Essi could be unbecoming when she confronts her people. But she never knew that she could meet the worse of her when it comes to how they treat Oneil. She does not prohibit their ways of bonding. It’s their way to wind up. But maybe her ire got the best of her by questioning why they invited Oneil to drink. She becomes a disciplinarian even outside the workplace.
“Tell me, have I done it wrong? Have I become so much of a nagger?” Essi hopes that she will hear another thing.
“Yes,” Victor replied without a filter. “People are afraid of you. They wise up when you’re around.”
Essi felt shackled by the gravity beneath her chair, weakening her firm soldier’s back.
“But that’s alright. Leadership style changes when you take different positions. You handle more than 500 staff. Your case as a disciplinarian shouldn’t be a wrong point,” Victor added.
“I’m talking about what I have done at the restaurant.”
Victor takes his seat
After the negotiation, the new CEO of PHYGIN left the building, earning the good service of the famed Gautarza Company. Essi and Victor are still standing at the building entrance. Victor remained a polite smile. But Essi resorted to a serious face, impulsive to reassess the next step of her plans. But this gloom is espoused by the worry that Oneil might think of her being deceptive. For this is the misunderstood side of her character that she never shared with Oneil ever since. It will be another question if she is a villainess operating behind Oneil. Whatever the answer is, she needs to continue. Essi returned to the office with her unusual behavior. She would respond to the people when they called but she would return on looking at the floor with a nonchalant expression. But deep within, her question lingers. How can she face them when she was irate last night? “Madame, how is…” the employee was not able to tell Oneil’s name. “He’s recovering,” Essi still
There are no sweeter moments than little things starting to become part of Essi’s life. Oneil’s hug is one of them. She could have stayed in that hug. But it was interrupted by the sudden arrival of Gwyneth who needed more coins to pay the exact fare. “I’m really sorry for disturbing you guys,” Gwyneth said while being chased by urgency. She is already ashamed of letting the tricycle driver wait for her payment when she took the public vehicle to find out how Paco was practicing with his classmates for their street dance competition. The tricycle driver even assisted her in pulling the empty ice cream drums to the front door. “I’m sorry for the troubles,” Gwyneth added after thanking him. “No worries,” the tricycle driver was tolerant enough. Gwyneth nodded and headed back to the front house. “Gwyn, you bought all of this?” Essi asked while pointing to the dreams. “What for?” “I just want to support Paco’s classmates.” They
If fate never plays tricks, maybe Oneil will never realize what great treasures he has after all this time. His eyes cannot believe that a silent mansion was waiting for him. The attendants in the manor are more formal than him. But they were ever so hospitable to him and it scared him that they follow him wherever he goes. “Do you like your mansion, Sir Oneil?” Frederick asked that bothered Oneil. Why does he ask as if Oneil forgot everything? “Sir, I led the effort on renovating this. We called the best interior designers to fuse their talents to make this place more likable to Madame Essi.” Oneil glanced at Frederick. He wanted to ask if Essi has ever stepped in this place. “Don’t worry, Sir. This is still kept from her. We don’t want to spoil your surprise for her. So we diligently renovated the place.” “It’s all great,” Oneil felt relieved. Without bearing any remaining suspicion on Essi, Oneil has often wondered that if he owns a company, why do
Life, as it seems for Gwyneth, is to answer many questions. And its answers are not bound to be rendered to the one who asked. “Do you have other plans in life?” Paco asked her for the second time. He asked it out of concern. For they are already heading to the second semester of their senior high school life. But Gwyneth is still in Bayanihan, like a carefree spirit, spending money to support his team and use time on training. “When are you supposed to go back to pursue your studies?” “Why do you ask me about these things?” Gwyneth has never been an enthusiast of academics. She was leaning toward her vocation although everyone around her seemed to push her shifting careers for better wages. Paco is no different from her family. “I’m just concerned,” Paco said while looking away. “You told me that your purpose in staying in Bayanihan is to help Essi. Your mission is now done. You can leave the two deal with themselves without your intervention. Yo
Perhaps, it would have been a thankful farewell. A night of priceless gratitude and appreciation, even just for the little kindness and welfare that Captain Arturo has advanced for Oneil. The young man has finally adopted the ways of Bayanihan Town by moving out in the night to not get feasted by the nosy neighbors. He wanted to approach the man to hear something from him. But after all the grief, distrust, and regret that he caused Oneil to bear, Captain Arturo shamefully questions himself if he deserves it. Maybe Oneil is transferring his luggage to the van with a promise to never look back on his experiences with the Sanchezes. Well, the captain cannot blame Oneil if he would think in that manner. If only Marika had just given up on Oneil and respectfully return him to where he belongs, then his daughter might have earned respect from Essi and Oneil’s family. If only Marika was not selfish and did not insist on her interest, Captain Arturo’s family wouldn’t have e
Even at the business of the night, Essi still had protected Oneil. How can he not look at her after what she had done? He cannot even tell the reason for admiring her at this moment.“Do you have something to say?” Essi asked while looking around. She was waving at those greeting her.“Nothing,” because where can he begin? “Are they your friends?” he asked.“I don’t know. Just keeping polite. Maybe they know me.”“It seems like everybody likes you and they want to meet you.”Essi shrugged. “It’s impossible. Everyone has a critic.”“You’re right,” Oneil uttered, still negotiating i
The schedule of Gwyneth’s flight is already set. Oneil’s house is unlike any other day. It is messy for business. Housekeepers are walking back and forth, preparing meals and sharing the hectic day that their boss also has. They are also excited as Oneil for receiving a special guest. “Wow, you prepared all of this?” Essi commented while looking around, finally realizing that the rest house is owned by Oneil. The French interior didn’t fail to match the modern touch. The table before them offers many platters of savory delicacies and recipes. “This is for Gwyneth, right?” “Nah, he’s trying to make an impression on you,” Gwyneth inserted while rolling her sleeves in front of a dim glass wall. She made a lot of pictures posing with her reflection then sighed. “I can’t believe that I have to wear simple clothes. The sense of fashion has gone away from me.” “You still look good, though. Just pair it with a yellow vest, it will make a difference,” Essi suggested.
The defective red light of the boulevard blares intensively. It didn’t matter as vehicles are taking the intersection at their own discretion. Victor’s car is remaining on the side of the lane, waiting for the trailer truck to finish crossing. Traffic congestion has become a convenience for Essi to look back at how things have gone into trouble. But the splatters of raindrops against the window and the persistent glint of the red light hint to her that there is no other way to find out what happened but to visit the world that her youth has forgotten about. She made sure that Victor was not looking at her. Yet her secretary knew what she was planning and advised her to not look at the comments. Essi nodded before skimming the post. The post declares that Essi took Oneil away and it ruined Marika. This kind of malicious content is nothing new to Essi. However, it is amplified by the promises of technology and the intrigue of the people. Marika had revised so many stories and