Third Person's Point of View

Xydelle was busy reading some of the documents on top of his table while typing something on his laptop when his secretary knocked and entered his office.

"Mr. Jimenez, the board meeting is about to start." His secretary, Eryn, reported.

"I'll be there in a minute." He replied, still typing on his laptop.

As his secretary stormed out his office, he immediately fix those paperworks on his table before he decided to go out and headed on the meeting room.

When he entered, the board members greeted him and as soon as everyone settled on their chairs, the board secretary distributed them a documents so each of them can have a copy.

"Week after this day is the celebration of the 2nd anniversary of Ziaaxi Hotel. Of course, it would be a big help because we will be also announcing that aside from hotels, we are going to start establishing condominiums." While one of the board members is in charge in presenting the incoming plan for the hotel, Xydelle was busy flipping his documents, reviewing what's written inside it.

Done exchanging their ideas about the plan and have a thorough decision, Xydelle finally adjourned the meeting. Isa-isa ng lumabas ang mga board members sa silid na iyon.

"Mr. CEO, I mean Mr. Architect... Tangina bro, anong gusto mong itawag ko sa'yo?" Xydelle closed the documents he's holding and stared at him.

"Shut the fuck up Martin! Get out of this room!" Xydelle yelled at him. Sa halip na matakot ito, tumabi lang ito sa kanya tsaka siya inakbayan.

"Bro, seryoso ka masyado. Magchill ka naman minsan." That room was then filled with laughters when Zephyr said that. Tinignan nito ang ibang kaibigan na noo'y nakikisakay na rin sa pangtitrip nito sa kanya.

Xydelle graduated as an architect and instead of building his firm, he decided to build a business hotel. Aside from being his business alliance, Zephyr became his company's lawyer. Irish was then one of his board members. Aris who's a successor of his family's company, now owns a bar. Alice, whom her family runs hotel and resort, invested in his company since their line of business is just the same. So Xydelle ended up working with them as his business partners.

Magdadalawang taon pa lang ang Ziaaxi Hotel when it was built but it's now making its own name in the field of business industry.

"We really need to settle everything now since the anniversary is fast approaching but I agree with what Zeph said, magchill naman muna tayo!" Panggagatong ni Irish sa sinabi ni Zephyr. Xydelle's lips rose, napapailing. Sa huli ay pumayag din ito.

"Okay then. After office hours at Aris' Bar." He gave in. Rinig pa nitong nag-apiran ang kanyang mga kaibigan. Dahil doon ay muli siyang napailing dahil sa mga inaasta ng mga ito.

Xydelle went back to his office, leaving his friends on that meeting room. Naupo ito sa kanyang swivel chair at hinarap ang mga paperworks na dapat niya pang ireview bago pirmahan. Matapos nitong pirmahan ang tatlong folder, itinabi niya ito sa gilid at hindi nito sinasadyang matabig ang isang picture frame. He took that and stared at it for so long.

I missed you. I'm always missing you. He whispered and smiled a little.

Napukaw lang ang atensyon nito nang may kumatok sa pintuan. He returned back the frame on the side, facing his secretary who just came in.

"Someone delivered an invitation letter and it was addressed to you Sir." Matapos iabot ni Eryn ang card sa kanya ay lumabas din ito kaagad.

He stared at it first. It was a small black invitation card printed with gold fonts. He opened it and what's written inside was an invitation about some event that will be held on the Ziaaxi's main hotel week after next, just three days after their hotel's anniversary. Xydelle shrugged, closing that card and put it inside his drawer. Tsaka nito muling ibinalik ang kanyang atensyon sa mga folder na nasa kanang harapan.

"For the continuous success of our hotel, cheers!" Irish made a toast so they clinked their glasses on each other. Nandito sila ngayon sa bar ni Aris, on the VIP table. Just chilling like what they have agreed.

"I really can't believe this. Parang kailan lang nung plinano natin ang magpatayo ng hotel. Look at it now, unti-unti na siyang gumagawa ng sarili niyang pangalan." Ani Alice, seemed amazed.

