#ChainedtothePastWP

Chapter 30
Meeting

Days passed by so quickly. It felt like Thursday arrived in just a blink of an eye. Tomorrow is already Friday―the day that I'm going to meet my father again, after how many days.

My mother and I spent our days inside the house.  We mostly hanged out with each other in the kitchen―baking and cooking. I wasn't really an outgoing type of person, so I had no problem staying at home. Even back in San Isidro, I only went out of the house when it was necessary. The only time I went far was when I was with Kalcifer, whom I used to call Alastair.

Because of him, I discovered beautiful places that I was afraid to explore, especially that place by the ocean. I don't think I would ever forget that moment. I've never felt so much peace, calmness, and security in my life. It only happened that night.

I interrupted my own thoughts before it gets deeper. Shaking my head, I reminded myself that I should be making a progress in moving on than reminiscing those moments with him.

Good thing my mother knocked on my door to ask if I was ready. Today, we're finally going out of the house. I didn't wish for it, but she wanted to buy me a new dress to be worn tomorrow.

I already told her that there was no need to buy a new dress because the dresses she stacked up in my closet were all practically new, and I haven't worn those dresses yet, but she insisted.

Not to catch a lot of attention at the mall, Kalcifer was the only one walking along with us, while the other guards were in disguise. However, not gathering attention was impossible because my mother was very eye-catching. Not to mention those women who were steaing glances at Kalcifer.

My mother chose a very intimidating dress for me. It was a black contrast trim gold metal link Gucci dress. According to the staff, it was a part of the latest season collection, which made it way too expensive. The dress was over a hundred thousand. I tried stopping my mother from swiping her card, but she was enjoying too much.

I bit my lower lip, watching her carefully observed the bags displayed on the glass shelves.

We were already done with the dresses, so she now wanted to choose a bag to complete the look. I was praying that it wouldn't cost as much as the dress, but when I caught a glimpse of the price of one bag on this boutique, I knew it was impossible.

Yumuko ako at hindi na lamang pinanood si mommy. Sobrang nanghihinayang ako sa pera na ginagastos para lamang sa isang damit at bag.

"You should try getting used to it."

Nagulat ako nang biglang umupo sa aking tabi si Kalcifer. He was holding the paper bag of the Gucci dress we bought just a few minutes ago.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanyang mukha at kita kong seryoso niya lamang tinitingnan si mommy.

"I'm sure Tita Caroline just wants to spoil you this way. She worked hard and earned money, not just for herself, but mainly for you," he told me. "She knew well that your father could offer you more. So she wanted to give you what he could possibly give."

"You know I'm not into materials things, K-Kalcifer." I still stuttered saying his name. "Pero naiintindihan ko naman ang punto mo. Alam kong gusto niyang bumawi sa akin. Hindi ko lang talaga maiwasan ang manghinayang."

"I'm sure you know that there's a possibility that you will meet Arlene and her mother tomorrow," he suddenly shifted the topic.

Kumalabog ang puso ko nang maisip 'yon. I didn't think of that until now that he mentioned it.

He's right.

There's a huge possibility that I'd be meeting Arlene again, after how many years we've been apart since that incident.

I wonder she would react in meeting me.

Will she be mad at me? Or is she going to be happy?

I had no idea. I had no clue.

Hindi na rin ako nagtaka dahil kahit ang sarili ko ring emosyon ay hindi ko mahulaan. Hindi ko sigurado kung ano ang mararamdaman ko kapag nagkita na kami ulit.

"I may not be right, but I guess she wants to intimidate them," Kalcifer continued explaining. "Just let her be for now. She just wants what's best for you."

In the end, I just let my mother take control of everything like what Kalcifer suggested. The Burberry bag she bought was surprisingly more expensive than the Gucci dress. She looked so satisfied with the things she bought for me.

For dinner, she took us to a Michelin starred restaurant at Shangri-La. The interior of the restaurant was so fancy. I mentally thanked myself for wearing a dress today, instead of my initial choice―jeans and plain shirt. On the other hand, Kalcifer looked like he was already used to fine dinings.

I was suddenly reminded of seeing him, eating at Nanay Marissa's eatery. He was so comfortable eating those native Filipino homecooked meals. There was a different feeling inside me, while seeing him dining in this extravagant restaurant.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano na ako katagal nakatitig sa kanya. Nabigla at nakaramdam ako ng hiya nang mag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin.

"Do you guys want me to order desserts or are you both full already?" Mom asked us, after the main course was served.

"Huwag na po," ako na ang sumagot. "Ayos na po 'to at hindi rin naman po mahilig sa matatamis si Alastair."

