Oneil is living in the feeling that Essi might come around anytime. Such a thrill, feeling chased and getting used to it. At first, it seems like running in circles. But later on, it has become part of his routine, a habit of his heart he cannot deny. He was waiting for her to be in the building. He got up earlier than usual. Arrived at his station at 6 AM. Prepared another cup of coffee in case Essi does not have one.
The building of Gautarza is unusually silent. With about 500 people as their staff, and a fourth of them are on the first day of the seminar series, something inside the building is indeed empty. But Essi is passionate about making her employees updated on skills and knowledge systems. She once mentioned to Oneil that a lecture on work management and the dysfunction of alienation brought her to this motivation. But, perhaps, what makes Essi’s fresh handling methods on the company effective is how she strategically chooses the opportunities around her. Her
From when did it start that Victor is suddenly losing details about Essi? He knew what she was up to and where she was heading. He knew her business and could feel her thoughts through her silence. But suddenly, he does not have any idea why Essi went out with Oneil without telling him the purpose. He should have received updates since he will be left to deal with those who might look for Essi. He cannot withhold information all the time especially if it is Arlelle Paulsson. Essi’s grandfather.Victor keeps on dialing Essi’s number while negotiating with time to be patient with him.“He is here,” Victor almost whispered when the other end finally responded. He gets secured to the assurance that Essi and Oneil are almost near to the building. Victor returns to Essi’s office where Grand Paulsson is waiting for Essi.The Grand Paulsson is in his typical corporate attire, a new hat, and a watch of a sky-rocketing price. He waits in sile
Essi returns to the scene that Mr. Arlelle’s hand is on Oneil’s shoulder. A sign of blessing and acceptance. But the old man leaves the words of challenge to Oneil.Essi’s grandfather has always been like that. His words may seem to be counterproductive. Yet, from it, Essi found stronger motivations.It is a call of duty, an intense heat of challenge for Oneil whether he should show up to the golf course with Mr. Arlelle Paulsson. The time is too short for him to think of anything else, be it dread or questions. Essi came in to disrupt the intense situation.“So what did I miss??” Essi asked as she closed the door. The clacks of her stilettos fill the sound of her walk while getting near to the two. “When would you like to play golf with Oneil, grandpa?”The old man returned to his seat without a smile. “I don’t think that it would be best for us to join the golf course,”
Gwyneth assumed that her task was already done. Anytime sooner, she might be able to return to Bordeaux to continue her equestrian passion. She keeps talking to Paco about the small little things happening between Essi and Oneil. She counts every interaction they have made the progress she had been longing to see. “Don’t you feel your heart fluttering too? They are sweet to each other,” Gwyneth said while returning the horse to the stable. “Just like how they are meant to be.” Paco is walking next to her, only silent and having thoughts afar off. He couldn’t keep up his attention to Gwyneth because of the sensitive request he received from her. He didn’t even notice that they were already in front of the grand gates of their ancestral house. “Why are we here?” Paco asked. “I told you, we will be buying some tickets for the two,” Gwyneth replied. She noticed Oneil always passing by in this street to look at the ancestral house. It seems like it has som
Planned things often do not happen. Their date at the Mariano Ancestral House didn’t go through. Puzzled by Gwyneth’s disagreement for Essi and Oneil to go there, Essi is running out of choices to spend time with the man. If she would say how worried she is that Oneil’s plan will not happen, Oneil might find out that Essi has been observing him these past few days. She can only have these kinds of secret thoughts while walking from her house to buy a late-night coffee mix to a sari-sari store. While waiting for the store clerk to give her the coffee mix, the electricity went out in the entire Bayanihan. It is all dark and night has become eerie at the people’s sound of awe. People are in a rush to plug out their appliances to avoid complications when the electricity returns. “Are you okay, miss? Please wait for a bit, we have to prepare the emergency lights,” the clerk said since he was still not able to find Essi’s preferred coffee mix. “It’s alright,”
Essi has liked the reflections of Oneil and herself on the surface of the dark waters. But she never thought that there is more joy in seeing her image in the eyes of Oneil, looking with care at her. His hands are in front of Essi, waiting for her to hold. It is time now to leave the boat that separated them for a while from the worries of life. Essi sets her feet again on the soil of the riverside. The sense of security accompanies her at Oneil’s reminder for them to get Essi home.While on their way, they saw the curfew station staying active with an emergency light at the corner of the street. Paco’s mother, Minerva, is staying at the station with her barangay volunteer vest. She has her friends at the station, spending their time for random conversations once more. They noticed Essi and Oneil turning to their street.“Essi?” Minerva recognized her after moving the flashlight towards them. “Where have you been? It’s dark now,&rdqu
Minerva has a cozy garden-themed house ornamented with string lights accompanied by simple music. Visitors are coming in and out. Some of them are wearing their casual dress and others are keeping it civil. As for Essi, she arrived at the event’s place with her green blazer and white wrap dress. She had no extra time to change her corporate attire. Now, she is earning people’s attention for wearing a rich woman’s dress, although she managed to purchase it at 50% off. People made way for her to get inside, stepping themselves aside while their eyes were on her. They are whispering if they are seeing it right. They thought that Essi was coming to crash the party. But she has a gift in her hand. Minerva has also greeted her and led her to a special table for Paco’s friends. The birthday boy and Gwyneth are nowhere to be found until they arrived with additi
She’s back. And Oneil only has conflicting feelings after knowing that. After all the things that were said to him, the insult before the flight, and the reality that Marika has still contested behind Oneil’s back, he is only doomed to feel no good. He seems to be someone getting weak again. But Oneil wanted her to return for he still has many things to ask. But he does not want to see the face that lied to him and is accusing him of cheating. If it was not for the necessity to deliver the empty bottles back to the store, he would have met her in an untimely manner. He is also worried that Essi might have encountered Marika. He took comfort from the news that Essi went home already. He walked back to his house and found a familiar figure. It was Essi, sitting on a bench. Her hands are folded against her chest. She is looking from side to side, waiting for someone. The street lamp near to her was the brightest among all the lamps around. Essi stands out among the nigh
The Gautarza Company Build has become the safe haven of Essi and Oneil, although this place was never new to them. It’s like a modern refuge place for perturbed ties. Without intending anything, their lunch feels more meaningful than the last time they had it. Victor arrives at Essi’s office, all glad that the food delivery has come for them. There is Jillian as well that carries more food packages, and Gwyneth to add the lunch enforcement. Essi left her station right away, revealing how hungry she already is. Oneil has already entered the scene and was waiting for Essi to take her seat first. The five started their delightful meal inside the office. It feels at home and without trouble. Essi was secretly looking at Oneil. But it was Oneil who looked after her and even added meat to her bowl. “Eat well. You have been working for a long while,” Oneil said. “How about me, cousin? I forgot to take my breakfast,” Gwyneth inserted while pouting her