"Your Appa told me you once handled your restaurant and now you're taking over the company," pahayag ni Ms. Ryu habang mabagal na ngumuya ng kaniyang pagkain. Ang dalawang kamay ay abala sa paghihiwa ng lutong karne.
"Yes, but he let Vans run the restaurant instead. He kicked me out of the restaurant."
Natigil sa pagnguya si Ms. Ryu dahil sa narinig. Ang pagkakaalam niya, sabi ni Lans Estrabo sa kaniya ay si Hans ang umalis sa restaurant dahil gusto niyang patakbuhin ang real estate nilang negosyo. Sino ba talaga ang nagsasabi ng totoo?
"Is that so? Maybe you did something to displease him," tantiyadong sabi ng dalaga.
"I never, not even once, I failed Appa. Things have changed now."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
Nilapag ni Ms. Ryu ang kaniyang kubyertos.
"Is there something I can help?" she asked him.
She wanted to help beca
Pumasok na si Sheika at dala na niya ang resignation letter. Alam naman niyang wala si Sir Vans ngayon pero nagbabasakali pa rin siya. Wala kasing sekretarya ang koreanong 'yon unlike kay Hans. Iaabot nalang sana niya sa sekretarya."Magreresign ka na pala, chef? Bakit naman?" tanong ni Donny na nalungkot nang mabalitaan ang pag-resign ng chef."May kailangan lang akong asikasuhin. Ayoko namang madamay ang restaurant dahil doon.""Eh kailan ka babalik, chef? Mamimiss ka namin dito."Malulungkot din naman si Sheika sa pag-alis niya. Napamahal na siya sa restaurant. But some things were needed to end before they break and hurt her.Sheika smiled weakly. "I'm not sure, Donny. But, I'm really honored to work with you all. I can say I grow as a person and also as a chef. Marami akong natutunan mula sa inyo."May namuong luha sa mata ni Donny. Pinalis niya kaagad iyon at ngumiti
Vans, who was sitting comfortably on his chair, slid the paper against the table, reaching it towards Sheika who was standing across from him."I have signed your resignation letter, Chef Fernando. I hope it will give you peace," Vans stated and brought his legs down. Tumayo siya at inayos ang kaniyang necktie. "It's an honor to work with you. For the short span of time I have witnessed how incredible you are as an employee. I am saddened for your sudden resignation but I can't hold you if you really want to go. I respect your personal issues."Yumuko si Sheika sa harap ni Vans."Thank you, Sir Vans. I know things aren't good between us but I still respect you as a person.""May I know what is your next plan? Are you planning to look for another job?""I don't have any plans yet, Sir Vans, but this is for the better.""Won't you regret resigning?"Sheika s
Sheika went home straight and checked her bank account. Lagpas limampung libo na rin ang naipon niyang pera. Maybe that was enough to buy a lot or kahit downpayment lang muna. Naghanap siya online ng binibentang lupain. Puwede na siguro ang malapit sa dagat. Puwedeng maglaro doon si Israel. She found one pero sold na pala. Sayang naunahan na siya. It was even perfect for sunset viewing. Sa baybayin kung saan doon lulubog ang araw. May kumatok sa pinto niya. She closed her laptop and stood up. Pinagbuksan niya kung sino man iyon. Bumungad ang pagmumukha ni Immanuel. He was sad, or more like felt sorry for Sheika. "I'm all ears, Sheika," ani Immanuel. Tipid na ngumiti ang dalaga at bumalik sa kaniyang higaan. She sat on the edge of her bed, Immanuel followed. "Isaiah can't tell me what happened to you. It would be better if I'll ask you directly."