They all looked stunned because of what I said, especially Kalcifer, who seemed like he was disarmed. Mom blinked consecutively, while looking at me.

That was when I realized that I used his fake name, rather than the real one. And did it sound weird that I know he's not fond of eating sweets?

"I-I mean K-Kalcifer..." I stuttered and just drank the ice cold water in front of me, hoping that it would wash away the embarrassment I was feeling.

I couldn't look straight at Kalcifer now, especially not when I could feel my cheeks heating up.

"I'm sure it's okay with Kalcifer to call him the name you are used to," Mom encouraged me and turned to Kalcifer. "Right, Kalcifer?"

"Of course, Tita," he just said.

Napakagat ako sa aking ibabang labi. Hindi ko alam kung talagang ayos lang ba sa kanya o baka dahil kay mommy kaya wala siyang magawa kundi ang sumang-ayon na lang.

"But I'm surprised to know that Kalcifer doesn't like sweets," Mom took note of that. "Siguro ay talagang naging malapit kayong dalawa noong nasa San Isidro pa."

I didn't comment on that.

Did we really got close before?

I wasn't sure of that. I thought we got closer, but then I realized that there were only a few things I knew about him, especially as Kalcifer. Hindi ko na rin sigurado kung totoo ba ang mga ibang bagay na nalaman ko tungkol sa kanya. Baka mamaya ay mahilig naman pala siya sa mga matatamis.

Mabuti na lang at hindi na masyadong nagtanong pa si mommy tungkol doon. Hindi na rin kasi sumagot si Kalcifer. I guessed we both didn't want to talk about the past anymore, and that's fine with me.

Kinabukasan ay maaga akong nagising at nag-ayos.

We should be at Guillermo Holdings by 9AM. I wore the dress and bag my mother bought for me yesterday. Ngayon ko lang nakita ang binili niyang bag at masasabi kong bagay na bagay ito sa damit na nabili. It was a small Burberry black leather quilted monogram bag. The chains and the logo has a gold tone, just like the metal link of my dress.

I let my hair down and did not bother doing anything to it. I also wore light make up, just enough to highlight my features.

Meanwhile, my mother was wearing Valentino from head to toe―starting from her maxi dress down to her point-toe pumps. Even her bag and accessories were from the same designer brand. She looked like she was going to attend a Valentino fashion show or be the model walking down the runway.

Whoever sees us together, I think they'd mistake us as sisters. She was looking exceptionally young today, like someone in mid twenties. Well, for the record, my father also looked young. They both looked like they've never been married.

"You look so beautiful, darling," Mom praised me when I arrived at the living room.

Feeling shy, I smiled a bit and intertwined my fingers together.

Noong nasa party ay hindi ako masyadong nailang sa suot ko dahil naisip kong akma iyon sa pagtitipon. Pero ngayong pupunta lang sa kompanya ni daddy, I felt slightly overdressed. Though I was sure that these kind of outfits were normally worn by those who are in the higher class.

Siguro ay hindi lang talaga ako sanay, lalo na sa pagsuot ng mga matataas na sapatos. I was okay with wedge heels, but I couldn't say the same for pointed heels. Ngayon pa lang ay nararamdaman ko na ang pagsakit ng talampakan ko. Pakiramdam ko ay mataas ang posibilidad na matalisod o madapa ako.

"Tita, the car is ready."

Nalipat ang tingin ko kay Kalcifer na kapapasok lamang ng aming bahay. This was the second time I saw him wearing a suit. Though it was semi-formal, I still found him very formal because of his usual expression. He also styled his hair up today. Mas gumagwapo siya kapag kita ang kanyang noo. There was something very manly about it.

Kalcifer casually glanced at my way.

Nag-iwas na lang ako ng tingin lalo na't inaya na ako ni mommy'ng lumabas. Nauna si mommy sa paglalakad dahil mayroon siyang importanteng katawagan sa cellphone.

I followed her with baby steps because I couldn't walk fast with three inches heels. I didn't want to fall, especially not in the hawk-like eyes of Kalcifer, watching my every move.

I was too focused being careful with my steps that I didn't notice Kalcifer who was already in front of me.

Without a word, he reached and held my hand.

My heart hammered against my chest when I felt the electricity as our hands touched. My eyes were wide open, while he seemed uninterested.

"It might take you years if I let you walk alone," he simply said, subtly insulting me.

"Kaya ko naman," agap ko.

Hindi niya ako pinakinggan at hinigpitan lamang ang paghawak sa aking kamay. Maingat at pasensyoso niya akong iginaya palabas at papunta sa aming sasakyan.

