What's Your Order, Mr Billionaire

Prologue "UKININANA kitdi ti kastoy nga biag, makauma!" I exclaimed in jest, causing me to roll my eyes. (F*ck this life; it's boring!) The Serene and Loud Restobar was bustling with activity as I made my way through the crowd. The restaurant was situated beside the pristine waters of Moalboal, and the sound of the waves mingled with the chatter of the patrons. I greeted the regulars with a smile and a wave, knowing most of them by name after a decade of working there. "Who is it now?" I asked April as she followed my steps. "Bakit kailangan pa ako roon? We are walking our way to the VIP floor to attend to some guests. Inayos ko ang neck tie kong kulay asul. Pinadasahan rin ng kamay ko ang gusot na itim na pantalon. "It's Sir Almerino," Avril replied, and my heart skipped a beat. "S-sinong Almerino?" I stuttered. "Si Koko?" "Not Koko, but Jacques Almerino," Avril clarified, her voice tinged with excitement. "Kanina pa nakapagclocked-out si Koko." I tucked the uneven strands of my hair behind my ears. Palihim kong inamoy ang sarili ko. Mabango pa rin naman ako. My mind raced as I tried to process the news. Sandali akong natigilan ngunit hindi ako nagpahalata kay Avril. Kinalma ko ang aking sarili at huminga ng malalim. Jacques was my ex-husband, and I thought I had moved on from him. But the thought of seeing him again continued to make my heart race. As Avril and I continued our steps to the VIP room, I heard her teasing voice. "Akala ko ba moved on ka na sa ex-husband mo? Bakit ka affected?" Napangiwi ako sa komento niya. Huminto ako. "Correction, ex-husband. Matagal na kaming hiwalay." Inikutan ko siya ng mata. "Talaga ba?" "Oo," walang gana kong sagot. "Totoo? Mamatay?" nakakaloko siyang ngumisi. Mabilis kong pinalo ang puwetan niya. "Tigilan mo ako, Avril. Wala nang kami. Matagal nang tapos ang lahat sa amin." "Sabi ko nga," aniya ngunit may himig ng panunukso ang mga tingin niya. I didn't say anything more. Totoo namang tapos na ang lahat sa amin. It ended years ago, and I don't want to remember it anymore. It somehow left a scar in my heart. We entered the VIP room to find Jacques and his fiancée, Faith, waiting for us. I kept my eyes trained on the ground, avoiding Jacques' gaze. Wala kang dapat na ikatakot dahil hiwalay ka na sa kanya. Bulong ko sa sarili ko. "Sir Jacques, Miss Faith. Narito na po ang manager namin, si Miss Jenalyn Salas," pagpapakilala ni Avril. "Good evening, sir, madam," bati ko sa kanila na nakangiti. "Jen! It's so good to see you!" Faith exclaimed, running to kiss me on the cheek. Nagngitian kami. Muli kong iniwasan ang mga titig ni Jacques. I looked around the room and couldn't help but notice the decorations: white and pink balloons, heart-shaped bulbs and buttons, and a light-up sign that read "MARRY ME." The sight made my heart ache, knowing that I had once been in Faith's shoes. Sinubukan kong panatilihing kalmado ang aking sarili habang tinutugunan ko ang kanilang mga pangangailangan, ngunit ang aking isip ay nasa dalawang taong pinagsisilbihan ko. "Have you hired someone to play the piano?" si Faith, aliw na tinititigan ang dati kong asawa. Ipinaghihiwa siya nito ng steak na kalalagay ko lang sa harap niya. "I hired a friend who'll play at our wedding," he said in his deep and calm voice. Pinigilan kong mapatitig sa kanya. Sinalinan ko ng wine ang dalawang baso na nasa harap nila. They tossed the red wine and giggled in front of me. At tila tukso na naririnig ko pa ang mga sumunod na usapan nila, ang tungkol sa venue ng kasal at kung sinu-sino ang mga imbitado-isang kasal na dapat ay akin. Paglabas ko ng VIP room, hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam ng matinding panghihinayang. Hinayaan kong makawala si Jacques, at ngayon ay magpapakasal na siya sa iba. Ngunit alam kong kailangan kong magpatuloy sa buhay. I also need to find my happiness. I walked back to the main restaurant, and I heard the sound of the waves, which provided a soothing sound to my thoughts. "Let go of him and let fate decide," I whispered to myself, hoping that someday I would also find my own happy ending. As I was walking, my mind was still reeling from the encounter with Jacques and Faith. Memories of our past flooded my mind, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing and regret. I made my way to the bar and ordered a drink to calm my nerves. Isla, my best friend and the owner of the restaurant, sat beside me and asked me if everything was alright. I smiled and told her I was fine, but she could see through my facade. "Tungkol 'to kay Jacques, 'no?" she asked. I noticed her topaz-brown eyes full of concern. I nodded. I could feel the lump in my throat. Isla had been my best friend at the restaurant for a few years and had seen me go through my ups and downs. She was a good listener and always had a kind word to say. "Sometimes, it's hard to let go of the past, especially when it comes to matters of the heart," aniya. Inabutan niya ako ng glass shot ng tequila. I took a sip and looked at her. "You always have something to say about me?" "I've been there," she said, her eyes showing a hint of pain. "Alam mo naman kung anong pinagdaanan ko habang nakikisama ako sa asawa ko para sa anak ko. It took me a while to finally accept that he doesn't love me, but eventually, I did." I listened to her story and felt a sense of comfort in knowing that I wasn't alone. "Make peace with your past. Don't dwell with it. Iyan ang pumipigil sa 'yo para bumangon muli," dagdag pa niya. Nag-usap kami ng ilang sandali, at binigyan niya ako ng ilang payo kung paano mag-move on kay Jacques. Hindi naging madali, pero alam kong kailangan ko nang bumitaw. As I finished my drink and stood up to leave, Isla gave me a small smile and said, "You'll find happiness, Jen. Just give it time." I smiled back. Maybe she was right. Maybe it was time for me to move on and find my own happiness.