Reid's POV

Nangingiti ako matapos ang usapan namin ni Andie sa phone. Oo nga naman. Attendance is a must ang notice na pinasabi ko sa HR. I felt stupid with the question I called her about. Tsk! Ano ba itong nangyayari sa akin?

Sa totoo lang, nagulat ako kanina nung makita ko sya sa reception desk. I was a bit doubtful for a while since I was wearing sunnies at the same time, masakit ang mata ko sa kakulangan sa tulog. Medyo nagkalaman kasi sya unlike the last time I saw her. I mean, nagkalaman sya sa mga tamang lugar. Kitang-kita ang magandang kurba ng katawan kahit nakasuot sya ng uniform ng pang-receptionist sa hotel.

Medyo natatabingan rin sya ng bahagya ni Art but when I got to get a full view of her and then she half smiled at me, I knew it was Andie. And I knew hindi nya ako nakilala, kaya nga I planned to surprise her. Muntik pa ngang di matuloy yung surpresang iyon dahil sa mga sinabi ni Art.

"Sorry about that, Mr. Schulz. I was just confirming my lunch date with my special girl," nakangising sabi nito.

I don't know why, but I felt my heart somewhat sank when I heard that. I was thinking na baka masamain ni Art kung kumustahin ko si Andie. Buti na lang nakinig ako sa maliit na boses sa utak ko na baka mali ang naiisip ko. Thinking about her facial expression while talking to Art kaninang umaga, she didn't look happy like how she looked at that ex-boyfriend of hers, that was why I still pursued with my plan to surprise her...and I was right.

And yeah, I knew that Andie and that Aris guy were no longer together since three years ago. One reason I tried to avoid mentioning his name during our lunch. I saw how she adored the guy before, she may not be comfortable talking about him.

A week before I checked on Andie, my mother asked me to attend a business slash social gathering on her behalf at that time. She was still in mourning for my brother's passing kaya ayaw nyang pumunta. My mother said it was a birthday party of Armando Kho. I heard the name before. Someone from the construction business for some years. I agreed to attend in the hopes to meet potential business clients or partners.

"Mr. Schulz, I didn't know you were invited,"bati sa akin ng isang kakilala.

"Nah, I came here on behalf of my mom. It was a short notice. She's not feeling well," I said.

"Mabuti at pumunta ka. Maraming invited na mga nasa business world. Good time to look for business opportunities," he added.

"I can see that.By the way,do you know where theparty host is? Di pa ako nakakabati,"I asked. Late na kasi ako nakarating since my Mom only informed me late afternoon and I couldn't cancel a scheduled meeting.

"See those old Chinese couple?" I looked at whom he was pointing to. "The man is Armando Kho, the birthday celebrant."

All right. This is going to be awkward,I thought. Gusto kong matawa. He is Aris' father, the old man I slammed to defend Andie in front of my hotel months ago.

I was having second thoughts if I should approach him or not. It may ruin the happy mood of the party kapag nakita nya ako. However, I was saved because seconds later, the old Kho couple left to go to the makeshift stage.

"Good evening everyone!" Bati ng celebrant. "Thank you for coming to celebrate my birthday with me and my family." May mga guests na nagtaas ng kanilang mga kopita towards the stage.

"Aside from my birthday, we would like to announce the engagement of my son, Aris Emmanuel to Madison Choi,"there were soft claps and cheers from the guests as Mrs. Kho lead Aris and Madison up the stage.

Madison was all smiles. Aris on the other hand had a pokerface. Kung hindi pa simpleng siniko ni Mrs. Kho ay di pa ngingiti ng tipid.

Gusto kong matawa sa lalaking ito. Last time I saw him, mangiyak-ngiyak sya kakahanap kay Andie, tapos ngayon, ikakasal sya sa iba. Kung kay Madison rin lang, I'd rather choose Andie. I don't know, I just don't like the young lady Choi kahit noon pa mang ipakilala sya sa akin dati back in the US. Or maybe, I just favored Andie more.

Teka, bakit ako ba ang nag-iisip ng ganito? Hindi naman ako yung ikakasal?

Anyway, I can't blame any of them. They're Chinese. Arrange marriage is part of their culture. Pero kung sa akin mangyari ang ganito, no! I will choose my girl over money or inheritance. You cannot buy happiness!

This guy just let go of a gem in Andie. Inggit na inggit pa naman ako sa kanya nung kantahan sya ni Andie sa hotel at kung paano sya tingnan nito ng buong pagmamahal.You cannot have someone like that easily. Tsk! Sinayang nya!

I felt betrayed and really sad for Andie... Pero aaminin ko, nakaramdam ako ng kaluwagan ng loob. I was not sure why, maybe because she does not deserve someone like that guy who can't fight for her.

