"Kindly arrange this one here, Lei."

The day finally came. Today is the grand opening of my boutique. We're just finishing to display the rest of the new gowns before the ribbon cutting starts.

I told my parents to come over, and they said yes, even my brother. I am waiting for them since they should be beside me today. I wouldn't reach this success without them.

And my soon to be husband, he said he'll come today. I told him it's okay, but he insisted, so I didn't dare to stop him. It's his choice.

My phone rang, and I excused myself. Kaunti lang naman na iyon kaya alam kong kaya na nilang ayusin. I trust my employees. 

"Yes?" I spoke as soon as I picked up the call.

"What time is it again?" Oh, it's Pierre Theodore. Hindi ko pa kasi nai-save ang number niya sa contacts ko.

"Nine sharp. Why? You got something to do?"

"I'm here." Napatanga naman ako sa sagot niya. Nandito na siya?

"Sinclair, alas otso pa lang. Huwag mo akong pinagloloko. And you told me that you have a meeting today," bumaba ako mula sa third floor hanggang sa narating ko ang pangalawang palapag ng shop ko.

Doon ay nakita ko ang lalaki na hindi ko inaasahan na mauuna pang pupunta sa araw na ito. Akala ko nga ay mamayang hapon pa siya makakarating.

"I am really here, Cruz." Binaba ko na ang telepono bago lumapit sa kanya. Nakita pa kami ng ibang staff ko at halata ang pagkagulat sa mukha nila nang makilala amg lalaki. Who wouldn't know Pierre Theodore Sinclair?

I guided him going to my office. Kailangan ko na rin kasing maghanda dahil isang oras nalang ay opening na.

I've read a lot about my shop, and many people are excited about it. They saw the designs we showed online. Although it's only a few of the designs but we made sure we can catch their attention. That's what marketing is.

"Ang aga mo, Sinclair?" taas kilay na tanong ko sa kanya habang inaayos ang ilang hibla ng buhok ko. Pagkatapos niyon ay kinuha ko ng blazer ng white top ko at sinuot 'yon.

"You still call me by my surname?" Natatawa nitong sabi sabay sandal sa sofa kung saan siya nakaupo.

"People will surely suspect us that we hate each other," okay. He got a point, though.

"What should I call you then?" Iyan ata ang maling naitanong ko sa kanya. Nakalimutan kong may kahanginan siyang taglay sa utak niya.

"Hmm... maybe you can call me hubby?"

"Kingina mo, Sinclair." Agad na singhal ko sa kanya na siyang ikinatawa nalang niya.

"Theo." That's when he stopped laughing and looked at me.

"I'll just call you that. And you can only call me Jilliane. Are we clear?" I demanded as he is still starring at me. Ano na namang hangin ang nalanghap nito?

"That's unfair!" He frowned as he recovered back to his senses.

"I'll call you Celeste since you're calling me by my second name. No buts, no more other curse." Dahil sa sinabi niya at tanging pagbato nalang sa kanya ng lapis ang nagawa ko dahil iyon lang naman ang siyang nadampot ko.

"Ang sadista mo talaga," inirapan ko lang siya sa sinabi niya. Natigil lang kami sa pagbabangayan nang biglang bumukas ang pintuan ng opisina ko.

"Mom! Dad!" Pagbati ko sa mga ito bago madaling nilapitan sila at niyakap. Napansin naman nila ang lalaki na kay aga-agang nang-iistorbo sa akin.

"Oh, you're early, hijo?" Tumayo naman siya upang batiin ang pamilya ko.

"I've finished all my works for today, Tita. My parents will be here too, like as what they say."

Yeah, I invited his parents since the nuptial is coming. I don't want to be rude with my mother and father-in-law. Ish, by thinking that thing, I can't help but imagine my previous self slapping me. Like pasabi-sabi pa ako nang mga salitang ayokong maikasal pero ano? Ako na mismo ang gumawa ng kagaguhan.

"That's great! Oh, siya, get ready now, Jil. It's almost time," I nodded to my mother before they left the office.

"I'll leave you for a while, Celeste. We'll wait for you outside. Good luck." I smiled a little to him, but then when we pat my head like a puppy, I throw him a glare.

"My hair, Theo!" Singhal ko sa kanya pero tinawanan lang ako nito bago umalis sa office ko.

I don't understand him. Kahit palagi ko siyang sinusungitan at kahit sadista ako sa kanya, tatawanan lang niya ako o hindi kaya ay mapapailing nalang sa ugali ko.

He's kind to me. I don't understand him. Is it because of pity? Nah, why would he?

He should just treat me like how he treats other people. He doesn't need to pretend he's a green flag. Yeah, Jilliane Celeste. You're just not good at how other people treat you.

"Let's all welcome the woman behind the great brand, Kaizen. A round of applause for Miss Jilliane Cruz!"

I went to the mini platform where the ribbon is. Nasa likod ko ang mga bagong disenyo ng Kaizen.

"It's great to see a lot of people waiting for our opening. Thank you so much." Nagpalakpakan sila pagkatapos kong yumuko ng kaunti.

"Kaizen is built for those who are nowhere to go. We are building confidence and fair treatment for everyone. No matter what size you are, what skin colour you have, and even how many scars you have, Kaizen will be there for you." Taimtim naman na nakikinig sa akin ang lahat; kahit ang mga nag-aabang na bumili.

"Kaizen is still in the process of continuous improvement, and so, our products will not simply change its styles and qualities over time. One thing that I can promise for those who will avail is that we will help you build the confidence that society takes from you. Thank you for coming. Please look forward to more upcoming designs in the future."

I step aside before bowing as my last part. I heard people talking about Kaizen already. They are excited to see every design we have today.

"Time for ribbon cutting. May we request Ms. Cruz's family to go to the platform?" My mom was smiling so bright so as dad. They are proud of me. Mabuti at nakahabol si Kuya Ivo.

"And also Ms. Cruz fiancé, Mr. Sinclair." Marami ang nagulat nang mapansin nilang nandito nga si Theo. Katabi na niya sila Tita na malawak rin ang ngiti sa amin.

Tumabi ito sa akin. Kinuhanan muna kami ng litrato bago sinabing pwede nang gupitin ang ribbon. Masigabong palakpakan naman ang namayani kaya umusbong ang maliit na ngiti sa labi ko.

"Thank you," I whispered to my family before they gave me a warm hug.

"Thank you for coming too, Theo." Like what he did a while ago, he pat my head. Mukha ba akong pusa?

Hindi ko nalang siya pinansin at sinabihan ang secretarya ko na pwede nang magpapasok. Pagkatapos naman no'n ay nilapitan ko ang mga magulang ng lalakeng kanina pa ako ginagawang pusa.

"Thank you for coming po," I said as I bowed down my head a little as an acknowledgement with their presence today.

"No worries, hija, no need for formalities. Ilang araw nalang ay magiging ina at ama mo na rin kami," matamis ang ngiti nito sa akin.

"Are you blushing, sister?"

Kung pwede ko lang talagang sapakin ang kapatid ko, kanina ko pa ginawa.

Punyemas.