-Alistair-

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito ako kapalagay sa kalagayan ni Lorelei. I know that she nearly died last night but when that person that I suspected as Loki came, all I can think of it is somehow, there's someone who is protecting her right now.

Habang nasa biyahe pa kami ay hindi ko maiwasang mapatingin sa mga pictures namin ni Lorelei noong highschool pa lang kami. I saved everything in my Facebook account for me to cherish those moments that I had with her.

Ginagawa ko ito dahil pakiramdam ko ay parang napapalayo na rin ako sa kanila. Paano kung nagkaroon na rin sila ng meet ups? Tapos ako lang pala ang wala sa grupo? It will be too frustrating for me since they were the one who I have been closed with before I slept almost in eternity.

Kumpara kasi sa kanila, I am inside the hospital for a few years. No friends to talk to, no things to do. I was just there, sleeping. Without knowing what in the world is happening out there. It's scary of you ponder about it.

While them? I know na nagtake na sila ng mga napili nilang kurso. And now, they have reached their dream professions. Pinaghirapan nila ang mga napag-aralan nila habang ako naman ay secured na. My dad's company is only there, waiting for my awakening and this is how I ended. Simple as that. My future was ensured.

Lumiko na ang sinasakyan naming kotse papasok sa isang entrance ng isang five star hotel na pagmamay-ari ni Mr. Hal.

Tumigil ang kotse sa tapat mismo ng entrance at naunang lumabas ang driver ko. Siya ang nagbukas sa pinto sa tabi ni Eva habang ako naman ang nagbukas ng pinto sa aking tabihan.

Napatingala ako at nakita ko kung gaano katayog ang gusaling nasa harapan ko. Mr. Hal owns this one and it made him one of the richest businessman na nakilala namin. I'm not going to lose him because he is a big catch for our company.

Kaya kahit gaano pa kaaga or late hours na, I am trying my best to give him my time. My precious time that I never tried to think of spending with other people like some other friends. Busy person thinks of being busy with some things.

Binati kami ni Eva ng secretary ni Mr. Hal sa entrance ng hotel. She then leads the two of us inside. Si Eva ang nakipag-usap sa secretary ni Mr. Hal. Habang naglalakad kami ay nagpapalitan sila ng mga kuro-kuro. Habang ako naman ay nananatiling kalmado habang naglalakad. I'm observing how this hotel managed itself and so far, all I can see is excellency.

Dinala kami ng secretary ni Hal na may pangalang Ara sa isang elevator. Pumasok kami at pinindot niya ang floor number 23. Sobrang taas ng office ni Mr. Hal na kung titignan ang syudad mula sa bintana ay makikita niya halos ang kabuuan nito. Kumpara sa akin na mas pinili kong doon lang sa mababang floor na makikita ko ang syudad kahit hindi ako nasa pinakamataas na palapag.

It took us a few seconds until we finally went outside of the elevator. Nauna si Ara at yumuko siya sa amin, "Mr. Ravena, walk straight this way and you will find Mr. Hal's conference room."

Itinuro niya ang padiretsong hallway na may nakalatag pang red carpet sa sahig. Mr. Hal really wants to have his hotel classy and special. Medyo showy lang talaga if I'm being honest.

I nodded in response. Ako na lang ang mag-isang tumuloy habang naiwan naman sina Ara at Eva sa harap ng elevator. Mukhang magiging magkaibigan sila dahil nakikita ko ang kakaibang ngiti sa mukha nila. Yung ngiting alam mong magsisimula ng isang magandang impresyon.

As I walk alone on the red carpeted hallway, nakita ko kung gaano kagaling sa paglilinis ang mga staff nila rito. I can even see my reflection through the glass doors na nadadaanan ko. I believed that Mr. Hal really cares with his properties, hindi niya hinahayaang magmukhang low-class ang kaniyang  mga business premises.

A few steps more and I am now standing in front of the sliding glass door of Mr. Hal's conference room. Mula rito ay nakikita ko ang nag-iisang nakaupong Mr. Hal sa dulo ng isang mahabang oak-carved na lamesa.

Bakit siya lang mag-isa? They told me na may kasama siyang business associates for this meeting. Napailing muna ako bago ako tuluyang pumasok sa loob.

The fresh air greeted me as I entered the scene. The breeze coming from the aircon is soothing and cold at the same time. Medyo gininaw ako pero kahit papaano ay nasanay na ako sa lamig ng hangin na nagmumula sa mga aircon. Nagkataon lang talaga na masyadong malakas ang hangin na inilalabas ng aircon dito sa conference room ni Mr. Hal.

"A pleasant morning to you Mr. Ravena. Take your seat as we are going to start our private meeting." sabi ni Mr. Hal sa akin with his mischievous smile. Trickery works on me somehow.

