Every Moment with You

CHAPTER 1

I was woken by the incessant ringing of my phone.

"What?" I snapped.

"Sorry to disturb your beauty sleep, but you have to be ready in an hour. Remember this is our big day?" replied the voice on the other line. A voice that is annoyingly familiar.

"Andrea it's six in the morning," I replied sleepily. Then I can't help but yawn. I had a long evening because I had to finish my presentation for the big meeting that's going to happen today.

"It's better that we are early. Alam mo na, kailangang makuha natin tong project na to. This is a prestige project and would surely cement our name permanently in the construction world."

"Ok. I'll be there in an hour."

I stood up immediately and went to take a shower. After just ten minutes, I emerged from the bathroom then headed to my walk-in closet. I selected the best dress that I could find there. I had to look pristine as I will be facing a very important client today. I selected a peach dress that hangs just above my knees and hugged my body perfectly. Then put on a black Louboutin pumps that complimented the dress very well. I just let my hair down, applied mascara and a little lip gloss. I'm not really into putting heavy makeup. I was never comfortable with putting too much color on my face. Then I put my solitaire diamond earrings and watch set then head out of my room. 

"Good morning ma'am," bati sa 'kin ng driver ko. Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto at pumasok ako sa Audi Q7 na gamit ko araw-araw papuntang trabaho. Habang nasa sasakyan ay tinawagan ko ang aking mama para tanungin kung tuloy ba ang dinner namin mamayang gabi.

"Hi Mom, what time shall I be there?" Bungad ko matapos sagutin ni Mommy ang tawag ko.

"Hi Annie, we're expecting our guests at seven, so it's best if you're here before then," ang tugon ng aking mama.

"Guests?" Hindi ko maitago ang pagkabigla sa boses ko. 

"Ah hindi ko ba nasabi sa'yo na may makakasama tayo ngayong gabi?"

"Hindi po," dinig ang pagtataka sa boses ko.

"Makakasama ko ang bestfriend ko. Medyo matagal din kaming hindi nagkita simula nung umalis sila ng bansa. Tingin ko kasama niya ang pamilya niya,"  paliwanag ni Mama.

"Ok. I'll be there. Mom I need to go."

"Ok darling, see you later." Then she hangs up.

Huminto ang sasakyan sa harap ng DEH Headquarters, a 22-floor building kung saan makikita ang opisina ng mga executive ng kompanya na pinamamahalaan ng aking papa. Pagkatapos ng kolehiyo, dito na ako nagtrabaho. Nagsimula ako bilang isang simpleng clerk sa marketing department at unti-unting umangat. Ngayon ako na ang Chief Operating Officer and I am directly reporting to my father who is the CEO.

Tuloy-tuloy ako sa executive elevators at pinindot ang button para makaakyat sa opisina ko. Matatagpuan ito sa 21st floor katapat ng opisina ng Papa. Pagbukas ng elevator ay binati ako ng napakalaking ngiti ni Andrea, ang personal assistant ko.

"Glad you came in early. Shall we go through your schedules for today?" Masiglang bati sa 'kin ng assistant ko.

"No. I haven't had breakfast yet kasi minamadali mo akong pumunta dito." Tuloy-tuloy akong naglakad papunta sa opisina ko.

"Okay, I'll just prepare your breakfast." 

"Okay, in the meantime, I'll just prepare the presentation later," medyo naiinis kung sagot. Kasi sa dinami-dami ng oras at araw, bakit nataon pa na ngayong araw ang presentation ko.

"What's wrong?" ang nagtatakang tanong sa 'kin ni Andrea.

"You realized what day today is?'

At bigla siyang napanganga, "Ow, this is your least favorite day. May 10th."