Chapter 6: Chapter 5 - Mikaela & Rake Story
"You know the reason. I want to have investment here so I could settle down here. I want to settle down where my heart belongs. With Rake," sabi niya at bahagyang pinamulahan ng mukha.
"The guy you always talked about! The guy you admire! Public servant! Your jet plane earrings! Why I didn't figure that out?!"
"Is that true? I am the reason to all of these achievements?" Sabat ni Rake.
"Yes. I want our paths to cross. I want to be everywhere so I'll have bigger chance of bumping into you," sabi niya at sinalubong ang tingin ng kasintahan.
"Kung pwede lang ipwesto ko sa tabi ng base 'yung restaurant ko baka ginawa ko na. That's how much I like you Rake, no drop that. I love you, I've always love you from the moment I first saw you. Thanks for seeing through me and most of all thanks for loving me too," she said at nakita niya ang pagsungaw ng luha sa mga mata ni Rake.
"Gad you're even more gorgeous when you're teary eyes. I want to kiss you right now!" hindi niya maligilang sabihin.
The mood lightened up ng sabihin niya iyon. Mario even barked a laughter.
Nalipat nanaman sa negosyo ang usapan nila. Nang iserve ang pagkain nila saka lang sila natigil.
"How long do you plan to stay here?"
"Until Sunday siguro. I'll meet mom and dad sa airport. Pagkasakay siguro nila uwi na ako. Wala pa namang update sa contractor. Kapag magpipirmahan na kami babalik ako rito."
"Hindi ka aakyat ng Baguio?"
"Hindi ko pa sure. Bakit?"
"May conference kasi next weekend sa manor hindi ka ba nasendan ng invitation?"
"Oh that. Nabanggit ni Andrew. Mag tatalk ako muntik mo ng makalimutan," sabi niya at napabuntong hininga.
"Finish your food first," sabi ni Jea sa kanya ng mapansin nitong tatayo siya upang tawagan ang secretary niya.
Tumango nalang siya. Tinapos nila ang pagkain. Tapos na ang mga ito ng abutin niya ang telepono. Hindi na siya nag excuse at doon na mismo tumawag kay Andrew.
Calling Andrew...
"Hey about the conference. Please email the invitation. May mga emails pa bang dapat kong basahin?" tanong niya dahil ito ang tumatanggap ng emails niya.
Madalang lang niyang tingnan ang mga emails na iyon. Madalas ay nagfoforward nalang ito sa kanya ng mga urgent. Close friends and family lang ang nakakaalam ng tunay na email niya.
"Isesend ko na ngayon. There sent. Do you need assistance? Will Ms. Jean also come?"
"She will that's why she asked me. Siya ang first speaker. It will be held at Baguio city."
"Yes that'll be on Saturday night. Ang akala ko luluwas ka this weekend. You have to be there by Sunday dinner time dahil may vip na papasyal sa restaurant. A mall vip will also has reservation for Monday dinner."
"Mall vip means mall manager right? Have met him during my stay there," sabi niya na ang tinutukoy ang pagiging empleyado sa mall.
"He'll dine with his wife. I've heard it's their anniversary."
"Alright give them 10% and complimentary dessert with greetings of course," sabi niya sa assistant.
"Got to go. Give me updates. I'll see you on Monday," sabi niya and disconnected.
Minsan ganoon talaga ito sa mga vip. Hindi naman niya ito mabawal dahil marketing strategy 'yun. Simula ng magbigay sila ng mga ganung freebies ay marami ng nagpapareserve sa kanila. Cake lang naman ang freebies nila.
'Yung 10% na binibigay niya'y travel and shopping allowance niya. She's earning 50% labas na lahat ng gastos pati rental. Sole proprietor siya kaya sa kanya lang lahat napupunta ang kita ng restaurant.
The partnership with Joshua's her first venture. Kinakabahan ma'y susubukan niya. Nasa bucket list din niyang magkaroon ng corporation.
"So you'll push throughout with the shooting?" Tanong ni Jeanella.
"I don't know yet," iniiwasan niyang tingnan ang nobyo dahil ayaw niyang maobliga itong samahan siya.
"Let's come with them," sabi ni Rake kaya napabaling siya rito.
"I want to come with you. Let's use my car. Gas is on me," sabi niya.
"Kami ng bahala sa accommodation natin. Knew someone from burnham suites," sabi ni Jeanella.
"I'll take care of the food then," sabi niya.
"Doon na tayo mag groceries baby girl," sabi ni Jean.
"Alright," sabi niya.
"Why don't you bring Blare with you and I think I will bring Andrew with me," suhesyon niya sa kaibigan kaya napangiti ito.
"You know for a fact that Blare has a boyfriend right?" sabi nito.
"Who's working in a bar as a bartender who flirts around with every girl. My little brother is so much better than that guy you know. He's my personal assistant is the manager of my Nueva Branch," sabi niya with pride.
"I know and I don't also approve of him but we can't middle can we?"
"Of course we can. Anyway just try a vacay would be nice. Speaking of bar let's come to High Society? Parang gusto kong mag unwind."
"You won't get drunk will you?" Alanganing tanong ni Jean sa kanya.
"I am thinking of getting drunk. Padadapain mo ba ako Rake?"
"I might sweetheart so drink moderately. Ihahatid ko kayo. Call me kapag susunduin ko na kayo," sabi ni Rake kaya napangiti siya.
"I'll come with you too," sabi ni Mario na medyo naalarma ang itsura.
"You'll come with us?" Tanong ni Jeanella sa boyfriend.
"Oo sure ka bang susundo ka lang Rake? Pwede naman kaming sumama diba mahal?" Tanong nito sa kasintahan kaya natawa si Rake.
