~~
"Dad, nandito ka pala." sabi ni Mike. Tumayo ang buong pamilya niya at nagmano sa ama nito.
"Your mom wants to pay a visit. And we didn't know na uuwi na pala si Claire." sabi ng matanda at tumingin sa babaeng apo.
"It's a surprise lolo." sabi niya.
"Millicent!" sabi ng Lola Sonya niya.
"Lola!" She hugged her.
"How are you darling?" she asked me.
"Okay naman po." She gave her a smile.
"Perhaps we can talk after you eat your meal?" Her Lolo Miguel asked.
*Miles' POV*
I walked to dad's library as soon as I finished my meal. As what lolo said, we'll talk after I eat. But it seems like I'm dragging myself to dad's library. Lolo Miguel can really be scary, katulad kanina, akala ko aatakihin na ko sa puso because he wants to talk to me privately.
I knocked first.
"Come in." sabi ni lolo.
I stepped inside and saw him reading papers with his glasses on. Work. Hanggang dito ba naman nagt-trabaho si lolo. *sigh* Kaya ayokong pumalit muna sakaniya eh, everyone's expecting me to be like him, to be as good as him. I'm afraid that I will fail him.
"Sit." Ma-awtoridad niyang sabi. Sinunod ko naman. "How are you?" He asked without looking at me. Nakatuon pa rin ang attention nito sa hawak na papers.
I cleared my throat before answering. "I'm good lolo."
"How's your studies?"
"It's fine. Mom and Dad want me to continue Law here."
"Is it the reason why you don't want to take over my company, Claire?" This time he stopped what he's doing and looked at me.
Umiling ako. "No lolo. I will take over your company, someday."
"Why not now? I can transfer everything to you. Give me a valid reason." Sabi niya.
I managed not to stammer. "Because I don't want to disappoint you sir. I haven’t work in a company ever, it’ll be my first time and I don't want to fail you. Kung magiging CEO man ako ng kumpanya niyo, gusto ko handa ako. Ayokong masayang lahat ng pinaghirapan niyo lolo. Besides, I'm still young--"
"And I'm not getting any younger." singit nito.
Tumayo ako at nilapitan siya. "I know lolo. But trust me on this one, I need time to prepare. I want to work to other company to know how to handle one. Gusto ko munang mag-trabaho bago ako maging boss. And mahirap mag-aral ng Law habang CEO ng kumpanya lolo." I chuckled. "Lolo, please, trust me." I smiled a little.
He sighed. "Alright, I give up. I will not pressure you on this one, but I trust you that you will keep your word and be my successor, Claire."
I smiled big! “Thank you lolo!” I gave him a hug.
“You mention that you want to work to other company,” I let him continue, “Maybe I can handle that.”
“Okay po. But please don’t let the employees know that I’m your granddaughter, you know about the dramas in the company when they knew that I’m the successor of the Great Miguel Laurel.” I said.
Natawa naman ng konti si lolo dun, “Of course.”
“No special treatment ha lolo? It’s a training for me.”
He just gave a smile.
~~
Nagising ako sa tunog and vibration ng phone ko.
“Hello.” I answered huskily.
“Claire, dinner at Lolo Miguel’s place. Tonight. Be there at 7pm.” Bungad ni kuya sakin.
“Should I wear something formal?” I asked. Baka kasi may ibang kasama sa dinner.
“Shirt & jeans will do.” He said.
“Okay. Teka nasan ka ba? Bat tinawagan mo pa ko?” I asked.
“Tss. Nasa office na po ako, princess.” I can feel him rolling his eyes heavenwards.
“Oh, alright. See you later then.”
I tried to sleep after ng conversation naming ni kuya, kaya lang di na ko inantok so I took a bath and made my breakfast.
You still don’t know me huh? Okay, I’ll introduce myself.