The car arrived outside St. Claire's big gate. Pinagbuksan si Hans ni Tacio ng pinto at lumabas kaagad ang binata. He tugged his tux down and preened his hair."Good morning, Sir Hans!" bati ng guwardiya sa kaniya nang nakangiti."Good morning," he replied, emotionless.Pumasok na siya sa loob ng St. Claire. Sinalubong siya ng tanawing ang mga bata ay abala sa pagtatanim at paglilinis ng bakuran. He roamed his eyes around, wondering if he could see a familiar face of a woman.Lumabas ang mga madre mula sa kusina. Kaagad nilang nakita si Hans na nakatayo 'di kalayuan mula sa kanila."Sir Hans!" nagagalak nilang tawag.Hans looked at them. Tipid siyang ngumiti saka tinaas lang ang kamay."Good morning, Sir Hans," bati ng mga madre sabay yuko sa koreano. Ganoon din ang ginawa ng binata."Good morning. I just made a sudden visit," Hans stated,
THIS is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual person, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental or used in fanfiction form.NO part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.Dare Me, Mr. CEOCopyright (c) 2021 sinvaloreAll rights reserved.I hope you will enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoy writing. Thank you for all your support!
"What time will I fetch you?" Tanong ni Jeremiah."Ahm, hindi ko alam. Libre ka ba mamaya?" Tanong ko pabalik.Nasa loob kami ng kaniyang nakaparadang sasakyan sa tapat ng isang bahay-ampunan. Lagi ako rito tuwing katapusan ng buwan. It's like a home to me. Malaki ang naiambag nito sa buhay ko way back two years ago."I'll try to check my schedule, but just call or text me.""Okay. Thank you so much. Sabi ko naman sa'yo 'di mo na ako kailangang ihatid dito."Nagpumilit kasi siya na ihatid ako dito kahit na may trabaho pa siyang dapat na unahin. May pag-aaral pa."Thank me later." Tipid siyang ngumiti."So.... I have to go na." Ngumiti ako sabay turo sa labas gamit ang hinlalaki.Huminga siya nang malalim. "Okay. I'll see you later.""If you're not busy," agap ko sabay tawa. Ngumuso naman siya and I found him cute.Jeremiah was my possessive cousin. He was like a brother to me and more than a father. Dahil lumaki a
Tinahak namin ang isang kuwarto na nasa ikalawang pinto mula sa bulwagan. Huminto kami sa tapat noon. Si Sister Chriselle na ang nagbukas ng pinto at nauna na rin siyang pumasok, sumunod naman ako."Israel? Nandito si nanay," malambing nitong anunsyo sa bata.My breathing hitched. Nanlalamig ang buo kong katawan. Panay rin ako sa paglunok ng laway. I could not describe what I was feeling."Nay?" Inosente nitong pagkaklaro. Bakas sa kaniyang boses na kagigising lang."Yes, Iza. Nandito siya para sa'yo."Lumabas ako mula sa likod ng madre and there I saw a little girl wearing strappy floral dress, holding a brown teddy bear na nagmula pa sa akin."Baby..." sambit ko't lumuhod sa harap niya. Kinusot niya ang kaniyang mga mata at lumapit sa akin. "Na-miss mo ba si nanay?"Tumango lang siya habang nakanguso nang bahagya.Lumandas naman ang luha sa aking pisngi. Masaya ako at nasasaktan, all at once. Masaya dahil kahit isang araw lang ay
"S-Sinabi ba kung sino, sister?" Tanong ko.Ang ibang donor kasi ay hindi nagpapakilala. Mayhaps to keep their privacy or reputation."Si Mr. Hans Estrabo, Sheika!" Masayang sagot ni Sister Chriselle.Hans Estrabo? Parang pamilyar ang kaniyang pangalan. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, kilala siya ni Genesis."Kilala ba mo siya, anak?" Tanong ni Sister Jenevive."H-Ho? Sounds familiar lang po.""Ah." Tumango siya at hindi na muling nagtanong po."Actually lagi siyang nagdodonate ng pera dito. Usually kalahating milyon lang ang pinakamataas. Nakakagulat lang dahil dalawang milyon ngayon," si Mother Superior."Eh baka naman big time na talaga si sir!" Masayang konklusyon ni Sister Jenevive."Baka nga." Tumawa si Sister Chriselle.Buong hapon ay wala akong ibang inisip kundi ang tungkol kay Hans. He must be very r