Amber's Abode (Hotel Duology One)

Chapter 09

Chapter Nine
Drink

"We lived in the same country but we have different timezones, huh?" biro ni Xajin sa akin. We are having a video call tonight. Ngayon lang ulit kami nagkausap dahil naging busy sila sa event noong Valentine's day. "So near yet so far?"

"Hay nako Xajin, busy lang ako sa pagbisita sa site 'tsaka ikaw rin naman 'ah? Busy din sa events? I heard the local news documented the Valentine's event?"

"Yeah. It was nice to be seen by the news pero yung banda talaga ang pinunta nila," saad niya.

"Still it's an exposure."

He smiled and nodded. "Um, can we set aside work topics? Let's talk about something casual..."

Naningkit naman ang mata ko sa suhestiyon niya.

"Anong klaseng topic naman ang gusto mong pag-usapan, aber?" taas-kilay na tanong ko.

"Something that friends can talk about. How are you? Did you ate na ba? Did you inom na ba enough tubig today?" sunod-sunod na tanong niya.

Natawa naman ako sa conyo accent niya. He never fails to make me laugh.

"That's the smile I want to see from you! Kanina pa tayo nag-uusap tungkol sa trabaho at nakabusangot ka. Smile often, it makes you prettier!" he complemented me.

Mas lalo kong nilapad ang ngiti ko. "Thanks po Sir dela Cuesta for your feedback! The management will be obliged with that!" Biro ko naman pabalik.

"But seriously Amber, are you okay? Overwork ka ba? Kasama mo naman si Roxanne 'di ba?"

Yeah. Overwork ako sa pagiging secretary ng nanay ng ex ko. I'm exhausted!

Kung pwede ko lang sabihin sa kaniya, i-reklamo sa kaniya ang sitwasyon ko ngayon ay kanina pa ako daldal nang daldal dito. But I can't. I'm sorry Xajin but this is just temporary, aalis din ako kapag maayos na ang lahat.

I shook my head and smiled at him for assurance. "Nabibilad lang ako sa araw kaya medyo haggard ang itsura ko."

"Take some vitamins and drink a lot of water. You should prioritize your health, Amber," he said with a warning tone.

"Yes sir!" I shouted with a matching salute. We laughed. "By the way, how is Elaine? Si pa—I mean, her stepfather?"

I vowed to myself never to call him my father after leaving us. Itataga ko na 'yon sa bato.

I'm wondering what happened to the hotel. It's been a month since I left. May gulo na ba silang ginawa?

"Every weekends pumupunta sila rito para magbakasyon. Your father still insisting on getting inside your office kaya naman naglagay na kami ng security sa labas," paliwanag niya.

I can't believe that man! Anong kailangan niya sa opisina ko? Pera? Ginto? Pangalan? Posisyon? Who do they think am I? I'm not a charitable institution that can give her new loving daughter a position in the hotel! Kaming dalawa ni Xajin ang nagpalago ng hotel, he was not there when I needed a father! Umalis siya!

Hinilot ko na lang ang sentido ko sa kawalang hiya ng lalaking 'yon. Wala na nga ako sa Cebu nagagawa pa niyang pakuluin ang dugo ko!

"Amber, I told you we shouldn't talk about work-related stuff. Nakalukot na naman ang mukha mo," puna na naman ni Xajin.

"Gusto ko lang kumustahin kayo riyan. In the end of the day, ako ang may responsibilidad kung may gulong mangyari," sambit ko 'tsaka ngumit ulit sa kaniya. "Osiya, let's talk again next time. Mag-a-ala una na. Bye!"

"Bye! Take care, Amber!"

I turned off all of my gadgets and jumped on the bed. I need to recharge to face the challenges of tomorrow.