[ Friday, June 10 ]
Going to the office to follow sir Gabriel's tasks are never easy. First of all, he's demanding, second, he wants things done within a day or two, third, I know that I shouldn't disappoint him, because it's the only way to prove myself that I'm a responsible son-in-law, for that's what he's looking for.
Working with him is the only way that he knows how to know me better, for he's too busy in his work to give time in the knowing-each-other tradition. So, he preferred to see me around in his company and observe my behavior. I'm not complaining, though. After all, all my efforts in winning sir Gabriel's heart has been worth it. On the 30th day of December, I can take his daughter as my wife. The woman I've been waiting for seven long, dramatic years.
I knocked at the door of Mr. Gabriel Monteverde's office and pushed it open. I walked towards him and saw him in front of his desk, eyes glued on the computer screen. I put down the tower of papers beside him.
"Sir, your schedule for the board meeting was moved on Monday at 3 pm, and this coming Wednesday, your business trip to Kuala Lumpur is already scheduled. Your flight will be at 10:10 pm. And also sir, here is the flash drive that includes the files you needed, it was from Amethyst."
Sir Gabriel beamed and patted my back. I can see in his eyes that he's pleased, which is good because I've always wanted to give a good impression. As a person who didn't come from the family of the elites, having the chance of
getting noticed is like a miracle. I had to earn his trust and respect. "You sure are a hard worker, son. Good job. Thank you."
"You're welcome, sir. I'm just doing my job. Is there anything else you need?" I replied, trying to handle his approval the proper way that I can think of.
"Can we talk?" he requested, his facial expression softening.
I widened my eyes a bit, for I didn't see it coming. He rarely gives time for small talks, for he's always been busy. It's not really surprising, because handling a huge company sure can be stressful, and it sure is, as I can see.
"About what, sir?" Please tell me that this isn't another task for me to do. I had enough for this day.
"Nothing serious, really. But you've proven yourself well enough. I'm very glad that my daughter will be married to a responsible and hard-working man like you."
I smiled. I felt honored by what he said. It means a lot, coming from him. "I know that my hard work has paid off so ... I just keep on going."
"Even though it's hard to please me?"
Honestly, Gabriel Monteverde is the hardest person to please that I know in the entire universe. But I know that he just wants what's best for his daughters and company. I cannot blame him for that. Truth is, it is better to have a father who cares about knowing their daughter's suitors since marriage is a lifetime commitment than someone who doesn't care at all. It isn't something that shouldn't be taken seriously.
"You're setting high standards for excellent outcomes. Nothing's wrong with that."
"I'm impressed that you've been this far. You see, you tolerated all my criticisms to you and your family but you didn't give up and still did your best to win my daughter, Amethyst. I was just testing you. Because of all of this, I can say that no one else deserves my daughter other than you. I've also seen your effort in visiting our house to give time for her and our family, not just here in the office," he paused and placed his hands behind him, weighing the air as he speaks once again. "I'm sorry if I didn't respect you before as a human. You know how … mean I was."
Pinch me, this isn't real. Did he just apologize? It's quite surprising to hear someone I look up to apologizing to me for hurting my feelings. I must say, I've been waiting for this for a long time, but I never thought that it'll ever happen. For many years I see rich people as selfish individuals who hardly cares for people's lives as long as their business runs. Is he proving me wrong?
"Um, pardon?" I spoke awkwardly.
"You can imagine how hard it is for me to say the s word. But yes, I know that I didn't do the right thing so now I'm apologizing for my mistake. I just had some realizations recently."
I tried to compose myself and breathed slowly as I answer. "That's … a part of the past, sir. People commit mistakes. But if there's anything that I can assure you, it's that, I'm a forgiving person. I have to be honest, I was hurt with all your criticisms to me and my family in the past but I know that forgiveness is the first step to begin healing. I forgave you a long time ago and didn't keep hatred inside me. That's the reason why I can work with all the willingness, knowing that my efforts are all worth it." It's not easy to forgive when someone judged you a lot, especially about who you are even though they hardly know anything. But forgiving is the right thing to do because keeping a grudge in my heart won't help me move on.
Sir Gabriel closed his eyes, grinning, and walked towards me to pat my shoulder. "I'm glad that you have a forgiving heart. Honestly, I'm relieved. I realized that I should be in good terms with you because you'll be my son-in-law."
As much as I wanted to ask how long he's been thinking about that, I better not. If there's a person who made him realize his mistake, well, whoever that person is, I wish I can thank him or her.