"Kaya ba wala rito ang mga business associates mo?" I asked him as I walk to the seat of my choice. He laughed silently, more like a cough, but still I can see the hint of taking an advantage from me based on his facial expression.

A business tycoon really have a complicated mind. Gomase company will never be built if Mr. Hal didn't do anything. He have the initiative, and the guts to play hand on hand with reverse tactic. One thing that he made on me right at this moment.

Umupo ako sa bandang gitna, kaharap ang mga gusali sa labas ng glass window. The morning looks gloomy outside.

"Unfortunately, they are not capable of visiting us right now. But don't think I lied from you, nandito rin sila. Look around, there's a live video of them on that big TV screen." he pointed something at the far end of this room. May malaking telebisyon doon kung saan nakikita ko ang mga mukha ng mga iba't-ibang tao. Six different live feeds of other businessmen.

Napangiti ako, I was wrong. I thought he played dirty with me this time. Tumayo ako at agad na nag-bow sa paharap sa TV. "Good morning to all of you." and I sat down afterwards.

Mr. Hal coughed lightly, maybe he's just trying to grab my attention. So I looked at him and yes, I'm right. He sat straight and looked at me with his mischievous gaze.

"Gaya ng ating napag-usapan. May plano akong isabay sa local festival ang magiging official public announcement ng ating company partnership. From that, I would like to know what's on your mind? Any ideas?" tanong niya sa akin.

I was not surprised. "I have some plans on my mind on how can we make a successful event. We can hire an event organizer." simpleng sagot sa kaniyang tanong ang aking sinambit. He lean on his chair, his fingers touching the other end of his other fingers, looking like how Loki does that when he's listening from a possible client. I sighed.

"I can say that that idea is good. Pero mas gusto ko ang enggrandeng event. Yung hindi makalilimutan ng lahat ng dadalo. Because I want our partnership to become one of the best partnership of all time. Of my own time." aniya.

Again, I was not surprised. Mr. Hal is really the type of man who prefer special things rather than being normal. More complex, more fun. Strange but reasonable.

I smiled, "I'm glad you enjoyed my company. But I'm just considering the budget-"

He snapped his fingers, "The budget? It's not a problem. Ako na ang bahala sa mga gagastusin. All I just needed right now is your ideas, your plans about this event to make it more special. Never mind the cost as I will be the one to spend money for it." his mischievous smile shows out again.

It made me shiver slightly. Medyo intimidating talaga si Mr. Hal. His confidence is too high for me to reach it.

Kung iyan din ang gusto niya, I need to think. Ano nga ba ang puwedeng makita sa isang enggrandeng event?

"Any ideas will do but just be sure it's worth spending too." he added, making me feel responsible of everything. He's giving me a lot to think right now. I started to feel pressured.

"Pasensiya na Mr. Hal, pero ang mga naiisip ko ay mga simpleng bagay lang... Like a formal party." mahina kong pagsagot sa kaniya. Sa sobrang taas kasi ng expectations niya, nawalan na ako ng puwedeng isuggest sa kaniya.

I just totally wiped out. I can't handle the strain.

He smiled, now there's no hint of mischievousness on his face. "Formal party? Not that bad. We may hire or invite some special guests if we'll choose that kind of party. Any ideas who to invite with?"

Ibinigay na naman sa akin ang responsibilidad. Huminga ako ng malalim, sino nga ba ang puwede kong imbitahin?

"May naisip na ako kung sino ang puwede." biglang putol sa pag-iisip ko ni Mr. Hal.

"Sino?"

"Si Rhiannon Mendez, ang pinakasikat na aktres sa panahon ngayon." he laughed.

I wonder who is that actress? I'm not a fan of tv shows anymore. Oh, I never was.

May kinuha sa bulsa niya si Mr. Hal. His wallet. And then he opened it and showed me a picture inside of it. And my eyes widen as I see who is the woman on the picture...

Is that Jamie?!

"Speechless? Sabi na nga ba at magagandahan ka rin sa kaniya. I'm an avid fan of this actress." sabi pa ni Mr. Hal habang tinititigan ang litrato sa kaniyang wallet.

Hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti, kung alam lang niya. Naging malapit na ako kay Jamie noong nasa club pa kami. Pero hindi talaga ako makapaniwala, Rhiannon Mendez? Kailan pa siya nagpalit ng screen name? And why did she chose that particular name?

"Is Rhiannon Mendez fine with you?" he asked me.

I nodded in response, "Ye-yes, she's fine with me."

"Then it's settled. Rhiannon Mendez will be one of our special guests. Now let's talk about other things..."

Jamie Santiago, we will meet again for sure.

-30-