Jordyn's POV

"Clemente, prepare your things that you will need for maybe a week."

Napakunot kaagad ang noo ko at lumapit sa boss ko. I was clueless about what he's saying. I was holding my folders and other paperworks pati na ang lunch bag ko. Kakabalik ko lang dahil kumain muna ako for lunch.

"I'm sorry, what? Bakit po?"

"'Yung interviewer na naka-assign sa project sa Singapore, she said na may emergency sa bahay nila. So, you'll replace her and you'll be assigned to cover the project about the new branch of the successful restaurant of a Filipino owner in Singapore," tuloy tuloy niyang paliwanag sa akin. "You'll leave in 2 days."

"What?! Wait, paano po 'yung project ko sa‐"

"May iba na rin akong in-assign doon," He cut me off.

"Pero bakit po ako?" I fished for an answer.

Kahit ako, may duda sa sarili ko. I still don't really have much experience if we're talking about going to other countries to cover an event.

"Because why not? You have the potential, Clemente. I trust you, your skills and your knowledge," He tapped my shoulder and smiled at me. "Everything is prepared. So, prepare yourself, too."

That was the last thing he said before leaving the room. I blinked twice, trying to recover from what he said earlier.

Fuck. I guess this will just be a door for more knowledge? What bad could happen, right?

I woke up dahil may nasipa ako at may narinig na nabagsak. Kaagad akong tumayo para icheck kung ano 'yon and it was my binder, pencil case and my journal.

Pinulot ko ang mga 'yon at inilagay sa suitcase ko. grabbed my phone to check the time. Halos mawalan ako ng kaluluwa nang makita ko ang oras. It's already 8:13 in the morning! My flight is at 9:30! Tangina.

I rushed to the bathroom and took a quick shower na may kasamang pagsisisi kung bakit ganito mga pinili kong desisyon sa buhay! When I got out, nagsuot na lang ako ng plain white t-shirt and baggy jeans.

I was doing that while watching the time and calling a grab. Binabantayan ko lang, baka sakaling bumagal. I immediately grabbed my handbag and my suitcase. I checked if wala na akong naiwan.

Mabilisan akong lumayas sa apartment after that. Mabuti na lang at dumating na rin ang nahanap kong sasakyan. After a while, I arrived at the airport and still got on board on time.

It was a long almost 4 hour flight before I landed in Singapore. Dumiretso kaagad ako sa hotel at nagpahinga saglit. I still have a meeting at 4 PM. I didn't realize that I dozed off.

I woke up at 2 PM and took a shower dahil feeling ko ang lagkit ko. I wore a black blouse and a baby pink two-piece suit. Tinupi ko nang kaunti ang dulo ng pants and wore a white shoes. I grabbed my bag and went to the place where I'll meet my superior.

I found myself in a fancy restaurant. I panicked when I saw Ms. Rachel was already there! Late na naman ako. Tumakbo na ako papalapit sa kanya.

"Ms. Rachel!" I called her while catching my breath. "Sorry po, na-late ako."

"Don't worry," She gave me a smile. "Take your seat. I already ordered for us, if that's fine with you?"

"Ah—Opo! Okay lang po," I chuckled.

After a while, our food arrived and nagsimula na rin kaming pag-usapan ang mga gagawin ko bukas. The event is tomorrow already kaya medyo kinakabahan na na ako.

"For tomorrow, the event will start at 9 AM. So, dapat an hour or two before it starts, nandoon ka na sa venue. Don't worry, may meeting place tayo pati na ang mga news camera operators," she explained.

"How long will the event be?" I asked.

"The launching will probably be just less than 2 hours. Take note that the owner requested the media to not ask questions or anything at that time. So, what you'll do is observe the event, take note of everything necessary and then, report."

Napakunot naman kaagad ang noo ko. Weird. Masungit kaya 'yung owner? Suplado?

Si Kairo kaagad naalala ko for some reasons. Hindi naman siya ganoon nu'ng naghiwalay kami. He just became cold when we broke up.. Or maybe sa akin lang?

I shook my head to remove such thoughts. Bakit ba siya kaagad ang pumasok sa utak ko? Pwede rin naman si Luna.

Why am I even comparing them to the owner?! Maybe the owner just wants the launching to run smoothly and peacefully.

"So, I assume that there will be a separate event for the media to ask questions or interview him?" I raised a brow.

"Exactly, Jordyn," She smiled. "May chismis na medyo intimidating daw 'yung owner. But I'm sure na balewala lang 'yon sa'yo. Hindi ba?"

I let out a nervous smile. Bakit ba ang tataas ng expectations ng mga superior ko sa akin? Damn it. I don't do well in this kind of pressure, I might mess up!

