Runaway Girl (ɢxɢ / ɪɴᴛᴇʀꜱᴇx) ✔️

CHAPTER 21

Ivanka

"Until now hindi parin ako makapaniwala na nakuha mo yung multi-billion investments deal sa Consunji Group. You were kicking hard in there, girl." amused na sabi sakin ni Simoné Bernasconi habang palakad kami sa exit door ng Shangri-La banquet hall.

"Neither do I, akala ko nga makukuha yun ng mga Ayala. I guess I need to thank my charms for that." I said as we got out of the hall and walked towards the parking lot.

"No seriously, Ivanka. I didn't expect you to have a wide range of strategic marketing. I was like, ikaw ba talaga yan? I still remember how reckless you were back then. Nakakapanibago."

I laughed. "What can I say? People change." amused na sagot ko.

Simoné has been a very close friend of mine since college. Actually, kaibigan din ito nila Helaena, Theia at Maureen. Pero dahil nagkaroon ng matinding away sa pagitan nilang tatlo nila Theia at Maui ay na friendship over sila. It's quite a long story, basta ang alam ko'y hindi parin sila bati hanggang ngayon. Mahigit isang dekada na ang nakalipas pero patuloy parin sa labanan ng pride ang tatlong 'to. So childish.

"That's a character development you know. Buti naman at nasa tamang landas ka na. Alam mo bang kahit 'nong nasa states ako? nababalita ko parin yung mga problematic behaviors mo pagdating sa babae. I was beginning to think na wala na talagang chance para mag-bago ka."

"I know right? None of these would've happened if it wasn't for one person. She's the reason behind all of this."

"Cheesy." pabiro ako nitong tinampal sa braso. "Isa pa yan, nakakapanibago din ang pagiging stick to one mo. Naalala ko pa dati by schedule yung dates mo. May monday, tuesday, wednesday ect. Gosh, who would've thought my playgirl friend is now a one-woman lady."

Natawa ulit ako. Totoo yun. I have a long list of women at my disposal before. Na-witnessed ni Simoné yun noon pa man.

"I'll go ahead now, Ivanka. May pupuntahan pa'ko." paalam ni Simoné sa akin. Nasa parking lot na kami at nakarap sa aming sasakyan.

"Are you going to Helaena's birthday party this sunday?" I asked.

"I don't know. Although she did send an invitation letter to me last week. But I'm still thinking if I should go or not. Baka busy ako sa araw na yan."

"Oh come on, pumunta ka na. Sabay na tayo."

Simoné snorted. "Are those two bitches coming?" she was referring to Theia and Maui.

"Probably yeah."

"Then I'm not going."

Mahina ulit akong natawa. Kita mo na? Allergy talaga nila ang isa't-isa. Such dramatic queens.

"Just send me a message nalang if ever you change your mind para sabay na tayo." tugon ko.

"Okay I will." sumakay na ito sa kotse at umalis.

Pumasok narin ako sa kotse ko at nag-drive pabalik sa MetroSky.

It's been a very tiring day for me. Pagkatapos ng appointment ko kanina sa Beamanoir Airlines ay dumeretso agad ako sa Shangri-La Hall para sa isang mahalagang investment deal. Pakiramdam ko ay over worked nako lalo na't may naghihintay pa sa'king trabaho pagbalik ko sa MetroSky. I want to go home and rest pero hindi pwede. I need to finish all my duties first bago magpahinga.

Pagdating sa opisina ay pagod akong umupo sa swivel chair at saglit pumikit para makabawi sa konting stress. Ngunit agad din akong napa-dilat nang marinig ko ang pagtunong ng message tone ng cellphone ko.