"That's what we call success." Irish commented with a smile formed on her lips.

Magdamag silang nagkakasiyahan. Puno sila ng kwentuhan tungkol sa kung anu-anong mga bagay. Just some random stuffs they wanted to talk about.

"Have you received an invitation letter?" Tanong ni Aris sa gitna ng masaya nilang kwentuhan. Kanya-kanyang sagot ang mga ito. Xydelle thought maybe it's about the invitation letter he received.

"Someone emailed me if they can use the Grand Hall. Since it was free the whole week next week, I agreed. It's a successor's debut." Irish explained, making them nod their head since it was part of her job.

Almost late in the evening na silang natapos. Some of them were already tipsy but they can still manage themselves. Hindi naman sila yung tipo ng naglalasing ng sobra lalo pa't may trabaho sila kinabukasan. They wanted to have fun. That's just it.

"Waah! Kailan kaya tayo makukumpleto ulit? Miss ko na si Imee." Biglang pahayag ni Irish, looking at nowhere. Napanguso pa ito. Zephyr held her because of the sudden change of the topic.

"I miss us being complete, too." Singit din ni Alice.

Aris and Zephyr ended up without knowing what to do because of what this two girls said. For the past years, they tried not to mention her name because they know it will affect Xydelle. But this drunken women were so nosy.

"I missed her already." Zephyr closed his eyes, trying to stop his girlfriend from talking too much.

Napatingin ang dalawang lalaki sa direksyon ni Xydelle when they saw him finished the alcohol drink poured on his glass.

"Soon." Sagot ni Xydelle dahilan upang mapatingin ang mga ito sa kanya. "We will be completed, soon." He answered, breathing heavily, hoping for that day to happen. Zeph and Aris sighed deeply.

That day for the hotel's anniversary came. Everyone seems busy but they are all happy. Xydelle was looking outside through his office glass wall when his secretary entered.

"Sir, ikaw na lang po ang hinihintay sa Grand Hall." He nodded then he took his suit that was placed on the rack and stormed out his office with his secretary.

Bawat empleyado'y napapatingin sa direksyon niya, admiring him from afar. Nagpatuloy ito sa paglalakad patungong Grand Hall kung saan gaganapin ang ikalawang anibersaryo ng Ziaaxi Hotel.

"Let's all welcome as we give a big hand to the person behind the success of Ziaaxi Hotel, our CEO, Mr. Xydelle Jimenez." Tawag sa kanya ng MC. Napuno ang Grand Hall ng palakpakan mula sa mga kilalang tao at sa lahat ng mga imbitado.

"Good evening everyone. It's my pleasure to see all of you here as we celebrate the second anniversary of the Ziaaxi Hotel." Ngumiti ito sa harap ng mga tao at napuno na naman iyon ng palakpakan. "Ziaaxi Hotel just started as a dream and now, it became strong and became one of the growing and booming hotels in the service industry." As Xydelle is delivering his speech in front, some pictures were flashed on his side wherein the hotel is just starting. Another applause filled the whole place.

"I want everyone here to know that aside from hotel, we will also be establishing a condominiums." Napatingin ulit ang lahat ng mga bisita sa projector at namangha ang mga ito sa ipinakitang disenyo ng condominiums na siya mismo ang nagdisensyo. "I won't talk too long. Just enjoy the night with us. Thank you."

Bumaba ito sa entablado at kinausap ang ibang mga bisita. Buong gabi ay nagkakasiyahan ang mga tao. May kanya-kanyang kausap ang iba sa kanila, yung iba nama'y masayang nanonood ng ballroom na inihanda bilang parte ng anniversary celebration.

"You're one of the best example of successful hoteliers here. Imagine, a young man could run a luxury hotels at your age? The fact that you're also an architect and you even chose your own concept for your hotel, that was really awesome." Puri sa kanya ng isang successful entrepreneur na kanyang nakasalubong. Xydelle thanked him and couldn't help but smile.

