Chapter Six

We finally reach my condo building, though strict din sa visitors yung building na to, kilala na nila si Jana kaya dere- deretso lang kaming umakyat sa floor ko.

There are days na nag sestay dito si Jana and sometimes ako din pag sa apartment niya. This sre days na tamad na kaming unuwi or kaya may mga trabahao kaming kailan na matapos or simply kapag gusto lang namin mag sama. Now I know that others think that we do make love as often as she comes here but trust me, we don't. Though there are time that we both do get so intimate but those are just hugs and kisses, maybe some groping but no more than that. I'm not that kind of guy. Plus I do think that we are both too busy to even think about those stuff. And there that thought din that we'll eventually spend the rest of our lives together.

"Love can I borrow one of your shirts later, I feel like changing before going home to mine" she goes in leaving her heels on my cabinet and taking out her own slippers, ayaw niya kasing naglalakad ng naka paa sa condo or kahit saan actually. Para daw walang footprints sa sahig.

"Go ahead you know where my things are" she smiles before leaving her bag on my couch and taking off her coat. She was again wearing a spaghetti strapped top, sometime I call it her supposed to be inner wear rather than something she should be wearing outside to meet people. Ayaw niyang pinapakialaman ko yung pananamit niya but she also knows na ayaw ko din siyang nababastos kaya as much as possible less skin more covering. "Lagyan mo ng yelo ulit yung mukha mo after mo magbihis" I shouted kasi yun naman talaga ang purpose ng pag uwi ko instead pf going straight sa office para talaga makapag pahinga siya at magamot ng maayus yung sa sampal sakanya.

I went inside my office para iopen yung desktop ko para sa conference call sa Hong Kong. Meron kasi akong tinatrabahondoon bago pako naging CEO ng kompanya and from time to time kailangan nila ako iupdate sa changes ng bagong tech.

Its ten minutes before four kaya meron pa akong time to look into my emails. I usually get a bunch dahil sa updates ng mga techs and also because halos email nalang din ang pag pasa sakin ng bawat teams sa office ng mga reports nila. I usually spend a lot of time reading those emails kasi kapag hindi ko ginawa yun, matatambak lang silang lahat.

"Love, i still have clothes here, yun nalang kinuha ko" she tells me as she enters the small space for my office.

"Yan nalang ba susuoting hanggang mamaya or uuwi kapa?" She was now wearing a plain white lose shirt, since wala na rin naman kaming gagawin after my conference call with Hong Kong so feeling ko okay na din kahit di na siya umuwi para magbihis pa.

"This looks okay na din, i'll just wear my coat again later. So you just do your call and I'll do some typing on your couch" she smiles sweetly going to my side then she gives me a kiss on the head, before hopping back to the living area. There are time na meron siyang sides na sobrang cute na mapapangiti ka nalang.

Pag patak ng four o'clock, agad na ding tumuwag ang mga tauhan ko sa Hong Kong, while i'm not there someone oversees the whole company and thats Rafael. Rafael is someone I met during my university days, he was a very capable man and when I gave him an opportunity to work with me, hindi siya nag dalawang isip ang grinab na ang opportunity. Ever since noon, he showed me nothing but hardwork and efficiency. Thats why, siya ang pinadala ko sa Hong Kong and so far, he already done so much.

"Good afternoon sir" Rafael greets the moment he saw my face.

"Hi Raf, hows everything there?" I smiled looking at how busy the people behind him are. Raf shuffles something behind him then he faces me again this time attaching his wireless earphones.

"Everything is fine, nabasa mo na ba yung recent report ko sayo?" He asks while flipping pages to his notes.

"Raf relax. I saw them and everything seems to be fine. Hopefully ready na yung tech by four months. I'll be there in two weeks so for now just make sure that everything goes smoothly" I laughed while looking at him with his usual taranta mode. This is one of his characters, he tends to panic everytime he is about to present something to me. Sakin lang siya ganito pag sa ibang tao okay naman siya, nung tinanong ko siya kung bakit ganun yung nararamdaman niya pag ako na kaharap niya eh mas dapat kumportable siya sakin. He just told me its because I'm his boss, and nasa mindset niya na kailangan niya akong ma satisfy para mag stay siya sa trabaho niya. Ilang beses ko na din siya sinabihang he is doing a great job, para sakanya kulang pa din ang ginagawa niya and hindi ko na siya ma kontra sa side niyang yun instead tinatawanan ko nalang minsan pag nagkaka ganito siya.

