Sometimes, it takes a lot of bravery for us to face again the person we once had connection
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13
"Miss Alice,"
I stopped walking and turn around to see who was calling me. It was Lea's secretary.
I had a meeting with the Vice-president, since Lea and the vice-president is on the same floor, she immediately saw me.
"Yes," I gave her a short smile. She nodded a little before she spoke to me.
"Miss Lea wanted to know, if you're available on Friday, this week." She was holding her iPad, carefully looking at Lea's schedule.
I was actually wondering why she had to ask me instead of my secretary who knew my schedule better than I do.
I maintained the smile on my face before I spoke, not really speaking out my initial thought.
"Let me check my schedule," I browsed my phone and open my shared calendar. It was a calendar that Lou made for me, "I'm free in the afternoon to night," I do have a meeting with the representative from Sia and Co early in the morning tho.
She nodded while typing it out on her iPad.
"This is noted Miss Alice. I'll notify your secretary na lang regarding with the final schedule,"
See? She should've asked Lou directly.
I just nodded and left her. I immediately went back in my office to finish my work. I have loads of paperwork to finish today and I can't afford to be late.
I can't share my loads with other senior consultants because even they have loads of stuff too. It's actually a good thing that we have loads of stuff, it only means a lot of work for us.
The whole day went by just like that. I barely eat my lunch because of the pile of documents on my table.
After finishing a paper, I would immediately jumped on to the next. Although it's not normally like that because sometimes, it would take me hours or even days to review some documents because they are either too long or too technical that I have to do my own research to understand the paper.
It was around 8 pm when I as able to get home in my condo unit. I even had to pass by a drive thru to get my dinner.
I went inside and suddenly my world shut down. It doesn't feel peaceful whenever I'm alone. It's just... quiet.
I switched on the lights and put down my takeout on my counter top then I went inside my room.
I placed my bag on my bed and went inside my bathroom. I just had a quick shower. My back aches so bad. I was sitting the whole day and barely moved.
I only wore a robe and dried my hair. I didn't bother to put anything underneath the robe. No one would see me anyway.
I went out of my room and opened the television. I played the series I left weeks ago. I had to press the volume up twice so I could hear the dialogue while I prepared my food.
My food is already cold. It has been sitting on top of my counter for an hour or so. I had to microwave it so I could enjoy it.
I bought two slices of lasagna, garlic bread, and two boxes of pizza. I won't eat these all tho. I kept half the amount of the food in my fridge and made a drink for myself.
After preparing, I ate while watching a series. If I don't watch it while eating, I won't progress on it.
After eating my food, I immediately cleaned up so I can start finishing the document I was reviewing in the office.
It was almost midnight and I'm almost halfway through and I badly wanted to drink a coffee but I decided not to make myself a coffee or I wouldn't sleep the whole night. Also, I'm still full from the dinner I had.
I actually felt guilty after eating all the food I ate earlier. I'll just burn it on my free day na Lang.
After my readings, I immediately went to sleep.
That has been my everyday routine. Sometimes, Clara would ask me out for lunch whenever i have a free time or if I'm not too loaded.
Just like the other day, Clara asked me to go with her in Singapore for her business trip. I wanted to come with her but I was too busy with the pile of documents I have to read and review.
Instead of my usual morning, I decided to buy some food on the drive thru. I bought a big portion as I was planning to drop by Lea's office.
I have questions too regarding the meeting she set on Friday.
Her secretary didn't give mine details. She only handed over the schedule. That seems weird to me but I ignored it since Lea is in the meeting.
I went inside the building still wearing my shades. I only removed it when I got on Lea's officer's floor level.
"Is Miss Lea there?" I asked her secretary. She didn't seem to notice me but she nodded immediately.
They know that I'm friends with Lea and of course, they all know that I am supposedly a de Guzman so everyone used to me visiting Lea without prior notice.
I knocked twice before I turned around the door knob. Lea was sitting on her swivel chair with papers on her hand.
"Hey," I greeted with a smile on my face.
"I don't have the details with me about the meeting this coming Friday" She said without a pause.
My smile faded and brows furrowed. How did she know that i am here for that? Her eyes bore on me looking sleepy and bored as she watched me looking confused.
"Really Alice? Don't ask yourself how I knew your visit's intention." How can I not? Is she some sort of psychic?
"Why? Am I restricted to do that?" I went inside her office and close the door.
"Yes, because you don't normally visit here for nothing aside for work. It's always about work!" she said with a bitter tone. She put down the document she was reading and crossed her arm.
"I actually brought you these," I said and showed her the two paper bags of takeout I bought earlier. She seems unconvinced. "And that too,"
She chuckled when I admitted my reason. How can I not think of the details?
She stood up and went beside me in her receiving area.
"We should call Marco too. I bought a lot," I said.
Lea and Marco are both workaholic. Just like me, they don't eat too in the morning. We always wake up late, trying to enjoy every second that we can sleep. So we don't normally have time to eat breakfast.
"Text him," I laughed when I noticed her bitter tone. They must have fought again.
I sent Marco a message while Lea was setting up the food. I just can't seem to understand the thing between the two of them. They have their own world.
I even heard Lea whispering, if its free, he will here anytime soon.
Marco sat beside me, silently. They were silent at first but started whispering to themselves until they started arguing in front of me.