I’m Claire Millicent Salazar Laurel. Sabi ng mommy ko maganda daw ako, I’m sure lahat tayo sinabihan ng ganun ng mommy natin. I’m boyish type chiq. The only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Harold Laurel. Successor of Mr. Miguel Laurel. CPA. Existing for 24 years. Soon to be Lawyer. You can call me Claire if we’re close, Miles if we’re not. Millicent if my parents and my other family and friends are angry. Millie if my brother and my cousins want something from me.
11 am ng tumambay ako sa receiving area namin. Mom and Dad are out, may gagawin daw sila. For sure gabi nanaman dadating yun.
I’m in my usual attire when I’m at home, shorts, plain tee. I have my glasses with me because I’m reading a book, kapag nagbabasa lang naman ako nagsa-salamin. Then suddenly may nag-doorbell.
“Sunny!!” nasabi ko nung nakita ko yung nag-doorbell.
“Claireeee!” she gave me a hug.
She is Sundria Charize Chua, interior designer. A good friend of mine way back when we were in high school.
“OMG! How are you Sundria?!”
“Claire naman eh! Sunny na lang kasi!” she pouted. Haha! Ayaw niya kasing tinatawag na Sundria.
“Oo na po.” Natawa kaming dalawa. “Anyway, pano mo nalamang nandito ako?”
“I saw Kuya Dem, sabi niya nandito ka na daw so pinuntahan kita.” Nakangiting sabi niya.
“Hmm, you saw Kuya Dem by accident or you followed him?” tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. For what I know she has a crush on my Kuya Dem! Haha!
“Hoy ha! Tigilan mo ko Millicent!”
Tumawa ako ng malakas. “Suuuus! Sundria sakin ka pa nagtago! Hindi mo ba alam na pwede kitang ilakad kay Kuya Dem?!” Namula siya sa sinabi ko. Haha.
“Millicent! Lower down your voiceee!” Naiiritang sabi niya. Haynako, in denial talaga si Sunny. HAHAHAHA.
“Leche, oo na po Aling Charize!” Tumayo ako at tumakbo papuntang kusina. Alam kong hahabulin ako niyan eh! Kung ayaw niya sa pangalang Sundria, mas ayaw niya sa Charize! Hahaha xD
“Walanjo ka Millicent!!” Sabay habol sakin. I missed the old times.
~~
Dumating ako sa bahay nila lolo 6pm palang. Dun na ko dumeretso after naming magmall ni Sunny. I helped lola sa pagluluto.
“Where’s Lolo Miguel, lola?” tanong ko habang nagluluto kami ng pasta.
“Pauwi na rin yun siguo iha. Sabi niya ay uuwi daw siyang maaga at may bisita siya.” Sabi ni Lola sakin.
I shrugged. She stopped what she’s doing and looked to me. “Can’t you really handle the job, Claire? I know you can do it. After all you’re a Laurel.” Out of the blue, she said.
I gave Lola Sonya a faint smile, “Thank you for believing in me lola, but ito po muna ang gusto ko. Before you go into a war you should have your weapons with you right? And you just don’t need to have them; you should also know how to use them in able for you to win.”
She smiled sweetly, “You are really a sweetheart.” She hugged me and I hugged back.
“She really is a Laurel.” Sabi naman ni lolo. Narinig nanaman niya. He always comes out of nowhere. Weird. Haha.
“Hi there lolo.” Lola and I gave him a kiss on his cheeks.
“Hello iha. So, you’re having your bonding time with your grandmother huh? Kelan naman yung satin?” He asked. Well, sa lahat ng magpipinsan sa side ni daddy, ako yung pinaka-close kay lolo. Our bonding time was usually horse-back-riding.
“Hmm, kelan k aba free, ‘lo? Anytime naman pwede eh.” I said.
“Not if you got a job iha.” Lola reminded me.
“Oh.. But weekends will do, right lolo?” I asked him.
He nodded and smiled. “Weekend it is.”
“Anyway, sino ang bisita mo Miguel? I assume it’s a close friend of yours?” sabi ni lola. Lolo doesn’t usually invite people to eat in his house. Kapag business ang usapan, sa restaurant kumakain yan.
“It’s Roman.” Sabi niya kay lola then he turned to me, “You’ll be working in his company.”
~~