"I'm sorry sir, anyways, so eto po yung updates sa Yi Chen deal..." he continues with his reports and we had to discuss some things ng matagal kasi habang wala ako kailangang siya ang humarap sa ibang clients namin sa Hong Kong and as I make decision on every plans and proposals, kailangang aware and na note down niya lahat ng sinabi ko. Kahit pa kilala na kami ng halos, we still need to make sure that we deliver a wonderful job pag nag pepresent na kami sa mga clients. Ganito din yung nangyayari sa iba pa naming branch, kung my time man na hindi ko mapuntahan yung mga branches sa ibang lugar, either my sister, Lauren, or Jana goes there to represent me.

After a few corrections and adjustments with some of the proposals, Raphael and I are both exhausted and when I saw the time, we actually talked for two hours, but kung reports ito ng month end, mas matagal pa kami sa two hours kung mag usap. Anyways tapos na din kami sa mga important topics and I still have a team na naghihintay sakin para sa libre nila.

"I think we are good for now, nandyan na rin naman ako after two weeks, if my changes sa plans, email me the revisions. Meron kapa bang ibang concerns?" I asked while I strech my back bago pa matuluyang mangalay yung buong likuran ko.

"Nothing else sir. We can take it from here. We'll see you in two weeks" Raphael says his good byes then we both ended the call. I stood up, stretching the rest of my body. At some point kanina during my conference call with Raphael, inalis ko na yung suot kong coat since hindi naman ganun ka lamig sa condo at si Raphael nalang din naman yung kausap ko nun. I didn't need to look so great. Its not something i promote but if i'm going to choose between comfort or looks, i'll go with comfort any day.

Lumabas ako ng opisina ko to see Jana still busy typing something on her laptop with a widespread of papers scattered all over my coffee table. She has this habit na kapag na ka focus na siya ng sobra hindi niya na napapansin na nalabas niya na lahat ng mga papeles kahit yung mga iba hindi naman kailangan. Since Jana is one of our companies negotiator and also associate minsan doble yung ginagawa niyang trabaho, may time pa na kailangan niya din pumunta sa business talaga nila, which is by the way, one of the biggest businesses sa Boston kasi sila yung mga gumagawa ng mga malalaking safe sa mga bangko doon and aside from that, sila din yung nag didistribute ng metals na needed from constructions kaya in demand sila. Though ganun yung background ng business nila, hindi na sila nagpatayo ng branch sa Pilipinas kasi marami din silang competition dito. For them, one in Boston and one in UK is enough. Both are run by Jana's father and brother. Kahit ganun, since naging stock-holder namin yung daddy ni Jana, ginawa siyang representative ng dad niya samin, though sa mata ng lahat, talagang nilayo siya ng daddy niya sa business nila and sa passion niya.

Sobrang loyal kasi si Jana sa daddy niya, kaya kahit sinasabi na namin lahat sakanya na its time for her to follow her dreams, ayaw niya pa talaga hanggat hindi pa siya sinasabihan ng daddy niya ng go, hindi niya gagawin.

"Love?" I flicked her forehead when she looks up to acknowledge me.

"You done?" She asks smiling

"Yep, and dami mo nanaman atang inayos?" Tanong ko sakanya sabay tingin sa mga naka kalat na papers.

"Sorry, i was actually done with what I'm supposed to do today kaso you were still talking to Raffy kaya naisipan ko ng umpisahan yung ibang proposals" She scoots over so I can sit beside her and see what she was doing.