That actually trigerred me to schedule a visit to Andie aside from the fact that I wanted to know what happened to her when she went missing. However, my tight scheduled made it happen after a week pa...and I just missed them for two weeks.

Nagdalawang isippa ako kung tama ba yung bahay na pinuntahan ko kasi parang nire-renovate yung bahay. So I asked a teenager named Mirriam, na nagdidilig na halaman sa katabing bahay.

"Ah, opo. Dyan po dati nakatira sina Ate Andie at Juno. Kakaalis lang nila nung... Teka, aahm... Lampas dalawang linggo na yata,"sagot nito na tila nahihiya sa akin.

"Saan sila lumipat?"

"Sa probinsya daw po, pero di naman sinabi kung saan. Kailangan daw kasi ni Ate Andie ng sariwang hangin. Nagpapagaling kasi."

"Bakit? Nagkasakit ba sya?"

"Hindi po. Naaksidente po sya mga...lampas dalawang buwan na yata. Di nga agad nakita si Ate. Inabot yata ng dalawa o tatlong araw na nasa ospital bago nahanap ni Juno. Kawawa nga yung magkapatid. Lampas isang taon pa lang mula magkasunod mamatay sina Aling Mina at Mang Ernie, tapos ngayon ganyan."

My heart went out to them.

I assumed the reason she moved was to mend her broken heart, not mainly she needed to stay in the province to recuperate from her accident tulad ng sinabi ng kapitbahay nila sa Sucat.

"So, pinaupahan ba yang bahay nila?" Tanong ko.

"Hindi po. Binenta nila...mabilisan nga eh. Medyo mababa nga yung presyo kasi nagmamadali makaalis yung magkapatid. Kailangan nga talaga ng pera pampagamot. Namayat ng husto si Ate Andie eh," sagot nito. "Ano po ba nila kayo?"

Sa dami ng sinabi nya, ngayon lang nya naisip itanong iyon. "Kaibigan ako nung magkapatid. Balikbayan," sabi ko na lang.

"Try nyo siguro tanungin si Kuya Aris, yung boypren ni Ate. Baka alam nya. Kilala nyo po iyon?" suhestyon nito.

"Ah, sige. Ganun na nga lang siguro. Salamat!"Yun lang at nagpaalam na ako.

Natural, di ko tatanungin yung Aris.

Sayang, di ko inabutan yung magkapatid. Nakumusta ko man lang sana. Magaan pa naman ang loob ko kay Andie.

Kapag may mga out of town akong lakad, may mga pagkakataong naiisip ko na sana I could chance upon Andie or her sister.

I was not expecting na sa hotel pa ng pamilya namin ito nagtatrabaho. I was told na sampung buwan na sya dito. I wonder why I did not see her in my previous visits. Baka naka-rest day.

May kumatok sa pinto ng office ko.

"Come in," I said.

Pumasok si Myra, ang assistant na naka-assign sa akin. Since mas madalas ako sa Manila at padalaw-dalaw lang sa mga hotel and bar branches namin, humuhugot lang ako ng tao sa admin department na magiging assistant only for the length my stay. Hindi ko kasi basta mabitbit si Wina, ang secretary ko sa main office namin, sa mga out of town trips ko dahil mas maraming trabahong kailangang asikasuhin sa main. Isa pa, pamilyado si Wina. Efficient ito at talagang mapagkakatiwalaan, kaya di ko mapalitan ng single na pwedeng isama anytime. Kung kailangang-kailangan lang talaga, tsaka ko isinasama si Wina. Anyway, I can always get by with this set up. Ayoko rin naman kasing may iniisip pa akong ibang tao kapag nasa byahe ako.

"Sir,eto na po yung financial report na hinihingi nyo. Tsaka yung ocular inspection nyo po sa El Nido bukas, baka pwede raw pong i-move ng after lunch."

"Why is that?" Masisira ang time table ko nito. I have other plans tomorrow evening.

"Engr. Montecillo had an accident last night. Yung isang engineer na lang daw nila ang ipadadala pero around lunch time daw po makakarating. "

"Papaano yan? He is the head engineer for this project!" exasperated kong sabi.

"Ahm, Sir, wala po silang nabanggit," hilaw na sabi nito. Nainis ako. That should have been asked automatically.

"Nevermind. I'll just ask the engineer they will send tomorrow," I said then dismissed her. I can't blame her. She wasn't trained for this kind of job. Kailangan ko na yata talaga ng personal assistant na mabibitbit ko kahit saan. Yung tipong magagamay ang trabaho at ugali ko tulad ni Wina. May mga pagkakataon kasi na iba yung nahuhugot kong temporary assistant ko kada bisita ko sa mga provincial locations namin. Katulad na lang dito, last time I came here, yung Donna ang na-assign sa akin and that was only for three days. Ngayon, I intend to stay longer, maybe a week or two. So, pareho kaming mag-a-adjust ni Myra sa isa't-isa.