I saw my mother waiting for me inside the vehicle. She was serious as she talked to someone over the phone, but when she saw me and Kalcifer, she smiled. The way her eyes traveled down to my hand being held by Kalcifer didn't escape from me.

Napalunok tuloy ako at naramdaman ang pamamawis ng aking palad. Kaya naman nang makalapit na sa sasakyan ay mabilis kong kinalas ang kamay ko kay Kalcifer. Walang kahirap-hirap akong sumakay sa sasakyan ng walang tulong galing sa kanya.

I hated how I couldn't stop my heart from racing just from his simple gentleman acts, which were probably only triggered by his job to take care of me.

"I see that you're really close with Kalcifer."

Nagulat ako sa komento ni mommy. Wala na siyang kausap ngayon sa cellphone. Ngumiti siya sa akin na mayroong ibang kahulugan.

Sasagot pa sana ako para itanggi 'yon, ngunit nakasakay na rin si Kalcifer sa aming sasakyan. He was seated at the front seat, while his right-hand man, whose name I still don't know, was our driver for today.

Tinikom ko na lang ang aking labi at hindi na sumagot pa.

The whole ride to the company was quiet. But when we were getting nearer, my mother put on her sunglasses, making her looked more intimidating. She told me to send a message to daddy that we were already five to ten minutes away from the company.

I did what I was told and looked outside the window after. I saw the approaching tower with the initals 'GH' at the top of the building. It looked so sturdy, like no one could ever take it down.

The car made a u-turn after a few minutes, and we entered the company's driveway. I thought we would just be ushered by daddy's secretary, but I was surprised when I saw him personally waiting for us at the entrance. His secretary was beside him and another three bodyguards were just right behind.

Nang tumigil ang sasakyan sa kanilang harapan, si daddy na mismo ang kumilos para pagbuksan kami ng pintuan. Since the car's windows were almost fully tinted, my father didn't expect to see my mother sitting beside the door he opened.

"C-Carol," he stuttered saying her name in surprise.

Mommy didn't mind his presence and went down of the car without his help. Nang magtama naman ang tingin namin ni daddy ay agad ko siyang nginitian. He offered his hand to help me down, and I immediately accepted his help.

"Good morning, my princess," he sweetly greeted me and kissed the top of my head. "Did you eat breakfast already?"

Nodding my head, I smiled at him.

"Let's go inside then," aya niya at maingat na nilingon si mommy.

"Just lead the way," my mother nonchalantly said.

Pagkapasok na pagkapasok pa lang sa lobby ng kompanya ay madami nang bumabati sa amin. I could tell that the employees here still respected mommy so much. They still remembered her.

My mother gave them a gentle smile, while simultaneously looking around, probably looking for any differences since she last visited the company. Her eyes were expressing nostalgia.

The employees were also greeting me as my father's daughter. Daddy told me that he already announced yesterday that we were going to come and visit the company today. They were well-informed.

We went straight to the main conference room at the executives floor. The board members were already present inside. They all stood up, when we entered the room, to acknowledge our arrival.

"Miss Zapanta." Some of them flocked to my mother, while the others went closer to greet me. My mother confidently exchanged greetings with the members of the board.

Dad remained beside me. He introduced me to them one-by-one, but I doubted if I'd be able to remember their names. I was overwhelemed by their enthusiasm to meet me.

Inilibot ko ang tingin ko sa conference room. I realized that Arlene and Tita Drizelda weren't present in this meeting. I thought they'd also be here to hear my father's future plans for the company.

Iginaya ako ni daddy sa upuan katabi ni mommy. Mommy naturally took the seat beside the chair of the President and CEO earlier. Si Kalcifer naman ay sumunod na umupo sa tabi ko.

My father sat like a king on his throne when he took over the table by sitting in front. Everyone suddenly became silent. It spoke volume on how much power my father has in his hands.

Lumapit ang secretary ni daddy sa kanya at may mabilis na ibinulong dito. Tumango lamang si daddy at sinuyod ng tingin ang mga panauhin.

"Well, since everyone is here, we should get started," Dad started to facilitate the meeting, but it was immediately interrupted.

"I'm sorry if we're a bit late."

All the heads present in the room turned to the double doors. My eyes grew wide when I saw Tita Drizelda dramatically entered the room, which caused a bit of commotion. She was wearing a very conspicuous dress. Beside her was a woman who seemed so familiar to me.

My throat went dry, and my heart skipped a beat.

"Arlene..." I silently whispered to myself, my eyes fixated on her.

I saw her eyes scanned the room until she met my gaze. Her lips went apart a bit, but then she pursed it tightly and turned away, avoiding my eyes.