"You know Raf hates it when you call him Raffy righ? And those aren't due until next week?" I asked after seeing what she was doing. She nods turning her back on me then making me her personal back rest. Though i'm not complaining, nagulat lang ako. And about Raphael, ayaw niyang tinatawag siya ng ibang bukod sa Raf or Raphael, aside from that he is strongly against. But for some reason palaging na eexcuse si Jana kahit oa ilang beses na siya sinabihan ni Raf na wag na siya tawaging ganun.

"As much as possible gusto ko na siyang tapusin para hindi nako ma rush next week. Plus para agad na din ma review ng team ko and ma ayus" she explains while typing something more on the proposal ignoring the things I said about Raphael. Patuloy siyang nag tatype sa laptop niya habang nakasandal siya sa aking dibdib.

I suddenly feel the need to be with her in this moment, yung bigla nalang ako nakaramdam ng pagkamiss sakanya. The last time we had this intimate time was before the whole preparation for the presscon.

"Love?" I played with her hair as she keeps doing her work in silence.

"Hmm?" Pagbulong neto.

"Sleep here tonight?" I whispered when she faced me. Tiningnan niya ko ng matagal before putting her laptop away.

"Why so sudden?" Hindi ko din alam, I just felt like spending the night with her. Feeling ko bigla namiss ko siya. For some reason I just want her around tonight.

"I just miss you I guess?!" She looks at me at halatang curious siya kung anong nangyayari sa utak ko at bigla ko siya niyayang dito matulog. Gaya nga ng sabi ko din kanina, we don't usually do this stuff, nagkakataon lang talaga na may times na ayaw na namin umuwi pag nasa bahay kami ng isat isa tapos puyat pa kami. But we don't casually do sleepovers. "But its okay lang din if you dont want, i was with you the whole afternoon so its fine" pahabol kong sabi at baka isipin niyang pinipilit ko siya mag stay, kahit gusto ko nga siyang mag stay.

She didn't answer my questions instead she slowly leans forward to kiss me. At first I thought it was just a peck pero nung lumapit pa siya lalo sakin I knew that she aiming for something else. I pulled her closer to me, still matching her rhythm. I let her take control kasi minsan lang to, usually kasi ako yung nag iinitiate tapos mamumula na siya nun kasi nagugulat siya palagi. This time siya yung nauna kaya hinahayaan ko siya pag ganito kasi rare lang siyang mag initiate. To think ginawa niya din to after nung press conference.

She eventually sits on my lap, obviously highly intoxicated na kami sa isat isa na muntik na namin pareho makalimutan na meron pa kaming pupuntahan. She slowly catches her breathe then she looks to me still na nakaupo sa lap ko. She smiles before hugging me tight. I smiled knowing that she understands what I need the most. Like I said, touching is my love language.

"I'll stay tonight but i have to get some things sa apartment, can be go there first?" She asks sweetly at napa tango nalang ako sa sinabi niya. "I missed you too" she whispers back to me tsaka siya humalik sa pisngi ko.

"Naging busy nanaman kasi tayo kaya we hardly spend time na tayo lang. Now na nandito tayo at magkasama, ngayon natin nararamdam lahat" I played with her hair while speaking to her in my calm voice. This are one of those moments na nagkakaroon kami ng oras para sa isat-isa kaya I always make sure its meaningful.

Instead of answering, she snuggles closer to me tsaka siya yumakap ng mahigpit.

"Sadly we still need to go" paalala niya sakin and as if on queue I received a text message from Roxy. While nakayakap sakin si Jana kinuha ko na yung phone ko to see kung saan nila planong kumain.

"King festive, 7pm reservation. They are already there na daw. Should we go too?" Pabulong kong sabi kay Jana pera umiling to tsaka yumakap ng mas mahigpit.

"5 more minutes" hiling nito habang nakapikit sa dibdib ko. Napangiti nalang ako sa pagiging clingy niya tsaka ko siya mas lalong niyakap.