Inikot ko ang mata ko sa loob ng opisina ko rito. Hindi ito kalakihan which I prefer it that way. Hindi naman ako palagi naririto kaya it would be impractical if I keep a big office space. Kapag may meeting naman kami ng mga hotel executives, I always use the conference room.

Nakaramdam ako ng pagod. Lumabas ako at huminto sa desk ni Myra sa harap ng opisina ko.

"Myra, I'll just get some rest before the dinner meeting later tonight. Kapag may tawag ako, just let them leave a message. Don't disturb me unless it is an emergency, ok?"

"Yes, Sir."

Ah, by the way," bumalik ako sa desk nya, "the baby grand piano inside the Narra Room, is it still working?"

"I think so, Sir. May booked party po doon last weekend, ginamit po nila."

"Call a technician to make sure it is in tune. I want it working for tonight's meeting and party," yun lang at tuluyan na akong lumabas.

I went down to the reception to get the key for my suite. I left it there earlier sa pinalitang receptionist nina Andie.

"Yes, baby. I'll try to get home early, ok.... Alright, I love you, bye!" Nakayuko si Andie as she was talking with someone on her phone when I approached their counter.

Tila nagsikip ang dibdib ko. My boyfriend sya? Kaya ba iwas na iwas ito kay Art?

Tumikhim ako.

"Oh, Reid...ano, Sir!" she exclaimed when she looked up.

"Yung susi sa suite ko, iniwan ko kanina dun kay... Trish, I guess," sabi ko.

"Uhm, wait po," tumalikod ito at binuksan ang isang drawer. "Here." Inabot nya sa akin ang keycard.

"Thanks. Give me a wake-up call at six-thirty, " I said. "See you later at the meeting, ok? I hope you can also stay a bit para sa small dinner party afterwards."

Tumango lang ito. Tumalikod na ako papunta sa elevator paakyat sa suite ko. Pagdating ko sa loob, agad kong hinubad ang coat at tie ko. I went to the balcony sa likod and looked at the cottage houses sa likod ng hotel na nakapaligid sa hotel pool. I have the penthouse suite. Di naman kataasan ang hotel na ito kumpara sa mga hotels Maynila, bale nine floors then penthouse, perokung di ito ang ang nangunguna, isa na ito sa pinakamataas sa Puerto Prinsesa. Karamihan kasi sa mga hotel at Inns dito tatlo hanggang limang palapag lang.

Naisip ko na naman si Andie. Sana mag-stay sya kahit sandali sa dinner party after ng meeting kaya lang mukhang nangako sya sa kausap nya na uuwi sya ng maaga. Gusto ko pa namang makipagkwentuhan sa kanya, parang kulang kasi yung oras kaninang nag-lunch kami. Tsk! Ano ba itong nangyayari sa akin?

Pumasok na ako at nahiga. Kailangan ko magpahinga kahit sandali. Meron pa akong kulang-kulang tatlong oras.

Hindi na napansin na nakatulog na ako. Nagising ako sa pag-ring ng telepono sa tabi ng kama ko.

"Sir," sabi nung receptionist. Bakit iba ang boses ng tumawag? "Wake-up call at six-thirty as per your request."

"Who's this? Nasaan yung naka-duty kanina?"

"Gemma po, from the agency. Kanina pa pong six ang end of shift nila, Sir," sagot nito.

Kaya pala. "Ah ok, Thanks!" sagot ko. Binaba ko na ang tawag at bumangon. I took a quick shower, but when I was on my way out of the bathroom, napadaan ako sa salamin ng lavatory. Napatingin ako sa mukha ko, and automatically, I picked up my shaving cream.

Nagmamadali akong nagbihis ng maroon long sleeved polo which I pulled up up to my elbows then tucked it in a khaki pants. I just grabbed my dark brown leather shoes, put it on with a fresh pair of socks. I only have five minutes left. Nagmamadali na akong sumakay sa elevator. Since galing ako ng penthouse, ako lang ang nasa elevator pababa. Huminto ito sa 4th floor. Narinig ko ang pagsinghap nung papasakay na dalawang babaeng guests.

"Hi, are you a guest here?" sabi nung isang babae.

I just smiled at her matapos tumango. I opted to give that sort of answer. I can't afford to make a long conversation right now. She's beautiful and with hot bod, but not now...and she's not appealing to me... unlike ... simple akong napa-iling.

Mabuti na lang at wala nang ibang sumakay kaya mabilis na nakababa sa second floor ang elevator kung nasaan ang Narra room. Di ko na iiwan ang keycard ko sa receptionist since wala na akong pupuntahan after ng dinner meeting slash party.