"Of course, Ms. Rachel," I answered, trying to conceal my doubt to myself. "Don't worry. Kayang kaya ko 'yon."

Nginitian niya lang ako at tinanguan. We continued eating after that and when we finished our food, lumabas na rin kami kaagad sa resto.

"Ms. Rachel," I called her even before makalayo siya. "I'm curious about something and I have a question."

She turned around and smiled at me, "What is it?"

"I'm curious about the owner and the restaurant. My boss told me that the owner is Filipino," I paused to catch my breath and go near her. "Hindi ko ba pwedeng malaman kung sino siya? Or 'yung name man lang po nu'ng restaurant?"

"You and your boss are right. He's a Filipino," She nodded. "There may be a chance na kilala mo siya but no. Hindi mo muna pwedeng makilala. Baka tumakas ka eh."

"Why would I do that?" I chuckled. "Kahit clue lang, Ms. Rachel. Kahit super duper liit na clue." Hindi ko naman kasi magets kung bakit kailangan may thrill pa, it's not like I would like the owner.

She leaned towards me and whispered, "Gwapo 'yung owner."

We both laughed and I rolled my eyes on her. After that, we said our goodbyes and parted our ways.

When I saw a waiting shed, I stood there and grabbed my phone. I searched for a nearby library and immediately found one.

Walking distance na lang naman siya kaya hindi na ako sumakay pa. Luckily, may katabi na rin siyang cafè. I ordered an iced coffee and entered the library.

I found a space so I took out my journal and my pen. I composed myself before taking down notes on what I should do and prioritize tomorrow. I also took out my iPad and went to check my e-mail.

I spent my time like that until 8 PM then I decided to come home. I didn't eat for dinner anymore. I washed myself and went to sleep early.

Nagising ako nang dahil sa alarm ko. It was 5 in the morning. I called room service for breakfast dahil wala na akong oras para pumunta pa sa cafè. I ate my meal and went straight to the bathroom to take a shower.

I wore a dirty white long sleeves tucked inside my pair of navy blue pants. I also put on a light make up and tied my hair in a messy ponytail. I grabbed my bag and called a taxi to get to our meeting place.

When I got there, kumpleto na sila and then we immediately went to the branch of the restaurant that will be launched. While traveling, I don't know why but bigla akong kinabahan at natakot.

Gosh, I prepared myself for a million times and for the worst tapos ngayon pa ako kakabahan? Wake up, Jordyn Alexis.

"Everything fine, Jordyn?" Ms. Rachel asked.

"Yes, Ms. Rachel," I smiled at her. "Kinakabahan lang po. You'll leave the place po ba after namin maibaba roon?"

"Yes, Jordyn. I have to finish some works in the office and may meeting pa ako," She gently tapped my back. "Don't worry. Hahabol ako bago 'yung conference mamayang hapon."

Tumango na lang ako at pumikit upang sinubukang pakalmahin ang sarili ko. You got this, Jordyn.

Nang tumigil ang sasakyan, I assumed that we arrived at the place. I opened my eyes and when I saw the place, I regret opening them at all.

Eugenio's Cuisine

My heart sunk at parang pinalunok ako ng isang daang tinik. This must be a joke, right? Maling lugar 'to 'no? Tanginang tadhana.

"Let's go, Jordyn," Ms. Rachel grabbed my arm.

"Wait lang, Ms. Rachel. Ki.. Kinakabahan po kasi talaga ako eh," I made an excuse.

Ayoko na rito, Mama! Pakisundo na lang ako. Pakitago ako sa mga bulsa niyo. Ipakain niyo na lang ako sa lupa! Hindi ko alam kung kaya ko pang iharap ang mukha ko sa owner na 'yan. Marami akong kasalanan sa kanya eh.

"We'll be late. I'll accompany you papasok para hindi ka masyadong kabahan," Tuluyan na niya akong hinila at sumunod na lang ako.

Maraming tao. Maraming media. Hindi ko alam kung helpful 'yon or mas kinabahan lang ako. Hindi ko naman ineexpect na 'yung business pala ni Kairo ang project na tinutukoy ng mga superior ko. What the hell talaga.

We arrived at our spot and umupo na kaagad ako. Nagpaalam na rin kaagad si Ms. Rachel kaya ang mga news camera operators na lang ang kasama ko. I immediately took out my journal and started observing the place.

This is a bigger branch compare sa mga usual sizes ng Eugenio's Cuisine sa Pilipinas. It's just amazing na naipagpatuloy nang maayos ni Kairo ang sinimulan ng Dad niya though alam ko naman na matalino talaga si Kai.

I had the urge to walk and look around the place, so I did. I was writing something when I bumped into someone. Nahulog ang ballpen ko kaya pinulot ko muna 'yon.