Siguro kung wala kaming ibang lakad baka hindi na kami umalis sa pwesto naming dalawa. The fact that we don't usually do this makes things even sweeter kapag magkasama na kami. Every second is a memory with Jana, ngayon na nasa situation kaming ganito. Walang nakaisip na we could both end up this way. I was to hanged up with Ally back then to even think of having another relationship. Pero nung unti unting nag bago si Jana nung college, yung perseverance niya tsaka yung pagiging masipag niya sa pag-aaral yun talaga yung nandali sakin. Plus dahil crush siya ng halos noon, naging possessive ako sakanya, at first akala ko its just because kaibigan ko siya and I've always thought of her as someone na kailangan ko iprotect kasi she saved me from my loneliest days, pero a friend of mine challenged me til the end hanggang sa bumigay na ako't umamin na din na meron akong gusto kay Jana. After nun, naging mas makulay yung mundo ko, every minute I have with her feels like seconds kasi talagang worthwhile yung mga araw na kasama mo siya. Sabi ng iba, time should be fast when you are enjoying pero I guess ibang case kami ni Jana. She made everything in my life slow and steady, slow in a way that I see everything clearly and with its beauty. Thats how she woke me up that day sa rose garden, she made me see things I thought nawala na sa paningin ko. Call it whipped or what, but I love my girl.

Kahit pa theres that thought na anytime may chance na makita ko ulit si Allyza. At this point, my heart is completely for Jana, that I'm sure of.

Pagkatapos ng ilang minutong tahimik lang kaming dalawa ni Jana biglang nag ring yung phone ko showing Will's name on the screen. He is the last person I expect to call me this day since ginulo niya na yung oras ko kanina umaga. Jana saw my reaction sa caller and when she saw who it was napatawa nalang siya. She didn't know na nagkita na kami ni Will kanina so she might be thinking na kakabalik lang ulit ni Will sa pilipinas. Without warning she answers the call.

"Where in the hell are you?" Pasigaw na sabi ni Will na may kasamang pagbabanta

"So nice to hear you loud and clear Will. Kelan kapa nakabalik at sino nanaman ang tinakasan mo?" Panunukso ni Jana kay Will.

"Well if it isn't Littly Mouse!! Kaya pala wala pa kayo dito kasi kung anu ano pa ginagawa niyo and just so you know. I didn't run away from anyone this time. They were chasing me so I decided to fly back here. Hindi ba sinabi ng boyfriend mo sayo?" He asnwers back

"Well he knows that i don't really care if you suddenly show up. Inaaway mo lang din naman ako pag andito ka tsaka mo ko inaagawan ng boyfriend" here the thing, palaging nagtatalo si Jana and Will, they don't particularly hate each other pero makakahanap at makakahanap sila ng rason para magkaroon ng argument. Its like yunf bonding time nila is mag away and minsan magdududa kana kasi hindi rin naman sila napipikon sa isat-isa. Parang ganito nila ipakita yung pagkakaibigan nila, and thats by trashing each other.

"Ako pa talaga yung nangaaway, alam mo pumunta nalang kayo dito. Dito tayo mag tutuos bago pako palayasin ni Roxy!" Sagot ni Will at syempre nagyaya nanaman siya ng away kay Jana. Eto namang isa dali dali ding napatayo from my lap.

"Sana nga palayasin ka na diyan ni Roxy. Sana pati sa life din namin para walang distorbo samin ni Darren" Jana answers back earning a chuckle from the other end of the phone.

"Say whatever you want to say Little mouse. You can't get rid of me that easy. Tell your boyfriend na mamaya na kayo mag round 2, naghihintay kami sainyo baka matagalan siya sa paglabas" bago pa ko makasagot para pag sabihan si Will, he already hanged up making Jana and I embarrass.

"Thats guys is really going to get some from me. Pano nanaman siya nasama?!" Bumalik siguro siya ng opisina katapos namin mag hiwalay kanina kaya siguro nalaman niyang may sched kami after work.

"Baka naman may nalandi nanaman siya sa team mo?" Sagot ni Jana na may halong pagtaas ng kilay at doon ko naalalang pinansin ni Will kaninang umaga si Jenny. I massaged my head knowing kung saan nanaman papunta to.