"Bye!" sabay na sabi nung dalawa na naiwan sa loob nung lumabas ako ng elevator. Nginitian ko lang ulit tapos nagpunta na ako sa Narra room.

I was late for only five minutes or so. Puno na ang function room at medyo may ingay dahil sa mga pag-uusap at tawanan. May tatlo lamang na empleyadong naka-civilian na kasunod ko.

"Ah, sorry, Mr. Schulz. We're late," paumanhin ng isa sa kanila.

"It's alright. I just arrived myself," simple kong sabi. Nagtungo na ako sa may kataasang make shift stage sa harap. Naroon kasi ang sound system, projector at piano. Nakatayo na rin ang hotel director doon. Tumahimik ang function room nung magkaroon ng bahagyang feedback sa mic na inabot sa akin.

"Good evening!" bati ko. Nag-good evening rin ang mga ito. Inikot ko ang mata ko. Nakita ko si Andie sa isang mesa sabandang gilid, kasama yung Vina at isang lalaki. Namumukhaan ko ito. Bellboy ito na pang-gabi.

'I know that this is a short notice to everyone but the reason I called you all here is to give you some good news," panimula ko.

"Boss, increase ba iyan?" sigaw mula sa harap. Nagtawanan ang mga naroroon.

"Actually, it's more than that," tinanguan ko si Myra. Then pinatay na ang ilaw at binuksan na ang projector for the slide presentation of the company performance in terms of service and income.

"As you can see, our company has been doing really well for the past two years or so. And Casa Alicia is one of the top performing hotels we have in the provincial level." Nagpalakpakan ang mga tao.

"I know you are thinking why I did not wait for the annual general meeting, which is in about two months time, to tell you this. The top management of this hotel was not aware of it as well until last night because wea t the main office would really want to give you a big bang of surprise tonight," I can see that everyone is interested.

"We will be opening up a new hotel in Palawan," nagkaroon ng cheer among the employees. "Tomorrow, I will have my ocular inspection for the new site in El Nido," nag-cheer uli ang mga tao sa function room. Binuksan na ang ilaw sa function room.

"Now, I want to let everyone know that we will be hiring more people for the new location.We know that there are employees here whose families are near El Nido,so this is your chance at sa iba pang na gusting magpa-transfer doon for whatever reason."

"We will prioritize our existing employees here in Casa Alicia. For those who would like to be transferred there, and this goes with promotion," nagkaingay ang mga empleyado.

"As much as possible, we will promote people from our existing employees. Para sa mga deserving of course. Tsaka na tayo magha-hire ng bago. Uunahin namin kayo. We value loyalty and good performance."

"Madali na lang ang pag-aayos niyon dahil meron ng existing na building sa nabiling location. We will only renovate and improve it. As projected, it may only take maximum of four months for us to be operational. We will start the promotion process in January, same goes with the transfer request approval. So you still have two more months to go para galingan. We will start hiring new people by February so by opening ng March or early April, we are all set."

Tuwang-tuwa ang mga ito. Dinner was served during the question and answer portion tungkol sa announcement.

Tapos nagpatugtog na rin ng music when I announced that we will have a small celebration for the next three hours. May ilang empleyado na nagkatuwaang sumayaw kahit maliwanag ang mga ilaw. Nagkaroon ng mga tawanan at hiyawan.

Nakakatuwang tingnan sila ng ganito. Yung inspired magtrabaho. Well, they all deserved it. Napadako ang tingin ko kay Andie. Tumingin ito sa relo nya at bumulong kay Vina. Itinuro ni Vina yung head ng customer service team. Mukhang magpapaalam na itong umalis.

Tumayo ako mula sa table ko na nasa harap at umakyat muli sa make shift stage. I grabbed the mic to get everyone's attention.

"Hello again!" bati ko.

"Sir, bagong good news uli?" biro nung isang bellboy. Nagtawanan ang mga empleyado.

"I'm not sure but I would like to request something in exchange for this celebration that we have," I said.

"Sir, kahit ano ibibigay ko, basta ikaw!" sabi nung isang babaeng empleyado.

"Asa ka naman!" sabat nung katabi nya. Tawanan uli.

Pati ako natawa. "I've been longing to hear this person to sing again," panimula ko. Medyo natahimik ang iba, yung iba naghiyawan.

"Sir, may videoke bang nakahanda? Aakyat na ako dyan!" biro galing sa likod na nagpaalingawngaw ng kantiyawan at tawanan.

"Andie," tawag ko sa kanya. Naglingunan ang mga empleyado sa gawi niya,pati katabi nya napatingin sa kanya, "I hope you won't mind playing the piano and sing for us?"

Kitang-kita ang pagbuka ng bibig at pamimilog ng mata nya.

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