"I am not coming. Malilimitahan si Mik kapag kasama ako. She said unwind. My girlfriend's an alpha female and she knows what she's doing."
"Thanks, sweetheart." Nakangiting sabi ni Mikaela and gave him a cheek kiss.
"Just be careful sweetheart." Sabi nito at inakbayan siya she felt his lips on her temple.
"I will have fun and drink as much alcohol I can so take care of me tonight oks?" She smiled sweetly.
"I'll have to carry you like a sack then?"
"Yes," tipid na sagot niya with playful smile.
"Don't wear dress or skirt then," sabi niya.
"I'll wear shorts baby," sabi niya kaya napaungol ito pero hindi na nagkumento.
NAGKWENTUHAN LANG SILA. Nang matapos sila'y tumambay lang sila sa garden ng restaurant. Nakatulog lang sila habang nakaupo sa lounge doon.
Madilim na ng magising sila. Nag dinner na sila doon bago nagpaalam na uuwi muna. Sumabay na sa kanila si Mario pabalik sa base. Pasado alas nueve na ng mag aya si Mikaela. Andoon na rin si Mario.
"All set sweetheart?"
"Yes, nagpaalam ka na kila mommy?" Tanong niya sa kasintahan.
"Oo sinabi kong late na tayo uuwi."
"Hindi ka na uuwi?"
"Nope. Pupunta ako ng Clark base imemeet ko si Generel Alonso," sabi ni Rake.
"About the project Bravo ba 'yan bok?" Tanong ni Mario.
"Oo. May pinapacheck siyang intel sakin. Mabilis lang 'yun," sabi niya at hinawakan na sa kamay si Mikaela.
"We can't use your car baby. Pupunta ako ng base masyadong flashy 'yun. Ayos lang bang sasakyan ko nalang gamitin natin?" Alanganing tanong ni Rake.
"Sure," sagot niya.
Dinaanan pa nila si Jean bago sila nagtungo sa High society. Pasado alas dyes na silang nakarating doon.
"Mag iingat kayo ha?" Bilin ni Rake ng ipagbukas siya nito ng pinto.
"I'll see you later," hinalikan siya ni Rake sa labi na kinangiti niya.
HININTAY MUNA NI RAKE NA MAKAPASOK SA BAR ANG TATLO BAGO NIYA PINAANDAR ANG SASAKYAN. He dialed general Alonso's number.
"I am on my way sir," sabi niya and disconnected.
Wala pang labing limang minuto ay nakaparada na siya sa clark air base. Sinaluduhan siya ng ilang nakakakilala sa kanya doon.
He closed the door ng makapasok siya sa pribadong opisina ng heneral.
"May threat sa girlfriend mo, hijo." Sabi nito na ang tinutukoy si Mikaela.
"I received a call from his uncle. Her parents knew nothing about this. Si Andrew ang nakatanggap ng email. They believe that it's safe for her to stay here with you. Hindi ko alam kung alam din ni Ms. Castillo ang tungkol sa threat," sabi nito na kinatango niya.
"Where is she?"
"Nasa high society sila. She's with Marco and Jeanella," sabi niya kaya napailing ang ginoo.
"I think she knew about it. She wants to unwind, she's tensed. She's sending her parents abroad," sabi niya.
"Ganyan rin ang sabi ni General Castillo. Pinoprotektahan daw niya ang lahat and letting herself unguarded. The news of you two being together made him a little eased. Those who are threatening her are believed to be part of NPA."
"She really did a lot of hard work that's why she's one of the richest young women. Do you even know how rich she is? Maybe as rich as you are," sabi ng boss niya.
"I am not sure sir," sabi niya at napabuntong hininga.
"Our province's a safe zone but we can't be sure can we? Don't send her home yet or you better drive her home if you must," sabi nito.
"I can't sir. Siguradong tatanggi siya. I know her. But I will try to find a way," sabi niya kaya tumango lang ang heneral.
"Coordinate with the army and pnp of their province. I will send you there on official business. Sorry we need to get them. I want you to fly but flying is not really needed right now. We can solve this on land. Protect the one you love," sabi niya.
"I am actually planning on retiring sir," alanganing sabi niya.
"I wanted to be with her. To protect her. not that I am tired of protecting the people. Things have changed now that I have reason to live," sabi niya kaya tumango ang heneral.
"Let's talk about this later. You can have your indefinite leave. I don't want to loose you on my team," sabi nito kaya tumango nalang siya.
MAG-AALAS DOSE NA NG MARATING NI RAKE ANG HIGH SOCIETY. He parked near the entrance at hinintay ang tawag ng nobya niya. It's been two hours at sa tagal na 'yun ay baka nakakarami na ng nainom ang mga ito. Natutukso na siyang pumasok but he held his self. Maya-maya'y lumapit sa kanya ang gwardya.
"Sir for vip po 'yang parking na 'yan," sabi nito na nangangahulugang kailangan niyang umalis.
Marahil ay bago ito at hindi siya kilala. He holds a share in high society at mga old employees lang nakakaalam nun.
"Andyan ba si Arqui?" Tanong niya sa gwardya.
"Yes sir," sabi nito.
Calling Arqui...
"Bro what's up? Andito si Mario with his girl and a very charming girl. Why didn't you come?"
"I am here. Don't tell them. Excuse yourself and come here. Pinapalayas ako ng gwardya mukhang bago," sabi niya kaya napatikhim ang nasa kabilang linya.
"Okay bro. Excuse me friends. Enjoy your drinks," sabi nito at narinig niya ang mga yabag bago nito i disconect ang tawag.
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