"Its Jenny, I think we both need to go there now bago pa lumala ang sitwasyon at tuluyan ng mapatay ni Roxy si Will. Ibang klase pa naman din yung init ng ulo ni Roxy pag dating kay Will" Jana shakes her head before heading to my separated toilet sa sala para mag ayus. I went to my room and took out a shirt deciding to skip the whole formal attire at mag casual clothes kasi kakain nalang din naman kami.

"Love? I'm ready" Jana calls out and we made our way to King Festive with both our hand entwined. We walked hand in hand outside my condo building and towards her car and since sa akin siya mag sestay ngayong gabi, I'll just have mang Manny take my car back tomorrow sa condo.

The drive from my condo to King Festive is not that long. Matagal na naming cliente ang may ari ng King Festive and simula nung nag dala sila ng food sa office as thanks, ilang beses na din kaming kumain at nag handa sa mismong restaurant ng King Festive, masarap naman kasi talaga yung food nila and very accommodating sila. Aside from that, gustong gusto ng mga tauhan ko yung special treatment na natatanggap nila from the staff ng Kings festive. Hindi rin naman ako nag cocomplain kasi natutuwa din naman ako pag nag eenjoy yung mga tauhan ko.

"Matutuwa nanaman niyan si Mr. Castro. Tayo nanaman yung mag iingay niyan sa restaurant niya" patawang sabi ni Jana habang nilalaro ang kamay ko.

"For sure, akala ko pa man din pipili sila ng ibang kakainan, King Festive pa rin pala yung bagsak natin. Anyways, masarap naman kasi talaga yung pagkain nila kaya patok na patok sa mga employees" Jana nods her head. She kept playing with my hand and as we approach the restaurants parking area, agad ko ng nakita yung company car ibiig sabihn tinamad nanaman silang magdala ng sari sarili nilang sasakyan at ginamit nanaman nila ang sasakyan ng kompanya kahit paa hindi related to business yung lakad. Hindi naman ako maselan sa pagpapagamit ng company cars pero syempre hindi ko din naman sila pwedeng sanayin na palaging ginagamit yung sasakyan. Just for this celebration i'm going to let this slide at for their safety nadin mamaya, kasi panigurado may iba sakanilang iinum kahit pa andun ako. Baka nga yayain pa ako ng mga yun.

"Theres an empty spot" Paturo sabi ni Jana sa isang corner na bakante. Dali dali akong pumwesto at nag park doon at habang ginagawa ko yun, nag ayus na si Jana at sinuot na muli ang kanyang coat. Dahil nasa labas na kami ng opisina panigurado maaasar nanaman kaming dalawa neto dahil magkasabay kaming pumasok at hindi nakapasok ngayon si Jana sa trabaho, though I'm sure nasabihan niya din naman si Romell about what happened to her still, my mga employees talaga kaming nangaasar pag merong chance.

"You good?" I asked Jana bago ko patayin yung ignition ng sasakyan. She applied some lipgloss then she finally nods. Pinatay ko yung sasakyan at lumabas na from the drivers seat at bago pa man buksan ni Jana yung side ng pintuan niya, I was already on her side opening her door. Chivalry is not dead people.

"Thank you love" Pangiting pag appreciate nuu Jana sa small gestures ko.

Like before magkahawak kamay kaming pumasok ng restau and when the staff saw who we were, agad na silang napangiti at dinala kami sa isa sa mga private areas nila. Like what I said before madalas kaming nagdidinner at nagcecelebrate dito kaya alam na alam na din namin kung saan kami pupunta at hindi rin naman kasi mahirap hanapin kung nasan sila kasi hallway palang rinig na rinig na namin ni Jana yung pagiingay ng mga empleyado.

King Festive ang pangalan ng restaurant kasi yung very theme ng resto is yung parang sa mga barangay fiestas. Kapasok na kapasok mo pa lang sa resto ma fefeel mo na agad ang fiesta vibed with all the banderitas and kawali hanged on the walls and on the ceiling, bukod pa doon mapapansin mo din yung iba't ibang pictures taken by some artists from different barangays celebrating their own fiesta. Meron pang ibang pictures na nagpapakita ng mga imahe ng santo na ipinagdidiwang din ng iba't ibang lugar. Going to the private rooms, or what they call the bahay kubos, sa hallway palayang makikita mo rin yung mga ibat ibang kulay ng tela na ginagamit sa fiesta also theres tons of paintings ng banana leaves. Kaya papunta kapalang ng rooms, inaanticipate mo na yung posible mong makain. And yung talagang highlight ng King Festive is of course, their Karaoke. Kaya gustong gusto mag gather ng mga empleyado ko dito kasi nageenjoy silang nag jajaming. Kahit pa yung iba sakanila sintonado go pa din sila. Kagaya nalang ng nangyayari ngayon.

