The Hint

"My business partner is late, again."

Howie's ballpoint pen sprang out as Raymart was thrown out of the office door.

"What happened to you? You used to be the most punctual employee in this company. Do you know that I was the only one to attend the meeting with Mr. Salazar because you're also late. Please don't indulge in such tardiness, okay?" There was a hint of annoyance in Howie's voice. He's a close friend of Raymart since highschool and when they graduated, Howie inherited the company from his father, he encouraged Raymart to apply to the company and later assigned him as his business consultant.

"SLI will lose its profit if you continue that attitude." Howie is referring to his company named Serenity Life Inc or SLI. This company has as much nature of business so that's how it is when under pressure to handle it. SLI is known as one of the top companies in the Philippines. The company is divided into six different business industries— Clothing Line, Agriculture, Food and beverages, Real Estate, Literature at Charitable Foundation.

"If you weren't just a friend, I'd probably have given you a sanction."

Howie's handsome face was wrinkled, because he was just too professional and serious when it came to business as he was broken in love so he just focused his attention on his company.

"I commuted last time, Howie. Because Clarize lent my car," Raymart explained.

"Ridiculous. You sacrificed that for the sake of your girlfriend? I couldn't understand your reasoning. Neither, I won't also accept that as an excuse." Howie turned his swivel chair so that Raymart wouldn't see the irritation that was running through him.

"No, I just really love her," Raymart said.

"Don't give it all bro, you'll just get hurt in the end. Like what happened to me." There was an obvious bitterness with his voice.

He smirked. "Because, you're just bitter with your ex that's why you said that. Not all people are sharing the same fate as yours."

"Excuse me? I'm not bitter and I'm already over her! She's not important compared to business. I finally forgot the feeling of being in pain, I found out that she's also doing fine and I don't have to check her personal life now because it doesn't concern me anymore. This company is more important than anything else."

"Well, we have different perspectives on life."

"Eh, how's Clarize? Your girlfriend is beautiful, there are many guys around her hitting on her and they are even richer than you, aren't you jealous?"

"Of course not. I know I'm the only one she loves, we're getting married."

"For real? Last time I checked, she refused your proposal. Maybe she's not ready or you're rushing her so she's under pressure. And who am I to guess? I don't know your situation," Howie shrugged and thrown a sympathetic stare.

Raymart was shaken at the moment. "I don't know what's on her mind lately. But I know Clarize, she's passionate about modeling and writing blogs, she told me she's just finishing something for publishing a book for Serenity Books."

"Maybe she's finishing something else aside from that book." Howie frowned and raised an eyebrow slightly.

"What do you think of Clarize? I know she's into me and I'm into her, I've proven that."

"Really? In what aspect? Just in bed?"

"No, not like that." Raymart simply smirked, he's used to the sarcasm that Howie always throws so he doesn't get frustrated.

"Keep your eye on her for you to find out."

"What do you mean?" he asked cluelessly.

Howie grinned. "Whatever. Such a lame guy."

***

"Ate, look at this oh, older brother Jack is already engaged to another woman. In an instant? After he just broke up with you last week?" Cheche said while focusing on the cellphone and quickly pulled her sister,  Marigold who was meditating in the living room. 

"I saw that heck, that's what he introduced me to before his classmate. I was stupid, I believed right away. Then the woman was pregnant so they got engaged. Then Jack didn't go abroad because he renewed his contract in a company that he's been working for the sake of her side chick. " There is a trace of bitterness on Marigold's face but what else can she do? She admitted that the breakup was very painful, she had neglected her job because she had not reported to the office for five days. No more tears coming out from her eyes, as far as Marigold knew, Jack was cursed and he doesn't deserve any of her tears. Fortunately, she was not able to surrender herself to him.

"Ate, isn't your boss scolding you? Because you haven't come in for a week and you might get paid very little," Cheche asked anxiously.

"Really? Of course!" At least she was hooked on herself. The effects of heartache are quite different.

***

"Oh my sister, your beauty is gone. Maam immediately found someone to replace you as her secretary and be even more efficient with you" Marigold's co-worker Emilia, whose real name is Emilio, a gay colleague, welcomed her with that remark exactly when she visited the office where she used to work as a secretary.

He even raised an eyebrow. He really feels like being stubborn and it's very obvious that he hates her.

"Where's Ma'am? Wait, I'll talk to her," Marigold asked nervously. As expected, it will happen. 

"She said he doesn't want to talk to you anymore, look at your desk, it's clean. You're already marked with the company as an Awol employee as in Absence Without Leave." Emilia pushed Marigold's table and there was a folder on top of it.

"I already have a letter." She was so hurt by what she read, it was more painful compared to the breakup.