabing sweet at genuinely caring and kuya niya?"

Kuya Nico didn't seem to have any idea about what I just told him and it was possible that I just opened my big mouth to say something totally unrelated to what he was upset about and could now perhaps complicate first impressions and introductions. So I was caught in between explaining myself or diverting his attention from the topic.

"Riza is the part-time assistant of Tessa here na kinuha niya for this project. She's in her last year in college and is a very talented photographer but still needs more training to improve her skills. Nasayangan naman ako if we just let her go after so I made an offer to pay for additional training and her tuition for her final semester in school in exchange for her service and loyalty to the company for while she's in school and at least a year after she graduates. She accepted and we signed the contract this afternoon kaso nagalit ang Kuya niya when he found out. "

"I know you're very good kaya kung sinabi mong magaling si Riza, siguradong magaling yan and I think tama yung ginawa mo. Ano namang kinagalit ng Kuya?" He asked.

"Well, gusto kasi niya na mag-focus si Riza sa pag-aaral. Ayaw niya mahati ang attention sa pagtatrabaho at mukhang gusto talaga niya na siya ang makapagpatapos sa kapatid niya." I explained.

"May point naman yung Kuya. I would have reacted in the same way if I were him para sa'yo pero sa umpisa lang, maganda din ang offer mo so I definitely consider that." He said. "Pero why did you say he can be intimidating? Anong ginawa sa'yo? Sabihin mo, gigilitan ko yun. Sinaktan ka? "

"Oh my God! Kuya! Ikalma mo. Walang ganoon, okay? We just talked. Don't be mad at him. Sabi mo nga, may point siya. Let's just wait kung anong mapag-uusapan nilang magkapatid. Anyway, sa akin ka galit kanina right? What were you upset about?" I asked to turn his attention away from the topic of Jay and his sister.

The line was quiet for a while and I silently prayed that Kuya would drop the subject about the Fergusons. "Bakit ka bumiyahe ng mag-isa? You have three people in your team. You have a driver and a bodyguard tapos wala kang sinama kahit isa? What were you thinking? Do you know how dangerous that is? Dapat kasama mo yung driver mo, your bodyguard and one assistant."

"Maka-dangerous naman.Kuya, I can drive. In fact, mas magaling akong mag-drive kesa sa'yo." I snickered. "Ang OA nung may driver na, may bodyguard pa tapos may assistant pang isasama. Kaya kong gawin lahat ng gagawin nila besides can you imagine how distracting it could be to have two brawny guys follow you around at makikita mong naiinip na sila coz they can't understand why I have to shoot a building in different angles. Santa Rosa is a short drive. I can perfectly take care of myself and the tasks here."

"That's not the point! Hindi sa kung kaya mong mag-drive, alagaan ang sarili mo o gawin ang lahat ng trabaho. Alam kong kaya mo pero Naeve, you can't go around traveling alone. What if something happens to you? What if you have a medical emergency? Paano kung may maka-encounter ka na masamang tao sa daan who recognizes you from the magazines, news and ads that we released for the company lately tapos wala kang kasama? You can be robbed, kidn*pped or worse killed. Naiintindihan mo ba how serious this is?" He told me and I can hear the genuine concern and fear in his voice.

He was right. I didn't think about the dangers of me traveling alone. I even thought of going on all my assignments by myself. I was only thinking about the adventure of going around the country on my own and proving how independent and perfectly capable I was.

"Sorry, Kuya. Tama ka. I was reckless." I said.

"You can't be irresponsible like this, Naveah." He sighed. "I'm pulling you out of the project."

"What?! Kuya, no! Please! Don't do this." I begged. "Please..."

I heard another sigh followed by the longest five seconds of torturous silence. "Finish the work there in Santa Rosa then come back here tomorrow. I know you might think I'm just being overprotective as I have been all your life but you can't blame me, Naeve." He paused and I knew he was carefully considering his next words which will contain my fate in the company. "Fine. Medyo OA yung tatlong kasama every time. Naiintindihan ko that having a driver and bodyguard who don't understand the work that you do following you around can disrupt your artistic vibe or whatever you creatives call that. I also can not expect Sam to protect you, baka kilayan lang nun ang mga magbabalak ng masama sa'yo." He chuckled.

"May point ka, Kuya." I giggled. I was glad he wasn't so angry anymore and that he understood where I was coming from.

"So, I think it is best that we hire one marketing person na pwede mong isama sa mga byahe mo, who can also drive for you and protect you, until then, your project is on hold."

I sighed. "At least on hold, hindi dissolved. Saan naman ako hahanap ng taong ganoon?" I thought. "Sounds daunting. Can I hire you?" I asked out loud and he laughed.

"Flattery will not get you out of this, baby sis." He chuckled. "Find me one person who can do all that and your project is a go again. That's my condition."

"Okay, Kuya." I agreed as if I had any other choice. He is the COO. He may be my big brother but he is also my boss.

"Meanwhile, wala akong masyadong meetings bukas, I can be there by lunch. Sasamahan kita ng maghapon tapos sabay na tayong uuwi. How does that sound?" He asked in a softer tone. The same voice he would use when we were kids so I won't cry when I trip and scrape my knee while we played tag in the garden.

"Sounds like a plan." I answered.

"Okay. Good. Go back to the hotel now. You can't still be out at this hour. You know I love you, Bunso, right?" Kuya said.

"I know." I managed a little smile. "I love you too. Goodnight. Bye."

"Miss Naveah..." I heard a familiar voice sullenly call my name then fade just as I was pressing the red button to end the call. I quickly turned and was surprised to see Jay behind me just as he was about to turn and leave. He was wearing the same black polo shirt with the restobar's logo like the other waiters.

"Jay!" I called before he could walk away. "You work here too?" I blurted out. "Like really? Pinaglihi ba sa kabute ito o sa taghiyawat? Kung saan-saan sumusulpot eh." I thought.

He slowly turned to face me then nodded and if we didn't have that argument earlier today, I would wonder why he looked like he was deliberately avoiding to meet my gaze. His ears were red and there was a vein on his forehead that was straining against his skin. "Tropa ko yung may-ari nitong restobar nung college kaya hinahayaan niya din akong mag-trabaho dito pag libre ako. Sige, Miss Naveah. Mukhang busy ka po. Pasensya na sa abala." He said coldly as his jaw clenched, bowed his head a little and turned to leave again. He took long and steady strides to walk away from me and did not look back. Not once. Weird. If I was crazy enough to think so, I would think he was acting like a jealous boyfriend or something.

Wait. College? Yes. He went to college. 3 years. "Jay, wait!" I ran after him and grabbed his arm without a second thought.

He stopped and faced me. "Bakit, Miss Naveah?"

"What did you say your course was in college?" I asked.

He blinked once then twice as he looked at me confusedly. "Hindi ko naman po nasabi sa inyo kung ano."

"Oh. Okay." I smiled at him and if my eyes didn't deceive me, he smiled back a little before that faded into a perplexed frown. "What was it?"

"Kinuha po ni Riza yung hindi ko natapos. BSBA major in Marketing Management." He said.

"That’s perfect! You’re exactly what I need!" I beamed and before I could stop myself, I jumped up and wrapped my arms around his neck.