Kapasok namin ng bahay kubo- like room, nasa mini stage na si Clarent at Candy kumakanta, they are one of my teams and matagal na din silang may lihim na pagtingin sa isat isa, kahit pa dinedeny nila everytime na pinopoint out sakanila. They all saw me and Jana get in and thats when all of them started teasing us both for being late.

"Finally dumating na din ang Celebrants natin. We can finally start the program, kaya sir pwede napo kayong maupo ni Mr. Jana" Pasigaw na sabi ni Roxy na may kasamang palakpakan.

"At talagang may pa program pa kayong nalalaman, na aprubahan ko na ba yan?" Patawa kong sagot sakanila na kanila din namang tinawanan. Will was there and of course kadating na kadating namin, agad niya ng pinisil si Jana sa braso, at syempre agad na silang nag bangayan nun.

"Sir kahit hindi niyo pa naaprubahan to, approve na approve naman to saming lahat, kaya just sit back, relax and enjoy" Roxy made me sit beside Jana and she made sure na malayo sa isat isa si Jana at Will by making me sit in between them, though wala pa din namang difference kasi para silang bata na nag sisipaan sa ilalim ng lamesa.

Everyone was so focused on whats happening in front na walang nakapansin na pinasok na pala ang mga pagkain. Everyone was just laughing dahil sa mga performances ng mga empleyado, some of them are just the worst kasi when it comes to singing and dancing whilst some, well they have potential but it is still best if they just stay at their current jobs, mas kikita sila doon. Meron pa silang pa skit na nalalaman and get this, they were impersonating me. Thought instead na offend ako sa mga ginawa nila during the skit mas lalo lang ako natuwa kasi they actually take time to observe my behaviors, even the slightest weird behavior na meron ako, napansin pa talaga nila. By the time na almost tapos na lahat mag present, Roxy announced that it was finally time to eat at mukhang gutom na din ang halos kaya agad na din kaming kumain. Since everything is cooked fresh and packed with spices and herbs, hindi man tumagal yung pagkain nilanghap na nilang lahat.

Nung matapos na ang lahat kumain, Roxy asked me to give a little speech, ayaw ko sana but they all cheered for me to speak and kahit si Jana pinush niya akong pumunta sa harap at magsalita with a mic. I'm not a fan of speeches and kahit pa parte siya ng trabaho ko, hindi ko pa din siya madalas gagawin. If I can manage to skip the part where I speak about inspiration or wisdom, I will in a snap kaso Nag effort din silang lahat para maging masaya itong celebration and parte din sila ng naging success ko sa buhay, I guess I can't deny them this moment.