Madaling araw ng matapos ang anniversary celebration ng hotel. At maraming gustong mag-invest sa kanilang kompanya bagay na ikinatuwa ng magkakaibigan. As the party ended, his friends bid their goodbye.

As soon as they left him, Xydelle took a wine bottle and went to his penthouse. He wasted his time by standing on the glass wall of his place, drinking while looking outside. As dawn breaks in the city, he sighed heavily as sunrise started to come up. Another day came and he haven't had enough rest yet.

"I have here with me the designs for the condominiums. I'm giving you the samples so you'll be able to study the concepts." His secretary distributed the proposal concept he made.

That was his plan but of course he needed the idea of the board members. As soon as each of them spilled their ideas, they ended up agreeing with his planned concept with some improvement.

"Okay then, that's all for today. Thank you."

Nauna itong lumabas sa meeting room, nakasunod naman ang kanyang sekretarya at ilan pang employees niya. They part ways when he entered his office. Nang makaupo ito, he mentally studied the changes on his concept while playing a pencil on his hand.

"Excuse me Sir, they are now transferring the guests who check in in our main hotel because they will start decorating the Grand Hall for tomorrow night's event." Reported by his secretary, tumango lang ito. Pagkalabas nito, he diverted his attention on that proposal again.

The event hasn't started yet but the place was filled with different people, thinking what the event is all about. They just knew that it's about a successor's debut but they have no further idea at all.

The Grand Hall was decorated elegantly. From the lighting, music, from the style of the stage, in every part of the whole place was all perfect.

"Whoa. Never did I imagine that this Grand Hall would turned out to be like this." Irish commented the moment she saw the place. Alice agreed too. Kasama ng mga ito sina Zephyr at Aris.

The boys roamed their eyes, amazed by how the place has transformed. Other visitors greeted them when they reached their designated table but they do not know some of them. Some came from other countries, they thought.

"Good evening everyone!" Masayang bati ng MC na siyang nakakuha sa atensyon ng lahat. "Tonight will surely be one the most remarkable days in the century. I know all of you has no idea what this event is all about and that makes the event more exciting, right?" Napuno iyon ng tawanan kasabay ng pag-agree nilang lahat dahil talaga namang wala silang ideya tungkol sa event na ito.

"I'm pretty sure everyone is now excited to witness this event but before that, let me give the stage to Mr. Shikawa, the President of the Shikawa Group." Iniabot nito ang microphone kay Mr. Shikawa.

"Where's Xydelle?" Zeph asked the group. They just shrugged their shoulders.

As the speaker continued talking in front, Xydelle then came. Hindi naman na nagtanong ang mga ito kung bakit ngayon lang siya dumating.

"These two people already made a name on the business industry, locally and globally. They are the country's business tycoons, of course who wouldn't know them?" People are now whispering while exchanging their personal ideas, wondering whom Mr. Shikawa is talking about. They seemed curious.

"Saan ka pupunta?" Zephyr asked when Xydelle stood up.

"Pool area." Tipid nitong sagot bago lumabas ng Grand Hall.

Hinayaan na lang ng mga ito ang kaibigan. That guy doesn't have that long patience when it comes to attending such events. Napailing ang mga ito tsaka nila muling ibinaling ang atensyon sa speaker.

"Let us all welcome, the daughter of the late Tycoon Mr. Manuel Blevins and Mrs. Gwyneth Blevins, the Tycoon's Heiress, Ms. Gwynne Heather Blevins." The background and the lighting automatically changed.

On that stage, visitors are waiting for someone to come out but the main door of that hall opened and then someone appeared. Everyone gasped. Hindi makapaniwala sa kanilang nakikita.

She was wearing a black haltered gown that perfectly fits her body. She started walking on that aisle towards the stage with her chin held high, fearless cold eyes that were looking on just a straight direction and her lips were tightly pursed.

"Oh my God! I can't believe what I'm seeing right now."

"Gosh. She really resembles Mrs. Blevins."

