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Chapter 3

After 3 months....

"Congratulations, Aspen," masayang bati ni Atticus sa anak while in front of the other board members. They were having a meeting this morning at nagpitch si Aspen ng isang proyekto to increase energy efficiency for their manufacturing sites in the country and everyone applauded his work. "We expect the project to commence soon."

"Thanks, Sir," masayang sagot nito at isinarado na ang laptop na naka-project ang screen kani-kanina lamang.

"I'm expecting to have the cost estimate on my table this afternoon and I'll have it signed and approved," Atticus said and smiled. "Good job."

Aspen breathed deeply and smiled back at his father. It has been months of him trying to prove himself and, finally, he was able to pull-off this project and please his father.

The rest of the board members clapped their hands for him and congratulated him before he exited the boardroom.

He went straight to his office and jumped up and down with joy. At tinawagan niya kagad ang kaibigang si Gio, an engineer and business graduate dahil isa ito sa mga nakatulong sa project niya.

"Approved, bro!" sigaw ni Aspen sa telepono.

"Congrats, pare!" Gio said on the other line. "So ano? Makakatulog ka na ba ng mahimbing ngayon? Finally, may approval ka na ng tatay mo," biro nito.

"Everything I've ever wanted. He will assign me as COO effective next month kapag maayos kong nasimulan ang project sa planta."

"Wow, that was quick. Masyado sigurong na-impress si Tito sayo."

"Yes, I've tried being perfect for the past months. And I guess I'm just naturally good at it."

"Pretending? Oo nga," biro muli ni Gio at humalaklak.

"Gago!"

"Just make sure hindi ka ma-burnout, Aspen."

"I won't. I just called para makapag-celebrate at unwind tayo bukas. Tatawagan ko lang din si Miguel. It's the weekend tomorrow and I want to go sailing."

"Good luck calling him. Medyo bad mood siya kanina ng kausap ko. I think some woman pissed him off."

Aspen just smirked. Hindi niya alam kung bakit sobrang manhid ni Gio at hindi nito nahahalata na may nangyayari kina Miguel at sa kapatid nitong si Dahlia, who was supposedly his fiance. Pero wala pa namang opisyal na announcement. Isa pa, he only sees Dahlia as a good friend. If his friend Miguel wants her, he won't stand in their way. Pero mahirap ng maging kalaban ang mga magulang nila.

"I'll call him anyway! See you tomorrow," paalam ni Aspen before ending the call. 

He breathed deeply and smiled. Everything is falling into plan. His dad is slowly trusting him with the company at kailangan niya pang magpursigi para makuha ng buo ang loob nito.

Just then, he heard three knocks on the door before his assistant came in.

"Yes?" tanong niya sa assistant niya na pumasok ng mabilis.

"Sir, may babae sa labas, hinahanap kayo. I checked your schedule pero wala na naman kayong any remaining meetings today kaya nagtaka ako. Pero pinipilit niya ako na kailangan ka daw niyang makausap."

"Name?"

"Katrina Lualhati daw. Sir, inaaway na niya ako na idedemanda daw ako kapag hindi ko siya pinapasok sa opisina ninyo. Gugustuhin nyo daw siyang makausap."

Hindi niya maalala kung kilala niya ito. But then, he's been with thousands of women, ano bang malay niya? "Fine, bring her in."

"Sige, salamat sir." At lumabas na ito ng opisina niya.