"First of all, A plus to you all sa effort at semi talent portion na shinare ninyo ngayong gabi. Pero lets just all accept na hindi lahat binibigay ng Panginoon" napatawa ang halos nung sabihin ko to, they all know what I mean when I said those things "Thank you all. To those na nag start magtrabaho sa LA corp ten eight years ago, alam niyo lahat yung kwento ng pag angat at pagbagsak ko, still you people supported me. Lahat kayo actually, alam na alam niyong kayang kaya kong tumalon ng building kung kailangan at kung ikakabuti ng kompanya, instead of holding back, you all trusted me" I sincerely told them and I can see familiar faces na tumango at napayuko "To my team, yung since ng COO ako at ngayong CEO nako, nandyan pa rin at patuloy na sinusuportahan ako, guys, my win is also your success, I owe everything that I have right now from your efforts, those sleepless night, those days na di tayo nakakauwi kasi may mga hinahabol tayong proposals at clients, all our hard work are finally paying off. Though hindi ko mapapangakp na wala ng ganung days ahed of us because you guys know me. I always take huge risks" i saw my team smiling, halos sakanila, since beginning kasama ko na, kahit pa may mga kasama kaming umalis na or kaya naman nilipat, this team became my family "Pamilya tayo guys and we always have each others back. And sa iba sainyo, alam ko marami na kayong narinig kung paano ako magtrabaho, all i can say is, i'll always push you people to the limits, but its not because I want you all to suffer" i paused as I watch the others react to my words "but it is to unlock your skills to its fullest capability. Alam na to halos ng nasa team ko and sa mga taong malapit sakin, I dont care if you suddenly leave or resign from the company, what I care the most is kung ano yung natutunan mo bago ka umalis ng kompanya. Pero wait lang hindi ko sinasabing mag siresign kayo baka naman katapos niyo may matutunan sakin mag file na kayo ng resignation the next day" Pangiti kong sabi na tinawanan naman din nila. "You are all talented on your special and unique ways. LA corps advancing sales and performance is the very proof, hindi naman tatayo ng ganito ka stable and LA kung hindi dahil sa mga employees na nagpapaka pagod para maging successful lahat ng events, tech and proposals. That is why, I am thankful that LA Corps has you people. I am too blessed na meron pa ding mga taong naniniwala sakin despite all the risks i've taken. Alam ko nung mga panahong nahihirapan ako, mas nahihirapan kayo and because of that, thank you all. I have nothing but gratefulness sainyong lahat. You've been my second family and sana sa bagong kabanata ng buhay ko, I will still have you working besides me and conquering the world with our combined strengths and weaknesses. Can I count on you all to do that?" I asked them all and every one of them cheered and clapped as a response. I smiled knowing that I'll be fine as long as I have a team that has my back "Because of that, our next goal is the whole world. I don't need perfection from you guys, thats my job, but I need all your cooperation. For I can't put a perfect product without its maiin ingredients and thats all of you." I added and they all clapped even more. Jana and Will were smiling from ear to ear and I suddenly feel so proud. Kaya naman yung next kong mga nasabi, napatahimik ang lahat. "At dail energetic na tayong lahat, bukas na bukas may bago tayong business na bubuhayin so I expect your full energy and lively demeanor first thing tomorrow morning" Pabirong kong sabi na talagang nagpatahimik sa lahat hanggang sa nagwala sila Clarent at lahat ay tumawa.

Kahit papaano alam naman nilang di ko gagawin sakanila yun lalo na kung nakainum sila ngayon. Forr sure utak pagong sila bukas kaya hindi ko sila ipupush ng ganun but maybe by afternoon kaya na nilang mag function on full energy. Kaya doon ko nalang sila igigrill.

I ended my speech with more thanks at tsaka ko na binalik sakanila ang mic. Everyone congratulated me with smiles on their faces at puro lang gratitude yung laman ng pusoo ko sa mga taong nandito. They all helped me a lot this past few years. Sa mga nauna sakin sa kompanyang to, they've been my mentors and now I am their boss, someone who has to take care of them from now on and I am not planning to disappoint them. I have nothing but success on my head. Thats what I'm aiming for at yun yung gagawin ko.

By the time na halos pagod na ang lahat at nakikita ko ng inaantok si Jana, niyaya ko na siyang mauna ng umalis at nagbayad nako para sa lahat ng kinain and ininum ng mga staff ko. They all said their thanks to me and Will decided na sumabay na din samin sa paglabas. Nung tinanong ko siya kung paano niya nalaman na may dinner kami ng mga employees he just told me na nakita niya yung schedule ko for today kaya naisipan niyang maging arty crasher. Hindi ko na siya pinush after nun kasi mukha namang hindi nagwork yung charms niya kay Jenny kasi it turns out babae pala yung trip ni Jenny at hindi lalaki. I guess safe na yung buhay ni Will from Roxy for now. Kasi feeling ko talaga kung pinatulan ni Jenny si Will at bigla nanamang umasta tong upak na to, mapapatay na talaga siya ni Roxy kasi kakailanganin niya nanamang mag hanap ng bagong kapalit kay Jenny at itraining to. Usual kasing pumapatol kay Will after niyang iwan yung mga yun na reresign na sila kasi hindi nila kayang makita or makasama man lang on a same room si Will. Kaya okay nadin to na babae yung gusto ni Jenny.