"I thought she was killed, too."

"This is really unbelievable."

Everyone was giving their own sentiments as she came up on the stage. On their table, Irish stood up out of shock. Natutop nito ang kanyang labi dahil sa nakikita.

"Good evening everyone." Seryosong bati nito sa harap ng maraming tao. As if on cue, people became so quiet. "I'm sure enough your minds were now clouded with so many questions. I, myself, has been into that state also." Bahagya itong huminto sa pagsasalita.

Napatingin siya sa mga bisita na noo'y hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa kanilang nakikita. Puno ng katanungan ang isip ng mga ito.

"On behalf of my parents, I, Gwynne Heather Blevins, the Tycoon's Heiress is now ready to take over all the businesses my parents left me." The side of her lips rose, showing a small smile to everyone as the cameras were clicking everywhere.

Ngumiti ito sa harap ng maraming tao kasabay ng malakas na palakpakan galing sa mga bisita na noo'y puno pa rin ng pagtataka. As if a dead person came back to life again.

***

Xydelle's Point of View

I heard the loud applause inside. Maraming tao sa loob ng hall at hindi ko alam na maging dito rin sa labas. But this is better I guess. I went out because I can't stay longer on a place with crowded people.

"Why are you here Mr. Jimenez? You should be inside the hall." Mr. Acera approached me, isa siyang negosyante at isa ring architect.

"Yeah, I'll go back later." I simply answered.

Truth is, I was a little bit tired at mas lalo lang akong nahihilo sa sobrang dami ng tao. Different people were invited. I don't know some of them. They are not familiar to me. Just after a short talk with him, Mr. Acera excused himself.

On the side pool was the long railings. When the waiter is coming on my way, I took one wine glass. Nagpunta ako roon sa railings and I leaned my back while watching the people go in and out of the hall. Some of them were talking about something, probably it's business related.

"I'm so glad that you're here now. I'm sorry but we really thought you were also killed." I heard the group of girls talking not far on the left hallway coming from this area.

Not interested in hearing those girls and their stuffs, I turned my back on them. Napahawak na lang ako sa railings at inubos ang laman ng basong kinuha ko.

My phone then beeped. It was Zephyr, asking me where I am. I put the phone back on my pocket after replying to his message, decided to just go back inside.

When another waiter is coming on my way, I returned back the first glass I got and took another one. After getting one glass, the waiter turned his back on me causing him to bump into someone. We were standing on the edge of the pool that moment.

Not knowing why, I moved quickly when I saw that person losing her balance after getting bumped into the waiter.

The glass then fell and some were poured on her. I immediately caught that girl on her waist. She's holding on my arm tightly. When my eyes met hers, I was stopped.

I just felt my heart beating so fast and loud.

"Imee..." That came out on my mouth while looking intently on her eyes.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang segundo o minuto akong nakakatitig sa kanya. I don't want to move. I don't want to blink. I'm afraid I'll lost her in my sight when I did that.

Damn. Am I really seeing her now?

"Pasensya na po Ma'am." That helped me get back into reality but I'm still seeing her. Fuck.

Mabilis nitong inayos ang kanyang tayo. Two attendants came near her as they gave her a long white towel to cover her soaked body.

"Are you okay Ma'am? We're really sorry about the incident." She gave a nod to them, telling them she's okay.

"Mr. Jimenez, we're sorry. It won't happen again." Noon ay hinarap ako nung dalawang empleyado maging iyong waiter, humihingi ng pasensya.

I just nodded to them while my eyes were still settled on her. She's now wiping her bare shoulder using the towel they gave her.

"Imee." I whispered, almost out of voice but I was surprised when she turned her gaze on me. She heard me.

For a long moment, we were just staring in each other's eyes until her lips formed into a small smile.

"It's been a while, Xydelle."

I don't know how to react that moment. After many years, I finally heard her voice. After many years, I am now seeing her. After many years, my heart beats so fast again.

Five fucking years has been passed and she's now finally back. Damn. She's fucking here now!