Just Married

JM # 09 - Angel in Disguise

Do not be deceived because not all company is a good company.

Lea was unusually happy as she conversed with her parents.  Her mood was far from the gloomy one she had before she went on a vacation.

"Seems like your time-off did well for you."

"Yes po.  Actually, I feel better, dad.  Alam mo pwede din kayo magbakasyon dun ni mommy.  Nakakawala po ng stress."

Lea's mother chuckled.  "You should take that advice seriously, honey."  She said looking straight at her husband.

"Am I really being toxic?"

Her mother smiled mischievously, confirming the question.

"Don't worry, mom.  I'll be taking over dad's position soon enough.  You can both relax already."  Lea assured them.

"Baka ikaw naman ang ma-stress nyan."  Her mother reminded.

"I'll call for help if that happens."  Lea responded with a laugh.

Moments later, her father said something which caught Lea's attention.

"I got another call from Mr. Muhlach—the senior one.  Looks like he's still interested in our business."

"Ohh!?"  Lea simply nodded as if she has no idea of the current situation.

"Yes.  So that's more reason for you to keep your guard up when it comes to them.  His son is now handling most of their businesses.  I told you about him, right?"

"Yes.  And dad, I met him already."

"Really, you didn't tell me that.  When?"

"It was during one of the functions I attended on your behalf."

Lea doesn't need to tell her father the whole thing.  It will just cause him unnecessary worries just like how it was when the completed questionnaires were delivered to their office.

"He seems decent enough."  She added wanting to know her father's reaction to her assessment.

Mr. Salonga was surprised at first but then he continued to remind his daughter.  "Well, in comparison to his peers, he is.  But you still need to be careful around him in the future.  We don't know how far he could go for the sake of growing his business."

Lea only smiled in response.  Although she was already taking the necessary precaution in dealing with Aga, she can't help but feel guilty of hiding it from her father.

"I already have a reservation.  It's under Mr. Aga Muhlach's name."  Lea informed the receptionist who upon checking, called for someone to assist her to their reserved table.

Aga stood up as soon as he saw Lea walking towards him.

"I'm glad that you came.  Thank you, it means a lot."

"No worries.  This is the last time, right?"

Aga simply smiled and nod.  He sat down following Lea and asked for the waiter to hand in the menu.

Lea didn't take much time to order, saying she wouldn't stay for too long.  When the waiter left, she immediately told Aga her sole purpose of meeting him.

"Let me make things clear, Mr. Muhlach.  I came here to settle all the bad encounters that we had in the past.  I agree with you, we'll probably be dealing more of each other in the future.  So, I hope we'll both be professionals when that happens."

"That won't be a problem with me."

"Good.  And one more thing, I hope there isn't any more of meetings of this sort in the future.  I'll trust your words, Mr. Muhlach."