"Well go ahead, dadaan pa kami sa apartment ni Jana. Wag kana gumawa ng gulo please and just go straight home. I dont want to wake up at two am in the morning with you in jail like last time" I reminded him and he just waves me off.

"Good boy ako no. Hindi ko naman kasalanan na hot ako" Pagyayabang ni Will and I still wonder bakit ko pa din siya kaibigan.

"Daniels?" Pagtawag na sabi ni Jana, nagbanyo kasi siya saglit kaya hinihintay ko siya sa sasakyan nung kausap ko si Will. "Please go home straight and sleep. You can do more trouble tomorrow if you have enough energy. Kaya please, be peaceful tonight and I'm really asking you nicely here" Jana eyes him and this is another look of their relationship. There are time na mukha silang magkapatid na nag aalala sa isat isa. Will raises both his hands in surrender making both me and Jana smile.

"I can't say anymore if dalawa na kayo ang nagsasabi sakin and when little mouse over here starts to beg me. I feel like mag eend na ang mundo pag bumabait siya sakin bigla" Will teases and that caused him a kick on the chin. And they are back to square one.

"Just go home Will. Pag ako nalaman ko nanamang gumala ka, papaban na talaga kita kanila Vivian, you know how connected she is to every bars in the Philippines" Jana warns

"Vivian huh? Is she still single?" Will asks nonchalantly forgetting the fact na pinagtangkaan na siya ni Jana na iban sa lahat ng bar at party place sa Pilipinas, naniniwala na talaga akong merong filter yung tenga nitong lalaking to.

"As if namang papatulan ka nun katappos mong patusin lahat ng circle of friends niya. Umuwi ka nalang. Darren tara na baka mahawaan kapa ng lalaking to" Jana covers my ears habang pinupush niya akong pumasok na sa sasakyan. Napatawa nalang ako sa actions nilang dalawa. We both said our good-byes and Will waved us off.

"Alam mo malapit na akong mag selos sa Cat and Mouse relationship niyo ni Will?" Pabiro kong sabi kay Jana na kanya namang kinadirian.

"You should really stay away from Will from now on. You are starting to talk about nonsense things" pagsagot ni Jana na may sabay hablot sa kamay ko at kinurot ito.

"But seriously, bakit mo pa kasi siya pinapatulan lalo kalang niyang iniinis?" Since day one na nagkakilala silang dalawa, wala na silang ginawa kung hindi ang mag away.

"I thinks its my lady instincts or whatever, basta gusto ko lang siya tumino. He is important to you after all and because of that, I atleast want to make sure na pati siya nagiging okay din. I know how much you care for him kaya kahit kailangan mong magising ng two in the morning para lang ibail out siya, ginagawa mo kasi he is a family to you aswell. Kaya in little ways I want to straighten him up para hindi kana din ma stress kakaalaga sakanya. Kasi habang nag woworry ka sakanya, nagwoworry din ako for you" pagpapaliwang nito sabay tingin sakin. "Kinilig ka no, tsaka mo isipin ngayon na pagselosan kaming dalawa" Patawang sabi nito pero I got so speechless sa sinabi niya na yung sunod na ginawa ko is ihazard yung sasakyan sa highway at nagstop sa side para lang hilahin siya at halikan. This is the first time na inexplain niya sakin yung totoong reason kung bakit palagi niya nalang pinapatulan yung antics ni Will.I thought its just a ladies thing with delinquents, yung gusto nilang may naaayos sila but now that she explained everything. I get the clear picture now. She cares for me this much to the point na kahit yung mga ibang tao sa buhay ko, gusto niya ding tulungan para matulungan niya din ako. I dont know kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng love sa ibang tao, but this thing with her, right here and right now, this is true love.