"I'm sorry-"

"No. No. I'm so-"

Natigilan ako nang makita sa harapan ko si Kairo. We both cut ourselves off when our eyes met. Hindi kaagad ako nakagalaw sa kinatatayuan ko. I was stunned to see him again.

How many years have passed since I saw him Four? Five? I lost count. Some features of his face were more emphasized. He still looked good. And in his eyes, I know that he's still the Kairo I know.

"My apologies, Sir," I said and lowered my head nang makabawi mula sa gulat.

"Be attentive and cautious when you're walking. This isn't your own place," diretsong sabi niya.

Before I could even defend myself, nilagpasan niya kaagad ako. I let out a heavy sigh and ran towards the restroom to compose and get myself back together.

Part of me was disappointed, for reasons I don't understand. Maybe I expected him to take a different approach? Or perhaps you could strike up a chat with me?

"You're working, Jordyn. Put your emotions aside. Put everything aside and focus," I told myself in the mirror.

After a while, the event started. I took everything down on my notes at 'yung mga kasama ko naman ay kumukuha ng vids and pictures for documentation.

Kairo gave a speech and I took notes on all of the highlights. He was so professional and passionate in what he did. Yes, he may look really intimidating but that's just how he really is. This was him before we met years back.

This is why I fell in love with him, he was so committed to do well for his father, Tito Elliot. I believe four years of studying for a college degree paid off because he's now standing on both feet as a role model and motivation for those who want to start their own businesses.

Since I'm observing everything, I was looking in his eyes while listening. And I don't know why but something inside me is happy yet sad.

It's funny how we're so close to each other right now but we seem so far away. May rason pa kaya 'tong pagkikita namin ulit? Or is this just another reason to make me question every decision I had back then?

I shook my head since I'm wandering so far again. Jordyn, just focus for Pete's sake! Baka mawalan ka pa ng trabaho kapag pinagpatuloy mo ang pag reminisce.

After the launching event, inaayos na ng mga kasama ko 'yung ginamit naming mga bagay. Habang ako, busy sa laptop, creating the report that I'll submit and deliver later.

I can see Kairo in my peripheral vision. He's talking to a woman, same age as him, I guess? She looks.. gorgeous naman but they just don't look good together. I rolled my eyes and focused on my thing.

Was I jealous? No. That's impossible.

Nang matapos na kami, we immediately decided to walk towards our van and bumalik muna sa office ng company namin dito sa Singapore but I stopped when Kairo grabbed me by my arm.

Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata at tumingin ulit sa mga kasama ko. I signaled them to go ahead at susunod na lang ako.

Binitawan kaagad ako ni Kairo at naglakad papunta sa isang gilid kung saan wala masyadong tao. I suppose susundan ko siya?

So, I did.

"Why are you here?" He bluntly asked right away.

"Hinawakan mo 'yung braso ko kanina tapos-"

"I mean why are you here? Bakit ka nandito sa Singapore?" He asked, seriously after he cut me off.

"Galit ka ba?"

I was so confused! May nagawa na naman ba akong mali? Ano bang problema nito?

"Just answer the stupid question, Jordyn."

"I'm here for work, okay? If you're thinking that I'm stalking you, then think twice or a million times more dahil I would never do that," I crossed my arms. "Galit ka pa rin ba sa'kin?"

"Oo," He immediately answered. "If you're gonna ask why, I don't know. I just know that I'm angry and that I don't want to see you. If your company could send another reporter or journalist, pakigawa kamo."

I scoffed out of disbelief. Ang kapal naman ng mukha nito. Ako na nga 'yung nananahimik kanina na inistorbo niya, siya pa 'yung biglang aatake sa akin nang ganito? Tanginang buhay!

"Fine. I'll gladly tell them, Sir."

"Stop calling me Sir," He said before walking away.

I was pissed when I walked towards our van. Nag-message kaagad ako kay Ms. Rachel about sa request ni Kairo. She panicked and asked me what I did wrong but I told her that he just randomly told me that.

I passed everything I wrote earlier to my boss and told about Kairo's request. Tinanong ko siya if pwede na ba akong umuwi dahil wala naman na akong gagawin dito but he told me na may isa pang project na kailangan gawin.

Gusto ko na lang magwala. Ano bang kasalanan kasi ginawa ko? Baka maapektuhan pa trabaho ko sa gusto ni Kairo eh!

I went back to the hotel and took a shower. Ihinagis ko ang sarili ko sa kama at nag-isip isip. Minutes later, I found myself crying.

Tiredness, pressure, homesickness or Kai's treatment towards me.. I don't know the reason.

But what I know is that I'm hurt.