"Rooftop is the worst place. If you don't mind I can just go home."
"You are a little bit killjoy dude. Come on. Have some time for yourself."
"I have enough time for myself. I just feel a little bit off in this environment."
"Still not used to it?"
"Yes Xayne. Still not. I'll excuse myself now."
"Okay, if you say so. Ride safe going home."
"Hoping you'll hang out with us soon without getting that feeling."
"Hoping Rafhael."
"Drive safe."
"Thanks dude."
Since I left Gutierrez Bar, I walked all alone on the streets, I somehow had time for myself thinking that I used my time on work so much, but I don't regret it. I look like handsome beggar on the streets, looks like lost or not on himself. I opened my phone and booked a grab so that I could go home.
I called Manong Tay if where is he and he answered that he is already at the house, he also asked me if I want him to fetch me but I automatically declined it. When my grab arrived I immediately told where am I heading, I am thankful that my driver isn't suspicious and I don't have a bad gut feeling about him.
Thanks God, I arrived safely. When I opened my phone again lots of messages popped up on my screen including the group chat of me and my friends. Videos after videos and message after message. They are having fun and I am happy for them.
"Good evening, Manong Tay. I want to have some drink with you."
"I thought you drink at the bar?"
"Just a shot I don't feel the environment so I left them their."
"You should eat your dinner first Sir so that you will not experience any inconvenient actions later."
"Okay Manong Tay, I'll eat first."
Being alone in life is amazing but sometimes heartbreaking, Manong Tay is like my father who guides me in my life decisions. And I will be forever thankful about that. Living all alone in your 20's has a lots of challenge but it also expands your understanding and the way you view things, events and happenings around you. It enhances your perspective about life but the disadvantage is that having no one by your side, not a single member of your family member, nor a shadow of your mother and father. Sometimes it is happy and life fullfilling but sometimes it's so hard.
"Clifford, what do you want to drink?"
"Martini."
"Anything else?"
"Just Martini, I am a little bit stressed out today and I don't think I'll like other alcoholic beverages as of the moment."
"Okay, Martini it is."
"Manong Tay?"
"Yes Clifford?"
"I wonder, if my parents did not die how's my life today?" I asked him.
"Clifford we all know that you can have much more better life than the usual. But, we cannot change the past all we have is making ourselves better so that when our future comes we are already happy, well-established and well equipped. We have battles in life that both makes us weak and stronger but it depends on us on which one should we use. Iho, I know you go through so much these past few days but always keep in your mind that you did great."
"Thank you Manong Tay."
"No worries iho."
"Let's have some Martini, I don't want to overdose myself too."
"That's good to hear you have lots of work to do tomorrow."
"Yeah, work is stressful but fulfilling if I closed a deal on one meeting."
"You never closed a deal for many meetings no wonder your business expands."
"I have trusted and well established employees that's why my company isn't on bankruptcy issue or any illegal issue. I would not give up the company my parents build for me. I maybe successful today but still this is because of my parents great effort."
"I love how much you honored your parents effort. You love them so much."
"Manong Tay, my parents are the best people I met in my entire life. And I can add you up in the list. You cared and showed me love and that's the purest thing I've received from someone. That's why I treat my employees as my family but I still don't cater lazy, incapable, hard-headed, liar and a traitor. I admit that I have high standards when it comes to my company but I just want the best. My failure will be their failure, my loss will be theirs too. And I cannot afford that."
"How's your bonding with your group of friends?"
"I haven't enjoyed, they are all busy and I clearly understand it. They get the life on their own and I can mind mine too. It's just that they are more liberated than I am."
"Clifford, I know that you make yourself busy because you want to forget something. It's not bad to enjoy sometimes."
"Manong Tay, I cannot enjoy life. I mean yes I can clearly afford everything I want but that cannot satisfy me."
"I hope that in the future you will find the woman who would make you a person."
"Manong Tay, do you think I am an animal huh?" I chuckled and joked around.
"It's not that iho, what I mean is that you won't spent too much time on your work. You'll get to have a happy family."
"I don't have future plans on building my own family Manong Tay."
"Someday you will eat what you just said. I know that you've been bleeding on the inside, been torturing yourself, been emotionally detached when it comes to affection for women but I guess someday I will see you living a happy life."
"If that will happen then I would gladly picked you as my father on my wedding day Manong Tay." he chuckled about what I said.
"Iho, it's getting late you need to rest."
"Just five more shots Tay."
"Your alcohol tolerance is high compared to mine, so I will take two shots and you will take three."
"Deal manong Tay."
After we drink I settled myself under the shower so that I won't feel warm because of the alcohol I drink. I soaked myself in the water for more than half an hour before I decided to leave the bath tub and finally dressing up myself and settle in bed. I opened my television and choose Netflix, I watch some random movies because I don't have any movies in my mind. I'll ask my secretary tomorrow for any movie recommendation because I ran out of what to watch. When I got tired and sleepy and turned it off and closed my eyes.
Early in the morning I could hear my employees talking about me. So they are gossiping about my personality huh,
"Good morning ladies. Can you please lower down your voice I can hear you talking behind my back." I said and I can see both shocked and fear on their eyes. I smirked at them.
"Do not say I am heartless for firing them without further notice. I am not donating money here in exchange of poor performance for two to three months. I pay high salary for high and best employees. And before I fire them I reviewed their data. I offered trainings for you to become well equipped."
"Sorry Sir."
"Next time ladies. You can tell me frankly I would be glad to discuss you the details." They looked down because they can't believe I heard them.
Today is also the day that my company will hire for new set of employees in exchange for those who got fired. And since I don't want to disturb Manong Tay I drive for myself. It is his rest day today, I drove out of the company because I have to go back to the house to get the files I left. I called my secretary that I left the company.
"Simone, do we have applicants for the higher position?"
"Yes Sir, we will review their resume first before they will have the interview."
"That's good, do not cater too much. Announce cut offs and they can go back in the afternoon. I don't want to starve my applicants in hunger just because we cannot cater them. And please assure them that we will give them chances before we picked the employees to boost their confidence."
"Noted sir."
"Thanks, I'll be right back in a few minutes."
I ended the call and drive but, I wasn't able to see a lady crossing the street. I immediately pulled the break but I still hit her. I get myself out the car and went to check the condition of the lady.
"Miss are you okay?"
"Do I look like I am okay Sir? Looked please drive responsible next time. Are you blind?" she hissed in a cute voice, her voice is like a child.
"I am very sorry Miss, I'll just bring you to the hospital so that they will treat your wounds. and I can pay for your bills."
"As you should because you are the one who hit me." She's a little bit frank though but nonetheless her voice is really cute.
"Let me help you get up. I am really sorry."
"Thank you." She politely said. I smiled looks like she is a 12 year old child.
"Why are you smiling? Does my condition looked funny to you huh?"
"No, it's not that. I did not mean to offend you with my smile."
"That's good because I will sue you for hurtinge with your car. Irresponsible driver, such an unlucky day for me, hmp."
To be continued...