TGIWS: Phoenix Ryler Velasquez's POV (Completed)

Part 8

Part 8

I went home after taking care of Darlene. She fell asleep when I left. Maayos naman na ang lagay niya kaya makakapasok na siya bukas. Actually, I was absent today and for sure, Laureen is deeply mad again. Hindi ko naman ginusto um-absent, gusto ko lang talaga makasama si Darlene kaya hindi ako pumasok.

Inaasikaso ko ang dapat kong gawin sa office. I took my coat first before fixing my tie then went outside. Pinauna ko na si Lala sa company para asikasuhin ang ibang dapat gawin. I have to go there too because of an important meeting.

Bumaba ako sa kotse at sumalubong naman ang guard. Diretso lang ang lakad ko papunta sa office. I even heard their greetings as I stepped inside the elevator.

I saw a lot of papers when I saw my table. Someone knocked outside. Lumingon ako kung sino 'yon. It was my lawyer.

"Hey, Attorney. Have a seat," I said. "What brings you here? Wait, about my request..."

"About that, Mr. Velasquez, I already settled it. One thing is we need to do, your sign and other discussion about the land." He looked at me.

"Okay then, let's discuss that later after my board meeting, Attorney." I looked at my rolex. "I think, around five in the afternoon. Is it okay with you? You can stay here."

"I'll just be back, Mr. Velasquez. May meeting rin ako with a client. I just informed you." He took his bag from the couch. Tumayo siya. "Excuse me."

"Alright, see you later, Attorney." Sinamahan ko siya hanggang sa labas ng office ko.

Nang mawala siya sa paningin ko ay bumalik rin ako. Saktong pumasok naman si Lala para tawagin ako. Kinuha ko ang phone ko bago damputin ang ilang folder at binigay kay Lala.

"Aray naman. Grabe ka sa akin. Pasalamat ka may sahod akong 50K every month kaya hindi ako makapag-resign."

"Gusto mong bawasan ko? Gawin kong 5k?" I sarcastically asked.

"Ouch, grabe naman. Paano na ang anak ko? Paano? Oh my god. Ang hirap maging single Mom—"

"Stop imagining shit. You don't have a child."

"Masyado ka yatang high ngayon. Relax ka lang," she said. "Sino nga ulit ang bebe mo? Sharlene? Arlene? Ha! Darlene! Darlene nga pala 'yon!"

"Shut up."

"Ayie, so kailan mo siya ipapakila kay Mama? Or sa amin? For sure mabait at maganda 'yan! Halos kabaliwan mo ba naman. At tanggap na siya sa family!"

Iniwan ko siya na mag-isa. Ayokong marinig ang boses niya. I went inside of the conference room. The board members were already there. I sat in the middle of the table.

"So, what now?" I asked them. "Are you going to start or what?"

Kaniya-kaniya naman silang galaw. They give me a paper. I'm reading it while Mr. Arellano was discussing some agendas. He's pointing at the board, talking. Sa board lang nakatutok ang mata ko hanggang sa tumunog ang phone ko. Napatingin pa sila bago mag-iwas ng tingin.

Darlene is calling me.

"Hello, Darlene?" sagot ko sa tawag.

"[Velasquez, may nakalimutan ka!]" Parang walang sakit kung makasigaw, ha?

"What is it? Wait, how are you feeling? Did you still drink medicine?" I can feel their eyes on me.

"[Okay na ako. Hindi ko na kailangan uminom no'n or something. Pero may nakalimutan ka nga! Iyong wallet mo! Ikaw, ha! Tinatago mo pa ang picture ko! Picture snatcher!]" I chuckled on her accusation. "[Bakit ka tumatawa?]"