A few minutes later, I went out of sir Gabriel's office to go home. As I walk down the hallway, my phone rang – and it was a phone call from Sasha. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before answering the call.
"What is it now?" I began, hoping that the old conversation won't be the same as before.
"Hey, Vaughn! I think you already know my reason for calling you. Wanna hang out? It'll be fun!" she replied playfully, sounding drunk.
"I have no time for this, Sasha." I finally said as I hung up.
"Hmm, I smell something fishy." A familiar female voice growled from behind. It was Summer, my fiancée's older sister. She looked at me with a blank facial expression – her signature appearance. Her eyebrows are furrowed, trying to read me with her amber eyes.
"It's not what you think." I defended.
"You know what? Amethyst and I may not be that close and we always fight, but I won't let anyone mess with her feelings. Especially you. Put this in mind, Vaughn Alcantara," she warned as she walked towards me, our faces only inches apart. "I'm watching you." she continued, giving me a glare as she walked past me.
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[ Monday, June 13 ]
The clock strikes at 5:30 pm. Knowing Amethyst, she must've finished all her tasks at this time of day. Maybe I should bring her something. As someone who's too devoted to her work, it has to be something that'll cheer her up.
As I entered her favorite restaurant, the staff greeted me and handed me the menu. A soothing instrumental music plays in the background, while few customers are eating their meals with, I suppose, their dates.
I turned the pages to see the options and I called the waiter to come to get my order. Around 20 minutes later, the waiter served the seasoned meatballs over the bed of pasta covered in thick, tomato sauce, served with shredded cheese and garlic toast.
I took out my wallet from my pocket as I read the bill and pulled out a 1,000-peso bill to pay.
"Keep the change." I grinned, as I lifted the brown paper bag where her food is stored. The tip is nearly four times greater than the amount I paid but it's fine, for I know how bad the salary can be as someone like him. I don't know his life story, but it's another way of helping those who might be in need.
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A woman standing in front of her office's window, entertaining a phone call was revealed as I open the door. She turned around and sat back to her seat, not even giving me the slightest hint that she's aware of my existence.
I placed the brown paper bag that includes the take-out meal that I bought on her desk.
"Busy?" I mouthed. She lifted a hand, gesturing me to pause for a while. "Alright, I got it. Bye Amber," she said as she put her phone down. Finally, she speaks, "I hardly notice you enter." she commented as she looks up to me. I can't say I'm surprised; I've lost count of how many times this scenario happened already. It isn't something new.
"Because you were pre-occupied and busy. Here, I bought you some snack. I'm pretty sure that you haven't eaten anything since noon." I smiled, trying my best to show a positive attitude, hiding my disappointment.
"Look, I want to eat but I can't as much as I want to," she cleaned up the papers on her desk and placed them inside the drawer. "I have a lot to do. I'll just eat this later when I get home, thank you." she continued as she hanged the sweater on her arm, taking her bag with her.
"How about this Wednesday? Can I ask you out this Wednesday?" she looked back and shook her head, resisting the offer. "I can't. I'm with my dad on his business trip to Kuala Lumpur. My schedule's full." How can I forget? I was the one who booked their flight. I can't believe that I'm making myself look like a fool who hardly knows anything about how their family lives.
"Friday, next week, 7 pm. Is that fine?"
"That'll be Amber's wedding," she replied, heading to the door. Ugh. I can't live like this. This isn't fair. Why is it that every time, I ask her out, she's always got a full schedule? It makes me feel stupid to ask and ask and gets rejected anyway.
I squeezed my eyes shut. "How about this Sunday after church? For lunch?"
She looked back to answer. "Yeah, Sunday will do." The door closed, leaving me inside the office. I pulled out my phone and sent her a quick message, informing her not to forget our lunch on Sunday. A few minutes later, my phone rang and I picked it up to answer.
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry again for disappointing you. I don't want to be hard on you but … I don't know how to thank you for being patient with me. Sunday, I promise."
"Maybe your dad would lessen your job assignments when Sasha starts working in the company, don't you think?"
"Perhaps? I don't know. By the way, have you visited our house? How is the construction going?"
"Almost done, actually. I think they can finish it in a matter of three weeks. Now it's only the us who are missing." she chuckled after getting the idea.
"Oh yes, definitely. The owners are the last missing piece of that house. I'm sorry again about earlier. I have to hang up now, I'm driving. I love you." Without hearing my reply, a beep sound was heard from the other side of the line.