I had to butt in to ask Lea. "Stop! We're eating." Lea pursed her lips and harshly but her chicken. Marco did the same thing to his burger. He even scoffed when Lea whispered again.
"Aren't you really going to tell me the details?" I asked again. Lea put down her utensil and looked at me.
"Look. They called my mom's secretary asking for a schedule. My mom was the one to have dinner with them but she had to attend an event abroad and asked me to go to the meeting instead," my eyes narrowed. It doesn't seem believable. "I asked her what about this but she just said-- you'll know when you meet them. See, I don't even know. I just cannot attend the meeting or she'll go ballistic on me,"
That part seems believable. Auntie Olivia really has that kind of attitude. She's a woman who's full of surprises.
"Fine. I won't ask anymore." She nodded and continued eating.
I thought we'll have a peaceful breakfast but they started bickering again.
I watched them bicker the whole morning over the goddamned food.
But I left them the moment I finished my coffee. I don't think they will be fine this time as I think they had a huge fight.
Days gone by quietly. The only thing I was looking forward to was the meeting that Lea scheduled.
I guess when you have something to look forward to, days would go by quickly.
It was already four in the afternoon when I got out of the shower. I just got home from my business lunch with the representative of Sia and Co and now I have to prepare for my next meeting.
I sat on the edge of my bed wearing a robe. I was reading Lea's reply to my message earlier.
From: Lea
Wear something formal, yet casual.
That's what she said. I have been asking her about this meeting but she isn't telling me anything. She keeps on insisting that it was Auntie Olivia's meeting so she really doesn't know.
I keep on asking because I hate attending meeting without prior knowledge. It feels like I'm dumb listening to every words that the people are saying in the meeting.
I really found it weird. She doesn't really work like that. As much as possible, details should be given to her before she would attend a meeting.
I went inside my walk-in closet, to look for a dress.
I decided to wear a white high neck dress. It's not too long nor too short, as it ends just right below my knees. It has puff three-fourths sleeves made out of mesh. It wasn't too tight, hence, it really looks formal in a sense.
After wearing the dress, I covered it with a robe so I wouldn't mess it up when I started doing my make-up and hair.
I decided to tie the upper part of my hair and curled the tips of it. I let out my side bangs to have extra details on my hair.
I didn't do much of my make-up. I highlighted some of the features of my face and just applied a nude pink lipstick.
After that, I wore a pair of pearl earrings and a gold wristwatch on my left arm.
I removed the robe and looked for a pair of shoes to pair the dress I chose. I decided to wear a nude kitten heel shoes.
I also changed my bag into a nude colored one.
I finished dressing up around six in the evening. I immediately left my unit after that.
Our meeting will start on seven thirty and I'm not too far from the hotel where they scheduled the business dinner.
Good thing, it wasn't traffic and I arrived ten minutes before the schedule.
I handed over my keys to the valet to park my car. I don't want to be late just because I had to look for a parking space.
"Thank you," I just nodded and smiled to the valet who took my car.
I went inside the lobby of the hotel. I took my phone out to call Lea but I stopped when I saw her message.
From: Lea
Where are you? I'm in the washroom. Wait for me in the lobby when you get there.
I imediately type my reply.
To: Lea
I'm already here in the lobby.
I think it was a minute or so when Lea appeared in front of me.
She's wearing a pink pencil skirt and a brown sheer top. Her hair is in a ponytail and she's wearing a stiletto.
"I'm nervous," she said to me as soon as she got near me.
"Why would you be?" There's a hint of condescension in my tone.
"Because I don't know whom we are going to meet but let's go."
I just nodded and followed her when she walks toward the receptionist.
"Hi good evening. We have a reservation under Olivia del Guzman," it must be true that Auntie Olivia was supposed to have a meeting with the unknown people.
"Good evening Ma'am. May I know your name?"
"I'm Ovelea de Guzman and this is Alice Alcantara." I nodded a bit to the lady.
She entered our name and confirmed our identity. After that, she called one of the staff to guide us.
Lea and I followed the guy. We went inside the elevator and he pressed the top floor. Now I understand why there's such a heavy security. We're on our way on the VIP floor.
"I'm really nervous right now," I badly wanted to say; I am too but I just chuckled.
It took us a bit long to reach the top floor. When we got out of the elevator, the guy guided us to the last door where two buff men were standing.
I've been into beautiful places like these but I just can't help but to be amazed with the interior of this floor. There's a huge lobby near the elevator. If I'm not mistaken, there are three hallways after the lobby and we're currently in the first hallway. There are three doors in this hallway.
The staff said something to the men-in-black before he slightly knocked on the door.
Another man opened the door from the inside. The staff went inside and opened the door widely for us. Lea went inside but she stopped immediately after two steps. I went inside too, following her stop.
"Why'd you stopped?" I whispered behind her.
She cleared her throat and stepped aside for me to step forward. I was just looking at her, weirdly.
I heard someone cleared his throat too. It was deep that's why I know it's from a he.
I looked up to see who it was.
I saw my brother wearing a tux and then I looked at the man beside him.
I wanted to turn around and run away.
Uh-- I haven't seen him since that night.
It's been five months since the last time I saw and heard from him.
He kept his promise.
Ian didn't bother me for the last five months, after the conversation we had.
He really stopped.