Chương 37: Time to forget

"Rafael, you're next meeting is already waiting outside. Should I send them in?" Ms. Jenson said as she placed a few files on his desk. It took a while before he had convinced his secretary to call him by his first name when they were alone. She was strict when it comes to formality.

"Thanks, Becky." Indicating to the files that he had asked her to expedite. She rewarded him with a warm smile.

He took a peek at the files in front of him and released a sigh. He was coop up in his office the whole day. He was exhausted, but he needed to finish this paper works before the deadline, which was this Friday. It was now Thursday.

"Send them in." Putting his attention back to the papers on his desk. "Can I ask for a coffee, Becky?" He needed the caffeine if he was to make it today.

"Sure." She said as she walked out of his office, closing the door behind her.

A minute later, two men walked into his office with a wide smile on their faces. "Dude, what happened to you?" One of them blurted out as soon as he saw him on his desk, seriously reading the files in his hand.

He finally let go of the papers and smiled back to the newcomers, standing up to meet them. "What are you guys doing here?" He was expecting that they would be making fun of him when they saw him in his office attire.

Dennis, the man on the tight shirt and jeans was the first one to make their unusual fist gestures as a sign of greetings. "It has been a long time since we last saw you, man."

Then, Leo, the man on a polo shirt and slacks made the same thing. "Did you know that we had to make an appointment just to see you? That's not cool, man."

"Sorry, guys. I told you I am busy this past year since I took over the business." He reasoned, going back to his seat as the two occupied the other seats in front of his desk. "Why are you two here?"

"I told you. He already forgot about us," Leo complained to Dennis.

He loosened his tie as he stared at Leo, unable to comprehend his claim. They were his surfing buddies back in college. Although they went on separate ways, pursuing their different path, they maintained their friendship through a yearly get-together.

"Dude, the Opens?" Dennis reminded him by motioning with a surfing action with his arms.

"Oh, sorry guys. I forgot about that." He ran his hands through his hair. "You know I could not compete this year." Remembering the US Open Surfing competition that they annually joined.

Although he did not compete professionally as his brother did, he still joined it yearly just to give support to his brother and his friends. The only time that he was not able to join was the year his brother died because of some personal issues, which he regretted until this day.

After the death of Oliver, he swore to help the struggling surfing community with sponsorship and other livelihood activities. Dennis and Leo helped him in the implementation of the different projects of the foundation he named after his twin brother.

Recently, because of the enormous responsibility of the company on his shoulder, he was not able to stay active with his projects, which was also very closed to his heart.

"Why don't I just treat you out for dinner tonight?" Quickly trying to make up to them. "You could also fill me in with the latest development of the foundation." They traveled to the city just to see him. The least he could do was to take them out.

"Great. We have many things to discuss with you." Dennis stated.

"Damn, I'm sorry. I can't tonight." Shaking his head, suddenly remembering a prior commitment.

"Why? What's more important than going out with us?" Dennis interrupted his thoughts.

"Well, Melissa set me up with a dinner date. She would skin me alive if I stood her up." He told them.

"Oh! I would not mess up with Melissa." Dennis said as they both shook their heads. Knowing that Melissa would also deal with them if they messed up the date she set up.

"Who's the lucky girl?" Leo asked, rubbing his bearded jaw as he sat casually on the chair.

He searched his mind for the name Melissa mentioned to him. "Sophia Lawrence, I think." He recollected.

"Wow. Are we talking about the supermodel?" Leo shouted excitedly upon hearing the name.

"I wouldn't know." He said nonchalantly, not giving care of whoever the girl was. He was going out with her as a favor to Melissa.

Melissa had been bugging him to go out more, pointing that he was not getting any younger. Then, Melissa's new boyfriend had a sister who was visiting his brother for a few weeks. Melissa asked him to take her for dinner tonight. He had no idea that his date was even a supermodel.

"What about tomorrow then? We'll call you the location." Leo suggested, smirking as if he had thought of a perfect idea.

"Sure." Saying it with slight hesitation. Knowing Leo, he would have something cooking up in that naughty head of his. Then again, he did need a break. Thinking that he would be done then with his work by tomorrow. It would be perfect to hang out with his friends once again even for just a little while.

"We better get going before we ruined your busy schedule." Leo stood up from his seat.

"But if you need a substitute for the date tonight, I will be willing to step in," Dennis said gallantly, which made Leo laughed loudly.

He walked them to the door, waving them off. It was indeed nice to see them.

After the meeting next week, he would know if Uncle Jorge and the rest of the board were satisfied with the way he had run the company in the past year. Then, he could finally breathe and take it slowly knowing that he did a great job that his late father and brother would be proud of.

He turned around staring at the view outside. His thoughts once again turned to the person he sought until this day, but her face was slowly fading in his mind. Maybe it was a sign that he should move on.

He never looked for her. Never had her investigated. He honored her request to let her go despite the pain he felt from her rejection. He still wanted to know why, but he resigned that he would never know the answer to that. Probably it was time to forget her.